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.
On Sunday, September 25th join us for a wine tour down to the Oliver Wine Village.
Though this is not an official part of the Wine Country Writers’ Festival we will facilitate the van transport from the Lakeside to the Village and return.
Cost is $41 (transport and gst included)which must be paid before.
This is an opportunity to sample more wines and even a craft brewery. Space is limited to 14 in one van but another can be commissioned.
If you’re interested please email wcwfestival@gmail.com and put WINE TOUR in the subject line.
$41 is the cost of transportation only and does not include any of the wine tasting.
The wine tasting costs vary per winery. Please check the website.
Have you checked the schedule online yet? It’s jam packed with great presenters and workshops!
The last session of Saturday September 24 will be a SLUSH PILE.
This is always a lot of fun.
What’s a slush pile? Wikipedia does a great job of defining it as follows:
Source: Steve Laube Agency
In publishing, a slush pile is a set of unsolicited query letters or manuscripts that have either been directly sent to a publisher by an author, or which have been delivered via a literary agent representing the author who may or may not be familiar to the publisher.
as per Wikipedia
In other words it’s a pile of stuff that will be dealt with sooner or later… or not at all.
These are the places where query letters and manuscripts go an fight a valiant fight to be noticed amongst the others.
Well, we’ll have our own little slush pile party. Bring the first (yes first) page of your manuscript. No name as its anonymous.
Polish it off and bring it along with you. There’ll be a collection bin at the registration table where you can leave it.
Pages will be randomly selected and read aloud to the panel and audience. Those on the panel will then tell everyone their thoughts on the writing, the premise, the hook… Normally this exercise is done with agents and publishers but we’re using authors too. The critique will be about the words on the page… does it hook me? do I want to read more? does the writing need help?
Remember it’s anonymous. You do not need to reveal your identity unless you want to.
This means you can hear the good and perhaps the not-so-good, of each reading.
Learn from the different styles, voices, and techniques. Listen to what the expert panel has to say.
This is an opportunity for anonymous feedback from industry professionals.
Print it off and bring it along… no names–remember.
Please be aware that the deadline for signing up for a Blue Pencil or a Pitch coming soon. It’s not too late and it is included in the price of registration.
Documents are to be sent by September 10th, 2022 to wcwfestival.com
Please put BLUE PENCIL or PITCH in the subject line.
Spots are limited. If you’re requesting an appointment then you must pick your top three choices as some are already full.
A blue pencil will consist of no more than four (4)- five (5) pages–double spaced.
Your blue pencil appointment will take place live during Saturday September 24 during the Festival (except for Jonas Saul or Anna O’Keeffe –which will be done by Zoom also during the Festival)
You will have 12 minutes to discuss your work.
Submissions requested now.
Ensure your s*am filter doesn’t filter out the WCWF email.
You’ll get your scheduled appointment with your registration.
Be aware that you may not get your first choice but each presenter doing the critiques has something unique to offer.
Your patience is appreciated.
Remember, a blue pencil is NOT an edit. It is a discussion about your writing and asking advice and being open to suggestions about your writing etc.
PITCHES
For a pitch. Please put together these items:
query letter–with comparables (see the Reedsy link below)
500 word synopsis
one or two sentences as to why you’re the best to write this book/project
first six pages
watch your email
Make your work as professional as possible… That means that’s it’s edited and formatted. Do a little bit of research on how to pitch. Check Jane Friedman or Reedsy
Also please check your sp*m filters to ensure that our emails WCWFestival@gmail.com get through. There will be a lot of information coming your way over the next several days.
Wine Country Writers' Festival 