The 2013 Aloha Writers Conference, to include an appearance by “The Descendants” author Kaui Hart Hemmings, will take place Jan. 18 to 21 at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua resort on Maui.

Other guest stars will include Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of “The Deep End of the Ocean,” Thomas Cook, winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Award, John Lescroart, best-selling suspense author, and Diane Lake whose screenplay “Frieda” won two Academy Awards.
The authors, along with poets and screenwriters, will help participants develop writing skills. Publishing agents and editors also will be in attendance.

The conference will benefit nonprofit agency Keiki O Ka Aina, which is the event organizer.