Registration

Write! Canada 2008, June 12 to 14

New! Late Fee Waived for Write! Canada Registration

Attention all procrastinators! Because some people will learn about Write! Canada for the first time during the 100 Huntley Street airing on June 4, we want to give them an opportunity to register for the conference. Therefore, we have waived the late fee that was scheduled to go into effect for registrations on or after June 1.

Online registration for Write! Canada is now closed;

"Walk-in" registrations accepted on-site

Spaces are still available at the conference, but online registration has closed so you need to come as a "walk-in" registrant. Please e-mail the registrar to inform us that you plan to come; provide your name, e-mail address, mailing address and telephone contact information. Inform us if you would like to obtain on-site accommodation (subject to availability at time of arrival).

Arrive at the Guelph Bible Conference Grounds and register in person. Registration runs from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday June 12. If you need to arrive later, go to the Gymnasium and inform a Write! Canada staff member that you want to register.

Meals are no longer available. The registration fee is $300 plus GST (total $315), including all classes and coffee breaks, without meals. Pay upon arrival by cash, cheque or major credit card. You will need to bring bag lunches (refrigerator and microwave available in Lounge), or you can drive to the nearby Tim Hortons or other restaurants.

If you need to reach a Write! Canada staff person with an urgent question about registration, telephone the following numbers (all times listed are for Ontario time zone EDST):

Monday June 9 and Tuesday June 10 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 9 p.m., phone 519-886-4196 and ask for Jeanette.

Wednesday June 11 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., phone 519-942-2896 and ask for Jayne.

Thursday June 12 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., phone 519-943-2896 and ask for Jayne.

Accommodation Update

Limited on-site accommodation is available, in the Cabin category (bedding supplied) and in the Dormitory category (bring your own bedding). Inn category is sold out. You must book for both Thursday and Friday nights. We recommend that you bring bedding in case only Dormitory category has spaces remaining.

Continuing Class 3 Romance Writing Intensive

Update of previous announcement: the class with Carolyne Aarsen now has several places open. Please register online and send your manuscript immediately.

Continuing Class 5 Screenwriting Intensive with Kevin Miller

This class has been opened to registrants who do not have an excerpt from a completed screenplay to submit. As an alternative, you may submit a one-page outline of a screenplay idea; follow the manuscript submission procedure.

C4 and D4 Writing for Documentaries, Parts 1 & 2 with instructor Marjonneke Grech.

To clarify, this two-part workshop is open to any Write! Canada registrant, and is not restricted to people who registered for the screenwriting continuing class. This class will give you the tools to write non-fiction video scripts, a marketable job skill for corporations, not-for-profits, mission agencies and churches.

E5 Discover Alternative Markets: Writing for Radio, Music Ezines, Missions and New Media

Don't miss this opportunity to find out what work is available for writers and editors from six seasoned Canadian Christian radio and new media professionals.

Professional Photographer Portrait Service

Do you need a professional photo of yourself for your Web site, to submit to media outlets, or to use in your promotional materials? A professional photographer will be available at Write! Canada to take digital photos that will be given to you on a CD at the end of the conference. View the photographer's work at www.clickrphotography.com. The fee for this service is $20.00 cash. Sign up for a 10 minute photo session on Thursday or Friday evening between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Space is limited, so sign up ahead to ensure you get an appointment. Contact Jan at thewordguild@sympatico.ca

New! Visit Creation Studios' booth to get free Web site set-up, a $100 value.

Check-in

Registration runs from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday June 12; the first class starts at 2:00 p.m. Lunch is NOT available on-site before registration; eat early or bring a bag lunch. To allow us time to get ready for you, please do not arrive before 12 noon. (If your air flight or other long-distance travel arrangements will require early arrival, please notify the registrar in advance.)

Location

Guelph Bible Conference Centre, 485 Waterloo Avenue, Guelph, Ont. One hour drive from Toronto airport.

Fees

Registration fee of $359 includes all sessions, all meals, coffee breaks. Accommodation is extra. No partial registration available. Cancellations possible until June 1, but $50 administration fee is non-refundable. No refunds for cancellations made after June 1.

Fees are in Canadian dollars. You can pay with a U.S. (or any) credit card when registering online. If you don't want to pay online, please contact the registrar for the current exchange rate before sending your payment by cheque.

Save up to $60!

Get $20 off for each of the following conditions, as many as apply to you:

If you register before April 30
If you are a member of The Word Guild
If you are a full-time high school or college/university student

If you are not yet a member of The Word Guild, you may apply for membership at the same time as you register for Write! Canada in order to obtain the member discount. Write a note to the conference registrar informing her that you have mailed your membership application form and membership fee cheque.

Group rate

Contact registrar for information. The group rate is available to missions, churches, Christian publications and not-for-profit organizations who will pay the costs to send three or more staff members for professional development. It is not available to writers' groups or church groups.

Want to send someone else? Contact us to purchase gift certificates.

