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Access to the 2021 Whistler Writers Festival video recordings of readings and workshops
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All times noted in the schedule are PDT – Pacific Daylight Time, or UTC – 7 (Coordinated Universal Time).
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The festival reading pass is back! Treat yourself to a literary cornucopia of 11 festival reading events. There is a limited quantity of this incredible pass offer.
The festival workshop pass returns! Elevate your writing practice by attending up to 6 festival workshop events all for one pass price. There is a limited quantity of this incredible pass offer. Note: The pass does not include Time to Pitch! Your 15 Minutes with a Publishing Pro, which must be purchased separately.
With Lynn Duncan
Whistler Public Library
Today’s authors have multiple options when it comes to publishing. How do you find a publisher? Should you consider self-publishing? What is hybrid publishing? What about e-books and audiobooks? Do you need an agent? How do royalties and advances work? This session provides comprehensive information, including a checklist, that will help authors make the choice that best suits their needs.
PUBLISH LIKE A PRO: WORKSHOP SERIES
Presented by: Vivalogue Publishing
With Lynn Duncan
Whistler Public Library
This session provides practical advice on how to avoid rookie mistakes, regardless of the publishing path you choose. Do you need an editor? If so, how do you find one and what does it cost? What about proofreading? What are the trends in cover design? How do I promote my book? Where and how can I sell it? Includes a resource list of do-it-yourself options.
PUBLISH LIKE A PRO: WORKSHOP SERIES
Presented by: Vivalogue Publishing
With Lynn Duncan
Whistler Public Library
Looking for impartial feedback from your peers? Not sure how to tackle your chosen topic? Want to do some market research? Stuck on a plot point? Whether you are trying to refine your concept, decide on a title, or polish a sales pitch, this session is an opportunity to hear the opinions of the facilitators and other authors in an informal and supportive environment.
PUBLISH LIKE A PRO: WORKSHOP SERIES
Presented by: Vivalogue Publishing
Whistler Public Library
Accomplished writers are increasingly turning to independent publishing as a creatively and financially rewarding alternative to the traditional model. Meet some of the best independent authors in the country as finalists for the Whistler Independent Book Awards (WIBA) read from books nominated in children’s literature, fiction, and non-fiction categories. Winners will be announced at Friday night’s Literary Cabaret.
Moderator: Lynn Duncan
Whistler Public Library
Experience the melody and magic of oral storytelling with Lil’wat author and oral storyteller, Holly Bikadi and Squamish storyteller Tsawaysia Spukwus Dominique Nahanee, alongside spoken word artist and slam poetry champ, Nisha Patel (A Fate Worse than Death) and award-winning poet Bradley Peters (Sonnets from a Cell). Moderator and Lil’wat storyteller Yvonne Wallace will lead these four talented artists in conversation about the diverse and ancient art forms of oral storytelling and performing. This event is presented in collaboration with the BC and Yukon Book Prizes.
Moderator: Yvonne Wallace
With Catharine Chen (Arsenal Pulp Press), Anna Comfort O’Keeffe (Douglas & McIntyre), Vici Johnstone (Caitlin Press), Janice Zawerbny (HarperCollins), Julia Kim (The Rights Factory)
Sponsored by: SFU Continuing Studies – Creative Writing
For writers new or established, it can be quite a wild ride in the world of Canadian publishing. Join industry experts—publishers, editors, and agents, for tips and tricks on what they’re looking for in a manuscript, how to best position your book for a successful acquisition, and how to make the most of your industry and writer networks. One of our most popular sessions!
Moderator: Katherine Fawcett
With Julie Wilkins
Whistler Public Library
Calling all kids and families! Come and hear debut Squamish-based author (and bookseller) Julie Wilkins read from her picture book, We’re Happy You’re Here. Gather round and learn about the different journeys families can take to welcome kids into their lives. Illustrations by Brady Sato will delight participants of all ages.
With JC Cham (Arsenal Pulp Press), Anna Comfort O’Keeffe (Douglas & McIntyre), Vici Johnstone (Caitlin Press), Janice Zawerbny (HarperCollins), Julia Kim (The Rights Factory)
Book fifteen-minutes of facetime with an industry pro. Outside of festivals, getting one-on-one time with some of Canada’s most respected publishing decision-makers is next to impossible! Use this time to pitch your book, story idea, or poetry collection. Come prepared with a five-minute pitch and/or questions for these publishers, editors, and agents.
