Events & Workshops

On-location research can help develop the setting of a novel as more than window dressing for the action. Details of landscape, climate, and culture can stretch beyond developing mood or atmosphere to influence a character’s decisions, actions, and ability to accomplish their goals. Tap into the potential of setting as you dive deep into on-location research possibilities with award-winning historical fantasy author Marie Powell. Come away with strategies to develop an on-location research plan that will enhance your natural writing process and increase the overall credibility of your story-world.

Important registration notes:

Members pay less for workshops! Are you trying to register, and you’re being charged the full workshop fee when you’re a current SWG member? To access the reduced member rate for this workshop, please make sure you are logged into this website with your member profile to access the member rate for the session. (The member login link is on the top right of this page (computer) or at the top centre (mobile/tablet).)

If this workshop is sold out, please email swgevents@skwriter.com to be placed on the waitlist.

Please note that all times listed are Saskatchewan time. Find your time zone here: https://dateful.com/time-zone-converter

This event will not be livestreamed or recorded.

Accessibility Measures in this workshop

• Live auto-captions through Zoom
• Presenter self-descriptions
• Limited Zoom technical support provided by SWG staff to assist participants while they’re in the Zoom meeting.

To help you prepare, here are the expectations for participants in this workshop:

• Camera is optional but greatly appreciated.
• Participant discussion is not required, but is appreciated
• Participants are not expected to share writing created during the workshop with the group, but it is appreciated.  
• Participants are expected to participate in activities/prompts/exercises throughout the workshop. (In session and optional homework that will not be marked.)
• During the workshop, participants may be split into smaller groups using Breakout Rooms

Workshop registration refund policy:

Please be certain you will be able to attend before you register. Registered participants must promptly email the SWG staff person responsible for the event (Cat Abenstein, Program Manager, swgevents@skwriter.com) to cancel their registration. Otherwise, no refunds will be issued.

• A full refund is available if you cancel your registration one week prior to the start of the workshop (by 11:59 p.m. on March 4, 2026)
• A 50% refund is available if you cancel your registration less than one week and more than 48 hours before the workshop. (For cancellations between March 5 and March 10 at 11:59 p.m. SK time)
• There is no refund for registrations cancelled within 48 hours of the workshop or for no-shows. (Beginning at 12:00 a.m. on March 11)
• If you would like to donate your registration fee to the SWG’s accessibility fund so others can attend events like this in the future, please let us know in your email.

Workshop Facilitator

Marie Powell’s castle-hopping adventures across North Wales resulted in her medieval fantasy duology, Spirit Sight (Last of the Gifted: Book 1) and Water Sight (Book 2), set in 13th C Wales. Her picture book, Garden Song (Lilac Arch Press), will appear in 2026 to join her 40+ children’s books with such publishers as Scholastic Education and Amicus. With a publication history stretching over 30 years, her most recent travel articles appear in Travel and Culture. Marie lives on Treaty 4 Territory in Regina, where she experiments in gardening, medieval cooking, and cat whispering. Find more at mariepowell.ca.

Funding provided by:

In proud partnership with: