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A Festival for Writers, Readers, and Fans
Type: Panel clear filter
Friday, August 14
 

12:00pm MDT

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

Jodi McIsaac

Jodi McIsaac was born and raised in New Brunswick. Her debut novel, Through the Door, held the #1 spot on Amazon’s science fiction and fantasy bestseller list, as well as #2 in the overall Kindle store. She has since published five other novels with 47North and Thomas & Mercer... Read More →
avatar for Selene O'Rourke

Selene O'Rourke

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

avatar for Calvin Jim

Calvin Jim

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

12:00pm MDT

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

Valerie L. King

member, IFWA


Presenters
SF
GR
avatar for Don Miasek

Don Miasek

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

Susan Forest

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

12:00pm MDT

The AI Argument
Friday August 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
Since AI emerged, writers and other creatives have been debating about whether or not it has a place in their work. There have been many benefits and drawbacks listed for both sides of the argument. This panel attempts to answer the question: does AI have a place in the creative realm? Listen to both pro-AI and anti-AI authors and decide for yourself.
Moderators
avatar for D.G. Valdron

D.G. Valdron

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

Jason Pearce

Interviewer

avatar for Cleodel Khrishna

Cleodel Khrishna

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

Alison McBain

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

1:30pm MDT

From the Author’s chair: looking at the gatekeepers from the Author’s POV
Friday August 14, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
Time to turn the tables… we’ve all seen agent panels and publisher talks; we’ve all done pitch sessions and have heard what we have to do from the industry side, now it’s time to hear from the creators and creatives who toil and sacrifice to make the art that the industry gauges. What does this industry of gatekeepers look like… from the author’s chair? Join a breadth of authors who’ve braved traditional, alternative, and self-publishing journeys, and find out what they’ve learned about navigating their art though all the hoops  and into the hands of their readers. Let’s talk about the perilous endeavour of turning art into artistic product.
Moderators
avatar for Ali Bryan
Presenters
avatar for Bradley Somer

Bradley Somer

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

Danny Ramadan

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

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

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

1:30pm MDT

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

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

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

Kelli Etheridge

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

Kim Harbridge

Writer/Editor

avatar for Louise Dumayne

Louise Dumayne

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

Kristyn Pacione

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

Ennis Lucy

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

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

1:30pm MDT

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


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


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


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

Lexie Angelo

Chief Editor, Radical Bookshop and Press

Presenters
avatar for Rick Overwater

Rick Overwater

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

Camilla Tracy

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

P.D. Workman

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

3:00pm MDT

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

J.C. (John) Corry

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

Kim Harbridge

Writer/Editor

avatar for Susan Calder

Susan Calder

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

Hilary Faktor

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

3:00pm MDT

No Blueprint Required: Writing Careers Off the Map
Friday August 14, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
A playful speculative fiction writer, a literary flash-fiction writer, and an optimistic spoken-word poet walk into a bar . . . and discuss how they built creative community and redefined success on their own terms. Friends Andrew Buckley, Finian Burnett, and Miranda Krogstad share the strategies, mistakes, breakthroughs, and intentional choices that led them to their unconventional full-time writing careers. This panel will prove that there’s no single blueprint for a writing career—and sometimes the most exciting paths are the ones no one told you were possible.
Moderators
avatar for Yewande Daniel-Ayoade

Yewande Daniel-Ayoade

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

Presenters
avatar for Miranda Krogstad

Miranda Krogstad

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

Andrew Buckley

Andrew Buckley is a storyteller, educator, and keynote speaker with over 20 years of experience in creative writing and marketing. His humorous and satirical writing style persists despite polite requests to stop, as he creates engaging speculative fiction across traditional and self-publishing... Read More →
avatar for Finnian Burnett

