Presenters & Keynote

Michelle Good is a Cree writer and a member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. After working for Indigenous organizations for twenty-five years, she obtained a law degree as a 43-year-old single mom and advocated for residential school survivors for over fourteen years.

In 2014 Good earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia while still practising law and managing her own law firm.

Alison McBain
Alison McBain’s human-created novels are the recipients of over 13 awards, including the Foreword INDIES, and been nominated for both Best of the Net and the Pushcart Prize. When not writing for herself, she’s a ghostwriter who has penned over two dozen books for clients, as well as an award-winning editor who has worked with both celebrity and NY Times-bestselling authors. In 2024, she pursued a project called “Author Versus AI,” where she wrote a book a week, using NO AI at all (34 books total). When not writing, Ms. McBain is the associate editor for the magazine ScribesMICRO. www.alisonmcbain.com

Hitting “Send”: The Big, Scary Next Step (Panel)
Maybe you’ve been writing for years or maybe you’ve only recently taken up the pen. Either way, you’re ready to take the next step and submit your writing… somewhere. But the question is: how the heck do you do it? Join this panel of authors and editors to discuss the actually not-so-scary process of publishing. They’ll share tips and tricks about getting started, finding ways to conquer your fear of submissions (and rejections), as well as revealing some personal anecdotes about their own publishing journeys and how it wasn’t always an easy path to success.

Brenna Bailey-Davies
Brenna Bailey-Davies is the owner and lead editor of Bookmarten Editorial, where she provides editing and consulting services for authors of SFF and romance, focusing on stories with queer representation. She writes sapphic contemporary romance novels under the pen name Brenna Bailey, and she is an avid reader and a home baker. She lives in Alberta, Canada, with her game-loving spouse and their cuddly fur-baby. www.bookmarteneditorial.com

Crafting with Care: How Authenticity Reading Enhances Your Writing
As storytellers, we strive to resonate with our readers, yet the effects of our words can sometimes veer from our intentions. This presentation is designed to illuminate how authenticity reading can prevent the inadvertent perpetuation of harmful tropes, especially when exploring experiences beyond our own. Learn the essentials: what authenticity reading involves, its importance in storytelling, the typical authenticity reading process, where to find expert readers, and how to effectively integrate their feedback into your work. Join me to refine your skills in weaving stories with both heart and responsibility.

Charles James
Charles James is Lethbridge writer. By day he is a friendly neighbourhood medical physicist, but by night he produces some of the most exciting science fiction on the planet. www.charlesjamessfauthor.com

How to Keep Your Readers from Caring
In this presentation we’ll look at how fiction authors can lose their readers in seven overly complex steps. We’ll cover how to make your characters suck, avoid establishing stakes, and how to safely ignore any and all of the reasons your readers might have picked up your book in the first place. If you’re currently a seven figure author wondering how you can drag your books into the bowels of Amazon anonymity, avoid reviews, and lose fans, this presentation is for you.

Christina Romeril
Christina Romeril writes the Killer Chocolate Mystery series. She has been a mystery fan since third grade when she started reading the Trixie Belden series. Her debut novel was published in 2022 and she now spends much of her time researching poisons and other murder methods. When she’s not writing or plotting you’ll often find her with her husband and two Chihuahuas in Waterton National Park enjoying the scenery. www.ChristinaRomeril.com

Pros and Cons of Traditional versus Indie Publishing
The presentation will include the pros and cons of both traditional and indie publishing. Covering when to start querying agents and some tips about querying and information on free resources. I will detail the traditional publishing process and its pros and cons. The self-publishing process and its pros and cons will be discussed. The financial side of both traditional and self-publishing will be touched on, as well as marketing as both a traditional and Indy published author. There will be a self-publishing checklist handout. There will be a Q and A at the end.

Cristy Watson
Cristy Watson is an award-winning author of eight middle grade and YA novels, with Poetry appearing in ‘Worth More Standing’, CV2 Magazine, The Poetry Marathon Anthology, Fire in the Heart, and The Ekphrastic Review. She was also a co-editor of the 2022 Poetry Marathon Anthology and loves to enter writing contests. www.cristywatsonauthor.wordpress.com

Braving the Form (Poetry)
In this workshop, we will discuss why writing in form can be a great way in to creating poetry. Beginners are welcome but some experience with reading poetry is helpful. We will consider two newer forms of poetry that pay homage to a favourite poem and use repetition to capture our words. They are the Golden Shovel, and the Gigan. Join award-winning poet Cristy Watson in this session, where examples and opportunities to create a poem to one of the two forms will be offered.

