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  • November Writers' Social

    • 11 Nov 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Zoom
    Register



    Join us for a Writers' Social on Tuesday, November 11 from 7:00 - 8:15 PM Pacific by registering here (bcwriters.ca/events-for-writers) and a Zoom link for the event will be sent to you. When it’s time for the event you can click on the Zoom link to join the event.


    Many of us strive for a connection with our fellow writers. This members-only monthly event is designed to bring us together for casual chats with breakout rooms. Join us to talk craft, career, and connection for about 75 minutes over Zoom. Meet new people and get the most out of being a part of a provincial organization! Below are the proposed discussion groups for this month's meeting (subject to change). Please email meaghan@bcwriters.ca if you would like to suggest a discussion topic for an upcoming meeting. See you there!


    Discussion Groups:

    • All about poetry 
    • Flash fiction and short pieces
    • CNF/memoir writers connect
    • Amazon and other online publishing platform
    • Writing in the age of AI
    • All about poetry
    • Satisfying endings
    • Connecting writers with chronic illnesses
    • General writing discussion

    Digital Doors Open at 6:55 pm, Event Starts at 7:00 PM Pacific

    Show details

  • Sunday Webinar: Creative Chaos: Unblocking your creativity through play and weirdness

    • 16 Nov 2025
    • 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register


    Creative Chaos: Unblocking your creativity through play and weirdness 

    with Finnian Burnett

    Member Price: $18

    Non-Member Price is $28

    **This event will be recorded. Registrants can access the recording for 45 days.

    Workshop/Event Description

    Struggling with creative block? Craving a jolt of inspiration or a way to tap into your idea factory? This  generative writing workshop is designed to spark your creativity, shake up your routine, and help you rediscover the joy of writing. Together, we’ll read short examples for inspiration, dive into playful prompts, and participate in guided writing sprints. Come prepared to experiment, play, and embrace the sheer fun of putting words on the page.

    Expected Takeaways

    • Fresh pages of new writing

    • Ideas to take back to your next writing practice

    • Finding the joy in your writing, even when you have deadlines


    Pick Up Finnian's Latest Book

    Here


    Intended audience:

    Writers of every skill level


    Bio:

    Dr. Finnian Burnett is a writer whose work explores the intersections of the human body, mental health, and gender identity. They are a recipient of a Canada Council for the Arts grant and a finalist in the 2023 CBC nonfiction prize.. Finnian’s work appears in Blank Spaces Magazine, Geist, Pulp Literature, CBC books, and more. Their two novellas-in-flash, The Clothes Make the Man and The Price of Cookies, are available through Ad Hoc Fiction and Off Topic Publishing. A third collection is forthcoming in the spring. Finnian lives in British Columbia and enjoys walking, Star Trek, and cat memes. Finnian is represented by Stacey Kondla of The Rights Factory.


    Digital doors open at 1:55 pm, event starts at 2:00 pm


    Show details

  • Romance Writing Intensive: From Spark to Sizzle

    • 17 Nov 2025
    • 9:30 AM
    • 21 Nov 2025
    • 3:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register


    Join us for five days of online learning from Nov 17 to 21, 2025.

    Presentations will be recorded and available to registrants for 45 days after the intensive. Socials and quiet writing times will not be recorded. 


    ABOUT

    Calling all romance-curious writers! Join us for five days of learning focused on the craft of romance stories, the do's and don'ts of the romance author life, and reader expectations for this diverse genre of fiction! 


