Writers
The Grind
January 2017
It’s writing weather in Vancouver
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Deadlines
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Things to do at night by yourself
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Lovin’ Taylor’s “barf” and Lamott’s “shitty” first drafts
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Vancouver writing. New West writing.
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Literary Bran: the joys of regularity
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Go Go Go
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Crapulous. Fard. Words that sound rude but aren’t
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Grind Writers schedule
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The photo writing prompt JUST DO IT
looming see Submit section for more calls and contests DL Jan 31 THE FISH PUBLISHING MEMOIR ANTHOLOGY Short Memoir Contest €1,000 Best 10 submissions included in the 2017 Fish Anthology, which will be launched at the West Cork Literary Festival in July. 2nd Prize: a week at Casa Ana Writers Retreat in Andalusia, Spain, and €300 travel. Word Limit: 4,000 - Details here.
LIT EVENTS
12-15 Submit. (You know you want to) MASSES OF MARKETS
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Local writing workshops of note 2
Things to do at night by yourself One of our members has a Happiness Jar. Every night she writes down something good that happened that day. It can be big or small. She puts it in her jar which she opens and reads the following New Year’s eve. Here’s another one for getting the year going, from local African dance teacher and lady extraordinaire originally from Cameroon, Jacky Yenga, that she learned about from one of her students. She writes: Today, I received an email from my friend Brenda with a tip that I would love to share with you, because I believe that we could all benefit from it. In fact, I will ask the participants to my upcoming Akiba workshop to come prepared to do it together. Brenda shared her New Year's Eve Family Tradition which is very inspiring when you hear the whole story. One of the things she says they do is this: "Because it's important to let go, each of us takes some time to write on a piece of paper all the things we would like to let go of. Then we burn them in the fire. Afterward, we write down all the things we would like to bring into the coming year and seal it in an envelope to read next New Year's Eve. It's a great way to honour our intentions and our ability to manifest." What a great tradition! If you find this tip useful, consider doing it and please share it with someone you care about. Because it's important to start the year well. Not with New Year resolutions, but with real practices that are designed to set us up in the right direction.
And then with others: Jacky has a 3-hour Akiba African Healing Dance of Gratitude for Women (sorry, guys) coming up on Jan 21 in Vancouver. One thing you will be grateful for in a Jacky Yenga workshop is moving parts of your body you may have not moved for a very long time. More info on this event here: 3
In from the cold Grind Gallery Café 4124 Main St. @ King Edward Next to The Book Warehouse A variety of coffees and teas ■ Snacks ■ Wifi ■ All the amenities a writer could desire ■
Read. Write. Sip. Avoid the damp world outside.
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THE FREE-WRITE PHOTO PROMPT See page 11 Vancouver author, writing & publishing coach, and writing instructor Sylvia Taylor (The Fisher Queen; Beckoned by the Sea, coming in May, both from Heritage House), calls the output from free-writing a “Barf Draft.” Equally famous author, Anne Lamott calls it the “Shitty First Draft.” Lamott is always worth reading. Read all about the SFD here. The BD or SFD has many guises. I like to think of it as The Writer’s Gymnasium: it’s what you get when you flex and stretch -- raw & rough, fast & flowing. When you allow yourself to just write and not think about it too much beforehand. (Remember, editing is a separate step.)
Read about free-writing techniques In Writer’s Digest – here. Author Sage Cohen has been free-
writing or 25 years: “As a writer, your constant companion is the blank page. Free-writing is a practice of nonattachment.” In this post “Freewriting – What is it? Why Should You Use
It?”, on her blog This Itch of Writing, London novelist and short story writer Emma Darwin calls free-writing the “first cousin of Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages.”
