Register 76 Seats Remaining
AI and the Future of Storytelling
Fraser River Literary Festival
Saturday, November 07
11:00am - 12:30pm
Branch - City Centre
City Centre Combined 136 & 137Learn about Artificial intelligence and its impact on readers, writers and publishers alike with this special workshop featuring a panel of local authors.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the landscape of creative writing, raising new questions about creativity, authorship, and the future of publishing. Join a panel of local authors Bonnie Jacoby, Kathy Feller and Sadiq Somjee as they examine the opportunities AI offers writers, as well as the challenges surrounding originality, ethics, and the growing prevalence of AI-generated content. This session will be moderated by Erik D'Souza of the Tri-Cities Wordsmiths.
Registration recommended, drop-ins welcome.
Sponsored by Tri-City Wordsmiths.
Tri-City Wordsmiths gratefully acknowledges support from the PoCo Foundation Community Initiatives Grant.
For more information about this Fraser River Literary Festival event, email ask@coqlibrary.ca.
Erik D’Souza is an author, publisher, and podcaster. He is currently writing the Suzanne Rickson Mystery series, featuring a plucky senior sleuth. They are traditional mysteries set on the Sunshine Coast of BC. Erik is the Marketing Manager for Crime Writers of Canada and president of the Tri-City Wordsmiths. In addition, he hosts the popular reading series Writers in our Midst at the Port Moody Public Library.
________

Bonnie Jacoby writes science fiction and fantasy novels for teens. She is the author of the YA fantasy series, Dragon Descendants of Drakkoia, featuring rebellious teen dragons and adventurous teens. Her debut book, Dreams of a Dragon Girl, was awarded 5 stars by IndieReader. Bonnie’s science fiction stories feature futuristic technology extrapolated from her ongoing work in the tech industry. With a special love of dragons and spaceships, Bonnie’s stories will transport you to a world both familiar and fantastical, where anything is possible if you just believe in yourself.
________
________

Kathy Feller is a speculative writer and worldbuilder who combines her passion for storytelling and immersive worldbuilding with a former career in software development. She has followed the rise of generative AI for several years, exploring and evaluating its practical applications, limitations, risks, and ethical implications while considering what it means for writers and the writing community today.
________
________
________

Sadiq Somjee earned a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Simon Fraser University and built a career in tech before becoming an author and illustrator. He has published four graphic novels, including Solitude In-Between Worlds, which Kirkus Reviews praised for its "concise prose and memorable illustrations." He has also illustrated a children's picture book and contributed artwork to several novels.
Branch - City Centre
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