TestimonialsFind out how attending Write! Canada can impact your writing... and your life!
"I loved the Write! Canada 2007 conference. It was delightful to put faces to names from The Word Guild's listserv. I found the sessions packed with valuable information and the conference well organized. I'm looking forward to 2008 to learn even more!"
Donna Fawcett/Donna Dawson
St. Marys, Ont.
Author, Speaker
To read a testimonial about how Write! Canada dramatically impacted one Canadian writer's life, see the blog posted by author Dorene Meyer of Norway House, Manitoba, on February 11, 2008 titled "Learn All You Can" at the TWG Authors Blog.
"Ten minutes after I arrived at the Write! Canada 2006 conference, I was poring over the bios of professionals I only dreamed of meeting one day... book publishers, magazine editors and literary agents who offered 15 minutes of personal face time to conference attendees. All I had to do was pick one and sign up! There were so many, how would I ever choose?
When I asked a volunteer how to select the right person, she asked a few questions about my manuscript and declared, “Oh, you have to see Janet Kobobel Grant, the agent from California. I think your work is a great fit for her!” Talk about qualified volunteers! Janet's agency, Books and Such, offered to represent my memoir and Janet introduced me to the editor of Today's Christian magazine the same day. After he read one of my stories, he agreed to publish it that fall!
Thanks to Write! Canada, I also received a champagne phone call last summer: “Welcome to the Random House family of authors!” Books and Such Agency sold my manuscript to WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House.
The 2006 conference was a life-changing experience for me that wouldn't have happened without the expertise of the organizers and volunteers who care so deeply about our success as writers. I have attended two conferences (2006 and 2007) and will return again to soak in the company of mentors, teachers and fellow writers who dare to use the gift of words to serve."
Margaret Terry
Burlington, Ont.
"Over the course of three years at the Write! Canada conference I met and signed with my agent, met my editors, and subsequently signed a four-book contract with the American royalty publisher, Cook Communications. I can't say enough about how much The Word Guild and Write! Canada have helped me in my writing career. Attending the Write! Canada conference was without a doubt the best decision I have ever made as a writer."
Brad Burke, MD
Windsor, Ont./Metamora, MI
Author of the book series, An MD Examines
www.bradburke.com
"My deepest and most heartfelt thanks for making the conference happen this year (2006). I really feel like this one had the potential to be one of those "significant" turning points in my writing life! I'm excited and eager to apply all I learned. I particularly enjoyed Marshall Shelley's (editorial vice-president of Christianity Today International) continuing classes on journalism skills—and can't wait to start applying some of the many new things I learned… It was wonderful to connect with old friends and colleagues and to meet new ones. I realize it takes months and months and months of work to make this conference happen each year, and to make it run so smoothly. Thanks to each one who contributed his or her time and energies so willingly."
Patricia L. Paddey
Mississauga, Ont.
Freelance writer, communications consultant
"To anyone who abides by the old saw 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks,' I say you didn't go to Write! Canada!!! I'm an old dog (having written for magazines for a couple of decades) and I learned a whole lot of new tricks. It doesn't matter how brief or long your time as a writer, it's a process of constant learning…and thankfully for us, the level of instruction at Write! Canada keeps on improving. Many thanks to those whose hard work behind the scenes made it possible."
Alex Newman
Toronto, Ont.
Freelance writer
"Just back from a great Write! Canada (2006) and want to say thanks to all the people who made it happen. What a well-organized conference, down to the last detail, with super content, including our own N. J. (Nancy) Lindquist, who spoke prophetically and powerfully. I had the privilege of being on a panel moderated by Denyse O'Leary that addressed the question "Should Christian fiction be message driven?" I wish it could have lasted another three hours or more as the participants were most interesting and had differing views."
Deborah Gyapong
Ottawa, Ont.
Winner, Best New Canadian Christian Author Award 2005
Author, The Defilers, journalist, former CBC television producer
www.deborahgyapong.com
"A special dynamic happens at every Write! Canada conference. I'm a veteran now in some senses, with publishing credits passing 65 articles and poems, but there are writers far beyond me in gifting and skill who are encouraging and challenging me, critiquing my work and showing me ways to make it better. There are writers just beginning to respond to this fascinating call. I can encourage and challenge them, showing ways to make their work better. Standing in the middle, reaching both ways, I am part of a chain lifting writing to a higher level, even as I am being lifted. I'm also having the time of my life as it happens. I go home spiritually challenged and encouraged – tired, but uplifted. I also go home committed and equipped to write with greater skill and deeper passion.
Another dynamic, difficult to measure but of incalculable worth, is the behind-the-scenes work, the professionalism of the administration team, and the invisible prayer team who surround the conference in prayer."
Brian Austin
Durham, Ont.
Lover of Poetry, Fiction & Non-Fiction
Author of Laughter & Tears in Trade Paper and Audio CD.
"To all who couldn't be there this time, Write! Canada 2006 was wonderful beyond belief. For me the absolute highlight was N. J. (Nancy) Lindquist's three plenary sessions, "Finding the Courage to Answer God's Call" (you can order them on CD). Nancy shared from her heart her own journey with such vulnerability, honesty and freedom. It was great to put faces to many names, to make new friends and renew connections with old ones. The morning worship sessions were deeply meaningful and joyous…To all the organizers, thank you so very much for going beyond anything anyone could ever ask in order to make this precious time on holy ground, possible. You all truly "laid down your lives" for your friends and we are so very grateful.
