CARWA SPECIAL EVENTS:
August 12 - 14, 2011: Come celebrate the When Worlds Collide summer festival with CaRWA on August 12th to 14th. CaRWA has become part of this exciting event by sponsoring (2) panels. These panels are called "Which Door Should I Open" and "Let's Talk About Sex". These invigorating panel discussions will keep you buzzing all weekend! In addition, CaRWA will be hosting a pajama party on Saturday night! So visit the website listed below for more details and on behalf of your board, we hope to see you all there!
http://www.whenwordscollide.org/links.php
June 10 - 12, 2011: WRITERS GUILD OF ALBERTA 2011 CONFERENCE WEEKEND IN CALGARY, AB.
WRITING THE HISTORY
INSCRIBING THE FUTURE
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN—& WE HAVE STUDENT RATES!
The Writers Guild of Alberta is pleased to present our 2011 Conference marking the 30th anniversary of the largest provincial writing organization in Canada! We're planning three days full of interactive panels, workshops, and lectures, plus Blue Pencil Cafés, speed networking and pitch sessions, the WGA Annual General Meeting, and the 2011 Alberta Book Awards Gala on the night of Saturday, June 11, presented with the Book Publishers Association of Alberta. Come join us for this opportunity for Alberta writers at all stages of their writing life to mingle, learn, discuss, and party!
Conference activities will be presented at Calgary's Fairmont Palliser Hotel (133 9th Avenue SW) and the W.R. Castell Central Library (616 Macleod Trail SE). The 2011 Alberta Literary Awards Gala will take place at the Calgary Zoo in the Safari Room (1300 Zoo Road NE).
Please follow this link for full conference information, speaker bios, rates, and how to register: http://www.writersguild.ab.ca/AGM.asp
FRIDAY NIGHT SESSIONS (PALLISER HOTEL)
MADE IN ALBERTA—NOW AND THEN
7:00-8:15pm
Join us for a welcome address on the role of the writer in the greater community with past WGA president, Aritha van Herk, followed by a panel discussion featuring past and current WGA presidents—Rudy Wiebe, Alice Major, Fred Stenson, George Melnyk, Patricia MacQuarrie and Blaine Newton. What does our history tell us about the literary future of Alberta, and what does it mean to be an Alberta writer in 2011?
WGA 30th BITHDAY PARTY CELEBRATION
8:15-11:00pm
The WGA is turning 30! Join us for a celebratory reception, a slice of cake, some entertainment and an opportunity meet, greet and socialize with your literary friends.
SATURDAY SESSIONS (PALLISER HOTEL)
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MARINA ENDICOTT
THE WRITING LIFE, AND HOW DID I GET HERE?
9:30-10:30 am
Preceding the AGM, join us for coffee and a keynote address with Alberta author, Marina Endicott. Marina's second novel,Good to a Fault, won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book, Canada/Caribbean region and was a finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Her new novel, The Little Shadows, follows a vaudeville sister act touring the prairies in 1912. It will be published by Doubleday this fall.
WGA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
10:30-12:00 pm
WGA members are invited to take part in the Annual General Meeting. Meet the Board of Directors, hear what the WGA has accomplished in the past year, elect new Board members and find out what the WGA is planning in the future. The AGM is followed by a lunch buffet.
FESTIVUS TIME!
1:00-2:00pm
What role do festivals play in publishing, bookselling and writer's careers? Join the team behind WordFest to hear about the year-long process of building a writers' festival and how books are selected. The team will share submission tips for writers and how the literary festival is one of the best ways to promote your book regionally, nationally and internationally. Featuring: Jo Steffens, Director; Mary Kapusta, Marketing Manager; Anne Logan, Artistic Associate. Moderated by Wordfest alumna, Leslie Greentree.
WALKING THE LINE; WRITING FOR YOUNG READERS—YA AND CHILDREN'S LIT
1:00-2:00pm
What are the guidelines for writing children's books? How about the key differences between a middle grade and a YA novel? Or just what, exactly, appeals to teen readers and how do you tailor your writing and market it to them? This panel of published children's authors will provide you with some valuable insight into the realm of children's literature. Featuring Children's Authors: Glen Huser, Judith Graves and Hazel Hutchins. Moderated by Dianne Linden.
WRITERS AND THE SOCIAL NETWORK: TWITTER, FACEBOOK & BLOGS, OH MY!
2:15-3:15pm
Applicable to all writers of all genres! What is social networking? Do I really have to have an online presence as a writer? Why? Are these mediums really that important to my career? How will using social media expand my readership? Can I generate revenue from a blog? An interactive workshop with social networking guru, Shannon Bowen-Kelsick.
SCREENWRITING—TAKE ONE! WITH GEO TAKACH
2:15-3:15pm
Ever wonder how your writing would play onscreen? Discover seven essential ingredients of a successful screenplay, and ways to deploy your wonderful words on a visual canvas. Come away with some inspiration and a nifty list of resources. Warning: this presentation may contain the words "art" and "money" in the same sentence!
