whenwordscollide's podcast: Recent Episodes
When Words Collide
The celebration of past WWC festivals resumes with Collision Reconstruction: Life-Hacks. Previous guests Jack Whyte, Leanne Shirtliffe and Robert Runté bring words of wisdom on finding inspiration, battling self-doubt and the loss of literacy.
Regardless of the field, early adventures can be unexpectedly pleasant, eye-opening, or tragi-comic. Check out the latest Collision Reconstruction podcast for examples from WWC past guest authors Brandon Sanderson, Jacqueline Guest and Guy Gavriel Kay.
We continue to gather excerpts from WWC panels over the years. We put them in a blender and call them Collision Reconstructions. This time, we present three festival guests--Kevin J. Anderson, Lisa Mangum and Will Ferguson talking about their career starts.
The celebration of WWCs past continues with a new Collision Reconstruction. We combed through four panels from three past festivals for insights on marketing and labels.
Voices in this reconstruction include Eileen Bell, Mark Leslie, Laini Giles, S. G. Wong, Michelle Beattie, Alyssa Palmer, Jade Buchanan, Kelley Armstrong, Jennifer Estep, Jessica L. Jackson, Ellie Lynn, Axel Howerton, and C.C. Humphreys
Are Canadian crime writers pigeon-holed? Can they "break through" with non-Canadian (read: U.S.) readers. Panelists from the 2012 and 2018 festivals offer their thoughts in another Collision Reconstruction. Anthony Bidulka, Dwayne Clayden, J. E. Barnard, David A. Poulsen, Susan Calder
To whet your appetite for our first in-person festival in three years, we're dipping into the archive to revisit some past encounters, Collision Reconstructions if you will.
First is a mash-up of editing panels from 2012 and 2018. "We've Been Edited" featured Carrie Mumford, Peter V. Brett, Edward Willett, E. C. Bell, and Raina Schnider. "The Writer as Editor" included a panel made up of Steven Owad, Susan McGregor, Neil Godbout, Jack White and Virginia O'Dine.
(Youngsters--when the late, great Jack White talks about listening to a cassette, feel free to substitute your preferred digital audio format.)
Some of the best ways to get it right and make all the difference in the effectiveness of your story. (NB: embarrassingly, in a panel about facts, one fact is wrong--the Russian Tsar was Ivan the Terrible, not Peter the Great!)
Barb Galler-Smith, Ann Marston, Tony King, Shelley McAneeley, Michaela Ritchie (M)
Join prolific authors, Jonas Saul and Tracy Cooper-Posey, who've both had (or still have) literary agents and who have (and still do) self-publish. This interactive discussion covers the pros and cons of self-publishing and the ups and downs of having a literary agent. Get a feel for which direction to go in your own journey to publication after hearing from both sides.
Does a satisfactory mystery depend on plot? Or has the classic whodunit evolved into a mainstream novel with a murder or other significant crime? Panelists debate the elements of a good crime/mystery book (e.g. plot, character, action) and which elements are most important to the story.
Alice Bienia, Jim Jackson, P. J. Vernon, David Poulsen (M)
The rise of environmental fiction, both in literature and film, has spawned several sub-genres such as climate fiction, eco-thrillers, eco-mystery, eco-punk, and eco-romance. Is eco-fiction part of science fiction? Is eco-fiction simply a new fad or does it reflect a cultural awakening to current environmental issues? What role does eco-fiction play in storytelling and defining ourselves? Who are readers and why? Should eco-fiction educate? How can an eco-fiction writer prevent it from becoming a polemic?
Panelists Dave Sweet, Julie Hiner, P.D. Workman, Taija Morgan, and Dwayne Clayden (M) will take you on a deep dive into the minds of serial killers and the psychopathic and sociopathic thoughts during their horrific actions. (Some graphic content)
All fiction is speculative. Panelists will discuss the process and fundamentals of realistic worldbuilding, including how and when to combine imagined with real setting details for best effect.
