The SWG Annual Conference and AGM will be held October 23-24, 2026, in Regina at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (1975 Broad Street). 

The 2026 theme is The Big Picture. Like a camera lens, writers can focus intently on the elements of writing: the best word, the most eloquent phrase, the shape and form of our work. What happens when we zoom out from that initial meeting of pen to paper? How can we explore our writing as a meditation on the larger world around us? What is the role of writers in the world, and the impact of the world on writers? Join us for our 2026 Conference as we ask – what’s the bigger picture?

 

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 Book Table information here.

 

Registration Options:

 

SWG Members enjoy an early bird registration rate of $200 without parking before September 10 (add $40 for a parking pass).

All conference events require registration, which will open July 27, 2026. Options include:

• Full Conference pass WITH PARKING for all in-person events
  • Member $255 / Non-member $290 / Student $140
• Full Conference pass WITHOUT PARKING for all in-person events
  • Member $215 / Non-member $250 / Student $100
• Free livestreamed virtual events:
  • Annual Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture by Jenna Butler – Friday at 7:00 pm
  • 2026 Hicks Long Manuscript Award in Literary Nonfiction Ceremony – Friday at 8:00 pm

 

The 2026 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 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 ($169/king plus taxes). Please book your room directly with the DoubleTree Hotel by calling 1-306-525-6767 by September 23, 2026. Availability is not guaranteed after this date.

 

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 form after the AGM.

 

Accessibility:

All SWG 2026 Conference events will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel. The conference room is fully wheelchair accessible with nearby washrooms and elevator access. All presenters will use a microphone, and rooms will be set up with movable tables and chairs. Full information about accessibility measures is available on 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 23	Event	Location
6:00 pm	Registration table opens Book table drop-off Sales open at 7:00 pm	DoubleTree Hotel – All events are hosted in the Moose Jaw Room
7:00 pm	Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture - "Wayfinding: Creativity and Community in Hard Times" with Dr. Jenna Butler	Also live-streamed + recorded
8:15 pm	John V. Hicks Long Manuscript Award in Literary Nonfiction ceremony Dessert reception to follow	Also live-streamed + recorded

Saturday, October 24	Event	Location
8:00 am	Registration Table opens Book Table opens	DoubleTree Hotel – All events are hosted in the Moose Jaw Room
8:00 - 9:00 am	Breakfast Included in Conference Pass Fast Friends: Writerly Notebook of Connection & Bonding
9:00 - 10:00 am	Annual General Meeting
10:00 - 10:20 am	Break
10:20 - 11:15 am	Craft Talk: "How to Incorporate Big Truths into Small (truthful) Lies in Fiction" with Melanie Schnell
11:15 - 11:30 am	Break
11:30 am - 12:25 pm	Craft Talk: "The Big Questions: Why Poetry? And How?" with Chelsea Coupal
12:25 - 12:30 pm	Break
12:30 - 1:30 pm	Lunch Buffet Included in Conference Pass
1:30 - 2:30 pm	Onstage Conversation with David Gane and Angie Counios
2:30 - 3:00 pm	Break
3:00 - 4:00 pm	Panel - "Looking Back at the Big Picture"  with Tara Gereaux, Alison Lohans
4:00 - 4:15 pm	Break
4:15 - 5:15 pm	Panel - "Convex Futures" with Jenna Butler, Chris Brown, Ibukun-Oluwa Fasunhan and host Christian Riegel
5:15 - 7:00 pm	Break  Supper on your own Door opens at 6:30 pm
7:00 - 8:00 pm	Stories Under a Living Sky with Carrie Biner, Jesse Desjarlais and Aniasonwa Ebuka Favour and host by Shayna Stock
8:00 - 8:30 pm	Appetizer Break Sign up for Open Mic
8:30 pm	Community Stage Open Mic  with host Dash Reimer

 

Schedule     Registration     Events     Presenter Bios

Annual General Meeting     FAQs     Payment