March 2022: Due to improving COVID-19 conditions, we will offer in-person presentations. We also will continue to offer ZOOM as an alternate way to attend. Contact us for details. You will receive confirmation of your attendance and further instructions closer to the meeting day. You do not need a webcam on your computer, and you can also use a smartphone or a regular telephone. By phone, you may not be able to see everyone, but you will be able to hear everything going on at the meetings.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, June 4th, 2022, 2 PM - In-Person or via ZOOM
Frances Peck presents "Sentences with Style"
What exactly happens when you rearrange a sentence
and suddenly it’s sharper and stronger?
The study of syntax (word order) may have gone the way of foolscap and fountain pens, but it has a lot to teach us about clarity, emphasis, and rhythm.
Join us as we dust off some intriguing syntax techniques and explore how they can punch up your writing. More details here.
This in-person presentation will be at Coquitlam Public Library, City Centre Branch Room 136 on Pinetree near Lougheed.
Ongoing Events
Past Events
Shoreline Writers' Group
Once a month, on Sundays, 1-4 p.m., in 2nd floor boardroom of Coquitlam Public Library, City Centre Branch, 1169 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, V3B 0Y1. This is a partnership between the Shoreline Writers' Group (formerly the Shoreline Writers' Society) and Tri-City Wordsmiths, uniting a critique group (SWG) and a community of writers (TCW). All area writers are welcome; it's not necessary to be a member of either group to attend.
SWG Meetings are suspended until further notice.
Note: Many of the presenters share their material on the Members Only page
(for the most complete listing, please use a computer, not a cell phone)
Apr 02, 2022
"Strategies for writing a first draft" by Christina Myers
Feb 05, 2022
"Overcoming Our Fears to Write
Powerful Stories" by Gail Anderson-Dargatz
Dec 04, 2021
'The Art of Revision: How to Re-see Your Poetry' ' by Renee Saklikar
'Writing for Social Justice' by Alison Tedford
Oct 02, 2021
What Voice in Yonder Writing Breaks? by Patrick Cotter
Aug 07, 2021
The Impossible Longing
by Traci Skuce
Jun 05, 2021
Copyright - What Writers Should Know by George Opacic
Apr 10, 2021
Surrealisms: Dream Injections to Strengthen Poetry and Prose
with Kevin Spenst
Dec 05, 2020
Feb 08, 2020
Taxing Writers
Tri-City Writers presents author George Opacic on Helping Writers understand tax-related matters.
Apr 06, 2019
Beyond the First Draft: Revising Your Work
Tri-City Wordsmiths presenter John Mavin described a method of rewriting which can take your manuscript from a first raw draft to a polished story, ready for sharing with the world.
John Mavin, is the author of Rage, a collection of short stories. He has taught creative writing at Capilano University, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, with New Shoots (an annual UBC creative writing program), and at the Learning Exchange in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. He has also been a nominee for both the Aurora Award and the Journey Prize. In this workshop,
Feb 02, 2019
5 Top Ways to Avoid Looking like a Dork on Social Media
Barbara Drozdowich, author of 18 books, is an online course instructor and a technical trainer to writers. Her latest book, The Author’s Guide To Self-Publishing For Canadians, was released in 2018.
This workshop was aimed at writers who are new to social media and apprehensive about using it. The speaker discussed 5 simple ways to make life easier, when navigating this technology. She answered such questions as: What are the top three social media platforms for authors, and who is using them? What are hash tags and why are they so powerful? How can writers create an effective social media bio?
Jan 05, 2019
Dreaming into Reality: Editing Your Writing
Rhea Rose, Writer, Poet, Artist, Teacher, Indie Publisher addressed the Tri-City Wordsmiths’ Annual Membership Renewal and Social Meeting presenting her view as a professional editor about different types of editing and how to find reasonably priced help for polishing manuscripts.
Dec 01, 2018
Publishers, Libraries & Writers: An Evolving World
As Chief Executive Officer, Fraser Valley Regional Library Scott offered his insights as to how writers can work with their libraries, concentrating on three themes: recent trends in publishing, and what it means for you as an author; how to market your book, generally; and how to market your book specifically to libraries, given their changing role.
Oct 13, 2018
Dread, Horror and Gore: How to Write Effective Dark Fiction
Our speaker discussed the subject of dread, and the various techniques that can evoke it in your stories. Using examples from literature and movies, Tocher explained how to establish a horrifying mood, and provided miscellaneous tips for writing gore. Check out David's publishing website: Dark Dragon Publishing.
Aug 04, 2018
Living the Past: Historical Fiction for Storytellers With Carol M. Cram
In this 2-hour workshop, Carol focussed on using the past as a vehicle for story, rather than as an end in itself. Participants were offered tips for writing historical fiction and completed some hands-on exercises. Please visit her website at CarolCram.com
Feb 03, 2018
Research Tips: Discovering Stories in 19th Century North America with Yvonne Harris
Yvonne Harris, local author of six books of historical fiction for adults and children, as well as several travel books on Canada's north. www.yvonneharris.com.
Dec 06, 2014
A Crime Writers’ Panel with Owen Laukkanen, Derrick Carew, and Stefano Mazzega
Discover how these three writers started in the crime-writing genre, what they’ve learned along the way, and what tips and tricks they can share with those of us who hope to follow in their footsteps as crime writers.