There’s a lot of knowledge to be gained in a non-threatening and convivial atmosphere.
Presented by the Shuswap Association of Writers, Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival creates a new chapter May 15 to 17 with sessions that include both skill-development workshops and open forums in an intimate setting.
The highly successful annual event kicks off with the Word on the Lake Coffee House from 7 to 11 p.m. May 15 at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort and is open to the public.
Following an early morning keynote address May 16 by mystery writer Gail Bowen, local publisher Louise Wallace Richmond will present a workshop on publishing at 9:15.
Wallace Richmond is a graduate of Simon Fraser University’s master of publishing program.
She is building a publishing house, Playfort Publishing, from the ground up, DIY- style.
In the same time slot, award-winning singer/songwriter Gary Fjellgaard presents Flash of Inspiration? Then What?
A champion of vanishing values and the frontier spirit, heritage, cattle drives, wagon treks and working folks with ties to the land have all been an inspiration for the lyrical imagery in his songs.
Also presenting at 9:15 a.m., freelance fiction editor and award-winning author of three popular craft-of-writing guides, Jodie Renner presents Spark Up Your Story – Adding Tension, Suspense and Intrigue.
The last of the 9:15 time slots will be occupied by prolific author Brian Brett. Former chair of the Writers’ Union of Canada and a journalist for four decades, the author is best known as a poet, memoir writer, and fictionist. His workshop is Voice – The Word From the Cave to the Page to the Stage.
At 11 a.m., Grant Lawrence, a leading voice in Canadian arts and entertainment, bestselling author and popular CBC personality, presents an informative and fun workshop – The Story: Tips, tricks and trade secrets on writing your best story possible.
Also at 11, Kelsey Attard, managing editor of Freehand Books, an imprint of Broadview Press, presents Writers Toolkit: Getting Published. Freehand, located in Calgary, publishes literary fiction, short stories and creative non-fiction.
Four afternoon sessions begin at 1:45 with Charles de Lint, author of more than 70 adult, young adult and children’s books. Renowned as one of the trailblazers of the modern fantasy genre, de Lint presents Creative Spirit – How to Stay Motivated, On Track and Get to the Finish.
Sharing the time slot, author Anne DeGrace brings Misery And Joy! – Loves Company, a workshop about writing groups.
One of Canada’s best mystery writers, Gail Bowen’s workshop addresses Ten Steps to Getting Your Manuscript Out of the Bottom Drawer and Onto Your Publisher’s Desk.
The fourth of the 1:45 p.m. presenters is Norma Charles, a writer of many children’s books and former teacher and teacher/librarian.
Writing Dynamic Scenes in Fiction is her workshop, something she calls the most powerful tool in writing.
The Kidswrite Awards Ceremony takes place at 3:30 p.m. as does a panel discussion entitled The Ever Changing World of Publishing, led by Andrew Chesham, an instructor in the Creative Writing program at SFU Continuing Studies.
Grant Lawrence repeats his 11 a.m. workshop at 3:30 and, in another room, award-winning, multi-genre writer Kathryn Para presents The Building Blocks of Story.
An hourlong book-signing session at 5 p.m. will be followed by the Saturday Night Banquet and Entertainment.
The festival picks up again Sunday at Okanagan College, with an 8:30 a.m. coffee and social time in the cafeteria, followed by A Conversation with Charles (de Lint) and his wife Mary Ann Harris, a multi-media artist, musician and vintage fashion entrepreneur.
From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., arts columnist Harold Rhenisch offers Beyond First Person: Point of View in Nonfiction. Rhenisch has given many lectures on poetry at UBC and Simon Fraser University.
Several presenters offer their workshops for a second time on Sunday – Gail Bowen, Kathryn Para, Norma Charles, Anne deGrace, Jodie Renner and Kelsey Attard.
Co-founder of Tyche Books, Margaret Curelas writes and edits fantasy and science fiction and has published 17 books from a wide range of authors. She will take part in the Friday evening coffee house and the Saturday afternoon panel session.
To register or for more information on the festival, the presenters and more, visit wordonthelakewritersfestival.com.
