Introduction
The Surrey International Writers' Conference is a 3 day event, running from Friday, October 23rd through Sunday October 25th, 2009. Friday and Saturday are full days, and Sunday events wrap-up in the early afternoon.
Pre-Conference Master Classes will be held Thursday October 22nd, 2009. While these classes are organized by the SiWC they are not part of the Conference. Master Classes are presented as an advanced study option and if you choose to, you can sign up for them when you register for the conference.
The conference and all of its events are held at:
Conference Schedule
Scheduling details will be available shortly.
Registration
Most people register for the conference using our secure online system but telephone and mail-in registration are also available. Please see our Registration page for options and prices.
When you arrive at the conference, please go to the registration desk in the front lobby of the hotel to pick up your conference kit and name tag.
Be sure to register in advance as the conference has sold out for the past several years.
Opening Sessions
Each morning a keynote speaker talks about writing and the writing life, announcements are made, and the speakers for the day are introduced. It's a great way to start each conference day and to get a peek at our presenters faces, in case you 'bump into them' later in the hallways (or the bar)!
Workshops
Workshops are on a "first-come" basis ... you can attend any of the workshops on the day or days you are registered. Seating is generally ample although the most popular workshops do fill up quickly. Workshops generally run 1.5 hours; some are split into 2 parts for a total of 3 hours. Sunday workshops are slightly shorter. Don't forget our Nightowl sessions as well.
Editor/Agent Interviews
Various Editors and Agents will be available for 10-minute one-on-one appointments throughout the 3-day conference. Bring your work and be prepared for a short "pitch" of why you should be published or /represented ... or prepare some questions. Appointment(s) are included in your registration fee. List your first choice(s) upon registration. You can make a second appointment at the conference, depending on availability.
If you are only registering for one or two days, be sure to check the details page for each day — not all the people will be available on every day.
Blue Pencil Cafe
Speakers will be available for 15-minute one-on-one appointments throughout the 3-day conference. This is your chance to ask a professional writer some questions. Lots of fun and very informal. For Blue Pencil, bring a maximum of the first three pages of your work (novel, short story, article, or poem) - make sure it's double-spaced in a legible font and size. Appointment(s) are included in your registration fee. List your first choice(s) upon registration. You can make a second appointment at the conference, depending on availability.
If you are only registering for one or two days, be sure to check the details page for each day — not all the people will be available on every day.
Trade Show
Our Trade Show feature a large selection of books (2 bookstores plus many authors), writing organizations, computer programs, and small press magazines.
If you are interested in a table in the Trade Show, contact Estelle Bogoch at "e.bogoch at siwc.ca", via our contact form, or visit our trade show page.
Saturday Evening Author Signing and Book Fair
Open to the public at no charge
If you want to have your favourite presenter sign a copy of his/her latest book, this is the place to be. Books will also be available for purchase.
Also, the Conference is pleased to extend an invitation to any writer who has published a book to join our Book Fair / Author Signing Event on Saturday from 5:30 pm to 7 pm. Authors are invited to sell and sign their books; there is no charge for table space. If you wish to be part of the Book Fair, please contact Ingrid Roeske through our contact form. Be sure to note the question is about the Book Fair. Spaces fill up early so don't delay.