@StrawmanKWeir, @monicasaglezwik, @AlienNextDoor, @scottfgray
The panel will discuss writing about other genders, races, classes, cultures with honesty and sensitivity. How can a writer be inclusive without appropriating or creating token characters? Panelists: Brandy Ackerley, Diane Terrana, Erin Weir, Jay Martin
Location, location, location! applies not only to real estate. Your setting impacts tone, plot, character. It can include both time and space. Learn how and why our panelists chose their setting, from prosaic to exotic, city to wilderness, modern to historical time period. Jonas Saul, Jayne Bernard, Jim Jackson, Axel Howerton, Robert Bose (M)
Does the crime have to be murder to make a good mystery? What other crimes can fuel a great story? Panelists Axel Howerton, P.J. Vernon, Alice Bienia, M.H. Callway discuss what types of crimes engage a reader for an entire novel; whether the crime has to be violent; and consider whether there are crimes that are too grisly to captivate an audience.
An open discussion on realistic themes in young adult fiction. What's out there, who's reading it, and how is it being received? Panelists Diane Terrana, Jenna Greene, Rhonda Parrish, Steve Swanson discuss trigger warnings, ratings, context and language. (Yes. This does come with a language warning.)
Showing what a character feels can be a big stumbling block for writers. Join a discussion on what works and what doesn't, and how we can move past generic description to create authentic, personal moments that will draw readers in.
Panelists: Angela Ackerman, Jonas Saul, Merilynn Ruth Liddell, Susan Calder.
Creating a character is a different process for everyone. Panelists Angela Ackerman, Karen A. Chase, Kevin Weir and Elissa McColl, share different strategies that work for them, the tools they use, and how much they need to know about a character before they are ready to start drafting. (The recording, alas, is missing the final question.)
The website referenced by Angela is https://onestopforwriters.com/.
Do writers need to visit a place to portray it accurately, vividly and with sensitivity? This discussion includes travelling for writers, memoirs by hunters, and finding the familiar in the foreign. Wherever you go, people are people. And remember, just because you've been somewhere, doesn't mean you understand the place like those who live there. Panelists: Diane Terrana, Elissa McColl, Jay Martin, Rena Mason
Spend an hour with Author James Alan Gardner as he offer a short reading, takes some questions and talks about Sleeping Beauty, superheroes, algorithms, publishers and view points.
GoH Leanne Shirtliffe takes questions on the diverse and ever-changing field of children's literature--from picture books to early readers to middle grade to YA.
Learn about working with illustrators, creating your own conferences and master classes, the organizations that can help on the journey and why children's books are untouched by the e-book revolution.
This is the second best thing you'll hear all day! Former Kobo Director of Self-Publishing and Author Relations Mark Leslie's alliterative perfectly practiced, passionately-professional, publishing presentation.
Self-doubt, confidence, passion and whisky/whiskey. Kat Flannery winds up this series of Keynote speeches from the 2019 festival.
Continuing our Keynotes series with Festival Guest Jonas Saul. He's taking a different approach than the previous three guests with advice on how to power through the difficult times.
Inspiration, classic poetry, the meaning of life, and channeling your inner Samuel L. Jackson with Calgary author Leanne Shirtliffe.
Have you ever wondered about the connection between science fiction and fantasy? James Alan Gardner has some thoughts on that.
Calgary-area crime writers, J.E. Barnard, Dwayne Clayden, Susan Calder, and David Poulsen, tempt with excerpts from new books. Jointly sponsored by Calgary Crime Writers (CWW) and Crime Writers of Canada (CWC). PG for violence (crime writing is murder, after all) and language.
Short stories can help develop writing skills and build a resumé. Are there other benefits? How do you learn to write them? Where can you get them published? Are contests worth it? And what defines a short story anyway? Is it all about word count? Panelists Carrie Mumford, Jay Martin, Monica Zwikstra, and Sandra Fitzpatrick discuss their experiences.
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?
Fesitval guests Kat Flannery, James Alan Gardner, Lisa Mangum, Jonas Saul and Leanne Shirtliffe talk about e-books versus hard copy, indie versus traditional publishing and other issues.
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. A selection from her work in progress rounds out the festival guest readings.
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)
Writer and editor Lisa Mangum's 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.
Science fiction and fantasy author James Alan Gardner likes math and geology and teaches kung-fu to kids. (PG for coarse language.)