Finnian Burnett

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

3:00pm MDT

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


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


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

Leanne Janzen

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

Carly Watters

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

Felicia Zuniga

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

4:30pm MDT

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

Karen Elizabeth Lee

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

Faye Arcand

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

Robyn Diner

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

Ann Cavlovic

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

4:30pm MDT

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

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

Madison Joyce

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

Priscille Bukasa

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

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

Adrienne Adams

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

Alex Benarzi

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

O.L. McAnord

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

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

4:30pm MDT

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
avatar for Cait Gordon

Cait Gordon

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

Keenan Jones


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

Amanda Leduc

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

... Read More →
avatar for Adriaan Brae

Adriaan Brae

BraeVitae
Adriaan Brae is not sure whether they truly love writing or if story ideas simply bully them until they produce words? This trauma is made lighter by an understanding wife who shares a similar affliction, and a daughter who loves them even though they are weird, like, all the time... Read More →
Friday August 14, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
  Panel
 
Saturday, August 15
 

9:00am MDT

Feminine Solutions in Science Fiction and Fantasy
Saturday August 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
The rise of the third wave of feminism has spawned a new heroine: the tough chick—whether anachronistically set in a historical fantasy or whipping through the galaxy in a stolen one-woman Millennium Falcon—who out-fights the toughest monster or mercenary. Does the female protagonist have to be a kickass who wins through masculine aggression, or does she use alternate solutions to the universe's problems?
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 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 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 →
Saturday August 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
  Panel

9:00am MDT

Fractured Realities: Time Loops, Parallel Worlds, and What Breaks Between
Saturday August 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
Parallel universes and time travel let stories bend reality—and test the limits of cause, choice, and consequence. This panel explores how creators use multiple dimensions and non-linear time to examine identity, fate, and responsibility, from paradox-driven thrillers to deeply personal narratives. Panelists will discuss the rules that make these concepts compelling, common pitfalls, and why audiences remain fascinated by worlds where time refuses to behave.
Presenters
avatar for Valerie L. King

Valerie L. King

member, IFWA


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 →
Saturday August 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
  Panel

9:00am MDT

Writing Beyond the Self: Creating Characters Outside Our Lived Experience
Saturday August 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
Can writers create authentic, respectful characters outside their own race, gender, orientation, culture, or identity? Should they? In this conversation, our panelists will explore how to write characters beyond personal experience — with empathy, research, and nuance. We'll talk about representation, sensitivity reads, and the difference between inclusion and appropriation. This panel is for anyone interested in writing across differences.
Moderators
avatar for James Downe

James Downe

James is a writer and designer in Scarborough, Ontario. Raised on Lego, Nintendo, fantasy books, and tabletop role-playing games, he has been creating worlds for as long as he can remember. He is the author of the Sisters of Jade Trilogy (Sisters of Jade, Sorrow & Shroud, and The... Read More →
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 Huck Kahng

Huck Kahng

NestBooks
Huck Kahng is a Korean translator and author living in Canada. He has translated many popular titles for the Korean audience, including the Harry Potter series, The Wheel of Time series, and Project Hail Mary: he’s also published several books in Korean, and most recently self... 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 →
Saturday August 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel

10:30am MDT

Asian Science Fiction and Fantasy
Saturday August 15, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion on Asian Science Fiction and Fantasy, where we explore the ideas, traditions, and artistic worlds created by Asian authors and writers from different ethnic backgrounds.

This panel will examine how science fiction and fantasy serve as powerful spaces for incorporating Asian mythology and culture, re-imagining history, and imagining alternative futures shaped by diverse perspectives.

Panelists will discuss how mythology, folklore, colonial histories, migration, and rapid technological change influence their storytelling. From futuristic cities to magical realms inspired by different cultures, Asian science fiction and fantasy offer narratives that challenge Western genre norms while expanding what speculative fiction can be. The discussion will also address themes such as identity, language, and more, highlighting how these stories speak to both local experiences and global audiences.

