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A Festival for Writers, Readers, and Fans
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Sunday, August 16
 

9:00am MDT

Writing Across Borders: Telling Stories Across Genres with Danny Ramadan and Eliza Reid
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Eliza Reid and Danny Ramadan have much to tell you: from book tours to Icelandic retreats; from writing fiction to pouring our hearts out on the memoir pages. Oh and also... hanging out with the Backstreet Boys. 

Join us for a morning of deep conversations and joyful laughters as the two authors discuss their books, their journeys, their tours and the unlikely friendships one makes along the way. 
Presenters
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

9:00am MDT

BYOBreakfast and Play D&D
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
It’s so early!

But since you’re up - bring your breakfast and let’s play some Dungeons and Dragons. Everything will be provided - except nutritional sustenance.
Presenters
avatar for Kim Firmston

Kim Firmston

Program Director, Youth Programs, Alexandra Writers' Centre Society

Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen A 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

9:00am MDT

A Quiet Hour of Reflection and Poetry
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
A Quiet Hour of Reflection and Poetry
Much as a memoir can retell the highlights and low moments of a life, poetry can tell the story of a sensitive soul.  Come enjoy the poetry of best-selling, Pushcart Poetry Prize-nominated poet Josephine LoRe.  She will share from all her collections:  from her first haiku in the 2016 Haiku Canada Anthology, to the poems in the collaborative collection Late to the Sky, set to be published in the Spring of 2026.
Presenters
avatar for Josephine LoRe

Josephine LoRe

… a pearl in this diamond worldJosephine LoRe has been honoured to present her poetry across North America and Europe. Her words have been rendered into visual art, accompanied by music, and interpreted through dance and ASL. Individual pieces have been published in literary anthologies and magazines in 15 countries... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

9:00am MDT

What Next? Self-editing Strategies for Moving Your Manuscript Forward
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Learn how to engage with your novel or memoir draft objectively and critically, so you can elevate it like a good editor would.
You’ve finished your novel. It might be the first draft. It might be the fourth. You’ve patched plot holes, checked facts, refined prose, and proofread the whole thing—twice. You’ve invested so much already, you’re not sure investing in a professional editor is the right move. But in the competitive world of traditional book publishing, you know that submitting too soon can mean scuttling your chances. 
So…what next?
Join professional editor Sandra McIntyre for a manuscript assessment walk-though and learn how she approaches a high-level novel or memoir edit. Review which elements to consider at the assessment stage and see which problems crop up repeatedly. 
Half of good writing is revision, and developing self-editing skills is an essential part of developing as a writer. This presentation is suitable for fiction and creative non-fiction writers interested in levelling up their big picture self-editing skills.
Presenters
avatar for Sandra McIntyre

Sandra McIntyre

Editor, Parlay Manuscript Services
Sandra McIntyre is a writer, instructor, and book editor with twenty-five years of experience both in-house and freelance. She’s edited anthologies of short fiction and hundreds of books, Canadian bestsellers and award winners among them. Through Parlay Manuscript Services, Sandra... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 9 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

9:00am MDT

The Importance of Finding Your Community
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Writing has been called a singularly lonely profession. However, for those who seek to build a long-term career as a writer, finding and building your writing community, your people, is perhaps the most important thing you can do (next to actually writing). 

Join a panel of authors as they share their experiences and tips on finding and building community, and why these steps have been so important to each of them. 

Putting yourself out there can be hard for introverts, but the positives are incalculable. It’s where you find Beta readers, mentors, and support groups that will make a difference to your work and career. Engaging with the writing community is where you’ll find ARC reviewers and blurb providers, and form relationships with agents, publishers, and media. It’s also where you make friends who will join you on your journey and gain the deep sources of inspiration that help keep you going during the dark days. 

What attendees will learn:
•    Steps to finding your community
•    How to develop and grow your community – and why
•    Why finding and investing in you, and in your writing community, is critical to your long-term career. 
Moderators
avatar for Deniz Soykurumcetin

Deniz Soykurumcetin

Writer, YourStory

Presenters
avatar for Donna D. Conrad

Donna D. Conrad

Writer
Donna Conrad is a bestselling author whose genres include historical fiction, memoir, flash fiction, and personal essay. Her debut historical novel, The Last Magdalene, published by Cold Creek Press, has won seven national awards and is designated a “must-read” by Publishers Weekly and The St. Louis Review.Donna’s writing explores the times and lives of marginalized women, making their stories accessible to a modern audience. Her novels blend de... Read More →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

10:30am MDT

Creativity & Chaos
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
This part-game, part-workshop, part-collective-hallucination literary event lets writers drive the story. Co-hosts Finnian Burnett and Andrew Buckley lead participants through word games and collaborative storytelling exercises designed to spark creativity, dismantle perfectionism, and build genuine connections between writers.

Session sponsor: Windy Springs
Presenters
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll

10:30am MDT

THREENOTE: With Amanda Leduc, Danny Ramadan, and Craig Dilouie
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
It's better than a keynote, it's a THREENOTE! Hear encouraging words from three of our special guests. This is the second in a hat trick of heavy hitting Sunday morning special events! Definitely worth getting up early for.

KEYNOTES:

Danny Ramadan
How to Build Boundaries with Your Reader
In this candid keynote, Danny Ramadan explores the strange intimacy between writers and readers, and the boundaries that keep that relationship healthy. Drawing on his experience as a novelist, children’s author, and memoirist, he looks at the modern author’s expanded job: writing books, promoting them, performing vulnerability, surviving Q&As, and answering questions that sometimes wander far beyond the page. Ramadan asks how writers can remain open to readers without becoming endlessly available to them. A love letter to readers and a survival guide for writers, this talk invites us to make literary community gentler and more mutual.

Amanda Leduc
The More-than-Human World: Speculative Fiction, the Animal Self, and Imagining the Possible

Craig Dilouie
Democratization: The Double Edged Sword
In this keynote, professional fiction writer Craig DiLouie reviews how publishing has changed in the past 25 years, focusing on democratization—how technology produced a renaissance in small press and self-publishing but is now threatening to replace humans altogether even as it offers new augmentation tools.
Presenters
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 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 →
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

10:30am MDT

Building RPG Props Without Breaking the Bank
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
While many RPGs use theatre of the mind, building props to add to your game can really get your players excited (or scared) when they see how big the Big Bad Guy really is!

Darren Tenor, seasoned Game Master, is here to lead you through building jaw dropping props within a budget.
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen A 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

10:30am MDT

Designing Interactive Stories: An Intro to Visual Novels with Em Williamson
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Visual novels are a type of interactive fiction video game that grant writers the power to easily create digital choose-your-own-adventure-style stories.

