Name: Writing Hopepunk: Marginalized Perspectives
Start: 2026-08-14T16:30:00-0600
End: 2026-08-14T17:45:00-0600

A Festival for Writers, Readers, and Fans

Writing Hopepunk: Marginalized Perspectives

Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT

Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

When the world seems determined to crumble into dystopia, one of our most precious commodities is hope. Hope that a better way, or a better world is possible, especially for those with one or more marginalizations who are already seeing our freedoms under threat. Join a panel of writers discussing how they bring their unique perspectives to defying the establishment and clawing hope out of the looming abyss.

Moderators

Cait Gordon

Author, Editor, Podcaster, Disability Advocate

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

Presenters

Keenan Jones

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

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 →

Adriaan Brae

BraeVitae

Adriaan Brae is not sure whether they truly love writing or if story ideas simply bully them until they produce words? This trauma is made lighter by an understanding wife who shares a similar affliction, and a daughter who loves them even though they are weird, like, all the time... Read More →

Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald

Panel

When Words Collide 2026

Cait Gordon

Keenan Jones

Amanda Leduc

Adriaan Brae

Attendees (22)

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When Words Collide 2026

Cait Gordon

Keenan Jones

Amanda Leduc

Adriaan Brae

Attendees (22)

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