Whether you are a long-time reader of speculative fiction or new to the genre, this panel offers an engaging opportunity to deepen your understanding of how Asian voices are reshaping science fiction and fantasy today, and how you can incorporate it into your writing.
Moderators
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 →
Presenters
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 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 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 →
Saturday August 15, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
  Panel

10:30am MDT

Creating a Unique Detective Figure
Saturday August 15, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
Creating a compelling and exciting detective figure can draw readers into the world of crime fiction. Whether it's a cozy armchair detective, a nosy neighbour, a police officer, or a private eye, the role of the detective guides readers through solving the crime. The figure has evolved from the original Sherlock Holmes, yet there are still traces of this style of detection in many modern figures like Benoit Blanc from Knives Out. Hear from crime writers and how they choose to create a detective figure. 
Moderators
avatar for Chris Carolan
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 →
avatar for Jonathan Whitelaw

Jonathan Whitelaw

Jonathan Whitelaw is an award-winning author, journalist and broadcaster. After working on the frontline of politics, he moved into journalism, covering everything from sports to music to radioactive waste – and everything in between. He's also a regular reviewer, panelist and... Read More →
avatar for Lexie Angelo

Lexie Angelo

Chief Editor, Radical Bookshop and Press

Saturday August 15, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel

10:30am MDT

Panel Intro to TTRPGs: Their Similarities and Differences
Saturday August 15, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen A
Darren Tenor, Calvin Jim, Cipher, and Rhonda Parish with Host Kim Firmston

So you know Dungeons and Dragons, but do you know Vampire the Masquerade, Land of Eem, Mothership, or the myriad of other Tabletop Roleplaying Games created by those who love to tell stories with others?

Discover the wider world of Tabletop Roleplay and find your new obsession.
Moderators
avatar for Kim Firmston

Kim Firmston

Program Director, Youth Programs, Alexandra Writers' Centre Society

Presenters
avatar for Cipher
avatar for Rhonda Parrish

Rhonda Parrish

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

Darren Tenor

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

Starting with tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) as a preteen, he has decades of experience curating a range of stories across forgotten realms and distant worlds. He's written five official books for the Villains & Vigilantes shared universe and has self-published more than 275... Read More →
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 →
Saturday August 15, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen A 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel

12:00pm MDT

Making Monsters: the Art & Craft of Writing Horror
Saturday August 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
How do you write a jump scare? What words will give a reader goosebumps? Should you describe your monster in detail or leave something to the imagination? These are the questions horror writers obsess over, usually alone with only our keyboards and our ghosts for company. But not today! Join us for a discussion you can sink your teeth into about the challenges, tools, and techniques of crafting horror fiction.
Moderators
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 →
Presenters
avatar for James Downe

James Downe

James is a writer and designer in Scarborough, Ontario. Raised on Lego, Nintendo, fantasy books, and tabletop role-playing games, he has been creating worlds for as long as he can remember. He is the author of the Sisters of Jade Trilogy (Sisters of Jade, Sorrow & Shroud, and The... Read More →
avatar for Kim Harbridge

Kim Harbridge

Writer/Editor

avatar for Sam Wilket

Sam Wilket

Sam Wilket's debut novel, A GOOD DAUGHTER’S GHOST (coming Oct 6, 2026 from Annick Press) is a YA supernatural horror story about a babysitter who longs for a life that might destroy her. Sam also runs Forests in Her Mind, a newsletter where she recommends stellar speculative f... Read More →
Saturday August 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
  Panel

12:00pm MDT

Queer Rep in Mainstream Media
Saturday August 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
A panel featuring queer authors discussing LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media. Focused on diverse perspectives from queer writers.
Moderators
avatar for Sarah L. Pratt
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 →
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 →
avatar for Adriaan Brae

Adriaan Brae

BraeVitae
Adriaan Brae is not sure whether they truly love writing or if story ideas simply bully them until they produce words? This trauma is made lighter by an understanding wife who shares a similar affliction, and a daughter who loves them even though they are weird, like, all the time... Read More →
Saturday August 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
  Panel

1:30pm MDT

50 Ways to Kill Your Lover (Homicide at Home)
Saturday August 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
Poisons, “accidents” and other domestic murder methods—our panelists share the many ways victims can die at or near home. This panel also promotes our fourth biennial anthology, Crime Wave 4: Home Sweet Homicide.

