About the Central Coast Writers Conference

The Central Coast Writers Conference returns once more, marking 36 years of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to our staff. Named the “Best Conference In the West” by Writers Magazine, we aim to produce success and a rewarding learning experience for all. 

With 40 presenters offering over 160 classes in screenwriting, beginning writing, poetry, memoir, novels, nonfiction, children’s, young adult, critiques, keynotes, and many unique craft lectures, 2020 will be the most eventful Central Coast Writers Conference to date. The Conference is held on September 24-26, 2020 at Cuesta College and surrounding event areas. We host over 500 attendees for the three-day conference who enjoy networking, learning and exploring San Luis Obispo. 

“We’ve decided to shoot even higher for 2020,” stated Teri Bayus, Director of the Central Coast Writers Conference. “We’re keeping what works while also offering exceptional new opportunities. We have a set of phenomenal speakers, including Emmy and Academy Award winners, best selling authors, poet laureates and the most popular TV writers in the world.”

In addition to the preexisting teen track, this year we will also include a “find your voice” track for fifth, sixth, and seventh graders. This is the first time that the Central Coast Writers Conference will include opportunities for those under 13 to participate in the event. It will include journaling, public speaking, and more. 

We are offering six master classes at 20 students per class. These master classes are broken down by novel writing, memoir, poetry, marketing, and more. We have also added remote learning in the genre of food and travel writing.  These are 6-hour remote classes that will do and write food reviews, travel pieces, and health and wellness activities.  These classes are limited to 10 students per class and everyone attending will get an official “Travel Writer” certification and be invited to join a prestigious Travel Writing Group.

“We want to make sure that there is something for everyone,” said Bayus.  “No matter where you are in your writing career, every single person who attends this conference will enter feeling welcome and leave prepared to take their writing to the next level.” 

The Central Coast Writers Conference is brought to you by Cuesta College Community Programs. We retain an Advisory Committee of 25 local writers and leaders shaping the conference and a volunteer core of over 40 dedicated artists.

Please follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for up to the minute details about our staff and authors.

Questions? Contact Teri Bayus at centralcoastwritersconference@gmail.com or (805) 305-0579