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Image for event: Publishing Panel

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Publishing Panel

Tri-Cities Writers Festival

2025-05-31 12:30:00 2025-05-31 14:00:00 America/Los_Angeles Publishing Panel Branch - City Centre - City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Saturday, May 31
12:30pm - 2:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-05-31 12:30:00 2025-05-31 14:00:00 America/Los_Angeles Publishing Panel Local writers Claire Lawrence, Kathy Wagner, and Sherry McMillan will share their unique journeys to publication, their past influences, and how these experiences inform their current projects. Branch - City Centre - City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Branch - City Centre

City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Local writers Claire Lawrence, Kathy Wagner, and Sherry McMillan will share their unique journeys to publication, their past influences, and how these experiences inform their current projects.

How do you transform the initial spark of a story into a published manuscript? With so many options available for writers today, it can be confusing to navigate the path to publication and connect with readers. 

This panel is brought to you by Tri-City Wordsmiths and will be moderated by the Organization's President, Erik D'Souza.

Registration recommended, drop-ins welcome.

For more information about this Tri-Cities Writers Festival event, email ask@coqlibrary.ca.


KATHY WAGNER is a writer and the mother of three grown children, including her son Tristan who died from fentanyl poisoning in August 2017. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, and The Sun Magazine. Her book, Here With You: A Memoir of Love, Family, and Addiction was published by Douglas & McIntyre in 2023. Kathy funds her writing habit by working as a content strategist, helping large organizations improve their customer experience by improving their words. 

CLAIRE LAWRENCE is a multi-genre storyteller and visual artist based in British Columbia. Claire’s stories have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, and on BBC radio. You can find her work in publications like Geist, Pulp Literature, Litro, and Brilliant Flash Fiction. Claire has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize for her poetry and short stories.  She has won many contests for flash, fiction, nonfiction and poetry, and a finalist for the Jesmyn Ward Fiction Prize, Michigan Quarterly Review. Her artwork has appeared many magazines. In 2023, her artwork was nominated for Best on the Net. Claire’s goal is to publish in all genres, and not inhale too many fumes.

SHERRY MCMILLAN: Known for her captivating children's literature, Sherry McMillan’s work is celebrated for its lyrical storytelling, deep connection to nature, and a genuine respect for children's perspectives. Sherry has been recognized by MSN as one of the 15 Emerging Authors to Watch in 2025. Her inclusion in this prestigious list highlights her growing influence as a leading voice in children's books and beyond. Her bestselling title, What the Seal Saw, is a Heather's Pick and a standout in the series. Another one of Sherry’s notable works, My S’s Are Messes, draws from her personal experiences with speech sound disorders. This heartfelt story encourages patience and understanding, offering readers a message of hope and resilience. The book was included in the Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens, Spring 2024, where it was recognized as a title of exceptional calibre. The book is also a finalist in the Canadian Book Club Awards - the largest national reader’s choice book award.  Sherry's ability to craft meaningful stories that connect with children on an emotional level has solidified her reputation as a powerful storyteller. 

ERIK D’SOUZA is an author and publisher based in Port Moody, BC. Among his works, “Death in Halfmoon Bay” stands out as the first book in the Suzanne Rickson Mystery Series. He is The Marketing and Communicattions Manager for Crime Writers of Canada. He is the president of the Tri-City Wordsmiths and hosts the popular reading series, Writers in our Midst, at the Port Moody Public Library.

Learn more at www.erikdsouza.com  

AGE GROUP: | Youth (12-18) | Adults (18+) |

EVENT TYPE: | Teen Program | Adult Program |

TAGS: | |

Branch - City Centre

Phone: 604-554-7323

Hours
Mon, Jun 30 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Jul 01 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Wed, Jul 02 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Jul 03 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Jul 04 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jul 05 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jul 06 10:00AM to 5:00PM

About the library

The City Centre branch offers:

  • Free wi-fi access, no password required
  • Meeting and study rooms
  • Public computer stations
  • Printing, faxing, scanning, and photocopying
  • Silent study room
  • A Discovery Lab showcasing eResources and lendable technology

