A Season For Storytelling

A Season For Storytelling:

Fall Writing Workshop Series

This fall, the Coronado Public Library and the San Diego Writers Festival invite writers of all levels and genres to sharpen their pencils, open their laptops, and embark on a creative journey. Together, the two organizations are presenting a series of interactive Zoom workshops, each designed to provide fresh strategies, professional insight, and the chance to transform inspiration into polished craft.

From the deeply personal world of memoir to the timeless structure of myth, from the challenge of writing a first novel to the art of promoting one’s work, the series promises something for everyone. Best of all, attendance at any workshop qualifies participants for a unique perk: the entry fee will be waived if they choose to submit their manuscript to the Acorn Publishing Debut Author Contest, an exciting national platform for emerging writers.

The series opens on Thursday, September 4, 2025, with Memoir Writing Essentials, led by Tracy J. Jones—developmental editor, writing coach, and president of the International Memoir Writers Association.

Jones has built a career helping writers uncover the heart of their stories. As co-producer of the San Diego Memoir Showcase and co-editor of the award-winning anthology Shaking the Tree: brazen. short. memoir., she understands how storytelling connects lived experience with universal meaning.

A memoir is more than a record of past events—it is the art of shaping personal experience into a narrative that resonates with others. Unlike autobiography, which often traces a life from beginning to end, memoir focuses on moments of transformation, themes that define identity, and scenes that reveal universal truths. In this interactive session, participants will learn to distinguish memoir from autobiography and personal essay, discover the right “container” for their story, craft a character arc from real life, and highlight universal themes within personal experiences. Jones will also provide a practical checklist for writing vivid, scene-driven prose. Writers will leave with tools to shape their life stories into page-turners—and perhaps into submissions for the Acorn contest.

On Thursday, October 16, 2025, bestselling author and Acorn Publishing co-founder Holly Kammier leads The Hero’s Journey: Unlocking the Power of Myth. Named 2025 Publisher of the Year by the San Diego Writers Festival, Kammier has guided countless authors in shaping stories that reach audiences both artistically and commercially.

The Hero’s Journey is a timeless framework that underlies countless myths, novels, and films. By tracing a protagonist’s departure from the familiar, their confrontation with trials, and their transformative return, this structure provides writers with a powerful storytelling blueprint. Kammier’s workshop will demonstrate how to build protagonists with six essential heroic traits, weave in themes that tie stories together, and structure interlocking stories that keep readers engaged. Writers working on novels, screenplays, or even memoirs with epic arcs will gain a toolkit for crafting stories that entertain, inspire, and endure.

For many writers, finishing a manuscript feels like the finish line—but in truth, it is only the beginning. Success in publishing requires the ability to share one’s work and connect with readers which are skills that can feel daunting to introverts. On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, award-winning urban fantasy author Dennis K. Crosby leads Write Your Story: Networking & Marketing for Introverts, which is a session tailored to those who find self-promotion overwhelming.

Since earning his MFA in Creative Writing, Crosby has published three novels and more than a dozen short stories, while also becoming a familiar presence at national literary conferences such as WonderCon, Comic-Con International, and StokerCon, where he served as Co-Chair in 2024. Honored with the Jonathan Maberry Inspiring Teens Award in 2025, he has mentored young writers with passion and authenticity. In this workshop, Crosby will help participants identify their introvert type, use natural strengths to grow readership, and approach networking as an extension of storytelling. Extroverts are welcome too, but introverts will leave with a marketing approach that feels genuine and sustainable.

The series concludes on Thursday, November 20, 2025, with Crafting Your First Novel: From Idea to Manuscript, led by bestselling novelist Lisa Brackmann. Known for her fast-paced thrillers such as Rock Paper Tiger, an Amazon Top 10 Best Book of the Year, Brackmann has taught and published widely, with her novels translated around the world.

Her session will guide writers through the process of transforming an initial spark—an image, a character, a “what if”—into a fully developed manuscript. Participants will explore how to shape a strong premise, build layered and believable characters, balance plotting with discovery writing, and avoid common pitfalls that derail first novels. Brackmann also emphasizes developing a sustainable writing plan to carry a project through to completion, offering both creative inspiration and practical structure.

The workshops are free, fun and just may kickstart you to begin the book you always said you wanted to write. Together, these four instructors offer a spectrum of support for aspiring and experienced writers alike. Tracy J. Jones brings mastery in memoir craft, helping authors uncover the heart of their stories. Holly Kammier bridges storytelling and publishing with insider knowledge of both the creative and business sides of books. Dennis K. Crosby empowers introverted writers to market their work with confidence and authenticity. Lisa Brackmann provides the roadmap for shaping ideas into novels with depth and staying power.

Workshops are designed to be accessible, engaging, and versatile. Strategies cross genres, the sessions take place conveniently on Zoom, and participants receive an added incentive: the chance to enter the Acorn Publishing Debut Author Contest without paying the submission fee.

Launching in 2025, the Acorn Publishing Debut Author Prize offers a national platform for emerging voices in fiction and memoir. For new writers, it represents not just a competition, but a launchpad into the publishing world. The submission window opens on August 15, 2025, and closes on November 15, 2025.

Acorn Publishing is a respected hybrid press, blending the professional services of traditional publishing—editing, design, marketing, and distribution— with the flexibility and higher royalties of self-publishing. Authors benefit from professional editing, cover design, and formatting; coordinated book signings and blog tours; NetGalley placements; promotional landing pages; and long-term marketing support, including foreign rights. Those who publish with Acorn often point to its collaborative spirit and its success in helping books reach both indie and mainstream audiences.

For participants in the Coronado Library and San Diego Writers Festival workshops, the contest is especially appealing: attendance waives the entry fee, making it more accessible than ever. Finalists gain entrée into a publishing process that balances creative control with professional visibility.

All workshops will be hosted on Zoom, making participation simple and convenient. Registration is required in advance, with details available through the Coronado Public Library’s online calendar. Whether you’re capturing memories, inventing heroes, embracing introverted strengths, or drafting your first novel, this fall’s workshop series offers the perfect place to begin.

One more opportunity ...

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 20, 2025, when the San Diego Writers Festival brings you Festival U – a full day of online learning for writers. From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PDT), seven interactive Zoom sessions will deliver fresh strategies, insider tips, and the chance to elevate your craft in a supportive and creative community. Whether you’re polishing a manuscript, exploring memoir, shaping your first novel, or simply curious about the writing life, Festival U is designed to inspire and empower writers at every stage. For $60, you’ll gain access to the entire day’s programming while helping support the Festival’s year-round free literary events that enrich our region’s cultural life.

The day launches with a keynote by Ed Begley Jr., Emmy-nominated actor, activist, and author, who will share candid, funny, and heartfelt stories from his extraordinary journey—his relationship with his iconic father, his work alongside Hollywood legends, the roots of his environmental activism, battles with addiction, and his enduring quest for common ground.

Following the keynote, industry experts, editors, coaches, and published authors will lead sessions on craft, publishing, and creative growth—offering practical guidance and inspiration you can put into action immediately. This is your chance to learn from the best, connect with fellow writers, and take your writing to the next level. Don’t wait— register today at San Diego Writers Festival and be part of a transformative day devoted to the art of storytelling.