OWC 2011 Event Highlights
The 2011 Ontario Writers’ Conference was such a success, we want to share some of the excitement! Local and visiting writers enjoyed a fantastic day developing their talents and mingling with workshop leaders and speakers.
>> 2011 Video Gallery
>> 2010 Photo Gallery
List of Speakers:
LIST OF SPEAKERS
WORKSHOPS
PLENARY SESSION
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
BLUE PENCIL SESSIONS
LECTURE SERIES
FESTIVAL READERS
From Honorary Patron Wayson Choy
My thanks for including me once again -- and for giving me the joy of taking part and for allowing me to share with everyone there. What a successful day it was! That set of memories will be staying with me. The consistent success of this conference is sterling, nay, platinum -- and you see all this in the enthusiasm and smiling faces of the participants. I had a great time taking endless notes in the workshops.
The integrity and quality of the conference, the sense of a community, the relevant activities, the classy schedule of events -- I'm sure many compliments have been passed along to you. Please accept my own -- I'm so moved to see how much the event has grown and been so carefully and sensitively nurtured since 2008. I treasure the familiar faces that greet me each year -- and am abashed that I should ever be so lucky to be included.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
From agents
There was a wonderful upbeat energy among the attendees which I feel it’s particularly important to reconnect with – so easy in the everyday pressures of the job to lose sight of the excitement and discovery part of the whole process.
I hope the attendees enjoyed themselves as much as the presenters did!
From blue pencil mentors
You all pulled off a great event. The day was well run, the education program was professional and as a participant in the workshops and as a blue pencil session editor, I had a really great time.
I felt the day was well organized, relaxed and fun.
From facilitators
Only kudos…
Thank you very much for the chance to speak at your conference. I thought it was a very well-planned writers’ conference at a beautiful location and one I would consider attending again as a writer (not a speaker) to learn more and improve my skills. Plus, the cookies during the breaks were extremely delicious. ;-)
I'm glad the conference was such a success. I found it ran very smoothly, and as a presenter I was made to feel welcome and important -- which isn't always the case. You have great volunteers.
From attendees
Loved the panel discussion re: publication. Great speakers. Great idea. People around me spoke positively about this and I loved it too. The workshops were great.
Everything you do is of such high quality. You’ve spoiled us and I like it!
Interesting speakers. Blue Pencil sessions are so useful. I gained a lot of information in one place. All in all, a good day. Most informative and entertaining.
This is a well organized, good event that was well worth the money.
That was my first Writers’ Conference and I found it to be awesome! It was extremely well organized - everything ran like clockwork.
The quality of speakers was amazing! Especially the publisher and self- publishing share.
The people were prepared; the food was great; the information was useful. I will definitely be back next year and will recommend it to anyone who asks.
Continue being obsessively on time. It is great to have things flow so well. Amazing speakers and imaginative sessions help too.
I loved the experience the day had to offer (especially the perks: the door prizes, gift bags, and books!). Bravo, well done.
I am so impressed with the organization of the conference. It is such a high from receiving our package; the timing of events; the co-ordination and easy movement of attendees from room to room, including the help of the students. Coffee table and snacks available in between sessions, was a nice touch. Meals were great. Keep that dessert table! All in all, I left re-charged by meeting new people and learning something new in each workshop.
As usual, the lunch and dinner were yummy! The venue is beautiful and easy to get to. Super prizes for the draw. Keep up the great work.
Definitely continue offering blue pencil sessions. And the guest speakers on publishing – this info is always useful and always worth updating. The readings towards the end were a definite keeper; the variety was so impressive.
Keep up the great word with the excellent selection and varying degree of skills and ideas offered. I appreciated the lyrics/poetry addition and the social networking / blogging additions. As an older, fledgling participant who has been to hundreds of conferences in my work, this is one of the best organized events I have attended.
Want to hear a novice writer’s experience? 2011 Participant Experience Letter
Want to hear a first-timer’s reaction? 2010 Participant Thank You Letter
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