Meet this year's festival guests: Kat Flannery, James Alan Gardener, Jonas Saul, Lisa Mangum, Leanne Shirtliffe. (Moderator Stacey Kondla)
First up is Kat Flannery is historical writer, westerns, suspense, paranormal and romance. She likes to mix it all together and maybe a little whiskey.
Anonymous manuscript first pages are read aloud and critiqued by a panel of writers and editors. This series of panels is a fan favourite every year at When Words Collide.
Ever dream of writing but have no idea where to start? Or are you a closet writer wanting a safe push? Maybe you simply want to write for yourself, or maybe you can't wait to share something with the world? This one's for you. Join us as our panel of authors, teachers and mentors share how you can leap, or dip your toe, into the incredible world of writing, its myriad of resources and supportive communities, and how to reach your own writing and skill level goals.
Publishers Panel: Publishers and editors discuss industry trends, their working relationships with authors and agents, the impact of ePublishing on their business, and other questions raised by the audience. Axel Howerton, Kelsey Attard, Neil Enock, Ellen Mitchelle, Joe Compton(M)
The 'what if' panel. How would history evolve if one event changed? Explore why The Man in the High Castle and other alternate history stories are appealing to so many readers.
Panelists: Michael Skeet, Ron S. Friedman, Ronald (R.J.) Hoare, Therese Greenwood, Joe Compton
Which authors would you read to discover the past of our province and region? What makes Alberta's history fascinating? Is it fascinating? What does everyone know or think they know about Alberta? What do we need to learn? Madeline Shaw-Wong, Shirley Smith Matheson, Jim Jackson, Faye Reinberg Holt
Writers who have been edited discuss their positive experiences along with examples of edits that have made the final piece of writing better.
Carrie Mumford, Peter V. Brett, Edward Willett, E. C. Bell, Raina Schnider
Researching Made Easy: primary sources, libraries, archives, travel, bibliographies and Wikipedia(?). How to get it right before you write. Panelists: Barb Galler Smith, Joe Compton, Michael Skeet, Tracy Cooper-Posey, S. G. Wong
To Mallory Or Not To Mallory? The literary history of King Arthur--medieval superhero--with editors and authors JR Campbell, Shannon Allen, Renee Bennett, Rick Overwater (By the Light of Camelot)
2017 festival guests Sam Hiyate, Mark Leslie, C.C. Humphreys, Jennifer Estep and Guy Gavriel Kay take questions from the floor ranging from what they're reading to their advice to budding authors.
World Fantasy Award winner Guy Gavriel Kay reads from Children of Earth and Sky during WWC 2017.
Paranormal and romance writer Jennifer Estep is the author of the Elemental Assassin series, among others. In this reading, WWC 2017 members learned about the dangers of an Old West theme park.
West coast writer C. C. Humphreys took WWC 2017 members on a steamy sidetrip into history with this excerpt from his Jack Absolute series. Parental guidance recommended for this one, please.
Mark Leslie is a suspense, thriller and nonfiction writer. During the 2017 GoH readings, Mark recounted a visit to a haunted hospital
During the 2017 Guest of Honour readings, festival guest agent Sam Hiyate, president of The Rights Factory, shared excerpts from authors he represents: Jennifer Close and Andrew Kaufman.
Festival GoH Jennifer Estep talks about plotting versus pantsing, Hallmark movies, the business of writing, being a rockstar in Germany, yoga, the death of urban fantasy,
Do you or don't you? How fast over the course of a series? Does aging the sleuth make him/her more believable? And what is the optimum age of your protagonist? At one time, every single femal sleuth, PI or amateur seemed to be a thirty-something. Has this changed? Panelists Jennifer Estep, Hayden Trenholm, Susan Calder, and S.G. Wong discuss.
Given we only have one life-bearing sample to work from, isn't internally-consistent world-building impossible? Do some writers get so immersed in structuring their fanciful world that they include too much superfluous detail or fail to fully develop other aspects of story?
