Calgary 
Events Description
150+ lectures, workshops, panel discussions, author events, blue pencil and pitch sessions, and live action slushes over three days!
Held in Calgary, Alberta, every August, When Words Collide is Canada’s largest multi-genre, writer/reader/fan/ festival. Meet artists and publishers of commercial and literary fiction, including genre, YA, children’s books, poetry, and more, from across Canada and the world.
FEATURED WRITERS
Kevin McDonald
(humour; known for The Kids in the Hall)
Terry Brooks
(epic fantasy, high fantasy, and contemporary fantasy; known for the Shanarra Series)
SPECIAL GUEST WRITERS
Andrew Buckley (humour, speculative fiction)
Bianca Marais (historical fiction, cozy fantasy, murder mystery)
Lily Chu (romance)
Craig Dilouie (speculative fiction, horror, psychological thrillers, and sci-fi/fantasy)
Gemma (horror, dark fantasy)
Danny Ramadan (literary fiction, magical realism, memoir (creative non-fiction), and children’s literature)
Amanda Leduc (literary fiction, magical realism, and creative non-fiction)
SPECIAL GUEST AGENTS
Mira Landry (Corvisiero Literary Agency)
Carly Watters (PS Literary)
Cecilia “CeCe” Lyra (Wendy Sherman)
Who is it for?
All ages
HOW MUCH
Tickets : $120-$130
Three Day Festival Pass
$120 Students and Seniors
$130 Adult Admission
How to get tickets?
WHEN & WHERE
Date: Friday August 14, 2026 to Sunday August 16, 2026
Friday August 14, 2026
8am-10pm
Saturday August 15, 2026
9am-10pm
Sunday August 16, 2026
9am-8pm
Most presentations 60-75 minutes
Venue & Address
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Downtown Calgary, 700 Centre Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada
Wheelchair accessible
Free Parking
Street Parking
Paid Parking
$5 Weekend/Evening Parking at Telus Convention Centre, $15/day underground parking at Hyatt Regency, free street parking after 6pm and all day Sundays.
Accessible by Public Transport
WB 1 Street SW Station and the EB Centre Street Station