Session Sponsor: Sisters In Crime (SinC)
 
 
Moderators
LS

Linda Sanche

President, Sisters in Crime - Canada West

Presenters
avatar for JE Barnard

JE Barnard

Developmental Editor, Incisive Editing Services
Calgary author J.E. Barnard writes & edits award-winning fiction. Her first Falls Mystery, When the Flood Falls (Dundurn Press, 2018) brought home the CWC Award of Excellence. Her second Maddie Hatter Adventure, Maddie Hatter & the Gilded Gauge (Tyche Books 2017) was an Alberta Book of the Year. She’s been a finalist for the UK Debut Dagger & the Prix Aurora for Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy. A developmental editor for Incisive Editing Services, she finds extra fulfillment in book reviewing & literary juries. Find... Read More →
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 →
avatar for Merrilee Robson

Merrilee Robson

I have written over 40 short stories, mostly in the crime genre, appearing in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, the People’s Friend, and various anthologies in Canada, the UK, and the USA. Writing short stories provides opportunities for variety and... Read More →
avatar for Susan Calder

Susan Calder

Calgary writer Susan Calder is the author of six novels published by BWL Publishing Inc. Four of the books are part of her Paula Savard Mystery Series and the fifth is a standalone suspense novel set in Calgary and California. Susan’s most recent mystery novel, A Killer Whisky,... Read More →
Saturday August 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
  Panel

1:30pm MDT

Surviving Publishing
Saturday August 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
Writing can be a lonely endeavour, requiring a lot of hard work and delayed gratification. Sometimes it feels easier to throw in the towel rather than completing all the steps necessary to get a book done and out the door. Get tips and inspiration from writers who have gone through the process and lived to tell the tale.
Moderators
avatar for Rhonda Parrish

Rhonda Parrish

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

Jason Pearce

Interviewer

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 →
KD
Saturday August 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
  Panel

1:30pm MDT

This too shall pass… write what you want/write for the market.
Saturday August 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
Market trends come and market trends go. Sparkly vampires and the dystopian wave, trauma autofiction and the romantasy tsunami… this too shall pass. Join panelists new and old (ahem, debut authors and those with a few books out there), as they discuss writing and publishing across genre and within it, chasing market trends and staying true to their artistic drive, and how to keep that muse alive even when the tides have swept publisher interests far from shore!
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 Ali Bryan
avatar for Marcello Di Cintio
avatar for Ben Zalkind

Ben Zalkind

Author
Ben Zalkind is a writer living in Calgary. His debut novel, Honeydew, was published by Radiant Press in October 2025. In an adventurous past life, Ben made a spirited, but ultimately futile, effort to avoid STEM, which led to graduate degrees in literature and psychology and well-meaning... Read More →
Saturday August 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel

3:00pm MDT

Disability, Romance, and Adventure: Yes, Your Book Can Have Them All!
Saturday August 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
Oftentimes, disabled bodies and/or neurodivergent brains are desexualized and/or de-romanticized because of ableist narratives. These narratives also propose that disabled folks are incapable of sharing in the adventure without a “cure." But as disabled and neurodivergent authors, we are the protagonists of our own lives, so why can’t we craft stories that turn these harmful tropes upside down? This panel will discuss how it’s not only plausible but also realistic to put disabled folks as the romantic and heroic leads. We’ll talk about how we don’t need to “fix” bodies and/or minds for these characters to shine!
Moderators
avatar for Alex Benarzi

Alex Benarzi

Editor, Alex M. Benarzi Editing
Alex Benarzi is a writer and editor living in Calgary, Alberta. Alex writes literary fiction and magic realism. Alex is fascinated by the little absurdities that colour our world. In his editing, Alex helps writers elevate their unique voices. Alex is passionate about accessibility... Read More →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Saturday August 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel

3:00pm MDT

The Personal is Political and The Political is Personal! Activism and Advocacy Through Fiction
Saturday August 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
Ben Zalkind will facilitate this session with Kirti Bhadresa [and others] that will offer a primer on how authors use fiction as an incubator of political imagination. Storytelling has long been a tool of political awareness and change. Writers articulate the political discontent of our time, expose and tear down unjust power structures through our art. Readers access otherwise-silenced stories through the books they read. This panel will excavate literature’s rich political terrain, explore how ideas take shape and how unseen stories can be brought into the mainstream through fiction. Bring your fire and your curiosity for this rousing talk that promises to bring empowerment and hope! Let’s put our imaginations to work! The world needs our voices now more than ever.
Moderators
avatar for Ben Zalkind

