The following is a press release issued by the Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference:
Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference invites Scholarship and Master Class applications through February 15, 2024 for its in-person annual summer conference.
- The 2024 conference includes morning workshops in eight genres plus a juried Master Class, as well as afternoon seminars
- Scholarships to be awarded to applicants of all levels and backgrounds.
- The 2024 Master Class will focus on the novel in three stages: inspiration, first draft and revision and will be led by prolific author, Francesca Lia Block.
- The Keynote Address will be delivered by acclaimed novelist, Rachel Kushner (The Mars Room, The Flamethrowers, and Telex from Cuba).
- 2024 faculty include (from left to right): Rachel Kushner, Francesca Lia Block, Douglas Manuel, Jane Wong, Nic Anstett, Henry Hoke, Jessica Ferri, Kate Folk, Gene Kwak, Lio Min, Angela Garbes, and Sarah Bowlin.
From August 1-3, 2024, the 35th Annual Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference (MCWC) will include morning workshops, afternoon craft and publishing seminars, and evening readings open to the public. The full schedule and faculty bios can be viewed at mcwc.org.
Applications for scholarships to attend MCWC 2024 are now open. Special scholarships are available for high school students in Mendocino County, who are particularly encouraged to apply. Writers of all ages and levels of experience can apply.
The deadline to apply for a scholarship or the juried Master Class is February 15, 2024. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by early March. General registration will open to the public on March 15, 2024. With the exception of the applications for scholarships and for the juried Master Class, there is no writing sample required for registration.
Locascio Nighthawk adds: “We especially want to encourage local writers to apply and come get a taste of a world-class literary gathering where they can meet fellow writers and gain valuable feedback on their writing. We have many opportunities for local writers, including scholarships for Mendocino County high school students (grades 9-12), as well as for MCWC first-time attendees and for those who have never attended a writers’ conference.”
The scholarship judging categories are organized by submission genre, including the categories of Novel, Short Fiction, Middle Grade/Young Adult, Poetry, Memoir, Nonfiction, Speculative Fiction. All applications will be considered for all possible scholarships, and all applicants are welcome to register for the Conference regardless of the outcome of their scholarship application. Scholarships are assigned on the basis of merit, as determined by a diverse panel of local judges, to a recipient who meets the eligibility criteria of that scholarship.
For more information, please visit mcwc.org. Questions can also be directed to MCWC Operations Manager Patty West at info@mcwc.org or Executive Director Lisa Locascio Nighthawk at director@mcwc.org.