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Vancouver Writer's Reading & Critiquing Group Every 2nd Monday 7pm At VCC - Vancouver Community College - 250 West Pender St. Vancouver
We're in the cafeteria of Vancouver Community College, downtown campus. See their Meetup page for full info on how to find them. Who: Writers and lovers of the craft, looking to get and give critiques and feedback on original work What: Podcasting: We are now podcasting the story portions of our Meetup. This is not required. The podcast can be found at: http://vancouverwriters.podomatic.com If you would like people to read your writing in advance of a session, please go and read the full write up on their Meetup page or contact Malcolm the facilitator.
ROYAL CITY WRITING Loads of regular goings on for writers in New Westminster, courtesy of The Royal City Literary Arts Society. Full calendar here. WordPlay - free monthly, poetry-generating drop-in. Prompts provided. Not a critique group: “Let’s have some fun!” B.Y.O.T. (bring your own tools) in the Back Room at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St. Sundays 3-5pm- Poetic Justice The Heritage Grill, Back Room, 447 Columbia St., New Westminster near Columbia Station. Sundays – 7-9 pm - Songwriters’ Open Mic Night for New & Emerging songwriters Join hosts Enrico Renz and Lawren Nemeth at Renaissance Bookstore, 43 – 6th Street, New Westminster. Writing for Kidz - a writing group created for adult writers in any genre related to children Facilitator: Max Tell. At Renaissance Bookstore, 43 – 6th Street, New Westminster. Info http://rclas.com/events/writing-kidz-max-tell-writing-group-createdadult-writers-any-genre-related-children Every 2nd Wed. of the month, 7-9 pm Short Story Open Mic Night Host Margo Prentice. Next session: Feb 11th at Renaissance Bookstore, 43 – 6th Street, New Westminster. Bring your short stories. Poetry Wars: A study group. Host Carol Shillibeer. New Location at 100 Braid Street Studios,100 Braid Street, New Westminster. Info: http://rclas.com/events/poetry-wars
More info on any of this: Contact Janet Kvammen Royal City Literary Arts Society www.rclas.com
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BC books
auto/no/m o u s Tara Torme reading in New West at Ariadne Sawyer’s ongoing World Poetry series: Jan 25 – 6:30-8:30 pm New Westminster Public Library 716, 6th Street Hosts Ariadne Sawyer and Kozue Uzawa World Poetry presents -Come as your Favorite Poet & “City of Dreams – the New Westminster Poems, book launch of Candice James , Poet Laureate Emerita! Favourite poets so far: Li Bai, Ariadne Sawyer, Al Purdy, Ken MacAteer, Percy Shelley, Neall Ryon, Yuko Kawano, Kozue Uzawa, Leonard Cohen, Tara Kimberley Torme and others!
To register or for more info, contact Ariadne Sawyer: ariadnes@uniserve.com 604-526-4729
Literary Bran The joys of regularity Tuesdays Burnaby Writers' Society/ Spoken INK 3rd Tuesday of the month 8 pm @ La Fontana Caffe 101-3701 East Hastings Burnaby BC Wednesdays Pandora’s Book Club 2nd Wednesday of the month 6:30–8:30 pm - Britannia Branch Library 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver Bring your favourite passages, points of interest, and share your reading experiences. Drop-ins are welcome. Presented by Pandora’s Collective. Hosts: Mary Duffy & Sita Carboni. More info here.