The author talks about the London plague, Vlad the Impaler, ghosts, executioners, writerly processes and other fun stuff. (PG 13 for language)
Not every writer feels compelled towards including social responsibility in their craft, but for some it is a foundational part of their work. Join us as the panel discusses how artists play a role in fostering positive social change and why that role is vitally important.
Panelists: Matthew Bin, Sarah Kades-Graham, Joy Norstrom, and
Susan Forest (M) (PG13 for adult language).
Canadian Guy Gavriel Kay is an international best-selling writer today, but more than 30 years ago, he was a first-novelist about to have give the first-ever public reading from the upcoming book... (PG13 for some adult language).
Paranormal Romance has die-hard fans, but there's been buzz in publishing circles that paranormal romance is done. Is the paranormal romance extinct, or will it live on?
Travel writer, humourist and novelist Will Ferguson explains how Canada's national dance, translating for Japanese business people in PEI, Margaret Atwood and Pierre Berton helped shape his writing career. He also provides the key to being published in 1997.
Panelists look at the cutting edge of the publishing industry in this discussion of author collectives, collaborative publishing models, blogging and (gasp!) monetizing the Work.
Authors anonymously submit first pages of works in progress which are read aloud for a panel of editors. The editors then comment on the work. Does it sound like a bloodsport? There's one author they want to talk to afterward!
Privacy, networking and the author/reader relationship with 2017 Guest of Honour Guy Gavriel Kay.
Where does the magic come from? 2017 Guest of Honour speech from writer, bookseller and Director of Self Publishing & Author Relations for Kobo, Mark Leslie.
The Rights Factory Inc. president Sam Hiyate recounts how he launched his career as a literary agent in his 2017 Guest of Honour speech.
We few, we happy few... C.C. Humphreys rhymes, illuminates and quotes Shakespeare during his 2017 GoH speech.
Around the World in 80 Murders: When Words Collide panelists Ian Hamilton, G. W Renshaw, Jayne Barnard, Sharon Wildwind, Mahrie G Reid (M) discuss the myriad locales their fictional characters have encountered the Grim Reaper.
Q1. How do you use food in your writing and what is the most memorable use of food you have read?
Panelists discuss ghosts stories--fiction and non-fiction. They ruminate over spirits they've met, the spectres in their fiction, Ouija boards, and 'real live dead people.'
Panelists: E. C. Bell, Mark Leslie, Laini Giles, S. G. Wong (M)
Question 2: When it comes to the genre assigned to my romance story with a ghost can it be urban fantasy or is it stuck as paranormal romance?
The panel included fantasy, historical, mystery and YA writers who discuss different approaches to research, history, how much research should go into a story and whether you really need to go to Spain.
Panelists: Marty Chan, Susan MacGregor, Barb Galler-Smith, L. S. Johnson, S. G. Wong (M)
Question 1: How do you approach how your character is going to act according to the culture and the technology?
Mysterious YA author (and store detective) Marty Chan discovers the secret to writing success and explains how his writing makes a difference.
WWC 2016 GOH speech number four finds the curmudgeonly, retired professor Robert Runte questioning English teachers and praising fan fiction.
In our 3rd GOH speech, SF&F author and editor Julie Czerneda finds a roomful of people with their heads in the clouds and knows who to blame.
Continuing with number two of five speeches by 2016 When Words Collide Guests of Honour: Ian Hamilton
Eve Silver (introduced by Randy McCharles), this is the first of five speeches from the 2016 When Words Collide Festival Guests of Honour. A tale of persistence on the road to publishing success.
Panelists Janice MacDonald, Axel Howerton, S.G. Wong and Wayne Arthurson tackle thorny questions of gender--and yes!--sex in the PI genre.
Pick your poison. From traditional herbs to modern medicine, poisons of various varieties have played a role in many a mystery novel. Our panel discusses some of the more novel uses of poisons in various works.
When Words Collide 2014 panelist/authors Craig DiLouie, Dwayne Clayton, Melodie Campbell and Axel Howerton discuss death scenes, when and how characters should die, and whether violent books, like films, should be rated.
Young Adult author Jacqueline Guest recounts adventures and inspiration from her travels to schools across the country.
WWC committee member Tony King interviews D. J. McIntosh, author of The Angel of Eden, The Witch of Babylon and The Book of Stolen Tales during When Words Collide 2014.
Margarita Gakis, Nina Munteanu (M), Sarah Katyi
Have times changed? Are current fiction writers looking at women through different lenses than the writers of 10, 20, 30 years ago? This panel looks at how women are portrayed in current fiction and asks the question: Is change still needed?
Historical fiction author Jack Whyte (The Skystone,The Forest Laird, Knights of the Black and White) and Penguin Canada editor Adrienne Kerr speak and take questions on historical research.
The bestselling author of Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive talks about his career, reads from his work and takes questions.
Join festival guest Mark Leslie for a Q&A discussion of the rapidly evolving world of publishing, from eBooks, to self-publishing, to the role of Kobo Canada.
Featuring:
Mark Leslie
Publishers and editors discuss industry trends, their working relationship with authors and agents, the impact of ePublishing on their business, and other questions raised from the audience.
Adrienne Kerr
Tina Moreau
Robert Runte
Patrick Swenson
J. Ellen Smith
Justyn Perry
An exploration of how romance and sex in literature changed over different periods in history.
Michelle Beattie
Alyssa Palmer
Jade Buchanan
Kelley Armstrong
Kevin J. Anderson
50 published novels later... Kevin J Anderson recounts the long road from aspiring author to bestselling author and how he handled all the potholes and opportunities along the way.
Rebecca Moesta
Festival guest, Rebecca Moesta, shares samples of her YA publications and other
projects, and answers questions from the audience.
Thriving in a Changing Market
Adrienne Kerr, Commissioning Editor of Penguin Canada, addresses the rise of e-books.
Adrienne Kerr
Robert J. Sawyer
Anthony, Stephen, & Jayne discuss the state of Canadian mystery fiction and what makes Canadian Mystery unique.
Anthony Bidulka
Stephen Legault
Jayne Barnard
The well-known agent, Donald Maass says, "Tension on every page!" What are the best techniques for creating the kind of page-turning suspense that translates into commercial success? Must characters be in continual conflict? How can information be revealed in ways that keep the reader from being confused without "info-dumping" blocks of boring exposition? How much mystery is needed?
Anthony Bidulka
Rhiannon Held
Susan MacGregor
Barb Geiger
Bullies, jerks, criminals, villains, monsters, and dark gods. How do different genres portray the villain? What statements do they attempt to make about the human condition? And does the bad guy always have to be a guy?
Susan Calder
Betty Cross
Dave Gross
Steven Owad
Total running time: 0:56:19
A man walks into a bar... Be it comic relief, a quirky character, comedy, or outright satire, humour is gold when it works and death when it fails. Panelists with diverse approaches to applying humour to their prose discuss their aims and methods.
Dave Duncan
Dave Gross
Sarah Kades
Tim Reynolds
Presented by ARWA
Whatever your genre, romantic relationships can be an integral component to your story and characters. Find out how to include romance in your writing, and not just smokin' hot sex.
Sarah Kades
Billie Millholland
Sharon Wildwind
Jude Wilner
Presented by CaRWA:
The industry has changed and there are more choices for authors than ever before, come find out what those options are from authors who have done it all and been very successful.
Presenters:
Viva Anna (aka Tawny Stokes)
Steena Holmes
Dara Lee Snow
Louise Behiel
Total run time: 57:49
Writer as Editor
This panel was recorded Friday August 10, 2012
Panellists:
Steven Owad
Susan McGregor
Neil Godbout
Jack White
Virginia O'Dine
Total Time: 54:00
This panel is the keynote talk done by our Guests of Honour.
0:05:45 Jack Whyte
0:09:45 Kelley Armstrong
0:21:50 Anthony Bidulka
0:38:45 Vanessa Cardui
0:50:10 Adrienne Kerr
1:09:00 Kevin J. Anderson
1:21:40 Rebecca Moesta
Total Time: 1:35:05
Welcome to episode zero of When Words Collide
This podcast will be broadcasting the programming stream from the Foothills 1 from our event that occured August 10 - 12.
This episode is to test the system and make sure everything is working when we start broadcasting for real in a week or so.