Ben Zalkind

Author
Ben Zalkind is a writer living in Calgary. His debut novel, Honeydew, was published by Radiant Press in October 2025. In an adventurous past life, Ben made a spirited, but ultimately futile, effort to avoid STEM, which led to graduate degrees in literature and psychology and well-meaning... Read More →
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 Ann Cavlovic

Ann Cavlovic

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

Kirti Bhadresa

Author
Kirti Bhadresa (she/her) lives in Calgary, Alberta on Treaty 7 territory. Kirti has fiction and non-fiction writing in many publications including The Fiddlehead, Prairie Fire and Room Magazine. Her first book, a short story collection entitled An Astonishment of Stars was published... Read More →
Saturday August 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
  Panel

3:00pm MDT

Workplace Horror - Something Smells in the Break Room
Saturday August 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
We're not saying that every job is a horror, or every workplace is cursed, but some days...

Whether you feel like stepping across the threshold is entering literal hell, or that your boss is the devil, or that microwaved tuna someone left on the counter to cool off is possessed, there IS horror to be found where you most expect it.

Join us as we delve into what makes this sub-genre so delightfully horrible, with a raft of recently published examples and where one might find a market for your own.
Moderators
avatar for Jason Pearce

Jason Pearce

Interviewer

Presenters
avatar for Sarah L. Pratt
avatar for Rob Bose

Rob Bose

VP, AWCS
Robert Bose grew up on a farm in southern Alberta spending every free moment reading whatever weird fiction he could get his hands on. He's the editor of a variety of books and anthologies for The Seventh Terrace, the author of myriad short stories including the fiendish collection... Read More →
avatar for Chris Marrs
Saturday August 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
  Panel

3:00pm MDT

Writing for Tabletop Roleplaying Games (and publishing them)
Saturday August 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B
Want to homebrew your own tabletop roleplaying adventure? Perfect!

Our panel will walk you through the steps of what to prepare, what to skip, and how you can make the whole thing as painless as possible.

Then - as an added bonus, Darren Tenor will tell you how to sell what you’ve created.
Moderators
avatar for Chris Corvan

Chris Corvan

Author & Creative Director, House of Void Press

Presenters
EM
avatar for Caelen Bell

Caelen Bell

Caelan Bell is a local Calgary filmmaker and professional dungeon master. He has worked with the Alexandra Writers Center Society for three years and specializes in writing and DMing games for kids and teenagers.
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 →
Saturday August 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Stephen B 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel

4:30pm MDT

Cinematic Storytelling: Does Hollywood Flair Work in Speculative Fiction?
Saturday August 15, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
Cinematic storytelling in fiction is often seen in a negative light. It can reduce character agency and emotion, pulling away from the introspective side, instead relying on tense action and big explosions. Books and movies are very different media. What works in one doesn’t necessarily translate to the other. But is there a way to adapt the techniques of the visual medium and utilize it for the written word? Has the overwhelming rise in movies and television altered the way people read and what they expect?


This panel will look at the techniques of cinematic storytelling, discussing whether or not they can effectively be used in speculative fiction.
Moderators
avatar for Chris Corvan

Chris Corvan

Author & Creative Director, House of Void Press

Presenters
avatar for Rick Overwater

Rick Overwater

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

James Downe

James is a writer and designer in Scarborough, Ontario. Raised on Lego, Nintendo, fantasy books, and tabletop role-playing games, he has been creating worlds for as long as he can remember. He is the author of the Sisters of Jade Trilogy (Sisters of Jade, Sorrow & Shroud, and The... Read More →
avatar for Michael Peterson

Michael Peterson

Director/Producer/Writer, Peterson Polaris Corp
Michael Peterson (DGC, p.g.a.) is an award-winning producer, writer, director based in Calgary, Alberta and best known for his work in horror and comedy. His directing work includes commercials, documentaries, web series, half-hour tv and the feature films, 'sports' comedy, LLOYD... Read More →
Saturday August 15, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
  Panel

4:30pm MDT

From Personal to Perennial: The Craft and Career of Picture Books
Saturday August 15, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
Picture books may be short, but the path to publication—and beyond—is rarely quick or simple. In this craft-and-business-focused panel, four traditionally published picture book authors unpack how personal stories move from idea to book deal to long-term career momentum.

