July / August 2011 Freelance by Admin Assist

Freelance July/August 2011

Volume 40 Number 4

Robert Kroetsch (1927 - 2011) at the Saskatchewan Writersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guild Talking Fresh panel, April, 2008

Volume 40 Number 4 July/August 2011

C ONTENTS

President's Report ��3

SWG STAFF Executive Director: Judith Silverthorne Finance Officer: Lois Salter Program Manager: Tracy Hamon (Regina) Program Coordinator: Christina Shah (Saskatoon) Communications Coordinator and Freelance Managing Editor: Jan Morier Administrative Assistant: Milena Dzordeski Cover photo credit: Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild

Cathy Fenwick

Executive Director's Report ��5

Judith Silverthorne

SWG Foundation News ��7

Sharon Adam, Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet

Aboriginal Writers’ Retreat ��9

Aaron Tootoosis

Saskatoon Shenanigans ��9

Christina Shah

Freelance is published six times per year for members of the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild.

Editor for Grain Magazine �� 10

Submissions to Freelance are welcome for editorial review. If accepted, articles will be edited for clarity. The basic criteria to meet in submitting materials are readership interest, timeliness, and quality and following standard submission format (see web site. Viewpoints expressed in contributed articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the SWG. Copyright remains with the writer and cannot be reprinted without permission. Services advertised are not necessarily endorsed by the SWG. We do not accept poetry or prose at this time.

Upcoming SWG Workshops ��12

Payment for reports and articles is 10¢ per word. Deadline for Freelance copy is: mid-September, 2011.

Freelance ISSN 0705-1379 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cathy Fenwick, President, Regina Jerry Haigh, Past President, Saskatoon Lisa Wilson, Vice President, Saskatoon George Khng, Treasurer, Saskatoon Martine Noël-Maw, Secretary, Regina Danica Lorer, Maidstone R. P. MacIntyre, La Ronge Scott Miller, Estevan Marilyn Poitras, Saskatoon Kelly-Anne Riess, Regina Ex-Officio: Judith Silverthorne

Mailing Address: Saskatchewan Writers' Guild Box 3986, Regina, SK S4P 3R9 UNTIL AUGUST 25 Regina Courier or Drop-off Address: 205-2314 11th Avenue Regina, SK S4P 0K1

Call for SWG Board Noms �� 11 Culture Days ��13 The Question ��14

SWG Members Answer

The Summer in Photos ��..............16 2012 Mentorship Program ��18 Grain Wins Awards ��20 Un/Controlled Experiments SWG Conference Schedule........................................ .........21 Writers’Coalition Program..........................26 There Ought to be a Law ��.......27

Kay Parley

Kennie -City Regina Awards ��29 The Space-Time Continuum ��30

Edward Willett

Self-Publishing.........................................32

Marion Mutala

Perils of Forgetfulness, Rewards of Remembrance

David Carpenter

.............................................................34 Books by Members ��36 Markets & Competitions ��37 Contact: Phone: (306) 757-6310 Toll Free: 1-800-667-6788 Fax: (306) 565-8554 Email: info@skwriter.com or communications@skwriter.com Web site: www.skwriter.com Saskatoon Courier or Drop-off Address: 205A Pacific Avenue Saskatoon, SK S7K 1N9

We gratefully acknowledge the support of SaskCulture, Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund and the Saskatchewan Arts Board

P resident's MESSAGE Cathy Fenwick

ears ago I heard a story about a dinner party at which people got into a discussion about education and the value of one’s work. One man, a CEO thought he understood the “problem with education”. He groused, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided their best option in life is to become a teacher?” Then he turned to the host and said, “You’re a teacher, be honest, tell us what you make.” She looked him in the eye and said, “You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder, I make them question. I make them write and draw. I get them excited about music and art and creativity so their lives are enriched and full of kindness and culture. I encourage them to take pride in themselves and their accomplishments, and if anyone tries to judge them by what they make, I tell them to pay no attention. You want to know what I make? I make a difference.”

