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A Festival for Writers, Readers, and Fans
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Friday, August 14
 

10:30am MDT

Games Room is Open!
Friday August 14, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Need to start the day a little low-key? Drop in to the Games Room for Table Top Role Playing Game sign up AND Open Board Games.

Join us in the Games Room this weekend!
From Board Games, Tabletop Roleplaying Games, Quiplash, and more. The games room gives you the opportunity to make a new friend, or eight, and learn some fantastic games. You can even sign out a board game to play elsewhere! 
Friday August 14, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen A 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

10:30am MDT

Welcome! Opening Ceremony & Keynote
Friday August 14, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
It's the opening ceremonies! Join us for this fast and furious kick off to When Words Collide 2026. 

Our welcome event includes a land acknowledgement and drum blessing, some short speeches(yay, speeches) and then a very lively In Conversation with celebrated fantasy author Terry Brooks, and his successor, Delilah Dawson as they ZOOM in for the conference from the far corners of the globe.

Special WWC Peeps present include: 
>>>Alexandra Writers Centre Society (AWCS) Exectutive Director Robin Van Eck
>>>AWCS Board Chair/WWC Committee Chair Sarah Johnson
>>>AWCS Program Director Community Engagement/ WWC Committee Member Special Events, Precious de Leon
>>>WWC Festival Director Nicole Zylstra

And then it's off to the races! See you there :)
Presenters
avatar for Terry Brooks

Terry Brooks

Born in Illinois in 1944, Terry Brooks spent a great deal of his childhood and early adulthood dreaming up stories in and around Sinnissippi Park, the very same setting for Running with the Demon. He received his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, where he majored in Eng... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4+6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

From Hoops to Books: How Losing Basketball Led Me to Writing
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Educator and Big Five–published author Keenan Jones from the Twin Cities (Minnesota) shares his journey from standout basketball player to children’s author after a career-ending injury and a transformative creative writing class reignited his passion for storytelling; his debut picture book, Saturday Morning at the Shop (Simon & Schuster/USA&Canada), celebrates community and culture through a boy’s experience in his neighborhood barbershop, and in this session he will offer his personal story, practical advice for breaking into publishing, and insights on resilience and motivation as a marginalized creator, leaving attendees inspired and ready to pursue their own creative paths.
Presenters
avatar for Keenan Jones

Keenan Jones


Keenan Jones is a Minnesota-based author, educator, and literacy advocate whose work celebrates Black joy, community, and authentic representation in children’s literature. A 2022 Mirrors & Windows Fellow at The Loft Literary Center, Keenan is the author of the acclaimed debut picture book... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

Launch of last year's WWC collaborative novel, Whiskers Through Time
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
WHISKERS THROUGH TIME: the Calgary Cat Chronicles

Come join 17 authors to launch a delightfully quirky collaborative novel set in Calgary throughout the last century. This novel was brainstormed and outlined at WWC 2025.  Come hear how the authors experienced the process of working together to create this book.
Presenters
avatar for Shawn L. Bird

Shawn L. Bird

publisher, Lintusen Press
Shawn Bird is an author and publisher in the beautiful Shuswap region of BC. Her novella Murdering Mr. Edwards was nominated for an Arthur Ellis Crimewriting award. Her serial 325 Alex appears in each issue of Salmon Arm's Friday AM. A flash story recently longlisted in the Australian... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Thompson Social Hub 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

Bring Your Own Lunch and Play D&D (New and Rusty Player Friendly)
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Play a quick one hour game of Dungeons and Dragons. Whether you’ve never played before, played over a decade ago, or play all the time - you’ll fit right in.

Provided for your convenience.
  • Pre-made Lv1 characters (or you can bring your own - 5E)
  • Dice
    • Instructions
    • Fun!

    Sign up or drop in. 5-6 players per table.

Presenters
avatar for Kim Firmston

Kim Firmston

Program Director, Youth Programs, Alexandra Writers' Centre Society

Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen A 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

Found Footage Fiction
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Join Gemma for a blood-curdling hour on writing epistolary horror for the 21st century.

FYI
Epistolary horror builds its scares through "found documents"—diaries, letters, emails, police transcripts, recordings—rather than a traditional narrator. By stripping away omniscience, the form turns readers into investigators, forcing them to assemble fragments of evidence into a terrifying whole.

Classic examples include Dracula, Carrie, and World War Z—each using documents like diary entries, committee testimonies, and oral histories to build dread from the ground up.

About Gemma
Gemma Files is a Canadian horror writer, journalist, and film critic. Her short story, "The Emperor's Old Bones," won the International Horror Guild Award for Best Short Story of 1999. Five of her short stories were adapted for the television series The Hunger.
Presenters
avatar for Gemma Files

Gemma Files

Previously a film critic, journalist and teacher, Gemma Files has been an award-winning horror author since 1999.

​She's best-known for her novel Experimental Film (Open Road Media) and her collections of short fiction, including the Bram Stoker Award-winning In That Endlessness, Our End and Blood From the Air (both from Grimscribe). Her next book, Little Horn: Stories, is out as of October... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

It's a Bird. It's a Plane -- Crafting Realistic Imaginary Creatures for Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
You've created a world, but what about the fauna in it?  Let's use our imaginations to furnish an enviroment filled with unique--yet realistic--wildlife.
Presenters
avatar for Shelly Campbell

Shelly Campbell

author
Shelly Campbill is an author who writes primarily fantasy, horror, and science fiction. Self-taught, she has used the experience of other writers, editors, and books on craft to bring her expertise to a professional level. She has published six fiction novels, and one non-fiction... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 9 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

You're Write About It!
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Everyone thinks writers are intelligent, well-informed, and clever — but what do they really know? Laugh along with host Kevin Weir and a panel of hilarious writers as they try to answer unfair trivia questions, unravel groanworthy puns, and play ridiculous minigames all to win the Goard of Knowledge (see: nothing) and an uneasy sense of satisfaction. 
Moderators Presenters
avatar for Winston Pei

Winston Pei

Head Alien, The Butterflies & Aliens Library
avatar for Megan Baldrey

Megan Baldrey

Executive Board President, Full Circle Theatre
Megan Baldrey is multi-passionate artist and adult spelling bee champion based out of Calgary, Alberta (Mohkinstsis). An honours' graduate of Mount Royal University's Theatre Performance Program, Megan works as a professional voice actor by day and a playwright, arts educator and... Read More →
avatar for Erin Weir

Erin Weir

Co-Artistic Director, Full Circle Theatre
Erin Weir is a playwright, theatre artist, and educator based in Calgary, where she serves as co-artistic director of Full Circle Theatre.
Her work specializes in collective creation, adaptation, and making Shakespeare cool again. This includes co-writing the award-winning Riverona (a CW-style retelling of Romeo and Juliet), the award-winning Porcelain Dolls ("that play that takes place in the women's washroom at a bar... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

An Isekai by Any Other Name
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Portal fantasy, parallel dimensions, alternate timelines, maybe even time travel or cryogenics. From Outlander to Back to the Future, John Carter to George Bailey, Oz to Narnia, these stories place contemporary characters in a new and unfamiliar settings. What are some of the storytelling advantages (and potential pitfalls) of throwing your character headlong into another world? And why do readers keep coming back for more?
Moderators Presenters
avatar for Peter G. Reynolds

