Authorfest
Calgary
November 9th, 2026 | 12pm to 6pm
What is Authorfest?
AuthorFest Calgary is a 1-day workshop event for fiction authors who want to learn the craft of writing and the art of marketing. All genres and experience welcome!
Over the course of 4 in-person workshops you’ll learn how to hook your readers & how to keep them through both your writing and your marketing.
Authorfest Origins
AuthorFest was founded by Vicky Eveleigh and originated in France. She’s hosted a handful of AuthorFest events in France ranging from 1 day workshop events to a full weekend writing retreat. This year she’s travelling to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to co-host the first ever AuthorFest Calgary along with Tanya Joy Morgan, who was born and raised in Calgary and surrounding areas.
Meet your hosts:
Details
Date: Monday, November 9th, 2026
Time: 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Materials fee: $20
Location: Fish Creek Library, Calgary AB, Canada
(No walk-ins, all attendees must pre-register)
Get Directions
Parking: Free
Who this is for: Fiction authors of all genres and experience!
We need a minimum of 5 people to run the event. Refunds will be issued if we’re unable to meet the minimum.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
events@panopticfoundations.com
Itinerary
12:00PM: Welcome & Intro
Hook Your Readers
12:15PM – 1:15PM:
Love at First Page
60-minute workshop with Vicky
Learn how to write an opening that readers can’t resist.
1:30PM – 2:30PM:
The Reader Meet-Cute
60-minute workshop with Tanya
Learn how to make a reader magnet that gives a heart-pounding first impression.
2:30PM – 3:00PM: Snack break
There is a Safeway right next to the library, but we encourage you to bring along your own mess-free snacks.
Keep Your Readers
3:00PM – 4:00PM:
A Relationship to Remember
60-minute workshop with Vicky
Learn how to create characters your readers will never forget.
4:15PM – 5:15PM:
Reader Love Letters
60-minute workshop with Tanya
Learn how to create emails your readers actually look forward to.
5:15PM – 5:45PM: Group Discussion
As well as asking any workshop questions, this is a great time to get to know some of your fellow local authors!
5:45PM: Closing & Goodbyes
Workshop Details
Hook Your Readers
For the first half of the day we’re focusing on how to hook your readers. Whether it’s the opening pages of your novel or your very first contact with a potential reader, you’re using the same principles.
Love at First Page
60-minute workshop with Vicky
That old phrase you never get a second chance to make a first impression is just as true of your novel. You only have a few pages to hook your reader and get them turning pages. But what exactly makes an opening irresistible? The truth is, there’s no science, no formula behind this. But there are techniques you can use to create an excellent opening, from a killer first line to an intriguing character, from a compelling voice to questions the reader is itching to answer.
In this lively, practical workshop, we’ll explore how to climb the hook ladder, luring your reader from that spark of curiosity to establishing tone, introducing conflict, and creating momentum. Discover how to make a promise to your reader that keeps them turning the pages, and learn how to avoid the common pitfalls that can send a promising story off course before it’s even begun.
The Reader Meet-Cute
60-minute workshop with Tanya
Every great love story has a meet-cute, the moment two people cross paths and something sparks. For a lot of readers, that moment with you happens through a reader magnet which is something fun they get for free before they’ve even bought your book. So how do you create a reader magnet that makes an unforgettable first impression?
In this interactive workshop, we’ll look at what makes a reader magnet worth signing up for, how to choose one that fits your book and the readers you want to attract, and how it connects to your email list so that first spark has somewhere to go. You’ll leave knowing what your reader magnet should be, whether you’re still writing your first book or already have a few out in the world.
Keep Your Readers
For the second half of the day we’ll dive into how to keep your readers, by building lasting relationships with your readers both on the page and off.
A Relationship to Remember: Falling in Love with Characters
60-minute workshop with Vicky
We’ve all got characters who stay with us long after the events of the plot have faded. But why do we remember them so fondly? And what makes us fall in love with people who don’t even exist?
