Grind Writers
News b4 Saturday Oct 13, 2012
Inside >>>> Surrey Last Chance Saloon pg 2
2012 Grind sched, pg 2 Places to go, people to see pg 3
2 good PD events pg 4 Submit, pg 5-6 Poetic Justice pg 6 Free-write picture prompt, pg 7
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On giving yourself a break as a writer and a creative
“
Think for a moment of a tomato plant . . . .
A healthy plant can have more
than a hundred tomatoes on it. In order to get this tomato plant with all these tomatoes on it, we need to start with a small dried seed. When the first little tiny shoot
comes up, you don’t stomp on it and say, ‘That’s not a tomato plant!’ Rather, you look at it and say, ‘Oh boy! Here it comes,’ and you watch it grow with delight. It is the same with creating a new
experience for yourself
[Ed: or any
creative endeavour.] Why We Do It Dept.
Quoted from author and inspirer, Louise Hay
“Writing, I feel alive in a different way.” --Tama Kieves in Inspired & Unstoppable
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Vancouver Weekly calls for submissions
Grind Writers 2012 schedule
VW is an alternative news weekly, we provide a unique 'inthe-know' experience on all things local from film festivals to pop-up restaurants.
Saturday, Oct 13 Sunday, Oct 28 Saturday, Nov 17 Sunday, Dec 2 (last one for 2012)
We have a thriving Books & Fiction section and are looking for more submissions from local fiction writers. We are interested in short stories, poetry and personal essays. Word limit for short stories and essays is 1000 to 5000 words. Submissions should be sent as a word document or pdf attachment to jessica.obrien@vancouverweekly.com.
Cheers - Jessica O'Brien Contributing Editor Books & Fiction - Vancouver Weekly
10am til 12:30pm Grind Gallery Café 4124 Main Street at King Edward Ave. In the back room
Last Chance Saloon: The Surrey International Writers’ Conference October 19–21, 2012
No more lonely writers: Vancouver writing meeups
Hundreds of writers under one roof in Surrey at the Sheraton Guildord Hotel. A fun & inspiring three days (4 if you count the Master Classes)
Check it out: SIWC
Here’s a sampling of writing-related groups. You go to meetup.com and search the group name….then sign
The Vancouver Independent Writers Group 110 members “Writers in their Natural Enivronment i.e., a pub…”
Just Write Vancouver
New Westminster Writers’ Group 65 members
Presentation Excellence Group & Writing Salons
Technical Writing Vancouver 45 members
Vancouver Novel Writers group 6 novelists
Plain Language Writers & Editors 13 members
Publishing Success 51 members
Journal to the Self Vancouver 14 members
Vancouver Writers’ Group 286 Vancouver writers
Oracle Vancouver Writers’ Group 38 members
photo Margo Lamont
up to receive notices of their events around town.
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Places to go, people to see, things to …. 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 7–10pm Twisted Poets Literary Salon Open Mic. Suggested donation at the door: $5. At Café Montmartre on Main St. More info here.
Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. 3rd floor, G. Paul Singh room, North Van Public Library, 120 14th Street West. More info www.cnv.org.
Save the humans Fri Oct. 5, 7:30PM Pacific Arbour Speaker Series presents award-winning filmmaker of Sharkwater, Rob Stewart. His new release Save the Humans turns his focus from animal activism to saving the planet. NSCU Centre at Capilano U/2055 Purcell Way, North Van. Info: 604.990.7810 - capilanou.ca/nscucentre.
An excellent event Thurs Oct 18 – check time The Alcuin Society presents the 30th Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada – The {New/Old} Book - as a part of a special one-day symposium dedicated to the history and future of the printed and electronic book. Headlining the evening portion of our event is celebrated book cover designer Chip Kidd. Central Branch, VPL, 350 W. Georgia. Info and register: http://blog.alcuinsociety.com.