Twisted Poets Literary Salon - Wednesdays 2nd Wednesday and 4th Thursday of every month at The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main Street, Vancouver More info Thursdays TWS Readings Evening at the Cottage Bistro on Main St. Come early to ensure a seat, and enjoy the food, refreshments, and top-notch company. Twisted Poets Literary Salon 4th Thursday (and 2nd Wed) of every month at The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main Street, Vancouver More info SEE ALSO PAGE 8
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go go go go go go go go Upcoming - Date TBD Identity Collage: Places of Origin /Places of Residency Workshop 1-3 pm - Isaac Waldman Jewish Public Library Facilitators: Bonnie Nish and Taslim Jaffer W: http://www.pandorascollective.com/ what-we-do/community-eventlistings
Tues Jan 17 WORD WHIPS WRITING SERIES 6:30-8:30 pm - Britannia Library, Vancouver Take the challenge. We provide the writing prompts and the opportunity for sharing. 10 -15 minutes to write to each prompt. See what you can whip up. (3rd Tues of each month except Dec ) E: blnish@pandorascollective.com www.pandorascollective.com 2nd Sundays (Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov) DEAD POETS READING SERIES www.deadpoetslive.ca 2nd Sundays - odd months of the year - 3-5 pm DEAD POETS READING SERIES Project Space, 222 E Georgia St. www.deadpoetslive.ca Every Monday of the month VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM Café Deux Soleils on Commercial Drive E: touchmeirock@gmail.com
1st Monday of every month HOGAN’S ALLEY OPEN POETRY READINGS 6-8 pm - Hogan's Alley Cafe, 789 Gore Ave, Vancouver, BC E: tshay1952@gmail.com 1st Tuesday of every month KITSILANO POETRY GROUP 6:30 pm – Arbutus Coffee @ 6th Ave E: kitspoetry@gmail.com www.facebook.com/kitspoetry
2nd Tuesday of every month VANCOUVER STORY SLAM 8 pm - Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver https://www.facebook.com/Vancou verStorySlam 2nd (Standard Poetry Slam) and 4th (Anarchy Slam) Tuesdays of every month SLAM UBC 2505 West Broadway, Benny's Cafe, Vancouver E: poetryslam.ubc@gmail.com T: @ubcslam Facebook: Slam UBC
2nd Wednesdays (Sept-June) CANADIAN AUTHORS’ ASSOCIATION MEETINGS 7-9 pm – 938 Howe St. Open to the general pubic. Guest speakers or events. www.canauthorsvancouer.org/meet ings.htm
See also page 16
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s tu f f You can subscribe to A Word A Day (AWAD), compiled by Anu Garg [sic], at this link. Have wonderful words & their definitions delivered daily to your inbox.
resources A Word A Day this week featured words that sound rude, but aren’t:
cockup crapulous pricket fard
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Grind Writers Group Meeting schedule
SEE PAGE 17
WHERE WE MEET The Grind Gallery Café 4124 Main Street at 25th Ave. In the back room 10 am–12:30 pm WHY WE MEET Nobody really knows.
HOW WE MEET Thanks to Michelle & Jay Kim, the Grind’s owners. They’ve kindly let us meet in the Back Room for the last 7 years. And kudos to the Kims for their support of the arts in general. The Grind provides gallery space to many local artists.
Appreciate if you buy something while you’re there to support the Grind and their support of us
BOOK TALKS BOOK CLUB VANCOUVER
Read a book. And talk about it. Face to face. With real people. 2nd Wednesday of the month 6:30 – 8:30 pm Presented by Pandora’s Collective and Britannia Branch Library 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver
Each month we’ll discuss a preselected book, with the occasional session reserved for a discussion on a theme. This is an open book club.
Important: Please email before you attend Grind Writers for the first time. We sometimes have out-trips and aren’t at the Grind. grindwriters@gmail.com
Drop-ins are welcome Hosts: Mary Duffy and Sita Carboni. More info contacts: booktalks@pandorascollective.com www.pandorascollective.com
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free-write photo prompt
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Free-write how-to Set the timer for 15 minutes Look at the photo. What comes immediately to mind? Start writing about that, Whatever it may be, no matter what it is. Don’t think it, just write. Forget grammar, forget spelling. Forget any rules you’ve ever been told. Editing comes later. Just write.
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Submit. (you know you want to)
featured outlet Archive magazine Vancouver “Our readers submit stories about their lives and we publish them. A story should be between 1200-1500 words, set in Vancouver, and based on real events.
Loads of contests and calls here, brought to you by Vancouver’s Pandora’s Collective.
“We pay for any story that ends up in print. If interested, email a draft of your story to info@elective.ca. We are hiring writers for other elements of the magazine. If you’d like to write for Archive, True Stories is a good way to introduce us to your writing.” No link - they don’t seem to have a website. Thanks to Glenn Mori for alerting us to Archive.
