SWG 2010 Fall Conference and AGM
Jet Streams: The Winds of Change
Friday 15 October, Saturday 16 October, and Sunday 17 October 2010
Park Town Hotel 924 Spadina Cres. E., Saskatoon SK S7K 3H5
Toll free number: 1-800-667-3999 www.parktownhotel.com
PRESENTER BIOS REGISTRATION FORM
Schedule Close-Up
Friday Afternoon
12:00 p.m. — 1:00 p.m. Registration begins; the book table opens.
12:45 p.m. — Opening Ceremony & Prayer - Elder Michael Maurice
1:00 p.m. — 2:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Riding the Wind: Creative Process (Louise Halfe, Myrna Kostash and Kenneth T. Williams)
How do we do what we do? We kick off the conference with three award-winning writers exploring and sharing their creative process—the development, evolution and/or change over the years or from project to project. Come ride the wave of inspiration!
OR
YA in a Shifting World (Arthur Slade and Alison Lohans)
Looking for some insight into what’s going on in the world of Young Adult fiction? Award winning writers Arthur Slade and Alison Lohans discuss their experiences and trends/changes they’ve noticed in YA writing over the years. Be that inner child—come shift in your chair and join the conversation about YA.
2:30 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Revolutions in Non-Fiction (David Carpenter and Myrna Kostash)
Shake it up, dig deep, tell the truth. Make ‘em laugh or make ‘em cry—just don’t poke ‘em in the eye. David Carpenter and Myrna Kostash share their adventures about the windy world of Non-Fiction. How is the form changing? What are the new challenges and opportunities? Come on out and gather some wisdom on spinning your own stories.
3:45 p.m. — 4:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Poetry Currents (Louise Halfe and Don McKay)
“Wind: A poetic image of the animating spirit whose effects can be seen and heard but who remains invisible. Wind, air and breath are closely allied in mystic symbolism, and the idea of the wind as cosmic animator, organizer or support was widespread." (From in Jack Tresidder's Dictionary of Symbols) Join internationally acclaimed poets Don McKay and Louise Halfe as they trace evolutions in poetry within the context of their own poetic work, and help us navigate the world with words.
OR
The Perfect Pitch (Amy Jo Ehman and James Romanow)
Get out the notebooks, folks—this one is about SALES! Two of our most popular food and wine columnists give us the skinny on pitching and selling your articles to magazines/journals/papers.
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Writers Groups Session
Whether you are looking to find out just what a writers’ group is, seeking like minded writers to join up with or are already firmly ensconced in a group and feel like sharing your successes and/or bemoaning some missteps – this is the Dinner party for you! Facilitated by Tracy Hamon, it promises to be a fun, informative session and a great place to meet fellow scribblers.
Note: pre-registration is required by 4:30 p.m. on Friday 08 October 2010. The meal will be lasagna, salad, and dessert. Please let us know on your registration form if you have dietary restrictions.
OR
Aboriginal Members Focus Group (Facilitated by Carol Vandale from the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network)
Being inclusive, the Guild is seeking input on what sort of programming our members are looking for – and we are especially interested in developing more programs that welcome and include our Aboriginal members. Come out and let us know what sort of programs/events/adventures you’d like to see the Guild support. Let’s get the conversation rolling.
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m Social - Member Reception
A reception kicks off the evening. Light refreshments and snacks will be offered; there will also be a cash bar. A great place for members old and new to mix and mingle.
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture (Don McKay)
Renowned poet, Don McKay, once said, “Poetry — any poetry — is always political and subversive because it uses language, our foremost technological tool, against its powers of mastery and control. In poetry, language discovers its eros. In poetry, language is always a singer as well as a thinker, a lover as well as an engineer. Language delights in its own being as though it were an otter or a raven and not just the vice president in charge of making sense.”
Come and hear what Don has to say in this year’s Caroline Heath Lecture.
9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Post-Lecture Reception and Open Mic
Mix and mingle with us again at this reception (cash bar). Bring a poem, a word, a line, a small story, your mother’s uncle! Titillate and tingle with some words of your own and others. Infamous host Gerry Hill will help you screw up your courage to share some of your work with us, or just hang out, listen and enjoy.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Hot Issues Session (Members Only)
This member-only session provides the opportunity to have a frank and respectful discussion with the Board. This is the time to let your voice be heard — raise issues, ask questions, and provide suggestions on the direction of the Guild. We’re all in this together.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Creative Freefall: Creating Characters Who Drive Plot (Kenneth T. Williams)
We all know that great stories are driven by OUTSTANDING characters. Award winning playwright, Kenneth T. Williams will delight and dazzle you with this one-hour workshop that will help you hone your skills in creating dynamic characters that will grab your audience by the scruff of the neck, steering the action of your play, short story or novel. Drive in and get to work!