doing work they love – everything I’ve read and heard about Gary Hyland tells me he loved his work and that this love was manifested in his service to humanity. I didn’t know Gary personally, but clearly his life is a reminder that each of us is capable of changing the world for the better. Gary Hyland’s various community activities and achievements, among them the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre and the Festival of Words are some of the reasons I became actively involved with the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild. This July,

to the people of Moose Jaw, the people of Saskatchewan, and the world, was again excellent and enlightening. Festival staff, volunteers and attendees rededicated themselves to continue this very enjoyable expression of Hyland’s dream. I wouldn’t even try to imagine a life without books, poetry, visual art and music. Lewis Hyde tells us in The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World, that we survive in relation to the dedication of our artists. He says that art and culture are the soul of a nation. Hyde writes about the impersonal, divisive, and destructive nature of our market economy in contrast to the relationship building and the strengthening of community that accompanies the gift economy.

These are the gifts that profoundly change us, gifts that produce feelings of love and gratitude. Hyde writes, “The greatest art offers us images by which to One could say the same imagine our lives. And once about writers and cultural the imagination has been activists such as Gary Hyawakened, it is procreative: land, gifted teacher, writer, through it we can give more and lover of his community. than we were given, say Gary Hyland has truly made more than we had to say.” a difference through his (p251). Hyde is most innumerous good works, his Sharon Nichvalodoff and Gary Hyland terested in trans-formative contributions to the arts, gifts, the ones that when and through many examples they come, speak directly to of his generosity of spirit. the 15th Annual Festival of the soul and call us to acIt’s a thrill for me, in any Words, just one of Hyland’s tion. These are the gifts that workplace, to observe people gifts that keeps on giving – JULy/AUGUST 2011

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the arts give to the world. They are endowments that feed our individual and collective soul. I didn’t truly “discover” poetry until after my 50th year – it was the narrative poetry of Gary Hyland and Robert Currie that first got me hooked. Their poetry is written in a language that is understandable, meaningful, and relevant. It begs to be read out loud, which I have done on occasion. Most of my students are of the mature kind and respond with enthusiasm to poems that paint compelling and humorous pictures. They especially like Hyland’s “Scrawny” and “Deke” poems. A couple of weeks ago, to the delight of these students, I “performed” Scrawny’s Natural Look. The wind’s a real drag You get your hair just right the wave angling off scoops along the sides the ducktail centred – a shiny construction of Brylcreem and water Then you step outside Zap – instant hedgehog Fifteen minutes combing shot to ratshit Winter’s a better deal Even in a blizzard your hair freezes into a helmet Then you amble into the A join some girls and sit there looking natural as your hair melts and dribbles down your neck The more I’m involved in Guild activities, the more deeply I appreciate the

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importance of literature and poetry. Literature contributes to social vision and social values. John F. Kennedy at an Amherst College tribute to Robert Frost said, “Poetry saves power from itself. Power corrupts. Poetry cleanses.” Given the nature of power in the world today, we truly need more poetry. Perhaps this is the reason for the resurgence of poetry in North America. I recently watched the HBO presentation of Brave New Voices, the 2010 American Slam Poetry competition. We have wonderful young poets in Saskatchewan and I attend readings as often as possible. Hearing energetic and talented young people read their creations makes me want to live at least another fifty years. Last spring, the SWG held a fundraising event in Regina to promote our programs to the general public and to raise funds for more youth programming, so that more of our young people experience good literature and find their literary voices. SWG supports these young people so they might “discover” their true gifts. We hope many of our young scribes will become gifted teachers, writers, visionaries, dreamers, and cultural activists, and that they be irresistibly moved by the spirit of Saskatchewan’s wealth of excellent writers. I was delighted to see a larger than usual number of young people at the Festival of Words this year. I talked with several new and prospective SWG members at the Guild sponsored reception on

Friday afternoon. A special thank you goes out to Guild staff for their excellent work organizing and presenting this event. Guild board and staff are having a busy summer. Your Board of Directors continues to work on the Strategic Planning that began at a facilitated retreat in May. We are developing Action Plans, which will be shared with members, along with an invitation to provide feedback on the document. We appreciate suggestions and comments from SWG members at any time. At the end of August, our office in Regina will be moving to a new location, 1150 – 8th Avenue, which offers more space, easy accessibility and lots of available parking. We hope members and prospective members will visit often and make use of our programs and services. The SWG has a history of attracting excellent staff and this tradition continues today. I enjoy the buzz around the office whenever I’m there. Our three summer employees Kelsey Gottfried, Aaron Tootoosis, and Kendra Walker add an extra ambience of youthful energy and creativity. Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it – but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Happy sailing, Cathy Fenwick