Something fishy Thurs Oct 11, 7 pm Local author Norman Safarik and his son, Allan Safarik, read from their captivating memoir, Bluebacks & Silver Brights, set during the pinnacle of West Coast fishing. McGill Branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert St. Info/register: 604-2998955.
Blinded by science Sat Nov 3 - free The 3rd annual Celebrate Science, a Festival of Science Writers for Children and Youth (and Canada's only science writer's festival). At UBC's Beaty Biodiversity Museum, in conjunction with Family Science Day. Events include a panel discussion with top science writers for children, a keynote speech and intro by the Dean of Education, and storytelling for younger children as well as hands-on science activities. Open to the public and includes admission to the Beaty Museum. Info: http://blogs.ubc.ca/celebratescience
Weddings and solitude Thurs Oct 11, 7 pm - free Readings by Darren Bifford (Wedding in Fire Country) and Grant Lawrence (Adventures in Solitude), part of the Robson Reading Series. UBC Bookstore at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, plaza level. Info: robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
Info on many of the events above, with thanks, from the VIF’s excellent enewsletter.
Cartoon drama Thurs Oct 11, 7 pm – cost Meet Raina Telgemeir, the author/illustrator of Smile as she presents her newest graphic novel Drama. Complete details, ticket purchase and other appearances in the Lower Mainland can be found here: www.kidsbooks.ca.
Oct 27 • Responsible Journalism in 2012: The Changing Legal Landscape for Journalists Instructor: Leo McGrady Nov 10 • Finding Stories in Public Documents: Intro to Investigative Journalism Instructor: Sean Holman Nov 17 • How to Beat the Odds: Low-Budget Campaigns that Win Instructor: Bill Tieleman
Alan Twigg introduces, celebrates Thurs Oct 11, 8 pm (door 7:30) Celebrate the 5 five years in trade publishing with the launch of 111 West Coast Literary Portraits-Photographs by Barry Peterson and Blaise Enright, text by BC authors, introduction by Alan Twigg. Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Van.
Frankenstein’s learning curve Wed Oct 17, 2 pm – free Kenneth Oppell presents his most recent novel This Dark
Put a few of this season's rainy days -- because you know they're coming -- to good use by mastering something new. Space is limited. Need more information about master classes? Ready to register? Go here:
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Call for submissions: MENTAL HEALTH INSIDE/OUT
2 professional events from the the Editors’ Association of Canada, BC Branch
Deadline: January 31st, 2013 . For issue 7 of Poetry Is Dead, we have two guest editors-Nikki Reimer and Kevin Spenst--working on a collaborative issue. Each editor has separate submission calls to respond to. To submit, please email your submissions to issue7@poetryisdead.ca with the subject line of "INSIDE" or "OUTSIDE." Submitters must submit to one or the other (but can submit to both separately). For queries and questions about the issue email editor@poetryisdead.ca.
Talk at regular meeting: “What You Need to
Know About eBooks” Wed Oct 17 2912, 7pm Welch Room, 4th floor -YWCA Health & Wellness Centre - 535 Horn Cost: EAC members attend free but must check in at the door. Non-members: $10, Students: $5 with valid ID – includes refreshments served following the program. More info here. What exactly what goes into making an e-book, and what do editors need to know? Speaker Lara Smith will go over different ebook formats and the kinds of content best suited to each, discuss different conversion methods, and compare inhouse and conversion-service workflows. She will also take us through a typical conversion and explain what kind of work is required after export, particularly to accommodate various ereading devices. We'll look at the inside of an EPUB file, metadata requirements, and digital rights management options. Finally, we'll see how deciding to produce an e-book can affect the editing process.