Bursaries

Bursaries may be available for those who demonstrate financial need and a serious commitment to writing. Before requesting a bursary, please inquire if your church would help you develop your talent for writing by giving you financial assistance to attend the conference. Apply early, including (1) a letter outlining why a bursary is needed, what amount you could afford to pay, what you hope to gain from the conference, and which classes you would like to attend and why; (2) a 2-3 page sample of your writing; and (3) a letter of reference from your pastor or another writer/editor. Send these to the registrar. The bursary committee will review your application and contact you.

Choosing classes/workshops

Most of our continuing classes and workshops fit into one of six learning tracks covering specific topics or experience levels. If you are an aspiring or beginning writer, the continuing class (1) and the workshops numbered 1 (i.e., C1, D1, E1) are especially for you. If you are specifically interested in fiction, look at the continuing classes (2) and (3) and workshops C2, D2, E2. The other tracks cover (4) intermediate/advanced non-fiction; (5) screenwriting (6) advanced/professional non-fiction; (7) author development. You may mix and match your choices, and do not have to keep to any one track (unless the class specifies certain requirements). Please choose carefully.

Note: This year, all classes are open to attendees at all experience levels, except the continuing class for author development. This class is reserved for advanced writers with a published or contracted book, a book nearing completion, or an agent.

How to contact us

Your registration package will be sent to you after your registration is processed, and will include all necessary information about location, transportation, schedule, etc.

If you still have questions about the conference, contact The Word Guild's administrative assistant Jeanette Duncan at 519–886-4196 from Monday through Friday until 8:00 p.m. EST. She will refer the questions to the appropriate person.

On-site accommodation

Spaces are limited in all categories; most spaces available in Dormitories. On the registration form, please indicate a first and second choice. Note that all prices are for TWO nights.

Lodge (Century House). Not air-conditioned. Single beds or bunks. 2 to 5 per room. Shared bathroom. Linens provided. Upstairs. $115.
Lodge (Century House). Same as above. Bed or lower bunk. Downstairs $125.
Dormitory. Large modern room. Air-conditioned. 5 - 10. people. Two ensuite bathrooms. Bring your own bedding (sleeping bag or sheets, pillow, towel). Upper bunk. $115.
Same as #3 above. Lower bunk. $125.
Cabin. Not air-conditioned. Bunks or double beds. 2 to 4 per room. Ensuite bathroom. Linens provided. Upper Bunk $142.
Same as #5 above. Bed or lower bunk $147.
Inn. Air-conditioned. Double beds. 2 per room. Ensuite bathroom. Linens provided. $170.

On-site accommodation must be booked for both nights. If physical disabilities make walking or climbing stairs difficult, choose category #4 or # 7 for easier accessibility. Contact registrar if you require a wheelchair-accessible room. There are three available.

Off-site accommodation

Make your own reservations and transportation arrangements.

Holiday Inn Guelph: A five-minute drive from the conference centre, Holiday Inn Guelph is located next to Stone Road Shopping Mall. Address: 601 Scottsdale Drive, Guelph, ON N1G 3E7. For reservations, phone 519-836-0231 or email ISmail:guestservices%holidayinnguelph.ca. Reserve by May 29, 2008 and mention Write! Canada and the code DOG to receive our group rate ($120.99 plus 10% tax). This rate is for one or two people in one standard room. Rooms have high-speed Internet access, are non-smoking, some with queen and pull out twin couch, some with two double beds. Onsite facilities include: indoor pool and full service restaurant and lounge. Parking is free at the hotel. Please check out www.higuelph.ca

Travelodge Guelph: Also a five-minute drive from the conference centre, Travelodge is located in downtown Guelph near the bus and train stations. Address: 106 Carden Street, Guelph, ON N1H 3A3. For reservations, phone 519-836-1331 or 1-866-627-1331 or email ISmail:dawnnewilson%yahoo.ca by May 21, 2008. Mention The Word Guild - account #63723 to receive the corporate room rate of one person, one queen bed for $79 a night plus 10% tax or two persons, one queen bed for $89 a night plus 10% tax. Most rooms are non-smoking. Free parking and continental breakfast included. High-speed wireless Internet available in some rooms.

Bed and breakfast homes: See accommodations section at http://guelph.ca/visiting.cfm?smocid=1728.

Airport Shuttle Service

Red Car Service provides transportation from Toronto International Airport (Pearson), Hamilton International Airport (Munroe) or Region of Waterloo Airport to and from Guelph.The Word Guild has arranged with Red Car for Write! Canada attendees to receive a conference discount rate.

Go to the website www.redcarservice.com. Click on the icon: Reservations for Conference Delegates. When you are prompted enter the password write08.

Provide the information requested to complete your reservation at special conference rates. Print a copy of your reservation for your records. Red Car Service will send you a confirmation of your booking within two business days.

Airport arrival information is provided with your reservation.