Edward Willett
Edward Willett is the award-winning author of more than sixty books of science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction for readers of all ages, including twelve novels for DAW Books, and the owner and editor of Shadowpaw Press, a small traditional publishing company that publishes books in a wide variety of genres. Ed has been shortlisted multiple times for Saskatchewan Book Awards, and won for his young adult fantasy Spirit Singer. He won Canada’s top science fiction and fantasy award, the Aurora, for his second novel for DAW, Marseguro, and has been shortlisted several times since. Ed has also won an Aurora Award for his podcast, The Worldshapers, where he talks to other authors about their latest books. In addition to being a writer, editor, and publisher, Ed is a professional actor and singer. He lives in Regina with his wife, Margaret Anne Hodges, a professional engineer. www.EdwardWillett.com

The Seven-Sentence Short Story
In this plotting workshop created by noted SF author (and former high school teacher) James Alan Gardner, you’ll create a complete short story in just seven sentences—and have the opportunity (though it’s not required) to share them with your fellow writers. Sometimes these are great springboards for longer work, and sometimes, they’re just fun!

Francine Cunningham
Francine Cunningham is an award-winning writer, artist and educator and is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, in Alberta, but grew up in Calgary, Edmonton, and 100 Mile House, British Columbia. Francine is also Métis and has settler family roots stretching from as far away as Ireland and Belgium. She currently resides in rural southern Alberta, where she spends her days writing and mentoring emerging artists.

Canada Council for the Arts: How to Apply for Writing Grants
(Grant Workshop for Writers)
As part of her role with the Canada Council, Francine will focus on rural Albertans, Indigenous communities both on and off reserve and those needing extra support with understanding the granting process at the Canada Council, both virtually and in person through information sessions, webinars and one-on-one visits. She looks forward to providing information on granting programs and funding opportunities, creating greater connections in the Alberta Arts ecosystem and looking for ways to make Alberta-based artists’ voices heard.

Jenna Greene
Jenna Greene is a YA/ Middle grade/ Children’s author. She is known for her children’s chapter book, “An Owl Without a Name,” which is a CBC-recommended book, a TD summer book club pick, and a One School/ One Book choice. She is also known for “Summer of Rocks,” a middle grade adventure about her childhood geology escapades, and her award-winning YA dystopian “Reborn Marks” series. When she isn’t writing, or teaching, she coaches dragonboat. Jenna Greene is the president of Wordbridge: Writer’s Society of Lethbridge. www.jennagreene.ca

1001 Mistakes: What NOT to do as a writer
Jenna started writing and pursuing publication goals at age 17. She’s made nearly every mistake that all modern authors should avoid. Listen to her story and the loooong list of “What Not To Do”s. Come and learn from her life.

Jessica Renwick
Jessica Renwick dove into the world of writing fiction as a preteen and never looked back. Naturally, this led to a career as a public library assistant. Her first middle-grade novel, The Book of Chaos, was published in 2018. Her most recent book for young readers, Ghosts of Gastown, is a 2026 Silver Birch nominee, a finalist for the 2025 Willow Awards, and was selected for the CCBC’s Best Books for Kids and Teens for spring of 2025. www.JessicaRenwickAuthor.com

Connecting With Young Readers When You’re Only Young at Heart
Let’s say you are forty-two, more worried about the cost of living than what the next Minecraft update holds, and have no idea what ‘rizz’ or ‘six seven’ mean. You want to write for kids or teens, which means you need your stories and characters to connect with them. It might seem impossible, but I promise you, it’s not. Young readers are deeper and have more going on than you might think. And you have one superpower that can help you understand them: you were young once too. Combine that with talking to the kids in your life and paying attention to the issues facing today’s youth, you can reach young readers in a relatable way. Let me help you dust off your youthful mindset and put it to work!

How to Scare Kids, But Not Too Much
When you write for kids, it can be difficult to navigate those scary or intense scenes. What’s both engaging and appropriate for an eight-year-old child? A middle-grader? A teen? In this presentation, you will learn the importance of POV, what is acceptable for chapter books vs middle grade vs YA, and different techniques to build scenes that terrify each age group (but not too much!).

