Books We Love Insider Blog: Penticton

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Tales of the 2023 Wine Country Writers' Festival by Diane Bator

One of the fun things I found when I planned to move to Alberta, was the Wine Country Writers' Festival in Penticton, BC. A bit of a drive but after driving across Canada earlier this year, what was another 10 hours? Besides, I had free accommodations, so why not take advantage?

I drove across the Crowsnest Pass through so much fantastic scenery it was hard to keep my eyes on the road. Frank Slide, was only one of the amazing views.

I took a couple days to do some sightseeing and buy wine. Then headed to Penticton Lakeside Resort early Saturday morning September 23.

What a full, amazing day! I finally met the amazing organizers - Faye Arcand and Jim Jackson. Sessions ran from 10am right up until 6pm. I went from session to session and took all kinds of notes: The Business of Art, Creating Well-Rounded Characters with Disabilities, Query Quest, Writing Books Kids and Teens want to Read, Establishing a Connected Writing Practice, Writing a Memoir, and Getting Creative Building Your Creative Business. Whew! And those were just the ones I went to. There was a wide variety to choose from for sure. I even met an author from Airdrie--Alissa Blondin--that I look forward to hanging out with one day soon!

THE HOODED MERGANSER

Dinner was fun. Sat with my friend Layton and a couple other ladies, Tatiana and Heather. Nice to chat about books and the sessions we'd attended. When they handed everyone a little stack of books as a gift, we learned our new friend Heather had a story in the 2022 Wine Country Writers' Festival Anthology. Layton and I both got her to sign our copies!

It was pretty late by the time I got back to my lodgings, but I was right back there for Sunday morning's activities. After a really interesting Coffee Chat featuring Brian Thomas Isaac, we rolled into a fun Keynote Speech by Suzy Vadori, who got everyone revved up to get back to our writing once more.

I wasn't going to do any of the publisher or agent pitches, not since I'm a part of BWL! But I decided to pitch to an agent just for the fun of it. I had a story that I'd been working on, so why not? How disappointing the agent was a no-show.

But that wasn't the end of my day! I'd brought a book with me that I'd bought months earlier because I found out the author was going to be there. It took until the last minute of the last day, but I tracked him down! And, yes, it is research material!

We were done by 1pm.

I wandered in the sunshine, bought pad thai from a great food truck, and let the thoughts swirl through my head. I'd heard so much information and made so many notes that I could read over later to refresh my memory. Back at my home for the weekend, I did some writing and plotting before it was time to head home Monday.

I stopped to take this photo mostly because I needed a break! When I posted it on social media, my friend Terrie Moran, who writes for the Murder She Wrote series, asked if she could use it to help promote her upcoming book "Murder Backstage" which comes out in 2024 and takes place in Edmonton. It will appear on the Murder She Wrote Book Club page!

Last but not least, I wanted to leave you with a little serenity. This is Lundbreck Falls here in Alberta. I hadn't been here since my kids were little but since I was driving past, it was a great spot to stop!

Hope you enjoyed the quick version of the Wine Country Writers' Festival. I have a feeling I'll be attending again next year. The sessions, attendees, and scenery were definitely inspiring!

Have a beautiful day,

Diane Bator

https://bookswelove.net/bator-diane/