Whether you're a beginning writer or a published professional, the San Diego State University Writers' Conference is for you. Now in its 26th year, this writers' conference is designed to help every writer at every writing level. This conference will help you improve your writing skills, develop your marketing awareness, and introduce you to the writing professionals who can facilitate the next step in your publishing career. Join us to meet and learn from editors, agents, and writers who will explore in depth how to write successful novels, nonfiction, and screen plays and how to publish them in the traditional manner or on the Internet.

Fiction
Workshops will be offered to help participants understand the fiction market in general, how to write successful query letters and synopses, and what editors are looking for. In addition, workshops will focus on a wide range of specific genres including, but not limited to: mystery, mainstream and category romance, thrillers, children's books, literary, mainstream, women's fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and screenplays.

Nonfiction
Workshops will include information on specific areas such as writing memoirs or how-to books, but will also offer a wide range of help in understanding the nonfiction market, what the editors are looking for, how to write for your specific market, and how to conceive and execute a nonfiction proposal that will attract editors and agents.

Screenplays
Industry experts will be available to discuss how to produce screenplays from inception to finished product and how to attract the necessary attention to see them produced.

Consultation Appointments and Advance Reading Appointments
Top editors, agents, and industry professionals will be available to meet one-on-one to go over your work and offer specific advice about how to take your project forward. For complete details, including rules and deadlines, go to our Making Appointments page.

On-the-spot Critique Sessions
These sessions are designed to help you:

• listen attentively to both content and technique in works of fiction,
• learn more about what works and what doesn't in stories and novels,
• increase your editing skills by listening to and evaluating the works of others, and
• perhaps hear your own work read and reviewed.

Bring the three opening pages of a work of fiction (double-spaced, 12-point type). And remember, the ability to give and take criticism is part of becoming a professional writer.

No-host Mixer
Friday night will allow you to network with other participants and will help you find those who are also interested in your genre.

Networking Lunch
Takes place on Saturday and will provide an opportunity for participants to meet and discuss specific areas of writing with other participants and faculty.

Saturday Evening Reception
Will provide an opportunity for participants to meet with faculty in a relaxed social atmosphere. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided with a no host bar.