Best-selling author is keynote of local conference

New York Times bestseller author David Oliver Relin will be the keynote speaker of the 13th-annual South Coast Writers Conference, scheduled Feb. 15 and 16 in Gold Beach.

Relin’s “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One School at a Time” has been listed on the New York Times bestsellers list for 49 weeks. A graduate of Vassar, Relin attended the prestigious Teaching/Writing Fellowship at the Iowa Writer’s Workshop. For two decades, Relin has focused on reporting about social issues and their effects on children. He currently is a contributing Editor for Parade.

Several other renowned writers – including Larry Brooks, Jessica Bryan, Jim Coffee, Dan Frechette, Jayel Gibson, Phil Hahn, Sue Lick and Ann Cameron – will be presenting at the event, organized by Southwestern Oregon Community College. The weekend-long conference typically fields about 100 writers for its blend of workshops, author readings, book signings and writer critique circles.

“We try to make it a gathering of writers,” Southwestern Curry Program Coordinator Janet Pretti said. “We also try to invite writers who get involved in the conference and aren’t just presenting. It’s a pretty good group of people.”

Participants choose one of four seminar selections for the Friday session. Four 90-minute workshops are offered on Saturday, with six options for each session. Cost for Saturday attendance is $55 ($65 after Jan. 31), and the price for both days is $95 ($105 after Jan. 31). Friday Night Author Readings, scheduled at 7 p.m. the weekend of the conference, are planned in the Showcase Building on the Curry County fairgrounds. That event is free and open to the public.

For more information or to register, those interested can contact the Southwestern Gold Beach Center at (541) 247-2741. Visit the South Coast Writers Conference Website.

Press Release Date: January 10, 2008