CONFERENCES
Writing conferences are a great place to meet other writers, hone your craft, learn techniques, and meet people in the publishing industry who may help you along the path to success. The conferences listed here are mostly local in the Southern California area, but we’ve added a few others of note for those who like to travel or get out of town once in a while.
For additional writing events in your area, we invite you to also visit the websites of our Southern California Branches, listed on our About Page on this site. Just click on the link for the Branch nearest you.
Conferences:
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
USC Campus, April 20-21, 2024
In Los Angeles, Saturday-Sunday, April 20-21, the L.A. Times Festival Books on the USC campus near Exposition Park, will have writers ranging from established literary figures to emerging talents. Attendees engage in panels and discussions, facilitating exchanges among fellow book enthusiasts, authors, scholars, and thought leaders. Free general admission combines with ticketed programs for celebrities such as RuPaul talking about his new memoir The House of Hidden Meanings and humanitarian, restaurateur, and founder of World Central Kitchen Jose Andres (events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks or festivalofbooks.usc.edu).
Writers of Kern
Hold Annual Spring Conference
Bakersfield, Saturday, March 16, 2024
The Writers of Kern Annual Spring Writers Conference will take place on Saturday, March 16, 8:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Hodel’s.The registration fee covers a continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch at Hodel’s, known for its world-famous cuisine. The conference will feature a panel of experts on the ups and downs of navigating the world of self-publishing and speakers including Kern County’s beloved journalist, columnist, editor, author, and reporter Bob Price; songwriter, producer, and comedian Dan McGowen will discuss classic comedy and the importance of humor in writing and everyday life; and award-winning poet, author, and life coach Annis Cassells.
Early bird deadline: January 31. Admission: $50 for Writers of Kern and California Writers Club members, $75 for nonmembers, and $25 for full-time students (18 and older) with ID. After February 1, the cost goes to $60.00 for WOK & CWC members, $95.00 for nonmembers, and $45.00 for full-time students (www.writersofkern.com).
Central Board Meeting and
Jack London Awards
Sunday, October 22, Oakland
Capping off California Writers Week, the California Writers Club will hold its annual Central Board business meeting and Jack London Awards ceremony on Sunday, October 22 at the Oakland Holiday Inn at the Airport. The meeting will run from 10:00 a.m. to noon, followed by the Awards Luncheon 12:00-3:00 p.m.
For the Jack London Award, every other year each branch may select a member whose invaluable efforts have advanced the mission of the CWC and its impact on their respective communities.
SCWC Presents a
Weekend for Words
September 15-17 2023, Irvine
Emphasizing entrepreneurial authors, “Entrepreneurial in spirit. Entrepreneurial in execution. Excellence in craft alone no longer cuts it. But excellence in craft and a meaningful book still matters most,” the Southern California Writers’ Conference will hold the 20th Annual Southern California Writers’ Conference *LA Irvine over the September 15-17 weekend (writersconference.com/la/).
Eastern Sierra Book Festival
Returns to Mammoth Lakes, CA
Sunday, July 16, 2023
The 6th annual Eastern Sierra Book Festival celebrates books, writing, reading, and publishing on Sunday, July 16, on the grounds of Mammoth Museum at Hayden Cabin in Mammoth Lakes, California, on the east side of the Sierra Nevada.
Sponsored by Whistling Rabbit Press and hosted by the Southern Mono Historical Society, it offers speakers, food & drink, music, games, books for sale and giveaway, and vendors. Entrance and a good time are free; find details at easternsierrabookfestival.com.
Santa Barbara Writers Conference Returns
June 18-23, 2023
The popular and prestigious Santa Barbara Writers Conference returns, Sunday-Friday, June 18-23, 2023, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Register for the whole week, or just attend for a day.
They offer an impressive faculty, and daily workshops in the mornings and afternoons, on a variety of topics/genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Memoir, Screenwriting, Short Stories, Poetry, Humor, Children, Publishing/Marketing, and general writing topics. For schedule, faculty, and registration: www.sbwriters.com.
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Returns Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23, 2023
USC University Park Campus
The nation’s largest literary and cultural festival returns to the USC University Park Campus on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday April 23 and kicks off with a serenade from the USC Trojan Marching Band and welcoming words from leaders of the event’s co-sponsors. The “LATFOB” features indoor and outdoor events, hundreds of exhibitor booths, author signings, performances, and free activities.
The USC Stage (at the center of campus) offers arts and entertainment; and an indoor venue in Wallis Annenberg Hall (ANN) with panels and conversations.
Visit https://festivalofbooks.usc.edu for announcements of the lineup and schedule beginning March 15.