FAQ

All General Craft Workshops are open admission. Pick and choose as you like, but arrive early to make sure you get a seat.

Yes. If you're registered for the conference, everything is included except the Individual Manuscript Consultations with one of the presenters. (See Registration form for manuscript consultation guidelines and cost.)

The presenter should contact you via email prior to the conference to schedule your meeting time and location. When you check in at orientation on day one, you will be encouraged to introduce yourself to the presenter who read your manuscript and to confirm your scheduled meeting time and location. If you're having trouble locating your presenter, go to the registration desk and someone will put you in contact.

Due to time constraints and the large number of people who want individual feedback, the presenters have agreed to read no more than 10 pages for each manuscript conference, and we are honoring their wishes. Pick your strongest consecutive 10. The only way to have more pages read is to sign up for more manuscript consultation spots (one spot for every 10 pages).

We provide coffee and light breakfast fare each morning at BIG ARTS, but your daily meals are not included. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings we will host a cocktail party—appetizers, soft drinks, and beer and wine—at BIG ARTS that is open to all conference participants. There are many restaurants on Sanibel--some of which are close to BIG ARTS--that offer a wide variety of food and prices.

BIG ARTS is the location for all conference events. Here is its address and phone number:
900 Dunlop Road
Sanibel Island, FL 33957
239-395-0900

No. Many people opt to carpool, walk, rollerblade, or bike ride. Sanibel is bike-friendly, and your hotel may even have a bike you can borrow for the day.

We've partnered with some hotels for a discount rate, but you are free to stay wherever you like. In order to secure the discounted rate, be sure to mention the conference when you make your reservation. Partner properties can be found on our Lodging & Travel page.

Depending on the day and the time, parking directly at BIG ARTS may be limited, but there are nearby options. If the BIG ARTS lot is full, the church lot is directly across the street, and the library lot is a two-block walk from the venue.

Anyone interested in writing, reading, and/or publishing is invited to attend. The only requirements are notebooks, pens, pencils, enthusiasm, creativity, and an open mind. If you preregistered for a private manuscript consultation or small-group workshop, please bring a copy of your manuscript. Also: Bug spray and sun block for the beach.

Appropriately/comfortably casual. Shoes & shirts required, just like 7-11.

 Yes. The more the merrier. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Yes. FGCU's campus bookstore will be selling books by all the authors at BIG ARTS all weekend.

 

Sorry, but during the conference the bookstore only sells books by conference presenters. 

 

 Yes, it’s true.  The class is offered at FGCU through the Department of Language & Literature. Course title: CRW 3053 Writing Theory and Practice. The class requires you to read and write responses to the presenters’ books. At the conference, you’ll get to meet them in person, take workshops with them, and ask them all about their work.  Spots tend to fill quickly, so register at FGCU soon! 

 As long as you're patient and don't scare the authors, yes.

All attendees receive an official Sanibel Island Writers Conference tote bag as part of their registration. We might have a limited number of commemorative posters and t-shirts for sale. If so, the on-site bookstore will be selling them.   

 Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it.

Yes. All evening events are open to the public. There is no charge to attend, but we encourage a small donation at the door. Not required -- just if the spirit moves you (donations help ensure the conference’s future). The free events are first come, first served, general admission. We suggest you arrive early and get in line, as these events fill quickly. Once all the paid registrants have taken their seats, we'll open the doors to the general public. Check schedule for event times.

The definition of “suitable” varies from parent to parent. Unless an author’s reading from a children’s or young adult book, there's a chance you'll hear some PG or R-rated language. 

Visit the FGCU Foundation's Online Giving page, choose "Other," and enter "Sanibel Island Writers Conference" in the "Leave a comment" field.

 Call or e-mail Tom DeMarchi at 239-590-7421 or tdemarch@fgcu.edu