Tag: register now

UPDATES and NEWS

Hello Writers

Faye Arcand

There are a few things to update you on….

Registration!

Wow… we are off to a very positive start.

Remember that it is a two step process of filling out the registration form and then paying either by PayPal or by E-Transfer.

Save your spot.

Virtual Book Bar

Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

Do you have a book that you want to display or sell? That’s where the VBB comes into play.

For only $10 we’ll list your book on the VBB. You’ll need the jacket, the link for sale, author link, one sentence description of the book, genre, reader group (ie YA,Adult)

For $10 you can put up a maximum of three books for display.

The VBB is left up through Christmas to promote the authors works.

If you’re interested or have questions please email: wcwfestival@gmail.com

~~~~~

If you want to display your books in person at the Wine Country Writers’ Festival, vendors tables are $60.

Speaking of Vendor Tables

If you have a business you want to promote, or maybe you’re an artist and want to display your paintings, tarot card reader, photographer, ….

Source: Unsplash: Clem Onojeghuo

Please mention to vendors you think may be interested.

A table must be reserved and the cost is $60. There are limited spaces.

The WCWF Market Place will take place on Saturday September 24, 2022. Hours will be announced soon.

Keep Those Contest Entries Coming

The writing contest is open! Entries are only $15 or two for $25.

While you must submit both entries at the same time, they can be in different categories.

Poetry, Non-Fiction, and Fiction are all open.

Check out the Presenter Page

In the last week or two, the page has been updated to add two new presenters.

Corinna Chong, is a literary instructor from the Okanagan. She won the CBC short story fiction contest and will be doing a workshop on Narrative Structure–Getting the Bones of Your Story Down. Welcome Corinna.

We also welcome Natalie Appleton, a former journalist and award winning author.

Natalie will be doing a workshop on memoir and sitting on different panels.

Enjoy your day. More information and reminders will be coming soon. If you have any questions, please contact wcwfestival@gmail.com

UPDATES and NEWS

Hotels in the Area of WCWF 2022

Faye Arcand

I’ve received many emails asking about where to stay in September for the Wine Country Writers’ Festival.

According to many event coordinators, this summer and fall is the time of cancelled and missed events. The phones are ringing off the hook and things are being booked quickly.

Just think of all those young couples who put their weddings off for two years, and of course the WCWF! We’ve had the hotel book since 2019!!

The entire Wine Country Writers’ Festival will be held at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre. The venue is modern, clean, and offering a rate of $169** per night (this is for 2 queen beds), but you must tell them that you’re a registered guest of WCWF.

**Please enquire about extra charges like taxes and parking.

Here are some pictures of the hotel and it’s location at the end of Main Street Penticton, right on Okanagan Lake.

Phone the hotel DIRECT at 1-250-493-8221 to secure a room. (If you use the 1-800 # then you’ll end up with a central reservation system that isn’t located in Penticton and they’ll know nothing about the WCWF).

If the hotel is full, then you can take a look at some other hotels in the area. These are completely separate from the WCWF, have not been checked, and info is provided only for your information.

Days Inn Penticton (250) 980-3952 –10 minute walk

Penticton Ramada  (250) 492-8926 –15- 20 minute walk

Best Western Penticton  (250) 493-0311 –10 minute drive

There are also many Air BnB’s in the area and even some camping… The key is thinking forward and booking for September.

So that’s a good place to start, otherwise google and search. 🤗

UPDATES and NEWS

Open for Early Bird Registration and WCWF Writing Contest.

Faye Arcand

Get Ready… September 23 and 24, 2022 the WCWF is ON! Register Now!

It’s with great excitement that Jim Jackson and Faye Arcand declare the Early Bird Registration and Writing Contest for 2022 officially OPEN!

Blue Pencils included with registration fee on a first come, first serve basis.

The cost of registration includes

  • Keynote Speaker
  • Opening Ceremonies
  • Workshops
  • Panels
  • Private event wine tasting
  • Door Prizes
  • Readings
  • Blue Pencil
  • Pitch
  • Private Market Place
  • and so much more….

Register early so you’re not disappointed.

There are TWO Scholarship Passes available. Please contact Faye Arcand wcwfestival@gmail.com for further information.

UPDATES and NEWS

Happy March Everyone! This September Wine Country Writers’ Festival Will be Live!

Faye Arcand

Hello and Happy March!

After a long two year hiatus we’ll finally be meeting live in Penticton, British Columbia for the September 23/24 Wine Country Writers’ Festival.

The phones are ringing and the elves (that would be me and Jim) are getting everything in order for the event.

Watch for April 25th!!

Why?

Well …

  • The Guests of Honour and Presenters will be Announced!
  • The Judges for this years WCWF Writing Contest will be announced.
  • Registration will open! Whoop Whoop!!

How can it get much better than that?

Well, I’m glad you asked…

Meet our newest sponsor! Did I hear there’d be wine tasting? Hmm…


Time Family of Wine is located on Martin Street in Penticton, British Columbia. We’re so excited to have them on board with Wine Country Writers’ Festival. They will be playing an integral part of our Festival.