Joan Donaldson-Yarmey
I began my writing career with seven travel books about what there is to see and do in Alberta, B.C. the Yukon and Alaska. I then switched to mystery, historical, sci/fi novels and holiday romances all set in Canada. I am now revising my travel writing with a new book on Southern Alberta. I have put on writing courses in towns and cities in British Columbia and Alberta and was on mystery panels at Crime Writers of Canada’s Bloody Words Conference in Victoria and mystery and historical panels at When Words Collide in Calgary. www.facebook.com/writingsbyJoan

Travel Writing (Panel)
I am a travel writer who writes about travelling by vehicle and I will explain what is needed in an article or book to give the reader the best idea of why they should go to that place or take that road trip.

Jonathan Whitelaw
Jonathan Whitelaw is a writer, award-winning journalist and broadcaster. After working on the frontline of Scottish politics, he moved into journalism, covering everything from sports to music to radioactive waste – and everything in between. He’s also a regular reviewer, panellist and commentator.

Navigating the Publishing Journey: Manuscripts to Bookshelves
Congratulations on completing your manuscript! But what’s next? This workshop is a comprehensive exploration of the publishing industry in 2026 and beyond. Award-winning author Jonathan Whitelaw guides the audience through the crucial steps after finishing the manuscript, including editing, traditional and self-publishing options, and the advantages and disadvantages of professional representation. Discover how ‘The End’ is just the beginning of the journey as a published author. Whether attendees are aiming for traditional publishing or considering self-publishing, this masterclass will provide invaluable insights and practical advice to help navigate the path to seeing a book in print.

Juanita R. Violini
Juanita R. Violini has been crafting twists, clues, and red herrings for over 35 years. Her interactive mystery scripts—performed worldwide from luxury hotels to pubs, wineries, and schools—are sold through MysteryFactory.com. She is the creator of the Mystery Bones Method, a step-by-step system that helps writers turn tangled ideas into airtight, clue-driven stories. Juanita shares this approach in CLUETRAIL and The Mystery Bones Method DIAGRAMS, teaches online plotting courses, and works as a plot consultant for writers, screenwriters, game designers, and YouTubers worldwide. www.mysteryfactory.com

Murder Cake: the Secret Recipe of Mystery Writing
What makes a mystery both mystifying and satisfying? Murder Cake reveals the recipe. Imagine a cake tin: seven essential ingredients are blended into two stories, then layered three times. The false story is the glossy frosting, the truth the rich middle, while clues and red herrings bind the layers together, bite after bite. With this structure, you’ll learn how to twist truth into misdirection, hide clues with purpose, and guide readers toward—or away from—the killer. Clarity replaces chaos, giving you sharper twists, deeper suspense, and an ending that lands like the cherry on top.

Justina Verboom
Justina studied ethnomusicology at the University of Alberta, which lead her to intern at Smithsonian Folkways and work for the Public Health Agency of Canada. She provides consultative support for the Arts Branch and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to non-profit arts organizations and individual artists. She has been working to provide grant and contribution support to non-profit organizations municipally, provincially, and federally for over 12 years, eight of those with the Edmonton Arts Council. She values the social well-being we gain through the arts and loves supporting and promoting the arts in Alberta.

Alberta Foundation for the Arts: How to Apply for Writing Grants (Grant Workshop for Writers)
Join Justina Vanderboom and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts for a practical guide to navigating AFA grants for writers and creative projects. Justina will explain how AFA funding works, what reviewers look for, and how to present your work clearly and compellingly. Whether you’re seeking your first grant or refining your approach, this session will give you tools and confidence to make stronger applications and access funding designed to support Alberta’s artistic community.

Karen Lee
Karen Lee is a Canadian who has lived in Canada, the United States and England, and travelled extensively for work assignments and as a tourist. Lee is a published author, writing instructor, group facilitator, public speaker, retired clinical psychologist and management consultant. She teaches memoir writing and mentors memoir writers at the Alexandra Writing Centre, Calgary. Her first memoir, The Full Catastrophe (2016) is about domestic abuse. Her latest memoir, The Village That Betrayed its Children (2024), is in the style of new new journalism, where the researcher is part of the narrative of the story. It touches on aspects of rural villages in the 50s and 60s, the rural culture, beliefs, prejudices, and the harm done when criminal behaviour, that of sexual abuse by a teacher, is swept under the rug, denied and disavowed. It expands the knowledge of long-term effects of abuse by teachers. www.karenelee-author.com

Memoir: Why It Is So Important Today
This presentation on memoir will include time for participants to think of their own reasons for writing, and then provide a full and comprehensive description of memoir, its place in history, and its importance for social issues.

