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The Word Guild

Write!Events

Write! Saskatoon

This is a writer’s conference with a focus on workshops. Learn about marketing your book, writing for newspapers and magazines, self-editing, fiction writing, poetry and more. This streamlined conference gets you into workshops and gets you the specific information you need to take your writing to the next level.

Songwriters and poets have their own workshops. Freelancers and fiction writers will have an opportunity to talk to Kathleen Gibson or Bonnie Grove about their Work In Progress.

Instead of a key-note speaker, we will instead have a panel discussion:  editors, published authors, marketing experts and freelance writers line up to answer your specific questions about the industry, craft and craziness of writing.

Where and When

Saturday, May 9, 2009, 9:00 AM -4:30 PM. On-site registration opens at 8:30 am. Write! Saskatoon will be held at Louise Street Community Church, 3042 Louise Street, Saskatoon, SK, S7J 3L8.  This facility is east of Market Mall, and is wheelchair accessible.

Workshops

Workshop 1: Writing Fiction 101

Taught by Bonnie Grove.Get behind fiction editor’s closed doors and find out what the fiction market is looking for today. This intensive workshop will get your creative juices flowing – and you will be challenged to take your writing to the next level. Come ready to take furious notes, get mad, write, and be inspired.

Workshop 2: How Not to Turn Off the Editor

Taught by Kathleen Gibson. Thinking of freelancing? Former freelancer for numerous general market publications, and current editor of Saskatchewan’s Prairies North magazine will share some inside tips to give your articles and query letters a toe-up from editorial slush piles. Learn to accurately gauge a publication’s needs, strategic submission times, three faux pas that will turn editors off before they even read your query letter, and how to make them beg for more.

Workshop 3: What Makes a Poem Christian?

Taught by Susan Plett. As Christian artists, we seek to create art that makes a difference in the world. Come for a discussion about the difference sorts of truths we need to tell, and how that translates to the page. 

Workshop 4: Lyrics and Music: Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life

Taught by Colleen Taylor.  Capture the everyday moments into images and themes, which music can carry to a new level. This workshop will look at lyric writing using simple prompts for inspiration and will consider its relationship to music. Prompts can be photos, letters, journals and anything else with special memories attached – or simply the memories themselves. Bring any lyrical ideas and an instrument if you play one.

Workshop 5: So You Want to Write a Book...Everything You Need to Know about Book Publishing

Taught by N. J. Lindquist. You just got a great idea and you know it needs to be a book. Or perhaps other people have told you that you should write the story of your life or a how-to book on what you know. But how do you decide if your idea is really worth all the work and effort of a book? And what do you do next? This workshop will give you an insider's overview of the book publishing industry and help you figure out your next steps.

Workshop 6: One on One with a Professional Editor or Writer

Taught by Kathleen Gibson and Bonnie Grove.  Bring your Work in Progress - speak to Kathleen Gibson or Bonnie Grove about your work.  Get tips and andvice and answers to your questions.  There will also be time for writing.

Workshop 7: Fiction 201 - Elements of Style and Voice

Taught by Bonnie Grove.Great writing is about more than good grammar – discover why Voice is the single most important aspect to develop. Find out what Voice is (and what it isn’t) and how to use it to get your work noticed.

Workshop 8: Word Weeding for Not-so-Dummies

Taught by Kathleen Gibson. Grab the chance to pick up specific editing ‘tools’ from a magazine editor and author who learned to ‘write tight’ while freelancing for the tightest publication around–Reader’s Digest (and others). Put on your thickest skin, and begin to learn what it really takes to shape your non-fiction words into readable, saleable works. Laughter permitted for emotional release.

Workshop 9: Letting the Whole World Know

Taught by N. J. Lindquist. Writing is only one aspect of a writer’s life. By becoming a “professional” writer, one enters the world of publishing, press kits, agents, interviews, reviewers, syndication, speaking appearances, critiquing, and judging others. Nancy shares what she has learned as a magazine editor, freelance writer, columnist, book author, publisher, editor and speaker.

 

Faculty

Kathleen Gibson

Author, columnist, and editor Kathleen Gibson’s words have appeared in numerous publications and media outlets, including Readers Digest, Homemaker’s magazine, and CBC Radio. She is currently the editor at Prairies North magazine, and author of the recently released West Nile Diary, (BPS Books, Toronto).Find out more at her website, www.kathleengibson.ca

Bonnie Grove

Bonnie Grove – Saskatchewan writer and author of the upcoming novel Talking to the Dead (David C. Cook), Bonnie writes for both the fiction and non-fiction markets. She’s currently contracted to David C. Cook for multiple books.

 

 N. J. Lindquist

N. J. Lindquist is an award-winning Canadian author and columnist, as well as a popular motivational speaker. N. J. is the author of two adult crime novels, five coming-of-age novels for teens, and three discipleship manuals for teens. She is also the editor and publisher of the anthology, Hot Apple Cider. N. J. co-founded The Word Guild in 2002, and has directed Write! Canada since then. Originally from western Canada, N. J., her husband Les, and their four sons have lived in Markham, Ontario since 1986.

Susan Plett

Susan Plett writes poetry and prose from her home in Calgary, Alberta, that she shares with a small dog, two medium-sized children, and an adult-sized husband. She has been published in numerous periodicals, and her first book, Nerve Endings, a collection of poetry, is currently seeking a publisher. 

Colleen Taylor

Colleen Taylor is a prairie soul with a heart for the world. She grew up on a farm in southeast Saskatchewan, but has lived, traveled, and worked internationally. Colleen's ministry is called "Siretona," which means "Sing Release To Nations." Through Siretona, Colleen sings and speaks freedom to nations and generations. Her music and writing tell poignant stories, lament injustice, call for change, and celebrate the gifts in life. Special projects raise funds for needs around the world.

 

Registration

Download Registration Form. To register, send cheque with registration form to: Write!Saskatoon, Louise Street Community Church, 3042 Louise Street, Saskatoon, SK S7J 3L8. Please make cheque out to The Word Guild.

Fees:

Registration fee $79.95 (+ GST).

Discounts:
$10.00 Early Bird Discount until April 10, 2009.
$10.00 Discount for member of The Word Guild.
$10.00 Discount for full-time students.

Please add 5% GST to subtotal.

Registration includes: Light lunch, snacks, coffee and other hot drinks.Books on writing, and local writers’ books and speakers’ books for sale.

Registration at the door will be available; however, lunch will not be included for at-door registrations.

Refunds for cancellations will be available until April 15, minus a $25 administration fee.  After May 1, no refunds are possible.