SECURE FOOTING IN A CHANGING LITERARY LANDSCAPE
Professional Development Symposium for writers in all phases of their careers

Sponsored by the Writers’ Union of Canada and Canadian Heritage
This full-day event is designed to address the creative and financial questions that arise as writers navigate print-based and digital literary landscapes. The symposium also explores the importance of community and the need for writers to develop their own writing community.

Writers – unpublished, emerging, or established – will gain an insight into their role in the digitalization of the literary industry.

Authors Betsy Warland and Ross Laird will outline the current changes in the literary industry; explore the innovative digital opportunities; and discuss the creativity, economics, and community of a writer’s life. Deborah Windsor, the Union’s executive director, will discuss authors’ contracts in the digital age.

Through personal stories and profiles of writers who have inventively succeeded, Betsy, Ross, and Deborah will assist participants in creating their own personal strategy to address creativity, economics, and community in their writing life.

Download registration form here: Registration Form (52.2 KB PDF)
Please print and fax or mail the form to the contact info. on the form.


Join us as we guide writers in creating a personal strategy to address creativity, economics, and community in their writing life.

All symposiums start at 9:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.
There will be a one-hour lunch break (lunch will be provided).

Monday, February 8 - Halifax SOLD OUT
Dalhousie University, Room 303,
Dalhousie Student Union Building, 6135 University Avenue

Tuesday, February 9 - Montreal SOLD OUT
YWCA, Holden Fisher room, 1355 blvd. René-Lévesque West,
at the corner of Crescent

Thursday, February 11 - Toronto SOLD OUT
Ryerson University, International Living Learning Centre,
240 Jarvis Street, International Room

Friday, February 12 - Toronto SOLD OUT
Ryerson University, International Living Learning Centre,
240 Jarvis Street, International Room

Sunday, February 28 - Ottawa SOLD OUT
Carleton University, University Centre, Room 282, on Campus Avenue
behind lot 2, 1125 Colonel By Drive

Monday, March 1 - Winnipeg SOLD OUT
University of Winnipeg, 491 Portage Avenue, 3rd Floor, Room 3R40

Tuesday, March 2 - Saskatoon SOLD OUT
University of Saskatchewan, Marquis Hall, Private Dining Room, 2nd Floor

Thursday, March 4 - Edmonton SOLD OUT
University of Alberta Conference Centre, Aurora Room, Lister Centre,
south corner of 87th Ave and 116th Street

Friday, March 5 - Vancouver SOLD OUT
YWCA Vancouver, 535 Hornby Street, 4th floor
Cost: $45.00 (includes lunch)


Symposium presenters are Betsy Warland, Ross Laird, and Deborah Windsor.
Betsy Warland is the author of ten books of creative nonfiction and poetry. Her manuscript of twenty-four essays, "Breathing the Page – Reading the Act of Writing," will be published in 2010. Known for her dedication to emerging writers and young authors, she had been an editor, manuscript consultant, and creative writing teacher for over twenty years. She is the Director of The Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser University, and Vancouver Manuscript Intensive. Please visit www.betsywarland.com for more details.

Ross Laird, Ph.D. teaches creativity, psychology, creative writing, counselling, and leadership at various educational institutions across North America. He is an award-winning poet and scholar, a clinical supervisor to social service agencies in the field of addiction, a corporate consultant in the psychology of leadership, and best-selling author of Grain of Truth: The Ancient Lessons of Craft (short listed for a Governor General's Award). His most recent book, A Stone's Throw: The Enduring Nature of Myth is currently in bookstores. A new book on addictions will be released in 2010. Visit www.rosslaird.info for more information.

As Executive Director of the Writers’ Union of Canada, Deborah Windsor is responsible for the operations of one of Canada’s most influential cultural organizations. As the association representing some 1,850 authors of Canadian fiction and nonfiction books, she is deeply involved in issues affecting the creators of Canadian content and is an advocate for the extension and enhancement of the Canadian voice in contemporary global literature.

At the Writers' Union of Canada, we support the country’s authors by advocating for their rights, freedoms, and economic well-being.

We act collectively to address government and industry about public lending rights, tax reform, copyright legislation, freedom of expression and other industry issues.
We provide publications, professional development programs, contract advice, grievance assistance, group health benefits, funding for public and school readings, and numerous opportunities for communication and networking within the industry.

The Writers’ Union of Canada helps professional authors to stand together while they work alone.

Download registration form here: Registration Form (52.2 KB PDF)
Please print and fax or mail the form to the contact info. on the form.