Panelists will discuss how they identify the central “big idea” in personal material, make key craft decisions around structure and narrative style, and navigate the editorial process from acquisition through revision. The conversation will also pull back the curtain on the business realities of picture books, including how each author secured their publishing deal, realistic timelines from contract to publication, and how awards, reviews, and recognition have shaped the life of their books after release.

Finally, the panel will explore what happens next: sustaining visibility, building on early success, and making strategic choices that keep both the work and the career moving forward. Designed for writers at any stage, this session offers a clear-eyed look at the art and economics of creating picture books with staying power.

Presenters
avatar for Keenan Jones

Keenan Jones


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

Yewande Daniel-Ayoade

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

avatar for Paola Santos

Paola Santos

Author
Paola Santos is the author of HOW TO EAT A MANGO, CÓMO SE COME UN MANGO, and the forthcoming picture book A HOUSE IN MY BARRIO (Henry Holt / Macmillan), Fall 2026. Her books have received starred reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and BookPage, and have been listed as Bank Street of Education Best Children’s Books of 2025 (Engl... Read More →
avatar for Maria Marianayagam

Maria Marianayagam

Maria Marianayagam is an award-winning, Tamil Sri Lankan-Canadian engineer turned children’s book author, and a Calgary Top 40 under 40. She fell in love with children’s books (again!) after becoming an Amma (mom). She is the author of over ten books for young readers, including... Read More →
Saturday August 15, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
  Panel

4:30pm MDT

From the Past to the Page: Transforming Historical Research into Compelling Fiction
Saturday August 15, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
In this engaging panel, members of the AWCS Historical Fiction Roundtable will discuss the numerous resources available to writers of historical fiction, memoir, and true tales of historical events. They will share their personal research journeys and show how oral histories, letters, diaries, records, archives, and books have contributed to their writing.


Panelists will describe their favourite tools and techniques for creating stories that are historically accurate, entertaining, and relevant for modern readers. They’ll share their approaches to handling research gaps and tackle the fundamental question, “In the end, what is more important: history or the story?”


Participants will leave the session with ready to implement strategies for accessing and organizing resources and finding their authentic voice within their historical research. 
Moderators
avatar for Bob Booth

Bob Booth

Bob Booth was born in Winnipeg, raised in Calgary, and after training as a naval officer and receiving his Bachelor of Engineering, graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada. He went on to graduate in Law from Dalhousie University, then returned to Calgary to spend forty-five... Read More →
Presenters
avatar for Susan Calder

Susan Calder

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

Lisa Williamson

Historical Writer
Lisa Williamson has roots in Canada, having been born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and now has her feet planted in Calgary, Alberta. Her professional career in the healthcare system and later as a business owner provided unique opportunities and experiences. She attended the University... Read More →
avatar for Pamela Clark

Pamela Clark

Writer, Educator
Pam Clark is a Calgary educator and author, infusing her passion for history into her work. As a member of AWCS since 2016, she has mentored writers through the Borderlines and Own Voices Programs, and has been a story coach with the Author Development Program. Pam finds tremendous... Read More →
Saturday August 15, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel

7:30pm MDT

Readings From Your Next Favourite Romance Authors
Saturday August 15, 2026 7:30pm - 8:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Thompson Social Hub
Hear established and debut romance authors read excerpts from their latest novels, discover your next favourite book, and stick around afterward to ask questions!