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E xecutive Director's Report Judith Silverthorne

his summer is one of terrific movement for the Regina Guild office. Every spare space is filled with the bustling activity of our summer staff, all of whom are making great strides in their particular areas of expertise. Newest to join the ranks are Aaron Tootoosis and Kendra Walker. Aaron, enrolled in the BA Honours in Indigenous Studies Program at the First Nations University of Canada in Regina, is taking the reins of the Aboriginal programming and is fast producing results. His report on upcoming programming for Aboriginal writers is in this issue of Freelance. Kendra is on loan to us as a work placement student from SIAST Wascana campus. She is a great asset in our administrative work, helping us catch up in the areas of communication strategies, event planning, fundraising and policy reviews among other things. The biggest excitement is around the Guild office moving to a new location at 1150 -8th Avenue at the end of August. Although we’ll be closed from August 25th to August 30th, we welcome members to view our freshly renovated space after September 1st when we’ll reopen for full and further services. Our new facility is only a block from a bus line, has plenty of free parking around it, has a lift for easy accessibility, and best of all, it has a space to accommodate

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holding workshops and activities. Located slightly outside the downtown core where rents are somewhat less expensive, our neighbourhood includes the SK Arts Board, OSAC and CARFAC with more non-profit organizations planning to move into the area.

on our new pop-up banner at the SK Festival of Words reception in July. We will be using this coding more frequently in all of our materials.

Another exciting addition to the web site is the Members’ Forum. We’ll have a general one and one By now, you Another exciting for Aboriginal may have writers to start addition to the also noticed with, but the additional option is there web site is the enhancefor adding more ments to the Members’ Forum. as the need SWG webarises for other site. The Professional Develcommunities of interest and opment section is operational various genres. These forums with fundamental information are for discussions about the for writers, while more subaspects of writing and pubstantive material is located in lishing among members and the Members section under we hope they will be used reWriters Resources. Our first spectfully as they are intendemployed summer student, ed. If anyone is interested in Kelsey Gottfried, diligently volunteering to be a moderaresearched, gathered and tor, we welcome your assiswrote the data and will contance. tinue to add to the resources throughout the summer. We As usual, there are so many also thank Andréa Ledding activities happening in and and Jean Freeman for addiaround the Guild. The Windtional text in other areas on script Launch was a huge sucthe website. cess, so much so that we will need a larger venue for next With our new Flip camera we year. Printing the issue for the are producing YouTube clips, first time in seven years was which are also accessible also a boost for all concerned. from our website and are deKudos to Lynda Monahan for signed to promote the Guild, a great managing and editevents and our members. In ing job; and to Jan Morier for other promotional areas, inbringing the publication back formation about the Guild to life. Congratulations to City is available through the new of Regina Writing Award reQuick Read barcodes (QR) cipient, Ryshia Kennie, who technology. You may have nowas acknowledged at the Articed evidence of this usage tesian in Regina. The second

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annual partnership between the Guild, the Regina Plains Museum and the Regina Public Library marked 76 years since the Regina Riot. “Tracking the Trekkers — Revisiting the Regina Riot” featured a tour and documentary film. If you didn’t have an opportunity to attend any of these events, please consider them in the future. Even if you don’t know the participants, your show of support for the writing community is important in so many ways, including the continuation of these and other events. The Saskatchewan Festival of Words was thought-provoking and enjoyable, and our annual reception, with a slightly new slant, well received. We’re honoured that as of July 19th the Dorothy Knowles painting is officially on display in the Persephone Theatre for all to enjoy. Prints of this painting are given to the recipients of the Cheryl and Henry Kloppenburg Award for Literary Excellence. The second annual award ceremony for this award happens in early September. Words in the Park in Regina’s Victoria Park features many of our writers reading from their works during the lunch hour on Wednesdays throughout the summer. In Saskatoon the Core Neighbourhood Youth Coop is the scene of a partnership with SWG for the Buffalo Chips: Urban Aboriginal Youth program in late August with instructors with Kenneth T. Williams and Andréa Ledding. Our summer writing and art-

