Due to improving COVID-19 conditions, we are now offering in-person presentations, as well as on ZOOM. Contact us for more 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 won't be able to see anything, but you will be able to hear everything going on at the meetings.
Upcoming Events
Normally, we offer an option to attend presentations at Terry Fox Library or via ZOOM: To participate in our meeting, please send an email to:
tri.city.wordsmiths@gmail.com with a request
to attend, stating either ONLINE or In-Library.
Write and share
Sat., August 9th, 2025 1:30-4PM
Write and share ....Inviting writers from all walks of life to join fellow writers in this unique hands-on session.
We will write together and will discuss our insights of what makes a writer, what to write, how to write, and more.
Past Events
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)
Jun. 7, 2025
Now that you’ve finished writing your book, you’re probably excited to share it with the world. Indie publishing, or self-publishing, is a fantastic way to make that happen. Learn what’s involved in indie publishing your book, including setting yourself up for success, producing ebooks and print books, and managing your indie author business. We’ll dive into book formatting, design, and working with illustrators. Join this session with indie author Carmen Wright to better understand your options and whether indie publishing is the right path for you.
Apr. 5, 2025
Tired of using the usual tools to write, analyze, or teach short stories? Did you notice that Freytag’s Pyramid (that “ski slope”) your English teacher taught you doesn’t work for many, many stories? Join Ace Baker, author of How to Make a Killing Jar, a collection of 12+1 short stories, for fresh ideas on what is possible when writing or teaching short fiction. Handouts provided.
In this interactive workshop CARMY STUBBS took us into how writing, storytelling, and art can be used to heal and transform our lives, via her own healing process with grief where I used poetry, short stories, and video (digital storytelling), and also how drawing became an unexpected tool for transformation as I wrote The Six Knowings of ASAIRA. In the second part of the workshop.
Carmy is the author of the novel The Six Knowings of ASAIRA, a metaphysical fantasy, where all her loves ~ the poems, the magic, the storytelling, and the search for the Divine~ weave themselves alchemically through text and illustration.
Feb. 1, 2025
Dec. 7, 2024
Effectively creating and representing diverse characters, with Colleen van Niekirk: characters of colour, of other genders or differing sexual orientations is necessary work that 'permits intimacy with the Other.' By focusing on the writer, the reader and the characters themselves, Colleen shed some light on how to tread down this road when creating Black characters specifically, by offering both insights and actions that writers keen to do this well, may consider.
October 5, 2024
How to Sustain Characters in a Series and Keep the Spark Alive with Debra Purdy Kong Whether you’re thinking about writing several novels featuring the same character(s) or have already written several books in a series, sustaining your characters—and the series itself—can be overwhelming. This workshop offered strategies to plan, plot, and organize your work without losing your momentum, or your mind.
August 24, 2024
Online only
Facilitator, Cristy Watson, presented a fun and interactive session of creating poetry! This workshop designed for everyone, included those who are new to poetry and those who are experienced poets. Attendees were given an opportunity to ‘play with poetry’ using a variety of engaging activities and prompts to boost their writing.
June 1, 2024
How to Tackle The Soggy Middle,
Writers sometimes get stuck in the middle of writing a book or short story. If not handled well, the middle of your story can become stuffed, unfocused, and lacking in tension. Coquitlam author, Gisela Woldenga discussed how to avoid getting stuck and prepare for it in advance.
Marketing your books
This talk will be of interest
whether you are (or aim to be) self-published or traditionally published
April 6, 2024
Funny You Should Say: Humour Techniques for Children’s Writers presented by
Mark David Smith. He led us through a series of writing techniques, using examples from various well-known children's books.
February 3, 2024
December 2, 2023
Writing down the bones, A poetry workshop
with Jude Neale
This poetry workshop, led by nationally acclaimed author, Jude Neale, is for novices as well as experienced writers. It will ignite your imagination and free your creativity through writing prompts, games, and exercises.
October 14, 2023
Writing a Memoir: Do You Dare? with Heather Conn. Writing a memoir can be daunting, especially if you’re revealing family secrets. How and where do you start and find the resilience to face many related challenges, from vicious feedback and writer’s block to multiple rejections and rude agents?
Heather will share her own memoir-writing experiences while covering the basics of craft, the writing process, publishing, and handling relatives and others who criticize your stance. Includes brief readings and books for sale.
August 12, 2023
Write What You Know: Tips for Getting Your Children’s Writing Published, with Eileen Holland. Learn the ins and outs of how a 33-year veteran schoolteacher used writerly advice and genetic stubbornness to get her two children’s books published.
June 03, 2023
Wherever you are in your writing career, let award-winning author, Bill Arnott, help you create and implement foolproof strategies to maximize your success.
Gain the tools to brand, promote, and market your book and enjoy doing it
May 06, 2023
Tri-City Wordsmiths presents a writers' festival celebrating its 10th anniversary as a writing club in the Tri-Cities.
Port Coquitlam May Days (PCMD) Readers and Writers Festival features a full day of panels, workshops, market hall, blue-pencil sessions, and more.
Generously supported by the City of Port Coquitlam, the Port Coquitlam Arts Council, and the Port Coquitlam Community Foundation's Community Capital Projects Matching Grant Program
Apr 01, 2023
If you seek to create creativity in your life, there are five areas/activities in your life that Amber Cowie can help you identify and cultivate to find space for your work. Nurturing these spaces and moments could turn a glimmer of an idea into the work you’ve been waiting to create. It’s not about making space in your home or your life. It’s about making space in your mind
Feb 04, 2023
"The Play's the thing, and how to create one.' Playwright Ruth Kozak, with Jay Hamburger, Artistic Director of Vancouver based Theater in the Raw
Dec 02, 2022
Poetry Readings and "Sustaining your writing practice”
with Renée Sarojini Saklikar
"What's Your Story?" with Caitlin Hicks
Oct 01, 2022
"Writing History as Fiction" with Margie Taylor
August 06, 2022
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June 04, 2022
"Sentences with Style" by Frances Peck
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.