Conference Schedule
2008 Summer Conference Schedule
As of May, 2008. Schedule and program subject to change. Speakers/special events are open to the public unless otherwise noted, and tickets can be purchased at the door. Admission is free for conference attendees.
Saturday, June 21
Noon – 7:30 p.m. Registration
2 p.m. Tryouts for SBWC’s Ultimate Write-Off reality show!
3 p.m. Young Writers Orientation
4 p.m. Orientation
5:30 p.m. Opening Night Beachside Barbecue
7:30 p.m. Ray Bradbury speaks on writing and love for the 36th year! Admission $20 (Book signing to follow.)
Sunday through Thursday
Morning workshops: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon workshops: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Pirate workshops: 9 p.m. until ? beginning on Saturday night
Speakers/special events (open to the public unless otherwise noted). All tickets can be purchased at the door. Admission is free for conference attendees.
Sunday, June 22
9 – 11:30 a.m. How to Begin Special workshop with SBWC Founder and best-selling author Barnaby Conrad. (Conference attendees only.)
Noon – 12:45 p.m. Open Air Poetry (Conference attendees only.)
1 – 3:30 p.m. Special workshop, “Writing Travel that Sells,” with Gordon Burgett, author of Travel Writer’s Guide and 34 other books, and more than 1,700 travel articles. (Conference attendees only.)
4 p.m. “How to Pitch to an Agent/Editor,” a special presentation by NY Times best-selling author Bob Mayer. Admission: $15. (Book signing to follow.)
5 – 6:30 p.m. Ultimate Write-Off competition.
7:30 p.m. Celebrated author Joseph Wambaugh speaks. Admission: $20. (Book signing to follow.)
Monday, June 23
9 – 11:30 a.m. Remaking the Word Processor As a Writer’s Instrument: Pencil–Easy and Wizard–Helpful with InkByte.com editor and technology expert Steve Beisner. (Conference attendees only.)
9 – 11:30 a.m. “Finding an Agent: Sunday Afternoon Sail or the Poseidon Adventure?,” a special workshop on finding an agent with Bob Walker, SBWC alum, novelist and screenwriter. (Conference attendees only.)
11:30 – 1 p.m. Ultimate Write-Off competition.
Noon – 12:45 p.m. Open Air Poetry: Open mic readings. (Conference attendees only.)
1 – 3:15 p.m. “What Do You Mean, You Don’t Like My Story?” a special workshop for writers on how to deal with criticism and rejection with Linda Branch, Ph.D. (Conference attendees only.)
3:30 p.m. The Writer magazine’s Agents and Editors Panel with top literary agents and editors from around the country. (Not open to the public).
5 – 7 p.m. SBWC Cocktail Party with Agents and Editors
7:30 p.m. Jane Heller. Admission $20 (Book signing to follow.)
Tuesday, June 24
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Agents & Editors Day. (Conference attendees only.)
Noon – 12:45 p.m.Open Air Poetry: Open mic readings. (Conference attendees only.)
4:00 p.m. New Book Panel with moderator Shelly Lowenkopf, featuring Margaret McMullan, SBWC alum Lori Hartman Gervasi, Meg Waite Clayton, and others. Admission: $15 (Book signing to follow.)
5 – 6:30 p.m. Ultimate Write-Off competition.
7:30 p.m. Pulitzer-nominated author Luis Alberto Urrea speaks. Admission $20 (Book signing to follow.)
Wednesday, June 25
9 – 11:30 a.m. Special workshop, “Co-Authoring: The Art of Collaboration,” with Craig English and James Rapson. (Conference attendees only.)
Noon – 12:45 p.m. Open Air Poetry: Open mic readings. (Conference attendees only.)
4:00 p.m. The Road to Publication a special panel discussion on various avenues to getting published, including self-publishing. (Admission $15)
5 – 6:30 p.m. Ultimate Write-Off competition.
5:30 - 7:00 VIP Reception with Sue Grafton. Cocktails, wine and hors d'oeuvres served. (Not included in conference registration, separate cost of $50 per person. Not located at the DoubleTree)
7:30 p.m. Best-selling detective novelist Sue Grafton receives the Barnaby and Mary Conrad Founders Award for Fiction. Q&A follows. Admission $20 (Book signing to follow.)
9:00 p.m. SBWC Annual Talent Show (polish up those acts!)
Thursday, June 26
9 – 11:30 a.m. “Media Skills: Preparing for a Dynamic Interview that Turns Listeners into Readers,” a special workshop with public speaking coach and author Lois Philips, Ph.D. (Conference attendees only.)
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ultimate Write-Off finals.
Noon – 12:45 p.m. Open Air Poetry: Open mic readings. (Conference attendees only.)
1 – 3:30 p.m. Special workshop with NY Times best-selling author Gayle Lynds: “The Villain Drives the Plot: a Workshop on Characterization.”
4:00 p.m. Ronald Cutler. “Journey of a First-Time Novelist.” Admission $15
4:00 p.m. Screenwriting Panel discussion. Admission: $15.
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. SBWC Alumni and Workshop Leaders Book Signing.
6:30 p.m. Closing Awards Banquet. (Conference attendees only.)
Friday, June 27
Optional SBWC After-Conference Wine Country Tour of wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. Leave Santa Barbara at 9 a.m., return late afternoon. $80 per person includes transportation, wine tasting fees and special private tour guide, Rachel Thurston.