ON TRUTH, GENRE CROSSOVER
3:30-4:30pm
A discussion of "truth" as it applies to nonfiction, poetry, fiction and drama. How can writers develop, strengthen and stay true to their intended voice, idea and style? Featuring: Incoming CPL Writer-in-Residence, Naomi Lewis; playwright and author, Clem Martini, novelist Suzette Mayr and nonfiction author Myrna Kostash. Moderated by author Peter Oliva.
GETTING PUBLISHED; A WORKSHOP WITH FREEHAND BOOKS
3:30-4:30pm
This workshop covers manuscript development, agents, selecting an appropriate publisher, assembling a submission package, cover letters, the consideration process (both general and specific to Freehand), working with an editor, the production process, marketing and timelines (festivals, reading series, media pitches, review mailings, etc.) and what YOU can do to help your publicist later (websites, social media, contact lists). Featuring Managing Editor, Sarah Ivany and Acquiring Editor, Robyn Read
SPEED NETWORKING (CONCURRENT TO BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1:00—5:00PM)
Meet the industry insiders who can help you with specific publishing and/or copyright questions. Please sign up for your chosen networking slot—a time limit of 15 minutes per chat will be allotted. Networkers include: Dustin Smith (Publisher for Recliner Books), Debbie Elicksen (self-publishing expert), Wayne Logan (Entertainment & Copyright Lawyer, Field Law), Lynn Fraser & Micheline Maylor (Editors for Freefall Magazine), Susan Toy (Promotions/Alberta Books Canada), Rachel Small (Faultless Finish Editing), and Lyn Cadence (Frontenac House).
AUTHOR HEADSHOT PHOTOS (1-5:00pm) If you're looking for a headshot picture to be used in portfolios, events, websites, promotional material or for your forthcoming book, these are the people you want to see. ArtLine Photography professionals will be on hand snapping fabulous portraits for $80—this includes the session fee and your choice of one retouched photo (not chosen at the session), with three digital images to choose from. Please sign up before conference.
ALBERTA LITERARY AWARDS GALA
6:00–11:00 pm
Don your best attire and get ready to kick up your heals at this year's 29th annual Alberta Literary Awards presentation. Come socialize, enjoy a delicious meal, listen to an engaging speaker and watch the awards presentations. Oh what a night it will be! Please Check our website (link above) for more details.
SUNDAY SESSIONS (W.R. CASTELL CENTRAL LIBRARY)
August 12 - 14, 2011: Come celebrate the When Worlds Collide summer festival with CaRWA on August 12th to 14th. CaRWA has become part of this exciting event by sponsoring (2) panels. These panels are called "Which Door Should I Open" and "Let's Talk About Sex". These invigorating panel discussions will keep you buzzing all weekend! In addition, CaRWA will be hosting a pajama party on Saturday night! So visit the website listed below for more details and on behalf of your board, we hope to see you all there!
http://www.whenwordscollide.org/links.php
June 10 - 12, 2011: WRITERS GUILD OF ALBERTA 2011 CONFERENCE WEEKEND IN CALGARY, AB.
WRITING THE HISTORY
INSCRIBING THE FUTURE
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN—& WE HAVE STUDENT RATES!
The Writers Guild of Alberta is pleased to present our 2011 Conference marking the 30th anniversary of the largest provincial writing organization in Canada! We're planning three days full of interactive panels, workshops, and lectures, plus Blue Pencil Cafés, speed networking and pitch sessions, the WGA Annual General Meeting, and the 2011 Alberta Book Awards Gala on the night of Saturday, June 11, presented with the Book Publishers Association of Alberta. Come join us for this opportunity for Alberta writers at all stages of their writing life to mingle, learn, discuss, and party!
Conference activities will be presented at Calgary's Fairmont Palliser Hotel (133 9th Avenue SW) and the W.R. Castell Central Library (616 Macleod Trail SE). The 2011 Alberta Literary Awards Gala will take place at the Calgary Zoo in the Safari Room (1300 Zoo Road NE).
Please follow this link for full conference information, speaker bios, rates, and how to register: http://www.writersguild.ab.ca/AGM.asp
FRIDAY NIGHT SESSIONS (PALLISER HOTEL)
MADE IN ALBERTA—NOW AND THEN
7:00-8:15pm
Join us for a welcome address on the role of the writer in the greater community with past WGA president, Aritha van Herk, followed by a panel discussion featuring past and current WGA presidents—Rudy Wiebe, Alice Major, Fred Stenson, George Melnyk, Patricia MacQuarrie and Blaine Newton. What does our history tell us about the literary future of Alberta, and what does it mean to be an Alberta writer in 2011?
WGA 30th BITHDAY PARTY CELEBRATION
8:15-11:00pm
The WGA is turning 30! Join us for a celebratory reception, a slice of cake, some entertainment and an opportunity meet, greet and socialize with your literary friends.
