York Writers’ Conference

Demystifying the Publishing Process

Thank you to all attendees, speakers, vendors, organizers and volunteers for making this year’s conference a success.

Bookmark this page and check back for information about our 2026 conference.

The York Writers’ Conference: Demystifying the Publishing Process was a one-day conference that took place on Saturday, April 26th, 2025, at the Optimist Youth Club at 55 Forhan Ave. in Newmarket.

This conference was for anyone seeking insight into the world of publishing, from crafting compelling pitches to understanding market trends or hoping to network with agents, publishers, and authors themselves? We learned how to land an agent, what publishers seek in manuscripts, how to navigate the ever-evolving literary landscape, and more.

This full-day in-person event included sessions led by industry experts, workshops, a panel, and opportunities for attendees to connect with and seek feedback from professionals in the industry. A light breakfast and lunch were included in the ticket price.

Scroll down for a sneak peek.

Tickets

Members $70

Non-members $90

Ticket prices include a light breakfast and lunch. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions in a note when you purchase your ticket.

Manuscript Review

$40

A limited number of attendees will get the opportunity to have five pages of their manuscript reviewed by an industry professional at our conference.

Please submit the first five pages of your manuscript, double-spaced, in Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins, a header, and page numbers.

These spots are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Manuscript reviews are now closed. Thank you for your submissions.

Vendor Tables

Calling All Vendors!
Are you interested in showcasing and selling your books or services to a passionate audience of readers, writers, and industry professionals? Let us know if you would like to be a vendor at the York Writers’ Conference. Full (6′) and half (3′) tables are available.

Please use this form to request a vendor’s table.

Agenda

Join us to learn how to land an agent, what publishers seek in manuscripts, how to navigate the ever-evolving literary landscape, and more.

Demystifying the Publishing Process

Kern Carter

9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Kern Carter is an author celebrated for his captivating storytelling. With five books published, including And Then There Was Us and Boys and Girls Screaming, Kern has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following. And Then There Was Us was named one of the top teen novels of the year by Indigo and Boys And Girls Screaming was included on several must-read lists of that year. Kern was also named an author to watch by CBC and Narratively. Beyond his writing, Kern champions emerging talent by creating online platforms that provide a supportive space for new writers to build confidence and connect in community. He is based in Toronto, Canada.

Cozy Connections & Creative Writing

Firefly Creative Writing

10:05 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.

In this cozy and dynamic session led by two writing facilitators from Firefly Creative Writing, we’ll spark new connections in ourselves and each other through dialogue, question-asking and some short guided writing exercises to get ideas flowing. Whether you’re feeling stuck with your writing or deep in the momentum of a project, this session has something for you.

Perfecting Your Submission Package

Molly Fader

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

From log lines to query letters, blurbs, and synopsis, you want your idea to stand out in a slush pile full of great ideas. Bestselling author Molly Fader has just gone through this process and learned firsthand the difference between a lacklustre package and a major deal package. She brings this experience and all the iterations of her material to help attendees polish their blurbs, queries, and synopsis to get attention and success.

The Writer’s Responsibility

Terry Fallis

12:15 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.

In an engaging Lunch and Learn session, award-winning author Terry Fallis will discuss the myth of the tortured artist and how that leads to the writer’s first responsibility, to our readers, to ourselves, and to those around us.

What Can an Agent Do For You?

Marilyn Biderman

1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

If you are a writer and aspiring author and are wondering what agents do and whether you need one, this session is for you. With twenty years of experience, Marilyn Biderman will explain the in’s and out’s of navigating the publishing industry, from querying to interviewing agents, and how agents shepherd new authors through the publishing process. You’ll find out what goes into an offer for publication and what to expect from your publisher and agent.

The Inside Scoop on Independent Publishers

Jen Albert

2:05 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.

What is it like to publish with one of Canada’s indies? What are they, how do they work, and what are they looking for? Join Jen Albert, an acquisitions editor at ECW Press who specializes in speculative fiction, for a discussion about what it’s like to work with an independent traditional trade publisher. You’ll learn who’s looking for what, how to find the right publisher for you, how to send a great pitch (even if you don’t have an agent!), what to expect when you get an offer, what the indie editing and publishing experience is like, and have your burning publishing questions answered.