Event Type 2: Events

Mysteries, more so than any other genre, require the reader to be curious. A curious reader is an engaged reader who is actively involved in your story rather than just a passive recipient who allows themselves to be spoon-fed. The more you can hook your reader, and have them theorizing and anticipating, the faster they’ll turn the pages despite living in an age of incessant distractions.

In this presentation, Bianca Marais will look at the mechanics of storytelling and how you can effectively apply curiosity seeds to any genre you’re working in.

About the Speaker: Bianca Marais cohosts the popular podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, which is aimed at helping emerging writers get published. She teaches creative writing through the podcast and was named a winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award for Creative Writing at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. She lives in Toronto, where she loves playing escape-room games and writing about strong female protagonists.

Time: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Date: April 11, 2026
In-person location: 201 Centre Street South, Whitby or Online Zoom

Fake it ’till you Make it: a presentation on Presentation

Do you sweat when you’re handed a microphone? Do you open your mouth, not sure whether you’ll speak or squeak? Do shaky hands make your notes jitter?

Maybe not. Maybe you just want to make the best possible impression when you’re speaking to a room.

Either way, Rob Pirie wants you to know you’re not alone. We all get nervous sometimes. Even the ones who don’t show it! In this four-week class, Rob will share practical tips that can help you look and feel confident, even when you’re not. You’ll learn online, in the safety of your home, and reinforce that learning with exercises. Then, you and your classmates will meet with Rob in person for a chance to speak in front of a very special audience—each other!

P.S. This class will wrap up the week before the WCDR’s 30th anniversary celebration! It’s the perfect preparation if you want to share your work at the party!

Course dates and format

Online sessions (Zoom)

• Wednesday, April 22
• Wednesday, April 29
• Wednesday, May 6

In-person session

• Wednesday, May 13
  Book Dragons Den, 74 Simcoe St. S., Unit 102, Oshawa (details TBD)

Time: 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Sign up by April 17th! 

Join us on May 9 for our MNM with representatives from The Writers’ Union of Canada, exploring member benefits and TWUC’s approach to the growing role of AI in writing.

Stay tuned – More information coming soon

Time: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Date: May 09, 2026
In-person location: 201 Centre Street South, Whitby or Online Zoom

Join us as we celebrate 30 years of writers supporting writers in our community and beyond. Current and past members, along with the public, are invited to a free evening of readings from local writers, a members’ book sale, raffle prizes, complimentary refreshments, and more.

Open to WCDR members and the Durham Region community.

Date: May 21, 2026 Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Location: Station Gallery – 1450 Henry Street, Whitby, ON

Cost: Free

More information to follow, including opportunities for WCDR members to sign up to present and speak about their books.

Please register in advance to reserve your spot.

Join us for the final Monthly Network Meeting (MNM) of the season, which includes our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and a talk from guest speaker Gwynn Scheltema.

Annual General Meeting (AGM): Help us reflect on another fantastic year of writing, learning, and connecting. The AGM is your opportunity to hear updates from the board, celebrate our accomplishments, and cast your vote in shaping the future of WCDR.

Guest Speaker: Gwynn Scheltema, Radio for Writers
Ever wondered how to land radio interviews or what to do once you get one? Gwynn will share practical tips on finding radio opportunities, talking about your book with confidence and clarity, and avoiding common mistakes she has seen writers make. It is a valuable session for any author looking to spread the word about their work.

As always, there will be plenty of time for questions and conversation.

Time: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Date: June 13, 2026
In-person location: 201 Centre Street South, Whitby or Online Zoom