INSIDE: That artists and writers—particularly poets—are more prone than non-artists/writers/poets to ride the crazy train may be a cliché. Mental illness is serious, however, and dismissing the link between creativity and mental illness as mere cliché only denies the very real suffering that many creative individuals endure. I am looking for poetry and critical writing that examines the relationship between mental illness, art in general, and poetry in particular. Submissions that explore aspects of this relationship similar to the ones mentioned above, and/or any aspects of the relationship between mental illness and poetry are welcome. I’m curious about how poets who self-identify as mentally ill might make meaning or avoid making meaning out of their suffering, and how they conceive of the relationship between poetry and their mental health. What creative possibilities emerge by delving into the intersection of poetry and madness? What textual strategies do poets use to engage with and/or represent their mental illness? Does writing make poets crazy? Can it make us sane? --Nikki Reimer
Lara Smith is the Print and Digital Coordinator at D&M Publishers, where she focuses on production for Pod and ebook conversions. She is fluent in traditional and digital printing technologies, passionate about workflow, and amazed at how fast the digital world is evolving. Bonus! Enter the draw at the meeting for free admission to one of EAC-BC’s professional development seminars. Parking is available across the street for $8 after 6pm. Street parking is available, but it is metered until 9pm. ………
Seminar: “Structural + Stylistic = Substantive Editing Instructor: Yvonne Van Ruskenveld Sat Oct 27, 2012 – 9 to 4 pm SFU Harbour Centre - 2925 Hemlock Printers Seminar Room, 515 W. Hastings Cost - Member: $140; Non-member: $200. Registration closes Oct 19th at 5pm. All info and registration here.
OUTSIDE: Madness, Psychosis, Dementia Praecox, and Schizophrenia are daunting terms that have been used to label certain types of behavior. Thomas Szasz (Myth of Mental Illness) wrote:
Substantive editing brings order to chaos and breathes life into moribund manuscripts. By reorganizing and revising, you can help authors reach their readers effectively. But facing a disorganized, incomplete (or overstuffed!) manuscript can be daunting. This workshop will discuss techniques for assessing non-fiction manuscripts, identifying problem areas, creating solutions, and working with the author. Whether you edit newsletter articles or full-length books, the strategies and techniques in this workshop can enhance your substantive editing skills.
I am looking for poetry that engages with the historical, institutional, linguistic, corporal and urban dimensions of mental illness and the strangeness of these worlds confining people in a precarious state of mind. How do the various forms of poetry (concrete, sound, poetic-essay and formal verse) parallel intentional and unintentional forms of confinement? What are the strategies that individuals use to liberate themselves? (a metal file, a legal defense, humour?) Can a poem help someone out of the troubling labyrinth of language? How can a poem reword “schizophrenia”? --Kevin Spenst
Yvonne Van Ruskenveld is an experienced editor and writer who enjoys transforming sprawling, jumbled manuscripts into interesting, readable publications. Yvonne has worked both as a freelancer and as managing editor for an educational publisher. Her clients have included publishers large and small, other businesses, governments, a commission of inquiry, non-governmental organizations, and academics. She has worked on manuals, reports, brochures, websites, trade books, and textbooks. Yvonne lives in Victoria and is a member of West Coast Editorial Associates.
***Lots more description about this contest. Please read it all before you submit - here.
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Submit.
We encourage submissions from all poets; young or old, published or unpublished, no one is charged to submit and no submissions are paid. Submit by EMAIL ONLY to: blnish@pandorascollective.com with "QUILLS SUBMISSION" in the subject line. Please paste your submission into the body of the email - no document files or attachments please.
you know you want to
Vancouver Writers Festival 14th Annual Poetry & Short Story Contest Deadline: October 21, 2012 Invites you to submit your finest prose and poetry. The Rules: there’s more – much more – read it all here.
Prose and Poetry Prizes 2012 from The New Writer magazine Deadline: November 30, 2012 Now in its 16th year, one of the major annual international competitions for short stories, micro-fiction, single poems, poetry collections, essays and articles; offers cash prizes as well as publication for the prize-winning writers in The Collection, special edition of The New Writer magazine each July. Further info, including guidelines and entry fees.
CBC’s Canada Writes Contest Deadline: November 1, 2012
Newborn anthology Guidelines Deadline: January 13, 2013
Open Season Awards Deadline: every Nov 1 (postmarked) Read full guidelines for the 2012 Open Season Awards.
