Write! Vancouver, a power-packed one-day writers' conference, challenges emerging and experienced writers of all ages to reach for excellence.
VANCOUVER – The second annual Vancouver writers' conference offers a rare opportunity for Christian writers, editors, songwriters, playwrights, and scriptwriters to boost their competence and connections. Write! Vancouver will take place on May 24 and 25, 2013. It is sponsored by The Word Guild, the organization that sponsors Write! Canada and other regional events across the country.
Write! Vancouver features a variety of workshops in the areas of fiction and nonfiction writing, drama, song writing, and poetry. The faculty line-up represents many of the "best in the business."
A special Friday evening soiree added to this year's conference, featuring two of the most creative and thoughtful minds in the country – author and theologian John Stackhouse and publisher/editor Marc Côté – will discuss the topic,"Faithfulness is no excuse for sloth:why God expects excellence." A reception will follow.John is part of the Friday night discussion on Excellence.
Conference director, Beverley Boissery, promises to build on last year's success. "Write! Vancouver provides an intersection point for a diverse community of writers; an accessible opportunity for professional development that offers valuable tools to both beginners and seasoned professionals. Plus, the connections made at the networking sessions are priceless."
Freelance writer and editor Bonnie Way, who attended last year's conference, says, "Write! Vancouver was an inspiring day of learning from talented writers. I enjoyed the chance to connect with local writers as much as to learn more about my craft. In particular, the one-on-one interviews with experienced writers and the chance to get personal feedback for my writing and my writing questions was very valuable. I've been looking forward to this year's conference since last year, and I know it will be even better than before."
Author Jack Taylor agrees. He writes, "Through the teaching, dialogue, and networking I gained real appreciation for the skills of professional writing and understood the story boarding used by successful authors. Encouragement, enlightenment, and empowerment helped me unleash several new novels and I look forward to more stimulation at the 2013 event."
Saturday Speakers and Panelists include:
- Denise Rumble, managing director of The Word Guild, will give the keynote speech and be part of the journaling panel.
- Ken Shigematsu, pastor, 10th Avenue Alliance Church, is part of the "Permission to Write" panel. Ken is also about to publish his first book.
- Ron Reed, playwright and director of Pacific Theatre. Ron will teach "Words Becoming Flesh" and is part of the Permission to Write panel.
- Marnie Wooding, a Zondervan author, story teller, and writer coach for visual media and publishing, will conduct a workshop titled, "Making a Scene," exploring the purpose and structure of a great scene.
- New York Times bestselling author Kathy Tyers also returns to teach a session titled, "Point of View" and to be available for individual critique sessions.
- kc dyer, freelance writer, speaker, and educator, and author of nine young adult books, including the Eagle Glen Trilogy, will participate in the "Permission to Write" panel and the Blue Pencil – individual critique sessions.
- Beverley Boissery – author, editor, teacher, publisher, and scholar will teach the building of a story through the process of deconstructing a nursery rhyme.
- Diane Tucker (BFA in Creative Writing from UBC), will present an extended workshop on poetry, "Unlocking the Poet Within."
- Marilyn Norry, with 30 years' experience in Canadian film and theatre, explores the essentials of memoir writing in her interactive "Writing Mom's Story" workshop (www.mymothersstory.org).
- Tanya Hawke, a copywriter with 25 years' experience in corporate communications presents a repeat of her last year's workshop, "Writer for Hire: The World of Business Communication."
- Novelist Melanie Anastasiou, from St. Alban's, England, returns to co-teach "The Hour Story" and to take part in the panel on journaling.
- Kelita (Haverland), singer, songwriter and five-time Juno nominee will conduct this year's workshop on songwriting, "So You Think You Can Write a Song."
- Jennifer Landels, freelance writer and editor, and Susan Pieters, writer of fiction and creative nonfiction, will join Mel Anastasiou to teach "The Hour Story," a session teaching how to build a story circle, aimed at affirming, supporting and helping one to become a better writer.
- Patti Howard, with more than 30 years of journaling experience, joins the faculty to participate on the journaling panel.
Online registration is now open at www.thewordguild.com/write-
Write! Vancouver will be held on May 25 at Tapestry UBC, located at 3338 Wesbrook Mall on the UBC Campus. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m.
Media: For photos or more information, email the director at writevancouver[at]