The second annual Santa Barbara Writers Conference was held at Cate school June 21-28, 1974. Building on the success of the first SBWC, the Conrads produced a lineup of speakers that would be the envy of any well-established conference: Ray Bradbury opened the conference as keynote speaker. Alex Haley introduced Budd Schulberg and a showing of his film, On the Waterfront. James Michener gave an evening address. Mel Tormé explained why I’d Rather Write Than Sing. Ross Macdonald (Ken Millar) spoke on “Writing, Mystery & Suspense.” Afternoon speakers included Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, Alex Haley, Clifton Fadiman, and James Sheldon.
The conference was already underway when Barnaby got a phone call from Frankfurt, Germany from James Michener asking if he was still invited to speak at the conference. If so, it was going to cost the Conrads extra. With some trepidation Barney asked, “How so?”
“It’ll cost $50 to change my airline ticket.”
Barnaby came up with the $50. He was fond of telling his audiences throughout the years that Michener came for the afternoon and stayed three days. By the end of the 1974 conference, this gathering of writers had become an institution in Santa Barbara County.
Quoted with appreciation to Armando Nieto, Mary Conrad, and Matt Pallamary: The Santa Barbara Writers Conference Scrapbook — Words of Wisdom from Thirty Years of Literary Excellence 1973 – 2004.
Clockwise from top: Ross Macdonald (Ken Millar), Ray Bradbury, Sid Stebel, James Michener
