SiWC Blog
Many people travel and many people write but few take to the level Anthony Dalton has. In addition to being published his adventures have been recognized by both the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club, where he holds the title of Fellow. In this week's episode of the SiWC Soapbox host kcdyer interviews Anthony Dalton. The discussion includes how Anthony was blind-sided by the subject of a biography he was writing, his writing process, and his presentation at the conference.
Check it out: The Soapbox - Ep4: Anthony Dalton
On Monday I published kc dyer's interview with Bernice Lever in Episode 3 of the SiWC Soapbox podcast. Recorded at the 5th Annual Summer Dream Literary Arts Festival, I also caught Bernice on video giving a reading from her book, Yet Woman I Am (kc and Bernice talked about the reading in their discussion). We're pleased Bernice has given us permission to publish her reading here.
Bernice Lever's SiWC Biography Page: http://www.siwc.ca/speaker/2008/bernice-lever
Websites: Colour of Words:...
I'm thinking this might be a bit of coals to Newcastle, but... just a reminder that the answers to many questions regarding the conference can be found by reading through the website, back copies of the newsletter and this very blog. Summer's end is drawing nigh and in the perverse Canadian way, as the weather chills, things are heating up around SiWC central. If something puzzles you, have a peek through our blog and newsletter archives to see if we've answered your question. And if you can't find the answer -- fire your question at me, and I'll do my best to get to the bottom of things for you. You can get me through the Contact Page on the website or by emailing...
A pause from the dog* days of summer, here, to bring you up to date on a couple of faculty changes we have experienced over the past little while.
I'm sorry to say that agent Carolyn Swayze and editor Paula Eykelhof will be unable to attend our conference this fall. They both have sent apologies -- and a replacement, so the good news is our schedule will remain unaffected. Kris Rothstein will be standing in Carolyn's stead as the representative from the Swayze Literary Agency. And Valerie Gray will be coming to us from Harlequin. If you have already booked a pitch appointment with...
James McCann recently spoke at Vancouver's Summer Dream Literary Arts Festival and I was there to catch him on video (and in turn was caught on film by kc: Summer Dream Redux)!
James speaks on the techniques he uses to create his stories drawing from his past and real world items to create new characters and landscapes. Most fascinating for me is how he "riffs" off occurrences in his daily life. Instead of getting pissed off that his cover artist used a $30,000 guitar his main character couldn't think of owning he was inspired to find a way of including it in the story.
If you have trouble viewing the video here, it's also...
The SiWC Soap Box Podcast takes to the air again today, with YA author and SiWC presenter James McCann standing on the Soap Box. James talks about his inspiration as a writer, and about what people might expect who plan to attend his Master Class (with Lee Edward Fodi) or one of his other workshops at SiWC 2008. Hope you enjoy the interview...you can find it here on our Podcast Page.
~kc
also blogging as leftwriter
...and long-term favourite of this conference Diana Gabaldon just gave our Writing Contest a mention on her blog The Voyage of the Artemis. Diana and Jack Whyte got together several years ago to sponsor the fiction element of our writing contest, now called The Storyteller's Award. Not only do they sponsor this element of the contest, but they also judge the entries. We continue to be thrilled and honoured by their generosity to other writers -- a huge part of the spirit that keeps our conference alive from year to year.
Thank you to both Diana and Jack for their contributions -- and to our other roster of wonderful judges (Lois Peterson...
Here's another -- this one for personal essay....
Call for Submissions First Person Narrative National Essay Contest Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives This Year’s Topic ~ Once I Was A Child Essay Length ~ 2000-2500 words. 1st prize $500.00 2nd prize $300.00 3rd prize $200.00 With a special prize of $100.00 for Best Under Nineteen Prizewinning essays to be selected by award winning author and Giller Prize nominee Wayson Choy and by Sarah Sheard writer and mentor with Humber School For Writers Extended Submission Due Date ~ September 30, 2008 Prize Winners announced ~ December 15, 2008 Entries should be previously unpublished, typed, single-sided, and double-spaced with your name, address, telephone number and story title on a separate sheet. Parent/...
Have you submitted your SiWC Writing Contest entry yet?
~kc
also blogging as leftwriter
Hi Gang,
Yes indeedy, we just sent out the latest newsletter, and already I have a few ideas for new blog posts coming your way.
Firstly, if you plan to make your way to SiWC 2008 by public transit, take a good close look at this site: Translink Trip Planner.
This site will help you find your way around the Lower Mainland with as much ease as our local transit can offer, and usually give you a few choices along the way. I just had an email from an attendee making the trip from Vancouver Island, and I was able to give her bus and skytrain...
