Monday, September 15, 2014

Windsor International Writers Conference


 
Hi Sylvia,
I'm not sure if you remember me or not. We talked a few times a few years back. I am friends with Kimberly Batchelor Davis and she suggested I contact you. I am in charge of putting on a writers conference this November.
 The Windsor International Writers Conference, a not-for-profit event, is taking place at the St. Clair Conference Centre November 13-16th, 2014. The website for the conference is wi-wc.orgThe theme is "Writing Across Boundaries." We are going to explore the ethics needed to write, how to incorporate different cultures and ethnic groups into stories, women in writing, and we will look at who gets to write stories of different cultures and heritages. We will also have speakers showing us the skills of really good storytelling, how to write accurately and do research for writing, and how to relay points of view without becoming didactic. Our theme and the topics we are discussing makes us quite unique.
The mandate of the Windsor International Writers Conference is based on one premise: that all peoples and nations must have the right to preserve their heritage, art, culture and books for future generations. If these things are destroyed and the history is forgotten, then that people will disappear.
Based on this premise, the WI-WC will make every endeavour in its conferences to always present information:
  1. to promote the craft of writing and advancing skills, not only in writing, but in accurately and properly researching a story.
  2. to use ethics and morals when writing.
  3. to take care to preserve the dignity of any culture, heritage, or group of people.
  4. and above all, to promote the art of being a really good story teller.
 
Based on that, I've asked Michael Greyeyes to speak. Michael is a professor at York and often discusses the depiction of First Nations in writing and how he feels the "Indian-ness" should be removed. I've also asked Carol Rehme to speak. She is a master oral storyteller for seniors and an award-winning author as well. Naomi Ragen is an Israeli writer who looks at the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish faith and their treatment of women. Sheila Malovany-Chevallier and Constance Borde translated the book "Second Sex," a book that became famous during the feminist movement in the 60's. Rick Sykes teaches media communications and journalism and won best teacher of the year. We also have award winners Nino Ricci, poet Ron Silliman, Bruce Cameron (8 Simple Rules for Dating my Daughter) and screenplay maven William Pace (A League of Their Own). Gord Kirkland and Tracy Beckerman are also on board ... and there are a lot more. 
We will be having information about different ethnic groups, the Underground Railroad etc. Henry Ford Museum and Hitsville USA.

We believe that the professionals we have gathered will make a huge, positive impact on writers, both amateur and professional, teachers and especially students. The cost for adults is $385.00. We have lowered the cost to $225.00 for students and this includes most meals. We are also having group rates for ten or more people. 
 
 Any monies earned at this event will be going right back into next year's conference. It will also become a major fundraiser for the Raindance Film Institute and Arts Centre that is on both sides of the Canadian/US border. Profits will go into further Arts programs for children and adults alike, especially the underprivileged. (We already have Alexander Mishnaevski, former principal violist with the Detroit symphony Orchestra and one of the top ten violists in the world,  planning Master Classes for Music students.) 
All of us involved in the conference are volunteers. 
Can we advertise this to your members? Also, if you have a brochure we would gladly stuff the brochure in our tote bags. I would be happy to discuss this further with you. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call me at 519 730 0315. I look forward to hearing from you.


Regards
Pam Goldstein
chairperson Wiwc, 2014
wi-wc.org
1-(519)-730-0315

1 comment:

  1. I really liked your post about Windsor International Writers Conference

    ReplyDelete

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