In this engaging workshop, we’ll explore exactly what it is that makes readers develop real relationships with your characters. We’ll look at the five mechanisms to create characters who feel real, complex, and utterly unforgettable. Because memorable characters don’t have to be likeable – but they do have to make us feel something.
Reader Love Letters
60-minute workshop with Tanya
Once a reader joins your email list, the relationship has officially started. What you send next decides whether they get to know you or forget why they signed up. Email is one of the few places you can talk to readers directly, with no algorithm deciding who gets to see it. So how do you write emails your readers actually look forward to receiving?
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll cover what to talk about with your readers when you don’t have a book launch to announce, how often to show up in someone’s inbox, and how to write emails that sound like you. You’ll leave with ideas for your first few emails and a simple rhythm you can keep up long after the workshop ends.
Learn more about Vicky & Tanya
Vicky Eveleigh
Editor & Writing Coach
Founder of Novice to Novelist
Novice to Novelist was born from a desire to help new and aspiring writers discover their true potential and set their spark alight. I want to find a community of writers, new and old, that is built upon compassion, honesty, motivation, and inspiration.
If there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that your work matters. And that’s why I do what I do.
I’ve been in this industry in one guise or another for over twenty years – since I left university, in fact. I’ve worked on all sides of the fence – from writing nonfiction and ghostwriting Regency romance to editing and proofreading. I’ve even dabbled in publishing. My favourite part of it all, though? Working with new writers to help them achieve their goals and dreams, and watching them make their work shine.
Praise for Vicky
Jane A.
Vicky has a deep love for everything related to books and writing. This is so apparent when you attend her workshops. She shares her knowledge in a manner that is easy to digest and understand, inspiring you to apply these practices in your work.
Debi W.
Vicky’s very positive and friendly approach to teaching and sharing her immense knowledge of all things writing makes it very easy to learn and be encouraged to get started. Once started, the encouragement is always there to keep on going. I highly recommend Vicky and Novice to Novelist.
Andres V.
Vicky has eyes like a hawk. I had my book edited multiple times before I found her, but she found stuff that slipped past everyone. Hire her and stop wasting time!
Katie L.
Victoria is able to help me with problems specific to academic writing. She is very good at reading into the work and getting at what I am trying to say. In this way she helps as a true editor, not just checking and correcting errors. I have a new confidence in my work and potential.
Tanya Joy Morgan
Digital Strategist & Marketing Educator
Founder of Panoptic Foundations
I founded Panoptic Foundations to help fiction authors like you grow a loyal readership in a way that respects their values and how they work. And my Anti-Marketing approach was born from watching authors repeatedly burn out chasing advice that was never designed for storytellers.
I’m a fantasy writer, marketing strategist, and educator, with 30+ years of experience across business strategy, marketing, and tech.
My focus is sustainable visibility: helping authors understand their readers, talk about their work without feeling like a salesperson, and show up consistently without relying on algorithms or hustle culture.
Anti-Marketing for Fiction Authors doesn’t mean we’re against marketing or that we don’t do marketing… it means we do it differently.
Praise for Tanya
Frances W.
I only ‘met’ Tanya online a short while ago, but in that time she’s become one of the most supportive, kind, and encouraging friends I could ask for. Her advice is always thoughtful and spot-on. Everything she says just makes sense. I feel so lucky to work with her and to be learning from her wisdom and insight. I’m already working on putting so much of what she’s shared into practice. Tanya, I’m so glad our paths crossed. Thank you for being such a bright light!
Robert C.
Without Tanya’s advice and practical suggestions my marketing would still be a mess. Now I have purpose, direction and belief in what I’m doing. And I’m also starting to enjoy marketing!
Ruth, Regency Fiction Writers
I just love the way Tanya promotes creative coherency. Whether that’s the way that she designs her slides, or the way that she structures her talk, she does emphasize the importance of pulling everything together and having a very clear identity as a writer (and I guess that’s the way to selling more books as well!).
So to sum up, inspirational, interesting and I found myself listening to every word and making changes after the presentation.
Mari
The workshop was very informative and inspiring! We found it clicked in our brains a lot better and actually removes some of the anxiety of eventually marketing a book.
