The Grind
Writers may 2015
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Help kids with your used kidsbooks Royal City rocks creative writing Writers’ adventure camp BC writers autonomous fan region Literary Bran – regular writerly events
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Resources for turning on the creative tap Ow! Stinging critiques
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Lush wants you
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11 agents actively seeking book authors Where we meet
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The free-write photo prompt: Just do it!
Grind Writers has a Facebook page. Please ‘friend’ us. (Friend is a verb?)
And sometimes there is cake…. Malcolm van Delst & Co. surprised me with an absolutely scrumptious cake and song on my birthday. Thank you!
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Royal City WritING Lots going on for writers in New Westminster, courtesy of The Royal City Literary Arts Society. Check out their calendar here.
The Great BC Novel contest Deadline September 1, 2015 Avoid disappointment. Read the guidelines: http://www.mothertonguepublishing.com/greatbc-novel-contest.html
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-kidzmax-tell-writing-group-created-adult-writers-any-genrerelated-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/poetrywars
Write On! 2015 Contest – Info here: http://rclas.com/events/rclas-write-contest-2015 More info on any of this - Contact Janet Kvammen - Royal City Literary Arts Society - www.rclas.com
WOR PLAY I N
N E W
W E S T
presented by the Royal City Literary Arts Society Free monthly, poetry-generating drop-in
Help kids with your old kidsbooks! KID’S BOOK DONATIONS PLEASE! The Charles Dickens Elementary School / Dickens for Dawn CHILDRUN team, is looking for donations of gently-used children’s books. Were you looking for that reason to take on your spring cleaning project and find a happy new home for your kid’s books that just aren’t being read anymore? Well, here it is! And all for a great cause. The used book sale is coming up on May 26/27 at Dickens main school. Accepting donations until May 22. ALL proceeds are added to the Charles Dickens ChildRun team and will go towards Children’s Hospital and cancer research. Please drop off used children’s books to Room 144 at Charles Dickens Main School 1010 East 17th Ave, Vancouver – at 17th & Glen Drive (turn North on Windsor Ave. off Kingsway) and then (Jenny & Karen’s class~ Division 2) Thank you for your help! Maggie Russell (Ethan, Kiera & Zack’s mom at Dickens Main)
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. More info: secretary@rclas.com
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This sounds like fun. Writers Adventure Camp
Thanks to Patricia Morris for the info & heads up
Workshops
at The Point in Whistler, June 6 & 7
ADVENTURES IN POV: Giving Voice to Fictional Characters with Zsuzsi Gartner. The single most important choice you can make when writing fiction is deciding what point of view (or points of view) a story should be told from. Writers often adhere unconsciously to a particular POV like shipwreck survivors clinging to a raft -- what I call the default mode (and we all have one). During this workshop you'll discover a multiplicity of POV choices and how a narrative can radically shift depending on who's doing the telling or through whose eyes we're witnessing things from. More on the website.
On beautiful Alta Lake. provides a unique weekend-long immersive experience for both published and emerging writers. You can work with award-winning professionals in a variety of areas, cross-fertilizing your creative output with exposure to artistic disciplines other than your usual genre.
IN THE FIRST PERSON: The art of personal narrative with Charlotte Gill Writing memoir is like making lasagna. Everybody has a different way of doing it, but if the recipe contains a few key ingredients, it's bound to turn out well. In this workshop, we will cover the fundamentals of personal narrative. We'll begin with this question: what is creative nonfiction--and memoir, in particular? Next, we'll cover the essential ingredients for telling true stories in the first person. We will dip into the creative writer's toolbox to look at powerful story elements such as narrative voice, scene, and character. You'll have the opportunity to share your story ideas and to practice reading your work aloud.
There are morning and afternoon sessions, as well as opportunities for one-on-one feedback. On Saturday night, June 6, there will be a Cabaret-style show open to the public featuring our faculty and willing and adventurous Writers Adventure Camp participants (and a lakeside campfire complete with marshmallows). You will also have free time in order to take advantage of the dock, lake, adjacent bicycle trails, or communing with fellow participants. The weekend is intended to be both rigorous and fun - think Writers Boot Camp meets miniArts Festival! For out-of-town participants, we've arranged an excellent discount rate at Legends Creekside, a condo-style lodge minutes from The Point by car or bike, and a half-hour walk along the lake on the Valley Trail. Charlotte Gill: Memoir & Personal Narrative Mark Leiren-Young: Humour (For Page, Stage or Screen) Geoff Berner: Song Writing Zsuzsi Gartner: Fiction (& Director of Fun)
SATIRICAL SUBVERSION: A Song-writing workshop with Geoff Berner Come sharpen your lyrics to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted with the man responsible for darkly hilarious and socially conscious (and danceable!) songs like "High Ground" and "When Deedee Gets Her Donkey" - and more poignant numbers like "Light Enough to Travel." This workshop is open to anyone with a poisoned pen, or anyone looking for one. Bring an instrument if you've got one but no musical or even tune-humming ability is necessary. If you're a poet, fiction or non-fiction writer, comedian or musician this workshop could open up new avenues for putting your writing and ideas out into the world. More on the website. FINDING THE FUNNY: Humour writing for page, stage or screen with Mark Leiren-Young If you check any personal ad or dating site, the first thing on everybody’s wish list is “a sense of humour.” (Okay, sometimes the first thing is “vegan non-smoker,” but still…) Humour is also a terrific way to convince people to spend time with a story, play, movie or article. So, how do you find the funny? And how do you make it part of your writing? This workshop will explore: Finding and developing the humour in your writing voice… Different types of funny – satirical, topical, surreal, sweet and sour... Sharing your humour with an audience – from simply reading with verve to doing standup… Finding the right comic inspirations for YOUR writing. Read the full write up for this workshop on the website – there’s more.
