Tag: writing contest

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

We’re Half Way Through April! You Know What That Means…

Faye Arcand

Hi Everyone. I have some information and a few updates for you today.

Check out the Federation of BC and Yukon Writers Summit…Happening NOW

First of all, one of supporters, The Federation of BC Writers (FBCW), are currently hosting the BC Writers Summit and registration is open. You can check it out HERE.

A rep from the FBCW will be joining us in Penticton in September for the Wine Country Writers’ Festival. We’re very excited to have them on board and let them share all the different ways they support writers.

Registration for the Wine Country Writers’ Festival will open April 25, 2022.

Cost will be $139C and you’ll have to pay by PayPal or E-transfer. This is an early bird price and will provide access for Opening of Festival, Keynote, Festival kick off, readings from the presenters. There will be a no host bar. That price also covers workshops all the next day, wine tasting, shopping, panels, slush…omg… Perhaps we’ll even sing a bit…lol. It’s going to be pretty dang awesome.

Number will be limited.

The Writing Contest will also open on April 25, 2022.

Sharpen those pencils! Entry fee is $15 for one or 2 for $25

You can enter in short fiction, short nonfiction, or poetry.

Prizes are $150 for 1st Place. $75 for 2nd. and $50 for 3rd.

Check the Contest page for all the details, lengths restrictions, and dates.

Good Luck!!

A few other things….

If you have a published book that you’d like to display on the Book Bar, you’ll get that opportunity again this year.

The price is only $10 Canadian.

  • Maximum three books.
  • Payment is required at the time of purchase.
  • You’ll need to supply the genre
  • book jacket
  • the links
  • and a one sentence max description of your book.
  • This will stay online through to the New Year and promoted through the holiday season.
  • Payment is only via PayPal or E-transfer.
  • Coming soon…

Also coming soon….

SideBar Sponsors.

If you want to promote your book, your magazine, your website, your store, your gallery, your singing career…whatever… one of the best ways to get the word out there is through sponsorship and sharing.

You do not need to be a participant in WCWF to do a SideBar Sponsor, but the organizers reserve the right to final decision of inclusion.

This year we’ll be offering anyone the opportunity to be a sponsor for WCWF.

There will be categories you can choose from and be recognized for.

More info coming… soon…very soon.

We hope you’re enjoying the Easter long weekend.

We’ll be in touch soon.

UPDATES and NEWS

Congratulations to All the WCWF Writing Contest Winners!

Faye Arcand

With full congratulations, the winners for the inaugural Wine Country Writers’ Festival Writing Contest were: 

POETRY— Judged by Josephine LoRe

FIRST PLACE: “There Will Be Moths” by Linda Hatfield

SECOND PLACE: “August” by Sally Quon

THIRD PLACE:  “evolution of the word ll” by Laurie Anne Fuhr

HONOURABLE MENTION: “From the Garden” by Leanne Shirtliffe

NON-FICTION: Judged by Simone Blais

FIRST PLACE:  Prejudice and Necrotizing Enterocolitis by Johanna Van Zanten

SECOND PLACE: Stan: Alone in the Attic by Cherie Hanson

THIRD PLACE: Eocene Walk by Donald Gayton

FICTION:  Judged by Lorna Schultz Nicholson

FIRST PLACE: The Rhee Family by Finnian Burnett

SECOND PLACE: Fat Friday by Garry Litke

THIRD PLACE: Sweet Michael Sky by Andrea Heidebrecht 

HONOURABLE MENTION: The Day Jesus Came to Work by Svea Beson

The Anthology is $18 and can be purchased via e-transfer or PayPal to WCWFestival@gmail.com

UPDATES and NEWS

Today the Wine Country Writers’ Festival Launches… We’re so Excited.

Faye Arcand

Hi Everyone.

Today is the Master Class at 2:30 PST.

All the links for the Festival Weekend will be sent out today at 2PM (Vancouver, B.C. time).

Check your Email.

Contact me if you haven’t received anything…. remember to check your spam. It will be coming from Jim Jackson.

The email includes links to all rooms and classes.

Please DO NOT share or forward links as it can cause tech problems.

Have a GREAT weekend. LEARN lots. I want to HEAR ALL ABOUT IT!!

Happy Wine Country Writers’ Fest.

UPDATES and NEWS, Wine Country Writers Festival

Clock is Tick Tocking… Get Those Contest Entries In…

Faye Arcand

Hi All.

There’s been a bit of confusion about submitting the entries for the Wine Country Writers’ Festival Contest.

  1. Pay for your entry through this email: wcwfestival@gmail.com This can be E-Transfer or PayPal. Special passwords or codes are not required. In the notes section make sure the author name is written to avoid confusion (sometimes others do the transfer).
  2. Cost is $15 for one entry or $25 for TWO.
  3. You DO NOT have to attend or signup for the Festival or classes in order to enter the contest.
  4. Once you’ve sent the entry fee, SEND YOUR ENTRY TO: wcwfcontest@gmail.com
  5. You will get a confirmation that it’s been received.
  6. The Contest Coordinator will process the entry to ensure it’s in the correct group.
  7. Please include:

Cover/Information Page: this is to be included with your entry as page one. It will include: Title as it appears on your manuscript, author’s legal name (no pseudonyms , address, email address, phone number, category entered, and word count.

Contest closes on SUNDAY AUGUST 15, 2021 AT 2359 PST

If you have any questions or concerns, contact me (Faye) at wcwfestival@gmail.com

Thanks All!

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 Entered The Writing Contest Yet? What are You Waiting For?

Faye Arcand

Wine Country Writers’ Festival has put together a stellar group of judges for the WCWF Writing Contest.

There are three categories.

Photo by Judit Peter on Pexels.com

Fiction: Do you have a short story that’ll blow us away?

There are no restrictions on genre or topics. The only thing is the word length and a great story.

Hey, take an old story and revamp it, or write a fresh one, or present something original and thoughtful. The sky’s the limit. WOW us.

Non-Fiction: A memoir, or a memory? Creative non-fiction? What have you got?

Source: Unsplash Hannah Grace

There are so many great stories out there, we’d sure like to see some of them show up here.

Or, Maybe you’re a Poet?

Give us your best in 40 lines or less. How exciting is that?

With Wine Country Writers Festival being an intimate boutique festival, the odds will be in your favor. I think it’s probably safe to say we won’t get thousands (or even hundreds) of entries.

The chances of winning are definitely in your favor.

What are you waiting for?

Only $15. Contact WCWFestival@gmail.com to arrange payment or ask Kara the Contest Coordinator at WCWFContest@gmail.com

Click to Check it out now!

Contest closes on August 15, 2021. Don’t Miss it.