Nearby: Central Coast Writers’ Conference at Cuesta College

The Central Coast Writers’ Conference marks 42 years at Cuesta College

On the Cuesta College campus, on Highway 1 between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. The Central Coast Writers’ Conference returns Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26 for its 42nd year, two full days under the theme Say Yes! that bring writers of every background and experience level together with an accomplished faculty of authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Named Best Conference in the West by Writers Magazine, CCWC has grown into one of the region’s genuine literary institutions, and its lecturers and attendees draw heavily from Morro Bay, Los Osos, and the surrounding coast.

Friday opens with optional morning master classes (separate fee) on craft topics from story structure to poetry to fight scenes, then rolls into afternoon breakout sessions, a meet-and-greet social hour with music, appetizers, and wine, and a 6 PM keynote from bestselling author Jonathan Maberry titled The Power of Yes! Saturday runs a full day of breakout sessions and panels, a continental breakfast with the presenters, a lunchtime author-signing mingle near the bookstore, and a 5:30 PM closing keynote with Christine Fairchild. Topics range from audiobooks and author websites to publishing after 50 and the AI questions every working writer is weighing.

Registration is $325 through September 24, rising to $375 for day-of walk-ins, with sign-up through Cuesta Community Programs. A teen writing program and volunteer opportunities run alongside the main conference. The Highway 1 campus is an easy 15-minute drive from Morro Bay, and the two-day format rewards committing to both.

For more workshops, talks, and Nearby Happenings along the corridor, see what is coming up on the event calendar.