SD40 Workshops, Schedule & Staff

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The SCWC provides multi-tiered workshop tracks. Advance sign-up is not required for most workshops, so conferees are free to go to any session they choose. Should you find that a particular session is not for you, or if you’d prefer to simply tap into another. Workshop summaries can be found here (when available).

• Authors & Industry Experts
• Workshops
• Weekend Schedule
• Frequently Asked Questions
• All About Advance Submissions

Special Guest Speakers

Authors & Industry Experts

MICHAEL STEVEN GREGORY, Executive Director of both the Central Oregon Writers’ Conference and Southern California Writers’ Conference, is an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter. He has scripted network series, directed television and features, and been involved as a writer, producer or director in over 150 short films. His longform projects include the doculogues We, The Writer and We, The Screenwriter, the romantic-comedy A Valentine Carol, and groundbreaking Don King Presents: Prizefighter, for 2K Games. His books include Disc Golf: All You Need to Know about the Game You Want to Play, which remained a periodic bestseller well over a decade after publication. Michael is also the owner of AuthorEdge, a transmedia content producer for publishers.

• SESSIONS: No-Host Mixer, Introductions
  
• ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Screenplays, TV and short-form scripts; first 15 pages in proper format, cover letter

JANIS THOMAS  is Director of the Southern California Writers’ Conference, and bestselling author of such domestic suspense novels as All That’s Left of Me and What Remains True, both with Lake Union, and three critically acclaimed humorous works of women’s fiction—Something New, Sweet Nothings, and Say Never—as well as the mystery Murder in A-Minor. She has written more than fifty songs and two children’s books, which she created with her dad, is a passionate writing advocate, a popular workshop leader, speaker, and editor.  Her latest is the paranormal thriller Finding Grace, which Kirkus Reviews calls “An authentically creepy tale.”

• SESSIONS: TBA
• ADVANCE SUBMISSION CRITIQUE: Women’s fiction, suspense, mystery; first 10 pages double-spaced; cover letter

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Workshops: Read & Critique

• All-Genre
• Commercial/Women’s/Memoir/Romance/Narrative
• Literary/Alternative/Narrative Nonfiction
• Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/Crime
• Paranormal/Horror/Transcendental
• Young Adult/New Adult

Workshops: Craft & Execution

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Workshops: Memoir/Creative Nonfiction

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Workshops: Path to Publication

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Panels, Appointments and Events

• Advance Submission One-on-One Consultations
• No-host Mixer
• Page One Cage Match
• Friday Evening Special Guest Speaker: TBA
• Saturday Evening Special Guest Speaker: TBA
• Sunday Afternoon Special Guest Speaker: TBA

Frequently Asked Question

• What should I bring to the conference?

  Definitely bring your manuscript, and do not hesitate to bring a work-in-progress. For many this is the only opportunity to receive authoritative feedback on a manuscript before sending it out to agents and editors. Our workshops are geared solely to help pinpoint possibly problematic issues of character, structure, and prose in order to facilitate your ability to market a commercially viable manuscript. As each conference we have an SCWC Topic writing contest (the Topic is announced Friday night), you should also have the ability to write during the weekend.

• What if I haven't written anything yet, and don't quite know where to start?

  You will. There are many workshops geared to writers just starting out– as well as those of every level.

• What awards are given at the SCWC?

  The conference recognizes notable accomplishments in Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Screen. These awards are given only when work is deserving of such recognition. Such work is discovered during Read & Critique Workshops and one-on-one consultation, and is determined through a consensus of the workshop leaders. We also bestow an SCWC Flash Fiction Award for the best piece, in any form, of 250 words or less based on the one word subject named Friday Night. Recipients are awarded Sunday. As a result of their being honored, several SCWC award-winners have had their recognized manuscript go on to publication.

• Is the SCWC Banquet a formal affair?

  While not quite formal, it is semi-formal, or at the very least “business casual.” Figure it as the one chance we have all weekend to shed our grubbies and look less like writers!

• Can I attend more than one workshop during a session?

  Yes. If you find that a particular workshop is not for you, or if you’d prefer to simply tap into another, you are encouraged to do so.

• How does a Read & Critique Workshop work?

  Each workshop is run according to the preference of its Leader. In Read & Critiques and Troubleshooting/Lecture/Q&A Workshops many allow the author to read his/her material, then selectively request feedback from members, while others address the work directly and move on to the next. One simple rule for workshop read & critique is that the author is not allowed to respond to the critique unless directly asked.

  The following Read & Critique Workshop Rules serve simply as a guide.  The workshop leaders ultimately run their workshops as they see fit.

  1.  Length of reading time limit to be set by workshop leader.
  2.  Critiques are done one person at a time, interruptions are not allowed.
  3.  Reader may respond to questions or comments only after critique.
  4.  Critiques will be directed only to work read, not critiques given by others.
  5.  Only the Art and Craft may be critiqued—not content.
  6.  “Pickies” (errors in grammar, usage, etc.) are written, not given orally.
  7.  No one may interject critique/comment until all others are finished.
  8.  Readers may not explain their work in advance, or defend it against critiques given. If explanation is necessary, chances are that the work needs more work.
  9.  Don’t “read and run.”  It’s rude.