Peter G. Reynolds

Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Group
Peter G. Reynolds is an award-winning writer and podcaster from Toronto, Canada, and is the 2023 Aurora Award winner for Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Story. He is the author of the children’s picture book Lost Hallway and the award-winning novella Stitches in Time Trave... Read More →
avatar for Selene O'Rourke

Selene O'Rourke

Selene lives in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. She is a writer and editor who aims to someday visit her namesake. In the meantime, she'll have to settle for building distant (or alternate) worlds of her own.

avatar for Calvin Jim

Calvin Jim

I am a writer of Asian-speculative fiction and have been writing for over 15 years. I have been published in numerous anthologies including Prairie Gothic and Where the Stars Rise. I have been nominated for 4 Aurora Awards including 3 for Best Short Fiction. I have previously spoken... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll

12:00pm MDT

Survival Skills in Dystopian Fiction
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Let’s explore a few different dystopian scenarios and see what a person would absolutely need to actually survive for years and years. Most of us know the basic survival needs for humans. Could you do it? What settings may have special requirements for survival? What type of person is best suited for survival in a dystopian setting? What might your character’s strengths and weaknesses be?
Moderators
avatar for Valerie L. King

Valerie L. King

member, IFWA
Valerie L. King was a teacher, specializing in kindergarten, special needs, and the deaf.

She has been an IFWA (imaginative fiction writer’s association) member for 30 years. With IFWA she was involved in their many projects, the IFWA Players plays and radio shows, bedtime stories with IFWA, IFWA at the Improv, public readings at the Calgary Public Library, and more... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Don Miasek

Don Miasek

Moderator, Toronto Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers
Don Miasek is a two-time Aurora Finalist writing from smack dab in the middle of Toronto, Canada. His editorial work brought Amazon best sellers Imps & Minions and Aurora Finalist Strange Wars to market, as well as Speculative North magazine. His debut science fiction novel, Pale... Read More →
avatar for Susan Forest

Susan Forest

Editor, Laksa Media Groups
Susan Forest is the author of dual Aurora Award-winners Bursts of Fire and Flights of Marigold as well as over 25 internationally-published short stories (Analog, Asimov's, Beneath Ceaseless Skies). She edits an award-winning anthology series for Laksa Media Groups, and was Edito... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

12:00pm MDT

The AI Argument
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Since AI emerged, writers and other creatives have been debating about whether or not it has a place in their work. There have been many benefits and drawbacks listed for both sides of the argument, in business and in the creative process. This panel attempts to explain the difference between AI-assisted and AI-generated work and why AI-generated work does not have a place in the creative realm. 
Moderators
avatar for D.G. Valdron

D.G. Valdron

Publisher, Fossil Cove Press
Renegade Canadian speculative fiction writer, aboriginal rights lawyer, and all round subversive iconoclast. When not railing against authority and injustice, wherever it may be found, Valdron is a pathological writer with over twenty-five books in print, numerous short stories, essays... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Jason Pearce

Jason Pearce

Writing is one of the few things that curb Jason’s incessant need to talk out loud. People close to him agree he’s much easier to tolerate when he’s working on a story.  

Today, Jason writes literary and speculative fiction, exploring themes of Indigenous cultural identity

... Read More →
avatar for Cleodel Khrishna

Cleodel Khrishna

Cleodel is an aspiring romantasy writer, known for her lyrical and engaging worldbuilding. Furthermore, her penchant for stortelling extends to her writing comedy channel where she posts her writing spirals, instead of writing. With a Filipino immigrant background, she provides unique... Read More →
avatar for Alison McBain

Alison McBain

Alison McBain is a biracial author whose novels have received over 13 awards, including the Foreword INDIES. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, shortlisted for the Alpine Fellowship, and a finalist for Best of the Net in 2025. When not writing for herself, she’s... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

Fundamentals of Commercial Fiction - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req)
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 2:45pm MDT
***Please note that Masterclasses are add-ons that require pre-registration and a separate payment. Masterclasses are only available to Festival Passholders. Adding to your SCHED schedule does not mean you are registered for the class.***
____________________________________________

In this intensive Masterclass, professional fiction writer Craig DiLouie guides you through the four pillars of good commercial fiction writing—plotting, character, dialogue, and theme. Whether new to writing or a veteran, this comprehensive presentation will help you level up your craft.
Presenters
avatar for Craig DiLouie

Craig DiLouie

Craig DiLouie is a bestselling author of horror, speculative, and military fiction. Notable works include My Ex The Antichrist, How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive, Episode Thirteen, The Children of Red Peak, One of Us, and Our War (Orbit/Hachette) as well as Suffer the Childr... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Walker

12:00pm MDT

Make Shame Your Bitch - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req)
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 2:45pm MDT
***Please note that Masterclasses are add-ons that require pre-registration and a separate payment. Masterclasses are only available to Festival Passholders. Adding to your SCHED schedule does not mean you are registered for the class.***
____________________________________________

Part craft-talk, part author-development bootcamp, this workshop will help you turn your greatest vulnerability into your superpower. 
  • Learn how to harness shame to add depth and drama to your characters' motivations. 
  • Understand how your own shame triggers may be holding you back as a writer. 
  • Experience first-hand how it’s possible to transform shame into resilience and resolve. 
Drawing on cultural examples of weaponized shame, including the presenter’s own experience surviving global tabloid media humiliation, our time together will focus on reclaiming our power to write bolder, wiser, more authentic stories.  Expect relevant literary examples, personal storytelling, safe sharing of a tiny slice of your personal experience, plus cathartic scribbling, cutting and pasting. Vibe: Brené Brown, Monica Lewinsky and Jon Ronson get together to share secrets, strategies and stationery supplies. Let's do this.
 
Open to writers at all levels. 
Please bring your most open-hearted self. Everything else will be provided.
Presenters
avatar for Jessica Waite

Jessica Waite

Jessica Waite is a best-selling author and award-winning essayist whose work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Alberta Views,The Catalyst and many other outlets. She was a recipient of Châtelaine magazine’s 2025 Doris Anderson Award for overcoming several obstacles in order... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Bannerman

1:30pm MDT

Tyche Books Presents: 2026 New Releases
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Join us in celebrating Tyche's new releases for 2026, including Fascination, the latest anthology from Rhonda Parrish, and Jumpship Freedom, Adria Laycraft's conclusion to the Jumpship trilogy.
Presenters
avatar for Margaret Curelas

Margaret Curelas

Publisher, Tyche Books

Margaret Curelas was raised on a diet of Victorian fiction and Stephen King novels, so it's unsurprising that she now writes, edits, and publishes speculative fiction. Her short fiction has appeared in a variety of anthologies and magazines, and one day she'll finish that novel. After
... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Thompson Social Hub 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

Open Board Games
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Come on into the games room and try out some board games, meet people, and chat.
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen A 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

A CRASH COURSE IN CONTRACTS FOR WRITERS
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Writers are all about writing. Other aspects of the business, like contracts, are often mysterious and intimidating.