READ ALL
ABOUT
IT HERE!
ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS (For Package A & B Adventure Campers) An opportunity for a full manuscript critique (fiction or non-fiction). Submit up to 20 pages by May 22 to either Charlotte Gill or Zsuzsi Gartner, who will read and critique your piece in advance and then you’ll sit down together during the Writers Adventure Camp weekend to review and discuss. Space for this one is very limited. (Estimated regular value: $160 to $175)
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au/to/no/mous Literary Bran: The Joys of Regularity
Thursdays Tuesdays Burnaby Writers' Society/Spoken INK 8:00 PM -- 3rd Tuesday of the Month @ 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. And see page 5.
Twisted Poets Literary Salon - Wednesdays 2nd Wednesday and 4th Thursday of every month at The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main Street, Vancouver More info
BC BOOKS
TWS Readings Evening Thurs Feb 5 at 8 pm Chase away the February chill in the warmth of the Cottage Bistro!
Creative Expressions Art Nights
Come early to ensure a seat, and enjoy the food, refreshments, and top-notch company. Features will be: Candie Tanaka, Her first novel is Tanaka & Co. Graham J. Darling is an industrial scientist. Lately he has taken to writing as fiction.
7–9pm Check with Editor for dates Rising Star Housing Co-op Common Room, 1556 East 5th Ave., Vancouver A free, inclusive event open to all artistic skill levels, ages, and demographics,.
Kelly Ryan has enjoyed Vancouver life for 14 years now; was a CBC Radio’s National reporter covering the Maritimes. Yaana Dancer - Unearthing childhood passions carried her through a 10-year study of art-making that morphed into her being consumed with writing. Alyson Quinn is the author of three books published by Rowman & Littlefield. Meharoona Ghani launched Vancouver Pop-Up-Poets, an on-the-spot poetry and street performance group. Joanne Betzler is an active member of New West Writers, Renaissance Writers and Ink Tank. Carleigh Baker is a Métis/Icelandic writer. A past winner of the subTerrain Lush Triumphant contest.
However event participants must identify as having either a mental health and/or addictions issue. A celebration of meeting and making to share your passion for craft, art, and design with your community. Drop in any time, bring anyone, and any creative endeavour you are working on, or come and just check out what everyone else is up to. Attendees will have a chance to partake in hands-on crafting activities. A free event, although please RSVP to attend. (Ed note. You may need to join here to get an invite and be able to RSVP.)
Twisted Poets Literary Salon
4th Thursday (and 2nd Wed) of every month at The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main Street, Vancouver More info
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s tu f f
Critiquing Her Stinging Critiques Propel Young Adult Best Sellers
“John Green still vividly recalls the opening line of a stinging critique that his editor, Julie Strauss-Gabel, delivered after reading an early draft of his novel The Fault in Our Stars. ‘The first sentence was, “I really enjoyed reading the first draft of this promising and ambitious novel,” and the rest was 20 pages of her tearing it apart,’ Mr. Green said.” “[He] didn’t suffer an ego bashing in vain, at least. In its revised and polished final form, The Fault in Our Stars, a novel about two teenagers with cancer who fall in love, became a monster hit.” Article by Alexandra Alter April 20, 2015
Resources for turning on the creative tap VIDEOS Master Class In Creative Writing with Robin Yassin Kassab British-Syrian author (On the Road From Damascus) - at the Karachi Literary Fest. (1 hr 37 mins.) Storyboarding for Writers “Popular book-writing blogger and award-winning author of 13 published books, and master writing instructor Mary Carroll Moore, helps you take your novel, memoir, or nonfiction book from idea to print. She teaches weekly online classes to hundreds of writers around the world, using this method of building a book, via the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis (www.loft.org).” (12 mins.) Writing For Grown Ups 2012. JK Rowling. “Rowling also discusses the pressure and pitfalls of following up the biggest literary phenomenon of a generation, describing how she finally moved on from Potter and the challenges of making the leap to writing fiction for adults.” (29 mins.) The mystery of storytelling. Julian Friedmann at TEDxEaling “I’m a agent. We’re in the rejection business. At my agency we get 6,000 submissions from writers every year and probably we don’t take more than 6.” Why stories matter and how to tell them better may not be as mysterious as it seems. (18 mins.) PLOTTING, PLANNING AND SCHEMING
Cluster Plotting (Novel Planning) – plots and subplots! “Johanna Harness shares her experience planning a novel using clustering techniques. This is especially helpful for those planning to participate in NaNoWriMo.” (11 mins.) How to Magically Outline Your Novel... (So It Practically Writes Itself) Tara Maya (18 mins.)