In this workshop, instructor and game developer Em Williamson will guide you through the basics of creating your own visual novel. Learn about how to balance your own writing style with player freedom, how to create compelling narrative choices and branching paths, how to create art and assets (even if you don't know how to draw!), and what software is out there to help you get started on your visual novel journey.
Presenters
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

10:30am MDT

Embrace the cringe of the Canadian identity to find success
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
This session unpacks the challenges of writing from the Canadian perspective and encourages writers to embrace the cringe in order to find success. Writing from a uniquely Canadian perspective isn't easy, and this session includes practice-based critical reflexive techniques to examine the Canadian identity, how it informs our writing, and why our writing matters. The seminar focuses on the creative process in a Canadian context and can be broadly applied to a range of genres. 
Presenters
avatar for Lexie Angelo

Lexie Angelo

Chief Editor, Radical Bookshop and Press

Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 9 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

10:30am MDT

Ten Ways to Market Your Book on a Budget
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Many new authors, even those who are traditionally published, don’t realize they’ll always have to be the loudest and most consistent cheer-leader of their work. It now goes with the territory, but where do you even start? And everything is so expensive…
Things like Amazon Ads can be confusing and ineffective unless you know how to use them and even then, they’re apt to change along with the algorithm. It can be very scary when you suddenly realize you’ve spent the month’s rent on Ads that may, or may not, work. 😳
In this presentation, participants will be encouraged to seek out opportunities, services, and support that is close at hand, is simple and/or user friendly, and doesn’t cost huge bucks.
Three particular periods will be focused upon if time allows because they’re equally important to the success of marketing and many new authors don’t realize they need to begin their marketing before publication:
  • Pre-launch (3–6 months before)
  • Launch (month of release)
  • Post-launch (3–12 months after)

Specific Discussions Will Include (but are not limited to):
  • Net Galley
  • Book Contests
  • Victoria’s Co-op
  • Canva | Unsplash
  • Tag Lines
  • Social Media
  • Email Marketing
  • Personal Landing Page
  • Give-aways: Pit-falls and Perks
  • Cross Promotion
This class will include links to prepared check-lists and websites that they can download and keep track of their progress.


Presenters
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

10:30am MDT

Inside the Villain's Mind: The Psychology Behind The Crime
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
   Featuring a retired homicide detective, a forensic criminal psychiatrist, a divorce attorney, and a prolific author of neurodivergent characters, this panel will expose the psychology of the villain's mind and the investigator's drive. Understanding why people commit criminal acts can enrich your writing and bring realism to the crime writer's story.    Panelists will share insights and methods for developing nuanced criminal characters and investigators, discuss psychological diagnoses, and offer ideas on how to tackle sensitive topics such as trauma, addiction, and mental health.
   Panel takeaways:
   * Creating well-rounded, believable criminal characters.
   * Discovering the motive(s) driving your main characters.
   * Approaches to writing about mental health issues and trauma in a sensitive and realistic way.
   * Developing investigative characters who understand and respond to the criminal mind.



Moderators
avatar for Pamela Donison

Pamela Donison

Immediate Past President, Sisters in Crime Canada West
Pamela Donison, JD, (PJ Donison) writes soft boiled murder mysteries and women’s literary fiction. Her self published works include the Camelia Belmont Mystery Series: Death Comes For Christmas (2022), Death At The Crossroads (2024), and Death of the Butcher (Fall 2026).

Pame... Read More →
Presenters
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 →
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 →
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

10:30am MDT

The importance of names and language
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Talking about the importance of names and language while writing. It can be easy to allow oppressive voices seep into our narratives and ignore important aspects of name giving and sourcing. All cultures have sacred practices around naming, how can we utilize those practices to breath new, authentic life, into the stories we tell.
Moderators 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 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 Onyx Shelton

Onyx Shelton

Co-Founder, Alberta Indigenous Writers Collective
Onyx Shelton comes from a family of mixed Canadians and Ojibway. His Anishinaabe family hails from Kaakiiskakamigaag (Little Saskatchewan First Nation, Treaty 2 Territory). He was born in Wînipêk, Manitobah (Treaty 1 Territory) and has lived in many places since. His literary taste... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

10:30am MDT

Improv Your Writing
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Improv Your Writing is a playful, one-hour workshop that uses theatrical improv techniques to help writers of all levels unlock creativity and have fun with the writing process. No acting experience is required, and there is no need to be “funny”. Just bring your imagination.  

Through low-pressure games, participants learn how to quiet their inner critic, generate new ideas, and get out of their heads so writing can move forward more naturally. The focus is not performance, but using improv as a practical tool to support storytelling, dialogue, and character development.  With fun, interactive exercises, plenty of laughter, and a supportive environment, participants are encouraged to take creative risks and reconnect with the joy of writing.
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Bannerman

10:30am MDT

Marketing Without the Ick: Show Up, Be Seen, and Share With Heart
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Marketing that's fun, doable, and feels like YOU instead of marketing that's performative and exhausting!


In this one-hour seminar, Rosey draws on over a decade of professional marketing and communications experience, along with years of supporting entrepreneurs, to demystify marketing and make it feel less daunting.


This session reframes marketing as an extension of storytelling and relationship-building, not self-promotion. Writers and creatives will learn how to market themselves with confidence, consistency, and integrity, without copying trends or burning out.


Specifically, you’ll learn how to:
  • Understand what effective marketing actually looks like behind the scenes
  • Clarify your message so people quickly understand who you are and what you offer
  • Build trust and visibility through consistent, relationship-first marketing
  • Choose the right platforms and strategies instead of trying to do everything
  • Create a marketing rhythm that feels sustainable and supports your creative work
  • Plus, market in a way that sparks connections and conversions


You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how marketing works, and ideas we'll generate in real time that you can apply immediately.


