News
Grind Writers January 2014
THE PARTY’S OVER.
NOW IT’S TIME TO WRITE.
in
SIDE 3
Call for your stories on concussions.
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Activity Page: cos you’ve got nothing to do, right ?
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Your Book: The Movie — Why not!
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Best writing advice Julia Cameron ever received — from a Playboy editor.
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Quill & Quire’s top sci-fi picks for 2013
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Let them eat cake. 10 great meals from literature.
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Submit. (you know you want to)
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Things to do/ people to see / places………
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Grind Writers - starting the year with a bang!
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Grind meeting schedule
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Free-write photo prompt. Start your engines.
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autonomous CALL FOR YOUR STORIES ON CONCUSSIONS
BC BOOKS While I am not able to write poetry at the moment, I can easily edit work. While I am not able to retain books I need to read for my PhD, I can read short articles. While I am not able to endure being out in public for long, I am able to cook for my family and now can even stay up to eat with them.
Concussions: than just a headline Intro to the call – from Bonnie Nish, poet, Executive Director of Pandora’s Collective and by day a teacher in a Vancouver elementary school: On November 2nd 2012, while I was working, a child’s head smashed into mine. This was a work-related accident. It stopped my life completely.
My life has certainly changed because of these hits to my head. Now I want to know how concussion has impacted your life and the lives of those close to you.
At the time, I was finishing my Masters thesis, had started a PhD, and was working full-time at a school, as well as running a charitable organization in the literary arts. This included a festival which was just celebrating it’s 10th anniversary. I was also doing a practicum to become a therapist.
Have you ever had a concussion? Has someone in your family had a concussion? How did it change your life?
I am collecting stories for a compilation of personal experiences of concussion. I want both those of people who have directly been hit in the head and those who have been affected by someone who has suffered a concussion.
Suddenly, I was no longer able to drive, take a bus, work, read, write, or go out into public—for nearly a year. The emotional toll on my family and myself, as I cocooned in order to heal, was immense. Then, just as my life was getting back to normal — I was starting to go out into the world, starting to reclaim all that I felt I had lost — I was struck again at work in the same place, this time by a basketball.
These are important stories. I will be looking for a publisher with the aim of having this published some time in 2014/15. Please note sending in your story is not a guarantee it will be included in the anthology. Please tell your story in no more than 3,000 words.
Once again, I was on that dizzying ride of losing all the abilities that helped me define who I am. I am still very much in the healing process of this latest strike, but I’m determined that I will not let it stop me from moving forward.
Send your story to: blnish_pandoras@yahoo.ca by May 1, 2014. Please put “Concussion Story” in the subject line. Editors: Bonnie Nish, MA Expressive Arts Therapy; Executive Director Pandora’s Collective Phyllis Basset, Educator VSB; Lay Chaplain at VSB/ Unitarian Church
While I am taking the time to heal, I am also looking for those things which, in my mind, help to define who I am and that give me joy. 3
’Cos you’ve got nothing to do, right?
Watch Julia Cameron
Your Book: The Movie?
talking about Morning Pages and how they can revolutionize your day – here.
Why not!
Hear what she says was the best advice on writing she ever received (it came from a Playboy editor).
And here may be a place to move that idea along, with kindred spirits. Learn the skills, learn the techniques, learn the business – and make those ever-important contacts.
Take a video masterclass in creative writing from the Karachi LitFest
The Vancouver Screenwriters Meetup group.
with Robin Yassin Kassab, a British/ Syrian author (The Road from Damascus; and co-editor of The Critical Muslim, a quarterly magazine of critical thinking, art, short stories, culture, etc.) from Britain.
Join here and learn all about it.
The Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) -- launched in ture Festival (ILF) in April 2013 – are both open to all, and free.
Video is here.
The firsts of a kind in Pakistan, these meetings bring together and celebrate authors writing in diverse languages, genres and traditions. They feature debates, discussions, lectures, mushairah, a book fair, book launches, readings, signings, comedy, satire, theatre, and more. Inspired by the success of the first two KLFs, the 1st Children’s Literature Festival (CLF) of Pakistan was launched in Lahore in 2011: the CLF was held in Quetta and Peshawar in 2012, and in 2013 it was held in Bahawalpur, Islamabad (upcoming), and jointly under the KLF umbrella. Website here. 4
science fiction but it’s tricky to find new writers to read. Maybe this will help.
Quill & Quire, Canada’s (sort of New York Review of Books asked Canadian booksellers to give
their top sci-fi picks for 2013, and here’s the list.
e-publishing: moving @ lightspeed a conference
digital book awards digital bookworld news website 5
Authors Unbound
Weird Words
Mon. Feb. 17, 2014 – 7 pm. Free.
Weird words are brought to life
An evening of readings of both brand new
in beautiful illustrations.
and established local authors in a variety of genres from
Words you’ve never even this
poetry to short stories to novels.
video heard of – here.
In the Alma VanDusen oom, lower level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia St. More info: vpl.ca.
