An acclaimed writer and blogger will join 14 other publishers and published authors at Cuesta College's 26th Annual Central Coast Writers Conference in San Luis Obispo later this month.

Nathan Bransford is featured regularly by Writer’s Digest for having the second best "must-read" writer’s blog. A top agent with Curtis Brown Ltd, Bransford will present "The Circle of a Writer's Life," how to query an agent or publisher, and "The Ten Commandments of a Happy Writer."

The conference will take place Sept. 17 and 18, and will feature 32 workshops for the novice and the accomplished writer, demonstrating everything from children's picture books, mystery writing, novels, short story and networking with publishers, such as Dr. Kate Gale of Red Hen Literary Press, Steve Mettee of Quil Driver Books, and Charlotte Cook of Komenar Publishing.  

San Luis Obispo Author Jay Asher, "Thirteen Reasons Why," will be featured as the 2010 Success Story of the Year. He will join fantasy writer Kathleen Duey, one of his 13 mentors, in this year PG&E Teen Writers’ Program.

Short-story specialist Melissa Pritchard was recently featured in Oprah Magazine. And award-winning screenwriter Jon James Miller and Cook will introduce a new concept: writing a novel based on a screenplay.

Award-winning travel writers Diane Lebow and Laurie McAndish King will demonstrate how to be compensated for traveling the world writing about food, wine and scenic places.

Educated in Arroyo Grande, Becky Levine’s break-out critique etiquette book was published and featured in January’s Writer’s Digests.

Information is available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CentralCoastWritersConference. Before Sept. 13, the cost of attendance is $159. Register online at www.communityprograms.net. Cost of attendance after Sept. 13 or at the event is $169.