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26th Annual Writer's Conference Logo
 

Friday & Saturday, September 17 & 18, 2010
at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo

(Limited Enrollment)
 


Success Stories

After attending my first writers’ conference at Cuesta a couple of years ago, I
decided to get serious about a book I had been working on for 11 years and
placed on a back burner. The conference assisted me with such basic
information as being able to determine the genre of the material I was writing.
Over the years I had my share of refusals but after the Central Coast Writers’
Conference, I sat down and reviewed what I was working on, changed the focus
of the manuscript, and am delighted that O Books (www.o-books.net) read the
revised manuscript and offered me a contract which I signed in October last
year—in fact, exactly at the time of last year's Conference. My website is
www.dancinginthefootstepsofeve.com. My sincere thanks to all the Central
Coast Writers’ Conference and its influence on my determination to try once
more to make my dream a reality.
- Heather Mendel, author of "Dancing In the Footsteps of Eve"

I used Steve Mettee’s advice on writing a nonfiction book proposal and received
a response from a publisher three days after I sent it out. A month later, I signed
the contract. The book came out with Book Publishing a year later.
- Cathe Olson, author of "Lick It! Creamy Dreamy Vegan Ice Creams Your
Mouth Will Love"

A workshop with Dennis Palumbo provided ideas regarding mystery writing, which helped me complete Drop Dead Art. Dennis also said that publishers were unlikely to take a mystery that was not part of a series. So I decided to publish Drop Dead Art through print-on-demand and then begin the second in the series, which I am working on now.
- Andy Greensfelder, author of "Drop Dead Art"

The Central Coast Writers' Conference was helpful in the successful publication of my book How Great Decisions Get Made (AMACOM 2004). I gained value from the sessions about how to develop query letters and book proposals, write engaging non-fiction, and use op-eds and other tools to publicize the ideas and boost sales. I'm working on my next book: Building Great Talent.
- Don Maruska, author of "How Great Decisions Get Made"
and "Building Great Talent"

I attended the poetry classes, found them encouraging. Applied to and got accepted at a new local online journal, Slocoastjournal.com.
- Jeanie Greensfelder

I had two stories published by the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, because of one of your attendees, Anna Unkovich, who was a co-editor of the book--Chicken Soup for the Soul in the Classroom. Because of this publication, I have been contacted by teachers from Texas and Florida, asking me questions about my stories, and permission for them to use my story(s) in their projects. My two stories are titled, "My First Kiss, and Then Some..." and , "Wearing 9/11". Also, because of this publication, I was asked to do a live reading of "My First Kiss.." at the Cohan Center for the Performing Arts, but did not happen because of scheduling difficulties.
- Mary Jane West-Delgado, author of "My First Kiss, and Then Some..." and "Wearing 9/11"

I attended the Central Coast Writers' Conference in 2005, when I was seventeen years old and a senior in high school.  Last year, Eraserhead Press -- an independent publisher based out of Portland, Oregon -- published my first book, Shark Hunting in Paradise Garden.  They will be releasing my second later this year. Since attending the conference, I have also had stories and poems published in Sein und Werden, Bare Bone, The Dream People, Bust Down the Door and Eat All the Chickens, and The Horror Library Vol. II, among other print and web publications. Although many people in literary communities hold the belief that writing fiction without a secondary income is neither possible or sustainable in this socioeconomic climate, I am hardset on proving that it is a realistic, achievable goal.  When harvesting a dream and a passion, no sacrifice can be considered too costly.
- Cameron Pierce, author of "Shark Hunting in Paradise Garden"

The title of my book is, This is a Good Day to Live.  I self-published it in 2004 and used a local printer, Poor Richards Press. My first run was 500 copies, of which I've sold 375. Writing the book is one of the hardest things I have ever done. Marketing the finished product almost as hard. Proceeds from the book go to the Amber Carter Memorial Scholarship Fund at Arroyo Grande High School. As of this year, we have given 31 scholarships in Amber's name. I have the conference to thank for keeping me on task during the years of writing, selecting a title, self-publishing options, and support of writing in general. The information I gleaned from all the teachers has been instrumental in the completion and goals I set leading up to the actual printing and finished product. 
- Janine Carter, author of "This is a Good Day to Live"

My first mystery novel, Murder in Los Lobos, published by Fithian Press, won second place in the Novel category of the 2007 Lillian Dean First Pages Contest. (It also won third place in the Dark Oak contest, sponsored by Oak Tree Press in Taylorville, IL.) I met John Daniel at the Central Coast Writer's Conference several years ago and the connection made then paid off when I submitted the manuscript to him shortly after the 2007 conference ended.
- Sue McGinty, author of "Murder in Los Lobos," Coordinator of Lillian Dean 1st Page Writing Competition for the Writers' Conference