SATURDAY SESSIONS (PALLISER HOTEL)
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MARINA ENDICOTT
THE WRITING LIFE, AND HOW DID I GET HERE?
9:30-10:30 am
Preceding the AGM, join us for coffee and a keynote address with Alberta author, Marina Endicott. Marina's second novel,Good to a Fault, won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book, Canada/Caribbean region and was a finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Her new novel, The Little Shadows, follows a vaudeville sister act touring the prairies in 1912. It will be published by Doubleday this fall.
WGA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
10:30-12:00 pm
WGA members are invited to take part in the Annual General Meeting. Meet the Board of Directors, hear what the WGA has accomplished in the past year, elect new Board members and find out what the WGA is planning in the future. The AGM is followed by a lunch buffet.
FESTIVUS TIME!
1:00-2:00pm
What role do festivals play in publishing, bookselling and writer's careers? Join the team behind WordFest to hear about the year-long process of building a writers' festival and how books are selected. The team will share submission tips for writers and how the literary festival is one of the best ways to promote your book regionally, nationally and internationally. Featuring: Jo Steffens, Director; Mary Kapusta, Marketing Manager; Anne Logan, Artistic Associate. Moderated by Wordfest alumna, Leslie Greentree.
WALKING THE LINE; WRITING FOR YOUNG READERS—YA AND CHILDREN'S LIT
1:00-2:00pm
What are the guidelines for writing children's books? How about the key differences between a middle grade and a YA novel? Or just what, exactly, appeals to teen readers and how do you tailor your writing and market it to them? This panel of published children's authors will provide you with some valuable insight into the realm of children's literature. Featuring Children's Authors: Glen Huser, Judith Graves and Hazel Hutchins. Moderated by Dianne Linden.
WRITERS AND THE SOCIAL NETWORK: TWITTER, FACEBOOK & BLOGS, OH MY!
2:15-3:15pm
Applicable to all writers of all genres! What is social networking? Do I really have to have an online presence as a writer? Why? Are these mediums really that important to my career? How will using social media expand my readership? Can I generate revenue from a blog? An interactive workshop with social networking guru, Shannon Bowen-Kelsick.
SCREENWRITING—TAKE ONE! WITH GEO TAKACH
2:15-3:15pm
Ever wonder how your writing would play onscreen? Discover seven essential ingredients of a successful screenplay, and ways to deploy your wonderful words on a visual canvas. Come away with some inspiration and a nifty list of resources. Warning: this presentation may contain the words "art" and "money" in the same sentence!
ON TRUTH, GENRE CROSSOVER
3:30-4:30pm
A discussion of "truth" as it applies to nonfiction, poetry, fiction and drama. How can writers develop, strengthen and stay true to their intended voice, idea and style? Featuring: Incoming CPL Writer-in-Residence, Naomi Lewis; playwright and author, Clem Martini, novelist Suzette Mayr and nonfiction author Myrna Kostash. Moderated by author Peter Oliva.
GETTING PUBLISHED; A WORKSHOP WITH FREEHAND BOOKS
3:30-4:30pm
This workshop covers manuscript development, agents, selecting an appropriate publisher, assembling a submission package, cover letters, the consideration process (both general and specific to Freehand), working with an editor, the production process, marketing and timelines (festivals, reading series, media pitches, review mailings, etc.) and what YOU can do to help your publicist later (websites, social media, contact lists). Featuring Managing Editor, Sarah Ivany and Acquiring Editor, Robyn Read
SPEED NETWORKING (CONCURRENT TO BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1:00—5:00PM)
Meet the industry insiders who can help you with specific publishing and/or copyright questions. Please sign up for your chosen networking slot—a time limit of 15 minutes per chat will be allotted. Networkers include: Dustin Smith (Publisher for Recliner Books), Debbie Elicksen (self-publishing expert), Wayne Logan (Entertainment & Copyright Lawyer, Field Law), Lynn Fraser & Micheline Maylor (Editors for Freefall Magazine), Susan Toy (Promotions/Alberta Books Canada), Rachel Small (Faultless Finish Editing), and Lyn Cadence (Frontenac House).
AUTHOR HEADSHOT PHOTOS (1-5:00pm) If you're looking for a headshot picture to be used in portfolios, events, websites, promotional material or for your forthcoming book, these are the people you want to see. ArtLine Photography professionals will be on hand snapping fabulous portraits for $80—this includes the session fee and your choice of one retouched photo (not chosen at the session), with three digital images to choose from. Please sign up before conference.
ALBERTA LITERARY AWARDS GALA
6:00–11:00 pm
Don your best attire and get ready to kick up your heals at this year's 29th annual Alberta Literary Awards presentation. Come socialize, enjoy a delicious meal, listen to an engaging speaker and watch the awards presentations. Oh what a night it will be! Please Check our website (link above) for more details.
SUNDAY SESSIONS (W.R. CASTELL CENTRAL LIBRARY)