This workshop is ideal for writers and creatives who want to show up powerfully online, build real momentum, and stop feeling resistance to marketing altogether.
Presenters
avatar for Rosey Hwang

Rosey Hwang

Romance Author | Digital Marketing Expert | Story Acceleration Coach
Rosey Hwang writes addictive, binge-worthy contemporary romance novels that are all heart yet unconventional, taking women deeper into the places within themselves that prevent them from living their own fairy tale. Her debut novel, Everything She Wanted, will be available in boo... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

My Stupid Career, with Kevin McDonald
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Kevin does a talk with comedy where he tells then story of his... well, stupid career. From when he realized that he may be funny as a kid to meeting the Kids in the Hall to starting a solo career in Los Angeles, ending with the Kids in the Hall reuniting in 2000 for their first big tour.
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 →

Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

The Do's and Don'ts of Cover Design
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Need advice on choosing an eye-catching cover, what you should and shouldn't pay for, or just plain frustrated by Amazon refusing your current cover AGAIN? The Do's and Don'ts of Cover Design gives you clear, easy to understand guidelines for the technical and creative aspects of building your own cover. Using real book covers to help you visualize advice, this seminar addresses some of the biggest issues and easiest mistakes most self publishers make in choosing a cover. You don't need to be a professional graphic designer to make impressive, technically proficient, and memorable covers: you just need to know where to start.
Presenters
avatar for Crystal Kladreau

Crystal Kladreau

Crystal Kladreau is a professional photographer and publishing consultant in Edmonton, Alberta. She is the creator of The Path to Publication, a series of videos and infographics designed to help make self publishing as simple and painless as possible.

As the child of professional writers, Crystal grew up immersed in the world of Canadian small press. She also studied copy editing and graphic design in post secondary. Knowing her background, would-be self publishers inspired by the boredom of Covid lockdown began to come to her for adv... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

When Dark Clouds Roll In
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
"When Dark Clouds Roll In" takes participants through what can happen when embarking on a personal growth journey after a crisis or tragedy. Retired Detective Dave Sweet shares his insights on resilience and draws on several chilling case examples, along with his own personal journey with Post Traumatic Growth.


This presentation identifies the formula for resilience, which enables investigators to work effectively in uncomfortable and unpleasant environments while serving both the living and the dead.


The takeaway for writers is that not every detective story requires an investigator to end up as the traditional broken-and-damaged image of themselves at the end of their case. In fact, surprisingly, for many, the opposite may be true, and this reality can add depth to a character in any mystery writer's works. This presentation will show participants how.
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 9 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

Working with a Freelance Editor: What to Expect When You’re Expecting (a Manuscript Edit)
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Congratulations! You typed “The End” and you’ve popped the celebratory bottle of Moët or sparkling cider you’ve been saving for this very occasion. *Clink!* Now that you’re done cheering your huge accomplishment, pull on your gumboots and get back in the trenches: It’s time to send your book to the editor. 


In this seminar, we will discuss:


  • the different types of editors
  • the layers of editing
  • what you can expect from an editor
  • the pros and cons of programs like ProWritingAid and AutoCrit
  • how to use AI to assist you in the self-editing process
  • deciding whether you really need an editor if you’re querying agents
  • some great self-editing tips and techniques you can take on yourself to make sure your manuscript is in tip-top shape before you send it off to that agent or editor


Bring your questions and be ready to get red-inked!


Presenters
avatar for Jennifer Sommersby

Jennifer Sommersby

Senior Editor/Owner, SGA Books - Plumfield Editing

Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

From Manuscript to Market: Ask Us Anything
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
This interactive Q&A flips the traditional panel format on its head. Instead of listening to pre-set discussions, attendees bring their own questions and get answers from a cross-section of the publishing industry. Whether you're curious about submissions, revisions, contracts, marketing, or career paths, this panel is shaped entirely by what you want to know.
Presenters
avatar for Cecilia

Cecilia "CeCe" Lyra

Literary Agent, Wendy Sherman Associates
Cecilia “CeCe” Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates representing a range of fiction and nonfiction authors writing for the adult market.

Born and raised bilingual and bicultural in Rio de Janeiro, CeCe is passionate about representing under and misrepresented... 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 Mira Landry

Mira Landry

Literary Agent
Born and raised in British Columbia, she has traveled to over eighty countries and now resides in Colorado with her husband where she still seeks adventure in both real life and on the page.

She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia and a Certificate of Creative Writing from Simon Fraser University. After a decade building her own business as a photographer, she began her career as an agent in 2022 and is eager to help authors turn their art... Read More →
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

12:00pm MDT

Hard Science Fiction Shouldn't Be Hard
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
The science in Science Fiction need not be a barrier for readers.

From the World War II style of Star Wars to the physics-bound solar system of 2001: A Space Odyssey, authors have a spectrum of how accurate and detailed the science should be.
  1. Will pages of mathematical formulae on black holes turn readers away?
  2. Will characters breathing in space cause your audience to laugh during a tense, dramatic scene?
  3. Do you need a PhD in neuroscience, or will a quick glance at the Wikipedia page on brains suffice?
  4. Just how did Andy Weir make growing potatoes exciting?
A story's science is as much about world building as a magic system is to a fantasy setting, and communicating that to readers is no less important. In this forum, panelists will discuss the pros and cons of hard science, how to go about researching a topic, and how best to integrate it into their writing.
Moderators 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 →
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 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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll

12:00pm MDT

Historical research methods that work for you
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Conducting historical fiction research takes many forms. Some writers prefer to research, both virtually and through books. Some prefer to conduct ‘on the ground’ research in their story locations. Some prefer a combination of both. Each method has pros and cons. Join historical fiction authors Donna D. Conrad, Marie Powell, and J.C. Corry as they share their preferred methods, and some tips and tricks they use to get the most out of their preferred research method. 
Moderators
avatar for Tema Frank

Tema Frank

Chief Instigator, Author & Speaker
Tema Frank has been a writer since she pencilled her first book of stories and poems for her hospitalized Grade Two teacher.  Now the author of two award-winning business books (PeopleShock: The Path to Profits When Customers Rule and Canada’s Best Employers for Women: A Guide... Read More →
Presenters
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 →
avatar for Donna D. Conrad

Donna D. Conrad

Writer
Donna Conrad is a bestselling author whose genres include historical fiction, memoir, flash fiction, and personal essay. Her debut historical novel, The Last Magdalene, published by Cold Creek Press, has won seven national awards and is designated a “must-read” by Publishers Weekly and The St. Louis Review.Donna’s writing explores the times and lives of marginalized women, making their stories accessible to a modern audience. Her novels blend de... Read More →
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

Avoiding the 10 Biggest Mistakes Writers Make w. Bianca Marais
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Writing is unfortunately one of the endeavors in which working hard doesn't guarantee success. You can spend hours daily at the keyboard but that doesn't mean you're going to be published. Even if you write beautiful sentences, and have a great story idea, you might still struggle to land an agent.
  
What am I doing wrong? is a question you might be asking yourself more and more.
 
In this workshop, we'll look at how to avoid the 10 biggest mistakes that good writers make that are stopping them from landing an agent and getting published.
 