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ist retreats at St. Peter’s were full to brimming, and a new one is at capacity at the end of August for Aboriginal writers. Jesse Archibald- Barber facilitates this one at the Spring Valley Ranch near Ravenscrag in the southwest of the province. There are numerous Professional Development series workshops being offered throughout the fall to coincide with the components added to our web site. We will also be featuring other workshops to inspire, encourage and educate. Our Annual Conference plans are all set for October 14-16 in Regina. This year the Spring magazine launch is set for the Thursday evening before on October 13th. We hope to see you all at these events. We also invite you to join us beforehand on the afternoon of Thursday, October 13th for a more informal “tour” of our new digs. In other news we are saddened to learn of the tragic passing of well-known Canadian literary figure and friend/ mentor to many Saskatchewan writers, Robert Kroetsch, and of icon Gordon Tootoosis, the legendary film and television actor and founding board member of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company (SNTC). We extend our sympathies and prayers to their families. On the board governance front, the SWG Board held a facilitated strategic planning retreat in May. The action plan will be available for members to peruse and comment on at the AGM. We appreciate your

feedback at any time on the direction you’d like to see the Guild take to further our programming and services to our members. Have a super summer! Judith Silverthorne

Image courtesy of Coteau Books

July 20, 2011 Edmonton-based author Gloria Sawai, who won the Governor General’s Literary Award for fiction in 2001, has died at the age of 78. Sawai’s collection of stories, A Song for Nettie Johnson, won her the GG award, one of Canada’s top prizes for literature. Most of her stories take place in the 1940s and ‘50s in the fictional Saskatchewan town of Stone Creek Source: CBC News Arts and Entertainment

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Foundation News Sharon Adam, President

What is the SWG Foundation?

he SWG Foundation was established by the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild in 2005 with the purpose of receiving, maintaining and investing funds and to apply all or part of the principle and income therefrom to the Guild to promote an environment for writing within the Province of Saskatchewan. We manage the trusts for the Guilds as well as funds in the endowment. Since joining the Board of Directors in 2010, we have worked with the

Guild towards finding funding for the Aboriginal Mentorship Program as one of our priorities. A strategic planning session was held in Regina this spring to let previous and new board members get to know each other better and look at some long term and short term planning for the Foundation. Another retreat is in the planning stages for this fall as projects are developing. The Board of Directors includes: Ranji Jeerakathil, Vice-President; Hazel Kelner, Secretary; Heather Dillon, Treasurer; Jo BannatyneCugnet and Rod Dickenson, Directors.

The board is very dedicated to growing the endowment fund and securing the future of the SWG and writing in the province. We are very grateful for the many donations from members of the Guild. We encourage members to promote our cause to friends and family, as we are searching for support in the greater business community. I will report on new projects as they arise and look forward to the future success of both the Guild and the Foundation. Donations for the Foundation can be made from the Guild web site and are tax deductible.

Dear SWG Members: Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet

write to you with news that the SWG Foundation is in the early planning stages of a legacy project. In fact let’s call it “The Legacy Project”. A bit of background: as stated in Sharon Adam’s report, the purpose of the Foundation is to procure funds to support the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild. The Foundation was founded several years ago following the SWG recovering from huge financial difficulties. The idea was that we would create our own “safety net” so we would not be so close JULy/AUGUST 2011

to being insolvent again. But some five years later the Foundation is not in a position to be supplying any funds to anyone. The thinking of the day that SWG members would bequest funds in their wills but it turns out that not enough people are dying nor are they bequeathing money. In response to annual requests for donations, there has been a small annual response - not sufficient to achieve the goal of funding SWG programs. So this leads to the “Legacy Project” - an idea which Rod Dickenson

and myself would like to make happen. We came onboard the SWG Foundation after the last SWG AGM October 2010 with the sole goal of finding a permanent “home” for the SWG - to make it happen. The SWG Foundation would purchase or build a facility and the SWG would be our primary tenant. If it is possible space available - we would rent to other interested tenants as well. This would give the Foundation monies continued FREELANCE

- a consistent source which it could then give back to support SWG programs. It was after listening to some of the “founders” of the SWG speak at the AGM about the dream of a writers’ guild. They spoke of how they didn’t know if it would work or what it would become. They marvelled that despite various roadblocks and puddles on the path, the SWG is a 700-member strong organization in the province. As we celebrated the 40th Anniversary, I wondered what our legacy would be. What would this present generation of members leave to ensure the future of the Guild? I feel very strongly that now is the time to start looking for a permanent home. As you know, the SWG is on the move to a new location AGAIN. I hate it when we move. I live out of the city and it’s always a chore to locate, and park, etc. Not that I have gotten used to traversing through the daycare to get to the present SWG office, but I dream of a home with easy parking and one that is easily accessible to accommodate those with mobility issues - a welcoming place.

