2007 San Francisco Writers Conference Offers an Insider's Look at the Publishing World

Recognized as one of the best writer's conferences in the country, the San Francisco Writers Conference brings bestselling authors, literary agents and editors from top publishing houses to the Bay Area. Attendees will meet the very people who can make them published authors. This year’s event will be held at the elegant Mark Hopkins Hotel over President’s Day Weekend -- February 16th – 18th, 2007.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 3, 2006 -- Bestselling authors Po Bronson (Why Do I Love These People?), Sheldon Siegel (Mike Daley thrillers), Debbie Macomber (Susannah’s Garden), Firoozeh Dumas (Funny in Farsi), and Lynn Andrews (Writing Spirit) are among the speakers for the 2007 San Francisco Writers Conference. Now in its fourth year, the conference will give writers the opportunity to meet editors from top publishing houses, impress literary agents, and hobnob with the glitterati. The conference will be held in the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel and will offer three days of workshops and keynotes from Friday, February 16 through Sunday, February 18, 2007. More information is at www.sfwriters.org.

New presenters include Martha Alderson, (Blockbuster Plots), Robin Bartlett, Publishers Marketing Assn., Hal Zina Bennett (Writing Spiritual Books), Patricia Burke (VP Paramount Pictures), Gennifer Choldenko (Al Capone Washed My Shirts), Pam Chun (Money Dragon), Marsha Mehran (Pomegranate Soup), M.J. Ryan (Random Acts of Kindness), Jennifer Solow (The Booster), Jacqueline Winspear (Maisy Dobbs mysteries), and Michelle Tea.

The conference is designed to help writers connect with agents and editors who can help them get published. Among the editors attending are Paula Eykelhof, Harlequin Books, Nicole Argyles, St. Martin’s Press; Jane Fleming, Penguin Press; George Gibson, Walker Books. Alan Rinzler, Jossey-Bass; and Renee Sedliar, Marlowe. Diane Gedymin, Editorial Director of iUniverse, will explain new publishing options beyond traditional publishers.

Literary agents will include: Andree Abecassis, Andrea Brown, Margaret Gee, Lily Ghahremani, Devorah Harris, Andrea Hurst, Michael Larsen, Laurie McLean, Randi Glass Murray, Lori Perkins, Elizabeth Pomada, Amy Rennert, Laura Rennert, Angela Rinaldi, Katharine Sands, Robert Shepard, Tom Wallace, and Ted Weinstein, and Caryn Wiseman.

Attendees can pitch their books to editors at Speed Dating with Editors. For an additional $45 fee, attendees can participate in an optional, fast-paced session called Speed Dating with Agents that enables them to pitch their books, one on one, to a roomful of agents.

Returning presenters include Kathleen Antrim, Sam Barry, Teresa Bodwell, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, Brad Henderson, Jackie Ivie, Rev. Alan Jones, Andy Jones, Donna Levin, D. P. Lyle, Mary Mackey, Holly Payne, Dan Poynter, Alan Rinzler, Teresa LeYung Ryan, Barbara Santos, Ann Seymour, Leonard Shlain, Kevin Smokler, Elisa Southard, and Penny Warner.

Now in its fourth year, the conference is limited to 300 attendees who will learn from the knowledge and experience of more than 70 bestselling authors, agents, editors, and publishing professionals. The event is considered one of the best conferences in the country for talented new writers to make valuable connections with the people in the publishing industry.

Literary agents Elizabeth Pomada, Michael Larsen, and former president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Wendy Nelder are cofounders of the conference. “Now is the best time ever to be a writer. As one of America’s largest publishing centers, San Francisco deserves a conference worthy of its strong literary tradition and its stature as a mecca for writers and publishers,” Pomada says. “That’s why we created the conference, and that’s why it sells out each year and attracts writers from 26 states.”

Barbara Santos, co-creator of the Maui Writers Conference, is conference’s marketing director. Robin Carpenter is development director, and Laurie McLean is coordinating the San Francisco Writers Conference Writing Contest. Information on the contest can be found on the website: www.sfwriters.org or by writing to 1029 Jones St., San Francisco, 94109.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INFO: Registration and information are available at www.sfwriters.org. The registration fee is $495 through November 1, 2006, $595 thereafter. Included is access to more than 40 sessions; a welcome party in the celebrated InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, and continental breakfasts and lunches on Saturday and Sunday. Writers can register on-line with a credit card or download the registration form and register by mail to 1029 Jones St., San Francisco, CA 94109.

HOTEL REGISTRATION INFO The historic AAA Four Diamond InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel has a limited number of rooms at a conference rate of $142. Reservations are available at 1-415-392-3434.

A limited number of scholarships will be available for registered students. John Wiley & Sons, Writers Digest, Chronicle Books, iUniverse, and Cody’s Bookstore are among the event’s sponsors. The conference is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. More information is at www.sfwriters.org and at the toll-free number 866-TOC-SFWC (862-7392).

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