What Writers Need to Know About Amazon

Amazon plays a major role in today’s publishing landscape—but how much control do you really have as an author?

This workshop breaks down what every writer should understand about Amazon’s ecosystem, with a focus on data ownership, discoverability, and sales tools. We’ll compare the level of insight and control traditionally published authors have versus self-published authors, helping you understand what information you can (and can’t) access about your readers and your book’s performance.

Participants will also learn why a strong book description and effective A+ Content are critical to converting browsers into buyers, and how these elements influence Amazon’s algorithms and reader behavior. Finally, we’ll cover the basics of running Amazon Ads—what they can do, when they make sense, and common mistakes authors should avoid.

Whether you’re traditionally published, self-published, or considering your options, this session will give you practical knowledge to make smarter decisions about your books on Amazon.

About Yolanda

Yolanda T. Marshall is an award-winning Guyanese-born Canadian author and columnist. She is also the author of over 20 books, including Brown Girl in the Snow, A Piece of Black Cake for Santa, Sweet Sorrel Stand, What’s in the Cookie Tin?, C is for Carnival, Hot Cross Buns for Everyone and My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans. This traditionally published author writes diverse, inclusive, and festive children’s literature that represents the African/Caribbean diaspora.

Time: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Date: March 14, 2026
In-person location: 201 Centre Street South, Whitby or Online Zoom

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

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 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