I once had the privilege of representing Canadian writers in an exchange to Ukraine. There we toured their Writer’s Union building. It was quite the building a mansion that had been “taken away from a wealthy family for the benefit of all people”. Unfortunately we live in a democracy and I suspect we will simply have to pay for a building ourselves. But it was nice. I will also mention that when I drive by the Sports Hall of Fame in Regina, I admit to feeling of envious when I see their beautiful building. Inside this building they honour past athletic achievements. Imagine a place where we could honour Saskatchewan writers and their contributions. Where would this building be located? What would it cost? Would it have a place to hold book launches, classes, etc? I don’t know the answers to these questions. I do know that thus far we have convinced the SWG Foundation Board to allow us to pursue the project. I do know that the SWG Board has agreed that they would be a primary tenant as long as the space met their needs.

I do know that the Saskatchewan Arts Board has said this project would not jeopardize our funding and that they have other organizations that have done exactly what we want to do. I do know that if we had started this project five years ago it would be paid for by now. I know there are other interested SWG members with experience and knowledge who can help us get this project off the ground and I am hoping you will contact me at prairiealphabet@hotmail.com if you wish to join the Legacy Project Committee. We have no timelines. Nothing has been decided. The only decision you need to make at this time is whether or not you will be part of making this legacy happen. Thank you for giving consideration to my request. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet

WHAT`S THIS? This is a QR (Quick Response) code which responds to a code scanner from your smart phone. Not too pretty, but pretty effective! A scan of this particular code takes you right to the SWG web site. We will be using more QR codes on our print literature to fly you to different SWG web pages when you need specific information! Pretty cool. FREELANCE

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First Annual Aboriginal Writers’ Retreat

has kindly donated one of her ethereal watercolours to the Guild. The winner of the Kloppenburg Award receives $10,000 and a limited edition print of the painting (The Beach #1), a dreamy rendition of the beach at Waskesiu.

By Aaron Tootoosis

he call for interest in a Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild Aboriginal Writers’ Retreat really caught the attention of SWG’s Aboriginal members. I asked for and received tremendous input and guidance during a telephone conference consultation held earlier this summer. The result is the First Aboriginal Writers’ Facilitated Retreat to be held August 25-28 at Spring Valley Guest Ranch nestled in Saskatchewan’s historic Cypress Hills. The seven participants have determined the topics of the retreat. First and foremost they insisted the retreat be facilitated. They wanted a coach or guide with positive credentials. Enter Jesse ArchibaldBarber, Assistant Professor of First Nations and Métis poetry, fiction, and drama at First Nations University of Canada. Jesse is excited about facilitating the retreat. “My time is their time” he said. There will be a cultural and spiritual component to the retreat, as requested by the participants. Elder Jim Saville will open the retreat with a prayer. Evenings will be warmed with stories and music shared ‘round the campfire. This Aboriginal Writers’ Retreat is full, but we will be offering more in the near future. This Facilitated retreat is sponsored by SWG and their funding partners, SaskCulture, Saskatchewan Lot-

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Aaron Tootoosis

teries, and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. (Our thanks also goes to two corporate sponsors who will be properly acknowledged after the provincial election.)

ssssss Saskatoon Shenanigans By Christina Shah

t’s been an exciting three months! I’m constantly inspired by my colleagues, our donors, our partners in programming, our friends in Saskatoon’s arts community – and of course, our members! On July 19 I had the pleasure of meeting Henry and Cheryl Kloppenburg, who are the Guild’s generous sponsors of the Kloppenburg Award for Literary Excellence, at the unveiling of the Dorothy Knowles painting. The event took place at Saskatoon’s Persephone Theatre. I was also fortunate enough to meet Knowles herself. Knowles, a renowned Canadian landscape painter,