• Can I arrange for more than one Advance Submission Critique?

  Yes. You can select as many readers for advance submission as you wish by paying an additional fee for each additional reader.

• If I'm planning to stay at the hotel, do I call the hotel to reserve a room?

  Yes. The hotel itself is the physical site of the conference. Discounted lodging rates are available to SCWC conferees. Be sure to mention the SCWC when booking to ensure you receive the discounted rate. Those planning to register for the conference with hotel lodging must do so by no later than the deadline indicated on the web site.

All About Advance Submissions

• What are advance submissions?

  The SCWC offers conferees optional Advance Submission Critique of manuscripts, followed by one-on-one consultation with our respective readers for an additional fee of $50 for each submission. If you are uncertain of who would be best for you, email Michael Steven Gregory or phone him at (619) 303-8185 for guidance.

• What is the deadline to submit pages?

  All Advance Submission Material must be received for the San Diego 40 conference by no later than December 12, 2025. Advance Manuscript Critique is available only to registered conferees. Appointment times for individual one-on-one consults will be made available at the Registration Desk upon check-in.

  You may register first then submit your material later, so long as material is received no later than the deadline. You may also submit material to more than one reader, accompanied by additional payment.

• Who are the advance submission readers?

  The readers for San Diego 40 are: to be announced (see the kind of work they accept for evaluation at the end of each workshop leader description above).

• How do I submit my material?

  First, be certain that the manuscript pages you’re submitting are the final version of the pages you want read. Do NOT send multiple, “updated” versions. There is no need to submit weeks before the deadline. Wait until you are absolutely certain the pages are ready, then:

  • Save your cover letter as a RTF, DOC or DOCX file.
  • Save your manuscript pages as a RTF, DOC or DOCX file.
  • Attach the saved RTF, DOC or DOCX files to an email addressed to MSG [at] WritersConference.com.
  • Enter “Advance Submission(s) from YOUR LAST NAME” in subject line.

  We will confirm receipt so you won’t have to fret.

• Who can submit manuscript pages prior to the conference?

  Advance submission of manuscript pages for evaluation prior to the conference, followed by one-on-one consultation with the reader(s) of your choice during the event is available only to registered conferees.

• What should be included in my submission?

  Unless otherwise noted, you may submit the first 10 pages of your manuscript, in standard professional submission format. A cover letter must also be included, but does not count as part of your total number of manuscript pages (check reader’s bio for exact number).

• Can I submit pages from the middle of my book?

  No. Regardless of how exceptional material may be later in the manuscript, no readers will ever discover it because of their inability to get beyond lackluster, problematic or downright sucky opening pages.

• What is the *proper format* for manuscript pages?

  As follows…

  • Times New Roman, 12 pt. font
  • Double-spaced print on one side of the paper
  • No double spaces between paragraphs (unless it’s a page break)
  • Single space only after periods
  • Header (TITLE/Your Last Name on left margin; then the page number (against right margin) starting w/page 2)
  • 1″ margin all the way around

• Should I include a cover letter?

  While not mandatory for advance submission feedback, a cover letter is recommended if for no other reason than to apprise the reader of what genre the pages s/he will be reading is and provide a thumbnail understanding about what the story is about.

  The last thing anybody wants is to submit a contemporary dark thriller, the execution of which leads the reader to believe is a comedic fantasy. (It’s happened!)

• Should I include a synopsis?

  No. A synopsis should be included only if a reader requests one.

• Is my cover letter and/or synopsis considered part of my page count?

  No. Cover letters and synopses do not figure into the count of your total number of first pages.

• Do you accept submissions via email?

  Yes. The COWC accepts advance submissions via email, preferably in DOC, DOCX, or RTF file format. Submissions should be sent as an attachment.

• Where do I email my advance submission?

  Email your submission(s) as an attachment to Michael (msg [at] WritersConference.com). Include “Advance Submission” in the subject line of your email. Be sure to include your email address on your cover letter.

• Can I mail hardcopy of my advance submission?

  While email is our preferred choice, you may also submit materials to our postal address: COWC, PO Box 433, Redmond, OR 97756.

• Can I place multiple submissions in one envelope?

  Yes. Including multiple submissions in one envelope is encouraged and will naturally reduce your cost of mailing submissions.

• What if I need help choosing a reader?

  If you need guidance choosing a reader, feel free to contact SCWC Executive Director Michael Steven Gregory via email or phone.

• What time will my one-on-one appointment(s) be?

  The bulk of advance submission appointments will take place on Saturday, with a few rare exceptions that are rolled into Sunday. You will receive appointment time(s) when checking in at the front desk to pick up your name badge and final schedule.