OR
Changes in Publishing (Wes Funk, Geoffrey Ursell and Karon Schmon)
Are you ready to publish? Need to find out how it all works these days? Join self-published author, Wes Funk; Geoffrey Ursell from Coteau Books; and Karon Schmon from Gabriel Dumont Institute publishing as they share their experiences, offer some tips and reveal some trends in the ever changing world of publishing.
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m Luncheon: Featuring Winners of the Short MS Awards Competition
Join us as we celebrate the winners of the Short Manuscript Awards.
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Writing and the Internet Book (Arthur Slade and Peter Stoicheff)
This one is a two-pronged humdinger of a session. Peter Stoicheff will give us a run-down on the evolution of books from print to internet book and the future print world for writers. Arthur Slade will focus on how the internet has changed the way he promotes his work and any trends/changes he’s noticed out there on the cyber expressway. Buckle up as we trek through the past and into the future.
OR
The Sensual Seen Mini Workshop (Mary Balogh)
Tired of keeping your characters clothed? Can they kiss but never make out? Join Award winning romance writer Mary Balogh for a crash course on writing the erotic scene.
2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Readings by Myrna Kostash and Don McKay
There’s nothing like hearing an author’s work live and in person. Join us for a little she said he said with two fascinating famous feisty writers.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The SWG Founders’ Celebration (Jean Freeman, Ken Mitchell and Geoffrey Ursell—hosted by Robert Currie)
Has it REALLY been forty years? Bring your own ghosts and join SWG founders in celebrating what the Guild has done for us all and continues to offer to the writers of Saskatchewan. We’ll laugh, we’ll cry, and we’ll eat some cake!
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. John V. Hicks Dinner
Join us to break bread and hear the winners of the 2010 John V. Hicks Long Manuscript Award read from the award-winning manuscripts after being presented with their prizes. Drinks at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 6:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. The SWG 40th Anniversary Gala—Dancing with Jump Me Martha
Sunday
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m . AGM
Make your voice heard—again! Come out to the Annual General Meeting: elect your new Board, and provide feedback. It’s your organization. Keep it strong!
12:00 p.m. - Closing Ceremony & Prayer - Elder Michael Maurice
Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers for the registration table and for general duties. If you would like to donate a little time, please get in touch with Tracy Hamon (306-791-7743 or programs@skwriter.com) or Pam Bustin (306-955-5513 or saskatoon@skwriter.com) or indicate your interest on your registration form. We regret that we are unable to provide free admission to volunteers.
Accommodation
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Park Town Hotel (924 Spadina Cres E, Saskatoon). Each room has one queen bed. Rooms are $119 (plus taxes). To book, email reservations@parktownhotel.com or call (306) 244-5564. and ask for the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild Block (#000418). This block is reserved until 04 October 2010. Once the block is no longer in effect, there may be no rooms left to book.
Parking For Hotel Guests
Parking is free and, for those staying at the hotel, available in the hotel parkade. More details available at registration.
Travel Subsidy (Available to Those Who Attend the Annual General Meeting)
Members in good standing who live more than 100 kilometres from Saskatoon may apply for a travel subsidy of 20 cents per kilometre to help defray their costs. To qualify for this subsidy, members must attend the Annual General Meeting on Sunday.
Book Table
The book table is open the following hours: Friday: 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; 6:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; 1:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m; Sunday: 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Members and guests of the conference can leave up to five copies of a title at any one time. Please make sure the price is clearly marked on the book (rounded up to the nearest dollar). It is the author's responsibility to fill in the log-in sheet (author's name and book info—the number of books per title). Please pick up your unsold books by 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning (during the break at the AGM).
After the conference, we’ll send you a cheque for the amount owing after your sales (less 10% for administrative costs).
Billets and Carpooling
If you would like to offer a billet or a ride from out of town (or if you would prefer a billet or a ride), please fill in the appropriate spot on the registration form.
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