Rest of the article here. TRAVEL WRITING
Thanks to Elizabeth McLean for sending it to share with you.
Travel Writing and Global Change. Lavinia Spalding at TEDxParkCity E-PUBLISHING
The Story of Amanda Hocking (the e-publishing maestress) (5 mins.) worldofamandahocking.co
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Author Ruth Kozak (right, in black) giving us a mini-workshop on memoir and historical fiction writing at the April 11th meeting. Media-Aria CDM, a UK publisher, published her book Shadow of the Lion: Blood on the Moon in 2014. It’s her first published literary work ad it’s volume one of a twovolume, wide-ranging historical novel about Alexander the Great and all the machinations of his generals and the politics of succession after his untimely death in 323 BC. As the local Greek Consul said, it’s "Greek's answer to Game of Thrones, only it's a true story!" Next volume due in 2016.
Read a book. And talk about it. Face to face with real people. BOOK WAREHOUSE BOOK CLUB Wednesday of the month 7-9 pm Featuring BC writers with their books 4118 Main Street at 25th, next to the Grind Café It’s free, but coordinnator James Irvine asks that you reserve your seat; they need a headcount. RSVP to James: 604-879-7737 or mainstreet@bookwarehouse.ca
BOOK TALKS BOOK CLUB 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 pre-selected book, with the occasional session reserved for a discussion on a theme. Bring your favourite passages, points of interests, and share your reading experiences. Each person is responsible for either borrowing or buying their own copy to read. This is an open book club. Drop-ins are welcome. May 13 June 10
The Orenda by Joseph Boyden The Diary of Anne Frank
Hosts: Mary Duffy and Sita Carboni More info contacts: booktalks@pandorascollective.com www.pandorascollective.com
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www.tgaps.net (Caveat emptor – check it out).
Submit. (you know you want to)
I don’t get to read all the submission guidelines on all the items to see if Canadians are eligible, so you’ll want to check that out.
CONTESTS AND CALLS FOR SUBMSISIONS Ongoing submissions Wants dark Shock Totem
original, unpublished stories within We consider
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:
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.
All things minimalistic and mindslicing wanted Sassafras Literary Magazine 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
Wants stories based on their prompts The Quotable This online magazine wants writerreaders 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. Geist Emerging Writer-of-theMonth
mind-slicing wanted. The
Emerging writers are
occasional selfless snark and sneer accepted. True wit
invited to submit short written works online. Read the FAQ.
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.
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
Poems: any subject, any style, any length Great American Poetry Show
receive submissions from everyone, regardless of experience, of poems, short stories (max. 2000 words),
Submit any
experimental pieces and
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:
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.
subject, any style, any length, any number, any time by email or by mail with
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Submit.
(why not.)
Wants stuff from
people
over 60 Wit and Wisdom of the Sages
Have insightful stories you’d like to share with your grandchildren? 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 essays. Now in our 9th 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
do and don't
What we 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 yearround. 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 & 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.
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
Note: do your due diligence. Read it all carefully. Full submission info here
Writing dark. Interview with
Wants poems – one a week Coastal Spectator A new arts-based review and commentary site operating
19 short story
Irish writer, Noelle Harrison here. competitions in 2015 Read about them here.
more next page 9
Submit. (yes.)
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.
excluded from traditional SF publishing, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, LGBTQ or
tips and strategies will accomplish this? Read the guidelines and the magazine.
non-binary gender people, persons with disabilities,
Why give it away?
members of religious minorities, and people from outside the U.S. Guidelines here.
Canada’s History publishes wellwritten, well-researched, 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.
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
money.
investing 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
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
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
Freelance markets
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. 10
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Are you lookin’? ‘Cos they are:
11agents
actively seeking
book authors
Grind Writers Group Meeting schedule
2015 Grind Writers meeting dates We skip holiday long weekends
Sat
May 9
Sun
May 24
Sat
June 6
Sun
June 21
Sat
July 11
HOW WE MEET Thanks to Michelle & Jay Kim, the Grind’s owners.
Sun
July 26
Sat
Aug 8
They’ve kindly let us meet in the Back Room for the last 7 years. And cudos to the Kims for their support of the arts in general. The Grind provides gallery space to many local artists.
Sat
Sept 12
Sun
Sept 27
Sat
Oct 17
Appreciate if you buy something while you’re there to support the Grind and their support of us
Sun
Nov 1
Sat
Nov 14
Sun
Nov 29
Sat
Dec 12
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 knows.
Please email before you attend the first time: grindwriters@gmail.com
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free-write photo prompt THE RULES Set the timer. Don’t think it. Just start writing. Keep going, no stopping. No editing (that comes later). Forget grammar, forget spelling. Forget any “rules” you’ve ever been told Forget everything else and just write. 15 mins. by the timer.
grind writers news ©2015 Margo Lamont
email: grindwriters@gmail.com blog: http://grindwriters.blogspot.ca/ previous issues : http://issuu.com/grindwriters/docs 13