This little gem is where you get to bring 3 pages of your best work (double-spaced), and have it critiqued on-the-spot by whomever you've chosen from the drop-down list. You will have 15 minutes to chat about your work, or to ask questions about the knottiest problems you're facing. Just remember, take the information and filter it through your own screen ~ you are the author and the decisions are yours. This is a wonderful opportunity to have a writing professional look at your work and give unbiased feedback ~ you can't beat it!

While we're sitting eating dinner at Saturday night's banquet. We're so thrilled with the way everything is going, we can't help ourselves.

Location: Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel 15269 104 Ave, Surrey, BC. 2010 Dates: October 22-24, Master Classes on the 21st, 2010.

Our pre-booking system is changing this year. Stay tuned to the website blog and mailing list for further details. Additional appointments may be made at the conference, subject to availability.

All one-on-one appointments take place during workshop session blocks. As spots fill up very quickly, and appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, we strongly recommend that you list more than one choice.

This is your 10-minute opportunity to sell your work (and yourself). If you're unsure how to do this, try to take one of the Pitching workshops before your appointment. Most editors and agents don't want to see your material unless they ask for it. It doesn't hurt to have it (say, your first 30 pages double-spaced) handy somewhere, just in case they do. The focus though, in this very fast 10 minutes, is to verbally pitch your story/piece. Know what questions you want to ask before you get there. Be specific about your pitching and your questions. This is your chance to hear what you need to hear. Listen carefully. Don't forget to be enthusiastic and leave the butterflies at the door ~ we have a jar for them.

No, we are happy to be able to offer them as part of your registration fee.

This is part of your registration process, just follow it through and you can select the editor or agent of your choice. If you are only coming for one day, note that not all editors/agents will be available on that day. You must register for a day of the Conference, or more, in order to be eligible for these appointments.

Very few workshops have adult content, but if your youngster has your approval to attend, we're fine with it. We're here for writers...we don't care what their age is!

That would depend on your interests. Typically Saturday is the most fun-packed day and you will want to ask at the conference if there are any banquet tickets available so you don’t miss the keynote. Otherwise, take a look at our workshop selections and pick the day that most interests you.

Your contact person is Camille Netherton and you may reach her at c.netherton at siwc.ca.

That's the beauty of this Conference. We're all in it together. We have a terrific Genre lunch where you won't know until the last minute who the 'Honoured Guest' at your table is going to be, plus you rub shoulders with everyone. In the elevators, in the hallways, over drinks in the lounge...make your own connections.

Yes. Each year we offer a selection of logo’d merchandise for sale during the conference, we find new items every year so there is always at least one new product to check out.

We're working on that one.

Please contact the Registration office at 604-587-2302, Monday to Friday, during regular working hours. When summer hours come into effect, the number will change. We'll let you know.

Your contact with the Registration Office is 604-587-2302. Any of the hard-working staff will be glad to assist you.

No, registration costs are for the conference only. You will need to arrange a hotel room separately. The hotel usually offers a deal to conference participants, so make sure to mention that you are part of SiWC when you are booking your room!

Yes, at the Conference when you pick up your package.

Yes. Alert us to your needs so a comfortable space is available for you in the meeting rooms. There are elevators to take you from Parking to the Lobby, and also to the upper floor where the workshops are held.

Your contact is Tara Holt, Principal of Surrey Continuing Education. Please e-mail Tara about your special needs at t.holt at siwc.ca.

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Remember to have a great time -- pace yourself, there's a lot going on! Remember to stay hydrated, drink lots of water, mingle and network with other writers. Find your favourite authors and chat them up. If you are a serious writer, or have ever held the dream of writing, this is the place you should be. This is an investment in your future, and while you're at it, ours, because we all need more books to read!

Stay in the hotel if you possibly can. This gives you the opportunity to rest well before the Conference starts, and rest throughout each day. This is a very intense Conference and you aren't going to want to miss a minute of it travelling from hotel to hotel, especially in the rain. Cat nap and stay alert.

If you stay with us for the three (or four) days, you might develop Conference-lag. This is jet-lag of the brain. Step outside for fresh air whenever you can, drink plenty of water, rest and have hot baths. Get some exercise if you can -- even a brisk walk in the rain will clear the mind and refresh the senses!

You need to be able to answer this question yourself, or we don't let you in. Dress comfortably, and in layers; some rooms are hot, some are cold. The only dressy night is the Saturday Night Banquet, although you're welcome to look terrific at any time.

That's a hard one. I'll give you two. (1) All the time and money you'll save on books and classes and rewriting rewriting rewriting, because you'll learn so much here in 4 days that you'll positively leap ahead; and (2) If you bring a friend and share a room. Not only can you split costs, but you can each go to different workshops and share the notes and handouts. AND you'll have someone to share this wonderful experience with, and that's priceless.

A great way to save a bit of money is to bring a friend and share a room. Not only can you split costs, but you can each go to different workshops and share the notes and handouts. AND you'll have someone to share this wonderful experience with, and that's priceless. You can share rides from and to the airport and you can offer to be a volunteer. We also offer a low-cost no-meal alternative package, but bear in mind that you'll miss the banquets -- often the most entertaining part of the day. Our Conference is the most affordable one its size in the country. We are not-for-profit, which is why we're able to keep the costs low, along with the generous assistance of our many volunteers.

Sandman and Ramada both have hotels a short distance from the Sheraton Guildford. Check their websites for availability, or call the Sandman Inn at 1-800-SANDMAN or the Ramada Inn at 1-888-958-9988.

Some things we can deal with right away. Please bring those to our attention as soon as you can, at the Registration Desk in the hotel lobby, which is always manned. For the other items, please use your evaluation sheet to good effect, or use the website to send your comments in to us. We really want to hear them. Our goal is to make this a wonderful learning experience...you can help us do it! Thank you!

By all means, give us their names and contact numbers, their website if they have one, and background information if you have it. We are careful with whom we select and invite because we are a 'teaching' Conference, and we need people who can 'teach'. We look forward to hearing from you. Use our contact form to send the information.

Your contact at the Trade Fair is Ingrid Roeske. You may reach her at i.roeske at siwc.ca.

Your contact person for the Book Fair is Ingrid Roeske at bookfair at siwc.ca

Of course you can. If a workshop you are attending doesn't meet your needs, feel free to try another. There is just no end to the wonderful things this Conference provides. You are free, at any time, to move from workshop to workshop. People will always be coming and going, for washroom breaks, for editor/agent appointments, or to move to other workshops. We (and the presenters) only ask that you do your moving in and out as quietly as possible.

This is the easy part. You do not register for workshops. Register for a day or the full Conference, whatever you wish to do, and then attend the ones you want. SuperTip: Mark your #1, 2 and 3 choices for each workshop timeslot. If the first one doesn't meet your needs, move on to #2, and so on. Saves time; no losses; and if you enter the next room with a huge smile on your face, someone will think you've sold your book. There is plenty of seating with the exception of one or two Master Classes which may have limits, otherwise, go and have a good time.

The writing contest is open to anyone, anywhere. You do not need to be attending the Conference to submit your work.

We are here for writers of any age, but if you're still using the ball room at McDonald's, you will find this Conference a little overwhelming. We suggest you exhaust the books on writing in your school and local libraries first, and take a class or two in creative writing, then come to us when you reach your teens. You'll get more out of it.

I know what you're really asking. We don't censor. If your parents know you are attending and are okay with you sitting in on any workshop you choose, so are we. They are often the most fun, anyway.

There are workshops that will be geared to young writers (as well as all other writers). They are designed for one day to keep the costs down for you (or your parents) ~ usually the Friday.