This session fee includes one 15-minute pitch on a first-come, first-choice basis. Choose up to four pitches total. Pro tip: Research these publishers before booking to ensure a good fit for your work (read the bios and Google the kinds of books they publish).
Whistler Public Library
Sponsored by: Real Estate Association of Whistler
Join us in celebrating the second edition of Whistler’s arts and literary magazine, The Lupine Review. Co-founded and produced by Abby Deveney and Colleen MacDonald, in partnership with the festival, the literary magazine is available in print and online, and showcases the Sea to Sky region’s talents. Come and hear readings from writers featured in the 2024 edition and be a part of developing and sustaining The Lupine Review for years to come.
MCs: Abby Deveney and Colleen MacDonald
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Sponsored by: Canadian Authors Association
The Literary Cabaret is back with a night of literary riffs and live music. Host band, The West Coast Front, will jam with guest authors Dallas Hunt (Teeth), Laura Sharp (Places You Catch Yourself), Bob McDonald (Just Say Yes), Michael V. Smith (Queers Like Me), Natalie Sue (I Hope This Finds You Well) and Alli Vail (Brooklyn Thomas Isn’t Here) as they read from their latest works.
The West Coast Front features music director Geeta Das (trumpet, saxophone, and percussion), Rajan Das (upright bass), Jason Overy (percussion), and Rosalind Steel (electric keyboard). During the evening, the winners of the Whistler Independent Book Awards will be announced for the Fiction, Non-fiction, and Children’s categories. Be sure to get your tickets now before this popular event sells out!
MC: Stephen Vogler
The Federation of BC Writers welcomes festival presenters and workshop participants to stop by for a chat about all things writing! We hope you’ll feel inspired by the festival and take advantage of this quiet space to write, meet fellow writers, and connect with our team. Coffee, tea, and treats are on hand to fuel your writing.
9 – 10 a.m. Writers Talking: Bryan Mortensen, Executive Director of the Federation of BC Writers, welcomes all writers to join him in conversations about writing, publishing, and to connect with other writers
10 – 11 a.m. Writing Sprint: join other writers for a writing sprint, accompanied by pianist Andrew Sims
1 – 3 p.m. Micro Writing Retreat: join other writers for quiet, focused writing time
With Jennifer Manuel
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
A story dramatizes an argument about life. Discover three steps to refining your argument and distilling it into a compelling theme. Explore how your theme can guide your decisions about narrative structure and scene development. Learn powerful tricks and techniques for bringing your theme to life on the page, leaving readers deeply moved and with a renewed perspective on the human experience. Whether you’re working on a novel, memoir, or short story, you’ll come away with practical tools to infuse your writing with purpose and resonance. Join us to unlock the full potential of your narrative and create stories that linger in readers’ minds long after the final page.
With Caroline Adderson, Jowita Bydlowska, and WIBA Winner
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Sponsored by: The Whistler Grocery Store
How does the heart learn to find what it needs? Join us in a dialogue with three masterful storytellers, Caroline Adderson (A Way to Be Happy), Jowita Bydlowska (Monster), and the winner of the Whistler Independent Book Award for fiction, in an exploration of this question, and the interlacing themes of loneliness, connection, duty, and happiness.
Moderated by: Rebecca Wood Barrett
With Nisha Patel
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
In this workshop, poet and artist Nisha Patel will guide participants on how the visual design of a poem can deepen and amplify beyond the meaning and arrangement of the words alone. Participants will have the opportunity to play with form, learn how to use online tools in new ways, and—through the hands-on use of multimedia art supplies (provided)—create their own concrete and/or visual poems.
With Amber Cowie, S.C. Lalli, and Hannah Mary McKinnon
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Sponsored by: Sea to Sky Welding & Fabrication
Join moderator Tara Jean Stevens, Vancouver radio host and creator of the podcast Heaven Bent, in conversation with some of today’s most exciting writers of suspense. Tara will delve into the wild world of investigation, research, crime and thriller writing with guest authors, Amber Cowie (The Off Season), S.C. Lalli (The Plus One), and Hannah Mary McKinnon (Only One Survives). These spine-tingling novels explore our jealousy of those who achieve fame and fortune, and what happens when you don’t iron out expectations before a marriage. All that, plus you’ll be second guessing who you invite on your next vacation… Reserve your spot soon, this session is killer.
