Fantasy authors share writing tips at SLO Library event

Free author event to be held this Saturday

– The County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries, in partnership with the upcoming 40th annual Cuesta College Central Coast Writers’ Conference, will host a free author event, “Crafting Magical Realms: Fantasy World-Building for Young Readers,” on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the SLO Library Community Room, located at 995 Palm St. in downtown San Luis Obispo.

The event will feature New York Times bestselling author Kalyn Josephson, bestselling fantasy author Jenna Elizabeth Johnson, and middle-grade series fantasy author Debbie Noble Black. The authors will participate in a panel discussion followed by a meet and greet with book signings.

The panelists will discuss two main topics: creating a fantasy world and writing for young readers, as well as how these two aspects intersect. Josephson explained that they will discuss “what goes into creating a fantasy world and how this may differ when writing for young readers as opposed to adults.”

Johnson added, “People can expect an open, friendly conversation about all the different ways authors develop the details for their fantasy worlds, from the simple ideas to the more complex ones.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the authors, their books, and their creative processes. Those interested in writing fantasy for young readers, as well as fans of the genre, are encouraged to attend.

The event serves as an introduction to the Central Coast Writers’ Conference, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Cuesta College SLO Campus. The conference will feature 25 speakers, including Josephson, Johnson, and Black.

“After every CCWC, I come away energized, inspired, and with some fun new writing friends,” Black shared about the conference, now in its 40th year.

For more information on the Central Coast Writers’ Conference, including registration forms, visit CentralCoastWritersConference.com. Contact Cuesta College Community Programs at (805) 546-3132 or Brian Schwartz at brian_schwartz@cuesta.edu. Follow on social media for updates: Instagram and Twitter @CCWritersCon and Facebook @CentralCoastWritersConference.