My newly published book, Parenting Solutions: Encouragement for Everyday Parenting Concerns, newly released by Paragon House Publishers, would not have been published without the help of the Central Coast Writer's Conference. When I first attended the Writer's Conference I had no idea how to begin the process of getting a book published. I had the book written but I needed to know what to do next. I was inspired by the speakers and the workshop leaders to help me think that it may be possible. I received valuable guidelines on how to write a proposal (which to me turned out to be more difficult than writing the book!). I was directed to the Writer's Market Book in the Library to find the specific nonfiction publishers that might be interested in publishing a parenting book. I focused my efforts on these publishers and was finally successful after two years of sending proposals until one expressed interest.
-
Joan Rice, author "Parenting Solutions: Encouragement for Everyday Parenting Concerns"

I was fortunate to win the Lillian Dean Award in 2006. The prestige of that award, I believe, helped me win a $10,000 dollar award from Jerry Jenkins Christian Guild in 2009. Thank you for all you and your conference does for writers.
-
Mal King, Recipient 2006 Lillian Dean Award for first page of a novel

I attended the Central Coast Writers Conference in 2007 and was thrilled when my novel The Lost Saints of Tennessee won first place in the Lillian Dean Competition--my trophy maintains a place of honor on my bookshelf--it's just gorgeous :) The happy news I'm writing to share is that the same novel-The Lost Saints of Tennessee--will be published by Grove/Atlantic in 2011. My editor is Grove's VP & Executive Editor Elisabeth Schmitz, who might be best known in the industry for another Tennessee book she edited--Cold Mountain. I am just thrilled!  If you could be so kind as to let Cathe Olson know, I would appreciate it. When I attended CCWC in 2007, I had my youngest daughter--9 months old at the time--in tow with me and my mother, who cared for the baby while I was in classes. I felt so proud to have my Lillian Dean trophy to carry home to my two older daughters who were none too pleased to have mom taking off for the coast while they stayed home in the Bay Area!
- Amy Franklin-Willis, author of "The Lost Saints of Tennessee",
Recipient 2007 Lillian Dean Award for first page of a novel

I don't know if this will fit the success story criteria you are looking for, but thought I would pass it along. At this time last year I was looking forward to attending the Cuesta Writers' Conference with my friend, Gloria Getman. My health took a sudden downward spiral and I was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. (I had been cancer free for eighteen years.) I left my home in the Central Valley and moved in with my daughter in Palm Desert to take advantage of the excellent care available there. A rigid regime of chemo treatments began. Anyone undergoing chemo is aware of how low ones' spirit can sink. On the last day of the conference, and on one of my bad days, Gloria called me and gave me the news that I was the recipient of the Lillian Dean Award for first page of a novel. The novel is a Western: "Winds of Time." She accepted on my behalf and was as surprised and proud of the award as I was. I didn't know who to thank, or where to write, and as things happen, time slips by. I would like to take the time now to thank whoever it was who chose me for this award and let them know how much it meant to me and how much it lifted my very soul. In March of this year my cancer was declared in remission. That same month I received a letter from Avalon Books in New York accepting my manuscript, "Winds of Time,"  if I would agree to make some changes. I agreed, made the changes, and sent it back. Yesterday I received a signed contract from them and a nice advance. Needless to say I'm on cloud nine! I don't have a release date as yet. Miracles do happen and I'm looking forward to attending this years' Conference.
- Mary Benton, Author: "Winds of Time", Recipient 2009 Lillian Dean Award for first page of a novel - mrybntn@aol.com 

I have attended the Central Coast Writers Conference regularly for twelve years. I published my first mystery novel, “Murder in Los Lobos,” with John and Susan Daniels in 2008, several years after meeting John at the Conference. The newest Bella Kowalski mystery, “Murder at Cuyamaca Beach,” is due out in September 2010 from Aberdeen Bay Press, a small, traditional publisher. I first made contact with Aberdeen at the 2010 Left Coast Crime Conference in Los Angeles.  In my experience, good things, publishing-wise, come from attending conferences and meeting face-to-face with agents and publishers.     
- Sue McGinty, author of "Murder in Los Lobos" and "Murder at Cuyamaca Beach," Coordinator of Lillian Dean 1st Page Writing Competition for the Writers' Conference

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If you have been published as a result of attending the Central Coast Writers' Conference, we want to hear about it! Email Judy Salamacha with the details.

Contribute to Conference Scholarship Fund
 

We are looking for area businesses and individuals who are interested in sponsoring
adult and student scholarships for the Central Coast Writers' Conference XXIII.

For more information, call Nanette Pina, (805) 546-3131 Ext 2294 or
email her at npina@cuesta.edu
.

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Writers' Conference Sponsors



www.cuesta.edu

The Cuesta College Writers' Conference is funded in part
by a generous grant from the 

 
www.visitslo.com


www.slonightwriters.org


www.innatmorrobay.com

 



www.chevron.com

www.morrobay.org

Become a Conference Sponsor

Donations from individuals and business enable us to hire the very best presenters while keeping tuition costs low. Business sponsors receive many benefits in exchange for their tax deductible donation, such as links on our Web site, inserts in our conference packets, and much more. Donations of products or services are also appreciated.

Contact Judy Salamacha at jsalamacha@yahoo.com or 805.801.1422

Send your Writers' Conference questions/comments/suggestions to: Judy Salamacha

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