Wednesday, November 26, 2025
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM MT
Online (Registration Required)
Free!
Publication is often the goal for most writers: We want our hard work published and available to the greater literary community, to the world at large (and receiving compensation for doing the thing we love doesn’t hurt). But, like writing, publication — and life after publication — isn’t always what we think it will be or what we’ve prepared ourselves for. Our November Controversy @ Noon panel will delve into the things we aren’t told as writers before publication, the things that come during and after which are surprising, and the things we expect to happen that don’t always happen . . .
Register today to receive the free Zoom link before the start of the panel. A recording will also be made available afterwards.
About our Panelists
Bertrand Bickersteth is the author of The Response of Weeds, the winner of several awards. His forthcoming collection, Canadian Colored, will be published by NeWest Press in 2027. His nonfiction work, Numinous Animal, will be published by Athabasca University Press in 2026. His current project features poetry about Black Cowboys from Alberta, for which he is designing a font based on their historic cattle brands. He lives in Moh’kins’tsis (Calgary) and teaches at Olds College.
Kate A. Boorman is an author from Edmonton, with roots in the small town of Rimbey, Alberta. Her books for young readers have been published in four world territories and have been recognized by various awards bodies including the Writers’ Guild of Alberta Literary Awards, Bank Street College Best Books, the Junior Library Guild and YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults. Kate has participated as a guest at various festivals and conferences in Western Canada and was the 2023 Writer in Residence at Edmonton Public Libraries. She is currently working on her seventh novel for publication.
Matthew J. Trafford earned his MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. He has twice been a finalist for the CBC Literary Prize, and received an Honour of Distinction Dayne Ogilvie Award from the Writers’ Trust of Canada. Douglas & McIntyre published his first collection of stories, The Divinity Gene, which Publishers Weekly described as “shot-through with moments of genuine pathos and even brilliance.” Trafford continues to publish stories as well as writing for the screen. He is an avid fibre artist in his alternate persona of Fairy Godfather Knits.
Rebecca Shaeffer is the author of Not Even Bones, Only Ashes Remain, and When Villains Rise. Check back to read her full bio soon!