Masterclasses: Members

Masterclass with Ruth Walker

Fairy Tales, Fables & Folklore: What hides inside your words?

Join an in-depth dive into how ancient tales and legends engage readers. Find inspiration and ideas with hands-on exercises and lively discussions. Discover the power of the old stories and timeless characters.

Dates: March 19, 26 & April 2
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm EST
Location: Zoom

Ruth E. Walker’s fiction and poetry can be found in Canadian, U.S. and U.K. journals and periodicals. Her novel LIVING UNDERGROUND (Seraphim Publications) was in the top 10 in the CAA Novel 2013. Ruth’s writing has been awarded an impressive number of competition wins as well as grants from the Ontario Arts Council and Sage Hill Writing Experience. She is a partner in Writescape, offering workshops, retreats and editing services. A past president and long-time member of WCDR, she serves as a volunteer in a wide range of arts-related organizations. Ruth says she always learns from and is inspired by the participants in her workshops.

Inside the World of First Responders: A Writers’ Q&A Panel

Have you ever wondered what truly happens in the lives of first responders? What does a typical day look like? How do they handle real-life emergencies? And what do they think about how their profession is portrayed in books and movies?

Now is your chance to find out.

Join us on April 12, where we are thrilled to present a special First Responders Panel. This is a unique opportunity for writers to gain firsthand insights from professionals who have dedicated their lives to emergency response.

Attendees will have the chance to ask questions and hear real-life stories that can help bring authenticity to their writing. Whether you’re working on a crime thriller, a dramatic rescue scene, or simply curious about the experiences of these heroes, this panel is for you.

Want to make sure your burning question gets answered? You can submit your questions ahead of time by emailing president@wcdr.info or bring them with you to ask during the session.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect, learn, and enhance your storytelling. We look forward to seeing you there!

Date: April 12, 2025
Time: 9:30am-11:30am

Legal Challenges Writers Face in their Creative and Professional Journeys

Date: May 10, 2025
Time: 9:30am-11:30am

Join us with speaker Natalie Shammas for an informative and engaging talk on the legal challenges writers face in their creative and professional journeys. This session will cover essential topics such as copyright basics, contracts, intellectual property, and defamation laws. Learn how to protect your work, navigate contracts, and avoid common legal pitfalls that can impact your career.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or an established author, this talk will provide valuable insights to safeguard your rights and set yourself up for success in the literary world. There will also be a Q&A session, so come prepared with your questions!

Although Natalie will be joining us via Zoom, we will still have both in-person and online options. We hope you can still join us in person, if possible, as it will be a great opportunity to network, connect with fellow writers, and engage in discussions before and after the session.

Natalie Shammas is a lawyer and PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, where she also teaches employment law. She completed a JD/MBA program at Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business in 2015 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2016. Natalie is passionate about educating writers on legal issues that may impact them and has delivered numerous talks on the topic. She is is currently refining her debut novel, a romantasy, with the support of an incredible mentor. For more about Natalie and her writing, please visit http://www.talishammas.com/.