Some Literary Event Calendars for Sacramento/The Valley/Northern California
Sacramento Poetry Center’s website – and the weekly emails SPC sends tirelessly, 50+ weeks per year
Kathy Keith over at Medusa’s Kitchen has a great listing of recurring events
Poetry in Davis offers a nice list of regular series
Of course Poetry Flash offers a great calendar covering the Bay and Northern California
Sacramento365.com is a good resource
Shut Up & Write! – Sacramento is a another great place to meet writers of all genres “on the ground” and plug in that way…
…and so is Writers Who Wine as well as the many other wonderful Facebook groups for writers (Sacramento Poetry Center, Poetry in Davis, etc.)
Some Sacramento Valley Reading Series
Mahogany Urban Poetry http://mahoganypoetry.com/
Mosaic of Voices Look for events on Facebook
Now Hear This https://www.facebook.com/nowhearthisseries/?fref=ts
Poetry Night in Davis http://poetryindavis.com/
Poetry Unplugged on Thursdays at Luna’s Cafe http://www.lunascafe.com/calendar.html
Sacramento Poetry Center http://www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org/
Stories on Stage Sacramento http://storiesonstagesacramento.wordpress.com/
Stories on Stage Davis http://storiesonstagedavis.com/
TrueStory http://tellatruestory.com/
Some Local Literary Journals ~ Subscribe & Submit!
In addition to the below, Kate Asche joins with Janna Marlies Maron, founding editor of Under the Gum Tree, to offer periodic Sub Parties to get you submitting your work to agents, editors and publishers. More info here!
Ekphrasis (poetry) http://www.ekphrasisjournal.com/
From Sac (all genres) http://www.fromsac.com/
Tule Review (poetry) http://www.sacramentopoetrycenter.com/publications/the-tule-review/
Under the Gum Tree (creative nonfiction, art and photo essays) http://www.underthegumtree.com/
Some Regional Writing Conferences & Festivals (in Rough Calendar Order)
Each year in February, Modesto Poetry Center organizes and holds an all-day poetry festival featuring workshops, readings, a contest and one or more featured poets.
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San Francisco Writers Conference
Each year in mid-February.
A Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community for Writers.
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Sacramento Poetry Center Annual Spring Conference
One Saturday in early April
See the fabulous workshop leader lineup and registration info for this beloved annual event at sacramentopoetrycenter.org.
Sacramento Poetry Center at 1719 25th Street
Registration Fee includes access to all three sessions for talks, all readings and lunch
Pay at the door or send check to: SPC 1719 25th Street Sacramento, CA 95816
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One day in late April. Nevada County Arts Council presents the Sierra Poetry Festival, bringing together an array of local, national and international poets and performers to kick off National Poetry Month. Cost: $25-$40, free for students with valid ID.
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Our Life Stories Conference
One Saturday in mid April
The excellent long-standing cross-generational writers conference sponsored by Hart Senior Center and Cosumnes River College.
See the wonderful conference schedule and speaker bios here.
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Cosumnes River College
8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, CA
Conference Fee Includes morning refreshments, lunch, workshops, and materials
Space is limited
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Capitol Crimes Writers Workshop
One Saturday in mid-April
Registration incldudes keynote address and additional topical craft, research and business sessions; includes box lunch.
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Each year in late April
WordSpring is a creative writing conference put on by a small team of teachers and students who are passionate about writing. The mission is to invigorate the local community of writers, both new and experienced, by allowing everyone to come together while also bringing in professional writers from near and far to share their expertise. This conference is an inspiring experience that leaves attendees refreshed, excited, and newly equipped to write.
Each year the conference features a unique and engaging contest special to that conference–check out the website for more information.
The conference includes a light breakfast and buffet lunch in registration costs. WordSpring is sponsored by the English Department at Butte College and is in part supported by donations from the community and state equity grants. For more information on registration and our sonnet-writing contest email us at wordspring@butte.edu or call Professor Molly Emmons at (530) 895-2935.
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Late April or early May each year
View program information and register here.
Come join the Gold Rush Writers Conference at the historic Leger Hotel in picturesque Mokelumne Hill where writing professionals will guide you to a publishing bonanza through a series of panels, specialty talks, workshops and celebrity lectures. Go one-on-one with successful poets, novelists, biographers, memoirists and short story writers. The conference includes a picnic supper in a Victorian garden Friday evening, as well as Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch.
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Annual Conference on Creative Writing at University of the Pacific
Three days in early summer
An information packed three-day conference at the University of the Pacific’s beautiful main campus. Details and registration here. Various pricing options available. Literary agents and publishers are available for pitch sessions and help with book manuscripts is available.
Interactive workshops and presentations will cover all aspects and genres of creative writing, from brainstorming techniques to submitting work for publication, writing creative nonfiction articles for publication to writing children’s books, murder mysteries, science fiction, and westerns.
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Surprise Valley Writers Conference
Four days in early summer
Each day is composed of three-hour writers’ workshops in the morning, ample time for lunch, craft lectures on Thursday and Friday afternoons, a field trip on Saturday. Evening events include a Welcome Reception, Staff Readings, Keynote Speech, Campfire Open Mic, shared meals and community building. We also encourage attendees to write and discover Surprise Valley on your own. Our staff is available to offer suggestions on local sights, drives and adventures.
All workshops and lectures are held in downtown Cedarville.
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Annual Conference on Creative Writing at Pacific
Three days in late June
An information packed three-day conference on Creative Writing at the University of the Pacific’s beautiful main campus. Literary agents and publishers available for pitch sessions, and book manuscript help available.
Interactive workshops and presentations will cover all aspects and genres of creative writing, from brainstorming techniques to submitting work for publication, writing creative nonfiction articles for publication to writing children’s books, murder mysteries, science fiction, and westerns.