The object of this seminar is to give writers a crash course in writing and publishing contracts, exploring the history and evolution of these contracts, the key elements in a publishing contract, what it means, what you don't worry about, what you are giving, what you are getting in return, and what you fight for. It's about teaching you to tell good contracts from bad and what kinds of clauses to look out for. Along the way, we'll explore other sorts of writer-related contracts and how to approach and understand them. Useful for new writers, but everyone will get something out of it. D.G. Valdron, the seminar proponent has been an active writer and a lawyer for over thirty years.
Presenters
avatar for D.G. Valdron

D.G. Valdron

Publisher, Fossil Cove Press
Renegade Canadian speculative fiction writer, aboriginal rights lawyer, and all round subversive iconoclast. When not railing against authority and injustice, wherever it may be found, Valdron is a pathological writer with over twenty-five books in print, numerous short stories, essays... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

Fear Factor: How Fear Rewires Your Character’s Behavior, Logic & Responses
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Fear doesn’t just make a person feel unsafe; it rewires perception, disrupts logic, and shapes behavior. Learn how to show your character’s fear on the page by understanding how it manifests and leads to specific responses.
Presenters
avatar for Angela Ackerman

Angela Ackerman

Owner, Writers Helping Writers Canada Inc
Angela Ackerman is a story coach, international speaker, and co-author of the bestselling book, The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression, and its many sequels. Available in ten languages, her guides are sourced by universities, recommended by agents and edi... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 9 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

Game Theory 101 for writers
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
From the Prisoner's Dilemma to non-zero-sum strategies, game theory explains why people (and characters) act against their own interests. In this beginner-friendly session, SF author and futurist Ron S. Friedman explains basic game theory scenarios, and how authors can explore these principles to fuel great fiction—enhancing rivalries, negotiations, betrayals, and world-building.
Presenters
avatar for Ron S. Friedman

Ron S. Friedman

Writer, Shaw Communications
Ron S. Friedman is an award-winning science fiction author and AI & energy futurist based in Alberta, Canada. His Amazon.ca #1 bestselling novel Typhoon Time, short story collection Escape Velocity, and Aurora Award-finalist story "Game Not Over" highlight his achievements, with works... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

From the Author’s Chair: Looking at the Gatekeepers from the Author’s POV
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Time to turn the tables… we’ve all seen agent panels and publisher talks; we’ve all done pitch sessions and have heard what we have to do from the industry side, now it’s time to hear from the creators and creatives who toil and sacrifice to make the art that the industry gauges. What does this industry of gatekeepers look like… from the author’s chair? Join a breadth of authors who’ve braved traditional, alternative, and self-publishing journeys, and find out what they’ve learned about navigating their art though all the hoops and into the hands of their readers. Let’s talk about the perilous endeavour of turning art into artistic product.
Moderators Presenters
avatar for Shane Kroetsch

Shane Kroetsch

Pencil on Paper

avatar for Bradley Somer

Bradley Somer

Presenter
Bradley Somer’s is the author of four novels: Fishbowl, Extinction, Imperfections, and most recently, We Are All of Us Left Behind. His work has been published in over twenty countries, translated into several languages, and produced in many print, digital, and audio editions. A few are even in development for screen. His work was awarded the Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction and he was honoured to receive the... Read More →
avatar for Danny Ramadan

Danny Ramadan

Danny Ramadan is a Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ+ refugees’ advocate.

His memoir Crooked Teeth received raving reviews and was nominated for the Governor General’s Award for Non-Fiction. His latest novel, The Foghorn Echoes, won the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction and

... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

Full Circle - How to thrive in a writing circle
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Writing circles don't have to be scary, even if the writing is.

Join members of the Federation of BC Writers Dark Fiction Writing Circle for an inspiring session about creating a writing circle that will last, or finding one that is the perfect fit for you and your work.  You can have it all–community, craft refinement and career development. They’ll guide you through important topics such as group structure, critique etiquette, communication, creating a safe space, and group goals and projects. 

Whether you’re writing jump scares or love affairs, finding your circle can help take your stories to the next level.
Moderators
avatar for Kelli Etheridge

Kelli Etheridge

Author/Writing Circle Facilitator
Kelli lives on Vancouver Island. She loves dark beer, dark coffee, and dark fiction. While horror is her favourite genre, she’s gentle in life. She adopts rescued dogs, she doesn’t kill mosquitos, and she swerves away from the monstrous banana slugs on the road. Despite that... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Kim Harbridge

Kim Harbridge

Writer/Editor

avatar for Louise Dumayne

Louise Dumayne

Louise Dumayne lives off-road and off-grid in the remote Yukon wilderness with her husband, Neil, and a retired sled dog called Blaze. She won the Lush Triumphant Short Fiction Award in 2021 with Impact. The Demon Fufu was shortlisted for the Federation of BC Writers Short Fiction... Read More →
avatar for Kristyn Pacione

Kristyn Pacione

Writer
Kristyn Pacione is a Toronto-born writer embracing her new West Coast life on Vancouver Island, BC. A lifelong pluviophile, tea addict, and lover of the macabre, she is pursuing her dream of writing dark and twisted tales inspired by her quiet coastal town. She has a BA in Anthropology... Read More →
avatar for Ennis Lucy

Ennis Lucy

Ennis Lucy is a dark fantasy and horror author with a love for the strange and twisted. They live in Victoria, BC, where they work as a freelance editor. They are currently working on their debut novel.

Website: https://ennislucy.carrd.co/... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll

1:30pm MDT

Series Crossovers & Shared Worlds
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
In the ever-evolving landscape of literature, series crossovers and shared worlds present both thrilling opportunities and unique challenges for authors. Join an insightful panel featuring experienced authors who have successfully navigated the complexities of creating crossover narratives.


This session will delve into the art of crafting compelling crossovers that not only captivate existing fans but also invite new readers into the fold. Panelists will share their firsthand experiences in planning, pacing, and executing crossover stories that enhance rather than confuse. 


Through this engaging discussion, you'll learn best practices for maintaining continuity across different storylines while providing seamless entry points for newcomers. 


Whether you’re an author looking to expand your storytelling universe or a reader eager to explore how beloved characters can intersect in fresh ways, this session promises valuable insights into the intricacies of shared worlds and cross-genre narratives. Join us as we uncover the secrets to creating rich, interconnected stories that resonate deeply with audiences—both old and new—and celebrate creative possibilities.
Moderators
avatar for Lexie Angelo

Lexie Angelo

Chief Editor, Radical Bookshop and Press

Presenters
avatar for Rick Overwater

Rick Overwater

Rick Overwater is a sci-fi, fantasy and crime writer based in Calgary, Alberta. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and is the author of The Black City Beneath, a late-age steampunk novel available from Calgary publisher, The Seventh Terrac... Read More →
avatar for Camilla Tracy

Camilla Tracy

Author, Asian Romantic Fantasy
Camilla is a lover of many mediums of storytelling. She loves to write Asian YA fantasy with strong heroines who triumph, find love, and adventure with their animals sidekicks. She always has projects on the go and loves to consume stories of all kinds – books, shows, movies, plays... Read More →
avatar for P.D. Workman

P.D. Workman

Author, Sisters in Crime- Canada West
Award-winning Canadian author P.D. Workman has written over a hundred addictive page-turners featuring diverse and divergent sleuths, high-stakes investigations, and stories that linger long after the last page. Her books dive deep into characters’ minds while exploring timely social... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

1:30pm MDT

Short & Sweet, Why Word-Economy Needs to be in Every Writer's Toolkit
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Focusing on the art of concise and impactful writing, award-winning author Alexis Marie Chute delves into the importance of word-economy and its role in enhancing writing skills. Attendees will learn valuable techniques to convey powerful messages using minimal words, refining their writing for maximum effect.