I’d like to thank novelist Wes Funk, who also happens to be the charming host of Lit’ Happens on Shaw Community TV. I had a great time as a guest on his show and enjoyed meeting the other guests! Lit’ Happens is a fantastic showcase for the literary community in Saskatoon. Weaving Words - a memoirwriting workshop for new Canadians taught by Barbara Klar is happening the second week of August. Do join us at the Global Gathering Place (#307-506 25th St.) the evening of August 18th for our celebration and public reading. We’ll kick off Buffalo Chips, the SWG’s newest workshop aimed at Aboriginal teen writers, in August. Our public celebration and reading will be at 3 p.m. on August 26th at the Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op (905 20th St. W) – so come and support some talented young writers! As always, I’m interested in hearing from our members what they’d like to see in terms of programming and workshops. It’s been fun getting to know you! Enjoy the rest of your summer - stay cool, but keep your imaginations burning!

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ditor for grain LITERARY MAGAZINE The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild, is seeking an editor for its awardwinning literary journal Grain magazine, published four times a year. This is a three year contract commencing October 3, 2011.

Job Description Grain Editor Accountability The Grain Editor is an employee of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild and makes regular reports to the Executive Director on financial and administrative matters. The Editor reports to the membership on Grain’s activities in the Annual Report and at the Annual General Meeting. Decisions regarding policy and Grain’s mandate are made in consultation with the Grain Advisory Committee. All editorial decisions are made independently and are the responsibility of the Editor. Summary of Responsibilities The Grain Editor is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the production of Grain magazine, including planning, procuring and editing content, managing personnel and preparing budgets and grant applications. Grain’s Editor will ensure that the content of the Grain literary magazine is selected and presented to maintain a consistently high standard for the publication. Key Responsibilities • select the Grain editorial staff (the poetry, prose and non-fiction editors) in conjunction with the Grain Advisory Committee • select and supervise the Business Administrator

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and casual support staff (proofreaders, editorial assistants, clerical assistants, etc.) as required • oversee processing and circulate submissions to Associate Editors, and oversee letters of rejection and acceptance • edit all content, requesting changes and rewrites where necessary • liaise with writers including deadlines, fees, permissions, rights, etc. • ensure all rights, permissions, and other consents are secured with respect to all magazine content • write an editor’s note for each issue of the magazine • contribute to visual art selection activities • work with the Grain Business Administrator, genre editors, and layout contractor on production of each issue • relay all necessary information to allow for accurate and timely payment of all contracts, writers’ fees, and other obligations pertaining to production • maintain and raise the profile of the magazine • The Editor works with the Grain staff to co-ordinate material selection, and oversees the magazine’s production and distribution, including selection of cover art. The Editor has final say in the selection of all material

• maintain an active presence and fostering relationships in the literary community • provide updates and contributions to Grain’s web site • prepare and administer the Grain budget. • in consultation with the SWG Executive Director, provide material for preparation of operational grant applications to SaskCulture, Saskatchewan Lotteries and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. • prepare the annual grant application to the Canadian Council for the Arts and other funding agencies as required. • perform such other duties as the magazine operations necessitate, including correspondence, consultation with the printers, and representing the magazine at events when necessary Key Competencies The successful applicant will have: • previous magazine editorial experience, including planning and assigning content; editing content; and taking issues to press • experience in the selection, editing and copyediting of literary manuscripts • knowledge of production and printing processes • strong organizational and administrative skills inJULy/AUGUST 2011

• • • • •

• • • • • • •

cluding grant writing demonstrated abilities in budgeting and personnel management an ability to work both independently and in a team setting knowledge of the Canadian literary community and journal publishing ability to build on the magazine’s distinct aesthetic previous project planning and scheduling experience, combined with attention to detail and follow-through flexibility, excellent interpersonal skills and a high level of professionalism familiarity with copyright issues knowledge of marketing and public relations ability to plan, prioritize, budget and meet deadlines strong verbal and written communications skills a sound knowledge of public communications practices and techniques must reside within Saskatoon or immediate area

expenses for travel, accommodation, meals, etc, when these are required, at the usual SWG rates. Please forward your resume and a cover letter, including a description of your editorial approach to Grain, along with references and expected remuneration to info@skwriter.com or Box 3986 Regina, SK S4P 3R9 Applications for the position must be received by August 29, 2011.

