2003 Conference

            The Penticton Writers and Publishers were pleased to offer the third annual Writers' Conference, which was held at the Penticton Lakeside Resort Convention Centre & Casino, on September 19 - 21, 2003.

            The group's goal is to continue the Clem Battye Legacy by bringing to the established and aspiring writers of the Okanagan, the very best the writing and publishing industry have to offer. After the success of the 2001 and 2002 conferences, the conference organizers have heeded the request of the participants of the previous conferences by extending the 2003 Writers' Conference to a three-day event.

            Each year the group adds another genre to the line up of presenters. This year Poetry has been added to the already established genres of Fiction, Narrative Non-Fiction, Children's and Screenplay… bringing the total to five genres. Presenters for 2003: Mr. Jack David, Publisher ECW Press. Mr. David is the largest publisher of Canadian Writers in Canada. Ms. Jennifer DeChiara, New York Literary Agent. Ms. DeChiara has worked in the editorial departments of Simon & Schuster and Random House. Ms. Gloria Kempton, Writer's Digest clinic critiquer, WD online school instructor. Ms. Kempton is an upcoming books author for WD. Mr. Lyle Weis, author of several young adult novels and collection of poetry. Mr. Weis is also a creative writing instructor. Mr. Jayme Pfahl, a producer at Crescent Entertainment. Mr. Pfahl has worked on many movies and documentaries for Canadian and American media. Mr. Gordon Kirkland, syndicated weekly columnist, whose first book Justice Is Blind - And Her Dog Just Peed In My Cornflakes was awarded the Stephen Leacock Award of Merit for Humour in 2000. Mr. Kirkland is the first Canadian humourist to be added to the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop at the University of Dayton. And Mr. Jack Godwin song writer and entertainer.