Topics covered:
  • Sentence structure
  • Imagery
  • Musicality
  • Editing and revision


Chute offers practical strategies to instill brevity, clarity, and precision in writers’ expression, enriching their communication abilities. By embracing the concept of word- economy, writers can equip themselves with a crucial tool that not only enhances writing but also encourages effective communication in all they do.
Presenters
avatar for Alexis Marie Chute

Alexis Marie Chute

Founder, Wild Skies Press
Alexis Marie Chute is an award-winning visual artist, filmmaker, art gallery curator, and bestselling author of 7 books, including the fantasy trilogy Above the Star, Below the Moon, Inside the Sun, and memoir Expecting Sunshine. Her latest non-fiction books include Prairie Spirits... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

Speak Up! Techniques for Readings and Literary Performances
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
So many of us introverted authors have brilliant words to share, but a solid dose of anxiety and inexperience when it comes to sharing them.  Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or a basement bard, this workshop has tangible exercises to strengthen your reading & delivery regardless of your ability.  Using some warm-up activities and techniques, we will have even the most reserved writer tiptoeing towards the podium.  Doing exercises to develop our hand gestures, intonation, body language, dynamics, and more, we’ll break down the performance toolkit into manageable steps that anyone can master.
Presenters
avatar for Miranda Krogstad

Miranda Krogstad

Spoken Word Poet, YYSpeak
Miranda Krogstad is a TEDx speaker and bestselling author of the book Glass Half Full of Poetry.  A spoken word poet, eternal optimist, and workshop facilitator, Krogstad has connected with thousands of writers in dozens of cities across Western Canada.  A member of the 2016 national... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

The Ruminating Muse: Spiral Into Poetry
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Spiral-thinking can be a poetic engine. This neurodivergent-friendly workshop explores ways to transform attention patterns such as rumination, thought loops, or daydreaming into powerful craft techniques, especially for poetry, hybrid writing, or experimental prose.
Presenters
avatar for Lavinia Leon

Lavinia Leon

Lavinia Leon (MD, PhD, AuDHD) was born in Romania and writes about the times and forms of Home from amiskwaciwâskahikan / Edmonton. Her writing orbits around the in-betweens — "the eternally hybrid spaces that carry liminal and luminous qualities alike," she says. Lavinia received an Honourable Mention in... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing Annual Showcase
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Join us for this year's spotlight on fresh work from our talented SF&F authors! Enjoy readings, Q&A, and door prizes as we celebrate our authors and their accomplishments in 2026!
Presenters
avatar for Ella Beaumont

Ella Beaumont

Publisher, EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
Ella Beaumont has been professionally involved in the publishing industry in both traditional and freelancing capacities since 2012 and thinks Live Action Slush should be a national sport. She has been in the process of acquiring EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, a boutique... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Thompson Social Hub 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

From Overwhelmed to Organized: Your 12 Month Marketing Plan
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Most authors don’t need more marketing advice, they need a clear, sustainable plan they can actually follow. This in-depth session guides writers through creating a personalized, realistic 12-month marketing strategy that aligns with their goals, resources, budget, and available time.
Building on foundational principles of author branding and audience engagement, this workshop walks participants step-by-step through a practical decision-making framework: choosing what to do, when to do it, and how to prioritize tasks throughout the year. We will explore a wide range of marketing options, including social media, newsletters, events, ads, collaborations, publicity, and retailer optimization, and assess each through the lens of financial investment, human resources, and time commitment. The goal is not to do everything, but to identify the right mix of strategies that fit each author’s capacity and career stage.
Participants will receive a checklist/customizable planning template that maps key marketing actions across a 12-month time frame. Together, we will break down how to set measurable goals, batch tasks, schedule seasonal opportunities, and create a plan that feels achievable rather than overwhelming. By the end, each attendee will walk away with the start of their own year-long marketing roadmap, and the confidence to adapt it as their career grows.
Presenters
avatar for Angela Douglas

Angela Douglas

Founder, Eyes on Books
Angela Douglas is an award-winning Canadian author who lives in the Okanagan with her husband and kids. Her debut novel and psychological thriller, EVERY FALL, was first published in January 2025, is a finalist for the Canadian Book Club Awards, was selected as a winner of the 2025... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Let's Talk About Sex: Writing Effective Sex Scenes
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
In this presentation, we will discuss the purpose and effect of sex scenes, how to use sex scenes to develop characters and relationships, how to handle sensitive language and wording regarding anatomy, and how to emphasize consent and safety so that readers feel comfortable and safe within the scene. This presentation will help you gain the confidence to write sex scenes in a professional and sensitive manner, since such an important topic deserves nothing less.
Presenters
avatar for Brenna Bailey-Davies

Brenna Bailey-Davies

Editor and author, Bookmarten Editorial
Brenna Bailey-Davies (she/her) is an editor and writer based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), Alberta. She specializes in editing SFF and romance for indie authors and trad pub companies, focusing on stories with queer representation. She writes sapphic contemporary romance novels under... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 9 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Practice Makes Perseverance: Steps to Creating a Graphic Novel
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
The prospect of bringing a graphic novel to life can feel daunting, but with practice, perseverance and plenty of self-care, you too can create the graphic narrative you've been dreaming of (or furiously wrestling with). Aaron Navrady's talk will focus on the steps taken from initial inspiration to finished product, using samples of process from his most recent self-published work, The Cold Fire. The story is a fictional medieval epic about a Norman Crusader tasked with pursuing heretics across the Alps during the Albigensian Crusade.
 
