The Santa Barbara Writers Conference has a new owner: novelist Monte Schulz, son of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. Schulz purchased the conference from bankruptcy and plans to re-launch it in 2011. The Schulz family has supported SBWC since its inception in 1972.
Charles Schulz, who died in 2000, was often present at SBWC, getting involved with a young writers scholarship fund and donating a drawing for auction. His son, Monte, has supported a number of attendees through scholarship funding.
The last SBWC took place in 2008. Its previous owner was Marcia Meier.