Moderated by: Tara Jean Stevens
With Carly Butler, Valerie Jerome, and WIBA Winner
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Sponsored by: Pasta Lupino & Burnt Stew Consulting Services
Come hear true stories of resilience, courage and conviction, as we welcome Carly Butler (Apocalypse Child), Valerie Jerome (Races: The Trials & Triumphs of Canada’s Fastest Family), and the winner of the Whistler Independent Book Award for Non-fiction. Join us in a conversation where Jerome tells the story of her heroic family history at the intersection of race and sport in Canada, and Butler reveals her journey of how she learned to connect as an adult when her education consisted of conspiracy theories, survivalist measures, and religious doctrine.
Moderator: Leslie Anthony
With Ali Blythe, Conor Kerr and Rhea Tregebov
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
It may be that the poet can only write the one thing that demands to be written. Poet Billy Collins said, “There may be no deals you can make with poetry to entice it out of the lair. A poem, actually any writing, is always a private thing, and that is how I must begin.” The power of the poem is in the poet’s courage to confront the personal in a public way. The Whistler Writers Festival presents three poets – Conor Kerr (Old Gods), Ali Blythe (Stedfast), and Rhea Tregebov (Talking to Strangers) – each bringing their unique One Thing.
Moderator: Mary MacDonald
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Sponsored by: RGF – Integrated Wealth Management
Join longtime friend of the festival, author and biologist, Leslie Anthony in a captivating conversation with National Geographic Explorer and Canadian anthropology legend, Wade Davis. Wade’s latest book, Beneath the Surface of Things: New and Selected Essays brings his unique anthropological perspective on various topics. Overall, the collection encourages us to see, and to seek, the wisdom of the middle way—a perspective of promise and hope. And since you can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been, get ready for a deep dive and riveting discussion about Wade’s previous books, the evolving nature of anthropology and the effects of history, culture and politics on modern existence. Arrive early at 7:30 p.m. to hear themed classical music by the Sea to Sky Orchestra and enjoy a glass of wine or beer from the bar.
Moderator: Leslie Anthony
The Federation of BC Writers welcomes festival presenters and workshop participants to stop by for a chat about all things writing! We hope you’ll feel inspired by the festival and take advantage of this quiet space to write, meet fellow writers, and connect with our team. Coffee, tea, and treats are on hand to fuel your writing.
9 – 10 a.m. Writers Talking: Bryan Mortensen, Executive Director of the Federation of BC Writers, welcomes all writers to join him in conversations about writing, publishing, and to connect with other writers
10 – 11 a.m. Writing Sprint: join other writers for a writing sprint, accompanied by pianist Andrew Sims
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Micro Writing Retreat: join other writers for quiet, focused writing time
With Marty Chan, Adam de Souza, Sarah Suk, and WIBA Winner
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Moderator Sara Leach explores books with inquisitive, bold characters, seeking to find the truth and unravel mysteries. Join us for an in-depth conversation with children’s and YA authors, Marty Chan (Izzy Wong’s Nose for News), Adam de Souza (The Gulf), Sarah Suk (The Space Between Here & Now) and the 2024 Whistler Independent Book Awards winner for children’s fiction. Find out how these authors effortlessly weave modern day issues and themes into their work to help youth engage in discussions on big issues in a way that all ages can absorb and understand.
Moderator: Sara Leach
With Conor Kerr, Bob McDonald, and Leanne Toshiko Simpson
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Sponsored by: Penguin Random House
Spend Sunday morning chatting with other booklovers over the delicious Whiskey Jack Continental buffet breakfast before taking in this year’s BookTalk reading event. Moderator and author Caroline Adderson will engage three award-winning authors — Conor Kerr (Prairie Edge), Bob McDonald (Just Say Yes), and Leanne Toshiko Simpson (Never Been Better) — in conversation about their new releases. Each of these authors tackle pressing contemporary concerns: de-colonization, loss of culture, mental health, privacy and security, fake news and more.
Moderator: Caroline Adderson
With Marty Chan
Whistler Public Library
Sponsored by: Vision Pacific Contracting Ltd.
Inject drama into your stories with Marty Chan’s cheat code. In this workshop, students will learn the three essential steps for creating conflict out of any situation. Marty will show kids how to raise the stakes to create an incredible climax as well as identify the seven different types of conflict a protagonist can face. After this session, kids will be able to turn even the flattest first draft into an engaging story that hooks readers from the start to the end. Bring your paper and pencils along with your imagination. Get ready to write!