Conference organizers: If you want people who work outside of academia (or financially secure company), to give a talk at your conference bc you value their expertise, it's unreasonable to make them pay for registration. Artists/Nonprofit folks do not have the funding to pay you to share expertise.

Interested in joining the PSLA crew? We're currently seeking a literary agent with publishing experience to represent commercial fiction and a broad range of nonfiction. Full job posting at: http://psliterary.com/opportunities/

Covid is a disabling disease, and we are seeing it at high levels across the country. Just because the majority of people decided it doesn’t matter doesn’t change how it affects us—people still die of it every day. No matter your politics, vaccines make us less likely to be hospitalized and die.

We have the best volunteers.

As is often the case on no good very bad days, I am touched beyond measure by the kindness of friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and strangers alike. So many good people in the world. 💕

We are heartbroken to announce that an ongoing labour dispute at our conference hotel has forced us to cancel this year's SiWC for the first time in our 33-year history. We hope to see you at next year's conference, October 23-25, 2026 with master classes on the 21st and 22nd. Reg opens June 3, 2026

Today’s the LAST DAY to snag early bird pricing for the best creative writing conference in Canada! Hope to see some of you beautiful wordy weirdos come October in sunny Surrey, BC, or online at the virtual conference.

Early bird pricing for this year’s SiWC ends Thursday. Register now at www.SiWC.ca/registration

Trying to write? Want to get published? Need craft tips? Yearning for community? I've been to a LOT of writing-related conferences, and this is hands-down the best. Join us at the Surrey International Writers' Conference in October! @kathychung.bsky.social www.siwc.ca

The whole ton has been abuzz about this year's conference theme. Dearest readers, fret not! We here at SiWC couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday, but with a genre bending twist. Behold, your 2025 conference theme: Austen Space!

The whole ton has been abuzz about this year's conference theme. Dearest readers, fret not! We here at SiWC couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday, but with a genre bending twist. Behold, your 2025 conference theme: Austen Space!

Good advice for querying writers.

YVR Peeps: Looking for bookish things to do this summer? Join our friends at Iron Dog books on August 12 for an event with @annaleen.bsky.social to celebrate their new book, Automatic Noodle. Details: irondogbooks.com/events/30790...

Are you a brand new writer wanting to be more confident talking about writing & publishing? Check out our Beginner Intensive master class with @kcdyer.bsky.social at SiWC this year, offered online on Oct 22. It's a great standalone or lead-in to the conference. www.siwc.ca/schedule/mas...

Are you a brand new writer wanting to be more confident talking about writing & publishing? Check out our Beginner Intensive master class with @kcdyer.bsky.social at SiWC this year, offered online on Oct 22. It's a great standalone or lead-in to the conference. www.siwc.ca/schedule/mas...

Congrats to all the shortlisters, including our friends @maryrobinettekowal.com and @premeemohamed.com!

Dear Querying Writers: With all due respect to the narrative talents of Taylor Swift, songs are not exactly what I'm looking for as comp titles for your novel submission.

Almost time!

It’s registration day! SiWC registration opens at noon Pacific! www.SiWC.ca/registration

Check out this excellent article on emotional arcs by the most wonderful Finnian Burnett. You can join Finnian at SiWC this year for a pre-conference master class, workshops, panels, and blue pencil appointments. www.writersdigest.com/heart-first-...

Next Wednesday, watching registrations roll in on opening day makes every single hour we've spent planning this year's conference so far worthwhile. Can't wait!

One week from today, all of us here at SiWC Central will be glued to our computers as people register on opening day. We're SO excited!

I’ve been to the Surrey International Writer’s Conference (near Vancouver, Canada) twice and got a lot out of it—a great opportunity to mix with writers (and agents) at all stages of their careers, and many workshops to choose from. @siwc.bsky.social

Love to write? Have a manuscript you want to perfect and shop around? Join us to learn about craft from experienced authors, mingle with editors/agents, & have a grand old time in Surrey, Canada! I can't wait! October 24-26. www.siwc.ca

Our 2025 master class and conference workshop and panel schedule are now up on our website. We are so excited about this year's conference and can't wait for October! www.siwc.ca Registration opens Wednesday, June 4, at noon Pacific. Hope to see you there.

🎉 It’s #VolunteerWeek and we’re celebrating the heart of SiWC — our amazing volunteers! 💚 Their dedication keep the conference running smoothly and make the SiWC magic happen. 💚 Want to wear a green lanyard this year? Join the team — we’d love to have you! Email [email protected]

Our hearts are with the victims of Saturday’s devastating tragedy, their families, the Filipino community, the organizers of Lapu Lapu Day, and our resilient, beloved city. We stand with you and encourage anyone affected to access support (vancouver.ca/lapulapu).

Our 2025 presenter roster is UP on our website. Check out all the amazing people joining us this year at www.siwc.ca/presenters/. Hope to see you at this year's conference!

Our 2025 presenter roster is UP on our website. Check out all the amazing people joining us this year at www.siwc.ca/presenters/. Hope to see you at this year's conference!