If you’re in the local area, you can stop for lunch or a wine tasting experience. Tell them we sent you.

The Festival this year will take place at The Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre. A block of rooms has been put aside for our guests.

Please book very soon as things are filling up very quickly. With restrictions being lifted, live events are all the rage and the hotel is booking rooms very quickly.

Tell the reservations desk that you’re attending the Wine Country Writers’ Festival and you’ll be given the discounted rate of $170 for a standard two queen bed room.

The Penticton Lakeside Hotel and Conference Centre: Phone: (250) 493-8221

In the coming weeks there will be many posts to inform you all of the goings on and what to expect.

Right now, the important thing will be to register as soon as possible and book your room.

Follow this blog for further information.

Talk soon.

UPDATES and NEWS

Keynote Speaker…

Faye Arcand

Hi Everyone! As promised, here is the information on our Keynote Speaker.

Welcome Roark Critchlow!

Roark has generously agreed to give a keynote speech on Friday September 24th. We will learn about his journey from small town guy to Hollywood actor. Check out his bio below and make sure you plan to join us on Friday September 24th for the Keynote before the Master Class.

Roark Critchlow is a Canadian actor and writer. He grew up in Summerland , BC, studied theatre at the University of Victoria and spent 5 years building a theatre and tv career in Vancouver before spending 20 years in Hollywood. 

There he starred on Days of our Lives, Pretty Little Liars, V as well as playing guest star on over 90 productions.  6 years ago he returned to Summerland to spend time with his family and pursue a writing career in earnest.  

He has completed one novel, is working on his second and recently formed a songwriting partnership with Chayce Kennedy. 

Visit his website: (not suitable for children, sensitive readers/viewers) Nonsensical Ravings of a Lunatic Mind

In order to get access to the Keynote and opening Words of Wine Country Writers Festival, you must be registered. The Festival is FREE to attend. Master class, Pitches, Blue Pencil, and Book Bar have fees attached but are at the request of attendees.

More information coming soon…Lots of it!

UPDATES and NEWS

Have You Planned Your Classes? Don’t Forget the Slush Pile!

Faye Arcand

Did you check the schedule? The schedule is jam packed with great presenters!

The last class of Saturday September 24 at 1700-1750 (5pm -5:50pm–PST) will be a SLUSH PILE.

What’s a slush pile? Wikipedia does a great job of defining it as follows:

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
Source: Steve Laube Agency

Polish off that first page of your manuscript or story and send it to wcwfestival@gmail.com

Pages will be randomly selected and read to the panel who will then tell everyone their thoughts on the writing, the premise, the hook… How very exciting.

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. Send in those SLUSH PILE SUBMISSIONS to: wcwfestival@gmail.com

Send them now–come on…what are you waiting for?

The other part of the schedule is below or click HERE for the break down.

Remember, even if you’re just doing the FREE classes, you still need to be registered. Space is limited so you best do it now.

Source of cover pic: DrewChialAuthor.com

UPDATES and NEWS

Time’s Ticking, Ticking, Ticking…. WCWF Writing Contest Closes In a Week…

Faye Arcand

Well, here we are nearing the middle of August and that of course can only mean one thing… You gotta get those entries in.

We all have stories to share.

I received validation from a writing contest several years ago. It was the Writer’s Digest Annual Contest. Back in those days (must’ve been around 2006), I received a letter of congratulations—I was like 89th out of thousands.

I have no idea how many letters they sent out but dang, it made my day.

Entering a contest can be scary, that’s why we chose really professional and thorough judges. They’ll treat all your entries with the respect they deserve.

I’ll probably throw out a couple more reminders this week.

So, come step through and get that story submitted…

Close date is August 15, 2021 @ midnight!

Source: Unsplash Tim Mossholder

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER…

NOTE: You DO NOT have to attend or register for the Festival in order to enter the writing contest.

It’s all about EMAIL…

WCWFestival@gmail.com

Email the above address and tell me how many entries you want to submit.

One entry is $15 Two entries: $25

You can e-transfer funds to above email address. No password or special code is required. It is a direct deposit.

If you prefer PayPal: send funds to the above email.

A confirmation of payment will be sent to Kara Antifeau, the Contest Coordinator. She’ll then expect and watch for your entry(s).

If there are any questions, first check out the

Contest Page WCWFContest@gmail.com

Have Fun… Go For It.

(Cover photo: Source: Unsplash Waranont (Joe)

UPDATES and NEWS

Have you Booked Your Pitch Session?

Faye Arcand

Blue pencils are still available–it’s so exciting to have your work read and critiqued by someone in the industry.

It’s a great way to work toward getting a finished and polished product. Don’t forget to book a blue pencil when you register.

There are pitch sessions available if you have a manuscript you’d like to pitch to an agent or publisher. Check their guidelines and needs. Cost is $25. You can pitch to

Any questions? Email me at WCWFestival@gmail.com

That’s it for now. I’m enjoying all the emails and look forward to meeting lots of new people.