Press & Testimonials

WWC Chair in Discussion at Calgary Reads

WWC Chair Randy McCharles participated in a panel discussion on CBC Calgary on May 22 during the CBC "Calgary Reads" book sale. (Discussion begins roughly 50 minutes into the recording.)

What Past Guests of Honour are Saying About WWC

  • "When Words Collide is my favourite convention, bar none...I go to lots of conventions as an invited guest -- I was one of the guests of honour at the first When Words Collide -- but WWC is the only one I fly back to year after year at my own expense."

    Robert J. Sawyer
    Red Planet Blues
    Triggers
    FlashForward

  • "...a perfect combination of convention and writers conference populated by smart, talented people. I would love to go back."

    Michael Cassutt
    Beverly Hills 90210
    Twightlight Zone
    Max Headroom
    Eerie, Indiana

  • "When Words Collide is a festival for Readers and Writers at all levels from beginner to seasoned pro! Guaranteed to provide laughter, learning and the best weekend's entertainment on this planet or any other."

    Jacqueline Guest
    The Comic Book War
    Belle of Batoche
    Lightning Rider
    Hat Trick

  • "...a delightfully varied experience, with an experienced staff, fascinating guests, and a splendidly diverse approach to modern literature."

    Walter Jon Williams
    The Fourth Wall
    Deep State
    The Rift

  • "An exuberant gathering of readers, writers, artists and publishing professionals, converging from a variety of literary, commercial and performance disciplines and genres... There truly is something for everyone."
  • Anthony Bidulka
    Dos Equis: A Russell Quant Mystery
    The Women of Skawa Island

  • "There's a reason When Words Collide is one of the few sold out literary conferences: well thought out panels and talks, dedicated fans, seamless organization, great hosts. And not to mention parties worth travelling half way across the country for!"

    D.J. McIntosh
    The Angel Of Eden, June 2015
    From Penguin Random House

  • "... a wonderful, engaging experience ... full of bright and book-savvy people on both sides of the table ... a literary experience that challenges, intrigues and--most of all--delivers what it promises ..."

    Rachel Caine
    NYT and USA Today bestselling author

  • A fantastic all-genre conference. As a speaker, I was impressed by the festival’s level of organization and as a writer, I was impressed by just how much fun it was. I’ve been to WWC twice and look forward to returning.

    Kelley Armstrong
    Bitten

  • “When Words Collide is just about my favorite con in the world. Yes, it’s friendly and fun and all the things an author wants a con to be. But more than that, it’s a serious literary convention, run by competent, professional people who know how to put to use those of us who are there to talk about craft and publishings, and attended by smart, talented folks who love the written word. If I could, I’d go back every year.”

    David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson
    A Plunder of Souls

  • "...a top notch conference providing information, networking, from professionals and experts from across the spectrum of writing and publishing, and a place where, with over 20 years of experience in the industry, I found great value and walked away with powerful new learnings. I signed up to attend the next year the second they started taking registrations."

    Mark Leslie
    Kobo Director of Self-Publishing and Author Relations
    Tomes of Terror: Haunted Bookstores and Libraries

2014 WWC Blog Postings

Blog posts from attendees at the 2014 When Words Collide festival:

2013 WWC Testimonials

I must say that WWC is my favourite convention these days. The multi-genre programming has lead to a lot of cross-pollination that is just wonderful. E.g., my favourite panel last year was one given by the Director of The Alberta Playwrights Network on playwriting...so many suggestions for staging and structure that went straight into my novel writing. So highly recommended.Blog posts from attendees at the 2013 When Words Collide festival:
-- Robert Runté, University of Lethbridge Professor, Five Rivers Publishing Senior Editor.

2013 WWC Blog Postings

Blog posts from attendees at the 2013 When Words Collide festival:

2013 Press

Pre-Festival Press

2012 Press

Michelle Lindah - What I've Found

When Words Collide 2012 - Friday

Vamps, Weres and Cassay, Oh My!

When Words Collide 2012

Chadwick Ginther

When Words Collide Roundup

Beacon News

When Words Collide Makes Massive Impact in Local Literary Scene

Fast Forward

Brave New World of Words

Kevin J Anderson in the Calgary Herald

Four Questions with Kevin J. Anderson by Calgary Herald

Anthony Bidulka is on the CBC Homestretch tomorrow (Thursday) at 4:10 PM.

Another Honour for Kevin J. Anderson

The International Association of Media Tie-in Writers has named author Kevin J. Anderson as this year's Grandmaster, honouring his lifetime achievement in the field.

Testimonials

Five Reasons to Attend When Words Collide by Carrie Mumford

Blog posts from attendees at the 2011 When Words Collide festival:

"I'm definitely planning on attending after hearing so many rave reviews about the 2011 event."

                -Alison Lohans (YA/children's author)

"I think I speak for everyone who was there — that was an outstanding convention and very worthy of SFC support. I will be there next year, for sure."

                -Robert Runté (SF author and editor)

"I found When Words Collide to be a very good networking opportunity. Unbeknownst to me, a person attending my reading at the festival last year was an editor for a Canadian publisher, and immediately after my reading he approached me about putting together a collection of my short fiction. Long story short: my collection, Immunity to Strange Tales will be launched at When Words Collide this summer by Five Rivers Chapmanry Press!"

                -Susan Forest (Fantasy and SF author)