The VOX
Fed. of BC Writers monthly E-newsletter
February 18, 2010
• FED NEWS
• WORK OPPORTUNITIES
• CONTESTS/COMPETITIONS
• CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
• WORKSHOPS/COURSES/CONFERENCES
• LAUNCHES
• EVENTS
FED NEWS
Welcome New Members:
Amber Harvey
May 13, 2010
FED OF BC WRITERS AGM 2010
6:30pm to 10:00pm
Alliance for Arts & Culture boardroom
938 Howe Street, Vancouver
Speaker: Lorraine Murphy, Social Media Maven ~ “Social Media Marketing for Writing”
Board elections, new constitution, state of the union
Door prizes, refreshments, member book sales, connecting with the writing community
WORK OPPORTUNITIES
February 24
Saskatoon
SAGE HILL WRITING EXPERIENCE
The Sage Hill Writing Experience is a renowned summer residential writing program that draws students from across Canada, offering learning opportunities for writers at varying stages of development in a unique environment in the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley. Spring and summer programs provide writers with outstanding professional development opportunities at several levels in fiction, poetry and other creative writing disciplines.
Term: One year, with the likelihood of renewal; 20 hours weekly in Saskatoon office plus flexible hours on-site during the programs. Salary negotiable; benefits included.
For details, see our website: www.sagehillwriting.ca
CONTESTS/COMPETITIONS
March 19
THE PROFESSIONAL WRITERS ASSOC. OF CANADA NEW WRITING AWARDS
Open to PWAC members and non-members.
Awards will be given for feature-length stories (over 1,200 words) and shorter pieces.
Entries must have been published in a paying Canadian print or web media outlet in 2009. The first prize in each category has a $500 value, including a free PWAC membership for a year (if eligible).
Entry requirements are available at www.pwac.ca/eventsandresources/pwacawards <http://www.pwac.ca/eventsandresources/pwacawards> .
April 15
EMERGING FROM THE SHADOWS POETRY CONTEST
Open to Canadian poets who have never won first prize in a poetry contest
Poems may be on any theme in any style, maximum 36 lines (counting stanza spaces). Poems may be previously published but may not have won any previous contest prizes. Blind judging: no author id anywhere on same page of poem; include a cover page with name, address, phone number, and email, along with poem title(s). Prizes: 1st – $25 and 1-year membership to Ontario Poetry Society; 2nd – 1 year membership; 3rd – $10; 12 honorable mentions. All prize winners will also recieve a Fancy Certificate. Cost: $5 for up to 3 poems, additional poems $2 each. Mail entries and payment to: The Ontario Poetry Society, 31 Marisa Court, Thornhill ON, L4J 6H9. Include SASE for winners list.
April 30
SHORT STORY CONTEST AND POETRY CONTEST
The contest is open to everyone, but eligible San Luis NightWriters will be entered in a drawing for a scholarship to the 2010 Central Coast Writers’ Conference. Entries must be based on the theme: Trust/Betrayal. Prizes: 1st – $75, 2nd – $50 (for both short story and poetry). Entry fee: $10 for first story/poem, $5 for each additional entry. Email SL*******************@ya***.com for more information.
May1
THE VICTORIA WRITERS SOCIETY 9TH ANNUAL WRITING COMPETITION
Submit your best poetry, fiction or creative non-fiction. The contest is open to all residents of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. entry fee is $15 per entry.
first prize of $100, second prize of $50 and two Honourable Mention prizes of a $30 Munro’s gift certificate in each category.
For more information go to victoriawriterssociety@gmailcom.
May 15
SUBTERRAIN LUSH TRIUMPHANT LITERARY AWARDS
Website: http://www.subterrain.ca
Submit fiction of up to 3000 words, creative non-fiction of up to 4000 words, or suites of up to 5 poems. Cost: $25 (includes subscription). Prize: $750 in each category, plus paid publication.
May 31
THE BURNABY WRITERS’ SOCIETY
Open to all BC residents, explores the many meanings of “Water”. Prizes of $200, $100 and $50, as well as honourable mentions, will be awarded for the best one-page submissions of either prose or poetry, interpreting the theme of water in any way you wish. Work can be in any form or genre, as long as it is complete on one page. The entry fee is $5.00 per entry, or 3 entries for $10.00. Winners will be invited to participate in a public reading, in fall 2010. For complete guidelines go to the website, www.bws.bc.ca or e-mail in**@bw*.ca .
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
March 15
CARTE BLANCHE
looking for submissions for Spring 2010
The Montreal-based online literary magazine, www.carte-blanche.org is looking for fiction, non-fiction and graphic fiction writers, poets, translators, and photographers from across the country and around the world.We publish high-quality, cutting edge and good old fashioned great writing from both emerging and established writers. New for this year, carte blanche has been invited to participate in the 2010 Journey Prize.
Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Translations, Graphic Fiction, Photography
www.carte-blanche.org/submissions.html for complete submission guidelines
April 15
OTHER TONGUES: MIXED-RACE WOMEN SPEAK OUT
Co-editors Adebe D.A. and Andrea Thompson are seeking submissions for an anthology of writing by and about mixed-race women of Black/white heritage, publication in Fall 2010.
More info and Guidelines at: www.adebe.wordpress.com www.andreathompson.ca
WORKSHOPS/COURSES/CONFERENCES
February 18 – April 8
THURSDAYS 6:30 – 9:30 pm
POETRY: WORKING IN A SERIES
Website: http://oxygenartcentre.org/writing.html
For those who want to explore the long poem, poetic series, or sequence. Whether achieved by digression, accretion, or constellation, the series is a way toward a book of poetry that is an organic whole. Price: $240. Location: Kootenay School of the Arts, Nelson Campus, 606 Victoria St., Nelson.
February 26, 9 am – 4 pm
AN ALL-DAY WORKSHOP WITH PAUL NELSON
The process of training your ear to capture the chaotic energy of the moment is sometimes called Organic Poetry, where composition is an occasion of experience or experiment in consciousness. Cost: $60. Payment & Reservations: Wordstorm Society of the Arts, 1560 Arbutus Drive, Nanoose Bay, V9P 9C8. Location: TBA in Nanaimo or Parksville.
Vancouver – Langara College
March 2 (on campus) Remainder of course onlineWebsite
NOVEL OPENINGS: CRAFTING A BETTER BEGINNING
http://www.langara.bc.ca/continuing-studies/new-courses.html#CREA1006
This online mentorship course aims to provide emerging writers with the guidance they seek to get those all-important first chapters into shape for submission to agents and publishers. Over eight weeks students will work independently with instructor, author June Hutton (Underground), and with each other, providing valuable feedback on the key elements of their work. contact Kathryn Ellis 604-323-5979 or ke****@la*****.ca
March 6 – April 10
SATURDAYS 10 am – 1 pm
CRITIQUING YOUR WORK: FICTION AND CREATIVE NON-FICTION WITH RITA MOIR
Website: http://oxygenartcentre.org/writing.html
Fed member Rita Moir will hold six consecutive critiquing sessions. Writers will do assignments, as well as critiquing their creative non-fiction and fiction manuscripts in progress. Scene setting, character, and dialogue. Bring a lunch! Price: $180. Location: Kootenay School of the Arts, Nelson Campus, 606 Victoria Street, Nelson.
March/April
Fraser Valley
THE SURREY WRITERS SCHOOL
presents the following half-day spring workshops – $45 each.
Sat. Mar 27 – Guildford Library, 15105 – 105 Avenue
10:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Writing a Memoir: How to Get Going
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. p.m. Blogging for Writers
Sat. May 15 – Semiahmoo Library, 1815 – 152nd Street
10:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Hero’s Journey
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Story: Art & Craft
Saturday, April 17 – Semiahmoo Library, 1815 – 152nd Street
10:15 – 11:30 p.m. free presentation: Databases for Writers
For further information and registation details
check the website www.surreywritersschool.com or call 604.535-1601
May 28 & 29
WRITE ON, VANCOUVER
A mini-conference for fiction writers, sponsored by the Romance Writers of America, Greater Vancouver Chapter
Website: http://www.rwagvc.com
Special guest keynote speaker: Laura Resnick. Workshops, industry panel, editor appointments. For registration information & bookings, contact Sally Collins, Sa**********@sh**.ca.
May 28 – June 1
SUMMER FICTION WRITING SEMINAR IN SOZOPOL (BULGARIA)
Website: http://ekf.bg/sozopol/apply
Intensive daily workshops, roundtable discussions, readings, and lectures by faculty and fellows. Fiction writers from English-speaking countries are invited to apply; ten applicants will be selected for participation and funding.
LAUNCHES
Surrey
April 10, 1 p.m.
THE BALLAD OF KNUCKLES McGRAW
Readings, entertainment, door prizes and refreshments – all with a cowboy theme –
mark the launch of Surrey author, storyteller and creative writing instructor
Lois Peterson’s second novel for children (Orca Book Publishers).
Newton Library, 13795-70 Avenue, Surrey.
The launch will be followed by a free writing/storytelling workshop for children ages 6-11
(2:30-4 p.m.). For more information check www.loispeterson.net.
EVENTS
Victoria
Sunday, February 21, 8 pm
THE BIG ROCK SHOWDOWN
Website: http://www.davemorrisisa.com/showdown
Hosted and co-produced by storyteller and improviser Dave Morris, the Big Rock SHOWDOWN will feature performers from all artistic pursuits: stand-up comedians, musicians, actors, poets, storytellers, dancers, M.C.s, and improvisers, in a cabaret-style performer competition. The audience decides the winner of the $100 cash prize. Tickets: $10 ($7 for students). Location: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad Street, Victoria.
From the desk of Sylvia Taylor, Executive Director, Federation of BC Writers
604-683-2057
fe**********@gm***.com
www.bcwriters.com