Bianca Marais is an award-winning creative writing instructor and bestselling author who's a host on The Shit No One Tells You About Writing. Her insights come from years of writing her own work as well as critiquing the work of others.
Presenters
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

Get that grant! How to win literary arts grants
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
The literary arts is an emerging sector in the world of arts funding. This workshop will unpack how to improve your grant applications, what to include, and what the judges are looking for. Unlike other art forms, the literary arts comes with many challenges including bias from judging panels who simply don't understand the discipline very well. In this workshop, we will work on crafting an author statement which can be used for future grant applications.
Presenters
avatar for Lexie Angelo

Lexie Angelo

Chief Editor, Radical Bookshop and Press

Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

12:00pm MDT

10 SIGNS You’re Ready to Write a Murder Mystery - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req)
Sunday August 16, 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.***

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When are you actually ready to write your mystery novel? You have an idea, a theme, or a moment—but no idea how to proceed forming that inspiration into a story. Or you’re three-quarters through your manuscript and have the sneaking suspicion that something isn’t quite the way it should be. But you don’t know what ‘should be’ is.
 
This session cuts through the uncertainty with ten signs that show when you can confidently move forward; no matter if you are going from vague concept to first draft or from finished manuscript to polished plot. You can break through the chaos of conflicting advice, assumed obstacles and disconnected information with some structural understanding and insider secrets. 
 
You don't need a complete outline or the perfect twist—but you do need key fundamentals. This talk reveals what those fundamentals are and why they matter. Missing a few? You'll know exactly which skills to develop next. No guesswork, no overwhelm. Each sign points you towards concrete techniques you can learn and apply immediately. This session guides you, step by step, through some well-known and some lesser-known mystery writing basics to keep you inspired and on track while writing your murder mystery.
Presenters
avatar for Juanita R Violini

Juanita R Violini

Owner/Operator, Mystery Factory
Juanita Rose Violini has been creating interactive murder mystery entertainment for 35+ years with over 50 scripts to her credit. Her live interactive entertainment plays - performed everywhere from luxury hotels in Canada to schools in Australia, wineries in Texas, and pubs in Great Britain - sell worldwide... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Bannerman

12:00pm MDT

A Very, Very, Very Fine House: The Warp and Weft of Worldbuilding - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req)
Sunday August 16, 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.***
____________________________________________

A Very, Very, Very Fine House: The Warp and Weft of Worldbuilding. 
From politics to food to the architecture of love, worldbuilding underpins so many of your narrative decisions—and this holds true regardless of whether you’re writing a novel, working in nonfiction, or crafting a poem. Understanding the building blocks of the world that you create is a crucial part of the creation process.  Join Amanda Leduc for an in-depth discussion of what to consider when building the world of your manuscript.
Presenters
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Walker

12:00pm MDT

Make and Take with Kim
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 5:30pm MDT
Make a cool and unique momentum of the 2026 When Words Collide Conference while trying all manner of word art.

All materials and instructions are provided. Fun for everyone! It’s a great way to end a great weekend!
Presenters
avatar for Kim Firmston

Kim Firmston

Program Director, Youth Programs, Alexandra Writers' Centre Society

Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 5:30pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen A 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

Actors Read YOUR Dialogue!
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Worried your dialogue sounds wooden, one-note, or like no human would ever say it? Do all your characters potentially speak with the same voice (yours)? We’ve got your back. The team at Full Circle Theatre knows one thing about theatre, it’s ALL DIALOGUE, BABY! In this fast-paced, high-reward workshop, you’ll bring one dialogue-heavy page from your work-in-progress, and we’ll bring the actors. Three experienced performers will bring your words to life - one will narrate stage directions (if you have them), and the other two will perform your dialogue. Got a three-character scene? Even better! We’ll skip the narration and dive right in.
You’ll hear your work read aloud, get immediate insight into what lands and what falls flat, and leave with clearer ears and stronger dialogue. Trust us: this is the most fun you’ll ever have editing.
Presenters
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 →
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 Claire Bolton

Claire Bolton

Co-Artistic Director, Full Circle Theatre
Claire Bolton is a theatre artist, stage manager, and producer based in Calgary, where she serves as co-artistic director of Full Circle Theatre and resident wrangler of budgets, schedules, and all things production management.With a background in dance, physical theatre, and clown... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

How to Make Readers Fall in Love (or Hate) Your Characters
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Every great story lives or dies by its characters. Readers don’t remember plots, they remember people who made them feel something in a moment. In this seminar, storyteller and producer Chris Corvan explores the psychology of reader attachment and how to intentionally craft characters who inspire obsession, loyalty, or loathing.
Through examples from literature, film, and his own multimedia projects, Chris unpacks the emotional mechanisms that bond readers to fictional people: empathy, projection, mirroring, and moral tension. You’ll learn how to design emotional triggers. From moments of vulnerability, contradiction, and humanity, that make readers invest in your characters long after the story ends.
Whether you write heroes, antiheroes, or beautifully broken souls, this session gives you tools to move beyond “likable” and into unforgettable.
Presenters
avatar for Chris Corvan

Chris Corvan

Author, Publisher & Creative Director, House of Void Press
I am an author, publisher, and multimedia producer based in Calgary, Alberta. Through House of Void Press, I support independent authors with publishing, editing, and long-term creative visibility while championing creator autonomy. I also host and produce the Dripping Creativity... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 9 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

Leveling Up Your TTRPG Storytelling
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Ready to turn your D&D sessions from “we walk into a tavern” into “LEGENDARY TALES OF EPIC CHAOS”?! Join us for a relaxing, laughter-packed class on levelling up your storytelling skills at the table.

We’ll take you through the magic of worldbuilding and show you how to give each corner of your realm its own vibe, mystery, and personality. Learn how to mix tones and styles of your players, so the characters aren’t just a husk meant to do damage, but they will live and breathe and win you Oscars. Trust us, tears will be shed and gore so visceral, you’ll clench your buttcheeks!

We’ll break down backstories that actually matter (and not just “my parents are dead”), plus share tips on weaving player choices into a collaborative narrative that feels alive, reactive, and downright cinematic. Again, Oscar-winning worthy right? 

