News
February 2014
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Grind Writers
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in
SIDE Douglas news
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BC writers – autonomous fan region
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Renée Sarojini Saklikar moves us
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What do you know about Kindle’s “Worlds?”
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How to write that #%$& one-page synopsis
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Fade In screenwriting software – why Rob Sawyer likes it
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TWUC’s annual short prose competition for developing writers: $2500 prize
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Places to go, things to do, people to see
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Books Talks and Twisted Poets
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Submit. (you know you want to) – Contests info and calls for submissions
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Call for your stories on concussions.
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Grind Writers – where we meet & when and upcoming mini worshops
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The free-write photo prompt: just try it! Page
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autonomous Douglas news Douglas & McIntyre’s BC BOOKS
e-news is back Keep in touch with the goings-on at this venerable
Local poet Renée
national (but Vancouver-located) publisher: “Welcome to the first 2014 edition of the Douglas &
Sarojini Saklikar
McIntyre e-newsletter! You may have noticed that our letter writing has been on hiatus for a while. That's due
“has
written a deeply moving debut
to quite a few big changes that have occurred within the company over the last year or so, not the smallest
poetry collection about the Air
of which is our new alliance with fellow B.C. publisher
India bombing,
Harbour Publishing. “Throughout the spring, you can expect to see new
called Children of Air India. According to the
gardening books from D&M, like The Book of Kale and
Vancouver Sun, ‘Saklikar's collection shows how
Friends by Sharon Hanna and Carol Pope; inspiring non-
poetry can heal when prose has reached its
fiction, such as Writing with Grace: A Journey beyond
limitation.’ Full story
Down Syndrome by Judy McFarlane; as well as new
-- from IRW Fest Book eNews
novels from B.C.'s Ann Eriksson and Toronto's Peter
Short Story Open Mic in New West
Norman.” More here.
Douglas Coupland receives
“No poetry”
the Order of Canada
No poetry—just short stories or reading from books that the readers are writing; or original story-telling.
himself – lovingly referred to as the “Ordure of Canada”). Story here.
Hosted by Margo Prentice 3
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(or what that naughty Farley Mowat – an OOC recipient
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2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month 7–9 pm Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St. (Map).
random writing info
with certain words? Apparently yes! With these ones.
And if Rob likes it… Screenwriting software: Famed Canadian sci/fi superstar Rob Sawyer gave a rave on Facebook:
“I'm very impressed by FADE IN, a screenplay-writing program for Windows and Mac. Still, I've found a few things that bug me, and so I sent a note to the developer today. He's well-known for fixing things quickly, so I've high hopes that these small issues will get resolved soon: Hi, Kent. I love Fade In. Thank you so much for writing it! And I've stumbled on the fact that you're a fellow Torontonian -even better! You can read all his suggestions to the software developer here.
What do you know about Kindle’s “Worlds?” OK, I’ve never grokked fanfic, but what do I know? Ernie Sherngold sent this link to Worlds and also this one about the mechanics of it. He was wondering about the pitfalls? If you’ve had experience with it, maybe you’d share the info. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say: “Kindle Worlds is a publisher service of the online retailer, Amazon.com, devoted (continued…)
The purpose of this service is create fan fiction stories of certain licensed media properties to be sold in the Kindle Store …. short fiction ranging from 5000 to 10,000 words…..”
Characters, oh, such characters Malcolm van Delst suggested during Susan Greig’s mini-workshop on Creating 3D Characters that Humans of New York is an excellent FB page for fiction writers to subscribe to.
Opportunities
(tons) for writers Courses, residencies, calls, contests – it’s all here.
Reality check on what you can
expect to earn as a writer (So, hope you’re not in it for the money.)
She’s right. HONY has photographs of random New Yorkers that the photogrpaher interviews plus short bios or commentaries – just the stuff to inspire characater creation. Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.
Successful query letters to agents Learn what has actually worked – here.
How to write that
one-page synopsis Amanda Patterson at WritersWrite. com says, “I've never met a writer who enjoyed writing a synopsis. I created this simple formula to help writers create a one-page synopsis. “Please refer to my post on The Five Plotting Moments That Matter that are referenced in the template.
“I've never met a writer who enjoyed writing a synopsis.”
If you are looking for a literary agent or a publisher, it's important to write your story's synopsis as well as you can.”
BOOK MARKETING BESTSELLERS
Story here.
Advice for Authors and Publishers – on marketing books and ebooks from John Kremer John Kremer is author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books, the Relationship Matters Marketing program, and many other books and reports on book marketing, Internet marketing, social media, and book publicity. -- John Kremer on Book Marketing. 4
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pacing of your work
to providing a commercial venue for fan fiction creations of specific licensed media properties. It was established on May 22, 2013.
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Can you ruin the
This is a biggie
publisher. Original and unpublished (English language) fiction or non-fiction is eligible.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
21st Annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers
HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES: Entries should be typed, double-spaced, in a clear twelvepoint font, and the pages numbered on 8.5 x 11 paper, not stapled. Submissions will be accepted in hardcopy only.
