We’re still in 2022 and it’s not even Christmas yet, but we wanted to remind you to mark your calendars for September 22, 23, and 24, 2023 in Penticton, British Columbia.
Right now we’re taking applications for those who wish to present at WCWFest.
We are looking for presenters who want to promote the community and connection of those involved in the writing world.
We pride ourselves on our boutique style of Festival and want interactions between presenters and guests to be a natural progression of the experience.
This is a paying gig.
There will be an accommodation allowance and honorarium. Some travel allowances as well. If you have any questions please contact either Faye or Jim at wcwfestival@gmail.com
Complete the form. Due no later than January 15, 2023.
Can you believe it’s almost the end of October? Time flies. I hope you’re all writing up a storm and of course getting ready for NaNo!
I wanted to update you on the Athens, Greece Retreat in case you missed the newsletter.
The retreat is in April 2023 but in order to secure venue price etc. we’ll need to have registration and a $1000can deposit no later than November 30, 2022.
This can be paid in cash or by credit. The contact info is all HERE
If on November 30, there aren’t a minimum of 15 people committed to going, then the coordinators (myself and Jim) will determine if the trip is still possible from a financial standpoint. If not, deposits will be returned and the retreat cancelled.
Don’t delay. If you have any questions please email us at wcwfestival@gmail.com and we’ll answer all your questions OR directly contact the professional booking agent.
The agent will be collecting all the funds and will also be able to book your flight from wherever you need. It is hoped that most flights can be coordinated so that we can all meet at Athens, Greece airport together.
Introducing Kelley Jo Burke who won first place for her short story Everything’s Got a Moral, if Only You Can Find it. She wasn’t able to attend the Festival so sent us these awesome pix when she received her certificate and anthology in the mail.
Huge congratulations to you Kelley Jo! In her recent note to WCWF, Kelley noted that these pix were taken by Eric Eggertson and that she’d see us next September! YAY!!🎉🎉
If you won or placed in the WCWF 2nd Annual Writing Contest, send us a picture with your certificate and anthology. Always celebrate the victories–it’s a big deal!
Brian sent us this picture this morning as he recently received his certificate and anthology.
After coming in second in the fiction category for his short story Lieber’s Report, Brian chose to drive to, and attend, the Wine Country Writers’ Festival. So awesome. We sure hope to see him next year too.
Thanks for sending this Brian!
If you have your certificate and anthology, please send us a pic so we can post it. It’s a big deal to win a writing contest. Don’t under estimate the achievement.
Now that the 2022 Festival has been wrapped up until next September… You marked the dates, right?… we, Jim Jackson and Faye Arcand, are shifting to the WCW Community.
The WCW Community takes us out of Festival mode for a while and into other aspects of the writing community. This will mean retreats, summits, teaching and other great community effort things in line with the Wine Country Writers mission and brand.
It feels like we planned for the in-person Wine Country Writers’ Festival for–EV–errrrrrr!
Finally, on September 23 and 24, 2022, it all came true and it was fantastic.
The energy was palpable as we talked writing, craft, and business for the first time in what seems like a lifetime. There were readings, talks, lessons, music, food, and wine… A little of everything to get us recharged to take over our creative endeavors.
The same venue at the Penticton Lakeside Hotel and Conference Centre has been booked for next year and we decided to expand the Festival to include Sunday.
Save the dates: September 22, 23, 24, 2023.
Thank you to all our sponsors, guests, and presenters. Make sure you subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss any important dates or information.
Here are a few pix from the 2022 Festival!
The WCWF swag bags were amazing! Thank you to all the Fantastic sponsors!This is Faye and Jim on Friday night of the Festival. To see all the hard work come together and feel the energy in the room was amazing.
Below we have Mike Arcand (center), Owner/Operator of The Raven’s Oddities, the sponsor of the WCWFestival Writing Contest. The entire list of winners is on the website under the Contest Tab.
Also on stage is Kara Antifeau (R) the WCWFestival Contest Co-ordinator.
Here are some of the winners who were able to also make it to the Festival.
Lesley-Anne Evans (L) 1st place poetry Brian Davidson (L) 2nd place FictionHeather MacDonald (L) 3rd place NonFictionMarilyn Kriete (L) 1st place NonFictionKeynote by Chief Clarence Louie of Osoyoos Band. He discussed his recent book REZ RULES and the need for more change. Fantastic and informative.Friday night at the Festival
Johanna van Zantan (2021 1st place contest winner received free entry to WCWF this year) with Festival organizers Faye and Jim.
Laurie-Ann Fuhr accompanies Jen Landels during reading.Hangin’ out in the corner…Now in the corridor… Great banner. Great guests.Two fantastic presenters! Mehrnaz Massoudi (L) and Corinna Chong. Writers Simone Blais and Stephanie GalayHere, Jim is chatting with Douglas and McIntyre’s Anna O’Keeffe who took pitches via Zoom in the Zoom Room. This was an in-person event but necessary to zoom a few people in.
A little bit of wine at the Wine Country Writers’ Festival. Thank you Time Winery.
More pix to come soon. Save the dates for next year. Stay in touch.
Wine Country Writers' Festival 