Annual SDSU Writers' Conference Features Author Jonathan Maberry

From Steve Dolan, SDSU College of Extended Studies:

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 23-25 — will deliver on that tradition, in its new location at the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley.

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.

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.

“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,” said Marion Hubbard, a spokesperson for the San Diego Public Library, which is hosting a free literary celebration editors’ roundtable from 5:30-7:30 pm January 13 at the Downtown San Diego Public Library (Shiley Special Events Suite, 9th Floor) as a prequel to the Writers’ Conference.

Attendees will have the chance to win one of two prizes in a drawing sponsored by the College of Extended Studies: a complimentary consultation with an editor or agent, and a complimentary advance- reading appointment of their manuscript with an editor or agent at the Writers Conference. Each prize is valued at $50.

Early-bird registration for the SDSU Writers’ Conference is $399 until January 6. Registration is $435 January 7-21 and $500 at the door, if space allows.

The conference takes place from 12:30-9 pm Friday, January 23; 7:30 am-6 pm Saturday, January 24; and 7:30 am-12 pm Sunday, January 25.

For complete information, visit neverstoplearning.net/writers, email sdsuwritersconference@mail.sdsu.edu, or call (619) 594-3946.

SDSU’s College of Extended Studies reaches out to the greater San Diego community, the nation, and the world with a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from accounting to web design. Additionally, the College offers more than 50 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. For more information or to register, call (619) 265-7378 (SDSU) or log on to www.neverstoplearning.net.