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LINK TO OUR ONLINE FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the physical When Words Collide has been postponed to 2021.

Follow When Words Collide on Facebook to see our wonderful 2020 artists featured throughout the weekend of the online conference. We will post each artist with a photo of their work and links for you to get in touch. Please feel free to like, comment, and share to support these talented creators!

Ever thought about writing for young people? 2019 GoH Leanne Shirtliffe offers her perspective on learning to work with illustrators, creating your own at-home masterclass and how to learn the market for picture books, early readers, middle grade and YA. https://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-012-leanne-shirtliffe-everything-about-publishing-chlidrens-books

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darlene Louka who was a member of the WWC committee for many years in charge of our poetry programming. Her final goodbye message is "Be there for one another, it doesn't have to be perfect, don't judge, build your caring community."

The 7 Ps of Publishing Success. This is the second best thing you'll hear all day! (If you don't get the joke, listen.) Former Kobo Director of Self-Publishing and Author Relations Mark Leslie offers his formula for growing a writing career. https://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-011-mark-leslie-7-ps-of-publishing-success

The final Keynote speech from the 2019 festival with guest Kat Flannery. https://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-010-kat-flannery-keynote

The Aurora Awards ballot was released this past weekend. Remember to get out and vote once the ballot opens on June 20 2020. prixauroraawards.ca

The Jonas Saul keynote is available for those staying safe at home (don't think of it as stuck). The first three keynotes were full of hope. Jonas offers a different kind of encouragement: how to deal with the unescapable adversity that comes with a writing career. http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-009-jonas-saul-keynote

While we have our fingers crossed for August and WWC ver 10, let Calgary author Leanne Shirtliffe divert you for a few moments in our latest podcast, part three of our 2019 Keynotes. Leanne talks about the meaning of life, Toni Morrison, Quentin Tarantino, Samuel L. Jackson and Tennyson. What could be more diverse (and diversionary)? http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-008-leanne-shirtliffe-keynote

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the festival will increase our pass prices on May 1st instead of April 1st. Thank you for your understanding and best wishes for the health of you and your family.

Those of you staying home and keeping your distance are superheroes. In recognition of your efforts, we are pleased to present James Alan Gardner, part two of the 2019 WWC Keynotes for your self-isolating listening pleasure. http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-007-james-alan-gardner-keynote

If you're social-distancing, self-isolating or otherwise feeling cut off from your contacts in the reading/writing community, might we suggest a few minutes with 2019 Festival Guest Lisa Mangum? Listen in as Lisa talks reading, writing, editing, paper clips and Lamborghinis in her festival keynote. Enjoy! http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-006-lisa-mangum-keynote

On March 11th, the World Health Organization (WHO) categorized the coronavirus illness as a pandemic. As a result, many events in upcoming weeks are being canceled. At this time, the organizers of the When Words Collide Festival are optimistic that this epidemic will be under control well before August, and that our event will proceed as planned. Should the situation change, we will let you know. Be assured, however, that we have processes and finances in place to weather a cancellation or postponement should one be needed. In the mean time, we encourage everyone to take precautions for their own health and the health of others. Information for those in Alberta can be found here: www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx

Calgary is a city of bright lights, high energy and dark secrets. In the latest in our series of WWC podcasts, Calgary-area crime writers, J.E. Barnard, Dwayne Claydon, Susan Calder, and David Poulsen, explore those secrets and find murder.
http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/high-crimes-in-your-own-backyard

Why write short stories? Where can you sell them? What are editors and readers looking for? Panelists: Carrie Mumford, Jay Martin, Sandra Fitzpatrick, Monica Zwikstra. Listen here

In writing there is a real temptation to 'feel' everything. He felt hungry. She was scared. etc etc What are the physical and emotional indicators that would show this to your readers without having to 'tell' them to death?
Build the emotional connections, so readers feel like the characters are real people.
Writing from the Body

Meet this year's festival guests: Kat Flannery, James Alan Gardener, Jonas Saul, Lisa Mangum, Leanne Shirtliffe. (Moderator Stacey Kondla) The readings have been split into 6 segments—002a–002f— for ease of listening.
The readings begin with Kat Flannery, who writes historical fiction, westerns, suspense, romance. She likes to mix it all together and maybe a little whiskey.
http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-002a-festival-guest-readings-intro-kat-flannery
The readings continue with science fiction and fantasy author James Alan Gardner who likes math and geology and teaches kung-fu to kids. (PG for coarse language.)
http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-002b-festival-guest-readings-james-alan-gardner
Next up is writer and editor Lisa Mangum whose first paid work in the literary world was shelving books at the Sandy Library in Utah. She works at Shadow Mountain Publishing and has published a time-travel/romance trilogy.
http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-002c-festival-guest-readings-lisa-mangum
Jonas Saul is a prolific writer of thrillers with more than 30 novels and 50 short stories to his credit. He started as an indie author, but after selling more than 2 million books, traditional publishing came calling. (PG for language)
http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-002d-festival-guest-readings-jonas-saul
Last, but not least, Leanne Shirtliffe is a teacher who is also the author of seven picture books for children and two books of non-fiction humour about parenting.
http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-002e-festival-guest-readings-leanne-shirtliffe
Following the readings, fesitval guests Kat Flannery, James Alan Gardner, Lisa Mangum, Jonas Saul and Leanne Shirtliffe discuss e-books versus hard copies, indie versus traditional publishing and other issues.
http://whenwordscollide.libsyn.com/2019-002f-festival-guest-readings-q-and-a

The 2019 podcasts launch with Live Action Slush--Early Bird Edition. This fan favourite features anonymous manuscript first pages read aloud for the audience and instantly critiqued by writers and editors Candas Jane Dorsey, Carrie Mumford, Celeste A. Peters, Robert Runte and Rhonda Parrish.

We were having trouble with our feedback form due to increased security at our hosting site. It seems to work now, so if there is a problem let us know.

Another year, and another When Words Collide has wound to a successful conclusion.
Inspirational Music