Whether you’re a DM, a player, or someone who just wants more story spice in their campaigns for any TTRPG, this class is your ticket to a +5 in Creativity. Bring your imagination. We’ll bring the inspiration.
Presenters
avatar for Hailey P. Foss

Hailey P. Foss

Hailey is a writer of speculative fiction whose work blends character-driven storytelling with influences from fantasy, westerns, and cozy slow-burn romance. With fifteen years of writing experience, she is drawn to narratives that explore identity, resilience, and the unexplored... Read More →
avatar for Kathy Enriquez

Kathy Enriquez

Owner, Kathy Enriquez Books & Art
Kathy is an author and artist who thrives in a weird little space where “aww” meets “oh no!” She’s the meowstermind behind the cute series “What If Cats Wrote”, where cats write poetry, haikus, and much more (including an upcoming horror instalment, because of course... Read More →
avatar for Jacob Breitmeier

Jacob Breitmeier

Out of line books, Out of line books
Jacob was born at a very young age in a small town in Oregon.  Growing up with two older brothers he had many adventures, but it wasn't until he moved to Canada that his adventures became less dangerous and more imaginary. Jacob started playing D&D in 2020 where he learned the magic... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

Your Process, Your Way: The Busy Wordsmith’s Sustainable Writing Practise
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
For the busy writer, books don’t end up unfinished because of a lack of talent or inspiration; it’s often because they lack a sustainable writing practice. And what is sustainable? It’s what’s going to work best for you. Developing a writing practice doesn’t have to be about setting rigid schedules, daily word counts or copying the habits of famous authors; it’s about showing up consistently in a way that you can maintain, even when your motivation dips or life gets busy. We’ll explore how writers can build a process that actually fits their lives, instead of trying to force themselves into methods that collapse under pressure. We’ll look at how routines become habits, what type of accountability works best for you and how to stay engaged with a project long enough to finish it. It’s time to let go of one-size-fits-all advice and start designing a practice that supports creativity, momentum and completion. If you want to stop starting and start finishing, this is how you build a writing life you can sustain.
Presenters
avatar for Nicole Bross

Nicole Bross

Author, Editor, Book Coach, Manuscript Alchemy
Nicole Bross is a certified book coach, editor, and co-author of the #1 Amazon bestselling A Novel Approach: Strategies for ADHD Writers, a writing guide for neurodiverse authors whose ADHD is getting in the way of finishing their books. She's also the author of Past Presence, an... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

Beyond the Familiar: Crafting Asian Fantasy Worlds
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Explore how authors draw on the rich mythologies, folklore, histories, and landscapes of China, Japan, East and Southeast Asia to create immersive fantasy worlds. This panel will examine the unique approaches to magic, spirits, animals, and societal structures in Asian fantasy and speculative fiction, offering insights into worldbuilding, character design, and narrative style that go beyond Western tropes. Writers will leave with practical strategies for crafting authentic, compelling fantasy inspired by these traditions.
Presenters
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 Jasmine Sidhu

Jasmine Sidhu

Writer/Author
Jasmine Sidhu is the author of the YA fantasy dystopian novel World of Lost Souls, a story that follows a girl with a hidden healing ability trapped on an apocalyptic earth full of man-eating demons. Jasmine has been a member of the Alexandra Writers' Centre since 2024. She hopes... Read More →
avatar for Zeva Mah

Zeva Mah

Zeva Mah reads, writes, and revises near the Rocky Mountains. She has been a member of the Alexandra Writer's Centre since 2019. Her writing features speculative fiction, often with near future technology. She is keen to read and write diverse BIPOC women characters in fiction.
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll

1:30pm MDT

Power Dynamics in Fantastical Worlds
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
In many tales, plot dynamics hinge on who has power and who doesn't. How are some characters marked and how does that affect their agency in a fantasy or science fiction world? How can you use viewpoint to emphasize power dynamics? Panelists will talk about how to handle power ebbs and flows when writing speculative fiction.
Moderators
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 →
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 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 →
avatar for Kim Cheel

Kim Cheel

Kim Cheel Editing
Kim is an award-winning playwright and actor. Through her editing practice at Kim Cheel Editing, she brings a unique, stage-tested perspective to narrative structure and character development. As a playwright, she has mastered the art of the "beat", a skill she now uses to help authors... Read More →
avatar for Blake Ravenhart

Blake Ravenhart

Webnovel and Self-Published Author
Blake, also known as Winter, is a fantasy author and professional beta reader with a strong focus on action-driven storytelling, immersive fantasy, and visually rich narratives. With experience in both self-published series and webnovels, she specializes in crafting worlds defined... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

1:30pm MDT

Through Fires and Fascism: Staying Creative When the World Seems Upended
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
How do we keep creating when the world feels unbearable? This panel explores art as resistance, writing through despair, and finding joy in storytelling when everything around us is crumbling. These authors will talk about writing through the hard stuff and practical strategies for self-care when everything sucks. 
Moderators Presenters
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 →
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 →
avatar for Tanya MacIntosh

Tanya MacIntosh

Tanya MacIntosh is a queer author of speculative fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry with a BA in Creative Writing & Religious Studies from York University. In 2025, she received the Brenda Strathern Award and placed first in the War of the Words competition. You can find her... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

Feedback Without Freefall: How to Hear Critique and Know What to Do Next
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Feedback can save a story or sink it, and most writers are never taught how to tell the difference. Notes come in, emotions spike, and suddenly the path forward blurs. Many writers lose confidence, start doubting their instincts, or feel pulled in too many directions to revise with any clarity. This workshop explores what actually happens in that moment—and how to move through it with steadiness instead of panic.


In this workshop, developmental editor Sarah Brinley explains how to shift from emotional reaction to strategic decision-making. Drawing on her background as both a registered nurse and an editor, she outlines a clear process for receiving critique without letting it derail your momentum. You’ll learn how to recognize your first internal response—whether it’s bracing, withdrawing, or freezing—and how to pause long enough to separate discomfort from insight. Sarah also breaks down how to identify which notes matter most, how to spot patterns across different readers, and how to translate comments into a focused revision plan rather than a scattered checklist.


By the end, you’ll have a repeatable way to turn feedback into direction instead of doubt—and a steadier, more resilient approach to navigating critique throughout your writing life.
Presenters
avatar for Sarah Brinley

Sarah Brinley

Founder & Developmental Editor, Wildflower and Main Editorial
Sarah Brinley is a fantasy writer and fiction developmental editor who helps authors reconnect with their characters and rebuild the momentum in stories that have stalled. With a background as a registered nurse, she brings insight into human emotion, stress, and the moments that reveal who a... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

1:30pm MDT

How to Write a Synopsis without Crying First
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
It doesn't have to be the Dreaded Synopsis. It can be the efficient, well-written synopsis that highlights your premise and stand-out voice, all without making you want to give up writing. We'll cover a Synopses Writing Recipe using Shawshank Redemption as a practice example.
Presenters
avatar for Mira Landry

Mira Landry

Literary Agent
Born and raised in British Columbia, she has traveled to over eighty countries and now resides in Colorado with her husband where she still seeks adventure in both real life and on the page.