    EVENT SCHEDULE
    *All times are in Pacific (Vancouver) time*


    MONDAY

    9:30:AM: Introduction and Tech Help (30 minutes)

    11:00 AM: "Romance 101" with Jennifer Sommersby

    2:00 PM: Meet-cute: Icebreaker Social 


    TUESDAY

    9:00 AM: Quiet writing time

    11:00 AM: "YA, NA, and Adult: Writing Romance Stories for Different Readerships" with Jacqueline Firkins

    2:00 PM: "Romance as a Radical Act of Self-Healing" with Danika Bloom


    WEDNESDAY

    9:00 AM: Quiet writing time

    11:00 AM: "Nailing the Middle Build of Your Romance Story" with Lisa Hislop

    2:00 PM: Hump Day Social: Mid-Week Check-In


    THURSDAY

    9:00 AM: Quiet writing time

    11:00 AM: "Beginner's Guide to a Successful Series" with Elizabeth Kelly

    2:00PM: "Q&A with the Love & Murder Book Club" 


    FRIDAY

    9:00 AM: Quiet writing time

    11:00 AM: "Maple Flavoured Small Town Romance: Using Setting as Your Strongest Character" with Keay Francis 

    2:00 PM: Happily Every After: Wrap-Up Social


    ZOOM LINK
    • The Zoom link will be included in your registration confirmation and in follow-up reminders.
    • We will be using the same zoom link for the duration of the event.
    • Please watch your email for a confirmation of registration email.
    • If you do not receive it within 24 hours of registration, please check you spam folders.
    • Contact us at hello@bcwriters.ca if you have not received your confirmation by Thursday November 13 to ensure we can get you the needed information.


    RECORDINGS

    • Sessions (except social/discussion-based events) will be recorded and made available for 45 days after the last session.


    WHAT TO EXPECT

    • Sessions will be a combination of talks, activities, and workshops.
    • This intensive's focus will likely lead to discussions of and presentations on mature themes, as they relate to romance writing. The FBCW's statement of participant expectations still applies in these settings. Please help us make this intensive a fun, safe experience for our presenters and community members by being respectful and considerate in your participation. 
    • Most sessions will be 1 hour in length. Q&A may extend the session longer, but participants are not required to stay.
    • Participants are encouraged to have a pen and paper handy for all sessions.


    RATES

    • FBCW MEMBERS: $60
    • GUEST: $75
    • SCHOLARSHIP: Limited scholarship-based discounts are available for those experiencing financial difficulties.  Please email us at hello@bcwriters.ca to inquire.


    POLICIES

    RECORDINGS

    • Our presenters are provided with contracts that stipulate the length of time that recordings are available. We are obligated to respect these contracts. No extensions are possible.
    • Reach out if you have any tech challenges related to access of the recordings by December 10th so that we can help you in the timeframe available.

    REFUND POLICY

    • Full refunds will be issued up to November 7th.
    • Refunds for half of registration fees will be be issued until November, 14th 11:59pm.
    • No refunds are possible after November 14th at 11:59pm except in the case of severe illness, death, or other urgent situations determined on a case-by-case basis.

    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

    • We are an organization that cherishes the work of writers and artists. To that end, we ask that all participants respect the intellectual property of our presenters, recordings, and material shared. Do not reproduce or distribute Writing Intensive materials without written permission.
    • Similarly, if other participants share information or excerpts from their projects, please respect their intellectual property.

    LIABILITY

    • In registering, participants understand and agree that the Federation of BC Writers (FBCW), its board, staff, presenters, and members are not liable for any damages or losses arising and waive any of the above from any and all liability.
    • The FBCW provides a space for presenters to share their experiences and insights with participants. The writing industry is a complex and ever-changing environment.  As such, the FBCW does not endorse any specific information shared in our programming as being complete or accurate in all scenarios. Participants have a responsibility to research and make informed decisions on any information given or implied.
    • Difficult and triggering topics can arise as part of artistic practices that are unforeseeable for staff, volunteers, and other participants. The FBCW is not liable for any damages or harms caused by participating in our programming.

    PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS

    • The FBCW is an organisation that celebrates diversity and inclusion and that taking part in the program means that participants are expected to be respectful, inclusive, and support the dignity of all people regardless of age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, language, ability, nationality, ability, health status, religion, and socioeconomic status. All people have identities that intersect the categories above. Examples of behaviour that undermine the above are: crude jokes, unwanted communication, statements minimising others’ experiences/histories, and threats.
    • Participants are expected to arrive a few minutes before sessions start.  This allows for any technical issues to be resolved without the group being disrupted.
    • If a participant is late, we ask that they refrain from asking “what did I miss” type questions so that the event can proceed smoothly.  Staff and facilitators will do the best they can to assist if vital information has been shared, but the recording should be able to resolve any questions of this nature.
    • We ask that participants be mindful of the amount of time they speak at events. All participants should have the ability to join in. Participants are expected to keep comments on topic and under a minute so that as many people as possible can participate.
    • Participants understand that if they are muted, it is not an intentional slight to them, but is needed to keep the session moving forward.  Participants can be muted at the discretion of the FBCW facilitators.
    • Difficult topics can arise participants understand that we cannot always know or understand other people’s histories. To help make the space as welcoming and safe as possible, if a participant’s is to share information or read excerpts from works that contain certain themes (outlined below), they will identify this prior to reading it to the group. (e.g. sexual assault, extreme violence, self-harm/eating disorders/suicide ideation, abortion/miscarriage, mental illness, graphic adult content).
    • Participants are expected to understand, be sensitive to, and respect the fact that the work of writers, and their opportunity to read their work may be triggering and/or therapeutic to them. Artistic works require vulnerability and the safety to be vulnerable, especially with sensitive topics. Participants agree to do their best to maintain a safe and supportive space for the sharing of the work, regardless of its nature.

    ACCOMMODATIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY

    • The Federation of BC Writers strives to make our events accessible to folks across ability and neurodivergence. We will do what we can to make our programming available to all people.
    • Our programming is based on zoom which means there are some limitations on what can be accomplished, but also advantages such as closed captioning and the ability to join from anywhere.
    • Accommodations are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
    • Accommodations that would significantly hinder the ability of other participants to be involved or participate are not possible.
    • Some accommodations may be beyond our financial and administrative capabilities. In such cases, we will seek funding or alternatives if possible.
    • Sessions normally last for an hour. Participants are welcome to step way from their computers if they need to while turning off their camera and microphone, but we will not be able to fill people in on what they missed. Participants are asked to return to the recording in such instances.



    Show details

  • Book Club for Writers: "How to Talk About Writing" with special guest Barbara Turner-Vesselago

    • 20 Nov 2025
    • 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
    • Zoom
    Register



    Member Price: Free (with donation options)

    Non-Member Price: $10

    **Note the afternoon time. Digital doors open at 1:55 pm; event starts at 2:00 pm Pacific Time 

    **Portions of this event will be recorded and made available to registrants to view for 30 days. Breakout room discussions will not be recorded.


    The Federation of BC Writers invites you to participate in our newest programming initiative: Book Club for Writers! This online book club for writers offers an opportunity to read and discuss books related to the craft of writing. Book Club events are 75 minutes long and feature a combination of small group discussion using breakout rooms, large group discussion in the main room, as well as an opportunity to hear the author, contributor, editor, or special guest’s insights and ask questions.


    Our final 2025 pick is How to Talk About Writing: A Fundamental Shift in Perspective (Vivid Publishing). We are thrilled to have the author, Barbara Turner-Vesselago, join us! Register here (bcwriters.ca/events-for-writers) to receive the event link, discussion questions, and reminders. Purchase the book, review the discussion questions, and when it's time for the event, click on the link to join the live Zoom event. We look forward to seeing you there!


    BOOK BLURB:

    This book provides invaluable advice for all who long to respond constructively to writers who seek their input, but who don’t know how or where to begin.  With insight and clarity, Barbara Turner-Vesselago distils the essentials of ‘How To Talk About Writing’ into six revolutionary discoveries

    Seasoned writing mentors and editors will be inspired to abandon old paradigms of editorial criticism. Those new to giving feedback will find straightforward tips—easy to comprehend and instantly rewarding to apply.

