The SWG Annual Conference and AGM will be held October 25-26, 2024 in Regina SK at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (1975 Broad Street). The 2024 theme is Mirrors. Writing, like mirrors, reflects our world. This theme plays with this idea that our writing – nonfiction, fiction and poetry – can hold up and reflect our world, lives, families and outer appearances back at us, but that it’s worth digging deeper into that reflection to understand ourselves.

Our conference is designed for both emerging and established Saskatchewan writers, as well as brand-new and long-standing SWG members: please join us to learn more about the craft of writing, meet new writers and catch up with old friends! We welcome all members to attend our Annual General Meeting to help the Guild conduct important business.

 

Book Table:

We will be operating a book table during our conference, which will sell books by presenters and SWG members. Any attending SWG member is welcome to bring books to sell. Read our FAQs here for more information and when to drop off books.

 

Registration Options:

All conference events require registration, which will open July 16, 2024. Options include:

• Full Conference pass for all in-person events
  •  Member $240 / Non-member $280 / Student $120
  • Reduced conference pass rates are available if you do not require parking.
• Free livestreamed virtual events:
  • Stories Under a Living Sky – Friday at 7:00 pm
  • 2024 Hicks Long Manuscript Award in Poetry Ceremony – Friday at 8:00 pm
  • Annual Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture – Saturday at 1:00 pm

SWG Members are eligible for an early bird registration rate of $215 with parking ($185 without parking) before September 18.

Stories Under a Living Sky, the 2024 Hicks Awards and Heath Lecture are the conference’s only livestreamed and recorded events. Videos will be available on the SWG Youtube channel post-conference for 30 days.

If you are interested in attending a single event, please contact info@skwriter.com or 306-791-7740 for more information.

 

Hotel Guestroom Options:

If you are interested in staying at the DoubleTree Hotel during the conference, the SWG has a block of guest rooms available for a special conference rate ($159/king plus taxes). Please book your room directly with the DoubleTree Hotel by calling 1-306-525-6767 by September 25, 2024. Availability is not guaranteed after this date. Parking is included in DoubleTree guest room rates, so if you are staying at the hotel during the conference, you do not need to buy a conference pass that includes parking.

 

AGM Member mileage reimbursement:

Did you know that SWG members get a partial mileage reimbursement for attending the annual AGM? Members who attend the AGM can claim their return mileage at $.22/km: please speak to SWG staff about submitting a claim forms after the AGM.

 

Accessibility:

All SWG 2024 Conference events will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel. The conference rooms are fully wheelchair accessible with nearby washrooms and elevator access. All presenters will use a microphone and rooms will be set up with moveable tables and chairs. Full information about accessibility measures is available our FAQs page.  If you have any accessibility needs, please let SWG staff know so we can help you enjoy our conference.

We hope you enjoy our conference this year!

Schedule

Friday, October 25	Event	Location
6:00 pm	Registration table opens Book table drop-off Sales open at 7:00 pm	DoubleTree Hotel 2nd Floor Swift Current Room
7:00 pm	Opening of the 2024 Conference w/ the Stories Under a Living Sky Showcase with Austin “The Noble Savage” Ahenakew, Geanna Dunbar, and Eric Gabriel aka Gabriel “ArchAngel” Ehijie. Hosted by Peace Akintade-Oluwagbeye.	Swift Current Room Live-streamed/ recorded
8:00 pm	John V. Hicks Long Manuscript Award in Poetry Ceremony Hosted by Jeanette Lynes Reception to follow	Swift Current Room Live-streamed/ recorded

Saturday, October 26	Event	Location
8:00 am	Registration Table opens Book Table opens	DoubleTree Hotel 2nd Floor Swift Current Room
8:00 - 9:00 am	Breakfast Included in Conference Pass	Swift Current Room
9:00 - 10:00 am	Annual General Meeting	Swift Current Room
10:00 - 10:30 am	Break
10:30 am - 12:00 pm	Concurrent Workshop: "Beyond the Reflection" Fiction Workshop with Anne Lazurko	Swift Current Room
10:30 am - 12:00 pm	Concurrent Workshop: "Looking-Glass Selves" Poetry Workshop with Medrie Purdham	1st Floor Prince Albert Room
12:00 - 12:15 pm	Break
12:15 - 1:00 pm	Lunch Included in Conference Pass	Swift Current Room
1:00 - 2:00 pm	Annual Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture "Who is that Woman in the Mirror?" with Lorna Crozier	Swift Current Room Live-streamed/ recorded
2:00 - 2:30 pm	Break
2:30 - 3:45 pm	Concurrent Panel "Imagination's Looking Glass" with Bev Brenna, Heather O'Watch, Sharon Plumb and host Elaine McArthur	Swift Current Room
2:30 - 3:45 pm	Concurrent Panel "Clearing the Smoke and Mirrors: On Writing Hard Topics and Caring for Our Mental Wellness" with Peace Akintade-Oluwagbeye, Suzy Krause, Iryn Tushabe and host Rhea McFarlane	1st Floor Prince Albert Room
4:00 - 5:15 pm	Concurrent Panel "Mirror Image: How Poetry Reflects and Distorts" with Lorna Crozier, Robert Currie, Courtney Bates-Hardy and host Michael Trussler	Swift Current Room
4:00 - 5:15 pm	Concurrent Panel "Beyond the Black Mirror: Society and Genre Fiction's Influence" with Heather Polischuk, Jes Battis and host Marie Powell	1st Floor Prince Albert Room
5:30 - 7:00 pm	Break  Supper on your own Door opens at 6:30 pm
7:00 - 8:00 pm	Fast Friends: Building Connection Reception Includes dessert reception Book Table closes by 8:00 pm	Swift Current Room
8:15 pm	Community Stage Open Mic  with host Dash Reimer	Swift Current Room

 

Schedule     Registration     Events     Presenter Bios

Annual General Meeting     FAQs     Payment