She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia and a Certificate of Creative Writing from Simon Fraser University. After a decade building her own business as a photographer, she began her career as an agent in 2022 and is eager to help authors turn their art... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

War of the Words Readings
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT

Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

The Healthy Writer
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Too often we have too many projects and too little time and when we do get around to writing it typically means long hours,usually sitting, often hunching and possibly snacking. This lecture will go beyond the usual health tips for writers (sit up straight! take a break!) and look at how incorporating an exercise practice into our writing routines can create positive health, wellness and creative outcomes now, and more importantly, as we age. 

Ali Bryan spent a decade in the fitness industry as both a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor and is a former Master Trainer for Jari Love's best-selling Get Ripped! program.

Presenters
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Write What You Know: Transform Lived Experience into Powerful Fiction
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
What if the stories that shaped your life could also shape your career?
In this inspiring and practical session, Julie A. Christiansen—award-winning psychotherapist, executive coach, and bestselling author—shares how she wove threads from her family history and clinical experience into a four-part women’s fiction series written under the pen name Jaycee Ryan. The emotional authenticity of her stories resonated so deeply with readers that it opened the door to a traditional publishing deal for her nonfiction work, The Rise of Rage.
Participants will learn how to mine their personal and professional lives for rich, layered storylines, how to ethically draw from real-life trauma and relationship dynamics without retraumatizing themselves or others, and how fiction can become a powerful platform for building thought leadership—even in nonfiction genres.
This session is ideal for writers of memoir, fiction, or creative nonfiction who want to turn lived experience into meaningful narratives—and for professionals seeking to translate their expertise into publishable stories that sell.
Presenters
avatar for Julie A. Christiansen

Julie A. Christiansen

CEO, Author, Speaker, Coach, Psychotherapist, Leverage U
Julie A. Christiansen, M.A. is an award-winning psychotherapist, executive coach, bestselling author, and internationally recognized speaker specializing in emotional regulation, mental wellness, and personal transformation. With over 30 years of experience, she is the creator of... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 9 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

The Third Path to Publishing: Finding Author Success with a Small Press
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Many writers believe there are only two paths to publishing a book: securing a “Big 5” deal after years in the query trenches, or self-publishing. This session explores a powerful third option: publishing with a small, independent literary press.

Led by three first-time authors with novels debuting in 2026, this candid panel demystifies how to secure a traditional book deal without a literary agent. You’ll learn how these writers leveraged mentorships, the writing community, cross-genre publications, and conferences like When Words Collide to land a publisher. The panelists themselves met through an Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS) course, highlighting the value of engaging with your local literary community.

Attendees will learn to identify independent presses that align with your specific genre and master the submission strategies that get you past the slush pile. Plus, you’ll discover how to turn workshops, free writer-in-residence resources, and paid courses into not only a network, a wealth of experience and material, but a robust literary résumé that attracts publishers.
Moderators Presenters
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 →
avatar for Susan Carpenter

Susan Carpenter

Susan spins tales grounded in realism with a spicy dash of humour. She has published short fiction, was longlisted for the CBC nonfiction prize, and writes for and acts on stage and screen. A graduate of Western University and Humber School for Writers, Susan has taught memoir and... Read More →
avatar for CM Shanahan

CM Shanahan

CM Shanahan, known by others as Catherine Mackie, returned to live on the prairies surrounded by canola fields and singing coyotes after chasing numbers on spreadsheets in office towers for too many decades. Her writing is coloured by her experiences and can be found on 50-WordSt... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Tricks, Tips & Traps for Successful Writing Groups
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Whether you are a debut novelist or an established author, a disciplined writing group is a powerful engine for professional growth. Join our panel of three seasoned writers for a strategic look at how to build, lead, and sustain a high-functioning literary community. The presentation will conclude with an interactive Q&A session to address your specific group challenges.
Moderators
avatar for Sandy Navrady

Sandy Navrady

As a member of AWCS, Sandy Navrady is active in a fiction writing group, Free Fall writing and writing non-fiction stories about his risk-taking adventure experiences around the world. He emigrated to Canada in the 1970’s and, with a degree in Urban Land Economics in his toolbox... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Sean Crawford

Sean Crawford

Being in three writers groups (fiction and nonfiction) keeps me in the arena, as does blogging a weekly essay. I like journalism because I was a reporter for the student newspaper at university, while earning a degree in Community Rehabilitation. I once did a literature tour by following... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

3:00pm MDT

Why Do We Keep Destroying the World?
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Post-apocalyptic fiction like pandemics, climate collapse, nuclear war, and zombie plagues is still going strong.

Why is apocalypse so appealing? This panel could explore what post-apocalyptic narratives offer readers and writers. They could discuss how politics are embedded in their apocalypses, whether "cozy catastrophe" is even possible, what anxieties their stories channel, and when stories can be exploitative versus cathartic.
Moderators 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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll

3:00pm MDT

Live Action Slush: Science Fiction
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Live Action Slush - What is it?

The Slush Pile is the magical pile of unsolicited manuscripts that editors and publishers comb through to discover great new work.

A Live Action Slush event is just a slush pile in real time. A panel of editors and publishers listen to a cold reader tackling an anonymous first page of a manuscript. The panelists raise their hands at the moment they would stop reading. When all hands are raised, the reader stops and the discussion begins. What’s working? What’s not working? Discuss! At the end, the submitter may choose to identify themselves, or stay under the radar. 
How to Play
  1. Bring the first page of your manuscript without your name on it! Take note of the genre of the slush; one page only; typed, double-spaced, 11pt type. 
  2. Drop it in the basket and hope yours gets picked for review. 
The panelists will try to get through as many as they can in the 60 minute event! This year we have several slush types to enjoy.

Mark your SCHED schedules, go write and good luck! 