    PRESENTER BIO:

    Barbara Turner-Vesselago is the author of two successful writing books and a mentor to hundreds of published authors worldwide. Informative and user-friendly, this is a vital guide for writers’ groups, university seminars, and even for frank and informal one-on-one discussions between friends.

    STEPS:


    1. Register here to receive the discussion questions and event link

    2. Purchase your print or electronic version of the book

    3. Read the book and consider the discussion questions (emailed two weeks before meeting)

    4. Join the Book Club meeting using the Zoom link to discuss your responses and hear from our presenter!


    Please email Meaghan@bcwriters.ca if you have any questions, or would like to suggest a book.

    Show details

  • Writing Circle Spotlight: Poetry Writers' Circle

    • 25 Nov 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Zoom
    Register


    Join us Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00 pm Pacific for our a Writing Circle Spotlight featuring the Poetry Writers' Circle with readers Kelsey Andrews (group facilitator), Emma B, Kath Healing, Medwyn McConachy, KB Nelson, Bonnie Waterstone, and Zoe Ocean, hosted by Meaghan Hackinen

    Register here (bcwriters.ca/events-for-writers) and a link will be sent to you. When it's time for the event, click on the link to join the live Zoom event. To find our more about the FBCW's online Writing Circles https://bcwriters.ca/circles. We look forward to seeing you there!

    Digital Doors Open at 6:55 pm!

    *This event will be recorded.


    Kelsey Andrews writes mostly poetry. Her first collection, Big Sky Falling, came out with Ronsdale Press in 2021. She is proud to facilitate the Poetry Writers' Circle with the FBCW. She also offers all-level workshops in person and on zoom. Visit her at kelseyandrews.ca.








    Emma B was born in Vancouver but took a ferry over to Victoria in her late twenties and never looked back. She is an acupuncturist by day and a beginner potter by night.








    Kath Healing (they/them) is a queer, trans, disabled, and neurodivergent poet from the UK, now living on the unceded, unsurrendered lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking peoples (Victoria, BC). Their work traces how class, gender, and disability are archived in everyday artifacts, braiding eco-grief with queer survival and endurance. Winner of the 2025 Victoria Writers’ Society Poetry Contest, they have recent and forthcoming work in Plenitude, Contemporary Verse 2 (CV2), Garland, The Ekphrastic  Review, JLRB Press, and elsewhere. They perform regularly at slam and open-mic events, blending tenderness, wit, and defiance into collective voice. Find Kath on Instagram and Bluesky @kathhealing, and on Facebook @thekathhealing.








    Medwyn McConachy is a poet and fibre artist whose creative practice is inspired by connection to the living world and human impacts on the beings who share the lands she gratefully calls home, on unceded Quw’utsun territory settler named Salt Spring Island.  Much of what lands on her page and in her fibre art is generated through her contemplative solitary walking practice in the forests surrounding her home.







    Bonnie Waterstone feels grateful and honoured to live and garden in Ch'kw'elhp (Gibsons) unceded Squamish lands on the Sunshine Coast.  She stumbled back into writing poetry in her 70s after a variety of paying jobs anchored in reading, writing, language and literacy.  Her poems these days often revive snippets of stories from her mixed and mottled past or sing of trees or laugh at the discoveries of aging.







    Zoe Ocean lives by the ocean in qathet/Powell River where she can’t resist buying secondhand books even though her home is overflowing with them. She also enjoys growing flowers and vegetables in the summer and watching YouTube videos about astrology and art tutorials. She paints small abstract work in pastel, ink and paint with great enjoyment of colour and mark making.



    Meaghan Hackinen (FBCW host): is a bike-obsessed bookworm on a lifelong hunt for exceptional cycling routes, both on and off the pavement. Her cross-continental bike race memoir, Shifting Gears, was released by NeWest Press in 2023 and is available in print, ebook, and audiobook. When she's not lost in the mountains or chasing the sunset, she probably has her nose tucked in a book. Find her online: meaghanhackinen.com.