Now that the news is out on their newsletter, I’m so excited to announce I’ll be returning to Surrey International Writers Conference as a present this fall! I can’t wait. I love this conference and all the organizers so very much!

Our annual short story writing contest opens to entries TOMORROW! The Jack Whyte Storytellers Award offers a $1000CAD first prize and publication, subject to editorial review, in Pulp Literature. Check out the details at www.siwc.ca/writing-cont...

Our deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Alma Lee. In the earliest days of SiWC, borrowing writers in town for @writersfest.bc.ca to present at SiWC as well helped us build our foundation. Without Alma, those writers wouldn't have been here for us to share. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

The SiWC hive is buzzing! Our first ever SiWC pub trivia fundraiser is only a month away. We can't wait to see what challenges quizmaster Jenn has in store! Everyone welcome. Bring your friends. Tickets are available now: www.eventbrite.com/e/siwc-pub-trivia-night-tickets-1273922579729

Greater YVR peeps! Love trivia? Love SiWC? Join us at our first ever SiWC Pub Trivia Fundraiser! Compete for prizes & ultimate bragging rights, all in support of SiWC. Everyone 19+ welcome, not just writers! Tickets are available now: www.eventbrite.com/e/siwc-pub-trivia-night-tickets-1273922579729

Greater YVR peeps! Love trivia? Love SiWC? Join us at our first ever SiWC Pub Trivia Fundraiser! Compete for prizes & ultimate bragging rights, all in support of SiWC. Everyone 19+ welcome, not just writers! Tickets are available now: www.eventbrite.com/e/siwc-pub-trivia-night-tickets-1273922579729

Help us lift up underrepresented voices. If you are/know a pub'd writer from an underrepresented group who is a great, experienced teacher & would be a good fit for our welcoming, check-your-ego-at-the-door professional development conference for writers, please email us! www.siwc.ca/conference/g...

Help us lift up underrepresented voices. If you are/know a pub'd writer from an underrepresented group who is a great, experienced teacher & would be a good fit for our welcoming, check-your-ego-at-the-door professional development conference for writers, please email us! www.siwc.ca/conference/g...

My wonderful book haul from Surrey Int’l Writers’ Conference this weekend. It helps when your fabulous writer friends have new titles coming out. Thanks, @susannakearsley.bsky.social and @elizabethboyle.bsky.social! Can’t wait to read! @siwc.bsky.social #siwc24 #writingcommunity

Another wonderful Surrey International Writers’ Conference in the books. Great programming, inspiring keynotes, and so many lovely people sharing their writing and knowledge. A million thanks, @siwc.bsky.social, for all your amazing work.❤️ #siwc24 #writersconference #writingcommunity

Wrapping up a weekend of incredible workshops and camaraderie at #siwc Surrey International Writers Conference. @siwc.bsky.social I never did find out why the crow...

It’s my favorite time of year. In prep-mode for #siwc24; heading up tomorrow morning. Can’t wait to chat writing and publishing with everyone! @siwc.bsky.social

Last chance! Registration for SiWC 2024 closes at 5pm Pacific TODAY. Don’t miss out! www.SiWC.ca/registration.

Beginning writers! This crash course in all the writing/publishing basics is available in person and live-streamed at this year's SiWC.

I'm doing a Master Class on publishing for absolute beginners on Wednesday. Spread the word to any beginning writers you know. So. Much. Info!!! See you there!

Just two days left to register for this year's SiWC. You really don't want to miss this! 80+ workshops and panels, pre-conference master classes, keynotes, pitch and blue pencil appointments, night owl events and time to connect with other writers. Join us! www.siwc.ca/registration

And massive congratulations also to past SiWC presenter Danny Ramadan for being a Governor General Award finalist for Crooked Teeth!

Huge congratulations to SiWC attendee and presenter alum @sharigreen.bsky.social for being a Governor General Award for Literature finalist for Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams. 🎉

Find Me: Oct Sundays: Make Me Write (Patreon) Oct 8: WHEN AMONG CROWS w/@veronicaroth.bsky.social (Patreon) Oct 13: Thinkific: Progression of a Character Arc Oct 17-19: NY Comic Con Oct 25-27: @siwc.bsky.social Oct 28: Finding Funding w/@nirele.bsky.social (Patreon) Oct 31-Nov 3: Nantes Utopiales

In YVR and not taking an SiWC Thursday evening class October 24? Join us 6:30-8:30pm at our off-site event at the Guildford library, presented with Iron Dog Books and Surrey Libraries, featuring Diana Gabaldon, @maryrobinette.bsky.social and @premeemohamed.com with moderator Eileen Cook.

STRUCTURING LIFE TO SUPPORT CREATIVITY is about $5k away from actually cutting a paycheck for @sandratayler.bsky.social, and $10k away from an audiobook add-on. Why, yes, I CAN personally vouch for the principles Sandra presents in this book. www.backerkit.com/c/projects/s...