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Squaw Valley Community of Writers
Two different sessions, by genre, throughout June, July and August
Portions of the program are open to the public.
The Community of Writers was established in 1969 by novelists Blair Fuller and Oakley Hall, who were both residents of the valley. It was originally staffed by a band of San Francisco writers including David Perlman, Walter Ballenger, Barnaby Conrad and John Leggett, the latter two of whom went on to found, respectively, the Santa Barbara Writers Conference and the Napa Valley Writers Conference. The Community of Writers continues to be directed by Brett Jones.
Over the years the community has mounted workshops in Fiction, Nonfiction, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Poetry, and Nature Writing (the Art of the Wild, co-produced by Jack Hicks and University of California at Davis), and Writing the Medical Experience directed by David Watts. Lisa Alvarez and Louis B. Jones now co-direct the Fiction Program and Michael Carlisle directs the nonfiction Program of the Writers Workshop, which were for twenty years directed by Carolyn Doty. Galway Kinnell directed the Poetry Program for 17 years and Robert Hass has directed it since 2004. Diana Fuller directs the Screenwriters Workshop, founded in 1974 by screenwriters Tom Rickman and Gill Dennis.
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Napa Valley Writers’ Conference
A Week in Late July
Since 1981, the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference has provided an opportunity for fellowship and serious work with a focus on craft amidst the hills and vineyards that have made the region famous. The conference is a project of Napa Valley College.
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Mendocino Coast Writers Conference
Early August
Features nationally-recognized authors and publishing professionals who are outstanding teachers. The conference is limited to 100 participants who will discover: how to develop their literary craft in a supportive community, surrounded by the spectacular scenery and temperate climate of California’s North Coast; a place to exchange ideas with authors, editors, literary agents, and other writers of many talents, ages and backgrounds. Learning happens in workshops, seminars, panels, and during informal social gatherings; inspiration to explore how writing can shape the world. Whatever the genre, whether fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, words are a powerful instrument of change; a place where you can take creative risks, whether on the page or on the stage, and where you will be inspired to explore new ways to shape your writing. An opportunity for teachers to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through Dominican University.
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Second or Third Weekend in October
WordWave is a free festival lheld on the shore of South Lake Tahoe at the Tallac Historic Site.
We have gathered some of the most creative and inspiring writers, musicians, and performers from around the country to share their talents at this three-day event. The festival will be interactive, featuring readings, workshops, plays, open mics, guided hikes, and oral storytelling.
Our vision for WordWave is to create an annual cultural event at beautiful Lake Tahoe. Every culture uses story to entertain, educate, preserve history and tradition, and connect. The underlying principle of WordWave is that stories—in song, theater, oral tradition, and books—change lives.
WordWave will provide a venue for locals and visitors alike to share their stories and validate their creativity, an annual gathering where anyone can come, create, and be inspired by our lake.
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Writing By Writers Workshop @ Tomales Bay
Third Weekend of October
The Writing By Writers Workshop @ Tomales Bay brings aspiring writers into close community with nationally known poets and writers. Manuscript and poetry workshops are limited to 12 participants and generative workshops are limited to 15 to ensure an intimate setting. For information on how to apply, please click here.
October each year at Marconi Conference Center, Marshall, California, just north of San Francisco in Marin County.
Scholarships are available and applications for these are due on May 1.
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Writing By Writers Boot Camp @ Lake Tahoe
Mid-November
The Writing By Writers Manuscript Boot Camp is for the writer who has a full book-length manuscript (novel, memoir or short story collection) and would like to engage with a small group for a serious and productive response. The long weekend will include an intimate full manuscript workshop, craft talks, readings, an agent panel and individual agent meetings – the perfect pre-publication boot camp for any manuscript. Classes are limited to 5 participants. Click here to apply.
November each year at Granlibakken Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, California.
Educational & Publishing Resources for Writers
I Street Press at Sacramento Public Library www.saclibrary.org/istreet
(I Street Press is a community writing and publishing center, offering print-on-demand self-publishing services as well as classes at multiple library locations in creative writing, nonfiction writing and the business of writing and publishing.)
Organizations for Writers
American Medical Writers Association http://www.amwa.org
Asian American Journalist Association http://www.aaja.org
Associated Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) https://www.awpwriter.org/
California Writers Club (Sacramento Chapter) http://www.sacramento-writers.org
California Writers Club (Statewide) http://calwriters.org/
Capitol Crimes Writers Club (Sacramento Chapter of Sisters in Crime) http://capitolcrimes.org/
Editorial Freelancers Association (NorCal Chapter) http://www.the-efa.org/chp/?chp=norcal
Inspire Christian Writers Group http://www.inspirewriters.com/
International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association http://www.ifwtwa.org
Journalism Education Association Northern California http://jeanc.org/
Mystery Writers of America http://www.mwanorcal.org/
Northern California Mystery Writers http://www.mwanorcal.org
Northern California Publishers and Authors http://www.norcalpa.org
Northern California Science Writers Association — http://www.ncswa.org/
Northern California Writers and Filmmakers Association No current website
Outdoor Writers Association of California http://www.owac.org
Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC) http://www.sacmetroarts.org/
Sacramento Poetry Center http://www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org/
Sacramento Press http://www.sacramentopress.com/
Sacramento Suburban Writers http://www.sactowriters.org/
Sacramento Valley Rose Romance Writers http://www.sacramentovalleyrose.com/
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers http://www.sfwa.org/
Shut Up and Write! – Sacramento http://www.meetup.com/shutupandwritesacto/
Sisters in Crime http://www.capitolcrimes.org/
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (Nor CA Chapter) http://canorthcentral.scbwi.org/
Word Forge Sacramento Writers Meeting Group http://writers.meetup.com/25
