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.

New books galore this winter from members of our SiWC family. Here are just a few examples:

Michael Slade, long-time friend of the SiWC, has a new book out just in time to give you something to read on dark January nights, or maybe between periods of Olympic hockey or while the Zambonis clear the ice during the speed skating heats. Red Snow tackles the idea of a terrorist attack during the winter games. Check out the details here: http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/15382--new-mystery-novel-focuses-on-possible-terror-attack-during-2010-games

2009 presenter Carol Mason has just revealed the cover of her new book, due out in February, and bound to sit on a totally different shelf from Slade's. The Love Market explores love and choices, divorce and first love. Information here: http://www.carolmasonbooks.com/carolmasonbooks.com/The_Love_Market.html

And our own Diana Gabaldon and co-writer Sam Sykes have a story in the anthology The Dragon Book, which she describes here: http://voyagesoftheartemis.blogspot.com/2009/12/dragon-book.html

Are you an SiWC attendee with good news to share? Post it here in the comments or email me at kathychung at siwc.ca. We'd love to hear about it!

Recently had an email from presenter, agent Sharlene Martin. She reports:

I signed TWO clients from the SIWC---Bliss Goldstein and Christine Myers—both coincidentally from Bellingham, WA and both alumni of Stanford University! 

Congratulations to both Bliss and Christine -- how exciting! We'll watch your progress with interest as you [and your agent] reach for the stars!

~kc

also blogging as 

sweetly tweeting @kcdyer & @SiWCtweets