I love San Franciso. There, I said it. It reminds me of Wellington- a hilly city with a magnificent harbour, and a propensity for earthquakes. Also the vibe is the same; laid back, metropolitan, and of course, excellent dining.
So I will be glad to head back there in February. Tee Morris and I will be at the San Francisco Writers Conference. I’ll be doing a panel on fantasy with Gabrielle Harbowy and Katharine Kerr on Saturday morning, and then the three of us will be teaching a class on writing science fiction, fantasy and horror in the post conference sessions.
This conference is packed full of events with authors, agents and publishers- many of which I will be going to myself. If you’re in the area, give this event serious consideration. Check out the website and get in quick- the main conference is nearly sold out!
And on Saturday 19th February, I will be at Borderlands Books reading from the as yet not released Spectyr, and signing books. After wards we’ll probably find a local pub and kick back. So I hope some of you can make it out. Borderlands is a great store, and my favourite place to shop in San Francisco.
Here’s the press release for the post and pre conference
2011 San Francisco Writers Conference Offers PRE and POST Event Classes!
Major Presenters will teach in-depth, low-cost writing sessions on February 17 & 21, 2011.
San Francisco, CA—1/31/11— The 2011 San Francisco Writers Conference will take place this February 18-20 at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. The prestigious event is where writers learn not only to improve their writing, but how to publish and promote their work. This year, in addition to the main conference, there will be classes on hot topics for writers both before and after the main event. Teachers include literary agents Donald Maass, Katharine Sands and Michael Larsen; bestselling authors Robert Dugoni, Sheldon Seigel, Katharine Kerr, Adair Lara; and many others. The classes are in-depth and low-cost…and open to all writers. For more information go to www.SFWriters.org.
PRE-CONFERENCE Pitch Workshop with Katharine Sands on February 17th
If your manuscript or book proposal is polished and ready to get into the hands of agents and editors, but you’re not sure how to do it successfully, then plan on taking PERFECT YOUR PITCH by New York literary agent Katharine Sands. Katharine is coming to San Francisco to teach this workshop, Thursday, February 17, 2011 from 6-9 p.m. Three hours to learn the secrets of successful pitching from the author of the book by the same name. Katharine is one of the most popular faculty members at writers’ conferences around the country. For more details, check the website, www.sfwriters.org. The cost is $149.
POST-CONFERENCE Intensive Workshops on Monday, February 21st
The Monday after the conference is always President’s Day holiday. SFWC organizers are encouraging attendees to consider adding an extra day onto their weekend, but in fact any writer can take one of the following intensive half-day or full-day workshops. Taught by experts in their fields, writers will learn from the best in small classes with lots of personal attention. Below is a list of the classes. More detailed information can be found at www.sfwriters.org:
Full Day Classes Feb. 21st (9 am to noon, no host lunch, 2 – 5 pm)  $297 for either class
1.     Social Media for Authors with social media gurus Tee Morris and Linda Lee
By the end of this nuts and bolts workshop, authors will know how to effectively use Twitter, Facebook, mySpace and Linked-In. Learn how to create a website and blog and how to podcast your writing. (You’ll also know how to select which of these tools is right for you.) A must have for writers in today’s online world.
2.     Self-Publishing Bootcamp with Carla King, Alan Rinzler, Joel Friedlander, Karen Leland and many more
Listen up, soldiers! Today is the best time ever to be a writer. With eBooks and self-publishing options never before available to get your book in front of a reading audience, you need to understand the whys, whats and hows of self-publishing. Taught by the creator of the Self-Publishing Bootcamp and featuring a host of other teachers in design, publicity, editing, printing, eBooks and more.
Half-Day AM Classes Feb. 21st (9 am to noon)…any class is $149
AM1Â Â MICRO-TENSION: The Secret of the Best Sellers
with acclaimed Literary Agent Donald Maass
AM2Â Â Writing Mysteries, Suspense and Thrillers
With best-selling mystery and thriller authors Bob Dugoni and Sheldon Siegel
AM3Â Â Writing Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror
With best selling author Katharine Kerr, associate publisher Gabrielle Harbowy and          rising star fantasy author Phillipa Ballantine
AM4  Writing Romance and Women’s Fiction
With literary agent Christine Witthohn and romance author Elizabeth Jennings
Half-Day Classes Feb. 21st (2 pm to 5 pm)…any class is $149
PM1Â Â Â How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal
With the man who wrote How to Write a Book Proposal, literary agent Michael Larsen     and legendary independent editor Alan Rinzler
PM2Â Â Â Making Your Memoir Bigger Than The Story of Your Life
With writing teacher and memoirist Adair Lara
PM3Â Â Â How make money in the Hot Young Adult Market
With award-winning children’s book author Douglas Rees and Simon Pulse Editor           Annette Pollert
Another option for writers to build their writing career is the new San Francisco Writers University. This new project from the non-profit San Francisco Writers Conference launched in November 2010. According to SFWU Dean Laurie McLean, “In less than a month 150 members joined for free to download free and $10 audio classes, learn from each other in discussion forums and blogs, have their work critiqued by fellow writers, connect via emails, find experts to help them or list themselves as experts. SFWU is like Facebook and Linked-In specifically for writers, with classes, live events and lots of social media tools.â€Â Writers are encouraged to check it out at www.SFWritersU.com. Michael Larsen had a dream of creating a space where all types of writers at every stage of their writing journey could join together in a writer community and learn their craft in an affordable, simple, worldwide manner. McLean added, “We believe you’ll soon be asking yourself how you did without this resource before! Join us. We’d love to have you participate and make SFWU your home for writing!â€