Central Coast Writers Conference Features 40+ Speakers, Master Classes, and a Teen Program

Meagan Friberg is the executive director of the Central Coast Writers Conference. This contributed article appears courtesy of CCWC.

The 42nd annual event will take place September 25 and 26 at Cuesta College

By Meagan Friberg

The 42nd annual Cuesta College Central Coast Writers’ Conference, set to take place the final weekend of September, is the ideal event for Morro Bay writers of all backgrounds and experience levels. With this year’s theme of “Say Yes!” all of the expert advice, knowledge, and teachings that have made CCWC popular with writers for the past four decades will be available. And, with the short drive from Morro Bay, it’s a great opportunity to be part of the two day event in 2026: September 25 and 26 at the SLO campus of Cuesta College.

“On behalf of our talented and dedicated staff, I am honored to welcome our attendees and presenters to this year’s conference,” said CCWC Executive Director Meagan Friberg. “Our schedule is packed with two days of exciting workshops, and it is such a thrill to witness writers interacting with and learning from one another.”

Nearly 60 Sessions Across Two Days

Conference attendees may choose from a selection of nearly 60 different sessions on Friday and Saturday. Tracks include fiction, non-fiction, children and picture books, writing essentials, poetry and music, business, marketing, screenwriting, publishing, and more. The conference follows an open concept format, giving attendees a chance to move between tracks. For an additional cost, eight intensive 3-hour Master Classes are being offered on Friday morning. Full details, descriptions, and registration information on each class may be found on the CCWC website.

Keynotes: Jonathan Maberry and Christine Fairchild

“Attendees will have access to all of our presenters, and our Meet & Greet event is always a great opportunity to connect with fellow writers,” said Friberg. “One of our favorite presenters, the always-inspiring Jonathan Maberry, will be our Friday keynote. He is kind, humble, and generous with his time. Christine Fairchild will send us home with a dose of motivation during the Saturday closing keynote. Her experience, knowledge, and dedication to fellow writers make her an invaluable addition to this year’s conference.”

Maberry is a New York Times bestselling author, 5-time Bram Stoker Award winner, 4-time Scribe Award winner, Inkpot Award winner, poet, and comic book writer. Fairchild is a writer, editor, and book doctor helping authors take their work to the next level. In addition, the conference will feature 40-plus presenters across numerous genres, and an exclusive teen program for ages 13 to 18.

CCWC was named the “Best Conference in the Southwest” in 2019 by The Writer magazine. Writers of all ages and experience levels have raved about the annual event for years, with many attendees citing the knowledge and encouragement gained at CCWC as the catalyst for completing their novel, screenplay, or memoir. A limited number of scholarships are available; see the CCWC website for details.

“We truly do have something to offer every writer, no matter their experience or skill level,” said Friberg. “From the very early beginner to the most experienced, our staff will help take writers to the next level. Each year is different so, even if you’ve attended before, you will learn something new at CCWC 2026. Say yes to signing up today and join us!”

Registration, Scholarships, and Details

The Central Coast Writers’ Conference is brought to you by Cuesta Community College, Kindle Direct Publishing, Launch My Book, The Salamacha Family Trust, BookFunnel, and SoCreate.

Find details and registration forms at CentralCoastWritersConference.com. Scholarships are available on a limited basis. Contact Cuesta Community Programs at 805-546-3132, or CCWC Director Meagan Friberg at meagan_friberg@cuesta.edu or 805-610-4252 for more information. Follow on social media for the latest updates: Instagram @CCWritersCon and Facebook @CentralCoastWritersConference.

Planning the rest of your September? Everything happening around the bay is on the HelloMorroBay events calendar.