If you’re looking for inspiration for your next novel, and believe you’ll think better with a spectacular view, then you won’t want to miss this year’s Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference. Held Aug. 3-5 at the Mendocino Middle School in Mendocino, the three-day event will include a gathering for writers and authors, workshops, craft seminars and more. Topics will include dialogue, voice, screenwriting, flash fiction and more.

This year’s keynote speaker is Michael Krasny, the host of KQED/NPR’s “Forum with Michael Krasny,” and author, scholar, professor of literarure and award-winning journalist. Literary agents will be on hand for pitch panels and consultations. Plus, a wide range of genres will be covered by a full faculty of literary experts. The event closes on Sunday with an optional Publishing Bootcamp session.

“I just want people to recognize what a gem this conference is,” says Jody Gehrman, former faculty and this year’s Master Class instructor. “It’s small and focused, but at the same time, it’s not claustrophobic. There’s such a wide range of types of writers. It’s one of the least pretentious, friendliest, and most inspiring conferences I’ve had the pleasure to work with.”

The registration fee for the three-day conference, which includes most meals, is $575 before June 30 and $625 thereafter. Participation in the post-conference Publishing Bootcamp is $150. The conference also has more than twenty scholarships available based on merit and diversity.

For more information, visit mcwc.org, or email info@mcwc.org.