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short, snippy poems, razor-sharp flash fiction, and art and photography that tread the line between purpose and chance, making us see the innate beauty in the world around us. Guidelines for text submissions.
Markets. M There is no easy way to do this. There are easier ways but not easy ways. Sooner or later (unless you have publishing contacts) you have to slog through market listings – with specific pieces of your work in mind – and see what might be a fit, then submit. Nobody much can do it for you. Except maybe a partner or spouse who knows your work as well as you do. Or an agent. Multiple submissions may be your best friend in this process. Saves so much time. If you don’t know about multiple submissions, ask a writer friend, or ask at a Grind Writers meeting. Also, read Vancouver poet Daniela Elza’s article, “Submit to submitting,” about how she keeps 10 things submitted at all times, in this issue of the Federation of BC Writers’ journal Wordworks - pg. 5)
CONTESTS & CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
Be sure to read the submission guidelines completely and carefully.
Deadlines soon
Always check first whether Canadians are eligible to submit.
North Shore Writers’ Assoc. Fiction, Nonfic, Poetry Contest DL February 8 The NSWA is running its 21st annual writing contest for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. We're also hosting a workshop on February 11, 2017 with author Margo Bates that will focus on mind mapping strategies for writing fiction and nonfiction. We thought that some members of the Grind Writers group may be interested in the contest, the workshop or both. Contest details at: nswriters.org/announcements For workshop details: NSWA Mind Mapping Workshop with author Margo Bates.
Ongoing submissions Wants dark…. Shock Totem We consider original, unpublished stories within the confines of dark fantasy and horror—mystery, suspense, supernatural, morbid humor, fantasy, etc. Read the guidelines.
Wants flash fiction and art text literary magazine We’re interested in literature composed with brevity and punch:
We will frown or smile upon your piece, and reply within 1 week (2 weeks max) with a muffin or a tumbleweed. Multiple submissions are allowed, but single submissions are preferred. All things minimalistic and mind-slicing wanted. The occasional selfless snark and sneer accepted. True wit appreciated, along with foldable grit, pocket-size memoir moments and frame by frame congeniality. Perspective: any, as long as artfully executed and self reflecting; avoid sending ego balloons and unintended mirroring. Mirrors and led wanted. Gates, doors, and attics most appreciated. There’s yet more. Read the submission guidelines. Poems: any subject, any style, any length: Great American Poetry Show Submit any subject, any style, any length, any number, any time by email or by mail with SASE. Previously published poems and simultaneous submissions are welcome. The Great American Poetry Show, P.O. Box 69506, West Hollywood, CA 90069. Email: info@tgaps.net. Website: www.tgaps.net (Caveat emptor – check it out). Wants stories based on their prompts The Quotable This online magazine wants writer-readers to submit stories based on their monthly prompts. Info here. Rolling submissions year-round Holler Box All submissions are completely free. You may submit in multiple genres. If so, send a separate submission per genre. If your submission does not get accepted you may continue to submit, we encourage it. Read the guidelines here.
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Submit. (why not.)
Geist Emerging Writer-of-the-Month Emerging writers are invited to submit short written works online. Read the FAQ. Wants highest quality literature from talented unpublished writers; experimental pieces Dead Beats The Beats are dead; long live Dead Beats, focused on bringing you the highest quality literature from talented unpublished writers. We are happy to receive submissions from everyone, regardless of experience -- poems, short stories (max. 2000 words), experimental pieces and reviews, the best of which we will publish on the site. If you would like to submit some of your work please send it in the body of an email to: deadbeats@live.co.uk. We aim to reply to all emails, though this may take some time given the number of submissions we receive. Read the guidelines. Wants stuff from people over 60 Wit and Wisdom of the Sages Have insightful stories you’d like to share? Great Depression/ WW2/ Vietnam era? Seeking narratives up to 3,500 words. Send manuscripts, or for guidelines email jnjscher@yahoo.com. Wants fiction, nonfic – new voices Anderbo.com -- “Best New Online Literary Journal.” Publishes writers in fiction, creative nonfiction), and poetry. We’re always looking for new voices. We’ll also consider nonfiction features, short memoirs, novellas, published-book excerpts, photography, essays, and photo th essays. Now in our 9 year. Read the guidelines. Wants women’s personal essays Changes in Life A monthly online newsletter is seeking personal essays from women of all ages.