Upcoming events

Thu, Jul 03, 10:00am - 11:30am
City Centre Room 127

Thu, Jul 03, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 03, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Thu, Jul 03, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 03, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 03, 6:00pm - 6:30pm

Fri, Jul 04, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Discovery Lab

Sat, Jul 05, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Discovery Lab

Sun, Jul 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 07, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 07, 11:00am - 11:30am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 07, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
City Centre Board Room

Mon, Jul 07, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 07, 4:00pm - 5:15pm
City Centre Room 136

Mon, Jul 07, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
City Centre Room 137
This event is full

Tue, Jul 08, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Tue, Jul 08, 11:00am - 11:30am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Tue, Jul 08, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Board Room
This event is full

Tue, Jul 08, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Wed, Jul 09, 10:30am - 11:00am

Wed, Jul 09, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Wed, Jul 09, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 10, 11:30am - 12:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 10, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Thu, Jul 10, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 10, 6:00pm - 6:30pm

Fri, Jul 11, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Discovery Lab

Sat, Jul 12, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Sat, Jul 12, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Discovery Lab

Sat, Jul 12, 11:30am - 1:00pm
City Centre Room 127

Sat, Jul 12, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Sun, Jul 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Sun, Jul 13, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 14, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 14, 11:00am - 11:30am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 14, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 14, 4:00pm - 5:15pm
City Centre Room 136

Mon, Jul 14, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
City Centre Room 137
This event is full

Mon, Jul 14, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
City Centre Board Room
This event is full

Mon, Jul 14, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
City Centre Room 127

Tue, Jul 15, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Tue, Jul 15, 11:00am - 11:30am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Tue, Jul 15, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Wed, Jul 16, 10:30am - 11:00am

Wed, Jul 16, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Wed, Jul 16, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
City Centre Room 127

Wed, Jul 16, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Wed, Jul 16, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 17, 11:30am - 12:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 17, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Thu, Jul 17, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 17, 6:00pm - 6:30pm

Fri, Jul 18, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Discovery Lab

Fri, Jul 18, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Room 127

Cancelled
Sat, Jul 19, 10:30am - 11:00am

Sat, Jul 19, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Discovery Lab

Sat, Jul 19, 10:30am - 11:30am

Sat, Jul 19, 12:00pm - 4:30pm

Sun, Jul 20, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 21, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 21, 11:00am - 11:30am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 21, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 21, 4:00pm - 5:15pm
City Centre Room 136

Mon, Jul 21, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
City Centre Room 137
This event is full

Tue, Jul 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Tue, Jul 22, 11:00am - 11:30am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Tue, Jul 22, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Board Room
This event is full

Tue, Jul 22, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Wed, Jul 23, 10:30am - 11:00am

Wed, Jul 23, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Wed, Jul 23, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 24, 11:30am - 12:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 24, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Thu, Jul 24, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 24, 6:00pm - 6:30pm

Fri, Jul 25, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Discovery Lab

Sat, Jul 26, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Sat, Jul 26, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Discovery Lab

Sun, Jul 27, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 28, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 28, 11:00am - 11:30am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 28, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Mon, Jul 28, 4:00pm - 5:15pm
City Centre Room 136

Mon, Jul 28, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
City Centre Room 137
This event is full

Tue, Jul 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Tue, Jul 29, 11:00am - 11:30am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Tue, Jul 29, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Tue, Jul 29, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Wed, Jul 30, 10:30am - 11:00am

Wed, Jul 30, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Wed, Jul 30, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
City Centre Room 127

Wed, Jul 30, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Wed, Jul 30, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
City Centre Room 127

Wed, Jul 30, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
City Centre Room 127

Wed, Jul 30, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
City Centre Board Room

Thu, Jul 31, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 31, 11:30am - 12:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 31, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
City Centre Discovery Lab

Thu, Jul 31, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
City Centre Room 127

Thu, Jul 31, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 31, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Thu, Jul 31, 6:00pm - 6:30pm

Fri, Aug 01, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Discovery Lab

Sat, Aug 02, 10:30am - 11:00am
City Centre Combined 136 & 137

Sat, Aug 02, 10:30am - 11:30am
City Centre Discovery Lab