    Show details

  • Sunday Webinar: Writing and Research in the Age of (Mis)Information with Mark Cameron

    • 30 Nov 2025
    • 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register


    Writing and Research in the Age of (Mis)Information

    with Mark Cameron

    Member Price: $18

    Non-Member Price is $28

    **This event will be recorded. Registrants can access the recording for 45 days.

    Workshop/Event Description

    A writer’s guide to curating—and being curated—in the age of content creation, this workshop reflects on the challenges and opportunities that social media, self-publishing, and Artificial Intelligence present to writers.

    Expected Takeaways

    • How to conduct quality research in a sea of (mis)information
    • The role of traditional publishing in a world of user-generated content
    • How AI really works (at least in its current form)
    • How to use the internet without being used by it.


    Pick Up Mark's Latest Book

    Here


    Intended audience:

    Writers of every skill level

    Bio:

    Mark Cameron likes to say that he's a versatile writer, because "versatile" sounds much better than "unfocused." A recent graduate of the University of King's College (MFA in Creative Nonfiction), Mark is trying to coax three books, several short stories, and a handful of poems toward publication. He also keeps busy planning the 2026 Wine Country Writers' Festival, reading submissions for several literary contests, providing mentorship and editing services, and building workshops that challenge writers to look at the world ever so slightly askew.

    Website


    Digital doors open at 1:55 pm, event starts at 2:00 pm


    Show details

  • Fireside Chat with Frances Peck and Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho

    • 3 Dec 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register


    The Federation of BC Writers is excited to present a Fireside Chat with Frances Peck and Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho. This chat will be about an hour long, and the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions.

    Join us on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7:00 pm Pacific by registering here and a Zoom link for the event will be sent to you. When it’s time for the event you can click on the Zoom link to join the event.

    Digital doors open at 6:55 pm!

    **This event will be recorded. 


    Frances Peck was an editor, ghostwriter, and editing/writing instructor before turning to creative writing. Her debut novel, The Broken Places, was a Globe and Mail best book of 2022 and a finalist for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. Her second novel, Uncontrolled Flight, made several 2023 book-of-the-year lists. Frances, the FBCW Ambassador, is on her own revision quest these days, doing deep edits to her new novel.

    Find Frances' latest release, Uncontrolled Flight, here.


    With roots in Taiwan and Canada, Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho identifies as Generation 1.5, inhabiting the liminal spaces between cultures, languages, places, and identities. Her award-winning short stories and personal essays have appeared in anthologies and literary journals. She is at work on a memoir about growing up in a Taiwanese-Canadian “astronaut” family.

    Show details

  • December Writers' Social

    • 9 Dec 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Zoom
    Register



    Join us for a Writers' Social on Tuesday, December 9 from 7:00 - 8:15 PM Pacific by registering here (bcwriters.ca/events-for-writers) and a Zoom link for the event will be sent to you. When it’s time for the event you can click on the Zoom link to join the event.


    Many of us strive for a connection with our fellow writers. This members-only monthly event is designed to bring us together for casual chats with breakout rooms. Join us to talk craft, career, and connection for about 75 minutes over Zoom. Meet new people and get the most out of being a part of a provincial organization! Below are the proposed discussion groups for this month's meeting (subject to change). Please email meaghan@bcwriters.ca if you would like to suggest a discussion topic for an upcoming meeting. See you there!


    Discussion Groups:

    • All about poetry 
    • Editing and revision
    • CNF/memoir writers connect
    • Travel writing
    • All about poetry
    • Connecting writers with chronic illnesses
    • General writing discussion

    Digital Doors Open at 6:55 pm, Event Starts at 7:00 PM Pacific

    Show details

Supported by the British Columbia Arts Council

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Email us at hello@bcwriters.ca

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