The San Diego State University Writers' Conference has a long history of bringing a star-studded lineup of publishing industry professionals to San Diego, and the 31st annual conference — January 23 to 25, 2015 — will deliver on that tradition.
New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry will draw on his nearly four-decades-long career to share how optimism and business savvy trump fear and negativity. He is a multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning horror and thriller author; and also writes mystery, fantasy, science fiction and suspense for adults and teens.
His books include "Fall of Night," "Patient Zero" and the "Rot & Ruin" young adult series. Maberry has several projects in development for movies and television, and is a popular expert on History Channel specials involving zombies, monsters and the supernatural.
Also in attendance
Keynote speaker Chip MacGregor, literary agent and president of MacGregor Literary Inc., will share his perspective on how authors, editors and agents fit into the changing world of publishing.
Each year, more than 300 attendees come from all around the world to pursue their literary dreams and benefit from the conference’s one-on-one appointments with editors and agents, who give attendees direct feedback on their writing.
Every genre — from romance to science fiction — will be represented by more than 30 agents and editors from some of the nation's top publishing houses.
The one-on-one appointments, author and agent panels, workshops and networking opportunities give attendees the tools and insight needed to develop their writing skills and strategies for publication.
New to the conference
This year the confrence will feature agent/author/editor panels where debut authors share their paths to publication.
The conference will also be held at a new location — the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley.
To highlight the SDSU Writers’ Conference, the College of Extended Studies will also host two free Literary Celebration roundtables at the Downtown San Diego Public Library (Shiley Special Events Suite, 9th Floor):
- Dec. 10, 2014, (5:30 to 7:30 pm): Interactive Author-Writer Forum: "Building Your Platform Before and After Your Book is Published"
- Jan. 13 (5:30 to 7:30 pm) Editors’ Roundtable
“San Diego Public Library is excited about partnering with SDSU on the 2015 San Diego Writers’ Conference," said Marion Hubbard, a spokesperson for the San Diego Public Library.
"I attended last year and got so much out of the individual sessions, keynote addresses, networking and the one-on-one consultations. The conference is fun, inspiring and packed with practical information I could immediately apply to my own writing,” Hubbard continued.
The Interactive Author-Writer Forum on Dec. 10 is a free event, and the library offers underground parking; the first two hours are free with validation for library users.
More information
For more information about the conference, visit the Writers' Conference website.