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Best Resources For Aspiring Writers In The Bay Area

The best resources for aspiring writers in the Bay Area provide synergy and structure as well as chances to get up close and personal with professionals and each other. Professionals and peers work together to demystify the process from idea to performance or publication. Writers of all levels find locations throughout the Bay Area, which get as glamorous as a writing conference on Nob Hill or as down-to-earth as a free children's project in the Mission. There's something for everybody in this writing community, even chances for underprivileged girls to see the play they've written performed in local theater.
sf writer's conference
http://sfwriters.org

San Francisco Writers' Conference
Mark Hopkins Hotel
999 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 673-0939
www.sfwriters.orgDate: Feb. 13-16, 2014

The San Francisco Writers' Conference presents attendees with an all-you-can-meet speed dating event to chat with agents face to face. The conference fosters talent with a myriad of scholarships for everyone from music lovers to veterans to emerging writers of any genre. Check out exhibitors for writers' groups and self-publishing. Experience writers in the flesh at the speaking events, all at a world class hotel on Nob Hill with a lovely Sunday champagne brunch. The conference takes volunteers.

Related: Best Libraries In The San Francisco Area

ca writers club
www.calwriters.org

California Writers Club
CWC San Francisco/Peninsula
Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 615-8331

www.calwriters.org
The California Writers Club started over 100 years ago and hosts events for all levels of writers of all kinds, with the original motto, "Sail On!" Network at workshops, seminars, contests and conferences or the writers' picnic at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland. The club celebrates writers' week annually during the third week of October. Each branch presents its own speakers and resources. Find a branch in your area or visit them all, including Berkeley, Marin, San Francisco/PeninsulaMount Diablo with its young writers' event and writers' advice and Napa Valley which just started a writers' salon.

3 girls theater
www.3girlstheatre.org

3 Girls Theatre
San Francisco, CA
(207) 205-0636

www.3girlstheatre.org
3 Girls Theatre started with playwrights Suze Allen, A.J. Baker and Lee Brady with the motto of putting women's work on stage where it belongs. 3 Girls Theatre nurtures young talent and presents new works free of the male view characteristic of the theater world although men help on the crew and appear on stage. Girlwrights, the pilot project, fosters the creativity of girls ages eight to 18. The 3GT theater lab promotes playwrighting and direction with personal instruction and workshops. The company during the 2013-14 season invites the public to staged readings around the Bay Area. Volunteers and student interns encouraged.

826 Valencia
Photo Credit: 826 Valencia

826 Valencia
826 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 642-5905
www.826valencia.orgWriter and publisher Dave Eggers, a phenomenal story in his own right, founded this group to support writing by children six to 18, free of charge. Eggers, together with educator Nínive Calegari, helps teachers get students excited about their creative and expository writing with many programs including scholarships for high school students, workshops and summer events. Eggers himself wrote a memoir about his parents dying and how he raised his younger brother.

Related: Best Poetry Events In The East Bay

sf writers grotto
www.sfgrotto.org

The San Francisco Writers' Grotto
490 2nd St., Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94107
www.sfgrotto.orgThe Writers' Grotto, a private workspace open by invitation only, creates a community of narrative artists such as writers and filmmakers and provides some structure and synergy. The fellowship provides low-rent workspace for emerging writers of all kinds including journalists, fiction, memoir, poets and playwrights. Fellows get invitations to all events and have chances to meet professionals.

Related: Best Budget Cultural Events In San Francisco

Cindy Warner is a freelance writer and a San Francisco Bay Area native. Cindy has covered SF theater and opera for Examiner.com via her bicycle since January 2009. Check out her work on Examiner.com.

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