Month: June 2013

Are you ready for Camp NaNoWriMo?

On By Sara WalkerIn Writers

2013-Participant-Campfire-Circle-BadgeBased on November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Camp NaNoWriMo provides the online support, tracking tools, and hard deadline to help you write the rough draft of your novel in a month… other than November!

Camp NaNoWriMo was established in 2011 as a project of the Office of Letters and Light, the parent 501(c)(3) nonprofit to National Novel Writing Month and the Young Writers Program. 2013 Camp sessions will take place in April and July.

What: Writing a novel from scratch in one month’s time. (You choose your word-count goal.)

Who: You! (And about 20,000 other novelists around the world.) Let’s write some perhaps-awful, but definitely lengthy, prose together.

Why: The reasons are endless! To actively participate in one of our era’s most enchanting art forms! To write without having to obsess over quality. To be able to make obscure references to passages from our novels at parties.

When: You can sign up anytime to add your name to the roster. Writing begins at 12:00 AM on April 1, and again on July 1. To be added to the official list of winners, you must reach your word-count goal by 11:59 PM on the last day of the month. Once your novel has been verified by our web-based team of robotic word counters, the partying begins.

Are you ready? Sign up now!

Lakefield Literary Festival – July 12 – 14 [Lakefield]

On By Sara WalkerIn Events, For Readers, For Writers, Writers

The Lakefield Literary Festival celebrates its rich literary heritage each July on the weekend closest to Margaret Laurence’s birthday, and showcases many current Canadian authors. The festival was created to celebrate the work of Catharine Parr Traill, Susanna Moodie and Margaret Laurence, among others, all of whom lived and wrote in Lakefield.

Highlights:

ANIMALS ABOUND AT THE CHILDREN’S TENT
Saturday July 13
9:30 am Cenotaph Park.
Admission: Free to all. Donations are appreciated.
We are excited to bring together the award-winning creators of the Stanley picture books and the Good Times Travel Agency series, author Linda Bailey and illustrator, Bill Slavin. Linda will also tell the story Toads on Toast, her newest picture book. Bill’s love of comics shines through in his graphic novel series, Elephants Never Forget. He is pleased to present the latest book in the series. Bill’s partner in life and work, Esperança Melo is the designer of this year’s Festival T-shirts. Her newest books include Mr. Dash and the Cupcake Calamity and Jojo the Giant, nominated for the 2013 Blue Spruce Award.

STORIES ABOUT STORYTELLERS
2:30pm Bryan Jones Theatre, Lakefield College School
Admission: $20.00
Join host and Trent University teacher, Lewis MacLeod, as we greet a giant in the Canadian publishing world, Douglas Gibson and many famous Canadian authors. The one-man show based on his most recent book, Stories About Storytellers: Publishing Alice Munro, Robertson Davies, Alistair MacLeod, Pierre Trudeau and Others, consists of Douglas telling stories about the authors he got to know well in the course of his amazing career as their Editor and Publisher. Each of the 21 authors he discusses at length appears on a central screen behind him in a lively caricature specially created by the mischievous Tony Jenkins of The Globe and Mail. Over 40 versions of the unique show have been given in eight provinces across Canada since October 2011 producing reactions such as “hilarious”, “moving” and “entertaining and informative.” This presentation could only come from someone who has had a long and fascinating career working behind the scenes with some of the most memorable literary men and women of our era.

And more events scheduled!
Purchase tickets on-line or by mail. See website for details.

Summer at the Library! Get ready and GO!

On By Sara WalkerIn Children's Programs, Kawartha Lakes Public Library

Besides heading to the library for the air conditioning and free Wi-Fi (in Lindsay, Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls), sign up for some fun programs!

Children’s Programs

Travelling Tots – Tuesdays @ 10:30 am [Lindsay]
Start your day with stories, songs, crafts and fun! No registration required.

Crafts To Go – Thursdays @ 2:00 pm [Lindsay]
Children age 7 and up will enjoy a different craft each week. Table space is limited. Advance registration is required.

