At MCWC we give you a broad sampling of genres. You can choose to focus on your favorite — novel, short fiction, memoir, poetry — or taste a little of each. Our theme is writing for social change — not in the sense of preaching — but in the deeper sense that honest words make a better world.

When selecting from the Program schedule, the following guide may help you:

	Workshop: Three morning sessions in a specific genre. You will stay with the same workshop leader for all three days. You are asked to send a sample of your work in beforehand to be read and critiqued. During the day, you can expect to: 1. talk about your work; 2. discuss techniques to help your writing; 3. practice some of those techniques.
	Sunday Morning Workshop: A session for everyone on marketing your writing.
	Afternoon Lectures/Discussion Sessions: The sessions are shorter than the morning workshops, each focused on a particular area: poetry, non-fiction, revision, or chats with editors and agents. You will not be asked to send in work in advance. You may have a chance to practice in class the techniques talked about.
	Professional Consultations: Thirty minute private sessions with the author, agent, or editor of your choice. Please schedule these in advance. The cost is $50 for each. You will be asked to send up to ten pages of your work to be read beforehand.
	Guided Writing Practice: On Friday and Saturday mornings, before the workshops begin, you are invited to gather for assigned writing prompts.
	Readings: Each day, before the afternoon lectures, there are readings by presenters and contest winners. They are often a highlight of the conference.
	Bookstore: Gallery Bookshop, a Mendocino independent bookstore, will be on-site daily during the conference featuring books by conference faculty and books on the craft of writing.
	Breakfast & Lunch: Starting Thursday morning, a continental breakfast and a cold lunch of salads or sandwiches will be served daily on campus to all faculty and participants. Coffee, soft drinks and water are available all day. The conference ends at 11:00 am on Sunday; breakfast only will be served that day.
	Evenings: On Thursday evening attend a welcoming reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres, plus a talk by a keynote speaker. On Friday evening, faculty will be signing books at Cheshire Books in Fort Bragg. This evening you are on your own to sample the many restaurants in Fort Bragg and Mendocino. Saturday evening is the conference gala dinner and keynote speech.