New writers are encouraged to submit their work. Read the guidelines. They only publish Canadian writers Signature Editions What we do and don't publish: Look through the titles on our website and you'll get a pretty good idea of the kinds of books we're interested in. Where to send your manuscript: We do not accept submissions by fax or email, and do not discuss concepts over the phone. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama check website for submission guidelines. Wants prose and poetry The Evening Street Review The ESR is centered on the belief that all men and women are created equal. Reads poetry & prose submissions year-round. Replies in 3 months or less. Sometimes includes comments. Send 4–6 poems or 1–2 prose piece. 7652 Sawmill Rd., #352, Dublin, OH 43016 or editor@eveningstreetpress.com. Read more about contests and guidelines here. Wants original words and New Age art Subterranean Blue Poetry is an Internet Poetry and Art Publishing Café. We thrive on new original words and New Age art. All poets and their poetry are welcome and we are especially looking for homegrown poets from the Canadian First Nations/American Indian community; Quebec; small town Canada; international poets and anyone who was ever considered “the other.” New Age art offerings are for the masthead of each issue. Read all info here. Wants short stories, poetry and performance writing: Regime magazine Not only do they want your work but they offer that you can tack $20 on your submission and they’ll send you back a detailed one-page critique. Note: do your due diligence. Read it all carefully. Full submission info here Wants poems – one a week Coastal Spectator A new arts-based review and commentary site operating continued….
Markets COMPENDIA SITES Aerogramme Writers’ Studio: This site has over 90 competitions, publication opportunities, fellowships Excellent resource Fiction Writing Markets Currently Open for Freelance Submissions (Paid writing opportunities: Fiction stories, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Speculative fiction, Romance, etc.) See more at: http://writingcareer.com/callfor-fiction-submissions How handy is this? Morgan Bailey’s Competitions Calendar Organized by deadline date. Places for Writers Listings for literary magazines of every type, everywhere, for everyone. Interesting resources – e.g., “Places to Publish: Can Lit” and “Publishers – Canada.” Plus continuous updates about who’s looking for what. If you have a piece to place, this might be a good place to start the hunt. Poetry contests roundup here Poets & Writers – an eminently
searchable database (Sent by Isabella Mori) For good leads to contests & calls
check out "Writing Contests Competitions" on Facebook Writing dark. Interview with Irish
writer, Noelle Harrison here. 19 short story competitions. Read
about them here. 14
Submit. (Yes. You.)
independently out of the U. Vic. We want to publish, on our home site, one new poem each week for a year, so if you have a new piece of work -- that is a haiku or up to 25 lines long -- do submit. Read all about it here. Wants “gutsy narratives” Pithead Chapel We’re looking for engaging stories told in honest voices. Most of all, we want to feel something. We want to reach the last word and immediately crave more. We want your work to leave a brilliant bruise. Send us your gutsiest narrative and we’ll do our best to get your voice heard. Submission guidelines here. Wants creative nonfic 1966 An online journal of creative nonfiction, seeks pieces of literary nonfiction with a research component—anything from immersion memoir to nature writing to reportage to travel writing to—? Guidelines here. Wants text and audio Escape Pod is a science fiction market. Publishes in both text and audio; you are offering both of those one-time and archival rights to us when you send us your story. Our mandate is fun. We are fairly flexible on what counts as “science” We welcome submissions from writers of all backgrounds. We are especially interested in seeing more submissions from people of backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented or excluded from traditional SF publishing, including, but
not limited to, women, people of color, LGBTQ or non-binary gender people, persons with disabilities, members of religious minorities, and people from outside the U.S. Guidelines here. Wants unique ideas for earning, saving or investing money The Penny Hoarder We’re always on the lookout for fun, unique ideas for earning, saving or investing money. We’d love to hear your personal experience, especially if you can share detailed numbers, strategies and advice. Do you have a story to share or an idea we haven’t covered? Read the guidelines . Wants satirical commentary The Lapine We’re all about poking people and things that deserve to be poked. It is satirical commentary written by all kinds of people from here, there and darned near everywhere. The Lapine is not limited to just trending topics. Our writers will guffaw at anything really. We always welcome new writers, so send us your story idea or article. Minimum 150 words …300 tops. Guidelines here.