Reader: Krista Wallace
Presenters
avatar for Richard Graeme Cameron

Richard Graeme Cameron

Publisher and editor, Polar Borealis Magazine
I Publish the SF&F Magazines Polar Borealis and Polar Starlight, four issues each per year, since 2016 (PB) & 2021 (PS). I publish only Canadian Authors, poets & artists. I am particularly keen on publishing beginning writers, people like me, for instance. Only took me 58 years to... Read More →
avatar for Bonnie Jacoby

Bonnie Jacoby

Author, CosmicDragon Press
Bonnie Jacoby is the author of the YA fantasy series, Dragon Descendants of Drakkoia, featuring rebellious teen dragons and adventurous teens. Her debut book, Dreams of a Dragon Girl, was awarded 5 stars by IndieReader. She has travelled through the query trenches and the intricacies of indie publishing. Over the years she has joined many writing communities, both as a participant and a presenter. Currently she offers monthly blue pencil sessions, runs a week... Read More →
avatar for Krista Wallace

Krista Wallace

Writer, actor, musician, audiobook narrator
Krista is a fantasy writer, jazz & rock musician, audiobook narrator, actor, podcaster, mother, Gran, a lover of pie, dark chocolate, and fine single malt scotch. She hails from Port Coquitlam, BC, where she writes and records in a closet, emerging occasionally to sing with the big band... Read More →
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Ripped from the Headlines: Unique Places and Ways to Find Inspiration
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
In this workshop, you will be inspired by the bizarre, the mundane, and perhaps even the insane. Sometimes, you simply need a nudge from the inspirational muse to get out of your own way.
During the session, a headline is read aloud and briefly discussed; you are given several minutes to jot down the ideas that come to mind. This format allows for the sharing of your writing and the receipt of validation ("I like that!"), while also encouraging you to think outside the box in a fun and exciting environment. We will establish a safe space for all and embrace the process of being inspired by the happenings around you. You will leave with a new awareness of the abundance of inspiration that exists all around you.
Does this version fit the flow of your program, or should we refine the opening hook?
Presenters
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Write-Her Rhythm
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Write-hers (women and female presenting folk) we are the keepers of everyone else’s schedules, stories, and needs. In this collaborative workshop we'll look at invisible and overt obstacles preventing us from writing and interrupting our flow. We'll discuss familial and cultural messages, roles and obligations, and other ways we've been taught to suppress ourselves. We'll open up our write-her hearts, create a roadmap to express our authentic voices, and lean in to our collective sisterhood for support and encouragement.
Presenters
avatar for Laura-Jeanne Stollery

Laura-Jeanne Stollery

Laura-Jeanne can leap tall buildings in a single bound...wait, wrong bio. Laura-Jeanne has created a career supporting others, helping people navigate conflict, speaking, educating, and writing. Laura-Jeanne is a life coach, conflict resolution specialist, and storyteller. Wearing... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

3:00pm MDT

Strategies for Surviving Feedback - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req)
Sunday August 16, 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.***
____________________________________________

Writing feedback is hard to come by and can be rated on a scale between encouraging and soul-crushing. Critical feedback, the kind that pushes you to dig deeper into a piece you just poured your heart and soul into, can feel the worst. It can make you question your skills, your purpose, and your relationship with the reader who dared to tell you what they thought. It’s natural for defenses to go up, to assume the reader misunderstands your writerly purpose or fails to appreciate your creative endeavors. But what if you could accept or even appreciate the kind of feedback that makes your stomach turn? 

What if you can learn to value the discomfort of receiving notes that leaves you feeling awful? Clarifying the role of feedback in your writing process and developing a method to ask for and receive notes on your work can help. Preparing yourself for how to use feedback to improve your writing can make you a better writer and preserve a few relationships along the way.

In this masterclass seminar, two writers will share strategies for surviving and thriving when feedback hits hard, separating craft concerns from personal bias, and deciding when to accept the critique, when to question it, and when to leave it alone. 

Participants will participate in real-time feedback practice, shared group discussions, and practical tools for surviving the process, protecting your creative heart, and gaining confidence in your own work. 
Presenters
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 →
avatar for Christine Tsai Taylor

Christine Tsai Taylor

Writer, StoryCraft
Christine Tsai Taylor is a Dutch American Taiwanese writer and storytelling consultant who has called Edmonton home since 2021. After nearly twenty years in Europe, she was thrilled to build a life and find writing community in a country with loads of English language bookshops. She’s... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Bannerman

3:00pm MDT

The Three Bodies Problem - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req)
Sunday August 16, 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.***
____________________________________________

When writing a memoir, one faces an ultimate dilemma: what to tell, how to tell it, and how to make it relevant to the mainstream readership.

A trick exists to figuring this out, but it requires reflecting on what you write and who you are as you write it. In this workshop, you will question the author's role in memoir writing and the tools you can use to accomplish truthful, yet inviting non-fiction. 
Presenters
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Walker

4:30pm MDT

Developmental Editing Your Book
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Want to know for sure whether agents, publishers and readers will love your book? Readers’ enjoyment is less subjective than you think. You can learn to read your own writing with an editor’s eye. Developmental Editing looks at the big picture of your book’s draft as a whole, identifying red flags and finding ways to fix issues before you send it off to readers. In this presentation, Suzy shares her proven Developmental Editing methodology, used to evaluate hundreds of manuscript drafts, so that you can apply it to your own drafts and your book ready for readers.
Presenters
avatar for Suzy Vadori

Suzy Vadori

Author. Editor. Book Coach.
Suzy Vadori
Author. Editor. Book Coach.Suzy is Calgary Bestselling Author of The Fountain Series (The Fountain, The West Woods, Wall of Wishes). This fantastical series has received three Aurora Nominations for Best Young Adult Novel. She is represented by Naomi Davis of Bookends Literary Agency.Suzy is the founder of th
... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

4:30pm MDT

The Hidden Architecture of Character Desire: How Want, Fear, and Contradiction Drive Every Scene
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Every memorable character is pulled by a longing they can't shake and a fear they can't outrun. That inner friction, wanting one thing while dreading another, shapes how they think, react, and move through their world. It influences their decisions, alters what they notice, and gives a scene its underlying charge. When desire is written with honesty and precision, tension rises naturally, and even quiet moments feel active and alive.


This lecture looks closely at the internal forces that guide a character from within. Developmental editor Sarah Brinley explains how to identify what a character wants, what they avoid, and how the gap between those two pressures influences the story at every turn. The focus is on understanding how emotional movement creates narrative movement, and how character-driven tension can replace the need for constant plot escalation.


Writers will learn a clear method for building scenes around these internal dynamics so that momentum comes from desire, fear, and choice rather than from external events alone. By the end of the session, you will have a practical way to reveal who your character is becoming and a framework for shaping scenes that feel grounded, intentional, and aligned with the emotional truth of your story.
Presenters
avatar for Sarah Brinley

Sarah Brinley

Founder & Developmental Editor, Wildflower and Main Editorial
Sarah Brinley is a fantasy writer and fiction developmental editor who helps authors reconnect with their characters and rebuild the momentum in stories that have stalled. With a background as a registered nurse, she brings insight into human emotion, stress, and the moments that reveal who a... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

4:30pm MDT

“How Do You Say…”: Writing With a Bilingual Mind
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
What if your imagination runs on one language, but your emotions bloom in another? Or it feels as if the place where imagination and emotion overlap comes in one version per language? This workshop explores bilingual, immigrant, and translingual cognition — the shifts of memory, rhythm, metaphor, and voice across languages. Drawing on hybrid poetic structures and lived translingual experience, with just a touch of psycholinguistics, we will discuss ways to harness the power of language-interference, emotional memory, and translation as craft tools.
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

4:30pm MDT

Cross-Genre Careers: Keeping Series & Voice Coherent Across Genres
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
In today’s dynamic literary landscape, many authors are venturing beyond the confines of a single genre, crafting stories that blend cozy mysteries with heart-pounding thrillers, or intertwining fantasy with contemporary romance.