Highlighting each stage of the project, the presentation will explore story research and development, rough sketches, layout design, pencilling, inks, watercolours, final page prep, pitching to publishers, self-publication and distribution of finished chapters, and useful anecdotes from other creators that helped along the journey. Included will be a segment on what writers should bring to the table when procuring artists to illustrate their graphic novel script. Aaron will also share the experiential highs and lows that come with carrying forward a 10 chapter epic. He'll focus in on the satisfaction found in the process, and balancing self-care with dragging your book kicking and screaming across the finish line. 
Presenters
avatar for Aaron Navrady

Aaron Navrady

Comic Book Creator
Aaron Navrady graduated from the Alberta College of Art & Design (now AUarts) in 2002. His current self-published comics project is 'The Cold Fire', a medieval epic about a Norman Crusader who joins a company of knights tasked with pursuing heretics across the Alps during the Albigensian... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Adventures in Shorts! Finding Success with Short Fiction and Personal Essays
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Trying to publish a book often involves a lot of waiting: waiting to finish drafts, waiting to query, waiting to hear back, waiting some more. This session makes the case that short stories, poems, essays, and first-person articles are among the best ways to stay creatively alive—and professionally visible—during that wait. Rather than seeing short-form writing as a side hustle or consolation prize, this talk reframes essays and other short forms as powerful building blocks for a writing career.
We’ll explore how short stories, poetry, personal essays and first-person pieces help writers develop voice, test ideas, and build a publication record that signals seriousness to agents, editors, and publishers. Publishing essays can grow confidence, open doors, and keep momentum going when a book project feels slow or uncertain. They can also become laboratories for themes, obsessions, and stories that eventually make their way into book-length work.
Designed for emerging and mid-career writers, this session offers practical, encouraging guidance on using essays to build a résumé, a readership, and a sense of forward motion—without giving up on the book you’re dreaming of.
Moderators
avatar for J.C. (John) Corry

J.C. (John) Corry

Writer
J.C. (John) Corry’s first childhood memory was peering through stained glass in a church in London, England, colouring a passion for historical fiction. An army brat, he lived in ten homes by the age of ten in Canada, England and Australia, studied literature (where his love for... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Kim Harbridge

Kim Harbridge

Writer/Editor

avatar for Susan Calder

Susan Calder

Calgary writer Susan Calder is the author of six novels published by BWL Publishing Inc. Four of the books are part of her Paula Savard Mystery Series and the fifth is a standalone suspense novel set in Calgary and California. Susan’s most recent mystery novel, A Killer Whisky,... Read More →
avatar for Hilary Faktor

Hilary Faktor

Hilary Faktor lives in Calgary, AB, with her husband, daughters, and her black lab, Happy. Her essays have appeared in The Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, HuffPost Canada and Canada’s History magazine, among others. Her debut novel, Pretty Bird, a contemporary, coming-of-age thriller... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll

3:00pm MDT

No Blueprint Required: Writing Careers Off the Map
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
A playful speculative fiction writer, a literary flash-fiction writer, and an optimistic spoken-word poet walk into a bar . . . and discuss how they built creative community and redefined success on their own terms. Friends Andrew Buckley, Finian Burnett, and Miranda Krogstad share the strategies, mistakes, breakthroughs, and intentional choices that led them to their unconventional full-time writing careers. This panel will prove that there’s no single blueprint for a writing career—and sometimes the most exciting paths are the ones no one told you were possible.
Moderators
avatar for Yewande Daniel-Ayoade

Yewande Daniel-Ayoade

Children's author of books that celebrate West African history and culture.

Presenters
avatar for Miranda Krogstad

Miranda Krogstad

Spoken Word Poet, YYSpeak
Miranda Krogstad is a TEDx speaker and bestselling author of the book Glass Half Full of Poetry.  A spoken word poet, eternal optimist, and workshop facilitator, Krogstad has connected with thousands of writers in dozens of cities across Western Canada.  A member of the 2016 national... Read More →
avatar for Finnian Burnett

Finnian Burnett

Dr. Finnian Burnett is a writer whose work explores the intersections of the human body, mental health, the gorgeousness of human complexity, and gender identity. They are a recipient of a Canada Council for the Arts grant and a finalist in the 2023 CBC nonfiction prize. Finnian is... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Paths to Publication: Traditional, Hybrid, and Self-Publishing in Today’s Market
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
In today’s publishing landscape, writers have more pathways to share their work than ever before—but choosing the right one can be overwhelming. This panel brings together voices from traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and self-publishing to offer a clear, candid look at what each route entails. Panelists will discuss the advantages and challenges of their respective models, including timelines, creative control, editorial support, financial considerations, distribution and marketing expectations.

Representing the hybrid perspective, Felicia Zuniga—Calgary poet, journalist, and author of Growing Up, Girl—will share her experience working with a publisher that provided professional services such as editing, cover design, ISBN registration, and sales support with an author-investment model. Her insight bridges the gap between the gatekeeping of traditional publishing and the independence of self-publishing, helping writers understand what hybrid publishing looks like and how to evaluate their options.

Whether you’re finishing your manuscript, exploring your first book project, or reconsidering your publishing direction, this session will equip you with practical knowledge, comparisons and real-world advice from writers who have navigated each path. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of which publishing model aligns best with their goals.
Moderators
avatar for Linda Sanche

Linda Sanche

President, Sisters in Crime - Canada West
Linda Sanche’s debut mystery, Off the Mark (Signature Editions), will be published this fall and she is working on the sequel, Circuit Breaker. Her short stories have been published in several anthologies, including War of the Words Volume Two 2025: Lovers, Liars and Labyrinths... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Craig DiLouie

Craig DiLouie

Craig DiLouie is a bestselling author of horror, speculative, and military fiction. Notable works include My Ex The Antichrist, How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive, Episode Thirteen, The Children of Red Peak, One of Us, and Our War (Orbit/Hachette) as well as Suffer the Childr... Read More →
avatar for Leanne Janzen

Leanne Janzen

Sales Team Lead, Friesen Press
Starting her journey in the publishing world, Leanne began working as a Publishing Specialist - guiding authors through the self publishing process with care and attention. Her ability to form relationships and desire to continually improve and learn led her to the University of Winnipeg. There... Read More →
avatar for Carly Watters

Carly Watters

Literary Agent, P.S. Literary
Carly Watters began her publishing career in 2009 in London at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency. She has a BA in English Literature from Queen’s University, a MA in Publishing Studies from City St. George’s at the University of London, and is a graduate of Harvard... Read More →
avatar for Felicia Zuniga

Felicia Zuniga

Felicia Zuniga was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, where she now lives with her husband and two young sons. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Arts in Honours English with a Creative Writing Concentration from the University... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

3:00pm MDT

From Idea to Picture Book Outline & Beyond
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Do you have an idea for a picture book, or a partially written manuscript, but aren’t sure what to do next? This interactive session will help participants create a story outline and the important components required for a rough draft. We will use a flexible structure template that can be adapted to individual manuscripts. Participants will learn basic guidelines and expectations for writing picture books. Links will be provided for our go to kidlit resources and information on the next steps to take.


Format:
  • Examples and explanation 
  • Answer template question
  • Share
  • Repeat
Presenters
avatar for Dianne Koebel-Pede

Dianne Koebel-Pede

Author
Dianne Koebel-Pede is an author/educator and former kidlit book reviewer for The Edmonton Journal. She is on the CANSCAIP Board of Directors (Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators, and Performers) and hosts their online writing retreats. In 2024, she participated... Read More →
avatar for Paola Santos

Paola Santos

Author
Paola Santos is the author of HOW TO EAT A MANGO, CÓMO SE COME UN MANGOand the forthcoming picture book A HOUSE IN MY BARRIO (Henry Holt / Macmillan), Fall 2026. Her books have received starred reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and BookPage, and have been listed as Bank Street of Education Best Children’s Books of 2025 (Engl... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Get Ready for Live Action Slush
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Bring your 250 word page for opinions, (from a past judge, and a frequent participant), and find out what works and what doesn’t. Remember that the judges (as do acquisitions editors) all have their own biases, so what doesn’t work for one could very well be another’s cup of tea. 

