Steven Ross Smith, is a poet, fiction writer and arts journalist. His latest poetry book is Emanations: Fluttertongue 6, published by BookThug. He was awarded the Saskatchewan Book of the Year Award (2005) and the bpNichol Chapbook Award (2006.) His work appears in journals, recordings, and videos in Canada, USA, and abroad. Smith was Director of Literary Arts at the Banff Centre (2008–2014) and Director of Sage Hill Writing Experience (1990–2008). He has lived in Banff since 2008. His writing appears in Grain, CV2, GalleriesWest Digital, and AlbertaViews. Smith’s poetic work is know for its innovative challenges to poetic form, notably in the 7-book long poem sequence Fluttertongue, and in his performances of sound poetry. His work can be seen on his website at fluttertongue.ca and on YouTube.

Amelie Patterson, Banff-born and raised, is a singer-songwriter whose star has been steadily rising. Her website notes that she “grew up listening to classics like Janis Joplin, Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell, and their influence is clear in her bluesy vocals, her folk-rock guitar and her candid, pared-down lyrics.” In 2017 she won the Calgary Music Award for alternative recording of the year. She was the first Banff Poet Laureate

Derek Beaulieu is the author/editor of 20 collections of poetry, prose and criticism including his recent volume of fiction, a, A Novel which was published in Paris by Jean Boîte Editions. Beaulieu has spoken, performed and exhibited his work across Canada, the United States and Europe and has won local and national awards for his teaching. Beaulieu was the 2014–2016 Poet Laureate of Calgary, and is Director of Literary Arts at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.