Plus Eliza Gordon!
Presenters
avatar for Jennifer Sommersby

Jennifer Sommersby

Senior Editor/Owner, SGA Books - Plumfield Editing

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 →
avatar for Alix Kelinda

Alix Kelinda

Romance Author | Avid Reader | Hopeless Romantic
Alix (she/her) lives in Calgary, Canada and embraces the quiet beauty of a snowy day. She enjoys helping her characters find love and humour amidst self-discovery and growth. Her debut romance novel The Christmas Curse will be published in fall 2026 by Doubleday Canada, an imprint of Penguin Random House. She has short stories published both online and in print, and holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology, a master’s degree in Medical Sciences, and a certificate in Creative Writing. When not... Read More →
avatar for Lily Chu

Lily Chu

Lily Chu loves ordering the second-cheapest wine, wearing perfume all the time, and staying up far too late with a good book.

​Four of her books have been released in audio as Audible Originals, performed by Phillipa Soo (The Stand-In, The Comeback, The Takedown, and Drop Dead) and John Cho (Drop Dead). Lily’s best-selling stories are critically acclaimed and have spent multiple weeks at number one in

... Read More →
Saturday August 15, 2026 7:30pm - 8:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Thompson Social Hub 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel
 
Sunday, August 16
 

9:00am MDT

The Importance of Finding Your Tribe
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
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 tribe, 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 tribe
•    How to develop and grow your community – and why
•    Why finding and investing in you, and in your tribe and 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
Sunday August 16, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel

10:30am MDT

Inside the Villain's Mind: The Psychology Behind The Crime
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
   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 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 →
DC
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel

10:30am MDT

The importance of names and language
Sunday August 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
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
avatar for Lareina Abbott
Presenters
avatar for Jason Pearce

Jason Pearce

Interviewer

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
  Panel

12:00pm MDT

From Manuscript to Market: Ask Us Anything
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
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 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, Corvisiero Literary Agency
Mira Landry has been an associate literary agent with Corvisiero Literary. 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
  Panel

12:00pm MDT

Hard Science Fiction Shouldn't Be Hard
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
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
avatar for Sarah Johnson
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
  Panel

12:00pm MDT

Historical research methods that work for you
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
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 Jodi McIsaac

Jodi McIsaac

Jodi McIsaac was born and raised in New Brunswick. Her debut novel, Through the Door, held the #1 spot on Amazon’s science fiction and fantasy bestseller list, as well as #2 in the overall Kindle store. She has since published five other novels with 47North and Thomas & Mercer... 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
Sunday August 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel

1:30pm MDT

Beyond the Familiar: Crafting Asian Fantasy Worlds
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
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
  Panel

1:30pm MDT

Power Dynamics in Fantastical Worlds
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
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.
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 →
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 →
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
  Panel

1:30pm MDT

Through Fires and Fascism: Staying Creative When the World Seems Upended
Sunday August 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
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
avatar for Sarah Johnson
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
  Panel

3:00pm MDT

The Third Path to Publishing: Finding Author Success with a Small Press
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
    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.
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
  Panel

3:00pm MDT

Tricks, Tips & Traps for Successful Writing Groups
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
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
SN

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 Lareina Abbott
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 →
EW
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
  Panel

3:00pm MDT

Why Do We Keep Destroying the World?
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
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
avatar for Ambre Olivari
Presenters
avatar for Rick Overwater

Rick Overwater

Rick Overwater is a sci-fi, fantasy and crime writer based in Calgary, Alberta. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and is the author of The Black City Beneath, a late-age steampunk novel available from Calgary publisher, The Seventh Terrac... Read More →
avatar for Nikki Vogel
avatar for Chris Carolan
Sunday August 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
  Panel

4:30pm MDT

Cross-Genre Careers: Keeping Series & Voice Coherent Across Genres
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Doll
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
  Panel

4:30pm MDT

Decolonization of Speculative Fiction
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Herald
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
  Panel

4:30pm MDT

Writing the long game: the endurance panel.
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5
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 Ali Bryan
avatar for Marcello Di Cintio
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 →
avatar for Nikki Vogel
Sunday August 16, 2026 4:30pm - 5:45pm MDT
Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5 700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
  Panel
 
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