Randy and Val will give you a quick run down on what to expect when you participate in a Live Action Slush. Then we’d like to hear your piece and we’ll give you our opinions on how to perhaps impress the judges. 

New writers or experienced writers, unpublished or published. People that are wanting to practice their skills in a new genre. Even if you were successful in a different genre. This is where you can test out that experimental piece, or your fledgling. Our aim is to provide a safe and encouraging environment to step out of our comfort zones.

Workshop leaders will be Randy McCharles (author and winner of Aurora Awards for his writing, and author included in World’s Best Fantasy’ by Tor), plus Valerie L. King (who has participated in as many of the LAS as she can, and is writing a Dystopian Urban Fantasy series).
Presenters
avatar for Randy McCharles

Randy McCharles

Randy McCharles is a full-time author of crime and speculative fiction.

He is the recipient of several Aurora Awards (Canada's most prestigious award for speculative fiction), and in 2013 his short story Ghost-B-Gone Incorporated won the House of Anansi 7-day Ghost Story Contest.

His most recent publications include the Connecticut Gumshoe trilogy from Tyche Books, and the Peter Galloway soft-boiled detective series. Previous publications include Much Ado about Macbeth (also from Tyche Books), Capone's Chicago, a multi-dimensional alternate history romp, and the YA space o... Read More →
avatar for Valerie L. King

Valerie L. King

member, IFWA
Valerie L. King was a teacher, specializing in kindergarten, special needs, and the deaf.

She has been an IFWA (imaginative fiction writer’s association) member for 30 years. With IFWA she was involved in their many projects, the IFWA Players plays and radio shows, bedtime stories with IFWA, IFWA at the Improv, public readings at the Calgary Public Library, and more... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

High stakes short fiction
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
High stakes short fiction is a workshop built around writing compelling and attention-grabbing short stories. We'll cover idea generation, plot, character, and dialogue in this workshop designed to make your short fiction stand out.
Presenters
avatar for Lexie Angelo

Lexie Angelo

Chief Editor, Radical Bookshop and Press

Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

TTRGP Games: Pathfinder and Shadowdark
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Table Top Roleplaying

Pathfinder with Darren Tenor - A world of adventure awaits, but it needs you to be the hero of the story! Pathfinder is a fantasy tabletop roleplaying game where you tell heroic tales in a world of quests, magic, monsters, and treasures. Your choices, and the roll of the dice, determine how the story unfolds.

Shadowdark with Calvin Jim  - Shadowdark is what an old-school fantasy adventure game would look like after being redesigned with 50 years of innovation. It’s fast, familiar, intuitive, and deadly. Built for sword-and-sorcery adventures, fell monsters slither in darkness and ancient gems glint upon forgotten thrones, waiting to be discovered.

Presenters
avatar for Darren Tenor

Darren Tenor

Writer / Games Master, D10 Dimensions
Darren Tenor is a Calgary-based experimental writer who tries desperately to keep a low profile. 

Starting with tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) as a preteen, he has decades of experience curating a range of stories across forgotten realms and distant worlds. He's written five official books for the Villains & Vigilantes shared universe and has self-published more than 275... Read More →
avatar for Calvin Jim

Calvin Jim

I am a writer of Asian-speculative fiction and have been writing for over 15 years. I have been published in numerous anthologies including Prairie Gothic and Where the Stars Rise. I have been nominated for 4 Aurora Awards including 3 for Best Short Fiction. I have previously spoken... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen A 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Adaptation: Turning your Novel into a Script—and Vice-Versa - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req)
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 5:45pm MDT
***Please note that Masterclasses are add-ons that require pre-registration and a separate payment. Masterclasses are only available to Festival Passholders. Adding to your SCHED schedule does not mean you are registered for the class.***
____________________________________________
Learn how to transfer your core ideas from one medium to the other—not just expanding and contracting but completely reimagining a work to best use its strengths in a new form. Robert J. Sawyer is a member of the scriptwriting unions Writers Guild of Canada and Writers Guild of America. The ABC TV series FlashForward was based on his Aurora Award-winning novel of the same name, and he was one of the scriptwriters for that series; Rob has also written commissioned feature-film scripts, adapting both his own work and that of others. On the flip side, his novel The Downloaded started life as a commissioned TV pilot script.
Presenters
avatar for Robert J. Sawyer

Robert J. Sawyer

SFWriter.com Inc.
Robert J. Sawyer — called “the dean of Canadian Science Fiction” by both the Ottawa Citizen and the CBC — has won the Hugo, Nebula, and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards for Best Novel of the Year; a record-setting 17 Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Awards (“Auroras... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Bannerman

3:00pm MDT

Sketch Writing with Kevin McDonald - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req)
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 5:45pm MDT
***Please note that Masterclasses are add-ons that require pre-registration and a separate payment. Masterclasses are only available to Festival Passholders. Adding to your SCHED schedule does not mean you are registered for the class.***
____________________________________________

Kevin McDonald is offering a 4 hour workshop about sketch comedy. Students will bring in a one line premise for a sketch, eg. "What if a guy was $10 short of being a millionaire". Kevin will start the class with an opening talk about writing comedy sketches, and then will work through each premise with the class. Students will discover how to flesh out the idea and make it a whole sketch.
Presenters
avatar for Kevin McDonald

Kevin McDonald

Comedian, actor, writer and director Kevin McDonald founded The Kids in the Hall with friend Dave Foley, after they met in Toronto at Second City, and the television series ran from 1988-1995.
In the troupe's television series and stage shows, he portrays several popular recurring... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Walker

4:30pm MDT

In Conversation 1
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Andrew Buckley, special guest and podcaster extraordinaire (StoryCentric), interviews special guests Gemma Files, Bianca Marais, and Craig DiLouie. 

It's a Special Guest on Special Guest party! 
Moderators Presenters
avatar for Gemma Files

Gemma Files

Previously a film critic, journalist and teacher, Gemma Files has been an award-winning horror author since 1999.

​She's best-known for her novel Experimental Film (Open Road Media) and her collections of short fiction, including the Bram Stoker Award-winning In That Endlessness, Our End and Blood From the Air (both from Grimscribe). Her next book, Little Horn: Stories, is out as of October... Read More →
avatar for Bianca Marais

Bianca Marais

Bianca Marais is the author of the bestselling The Witches of Moonshyne Manor, as well as the beloved Hum If You Don't Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh, and the Audible Original, The Prynne Viper.

Her latest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder, was released on the 10th o

... Read More →
avatar for Craig DiLouie

Craig DiLouie

Craig DiLouie is a bestselling author of horror, speculative, and military fiction. Notable works include My Ex The Antichrist, How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive, Episode Thirteen, The Children of Red Peak, One of Us, and Our War (Orbit/Hachette) as well as Suffer the Childr... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

4:30pm MDT

Book Banning and Censorship: Looking at the Bigger Picture
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Book banning and censorship have become hot-button items in Alberta in 2026 as the United Conservative government continues to announce new measures for limiting access to books deemed to be controversial. In this session, Kit Dobson sets these issues into context by examining how these limits on books fit into a long history of censorship, a practice that has also come back into vogue in jurisdictions across North America. Dobson teaches on this subject at the University of Calgary and has done media commentary about it for CTV, the CBC, the Globe and Mail, and elsewhere. 
Presenters
avatar for Kit Dobson

Kit Dobson

Professor, University of Calgary
I am a professor, academic, and creative writer in the English Department at the University of Calgary. My most recent books are the nonfiction book Field Notes on Listening (2022) and the novel We Are Already Ghosts (2024). Talk to me about book banning and censorship!

... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

4:30pm MDT

Bucket of Bones: Building the Skeleton of Your Murder Mystery
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
This interactive and entertaining presentation will introduce mystery writers and readers to the world of mystery building, from the ins and outs of how police might investigate your fictional crime, to choosing your victim, your sleuth, your setting and more. 
Presenters
avatar for Dave Sweet

Dave Sweet

Owner, The Unconventional Classroom
Detective Dave Sweet's career spans 25 impactful years in Canadian policing, encompassing various roles within high-stakes investigations. Starting as a patrol officer, Dave later ventured into undercover work and took charge of task forces targeting gangs and organized crime in Calgary... Read More →
avatar for Charlotte Morganti

Charlotte Morganti

Charlotte Morganti is an award-winning author of mysteries, ranging from short to long, and from cozy to gritty. Her mysteries are usually set in small towns that miraculously harbour both villains and the sleuths who pursue them. Charlotte also coaches new authors about building... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 9 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

4:30pm MDT

The Whole Package: Creating a Top-Quality Published Book That Jumps Off the Shelf and Attacks Your Reader (Nicely)
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
A great book is more than just good writing—it’s a complete package that includes strong editing, professional design, and smart branding. How many times have you been turned off from buying a book because the layout or design was just . . . not great? It screams amateur, right?


This session will cover the must-have elements of creating a well-designed, pleasing product so you’re taken seriously in the book world. We’ll discuss the importance of cover design, levels of editing, formatting, blurbs, metadata, and marketing as well as how to use the IBPA Industry Standards checklist to make sure you don’t hit a sour note when your opus makes her debut on the world stage. Readers really do judge a book by its cover (and pretty much everything else within the covers)! 
Presenters
avatar for Jennifer Sommersby

Jennifer Sommersby

Senior Editor/Owner, SGA Books - Plumfield Editing

Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

4:30pm MDT

Who's afraid to write about aging?
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
If writers tell gritty stories about war, espionage, and post-apocalyptic hellscapes, why is it that writing about aging seems to scare us the most? Hundreds of thousands of Canadians live in nursing or retirement homes, over 3.7 million Canadians provide care for their parents or in-laws, and 1.8 million Canadians are "sandwiched" between care responsibilities for both children and seniors (StatCan). Yet issues related to elder care are conspicuously rare in our literature. Come listen to how these brave writers explore the topic, and decide for yourself if this triggers an ”ick factor” (as one agent put it), or is a sorely needed type of storytelling. Be brave. Their stories have helped folks of all ages to feel less alone, offer insights on how to prevent the worst outcomes, and can send you an existential trip that will only makes you more lively at parties.
Moderators
avatar for Marie Powell

Marie Powell

Marie Powell's castle-hopping adventures across North Wales resulted in her medieval fantasy duology, Last of the Gifted: Spirit Sight and Water Sight, set in 13th Century Wales. In 2027, her picture book Garden Song (Lilac Arch Press) will join her 40+ children's books with such... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Karen Elizabeth Lee

Karen Elizabeth Lee

Author
Karen is the published author of two memoirs, a business book, is a writing instructor, group facilitator, and a retired clinical psychologist. She has taught and mentored memoir writers and has consulted in many parts of the world.
avatar for Faye Arcand

Faye Arcand

Author | Writer | Creative
Faye Arcand is an award-winning author who embraces the gritty reality in characters and situations. She writes contemporary domestic suspense while dipping into the realm of thriller and women’s fiction. Her works are relatable and meant to spark discussion. Arcand worked for several... Read More →
avatar for Robyn Diner

Robyn Diner

Full-time Professor, Vanier College
Dr. Robyn Diner teaches contemporary literature at Vanier College. Her recent publications, "The Cougars of TikTok" and “The Cuddle Party,” are indebted to techniques associated with autofiction, and explore themes linked to aging. Robyn also facilitates an online creative writing... Read More →
avatar for Ann Cavlovic

Ann Cavlovic

Author
Count On Me is Ann Cavlovic’s debut novel (Guernica Editions, 2025). Her fiction and creative non-fiction have appeared in CBC, Event, The Fiddlehead, The Globe and Mail, Grain, Little Bird Stories, PRISM international, Room, SubTerrain, The Anthology This Place a Stranger (Caitlin Press), and elsewhere. Ann lives in the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation -- the Outaouais region of Western Quebec, just outside of Ottawa. Find out more at: anncavlovic.com... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll

4:30pm MDT

Writing As Resistance: Using Our Words to Critique, Challenge, and Disrupt
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” - Albert Camus

As writers, our words wield great power - we craft unique characters, narratives, and worlds. But we must not forget that, in doing so, we have the ability to enact change. We can spark necessary conversations, challenge conventions, and re-write narratives that divide and persecute us. Come join a conversation about writing as resistance with a panel of emerging writers across various genres. We will discuss how we use our art to confront and critique racism, ableism, classism, misogyny, fatphobia, and other oppressive social structures. 
Moderators
avatar for Madison Joyce

Madison Joyce

Madison Joyce writes literary women’s fiction that is at once cerebral and sensual. With an award-winning background in psychological research, she crafts biting stories about beautiful people, beautiful places, and the rot underneath the world of the elite. A self-proclaimed “messy... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Priscille Bukasa

Priscille Bukasa

Priscille Bukasa is a Calgary-based spoken word artist, writer, and teaching artist with
over 15 years of performance experience. Her work bridges poetry, storytelling, and
community.

Her practice blends poetry, storytelling, and community engagement, with a focus on
voice... Read More →
avatar for Adrienne Adams

Adrienne Adams

Author, Artist, Founder, Woolf's Voices
Adrienne Adams (she/her) is an artist, poet, writer, curator, and gardener living in Treaty 7, dedicated to creating safer inter-sectional space to honour the feminine. She founded Woolf's Voices in 2013.You can view her art and writing in Poetry Pause, The Polyglot, filling Station... Read More →
avatar for Alex Benarzi

Alex Benarzi

Editor, Alex M. Benarzi Editing
Alex Benarzi is a writer and editor living in Calgary, Alberta. Alex writes literary fiction and magic realism. Alex is fascinated by the little absurdities that colour our world. In his editing, Alex helps writers elevate their unique voices. Alex is passionate about accessibility... Read More →
avatar for O.L. McAnord

O.L. McAnord

O.L. McAnord is a work-in-progress.

