When Words Collide 2026

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?

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?

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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. 

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.