On The Go – Fridays @ 10:30 am – July 5, 19 and August 2, 16, 23 [Lindsay]
Join us for stories, activities and crafts based on the TD Summer Reading Club theme “GO”. No registration required.

French Storytime – Fridays @ 10:30 am – July 12, 26 and August 9, 30 [Lindsay]
Enjoy stories, songs, activities and crafts. Table space is limited. Advance registration is required.

join the clubTD Summer Reading Club – “GO!”
Children wil receive an activity booklet, library passport, and book bag. Record your summer reading in the passport and get stickers! Children can also have their library passport stamped when they visit libraries within Kawartha Lakes. Completed passports will be entered into the summer draw for prizes. Stop in any library branch to register and GO!

Cyber Camp for Kids
Children aged 6 – 13 will make a greeting card or interactive Powerpoint presentation. Computer space is limited. Advance registration required.
Tuesday July 16 [Kirkfield]
Wednesday July 17 [Carden]
Wednesday July 17 [Dalton]
Thursday July 18 [Omemee]
Friday July 19 [Fenelon Falls]
Monday July 22 [Little Britain]
Tuesday July 23 [Oakwood]
Friday July 26 [Woodville]
Tuesday July 30 [Norland]
Wednesday July 31 [Downeyville]
Thursday August 1 [Bethany]
Tuesday August 6 [Kinmount]
Thursday August 8 [Burnt River]
Tuesday August 13 [Coboconk]
Wednesday August 14 [Cambray]

Lots of Activities!

Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary
Wednesday July 24 @ 2 pm [Lindsay]
Thursday July 25 @ 3 pm [Coboconk]
Wednesday August 7 @ 2 pm [Bobcaygeon]
Monday August 12 @ 3 pm [Woodville]

Sciensational Snakes!
Wednesday August 7 @ 11 am [Lindsay]
Wednesday August 7 @ 2 pm [Fenelon Falls]

Mrs. Twist, Balloonologist
Tuesday July 23 @ 1 pm [Bethany]
Thursday July 25 @ 2 pm [Kirkfield]
Monday July 29 @ 11 am [Omemee]
Wednesday July 31 @ 2 pm [Lindsay]

Pirate Pete & Crew’s Magical Journey
Wednesday August 28 @ 2 pm [Lindsay]

And lots more! So drop by any library branch and get a calendar of events.
Visit the library’s website for more information.
Or call Children’s Services 705-324-9411 ext 1332

Start Your Vacation Plans with a Trip to the Library

On By Sara WalkerIn Kawartha Lakes Public Library

Loading up and heading out of town for a few days this summer? Start your vacation plans with a trip to the library!

–> Borrow a travel guide. Get all the facts on your destination from any of the popular travel guides. If your branch doesn’t have the one you’re looking for, talk to a librarian. The right one can be transferred in for you.

–> Plan your route with a map. The library keeps a selection of maps and map books in the reference section. Again, if you don’t see what you’re looking for, talk to a librarian. The right one may be shelved at another branch and can be brought in for you.

–> Borrow CDs to listen to in the car. Stop by the Lindsay branch and check out the selection of tunes.

–> Borrow DVDs. Check out the wide selection of movies and TV episodes.

–> Going hiking? Borrow a pedometer to count your steps!

–> Need something for the little kids to do? Borrow a game. The children’s library at the Lindsay branch has several educational games that can be borrowed.

–> Borrow a magazine to read in the car or on the plane!

–> Don’t forget to borrow a book! In addition to some how-to guides, borrow a good story to read in case your vacation plans are rained out.

–> Or maybe you prefer to read ebooks? Load up your device with titles from the library before you go.

Want to write a picture book? Markham author Hélène Boudreau reveals her process

On By Sara WalkerIn Writers

HeleneYawningBookCover-600Inkygirl.com recently interviewed Hélène Boudreau and got her to share her writing process for her new picture book, I Dare You Not To Yawn, including the book’s evolution over six drafts. Well worth a look if you’re thinking about writing a picture book. Hélène shares the entire process right from the spark of an idea.