Laurie Carmichael
As an author, Laurie writes suspenseful thrillers In A Complicated Goodbye, she weaves a tale of courage and resilience through her protagonist, Rebecca Adams, who survives loss, betrayal, and domestic violence: the sequel, A Hiding Amongst the Clouds, charts Rebecca’s journey to rebuild her life. The final installment in this trilogy, A Final Lie, will be released in Fall 2025. Passionate about fostering local literary talent and developing a community for writers, Laurie founded the Foothills Writers Group—a collective of local authors who meet monthly in Okotoks. She has also initiated the Local Grade Six Writing Contest. Additionally, she ventured into children’s literature with her first book, The Longtail Brothers’ Misadventure: A New Home, published in November 2024. The second book in this series, Arthur the Short Tailed Hero, was released in early Spring 2025. The third book is due Christmas 2025. www.lauriejcarmichael.com

Villainous Mistakes: How to Prevent Them
In this session, writers will uncover the five most critical mistakes commonly made when developing villains. Drawing on examples from both film and literature, the presenter will illustrate how to avoid these pitfalls and craft villains who are dynamic, compelling, and unforgettable. Attendees will leave with practical insights and creative strategies to elevate their antagonists from flat to formidable.

Lise Mayne
Lise Mayne (B.Ed., M.Ed) writes poetry and historical fiction from her home in Nanton, Alberta. Lise was a teacher, consultant and principal in Calgary and obtained her Masters’ Degree from the University of Lethbridge. Historical injustice and the search for home are central themes of her work. Her newest novel, Time Enough, is the migration saga of a family from Isle of Man to Canada via Michigan in the early 1900’s. Lise’s poetry appears in international literary publications, with five awards. Lise volunteers as a Rocky Mountain bluebird nest-box monitor, plays the harp, and cherishes her family. www.lisemayne.ca

Mentorship Magic
When beginning a long project, sparked by curiosity and the germ of an idea, you find yourself with reams of words, mountains of research, and thoughts swirling like oil on water. How to make sense of it all? Books, blogs, videos, workshops…they all help. But what you really need is a mentor, an experienced guide to lead you, so you don’t flounder about, wasting precious time. How to find someone who understands your goals, who’ll nurture your dreams? Lise will offer suggestions for resources, do’s and don’ts, and invite you to share your experiences of mentorship.

Randy Nikkel Schroeder
Randy Nikkel Schroeder is the author of Arctic Smoke and Crooked Timber: Seven Suburban Faerie Tales, and the co-editor of The Influence of the Imagination; he will publish two novels, Sinner’s Banquet and Fire Sands, in 2026. He has published over 50 short stories and creative nonfictions, often under the pseudonyms A.M. Arruin and Alexandra Merry Arruin; his published poetry and scholarship have yet to be confirmed as read by anyone at all. In his spare time, he is Professor of English, Languages, and Cultures at Mount Royal University. He lives in Calgary, but continues to harbour fantasies of life in an abandoned hotel in the Porcupine Hills.

Setting Your Fiction in Lethbridge (and Other Secret Gem Settings)
Why would anyone set a short story or novel in Lethbridge? Doesn’t the path to publishing success lie in picking well-known settings, possibly in the United States, which readers will know and identify with? This presentation would make the case that writing Place well is extremely important, but not for the reasons that new writers normally assume: Place is intimately connected with both character web and narrative structure; as such, unfamiliar settings offer innovative possibilities for both, and the opportunity to give genre readers the beats they need within fresh contexts they crave (a narrative key that hits the sweet-spot of pattern/surprise). Lethbridge offers up these fresh opportunities in spades, with its fascinating and contested history, its intriguing layout, its novel landscape, and its surprisingly diverse cultural matrix.

Robert Runté
Robert Runté, PhD, is Senior Editor with EssentialEdits.ca and freelances at SFeditor.ca. A former professor, he has won four Aurora Awards for his literary criticism and currently reviews for the Ottawa Review of Books. He is currently on the editorial advisory board of two small presses, was Senior Editor (acquisitions & development) with Five River Books for almost a decade, and was the developmental editor on nearly forty traditionally published books. His own fiction has been published over 130 times, and several of his short stories have been reprinted in “best of” collections. Robert lives in Lethbridge, with his wife, two daughters, and three dogs. www.EssentialEdits.ca | www.SFeditor.ca

Common Mistakes & Weaknesses in Writing Fiction
The most common mistakes I see in fiction manuscripts across my desk, such as focusing on the wrong details, too much or too early backstory, action with no point/character development, characters without an arc, two characters who serve the same purpose, pacing that’s off, and so on. Analyzing your own manuscripts for these common errors can help you eliminate weaknesses and increase strengths.

