Posted: August 27, 2018Written by: Lauren Milbourne

Tags: 2018, featured, press release

Cuesta College Community Programs 34th Annual Central Coast Writers Conference is currently open for registration and this year offers participants new educational panels and workshops involving successful writers from around the world. Taking place September 27th-29th on Cuesta College’s San Luis Obispo Campus, the conference will feature three keynote presentations and 80 workshops across seven tracks, covering all aspects of the writing process.

“Whether you’re a writer in search of a publisher, have a great idea for a movie, or are just discovering a passion for writing - the 34th Annual Central Coast Writers Conference is designed to help you get closer to your dream,” said Central Coast Writers Conference Director Teri Bayus. “The conference will include Hollywood screenwriters as well as 30 widely acclaimed, best-selling authors, editors, agents, poets and publishers. We have proven year after year that an investment in this conference has resulted in books published and writing careers launched.”

This year the conference will feature new Master Class workshops, a Wine, Women, Wisdom, and Words Panel, and a Teens Program.

Held September 27th from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., the five Master Class workshops are limited to 20 students each. Focusing on a single subject taught by highly acclaimed industry writers, the master classes focus on a single subject and involve the students writing during the lesson. “The goal is for each student to have a finished product by the end of the class,” said Bayus. Instructors include Peter Dunne, recipient of 33 Emmys, and Jonathan Maberry, Netflix star and award-winning horror author. “These new Master Classes will provide intimate access to the industry’s best, leaving an indelible mark on the students,” said Bayus. 

Opening the conference is the Wine, Women, Wisdom, and Words panel on September 27th from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Emceed by former KSBY anchor Jeanette Trumpeter, the purpose of the panel is to have an open-ended discussion about the challenges and rewards of being a female writer. Tickets to attend the panel are available to the public for $30 (conference registration includes the panel).

On September 28th, the Teens Program will take place from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Taught by Disney Channel writer Ricky Roxburgh, teenage participants will learn about screenwriting while outlining a movie based on characters developed during the workshop. The students will produce screenplays 10-20 minutes in length and finished scripts will be judged in November; the winning script will be made into a short film and shown at the 2019 SLO Film Festival.

For more information on the conference, pricing and events, visit the Central Coast Writers Conference webpage. Questions may be directed to Teri Bayus at (805) 305-0579.