But how can multi-genre writers effectively manage their diverse narratives while maintaining a coherent voice and a loyal readership? Join us for an enlightening panel featuring experienced multi-genre authors who will unravel the complexities of branding, reader expectations, and audience engagement.

This session is designed for writers navigating the challenges of appealing to multiple audiences without sacrificing their unique voice. Our panelists will delve into essential strategies for building a recognizable brand that resonates across genres. Learn when to strategically use pen names versus unified branding approaches to ensure clarity and consistency in your marketing efforts. 

Discover practical techniques for creating clear entry points into your various works, enabling readers to transition from one genre to another without feeling lost or confused. 

Whether you’re an established author looking to branch out or an emerging writer eager to explore new literary avenues, this panel promises actionable insights on navigating cross-genre storytelling. Join us as we explore how to protect your creative voice while engaging diverse readerships, celebrating the rich tapestry of literature that thrives at the intersection of genres. 
Moderators
avatar for Jennifer Sommersby

Jennifer Sommersby

Senior Editor/Owner, SGA Books - Plumfield Editing

Presenters
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 →
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 →
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll

4:30pm MDT

Decolonization of Speculative Fiction
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
We live in a world made up of peoples of diverse races, cultures, and ethnicities. We often forget that colonization has had an immense effect on how we write characters. What are these colonial fallacies and stereotypes and how do we remove them from our fiction?
Moderators
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 →
Presenters
avatar for Onyx Shelton

Onyx Shelton

Co-Founder, Alberta Indigenous Writers Collective
Onyx Shelton comes from a family of mixed Canadians and Ojibway. His Anishinaabe family hails from Kaakiiskakamigaag (Little Saskatchewan First Nation, Treaty 2 Territory). He was born in Wînipêk, Manitobah (Treaty 1 Territory) and has lived in many places since. His literary taste... Read More →
avatar for Zeva Mah

Zeva Mah

Zeva Mah reads, writes, and revises near the Rocky Mountains. She has been a member of the Alexandra Writer's Centre since 2019. Her writing features speculative fiction, often with near future technology. She is keen to read and write diverse BIPOC women characters in fiction.
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

4:30pm MDT

Writing the long game: the endurance panel.
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Getting a manuscript completed is a huge effort, getting one published is an even more Herculean task. But what adjective can be used to describe the follow-up novel, and the one after that, and the one after that… Brobdingnagian, we suppose. Join four authors who have done just that: learn about the long game, what hurdles these authors have faced from their first, through multiple publications, what helped and hindered their careers, and how do they keep going? This panel will illuminate their journeys in order to help yours!
Moderators
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 →
Presenters
avatar for Leanne Shirtliffe

Leanne Shirtliffe

A former WWC keynote, Leanne Shirtliffe is a certified AWA writers' workshop facilitator.

Leanne is published in many genres, including middle-grade fiction, picture books, adult memoir, and poetry; most recently, her poems have appeared in The Kenyon Review, The Baltimore Review, Carousel, and FreeFall magazine. Leanne grew up in Manitoba; has taught in Ontario, Alberta... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

4:30pm MDT

Live Action Slush: Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Live Action Slush - What is it?

The Slush Pile is the magical pile of unsolicited manuscripts that editors and publishers comb through to discover great new work.

A Live Action Slush event is just a slush pile in real time. A panel of editors and publishers listen to a cold reader tackling an anonymous first page of a manuscript. The panelists raise their hands at the moment they would stop reading. When all hands are raised, the reader stops and the discussion begins. What’s working? What’s not working? Discuss! At the end, the submitter may choose to identify themselves, or stay under the radar. 
How to Play
  1. Bring the first page of your manuscript without your name on it! Take note of the genre of the slush; one page only; typed, double-spaced, 11pt type. 
  2. Drop it in the basket and hope yours gets picked for review. 
The panelists will try to get through as many as they can in the 60 minute event! This year we have several slush types to enjoy.

Mark your SCHED schedules, go write and good luck! 

Reader: Megan Baldrey
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 →
avatar for Bonnie Jacoby

Bonnie Jacoby

Author, CosmicDragon Press
Bonnie Jacoby is the author of the YA fantasy series, Dragon Descendants of Drakkoia, featuring rebellious teen dragons and adventurous teens. Her debut book, Dreams of a Dragon Girl, was awarded 5 stars by IndieReader. She has travelled through the query trenches and the intricacies of indie publishing. Over the years she has joined many writing communities, both as a participant and a presenter. Currently she offers monthly blue pencil sessions, runs a week... Read More →
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 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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

4:30pm MDT

Something in the Air Tonight: Using Setting to Reflect Emotion
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - Monday August 17, 2026 5:45pm MDT
Pounding hearts, sweaty armpits, and noodle legs – there are so many ways to convey a character’s emotion through their own experience, but how can we take that further in our writing? In this workshop, we’ll discuss and practice techniques for expanding our characters’ feelings into the setting itself, so that the very world around them is coloured by their experiences.Bring a paper and pen – or whatever you’d prefer to free write with – and come prepared to learn, practice, and discuss other writers’ work and our own as we uncover the potential for deepening scenes and making every word count.
Presenters
avatar for Fiona McTaggart

Fiona McTaggart

As an avid lover of all things genre fiction, Fiona has been writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy for most of her life, for both middle grade and adult audiences. She is the former Editorial Director of MuggleNet.com and has an Honours BA in English and Creative Writing from Concordia University... Read More →
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - Monday August 17, 2026 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada

6:00pm MDT

Closing Ceremony: TWONOTE with Andrew Buckley, Gemma Files; plus War of the Words Winners
Sunday August 16, 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm MDT
Join us for the fantastic close of When Words Colide 2026! What?? It can't be over yet! And yet it can.

To close out the festival, we'll have some thanks and acknowledgements, a salute to this year's winners of War of the Words, and some other wee surprises.

Taking us home are Andrew Buckley and Gemma Files, with some words to power your way through the year until When Words Collide 2027!

Gemma Files Keynote: Monster Pride! or "How neurodivergence has helped me become my fullest self as a horror writer (and writer in general)."
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4+6 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
 
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