Hélène is an Acadian/Métis writer and artist. A native of Isle Madame, Nova Scotia, she writes fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults from her land-locked home in Markham, Ontario, Canada. She has published five non-fiction and nine fiction books for children and young adults, including the picture book I DARE YOU NOT TO YAWN (Candlewick) and the tween series REAL MERMAIDS (Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky).

There’s Still Time to Register for the CanWrite! Conference – June 13-16 [Orillia]

On By Sara WalkerIn Conferences, Events, Writers

LITERARY MASTERS + WRITERS’ RETREAT + CONFERENCE!

The Canadian Authors Association’s annual CanWrite! conference is for aspiring, emerging and accomplished writers. We are once again incorporating a retreat element into our conference, but with a bit of a twist. Regular workshops and master classes are offered in the afternoons, and you have a selection of options for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings — an à la carte menu to make sure this writers’ conference meets your current needs.

WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR?

  • Moderated expressive writing circles
  • Special interest sessions (eg. creativity jump start, writers’ guide to social media)
  • Pitch sessions with publishing professionals

WHAT IS ON THE PROGRAM?

  • Optional retreat mornings – personal writing, social or ‘me’ time
  • Selection of half-day afternoon workshops on writing and master classes for published and mid-career authors
  • Book fair and author signings
  • Panel discussions on timely issues in the publishing industry
  • Exhibits by professionals offering specialized services to writers
  • Open mike readings
  • 2013 CAA Literary Awards
  • CAA Annual General Meeting

Stay tuned for more information, options and details to come.

  • Date: June 13–16, 2013
  • Location: Lakehead University, Orillia Campus, Orillia ON

For further information, contact Courtney or Noelle at admin@canauthors.org or call our national office at 1 866 216 6222.

Cat Sass Literary Night including Leah Bobet – June 15 [Norwood]

On By Sara WalkerIn Events, For Readers

Cat Sass is hosting another literary night on Saturday June 15th from 5-7 pm with three wonderful writers! There may be a surprise fourth guest so stay tuned! Cat Sass is in Norwood at 4255 Hwy 7, (705) 639-5494. This event is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Leah Bobet is the author of Above, a young adult urban fantasy novel. She is the editor and publisher of Ideomancer Speculative Fiction, a resident editor at the Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror, and a contributor to speculative web serial Shadow Unit.
Her short fiction has been reprinted in several Year’s Best anthologies; Further short work appears in the anthologies Witches: Wicked, Wild and Wonderful; Chilling Tales; Clockwork Phoenix; The Mammoth Book of Extreme Fantasy; and TEL: Stories. She is a frequent contributor to On Spec, Realms of Fantasy, and Strange Horizons. Her poetry has been nominated for the Rhysling and Pushcart Prizes, and she is the recipient of the 2003 Lydia Langstaff Memorial Prize. Visit her at: http://www.leahbobet.com/

Shane Joseph is a graduate of the Humber School for Writers where he studied under Giller Prize and Canadian Governor General’s Award winning author David Adams Richards. Redemption in Paradise, his first novel, was published in 2004. Fringe Dwellers, his first collection of short stories, was released in 2008, and is now in its second edition. Shane’s third work of fiction, After the Flood, a dystopian novel of hope, was released in 2009 and won the Canadian Christian Writing Awards best novel in the futuristic/fantasy category in 2010. His short fiction has appeared in literary journals and anthologies internationally. His blog atwww.shanejoseph.com/blog is widely syndicated. His latest novel, The Ulysses Man, was released in 2011.

Wes Ryan is a multi-faceted artist with a penchant for combining spoken-word and dance into genre-mashing performances confronting mediocrity. The current Peterborough slam-poetry champ, he has represented Peterborough at the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam and a national team member for three years. Since suffering a brain injury in 2007, Wes has performed shows about living on social margins and facilitated workshops encouraging youth to find empowerment by sharing their narratives. Currently studying Social Service Work at Fleming College, he is also a member of the Centre for Gender and Social Justice and the Peterborough Poetry Collective.