Category: Events

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

On By Sara WalkerIn Events, For ReadersLeave a comment

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.

$900 fiction prize and $600 poetry prize in the Second Annual Thomas Morton Memorial Prize in Literary Exellence

On By Sara WalkerIn Contests, WritersLeave a comment

the puritanThe Second Annual Thomas Morton Memorial Prize in Literary Excellence recognizes the single best piece of short fiction and poem submitted to The Puritan. Submissions will be read and judged by the editors of The Puritan in a double-blind judging process. Fiction submissions are capped at 12,000 words, and submissions of poetry must be no longer than 3 pages in length.

The cost per each submission is $10 CAD, payable via The Puritan’s PayPal account. Payments should be made under the SAME name attached to the story or poem submitted. Please submit by classifying your work as “Thomas Morton Prize” in our submission category tab. Submissions will be cross-referenced with receipts of payment, and eligible submitters who follow these instructions will receive an email confirming BOTH the receipt of payment and literary submission.

The contest deadline is September 30th, 2013, and the winner will be announced in October. The winners will receive their prize of $900 for fiction and $600 for poetry and a prize package of books from various Canadian publishers (Coach House Books, House of Anansi, ECW Press, Porcupine’s Quill, Freehand Books, Goose Lane Editions, Cormorant Books, Brick Books, Mansfield Press, Pedlar Press, and Tightrope Books) worth approximately $600. Winning entries will also be published in The Puritan (Issue XXIII: Fall 2013).

General Submission Guidelines

Submissions should fall under one of five (5) categories: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, interviews, and reviews. Unless we are soliciting your work, all submissions must be previously unpublished (this includes self-publishing). Only e-mail submissions are accepted (save those trees for maypoles). Send all questions and messages to puritanmagazine [at] gmail [dot] com; use the manager above to submit work for consideration.

For further information and submission guidelines, please see The Puritan’s website.

First Prize is $1500 in Boston Review Poetry Contest – deadline June 3

On By Sara WalkerIn ContestsLeave a comment

Sixteenth Annual Poetry Contest

Deadline: June 3, 2013
Judge: Linda Gregerson
First Prize: $1,500

Complete guidelines:
The winning poet will receive $1,500 and have his or her work published in the November/December 2013 issue of Boston Review. Submit up to five unpublished poems, no more than 10 pages total. Any poet writing in English is eligible, unless he or she is a current student, former student, relative, or close friend of the judge. Mailed manuscripts must be submitted in duplicate, with a cover note listing the author’s name, address, email, and phone number. No cover note is necessary for online submissions. Names and other identifying information must not be on the poems themselves. Simultaneous submissions are not permitted, submissions will not be returned, and submissions may not be modified after entry. Failure to comply with any contest guidelines may result in your submission being disqualified. A non-refundable $20 entry fee, payable to Boston Review in the form of a check or money order or by credit card, must accompany all submissions. All submitters receive a complementary half-year subscription (3 issues) to Boston Review. Mailed submissions must be postmarked no later than June 3, 2013.

The winner will be announced in the fall on the Boston Review Web site. All poems submitted to the contest will be considered for publication in Boston Review.

Please enter online using our contest entry manager. This requires payment using a credit card.

Or mail submissions to:

Poetry Contest, Boston Review
PO Box 425786
Cambridge, MA 02142

Social Media Workshop for Writers and Authors [Oshawa]

On By Sara WalkerIn WorkshopsLeave a comment

Get the Word Out: Social Media for Writers and Artists

with Heather M. O’Connor and Anne MacLachlan

Date: May 27-June 24, 2013

Time: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Venue: Trent University – Oshawa Campus, Computer Lab

Fee: $125 [$110 for writing association members-WCDR, WCSC, WCYR, SOH etc.]

Social media: the online cocktail party where writers, agents, publishers and readers mingle, connect, share advice and resources, do business. Are you ready to join the party?

Get the answers you need at this 5-week workshop:

  • Two skilled facilitators
  • Lots of hands-on help in class
  • Online support between classes

Who should attend?

  • Intermediate users hoping to develop a writer-specific audience and applications
  • Social media novices needing lots of support

What’s getting covered?

  • Facebook, Twitter, blogging, YouTube, Pinterest and more
  • Why writers use these platforms and HOW
  • Ways to develop your craft, connect with the writing community and to promote your writing

For example:

  • Open and customize a Twitter account
  • Learn how, when and what to tweet
  • Find out where to find writers, agents and publishers
  • Attract Twitter and blog followers

What else?

