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.

Collision Reconstruction: Early Experiences

Jul 16th, 2023 29m 38s

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 Gav

Collision Reconstruction: Humble Beginnings

May 19th, 2023 36m 15s

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

Collission Reconstruction: Marketing and Labels

Apr 16th, 2023 20m 33s

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 G

Collision Reconstruction: Canadian Crime Writers

Mar 8th, 2023 21m 24s

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

Collision Reconstruction: Editing

Jan 24th, 2023 17m 53s

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 E

Writing Facts In Fiction

May 12th, 2022 50m 48s

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-Smit

Self Published vs. Traditional

Apr 9th, 2022 48m 20s

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 o

Is Plot King

Mar 12th, 2022 49m 58s

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 whi

What is Eco-fiction and Why Should We Care?

Feb 11th, 2022 45m 16s

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 f

Evil Mind Dive

Jan 8th, 2022 48m 31s

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 cont

Worldbuilding In Fiction

Dec 11th, 2021 48m 41s

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,

Awakening to Social Sensitivity

Jul 6th, 2021 47m 12s

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, J

Where In the World?

Jun 13th, 2021 48m 2s

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, mod

Does It Have to Be Murder?

May 11th, 2021 50m 26s

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 c

Edgy Realistic Fiction for Teens. How much is too much?

Apr 13th, 2021 55m 7s

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

Getting the Character's Emotion on the Page

Mar 14th, 2021 51m 33s

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

Building A Protagonist From the Ground Up

Feb 8th, 2021 44m 36s

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 charact

Armchair Travel Through Fiction

Feb 1st, 2021 44m 49s

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 remem

An Hour with James Alan Gardner

Nov 8th, 2020 52m 26s

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.

Leanne Shirtliffe: Everything About Publishing Children's Books

Jun 28th, 2020 48m 11s

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 cl

Mark Leslie 7 Ps of Publishing Success

May 29th, 2020 46m 48s

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.

Kat Flannery Keynote

May 17th, 2020 6m 43s

Self-doubt, confidence, passion and whisky/whiskey. Kat Flannery winds up this series of Keynote speeches from the 2019 festival.

Jonas Saul Keynote

Apr 5th, 2020 16m 7s

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.