When Words Collide 2026

When Words Collide 2026

A Festival for Writers, Readers, and Fans

Susanne McLarty

Find me on

About me

We might as well address the Gemini in the room. (It's me. Hi!) I was once a computer programmer and now knit and write. I'm a logical, pragmatic, science nerd -- did you know knitting is super sciency? -- and I also love creation for creation's sake and saying things like "super sciency".

10:30am MDT

Opening Ceremony & Keynote Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4+6Terry Brooks

12:00pm MDT

Make Shame Your Bitch - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req) Hyatt Regency Calgary - BannermanJessica Waite The AI Argument Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5D.G. Valdron • Jason Pearce • Cleodel Khrishna • Alison McBain

3:00pm MDT

Sketch Writing with Kevin McDonald - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req) Hyatt Regency Calgary - WalkerKevin McDonald

4:30pm MDT

Who's afraid to write about aging? Hyatt Regency Calgary - DollMarie Powell • Karen Elizabeth Lee • Faye Arcand • Robyn Diner • Ann Cavlovic Writing As Resistance: Using Our Words to Critique, Challenge, and Disrupt Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5Madison Joyce • Priscille Bukasa • Adrienne Adams • Alex Benarzi • O.L. McAnord

9:00am MDT

Selling Your Book Without Platform Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7Jessica Waite Writing While Neurodiverse: ADHD Strategies for Authors Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8Nicole Bross

10:30am MDT

15 Ways to Make Money in the Writing World Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7Suzy Vadori

12:00pm MDT

Bored of Your Book? How to Fall in Love With Your Story Again Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 9Nicole Bross Live Action Slush: Short Fiction Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6Jennifer Chevais • Lexie Angelo • Cecilia "CeCe" Lyra Bring Your Trauma! Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8Karen Elizabeth Lee

1:30pm MDT

Pitch Games Hyatt Regency Calgary - Thompson Social HubEd Willett • Ella Beaumont

3:00pm MDT

Fiction as Riot: Writing When the World is F*cked - MASTERCLASS (pre-reg req) Hyatt Regency Calgary - BannermanFinnian Burnett

4:30pm MDT

From the Past to the Page: Transforming Historical Research into Compelling Fiction Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5Bob Booth • Susan Calder • Lisa Williamson • Pamela Clark

6:00pm MDT

Kevin McDonald Superstar Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4+6Kevin McDonald

9:00pm MDT

Open Mic Night Hyatt Regency Calgary - Thompson Social HubRandy McCharles • Valerie L. King

9:00am MDT

The Importance of Finding Your Tribe Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5Deniz Soykurumcetin • Donna D. Conrad • J.C. (John) Corry • Angela Douglas • Marie Powell

10:30am MDT

Creativity & Chaos Hyatt Regency Calgary - DollAndrew Buckley • Finnian Burnett Inside the Villain's Mind: The Psychology Behind The Crime Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5Pamela Donison • P.D. Workman • Dave Sweet • Dr. Cynthia Baxter

12:00pm MDT

My Stupid Career, with Kevin McDonald Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 6Kevin McDonald

1:30pm MDT

Through Fires and Fascism: Staying Creative When the World Seems Upended Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 5Sarah Johnson • Cait Gordon • Finnian Burnett • Tanya MacIntosh

3:00pm MDT

The Resilient Writer Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 7Jodi McIsaac Write-Her Rhythm Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8Laura-Jeanne Stollery

4:30pm MDT

Something in the Air Tonight: Using Setting to Reflect Emotion Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 8Fiona McTaggart

6:00pm MDT

Closing Ceremony: TWONOTE with Andrew Buckley, Gemma Files; plus War of the Words Winners Hyatt Regency Calgary - Imperial Ballroom 4+6