2007 Conference Overview
October 19, 20, and 21st, 2007 + October 18th for Pre-conference Master Classes
Surrey International Writers' Conference
The Sheraton Guildford Hotel
15269 104th Avenue
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada V3R 1N5
"In 2000 I met my agent at the Surrey International Writers Conference. Since then I've independently published a novel and made two sales to major publishers. Thanks for kick starting my career!" Elaura Niles, author of Zeus & His Mighty Nine Iron (AmericaHouse 2002), Some Writers Deserve to Starve: 31 Brutal Truths About the Publishing Industry (Writer's Digest 2005) and co-author (with Jessica Morrell) of I Ching for Writers (Running Press 2006)
For the first-time conference attendee, here is a brief overview of the Conference and an explanation of the various events.
Times are subject to change as the 2007 conference details are worked out.
Thursday- Master Classes
First session 1:00 pm to 4:15 pm
Second session 5:00 pm to 8:15 pm
You can register for both afternoon and evening sessions.
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
8:00 AM to 1:45 PM (close
of Conference)
Registration
Most people register for the conference using
our secure online system (through
Sporg.com), but telephone and fax registration are also available. Registration
page includes options and prices.
Onsite registration table: As people can register by the day or for the whole conference, the registration table is open every day for people to pick up their 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 to
know what the speakers look like for that important "just bumped into
each other" talk in the halls.
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 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.
Evening Sessions
Some people just can't stop! We now offer evening sessions—open
to all who are registered for that day. In addition to the session, it's
a great opportunity to meet other writers and make connections.
Trade Show
Our Trade Show feature a large selection of books (2 bookstores plus many authors),
writing organizations, computer programs, and small press magazines. Open
8:00 am - 4:00 pm on Friday and Saturday and 8:00 am - 2:00 pm on Sunday.
If you are interested in a table in the Trade Show, contact Estelle Bogoch
at "e.bogoch at siwc.ca".
To see our 2007 Trade Show participants, visit our trade show page. Links to the participant's websites are included.
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. To see our 2007 lineup of Book Fair authors,
visit our book fair page. Details for
2007 will be added closer to the conference date.
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 Vivian Ruskin through our contact form. Be sure to note the question is about the Book Fair. Spaces fill up early so don't delay.
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