Rosey Hwang
Rosey Hwang writes binge-worthy contemporary romance novels that are all heart yet unconventional, taking women deeper into the places within themselves that prevent them from living their own fairy tale. Off the page, she guides writers to bring their stories to life and into the world through her Story Acceleration Coaching and intentional digital marketing. When she isn’t writing or supporting her global clients, you’ll find her tucked inside a local coffee shop sipping a chai latte, curating dreamy playlists for her books, or savouring time with her husband and daughters. www.roseyhwang.com

The Magnetic Author: Marketing With Flow Not Force
What if marketing didn’t feel like hustling, but instead unfolded with ease? In this session, you’ll discover how to connect with readers authentically and market in a way that excites you. Through real examples and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to shift your mindset from marketing feeling pushy to embracing your natural magnetism. You’ll also discover how to create space for synchronicity to play a role in your career growth, infuse heart, authenticity, and fun into every step of your marketing, and build momentum for your launch in a way that feels natural and sustainable. This session is perfect if you’re starting out or looking to expand your author platform.

Sandra Fitzpatrick
Sandra Fitzpatrick is a writer with five novels and various short fiction (as Lee F. Patrick). She also helps people with tax preparation and has held licences for life insurance and investment products. One of her novels, Alter Egos, has considerable shenanigans of a financial nature. And an assassin who needs to hide his considerable income.

Financial Shenanigans for Writers
Financial shenanigans can be incorporated into any genre of writing. But what sorts of shenanigans are there and how do they work? (Or not!) Join me for a romp through counterfeiting, scams, stock market manipulation and more! There will be examples from real life and fiction to spice up your next project.

Sarah Brinley
Sarah Brinley is a fantasy writer and fiction developmental editor who helps authors revive stalled stories and reconnect with the characters who first sparked their imagination. Her background as a registered nurse shapes her approach to craft. Years spent watching people under pressure taught her how desire, fear, and stress reveal the truth inside a person, insight she now brings to revision. She blends emotional clarity with a love of adventure, mystery, and immersive worlds, helping writers strengthen momentum and sharpen character drive. Sarah writes high fantasy and fantasy thrillers and speaks about tension, endurance, and building scenes that feel alive. www.wildflowerandmaineditorial.com

Resuscitating a Dying Draft: Life-Saving Techniques for Stale Manuscripts
Every writer knows the sinking feeling that comes when a draft loses its spark and nothing on the page feels alive anymore. In this focused craft lecture, developmental editor and registered nurse Sarah Brinley guides writers through pinpointing why a draft starts to fall apart and how to restore its life without rebuilding the entire manuscript. Through clear instruction, live revision, and a focus on character, pressure, and world, she offers a method for reconnecting with the emotional core of the story. Writers leave with renewed confidence and the sense that even the most tangled draft can be revived.

Thorsten Nesch
Thorsten Nesch was born in Solingen, Germany, and now resides in Lethbridge, Alberta with his family. His published novels include My Totem Came Calling, and five traditionally published novels in Germany at Rowohlt Verlag and Mixtvision Verlag, including Dystopian novel Der Drohnenpilot, which is currently mandatory read at high schools in German Language Arts. His first novel was nominated as Best German Debut, later winning the Hans-im-Glueck-Literary-Award. Thorsten is also a musician, and his musical work can be found on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms. Thorsten is a panelist and board member. www.ThorstenNesch.com

Tony Berryman
Tony writes mysteries and thrillers, two fingers at a time. His first massage therapy thriller, The Night Nurse, was published in 2020. On Borrowed Time appeared in 2025.
Tony spent 17 years as a registered massage therapist in Vancouver and now works for Parks Canada. When he’s not writing books, he can be found hiking and paddling the Columbia Valley or trying out new recipes on unsuspecting guests.
Tony also co-writes with Juanita Violini, his life partner and mystery plotting expert, under the pen name Trigger Jones. Trigger’s first two sci fi adventure books, Gravity Doesn’t Lie and Atmosphere Meltdown, are available now. 

Half a Second: Getting to a Book Cover That Stops the Scroll
Book covers work hard. They need to convey a story’s category, tone, and something about the story itself, with an arresting design that will catch your reader’s attention. Tony’s latest thriller was a finalist for the Kobo Writing Life Indie Cover Award. But not with the first cover he and his designer created. Discover some fundamentals of good book covers as Tony takes you through the journey from initial design draft to (almost) a winner.