Author, researcher, and stickler, O.L. spends his time exploring, reading, and writing—distilling information and ideas into narratives he hopes will confront, challenge, entertain, and inspire readers. He believes in the power of stories, the triumph of understanding, and the infallibility... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

4:30pm MDT

Writing Hopepunk: Marginalized Perspectives
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
When the world seems determined to crumble into dystopia, one of our most precious commodities is hope. Hope that a better way, or a better world is possible, especially for those with one or more marginalizations who are already seeing our freedoms under threat. Join a panel of writers discussing how they bring their unique perspectives to defying the establishment and clawing hope out of the looming abyss.
Moderators
avatar for Cait Gordon

Cait Gordon

Author, Editor, Podcaster, Disability Advocate
Cait Gordon is an autistic, disabled, and queer Canadian alphabet arranger who celebrates diverse bodyminds. She is the author of the award-winning, disability-hopepunk adventure, Season One: Iris and the Crew Tear Through Space! Her short stories featuring disabled and/or neurod... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Keenan Jones

Keenan Jones


Keenan Jones is a Minnesota-based author, educator, and literacy advocate whose work celebrates Black joy, community, and authentic representation in children’s literature. A 2022 Mirrors & Windows Fellow at The Loft Literary Center, Keenan is the author of the acclaimed debut picture book... Read More →
avatar for Amanda Leduc

Amanda Leduc

Amanda Leduc is a writer, speaker, and disability rights advocate.

​She is the author of the non-fiction book Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space (Coach House Books, 2020), which was shortlisted for the 2020 Governor General’s Award in Nonfiction, and t

... Read More →
avatar for Adriaan Brae

Adriaan Brae

BraeVitae
Adriaan Brae is not sure whether they truly love writing or if story ideas simply bully them until they produce words? This trauma is made lighter by an understanding wife who shares a similar affliction, and a daughter who loves them even though they are weird, like, all the time... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

4:30pm MDT

Things That Make You Go: Go! A Workshop on Keeping Your Momentum
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
 What happens on the days when you don’t feel inspired, when everything is dark and heavy and cloudy? And what about the bright days, when the sun is out, the world is calling you outside, and writing still feels like a drag? This workshop explores the real, human challenges of sustaining a writing practice through rain or shine, literally and figuratively.


We’ll look at how to keep going when doubt, negativity, or overwhelm threaten your progress. How to get back your spark even when your book hates you. How to slip back into the story when the world feels chaotic and nothing makes sense. Together, we’ll discover the art of becoming delusional. Trusting that writing is still worth it. And you’ve got a pen, a voice, and a stubborn inner child that refuses to shut up.


We will laugh and cry and find both the joy and the practical steps we need to get back on the page.
Presenters
avatar for Deniz Soykurumcetin

Deniz Soykurumcetin

Writer, YourStory

Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

5:00pm MDT

Take your character from an RPG to a Novel
Friday August 14, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm MDT
You’ve loved taking your RPG character through adventures.

Now it’s time to give their story a novel. Learn how to make the transition.
Presenters
avatar for Darren Tenor

Darren Tenor

Writer / Games Master, D10 Dimensions
Darren Tenor is a Calgary-based experimental writer who tries desperately to keep a low profile. 

Starting with tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) as a preteen, he has decades of experience curating a range of stories across forgotten realms and distant worlds. He's written five official books for the Villains & Vigilantes shared universe and has self-published more than 275... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

7:00pm MDT

Goblin Casino & Market
Friday August 14, 2026 7:00pm - 8:45pm MDT
This is totally NOT an illegal casino run by goblins.


But if it was, you could use a sinister laugh (or a sinister look) to get in. Once in, you will receive free tickets to play the free games - at which, if you win, you will receive more tickets. These collected tickets can be spent at the Goblin Market which contains items definitely not stolen from your or other’s houses.


If you wish to donate cool and cursed stuff for the Goblin Market, drop it off at the AWCS no later than Tuesday August 11th - or bring it to the Games Room at When Words Collide. 


Donations should be something you loved at one time, but now love less and don’t want to dust OR something weird someone gave you for a birthday or Christmas (Do they even know you? Seriously!)


Test your luck at goblin classics like:

  1. Marble Race
  2. Duck Pond
  3. Wheel of tickets
  4. Horse Race
  5. Goblin Hold ‘Em - Calvin Jim
  6. Goblin Black Jack
  7. Goblin Roulette
  8. Claw Machine - the only paid game. Pay for a game with a ticket or donate to the AWCS Youth Program (tap or cash accepted), and get infinite plays until you win!
  9. Dice Game
  10. Frog Game

Presenters
avatar for Kim Firmston

Kim Firmston

Program Director, Youth Programs, Alexandra Writers' Centre Society

Friday August 14, 2026 7:00pm - 8:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Thompson Social Hub 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

9:00pm MDT

Noir at the Bar
Friday August 14, 2026 9:00pm - 11:00pm MDT
The Noir is back in the Bar!

Join us on the Seventh Terrace (Thomson Social Hub), curl up by the wall of fire with your favourite tipple, and tickle our tentacles with your tales of the disturbed, the dark, and the damned. We're talking crime, horror, dark fantasy, and anything likely to make us laugh while sucking some light out of the room.

No specific guardrails for content, but please, be cool.

Drinks will be available for purchase at the bar.

Many Prizes! Including, but not limited to, the following categories:
  1. Most disturbing
  2. Reader most likely to commit an actual crime
  3. Shortest reading!
  4. Did not understand the assignment
  5. Actually noir!!!
  6. Best over all (determined by audience)
If you want to read, please sign up at [email protected]
 and include a short bio to secure your spot. Limited to 13 readers.


Five (5) minute MAXIMUM reading time. This will be enforced by owl.

Cheers,
Sarah and Rob
Presenters
Friday August 14, 2026 9:00pm - 11:00pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Thompson Social Hub 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

9:00pm MDT

Midnight Gaming (D&D and V&V)
Friday August 14, 2026 9:00pm - 11:45pm MDT
Dungeons & Dragons with Rhonda Parish
D&D is the world’s most popular fantasy tabletop roleplaying game. It is a cooperative, storytelling game where you and other players take on the roles of the  characters within a story, making friends and enemies, fighting monsters, discovering loot, and completing quests.

Villains and Vigilantes with Darren Tenor
V&V is a tabletop roleplaying game where you play a superhero. While trying to live your life and keep your secret identity, your character, and others at the gaming table, will be thrown into comic book style super-hero adventures.
Presenters
avatar for Rhonda Parrish

Rhonda Parrish

Rhonda Parrish has the attention span of a magpie. Not only can she not focus on a single project at a time, but she also fails at sticking to one genre or even one type of writing (she does manage to stay true to one hockey team, though – Let’s go Oilers!). Perhaps best known for her work as an anthology editor – the Ottawa Review of Books called her “Canada’s best-known and most prolific speculative fiction anthologist” – Rhonda also works as a short... Read More →
avatar for Darren Tenor

Darren Tenor

Writer / Games Master, D10 Dimensions
Darren Tenor is a Calgary-based experimental writer who tries desperately to keep a low profile. 

Starting with tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) as a preteen, he has decades of experience curating a range of stories across forgotten realms and distant worlds. He's written five official books for the Villains & Vigilantes shared universe and has self-published more than 275... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 9:00pm - 11:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen A 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
 
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