On Writing Later in Life LATE BLOOMER: by Naomi Wakan “In this lively, perceptive, and encouraging book, Naomi Beth Wakan shares her experience as an older writer, from dealing with ageism to working around a sometimes erratic memory, providing valuable insights to other older writers.
Let them eat cake.
”Along the way she collects the experiences of 12 other writers, profiling them and their achievements. In addition to Wakan's own writing, Late Bloomer contains 12 short interviews, examples of the interviewees’ writing, and a reference section. “This is a wonderful book, written for an older audience that has often been neglected in this genre.” – VPL review. See more here.
And then write about it. Ten great meals in literature 6
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
Vancouver writer warmly invites you to celebrate the publication of her first novel:
Bring your favourite passages, points of interest, and share your reading experiences. Dropins are welcome.
Graffiti Hack
Schedule and books:
A Book Launch Party February 8 7 to 11pm Please come and join your friends, get your hot-off-thepress copy of the book, nibble on some munchies, and revel in the music of flamenco. I’ll be there to sign books and answer questions. Food and drink will be laid on. Dress to impress! A photographer will be capturing the event with an artful eye, so you can expect stunning pictures to be posted on my website after the event. Love, Elen Ghulam
Jan 8, 2014 - Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind
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 and Sita Carboni More info here.
at The Landing 375 Water Street More info at www.ihath.com Book Trailer: http://ihath.com/?p=1640
Short Story Open Mic “No poetry”
Twisted Poets
Hosted by Margo Prentice
LITERARY SALON
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2 and 4 Wednesdays of every month 7–9 pm
Twisted Poets is on the 2nd Wednesday and the 4th Thursday of the month.
At the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia Street, New Westminster. (Map). Close to SkyTrain. No poetry—just short stories; or reading from books that the readers are writing; or original story-telling.
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More info
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Submit. ( y o u kno w y o u wa nt to )
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Contests and calls for submissions Calls for submissions listed by deadline date Call for submissions 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. Call for submissions Prism Magazine Short fiction: Deadline Jan 23, 2014 Grand Prize $2,000 Poetry: Deadline: Jan. 23, 2014 Grand Prize $1,000 prismmagazine.ca/contests Concussions: More than just a headline. Anthology Deadline: May 1, 2014 See details on page 5.
Ongoing calls
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 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 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. Anderbo.com -- “Best New Online Literary Journal.” Publishes writers in fiction, “fact” (creative nonfiction), and poetry. We’re always looking for new voices.
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
literary magazines Listings for every type of literary magazine. 8
We’ll also consider nonfiction features, short memoirs, novellas, published-book excerpts, photography, essays, and photo essays. Now th in our 9 year! For submission information and guidelines, visit www.anderbo.com. 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. 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/submit . Submissions that do not follow the guidelines may not be considered. 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. “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). 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 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.
Submit.
Issuu.com Hundreds of free magazines. Loads of writers’ mags and much much more.
Ongoing calls cont’d
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
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, hand-stitched 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
953 places for your
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. 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 haiku or up to 25 lines long -- do submit. Read all about it here.
work. Seriously.
And in a searchable database by genre or subgenre. It’s all right here at Poets & Writers.
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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. Submission guidelines here.year’s contest, For last
Jeanie Keough drew our attention to her story entry and asked that we vote for her. And we did. This year, after the saw the notice in the December News, she emailed from Belgium and said she wanted to tell Grind Writers that, although she did very well in the contest and was a semifinalist, she has misgivings about this contest.
Starting the year with a bang!
GRIND WRITERS MEETUPS Please email before you attend for the first time. We occasionally meet outside.
Mini Workshop Sat. January 11, 2014 ‘
Grind Writers
(Way) Beyond 2D Characters - with Susan L. Greig
Meeting Schedule 2014 WHERE WE MEET
char·ac·ter (k r k-t r) Having your character look in the mirror so you can tell us their eye and hair colour doesn’t cut it anymore. Even if you don’t tell your readers everything, you need to know your characters’ backstories: What’s her favourite colour? Where did he grow up? Who’s her daddy? What sort of shoes does he buy, and why? What’s her favourite TV show? Why hasn’t he spoken to his aunt for ten years? Why does she have a scar on her arm? Writer & artist Susan Greig has been writing Character Journals for years. She’ll bring those (and an array of other journals) -- and tell us about her furtive trips to Starbucks, why she writes out the backgrounds of all the other patrons – and how this has helped her with characterization in her writing. She’ll guide us in an exercise of elaborating on characters.
Looking @ publishing from all sides now: indie e-publishing Author Martin Crosbie on
traditional print publishing former president and ED of the Federtion of BC Writers, White rock author Sylvia Taylor on her experience getting published with a traditional publisher
indie print publishing 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 TRY AND BE ON TIME
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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UPCOMING MINIs stay tuned for when & where
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Free-write photo prompt Sometimes it’s all about character: Write this woman’s backstory
Free-writes:
1 easy rule
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. Bring your output to the next Grind Writers.
The Grind Writers News ©2013 Margo Lamont Email Grind Writers’ blog Previous issues at
grindwriters@gmail.com http://grindwriters.blogspot.ca/ http://issuu.com/grindwriters/docs 11