…On our return journey, the members of our group The Writers' Nest stopped to have supper and debrief. We had a first-timer with us and when we asked her for her impressions, her eyes filled with tears and she said that she felt that she had stepped through a portal into something vast and she had no idea now what might happen. I'm not doing justice to the depth of emotion or her words. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Belinda Burston
Bond Head, Ont.
Canadian Authors columnist for Maranatha News
www.whateverhesays.blogspot.com
"Amazing, wonderful, a world of its own, Write! Canada can't be compared to anything else. My eyes are blurry but I wrote two articles the day after the conference. I am inspired, energized and ready to 'answer God's call' (the Write! Canada 2006 theme was "Finding the Courage to Answer God's Call"). Nancy, your plenary talk was superb. It spoke right to me. We are in this together. I will do whatever I can to help the 'prophets' of this century. It was wonderful to meet new and old friends."
Jan Cox
Haliburton, Ont.
Writer
"One of the greatest benefits of attending Write! Canada is the opportunity to network. You get a chance to meet with publishers and editors, but even more, you get to sit down with like-minded friends and share your victories and your struggles. There are people who will counsel you, console you, and pray for you. Last year at Write! Canada, I asked for prayer regarding the printing of the redesigned book covers for my first two books. Several times during the conference, I was stopped by people I hadn't even met and asked how the project was going. It was obvious they were taking my concern seriously and were expecting positive results. And when all was said and done, the project was a complete success."
Keith Clemons
Caledon, Ont.
Novelist, speaker
www.clemonsbooks.com
"When a friend asked if I would like to go to The Word Guild Writing Awards Gala in 2006, I knew it was a step I had to take out of the devastation of my preceding few months. I needed not only to go to the Gala, but to attend the Write! Canada conference that followed.
As the weekend progressed, the friendly chatter and instructional seminars were a healing balm to my soul. Gradually, I regained a glimpse of the girl to whom God had given gifts of writing and communication. A gentle hope that I could live again gradually began to surface. Encouragement from the teacher and participants of the small group fiction intensive class stirred my sorrow to blend with possibilities. Meeting new friends and deepening relationships with acquaintances were rich experiences with enduring results."
Diane Roblin-Lee
Port Perry, Ont.
byDesign Media
"Top memory for me would be my first time at Write! Canada (then called God Uses Ink), soaking up the atmosphere and realizing I'd finally found a place where I belonged. I'd been in groups of Christians, and in small groups of writers, but this blend was like coming home. I always feel that I've had two conferences for the price of one at Write! Canada -- professional development and spiritual retreat."
Joanna Mallory
Dartmouth, NS
Writer
"Did you know that, in most cases, if you have been to one of The Word Guild conferences such as Write! Canada and made personal contact with an editor/publisher, there's a free bonus?
Here it is: even for those markets who state "no unsolicited/unagented material accepted" on their website, your proposal or submission will be given consideration if you reference that earlier contact. This applies to all genres, from a brief article, meditation or poem through to a book, fiction or nonfiction. It is not considered to be unsolicited. What a bonus in a highly competitive business!
At the conference, we are strongly encouraged by the editors to submit article ideas -- whether that happens during the teaching sessions or when you just happen to meet an editor in the hall and chat. Both formal and informal opportunities are there -- in sessions, at table, around corners, walking between classes. That's one of the main reasons both writers and publishers are there."
Patricia Anne Elford
Petawawa, Ont.
Chaplain, writer, poet
"At Write! Canada 2005, I met with Ethel Rowntree, editor of the new Canadian magazine Beyond Ordinary Living. She read one of my personal account pieces, told me I was a good writer, but that piece was not a fit for her magazine. We talked for a while and I told her about another piece I had written. She listened intently, then said, "Send it to me." I realized I had that story in my file, so she read it right there.
"Yes," she exclaimed, "this is perfect!" Of course not perfect in the literal sense, but a perfect fit for her magazine.
Today I received the magazine with my story in it -- my first publication!
Next month, the first of three of my devotionals accepted by The Upper Room magazine will be published. I met Jim Stafford, editor of The Upper Room, at Write! Canada 2004. The devotional to be published next month is one of two that he asked me to submit! His workshops were so informative.
I praise God for friends and acquaintances in The Word Guild, what a blessing and encouragement to belong to this group. How I look forward to Write!
Canada 2006!"
Mary Haskett
London, Ont.
Writer
"The day I drove to Guelph for my first writers' conference, I was in the outskirts when I began to have doubts. It was that little voice saying, 'What do you think you're doing here?' But I continued on. I knew no one else, not a soul, but I soon made connections and realized this was where I was meant to be. Nancy Lindquist was one of the first friendly people that I met that afternoon. These people think like me; I feel welcomed and at home.
Each time I have met new people and renewed connections with fellow TWG members. Each time I have taken away valuable information for the unique place where I am. I'm looking forward to June (2006), in spite of a year filled with challenges. I hope to see you there."
Carolyn Wilker
Kitchener, Ont.
Writer, editor
"One of my favourite memories of the conference (then called God Uses Ink) was when my head was spinning and my confidence shot; I sat down with Glynis Belec and she calmed me, inspired me and was extremely patient with all my "stupid" questions. I left our talk feeling like I'd received a warm big hug."
Kimberley Payne
Millbrook, Ont.
Author, columnist
www.kimberleypayne.com
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