Call for

Board

Nominations The SWG Board Elections will be conducted once again at the AGM in October during the fall conference. In accordance with the Guild bylaws, several term positions are available. This year the Nominations Committee of the Board is seeking volunteer SWG members to let their names stand for President for a one-year term and as one of four members-at-large.

Assets • knowledge of current challenges and opportunities relating to the writing community in Saskatoon • familiarity with CanLit journal publishing • available to work flexible hours

The Board of the SWG is made up of members from across the province, both urban and rural, dedicated to serving the membership. Members-at-large are elected for a term of two years on a rotating basis with new members being elected every year. The President and other members of the board are eligible to serve two consecutive terms. There are a minimum of five Board meetings per year and usually no more than eight, which are held in various locations around the province to accommodate Board members as much as possible.

Compensation: A per annum contract fee as agreed by the Editor and the Executive Director in conjunction with the Grain Advisory Committee as necessary. The Editor will be paid

Members are encouraged to submit their names, or if you wish to nominate someone, please be sure of their willingness to serve before sending their name forward. For information about the SWG Board or to submit a nomination please contact the Chair of the Nominations Committee, Danica Lorer, at danicalorer@sasktel.net or the SWG office.

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UPCOMING MANUSCRIPT eVALUATION SERVICE Professional evaluation at a sensible fee The Manuscript* Evaluation Service assists writers at all levels of development who would like a professional response to their unpublished work. The service is available to ALL Saskatchewan writers, and uses the talents of Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild (SWG) published members. The SWG offers this service with the generous partnership of the Saskatchewan Arts Board.

Full details & fees at www.skwriter.com

programs services manuscript evaluation service Send your manuscript and payment to the following address: Manuscript Evaluation Service Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild Box 3986 Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3R9 For more information, phone 306-791-7743 or Email programs@skwriter.com * Manuscripts: • Prose • Poetry • Dramatic Scripts (theatrical)

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Help, I’ve fallen into a children’s story and can’t get up! Instructor: Anita Daher

October 1, 1 - 4 p.m. at the SWG Office 100-1150 8th Ave. Regina SWG members $50; non-members $60 Limit per workshop: 12 Please contact SWG directly to register. The world of children’s literature is a big one, and different strategies as well as skills are needed when writing fiction or non-fiction picture books, juvenile novels, young adult novels, and stories for magazines. Join Anita Daher for a closer look at opportunities available, and how to best turn your writing interests into publishing success. Anita Daher draws writing inspiration from the many places she’s been fortunate to spend time. Since 1995 she has been entrenched in the book publishing industry writing books, articles and reviews, and leading workshops and presentations. She has worked as marketing director, editor, and radio broadcaster, and is currently associate teen book editor at Great Plains Publications. Anita divides her time between Winnipeg, MB, and a small Francophone community in Manitoba’s cottage country.

WORKSHOPS How to Give an Effective Reading

Instructor: Brenda Baker October 29 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Margo Fournier Centre 1211 - 1st Avenue West, Prince Albert, SK and

November 19 Saskatoon, Location: TBA SWG members $60; non-members $75 Limit per workshop: 10 Please contact SWG directly to register. For some of us, reading our work aloud is a torturous, nerve-wracking event that must be endured in order to sell our books. Some of us sense we’re doing “okay” but lack the feedback required to give a really great reading. The program will cover the elements of an effective reading and practical ideas for improving presentation skills. Baker is an award-winning writer and performer. She holds a BFA (visual art) and has completed four years of acting at the University of Saskatchewan. She has taught various arts programs in a variety of settings over the last 32 years. In 2008 she launched “Nexstage,” a coaching business that focuses on musicians and their live performances.

