The Ontario Writers’ Conference blossomed from its Writers’ Community of Durham Region (WCDR) roots under the watchful care of honorary patron, Wayson Choy.
As a dream for a handful of board members of the WCDR, the May 2008 Inaugural Ontario Writers’ conference was the culmination of boundless effort and enthusiasm. So began this participant-driven enterprise.
In the fall the 2008, the OWC became an independent entity and incorporated as a separate, non-profit organization. The three executive directors and three directors-at-large of Ontario Writers’ Conference are all founding organizers and have since taken the OWC to an annual event. The OWC board believes it is important |
Wayson Choy, a member of the Order of Canada, is the nationally-acclaimed author of The Jade Peony, Paper Shadows: A Chinatown Childhood and All That Matters. |
| to provide open access to events and programs to anyone interested in writing, without the need for membership or a “publishing pedigree.”
The Ontario Writers’ Conference is growing far beyond its conference attendees. We have developed partnerships with such groups as The Writers’ Union of Canada, the Canadian Booksellers Association, and writing federations and associations across Canada. Locally, the Ontario Writers’ Conference partners with public libraries, and Blue Heron Books, in Uxbridge.
The Ontario Writers’ Conference is founded on time-tested strengths of speakers and workshops. The organization continues to present an extensive and impressive range of speakers on the art and skill of writing and related industry topics. Our mandate is to conduct educational, challenging and, most importantly, interactive workshops, panels, roundtables, etc. led by writers, arts-related facilitators and industry professionals who are compensated professionally for their work.
Take the energy of a core group of WCDR members + the inspiration of nationally-acclaimed novelist and OWC honorary patron, Wayson Choy to = the magic of the Ontario Writers’ Conference. |
