When Words Collide 2025 - Masterclasses
When Words Collide 2025 Master Classes
Join us at the festival for 2-hour Master Classes taught by some of our amazing guests. Master Classes are for festival participants. You should already have a festival pass when you register for the Master Classes.
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Please note, unfortunately, the Theatre is not wheelchair accessible and has limited seating capacity. Max seats: 25
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A Thematic Approach to Writing with Robert J Sawyer
When: Friday, August 15, at 1:00pm
Where: Theatre
Cost: $40
Many of the biggest bestsellers — including Dan Brown, John Grisham, and the late Michael Crichton — are thematically driven. Starting by determining your theme — the topic you want to explore and what you want your message to be — provides a powerful catalyst for developing both compelling plots and unforgettable characters.
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But Make it Gayer... with Finnian Burnett & Andrew Buckley
When: Friday, August 15, at 3:00pm
Where: Theatre
Cost: $40
Co-authors Andrew Buckley and Finnian Burnett lead this joyous exploration into writing queer characters, sharing queer joy, and mastering the nuances of non-traditional pronouns.
Participants will analyze stories with a spectrum of queer characters, engage in group brainstorming, do generative writing exercises in small groups and find the answers to some of the universe’s most compelling questions about queer characters such as: do lesbians really love hummus?
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The Creative Storm with Lee Edward Födi
When: Saturday, August 16, at 10:00am
Where: Theatre
Cost: $40
The nine most important things I’ve learned about creativity from writing for—and teaching it to—kids
In this workshop, Lee Edward Födi draws on his twenty years of experience as a children’s author, illustrator, and creative writing teacher to unpack the mystery—and myths—of creativity. He will discuss perspectives, approaches, and strategies for nurturing imagination and expanding creativity in people of all ages.
Key points to be discussed include:
- Play is important.
- Growing up is the enemy of creativity.
- What if there are no lightning bolts?
- Creativity is stressful.
- The process is the product.
- Thinking inside the box.
- Sharing the power.
- Nurture over nature.
- Get Patient.
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Murder Mystery Roadmap with Juanita Violini
When: Saturday, August 16, at 1:00pm
Where: Theatre
Cost: $40
9 STEPS FROM BLANK PAGE TO COMPLETE PLOT
Ever stared at a blank page, wondering where to start? Or written yourself into a corner, forced into endless rewrites because your plot unraveled? It doesn’t have to be that way.
In this power-packed workshop, you’ll learn the 9 essential steps that take you from zero to mystery plot—before you even write a single scene. Each step builds on the last, guiding you smoothly from idea to actualizing your plot, ensuring it is solid, surprising, and satisfying.
No more plot block. When you know exactly what happens next, you can focus on the writing, not the guessing. No more massive rewrites. With this step-by-step approach, your plot twists, motives, and clues evolve as you go, meaning big changes happen before you start drafting—not after.
This class will give you a clear, repeatable system for crafting mysteries that work—every single time. Join me and take the mystery out of plotting… so you can put it where it belongs: in your story.
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Starting and Ending with Theme with Bradley Somer
When: Saturday, August 16, at 3:00pm
Where: Theatre
Cost: $40
Plotter or pantser... your story can be so much more than the adventure you’re putting on the page! Next-level narratives stand out because they are imbued with hidden subtext and saturated with deeper meaning. This elevates them and makes them stick with a reader, agent, or editor, long after they’ve turned the last page. Theme is one of the more nebulous tools a writer has at their disposal, it’s often misunderstood and underutilized. So, let’s dig into theme and bring a new depth to your writing by understanding what it truly adds to your work. Let’s make it stick by employing a thematic approach to your narrative! By the end of this masterclass you’ll be well versed in thematic writing for any genre, and you’ll be well on your way to internalizing how to employ this tricky tool in your narratives. Your reader, agent, and editor will thank you!
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Navigating the Publishing Journey: From Manuscript to Bookshelves with Jonathan Whitelaw
When: Sunday, August 17 at 10:00am
Where: Theatre
Cost: $40
Congratulations on completing your manuscript! But what comes next? Join us for a comprehensive exploration of the publishing industry in 2025. Award-winning author Jonathan Whitelaw will guide you through the crucial steps after finishing your manuscript, including editing, traditional and self-publishing options, and the advantages and disadvantages of representation. Discover how 'The End' is just the beginning of your journey as a published author. Whether you're aiming for traditional publishing or considering self-publishing, this masterclass will provide invaluable insights and practical advice to help you navigate the path to seeing your book in print.
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Page-Turning Fiction with Kelley Armstrong - SOLD OUT
When: Sunday, August 17, at 1:00pm
Where: Theatre
Cost: $40
Genre fiction is all about entertaining and engaging the reader. This workshop will focus on ways to keep readers up into the night, turning your pages. Armstrong will provide strategies for maximizing reader engagement starting with the planning stages and continuing through to tips and tricks for picking up the pace in a completed manuscript.
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