Winner of a 2007 special Pulitzer Prize for his “distinguished, prolific and deeply influential career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy,” Ray Bradbury will open the 2007 Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Bradbury has spoken at the conference every year since its founding.

The incomparable author of The Martian Chronicles, Fahrenheit 451, and successful playwright, poet, short story and screenwriter, Bradbury will deliver the Saturday night keynote at 7:30 p.m., June 23rd.

“Our beloved Ray Bradbury,” notes Barnaby Conrad, author and founder of the conference, “…his winning is deserving and spectacular! He is such a powerful literary force. He has guided our annual conference since its inception.”

In addition to Bradbury, bestselling authors Gregory Maguire (Wicked), Carolyn See (There Will Never Be Another You), Gail Tsukiyama, (Women of the Silk), Christopher Moore (You Suck: A Love Story), and Gayle Lynds (The Last Spymaster) are scheduled to speak throughout the week. (For the complete schedule, visit our website at www.sbwritersconference.com.)

Afternoon speakers include Jeff Herman (Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Editors, Publishers and Literary Agents), J.F. Freedman (A Killing in the Valley), and EllynAnne Geisel (The Apron Book: Making, Wearing and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort).

Afternoon panels include topics on new books, self-publishing and non-traditional roads to publication, and emerging voices.

The conference has helped writers achieve their goals since Barnaby and Mary Conrad established it in 1973. Today, SBWC counts among its alumni some of the literary world’s brightest stars, including Christopher Moore and Gayle Lynds, Fannie Flagg, Dr. Spencer Johnson (Who Moved My Cheese?), the late Iris Chang (The Rape of Nanking), bay-area mystery writer Gillian Roberts, and many others. Lynds will receive the Third Annual Barnaby and Mary Conrad Founders Award for Fiction when she speaks at the conference at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 26th.

The Santa Barbara Writers Conference convenes June 22-29, 2007 at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort. All of the speakers and most of the panels are open to the public. The cost is $15 for afternoon events and $20 for evenings. Tickets will be available online until the day before the event and at the door.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.sbwritersconference.com or e-mail info@sbwritersconference.com.

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