Briarpatch magazine 2nd annual Creative Writing Contest Deadline: December, 2012 Briarpatch wants original, unpublished writing – categories sshort fiction and creative nonfiction. Award-winning writers Zoe Whittall and Carmen Aguirre judging. $750 in cash prizes. Read all the rules here.
Calls for submissions
The Search for the Great BC Novel Deadline: November 1, 2012 Your BIG chance. Get that manuscript out of the bottom drawer. Dust it off. Polish it up: All the details here. Quills Canadian Poetry Magazine Submissions Deadline: November 10, 2012 Guest Editors: Bonnie Nish and Daniela Elza Guidelines: Poems can be any length, subject or styleNo more than 3 poems per submissionEmail submissions onlyLimit length of poems to under 200 words or 35 lines (including stanza breaks) Include your name, address or city and confirm you are a Canadian CitizenInclude a short 40 word biography written in 3rd person starting with the author’s nameInclude a short copyright allowance for Quills to publish your poem. Any submitted works will be deemed to include copyright usage.
Leaf Press is gathering poems for an anthology to, for, about or by newborn humans. We are interested in thresholds and liminal states; in moments that transcend global cultures. Guidelines here. Roundup of poetry contests here. Know a teen who writes? S/he can apply to become a regular writer for Youthink here. PRIMASCRIPTOR wants new & emerging writers. A new Fraser Valley-based online literary magazine and forum. Guidelines.
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Share a piece of your writing on the Grind Writers’ blog. Send submissions to margolamont@gmail.com
continued…..
Silver Bow Publishing (New Westminster) International Poetry Anthology 3: Submission guidelines: (1) Use Georgia font 14 point; (2) Submit up to 10 poems max.; (3) Closes when we have enough great poems. No submission fees. Royalties will be paid on % basis to poets who may buy the books at 50% off. Submit to silverbowpublishing@gmail.com.
New Westminister poetry readings group 3 features + an Open Mic in the Heritage Grill back room 447 Columbia Street 3-5 pm
Geist Emerging Writer-of-the-Month Emerging writers are invited to submit short written works online. FAQ.
October 14, 2012 Today’s host: Deborah Kelly Poetic Justice featuring Fran Bourassa/Pamela Bentley/Mickey Bickerstaff with host, Deborah Kelly
The Quotable This online magazine wants writerreaders to submit stories based on their monthly prompts. Info here.
Fran Bourassa
Grind Writer published
October 21, 2012 Today’s host: Eva Waldauf Poetic Justice featuring Lilija Valis/Lucia Gorea/ Diane Tucker with host, Eva Waldauf
I was glad to hear from Ned Boydon who wrote: I just got a short story, "A Certain Degree of Latitude," published in the Fall 2012 edition of Shadows Express e-magazine. (shadowexpress.com).
Lilija Valis
Has he stopped there to rest on his laurels? No. He’s adds that he’s “got a number of pieces submitted and have been informed that two are under consideration for anthologies. Hope to attend a Grind Writers get together soon…” Best Regards, Ned Moral: Submit—and ye shall be published; yes, ye. Congratulations, Ned.
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Share a piece of your writing on the Grind Writers’ blog. Send submissions to margolamont@gmail.com
Free-write picture prompt
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Free-writes -
easy rule
Write for 15 mins., no stopping – without lifting your pen off the paper. No stopping. No thinking . Just write. Don’t edit, don’t go back, don’t rewrite (you can edit later). Write whatever comes to mind, doesn’t matter what. Even if it’s, “this is a crappy prompt and…….” Just write that down and keep on going. Please bring your output to the next Grind Writers.
The Grind Writers News ©2012
Margo Lamont
e: margolamont@gmail.com b: http://wildsynapticleaps.blogspot.com/
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Share a piece of your writing on the Grind Writers’ blog. Send submissions to margolamont@gmail.com