  • Discover social media settings, tools, resources and apps that measure your progress and help you work faster, safer and more efficiently

Learn how to meet, who to greet and how to make a killer impression in the writers’ world of social media. By the time you’re done, you’ll have the foundation for your social media platform. You’ll also have the resources and tools to continue building your social media presence in the arts community.

This program takes place in the university computer lab. Laptops are optional.

Don Harron (aka Charlie Farquharson) book signing – May 25 [Kinmount]

On By Sara WalkerIn Book SigningsLeave a comment

charlie farqCanadian funny guy Don Harron will be signing books at Harmony Farm in Kinmount on May 25 at 1:30 P.M. Reservations are recommended. For more information please call 705-488-3300.

Harron is known for his character Charlie Farquharson, a role he played on the country music show, Hee Haw, and again on The Red Green Show.

The following works were written as “Charlie Farquharson,” with titles spelled in the character’s idiolect:
Charlie Farquharson’s Histry of Canada (McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1972)
Charlie Farquharson’s Jogfree of Canda (Gage, 1974)
Charlie Farquharson’s K-O-R-N Filled Allmynack (Gage, 1976)
Olde Charlie Farquharson’s Testament: From Jennysez to Jobe and After Words (MacMillan of Canada, 1978)
Yer Last Decadent: 1972-1982 (MacMillan of Canada, 1982)
Cum Buy The Farm (MacMillan of Canada 1987)
Charlie Farquharson’s Unyverse (MacMillan of Canada, 1990)
Charlie Farquharson’s History of Canada: ReeVised and More Expansive (MacMillan of Canada, 1992)
Charlie’s A Broad: Travails In Fern Parts (MacMillan of Canada, 1994)
My Double Life (Dundurn 2012)

[contest] Young Writers Could Win Up to $100 – deadline June 30

On By Sara WalkerIn Contests, Young Writers - Children, Young Writers - TeensLeave a comment

INTERNATIONAL CONTEST

Open to Young Writers
Ages 9 to 21 from any Country

Deadline: June 30, 2013

Finalists Announced:
September 20, 2013

Winners Announced LIVE at the Junior Authors Writers Conference on October 19, 2013 (You do NOT have to be at the conference if you win. You will be contacted by email or phone and will get your prize.)

COMPETITION AGE CATEGORIES

Category 1 — Ages 18 – 21*
*You can be no more than 21 years old as of June 30, 2013.

Category 2 — Ages 15 – 17

Category 3 — Ages 12 – 14

Category 4 — Ages 9 – 11

The first place winning entry in each category will be published on the Junior Authors Contest website and the author of that entry will receive a signed copy of Polly Wants to be a Writer: The Junior Authors Guide to Writing and Getting Published by Laura Thomas. The top six writers in each age category will receive Amazon Gift Cards in the following amounts:

1st place – $100
2nd place – $25
3rd place – $25
4th place – $25
5th place – $25
6th place – $25

For complete rules, go to the Contest website.

via Jim Denney

Deadline Alert: Teen Writers Could Win $100 in Lakefield Literary Contest: Deadline May 10 [closed]

On By Sara WalkerIn Contests, Young Writers - TeensLeave a comment

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=4587&picture=woman-behind-laptopAre you ready? The deadline is tomorrow! 

Each year the Lakefield Literary Festival awards six teen writers for their work in fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Winners will receive $100 and see their work published in The Peterborough Examiner and online in the Young Writers Contest Ebook.

The rules:

1. Writers can enter through their schools or by mailing in their entry on their own.

2. There are two divisions: Junior (Grades 9, 10) and Senior (Grades 11, 12).

3. Genres are fiction prose, non-fiction prose and poetry. Writers are free to choose their topic and subject. Literary critiques and journalism assignments are not accepted. Writers can enter only one piece in each category.

4. Entries must be entirely original and suitable for copywright. Avoid using trade names in the piece. Quotations and paraphrases must be attributed.

5. Entries must be 500-1,000 words in length (with a few words either way acceptable). Take time to revise and review before submitting.

6. The title page must be a separate first sheet with name, grade, name of teacher, name of school, writer’s address, telephone number and whether the entry is fiction, non-fiction or poetry. Include an email address if possible.

