We are thrilled to introduce a brand new (to us) presenter for SiWC this year. SiWC regular Donald Maass describes him as an "outstanding teacher". With an endorsement like that, you can see why we're delighted to bring him to you this October.  Meet James Scott Bell.

 JAMES SCOTT BELL is the bestselling author of several thrillers and three craft books for Writer's Digest: Plot & Structure, Revision & Self-Editing and The Art of War for Writers. Formerly fiction columnist for Writer's Digest, Jim has taught the art and craft of the novel at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver. He lives and writes in Los Angeles.

In addition to regular workshops during the conference (check them out on our workshop schedule, especially if you have some experience and are looking to dig deeper), he'll be teaching a master class on Thursday entitled Next Level Fiction. Looking to take your writing a step further? This is a great class for you. Check it out!

Welcome, Jim!

If you've already registered and would like to add the Next Level Fiction master class to your registration, email me at kathychung at siwc dot ca and I'll sort that out for you.

(And don't forget our contest deadline is coming up quickly. Get your entries in by September 10 for a shot at four $1000 prizes and publication in our anthology.)

It's a rainy Saturday night here at SiWC Central, the first time the weather's been anything less than gorgeous and sunny here for weeks, so it's a perfect night for surfing. Tonight's links include a win, an answer, and a free promotional opportunity for writers. Great stuff!

Congratulations to 2010 SiWC presenter Julia Quinn for her third RITA win this past week in Florida for What Happens In London. You can check out all this year's RITA winners here: http://www.rwanational.org/cs/2010_rita_award_winners

Are you thinking about attending SiWC for the first time, but wondering if you're really ready for a writers' conference? You're not alone. It's a question that comes up a lot in my email. Longtime presenter and friend of the conference Jack Whyte has a great answer to that question on his blog (hint: yes, you are!). Check it out here: http://jackwhyte.com/node/754 

Former presenter and SiWC friend Wally Lane offers a brand new way for published authors to promote their books at no charge. Here's Wally in his own words: Just a note to let you and the SIWC know about my new project. I have added a page to our website Belva's List.com (Belva's Book Nook) where I spotlight writers and their books. I post their photo, an imprint of the front cover of their book/books (3 book limit per author), and a link to their website or a website where an interested party can get more info or hopefully buy the book. There is no cost to the writer, this is a free service.

Have you been spotting hints about our Saturday Night Owl event at various places SiWC board members and I pop up around the web? We’re being pretty subtle, I must admit, but keep watching. I think I might just offer a prize to the first person who puts the clues together and solves the mystery. Yes, I think I will. Keep watching and see if you can figure it out before I tell you one of these days… if you think you have it, email me at kathychung at siwc dot ca. I'll post the winning entry - if there is one - here on the blog.

In conference news, we’ve added a title for Jack Whyte’s previously “TBD” master class. If you’ve been waiting to see what he was going to teach before you registered, now’s your chance. In “Le Mot Just”, he’ll delve into the subtle but important idea of rhythm and flow in your use of language. Word choice isn’t just about accuracy, but about the feel and sound of your prose, and that’s a huge part of what creates that unique voice agents and publishers are always on the lookout for. Come explore how to make your prose sing exactly the sort of song you want it to. This class is limited to 20 participants. Space remains, but don’t wait too long!

Another good news story to share! Attendee and former writing contest winner Stasia Kehoe sent us this: “Hi there. Just thought it might be fun to let you know that my book, AUDITION, which won the SIWC Writing for Young People prize as a short story in 2008, will be published as a verse novel by Viking in Spring 2012.” Congratulations, Stasia! We love hearing good news stories from our attendees, so keep them coming.

Ahhh, summer. Grey skies, cool temperatures... oh, wait. Is that the sun I see poking out from behind the clouds? I think it just may be. Or it was, for a minute there. I know some of you are enjoying - or are perhaps even sick of - heat waves and early summers, but here in the Lower Mainland of BC, Mother Nature seems to be toying with us, teasing us with the possibility of summer sunshine and then laughing until she cries when we take off our raincoats. It's perfect writing weather, the sort where you don't really mind being inside looking at a computer screen.

Have you started working on your SiWC writing contest entry yet? The deadline is September 10, but you know how fast summer whizzes by, and that date will be here before you know it. Entries are already welcome, and quite a few have already arrived. Check out the details on our writing contest page : www.siwc.ca/contest/2010

Want to learn something this summer? Our friend Jocelyn at the SFU Summer Publishing Workshops tells me there's still space in many of their summer programs. Looking for a little education in July?  Why not check them out?  They have workshops on all sorts of topics, from romance to humour to thrillers to screenwriting to pitching, publishing, and getting along with an editor.

You can find more information here: http://www.ccsp.sfu.ca/pubworks

And don't forget about the Symposium on the Book where you'll hear from six renowned authors on the subject of writing humour. For the $75 fee you'll also get a copy of each author's book, available for immediate pick up and advance reading!

For more information, contact Suzanne Norman at pubworks@sfu.ca or 778-782-5241.

And, of course, SiWC registration continues all through the summer.