Aboriginal Members Focus Group (Facilitated by Carol Vandale from the Aboriginal Literacy Network) As an inclusive Guild we are always seeking input on what sort of programming our members are looking for—and we are especially interested in developing more programs that welcome and include our Aboriginal members. Come out and let us know what sort of programs, events, and adventures you’d like to see the Guild support. Let’s get the conversation rolling. 6:30–7:30 p.m. tion
Social—Member Recep-
A reception kicks off the evening. Light refreshments and snacks will be offered; there will also be a cash bar. A great place for members old and new to mix and mingle. 7:30–9:00 p.m. Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture (Don McKay) Renowned poet Don McKay once said, “Poetry—any poetry—is always political and subversive because it uses language, our foremost technological tool, against its powers of mastery and control. In poetry, language discovers its eros. In poetry, language is always a singer as well as a thinker, a lover as well as an engineer. Language delights in its own being as though it were an otter or a raven and not just the vice president in charge of making sense.” Come and hear what Don has to say in this year’s Caroline Heath Lecture. 9:00–11:00 p.m. Post-Lecture Reception and Open Mic
ask questions, and provide suggestions on the direction of the Guild. We’re all in this together. 10:45–11:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions Creative Freefall: Creating Characters Who Drive Plot (Kenneth T. Williams) We all know that great stories are driven by OUTSTANDING characters. Award-winning playwright Kenneth T. Williams will delight and dazzle you with this one-hour workshop that will help you hone your skills in creating dynamic characters that will grab your audience by the scruff of the neck, steering the action of your play, short story or novel. Drive in and get to work! OR Changes in Publishing (Wes Funk, Geoffrey Ursell and Karon Schmon) Are you ready to publish? Need to find out how it all works these days? Join self-published author Wes Funk; Geoffrey Ursell from Coteau Books; and Karon Schmon from Gabriel Dumont Institute publishing as they share their experiences, offer some tips and reveal some trends in the ever changing world of publishing. 12:00–1:15 p.m. Luncheon: Featuring Winners of the Short MS Awards Competition Join us as we celebrate the winners of the Short Manuscript Awards. 1:30–2:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions Writing and the Internet Book (Arthur Slade and Peter Stoicheff)
Mix and mingle with us again at this reception (cash bar). Bring a poem, a word, a line, a small story, your mother’s uncle! Titillate and tingle with some words of your own and others. Infamous host Gerry Hill will help you screw up your courage and share some of your work with us, or just hang out, listen and enjoy.
This one is a two-pronged humdinger of a session. Peter Stoicheff will give us a run-down on the evolution of books from print to Internet book and the future print world for writers. Arthur Slade will focus on how the Internet has changed the way he promotes his work and any trends and changes he’s noticed out there on the cyber expressway. Buckle up as we trek through the past and into the future.
Saturday
OR
9:00–10:30 a.m. (Members Only)
Hot Issues Session
This member-only session provides the opportunity to have a frank and respectful discussion with the Board. This is the time to let your voice be heard—raise issues,
The Sensual Seen Mini-Workshop (Mary Balogh) Tired of keeping your characters clothed? Can they kiss but never make out? Join awardwinning romance writer Mary Balogh for a crash course on writing the erotic scene.
September/October 2010
SWG Freelance
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