Tag: conferences

Upcoming Writing Events in Metro Vancouver

golden-ears-writers-2018Fall is one of the most energizing times of the year for me. There are many terrific events to attend…book launches, conferences, workshops, readings, book clubs, and so on. It would be impossible to list everything happening in this blog, but if you live in Metro Vancouver, take a look at the Events listings from the Federation of BC Writers HERE.

One of their listings is for the Golden Ears Writers & Readers Festival on Sun., Sept. 30 from 10:00 – 3:00 p.m. There will be workshops, speakers, a blue pencil café, the Great Canadian Literature Tea, and of course books for sale. I’m delighted to be part of the blue pencil team again this year. It’s a fun event held in Maple Ridge at The ACT Arts Centre, 11944 Haney Place in Maple. Check out their Face book page for more info HERE.

The annual WORD Vancouver festival is back from Sept. 26 – 30 (the main event is on the 30th) This celebration of literary and reading will feature many author readings, bookselling tables, workshops, panels, and all kinds of fun stuff. It’s a free, family-friendly event that’s held both outdoor and indoors down at and around Vancouver’s main public library on Georgia St. Crime Writers of Canada will have a table there as usual, and what I’m sure will be a lively panel discussion about crime writing. You can learn more about the festival HERE

The annual Vancouver Writers Fest is also back with another lineup of big-name authors that include Ian Rankin, Jodi Picoult, and Miriam Toews. The festival runs from October 15 – 21st and some of the tickets are already sold out, but there are still plenty of terrific authors to see. The events are set at different locations in Vancouver, so check out their website HERE.

So get out there and have fun!

#amblogging: Writing in Isolation? Attend an Event!

Those of you who’ve been writing a while know how lonely it can be. You can feel like you’re living in a strange void with no clear end in sight. Even if you’re surrounded with great how-to books and support from friends and/or family, it’s a tough haul at times.

Over thirty years of writing has taught me the value of stepping out of my fictional world to attend events and network with others. Autumn is an incredibly busy time and there are many opportunities for workshops, conferences, festivals, library readings, and book signings, so pick a few and get out there if you can.

For those who live here in the Metro Vancouver area, there are a number of great events happening this fall, but to keep this blog short, I’ll focus on just three of the big ones. First up:

Word LogoWORD Vancouver, Reading & Literacy Festival, from Sep. 19-24. The big day is Sunday, Sept. 24 when magazine editors, publishers, authors, illustrators, organizations, and non-profit groups all gather at, and around, the main library on Georgia Street. There will be plenty of handouts, people to talk to, readings, panel discussions, and so forth. This free event also offers musical entertainment, face painting, and all sorts of fun stuff.

I’ll be taking part in a panel discussion called “Mysteries Set in BC” – Local Authors, Local Settings,  at Perspective Point from 4:10 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday the 24th. You can find more info about the festival at https://www.wordvancouver.ca

The second is the Surrey International Writers Conference from Oct. 17 – 22 at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel in Surrey, British Columbia. Authors, agents, and editors from all over the world attend this friendly, informal event. This is a writers’ conference rather than a fan-based conference. I’ve attended five times and always learn something new. For more information visit, https://www.siwc.ca/ You don’t need to register for the entire conference, but can do only one day if you live nearby.

Third is the Vancouver Writers Fest from Oct. 16 – 22nd on Granville Island in Vancouver. This event boats over 110 authors and 95 events. They have some really big author names appearing this year, and there is a fee. Check out their website at http://writersfest.bc.ca/ for more information. It’s going to be a fun fall!