July/August – no programs
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Lisa Rabey – Don’t Call Me Crazy: Creating Believable Characters with Mental Illness
Time: noon
Venue: Zoom
Topic: Don’t Call Me Crazy: Creating Believable Characters with Mental Illness
One in five people in the United States has or will have a mental illness in their lifetime, with anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression leading the charge. Yet, characters with mental illness are surprisingly underrepresented in fiction. And if a character is written with a mental illness, they are often portrayed as a caricature of the illness or treated as a plot device. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the various types of common mental illnesses, how to research reliable information about the condition, and how to portray the character with compassion.
Takeaways
· You’ll learn about common mental illnesses, their symptoms, and attributes
· How to find peer-reviewed and reliable information to write your characters
· Understanding the brain of someone with a mental illness
· Learn how to stay away from creating caricature characters
· Debunking myths about mental illness
Presenter: Lisa Rabey
Lisa Rabey is the chief Nerd Girl in Nerd Girl Industries. She lives in N. Michigan with her husband (whom she sometimes likes) and her persnickety pug (who sometimes likes her). She watches trashy TV, reads heaving bosom books, and loves to bake. Lisa is a librarian, writer, researcher, and instructor. Her favorite Elizabeth Bennett is Keira Knightley. She can be found at https://lisarabey.com
Nerd Girl Industries empowers people to manage their online presence via consultation, workshops, and one-on-one instruction. You can find more about NGI at https://nerdgirl.net
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Marlies Sargent – Alpha and Beta Reader Process
Time: noon
Venue: Zoom
Topic: Alpha and Beta Reader Process
Ready to get some eyes on your manuscript but not sure where to start?
Working with alpha and beta readers can provide you with valuable revision feedback. In this workshop, you’ll get an overview of working with alpha and beta readers and how to gain beneficial feedback from the process.
Topics we’ll look at:
· The difference between alpha and beta readers
· What questions can help you get the best feedback possible
· Ways to interpret, manage, and incorporate alpha and beta reader feedback
Marlies Sargent (she/her) is a fiction editor living in Calgary. Marlies is passionate about helping authors feel confident in their writing and learning new skills along the way. She uses her 10 years of previous teaching experience to work one-on-one with authors through their writing journey. When she’s not reading or editing, Marlies can be found walking her dog, playing soccer, and making cheesy postcards for her nephews.
Learn more at https://workingwords.ca
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Marlies Sargent – First Chapter Review
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Zoom
Topic: First Chapter Review
Process: Reading and making notes on chapters using a feedback checklist before the Workshop.
Does your first chapter hook the reader by jumping into the action and providing a glimpse into the character’s current chaos, and by establishing a clear tone and showcasing your voice?
A first chapter review provides individual feedback on the strengths and areas for improvement in your first chapter.
This workshop will be a hands-on, guided discussion of first chapters using specific feedback from participants. Each participant will make notes on different story elements and first chapter must-haves (based on specific criteria given out prior to the workshop) to provide thoughtful and constructive feedback in a group discussion.
Marlies Sargent (she/her) is a fiction editor living in Calgary. Marlies is passionate about helping authors feel confident in their writing and learning new skills along the way. She uses her 10 years of previous teaching experience to work one-on-one with authors through their writing journey. When she’s not reading or editing, Marlies can be found walking her dog, playing soccer, and making cheesy postcards for her nephews.
Learn more at https://workingwords.ca
date , 2026
presenter – title
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Zoom
Topic:
date , 2026
presenter – title
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Zoom
Topic: