Writers’ Conference

The conference opens on Friday with a new pre-conference workshop called the Chevron Tech, Toys and Tools in the Digital Age. Open to the public, for those attending the conference or not, it features local vendors demonstrating digital toys all in one setting. The hours are noon to 4:30pm; admission is $40.
Following the Friday evening reception and keynote address by Maberry the first round of 8 workshops for writers will take place. Everything from blogging to critique sessions to children’s and other genre or how-to workshops will be covered. On Saturday 24 more workshops and the Lillian Dean First Page Competition Ceremonies will take place. Jay Asher, Author of Thirteen Reasons Why will introduce screenwriter Anthony Peckham, who will be the honoree as a 2011 success story for writers living in the area. Peckham credits include Invictus and Sherlock Holmes.
A PG&E Teen Writers’ Program infused into the weekend will make it possible for at least 18 scholarships and other teens to attend. Students can apply with a brief scholarship application available on the website or talk to their English teacher or Scholarship counselor. A few teacher scholarships may be available as well.
The Conference is also collaborating with the Central Coast Book and Author Festival, now in its 12th year. The groups would like to establish the 3rd weekend in September as an annual Central Coast Book and Author Weekend.
To learn more about the Central Coast Writers’ Conference visit the website: http://www.communityprograms.net.