Newport Beach has been selected to host the Southern California Writer’s Conference – LA this year. The conference will be held Sept 23-25 at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.
As the website states, “whether you’re a writer just starting out, a writer unable to determine why your work’s not working, a writer simply in search of some answers, a writer wanting feedback on what you’ve written, or just a writer who wants to hang with other writers” this conference is designed to offer something for everyone.
Writers can mail samples of their writing for an Advance Submission Critique of manuscripts, followed by one-on-one consultation with literary agents, authors, playwrights, screenwriters, and editors for an additional fee of $50. All Advance Submission Material must be received for the L.A. conference via regular post (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.) by no later than Sept 3.
Writers can request which reader will critique their work and each reader lists their bios and specialties on the SCWC website.
I went to this conference a few years ago when it was held in Irvine, and although I could easily attend the seminars and critique sessions during the day and go home at night, I decided to splurge.
I was so happy I did. Although I was only a few miles from home, I was able to really be in the writing mindset, meet other writers and feel like I was far away from the multitude of distractions that would most definitely be waiting for me. I met writers from all over Southern California as well as from different states. People who attended the conference ranged from 18-year-old students to retirees in their 80s. The level and diversity of talent filled me with inspiration. I encourage Newport Beach residents to not only attend the conference, but stay at the hotel to get the entire experience.
Attendees will be able to choose which seminars they want to attend each day. The seminars are all intimate enough that individual questions are addressed in depth. Seminar topics include Crafting the Perfect Scene, Writing the Irresistible Memoir, and To Outline Your Story or Not.
A dinner banquet is a wonderful way to end a busy day. Actually, for most, that is not the end. The Rogue workshops begin at 9 p.m. and go until the wee hours of the morning. During these workshops, writers share samples of their writings and with a mediator have the opportunity to critique each other’s work.
Another option, unique to the Southern California’s Writer’s Conference, is the all-weekend intensive NovelCram. Writers who choose this track learn everything one needs to know about putting together a novel from concept through completion.
For more information visit www.writersconference.com
