If you make your living working with words, the Writing Matters Conference at the Douglas College New Westminster campus is one of the best deals in town. For a paltry $30 (cheaper if you’re a Douglas College grad), you can enjoy a day’s worth of presentations and hobnob with some big names in the local literary and publishing scenes.
Spearheaded by Print Futures: Professional Writing program coordinator Maureen Nicholson, the conference takes a generalist approach—much like the Print Futures program itself—in presenting sessions from all fields of professional communication. Many of the attendees are current Print Futures students, but for established writers the conference offers the chance to talk to other writers and bask in the wisdom of fellow professionals.
This year’s conference was held Saturday, November 7. Our chapter was featured most prominently at the “Finding the Right Professional Association” session. This was a panel with representatives of the Editors’ Association of Canada, the Canadian Public Relations Society, International Association of Business Communicators, and the STC. Chapter President Eagranie Yuh touted the benefits of joining the STC (which, as we all know, includes professional development, learning, and networking with other technical communicators). She also took audience questions about the profession itself, and did an excellent job of enlightening attendees as to the wide scope of technical communication. Well done, Eagranie!
The day featured a number of other highlights. Alan Twigg of BC Bookworld talked about the history of independent publishing in BC and the challenges facing independent publishers after recent cuts to arts funding. Print Futures instructor Diana Wegner presented her paper on “Community Activism and Rhetorical Strategy”. Another session explored the relationship between writer and editor via a lively discussion between alive! magazine editor Ellen Niemer and freelance writer Jenn Farrell.
With other sessions featuring topics such as social media marketing for writers, travel writing, and starting your own communications company, attendees were truly spoiled for choice. The only bad thing about the day was the classic conference dilemma: not being able to be in three places at once.
Chapter members are advised to watch out for the next Writing Matters call for proposals and start brainstorming. The conference is ideal for informal, fun sessions that emphasize the basics. If being a presenter isn’t your thing, then you’re strongly encouraged just to attend. The conference consistently provides a bracing shot of inspiration during the gloom of autumn.
Photos- courtesy of Maureen Nicholson:
Top: Conference audience between sessions Bottom: Chapter President Eagranie Yuh represented the STC at the professional associations panel.