Wants concrete topics written by emerging and experienced writers in all genres The Writer magazine Our editors are interested in query letters on concrete topics written by emerging and experienced writers in all genres. We are looking for clear takeaway for our readers: What can they learn to improve their writing or advance their careers? What how-to tips and strategies will accomplish this? Read the guidelines and the magazine.
lit er is tic
Why give it away? Freelance markets Canada’s History Publishes well-written, wellresearched, and informative articles about Canadian history that focus on all parts of the country and all areas of human activity. Subject matter covers the whole range of Canadian history, from social history, politics, exploration, discovery and settlement, to aboriginal peoples, war, culture, business and trade. Articles run various lengths: long features (from 1,500 to 3,000 words) that provide an in-depth look at an event, person, or era; short features (from 600 to 1,200 words) that provide a more narrow focus. Pays up to 50 cents/word. Guidelines here.
Publishers Wants science fiction book manuscripts DAW Books (associated with Penguin) was the first publishing company ever devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy. Now more than 30 years and more than a thousand titles later, DAW has a well-deserved reputation for discovering and publishing the hottest talents in the industry. Accepts unsolicited submissions of science fiction and fantasy novels. A literary agent is not required for submission. We do not publish short stories, short story collections, novellas, or poetry. The average length of the novels we publish varies, but is almost never fewer than 80,000 words. We will not consider manuscripts that are currently on submission to another publisher unless prior arrangements have been made with a literary agent. More information here.
Every month, we collect an exhaustive list of deadlines for submissions to literary publications, contests and fellowships and send out an email. 15
Local writing workshops of note
April Bosshard’s DEEP STORY DESIGN WORKSHOPS
“Writing the Body, Dancing the Soul” Writing Retreat with Marlene Schiwy Loon Lake, BC
Highly recommended instructor Several Grind Writers went to an April Bosshard workshop before Christmas. All returned inspired, giving very positive feedback, all wanting more.
Sun Jan 29
Character Motivation & Conflict Mar 8 to Apr 27 Deep Story Design Online _____________
March 6–10, 2017 Week-long Residential Body Soul Writing retreats provide spaciousness to move, dream, and write according to your own rhythm. More info: marleneschiwy.com
Check out April’s other workshops
To register, call or write Marlene:
here – held at other times of the year.
Email in website form here: http://www.marlenes chiwy.com/contact
Or phone:
She also has a newsletter that will keep you updated on upcoming events. Subscribe here. April also does story coaching; and manuscript & script consultations.
(604) 734-3554 (studio)
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2017 Grind Schedule Sun Sat Sun Sat Sun Sat Sun Sat Sun Sat Sun Sat
Jan 22 Feb 4 Feb 19 Mar 4 Mar 19 Apr 1 Apr 23 May 6 May 28 June 10 June 25 July 8
Sun Sat Sun Sat Sun Sat Sun Sat Sun Sat Sun
July 23 Aug 5 Aug 20 Sept 9 Sept 24 Oct 7 Oct 22 Nov 4 Nov 19 Dec 2 Dec 17
grind writers news ©2017 Margo Lamont
email: grindwriters@gmail.com blog: http://grindwriters.blogspot.ca/ archive of previous issues: http://issuu.com/grindwriters/docs 17