Hello!

 

This email is for everyone, whether or not you're attending this year's conference. Please feel free to forward it to anyone who might be interested. 

 

It's October, and the most wonderful time of the year for all of us here at SiWC Central. We're less than 3 short weeks from this year's conference, the leaves are turning glorious colours, and right now I can hear rain falling on my roof. What more could anyone want? How about contests and education and signing events with awesome people? We've got you! Read on.

 

 

If you're not attending an SiWC Thursday evening master class on October 19, we have something wonderful for your calendar: a reading and signing event hosted by our independent bookstore, Western Sky Books, in partnership with The Royal City Literary Arts Society. Come hear and get your books signed by Diana Gabaldon, Sonali Dev, and Renée Sarojini Saklikar from 7-9pm on October 19 at the #iheartNewWest Community Art Space at Unit 103-78 10th Street, Columbia Plaza Square, New Westminster.

 

 

 

Just a reminder that pre-conference registration for SiWC 2023 closes at noon on Wednesday, October 11. For new registrations, go to https://www.siwc.ca/registration/. To upgrade your existing registration or add master classes, please email Kim at registration@siwc.ca.

 

 

We're delighted to announce the winners of our scholarships for adult writers from underrepresented groups. Congratulations to all!

 

 

 

 

 

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This summer SiWC started an endowment benefitting school-age writers in Surrey. 

 

Called the Surrey International Writers' Conference Fund, it will provide workshops and educational opportunities to young writers entering the annual Surrey Youth Writing Contest put on by the Surrey Libraries.

 

We have the goal to raise enough money so ALL the winners and finalists can attend the entire Surrey International Writers' Conference. Our goal is to raise $100,000, which is only half the amount someone gets if they win RuPaul's Drag Race. We can do it!

 

Make a tax-deductible gift to the Surrey International Writers' Conference Fund at the Vancouver Foundation.

 

 

EVENT Magazine's Creative Non-Fiction contest closes Sunday, October 15. It has $3000 in total prizes. The judge is Omar Mouallem. Don't miss the deadline! Enter your CNF at EVENT Magazine.

 

 

The Writer's Studio at Simon Fraser University is our Classic Sponsor and partner this year. TWS is a year-long online and in-person program (you decide) that offers workshops in fiction, nonfiction, YA/speculative fiction, and poetry.

 

The program offers community, life-long writing pals, and an environment to grow as an author. Kind of like SiWC, which is why we love them.

 

There are SiWC board members (ahem, I'm the non-fic mentor), volunteers, presenters and attendees who teach, attend or have graduated from TWS, so if you want to know more, you won't have to look far. They're sponsoring SiWC Saturday night owl event for attendees this year, TYPEWRITER TAKEOVER.

 

October 31 is the deadline to apply for the January 2024 program, which combines online learning with in-person classes at SFU's downtown Vancouver campus.

 

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That's it from JJ for this time around, and from me, too. 

 

More soon!

 

Kathy

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Surrey International Writers' Conference Society
Suite #544 | 151-10090 152nd St | Surrey BC V3R 8X8 | Canada