$2,500 PRIZE The Writers' Union of Canada is pleased to announce that submissions are being accepted until March 1, 2014 for the 21st Annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers. The winning entry will be the best Canadian work of up to 2,500 words in the English language, fiction or non-fiction, written by an unpublished author. PRIZE $2,500 for the winning entry, and the entries of the winner and finalists will be submitted to three Canadian magazines.
Include a separate cover letter with title of story, full name, address, phone number, email address, word count, and number of pages of entry. Please type the name of entrant and the title of entry on each numbered page. This is not a blind competition. Make cheque or money order payable to The Writers' Union of Canada. Multiple entries can be submitted together and fees can be added and paid with one cheque or money order, $29 per entry. Entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2014 to be eligible.
JURY Writers Mark Abley, Ranj Dhaliwal, and Erin Dunham will serve as the jury.
Mail entries to: SPC Competition, The Writers' Union of Canada, 90 Richmond Street East, Suite 200 , Toronto , ON M5C 1P1 .
ELIGIBILITY This competition is open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who have not had a book published in any genre and who do not currently have a contract with a book
Results will be posted at www.writersunion.ca in May 2014. Manuscripts will not be returned. Read everything here before you submit: http://www.writersunion.ca/
CRACKED magazine wants YOU! “If you are a funny/smart/creative person, Cracked.com is the single best opportunity you will ever come across in your life. “No experience necessary. We will pay you if it’s good. You talk directly to the editors – no form letter rejections. “Your work could be seen by millions of people. We need articles, photoshops, infographics and videos. Take your
pick.
Listings for every type of literary magazine. 5
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literary magazines
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CRACKED magazine online. Check it out here.
Places to go Things to do People to see
BOOK TALKS B O O K
C L U B
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2 Wednesday of the month 6:30–8:30 pm Britannia Branch Library 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver
Skagit River Poetry Fest May 15-18 Various venues throughout La Conner, WA. A celebration of poetry featuring readings, workshops, and storytelling. Access to internationally famous poets through intimate venues and workshop sessions. Tickets on sale in January. More info: www.skagitriverpoetry.og Authors Unbound Mon. Feb. 17 7 pm, free An evening of readings of both brand new and established local authors in a variety of genres from poetry to short stories to novels. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More info: vpl.ca. Almost Criminal Wed., Feb. 27 7 pm Vancouver writer E.R. Brown reads from his first novel, Almost Criminal, a BC-based crime thriller. Welsh Hall West, West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, W. Vancouver. More info: 604-925-7403. Rewilding Vancouver Thurs., Feb 27 6:30pm Author J.B. MacKinnon discusses his latest book The Once and Future World. . Cecil Green Park House, 6251 Cecil Green Park Road, UBC. More information at greencollege.ubc.ca. Red Girl Rat Boy Thurs., Feb. 27 7pm, free Vancouver author Cynthia Flood reads from her latest book. McGill branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert Street, Burnaby. More information and registration at 604-299-8955 or bpl.bc.ca.
Schedule and books:
Feb 12 – Books We Love - Book Recommendation Night
March 12 - Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Presented by Pandora’s Collective Hosts: Mary Duffy & Sita Carboni More info here.
Twisted Poets LITERARY SALON 2nd Wednesday and the 4th Thursday of the month. More info Page
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Veena Gokhalf Reads Fri., Feb. 27 12 noon, free Reading by Montreal-based author. Special guest poet and writer Rahat Kurd. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More info vpl.ca.
Bring your favourite passages, points of interest, and share your reading experiences. Dropins are welcome.
Thanks to the Vancouver International Readers & Writers Festival e-news for these items 6
Submit. (y o u kno w yo u wa nt to )
Calls for submissions listed by deadline date No deadline as at Jan 2013. Two-Countries: Daughters and Sons of Immigrant Parents seeks poems, essays and flash memoir. For details, please go to this link. Deadline: May 1, 2014 Concussions: More than just a headline. Anthology See details on page 5.
Are you over 60? - Wit and Wisdom of the Sages Have insightful stories you’d like to share with your grand-children? Great Depression/ WW2/ Vietnam era? Seeking narratives up to 3,500 words. Send manuscripts, or for guidelines email jnjscher@yahoo.com. 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—? For submission guidelines: www.1966journal.org.
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 pieces. 7652 Sawmill Rd., #352, Dublin, OH 43016 or editor@eveningstreetpress.com.
For contests and guidelines visit: www.eveningstreetpress.com.
Ongoing calls
“Got a poem?” Submit any subject, any style, any length, any number, any time by e-mail 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).
Roundup of poetry contests here. Geist Emerging Writer-of-the-Month Emerging writers are invited to submit short written works online. Read the FAQ. 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, of 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
The Holler Box Rolling submissions year-round. 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. Please wait at least 30 days before submitting something new. Read the guidelines: https://thehollerbox.submittable.com/subm it. Submissions that do not follow the guidelines may not be considered.