7. Submit four copies of each entry.

8. The deadline is 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10. Entries can be handed in to teachers or mailed to Young Writers at the Lakefield Literary Festival, Box 1114, Lakefield, Ont., K0L 2H0.

9. Prizes go to best fiction, best non-fiction and best poetry, in senior and junior divisions, six prizes in all. Each winner receives $100 at an awards ceremony at the Lakefield Literary Festival on July 13.

Contest: Speculative fiction; $500 prize; Deadline May 31

On By Sara WalkerIn Brian Henry, ContestsLeave a comment
czpbannerrannuThe CZP/Rannu Fund (Canada) offers two awards per year of $500 each: fiction (7,000 words max.) and poetry (5 poems, 10 pages max). Granted to two writers of speculative literature (i.e., science fiction, fantasy, horror, magic realism, surrealism, etc.), of any nationality or place of residence, at any stage of their career.
Deadline: May 31, 2013.
Entry fee: $10 ($15 for US entrants).
Submission guidelines here.

via Brian Henry’s Quick Brown Fox. Check out his contest calendar for more contests this year:

The 2013 Canadian Writers’ Contest Calendar is available now. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced writer, if you’re looking for places to send your work, you should put contests on your list. The Canadian Writers’ Contest Calendar gives a full listing of contests in Canada arranged by deadline date. It lists contests for short stories, poetry, children’s writing, novels, and non-fiction – contests for just about everyone. The Calendar costs just $20 at one of Brian Henry’s workshops or classes or $23.50 by mail (all taxes and shipping included).
To order, email brianhenry@sympatico

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Teen Writers Could Win $100 in Lakefield Literary Contest: Deadline May 10 [closed]

On By Sara WalkerIn Contests, Writers, Young Writers - TeensLeave a comment

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=4587&picture=woman-behind-laptopAre you ready? The deadline is fast approaching! 

Each year the Lakefield Literary Festival awards six teen writers for their work in fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Winners will receive $100 and see their work published in The Peterborough Examiner and online in the Young Writers Contest Ebook.

The rules:

1. Writers can enter through their schools or by mailing in their entry on their own.

2. There are two divisions: Junior (Grades 9, 10) and Senior (Grades 11, 12).

3. Genres are fiction prose, non-fiction prose and poetry. Writers are free to choose their topic and subject. Literary critiques and journalism assignments are not accepted. Writers can enter only one piece in each category.

4. Entries must be entirely original and suitable for copywright. Avoid using trade names in the piece. Quotations and paraphrases must be attributed.

5. Entries must be 500-1,000 words in length (with a few words either way acceptable). Take time to revise and review before submitting.

6. The title page must be a separate first sheet with name, grade, name of teacher, name of school, writer’s address, telephone number and whether the entry is fiction, non-fiction or poetry. Include an email address if possible.

7. Submit four copies of each entry.

8. The deadline is 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10. Entries can be handed in to teachers or mailed to Young Writers at the Lakefield Literary Festival, Box 1114, Lakefield, Ont., K0L 2H0.

9. Prizes go to best fiction, best non-fiction and best poetry, in senior and junior divisions, six prizes in all. Each winner receives $100 at an awards ceremony at the Lakefield Literary Festival on July 13.

Workshop: How to Build Your Story — with Brian Henry – July 21 [Peterborough]

On By Sara WalkerIn Brian Henry, Workshops1 Comment

“How to Build Your Story”

 ~ Plotting novels and writing short stories ~

Sunday, July 21
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Jackson Creek Residence, 481 Reid Street, Peterborough (Map here.)

This workshop will show you how writers plot a novel. You’ll also get the best tips
on writing short stories, where to get them published and how to win contests. Best yet,
you’ll see how to apply the story-building techniques you’ve learned to your own writing.

Fee: $32.74 + 13% hst = $37 paid in advance by mail or Interac
or $35.40 + 13% hst = $40 if you wait to pay at the door

To register, please make out a cheque to Brian Henry and mail it to:

Brian Henry, 110 Reiner Road, Toronto, ON M3H 2L6

Or if you do on-line banking, you can pay by e-transfer.

       To reserve a spot now, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

————————————————————–

Brian Henry has been a book editor, writer, and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He teaches creative writing at Ryerson University. He also leads weekly creative writing courses inMississauga, Oakville andBurlington and conducts Saturday workshops throughout Ontario. His proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get published.