Anderbo.com -- “Best New Online Literary Journal.” Publishes writers in fiction, “fact” (creative nonfiction), and poetry. We’re always looking for new voices. We’ll also consider nonfiction features, short memoirs, novellas, published-book 7
Subterranean Blue Poetry 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
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Contests and calls for submissions
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. http://www.deadbeats.eu/submission
Changes in Life A monthly online newsletter is seeking personal essays from women of all ages. New writers are encouraged to submit their work. For details and submission guidelines, see www.changesinlife.com.
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excerpts, photography, essays, and photo th essays. Now in our 9 year! For submission information and guidelines, visit www.anderbo.com.
Submit. Ongoing calls cont’d 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. 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 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 MORE—READ SUBMISSION GUIDELINES HERE
haiku or up to 25 lines long -- do submit. Read all about it here. Multimedia journal: 5OVER4 5 OVER 4. New multimedia journal seeks cross-genre work made by jazzy, creative people who embrace the unknown. Poetry videos, multi-media sculpture, handstitched book art, JPEGs collaged with audio, sound poems via video chat, interactive projects. Live and online events. Web: 5over4.blogspot.com. Email Monique Avakian: monava9@gmaom Pithead Chapel – “An online journal of gutsy narratives” 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.
Our Margie (now in Toronto) has a poem published in Good News Toronto mag Read it here. You’ll recgnize her from the photo.
Submission guidelines here.
The Quotable This online magazine wants writerreaders to submit stories based on their monthly prompts. Info here. Regime magazine - Short stories, poetry & performance writing. 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.
953 places for your work. Seriously. And in a searchable database - by genre or sub-genre. It’s all right here at Poets & Writers.
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Calling all poets! Coastal Spectator A new arts-based review and commentary site operating 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
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GRIND WRITERS MEETUPS These are some upcoming
2014 Meeting Schedule
mini-workshops at Grind Writers. If you are ot a member, you must pre-register to attend.
Grind Writers: Looking at publishing from all sides now:
indie epublishing
traditional print publishing
Former president and executive director of the Federation of BC Writers, White Rock author Sylvia Taylor on her experience getting published with a traditional publisher
PLEASE TRY AND BE ON TIME WHEN THERE’S A MINI SCHEDULED
THANKS to Mr & Mrs Kim, the Grind’s owners, for allowing us meet in the Back Room for the last 7 years and for their support of the arts in general. They provide gallery space to many local artists. Please buy something while you’re there to support the Grind.
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@ Cottage Bistro Café, 4470 Main St. @ 29th. His bio from the poster: “In 2011, I edited and published Fathers: A LiteraryAnthology, a collection of essays and poems by Alist writers. My current book project—a project inspired by Rebecca Solnit’s The Faraway Nearby and Lila Azam Zanganeh’s The Enchanter: Nabokov and Happiness—is an 9 exploration of Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse.”
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André is reading Feb 6th 8-10 pm at TWS (The Writer’s Studio) Reading Series
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André Gerard, founder of Patremoir Press, author of Fathers: A Literary Anthology
The Grind Gallery Café 4124 Main Street at 25th Ave. In the back room 10 am–12:30 pm
Please email before you attend for the first time. We occasionally meet outside. Y
with author Martin Crosbie
indie print publishing
WHERE WE MEET
they only do it once a year The Canadian Authors Association, Vancouver Branch
n o t e
Wed. Feb 12
open mic night
Open Mic Night is set for 5-minute time
Yep, this your chance to showcase your writing to your colleagues in a sympathetic and understanding environment. Shy? Remember that reading in public is something all writers need to do in order to gain visibility. Take this opportunity to hone your reading skills for future events of your own.
Place: Alliance for Arts & Culture, Suite 100, 938 Howe, Vancouver
Cost: CAA members free; Nons $10; Students (with student ID) $5
writing genre to programs@canauthorsvancouver.org ALSO: In order to accommodate as many readers as possible, each 5-minute allocation must include both your introduction and your reading. Tip: The average speaker can read aloud at about 150 words per minute. So please read your piece aloud at home and time yourself to ensure it fits within the 5minute time limit.
More info from Margo Bates at: programs@canauthorsvancouver.org
Also that night the
launch of the 2014 short story contest
Jean Kay is a prolific poet who has written a poem every morning for more than 16 years. Her book, Morning Light, is a collection of inspirational poems for use in daily life.
Host: Jean Kay
A professional member of the CCAA, Jean also holds active memberships in The Ontario Poetry Society and World Poetry Association. Connect with jean at www.poetrytoinspire.com.
She’s a regular contributor to newsletters and is published in several anthologies. Jean also creates commissioned poems for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, memorials, etc.
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Time: 7 – 9 pm (doors open at 6:45)
name, general description of your topic or
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slots. To sign up, please e-mail your
Free-write photo prompt Write what comes to mind when you look at the photo. What does it evoke for you? Don’t think. Just start writing, and see where it goes. Write for 15 minutes by a timer. Don’t stop, don’t correct - keep writing. You can edit later.
©2013 Margo Lamont
email: grindwriters@gmail.com blog: http://grindwriters.blogspot.ca/ 11 Previous issues of GW: http://issuu.com/grindwriters/docs
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The Grind Writers News
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Bring your output to the next Grind Writers.