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Search activities by category: Literature and Spoken Word

www.culturedays.ca

Reading by Anita Daher

Four Culture Days Animateurs will be available to meet with those who are interested in organizing activities for Culture Days and provide presentations and workshops. Each Animateur will be responsible for a different part of the province. To reach the Animateur in your area, contact the Culture Days Project Coordinator at (306) 780-9289 or by email at pbrass@saskculture.sk.ca

Friday, September 30 Time and location TBA Anita Daher draws writing inspiration from the many places she’s been fortunate to spend time including Summerside, PEI; Yellowknife, NT; Churchill, MB; Baker Lake, NU and Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Anita divides her time between Winnipeg, MB, and a small Francophone community in Manitoba’s cottage country. (306) 791-7743 programs@skwriter.com

EVENTS!

Celebrating Arts and Culture from Coast to Coast to Coast!

Culture Crush

FREE writing workshop, register yourself or an entire group. With the help of prompts, we will be writing in response to the art on display at the Dance Saskatchewan Centre. Register for the art making workshop earlier in the day and have your group write in response to their own or a peer’s art. All are welcome, please register. (306) 955-5513 saskatoon@skwriter.com Friday, September 30 11:00 a.m. 205A Pacific Ave Saskatoon

• Launched in September 2010, Culture Days is a free annual event designed to invite the public to celebrate and explore arts and culture in every province and territory in Canada. • The 2011 Culture Days weekend will take place in every province, simultaneously on September 30, October 1 & 2, and is expected to see hundreds of communities of all sizes take part from coast to coast to coast. • The first annual Canada-wide Culture Days celebration was held in September 2010 over three days in more than 700 Canadian cities and towns. • Individual artists, diverse cultural groups, organizations, municipalities, and festivals old and new are coming together to catalyze and inspire greater participation in arts and culture by featuring free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to the behind-the-scenes world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators and designers in their home community during Culture Days. • Culture Days represents the largest-ever collective public participation campaign undertaken by the arts and cultural community in Canada.

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FREELANCE

Deana Driver

How much research is too much? aw:

Julie Burtinsh

Detailed research is integral to a good story, regardless of genre, but is it possible to over-research? Not really; knowledge about a story’s backdrop: clothing, language, cultural, history, political climate, norms, mores, pop culture etc, results in a clearer understanding of character motivation as well as truly authentic characters. Use research to develop characters, without being pedantic. For example, dress a Vietnam War era character in a tee-shirt stating: War is Good Business: Invest Your Sons, showing the character’s political leanings, approximate age and style while acknowledging the divisive political climate, of the times. Finding this tidbit may have taken hours of research, but “the devil is in the details.” Research extensively and use this information to show, not tell your story.

Next time on ....

Anne Patton:

Well, it depends if you are passionate about a topic, explore forever! But, if your goal is a completed manuscript, too much research is a problem: 1. Are you following a fresh research trail to avoid the hard work of writing? I can still hear my thesis advisor yelling over the phone, “Stop reading and start writing!” 2. Often you don’t realize the precise detail needed until you are immersed in the scene. So get your head into the bubble and write. Then Google to check that specific item. 3. You will want to cram everything you’ve learned into your manuscript. Readers aren’t interested in a display of author knowledge. Too much information and they’ll just close the book.

When conducting live interviews for a biography or a true story of some other kind, you’ll know you have done almost enough research when you start getting the same answers to the same questions over and over and over again. However, it is not sufficient to stop interviewing after you’ve heard the same answer two or three times. You must change your question slightly or add a followup question with your next couple of interview subjects to make sure you have uncovered the true story (as much as any story can be ‘true,’ given the nature of human beings). Always tell your live interview subjects you may contact them later (during the writing process) with followup questions. For written research materials, check and cross-check a wide variety of sources. Don’t automatically trust any of them to be 100% accurate. Always, always attribute the sources of your information.

What steps are necessary when switching from writing short fiction to novels? Submit your answers in 100-120 words for publication in the next Freelance (Sept-Oct-Nov issue) Deadline: midSeptember

Contact communications@skwriter.com

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How much research is too much? :

Marie Powell

Research can provide the spark for a story idea or the grey matter for a scene. Historical fiction and non-fiction writers rely on it, but any writer may use it for reconnaissance in developing stories. With the Internet, it’s increasingly easy to find new research avenues, including satellite images of urban or rural terrain, websites presenting cutting-edge ideas or experiments, periodical databases for texts and images, and worldwide sources for reading or ordering books. We mine the research, sifting for those crucial details that can help us discover a tangent, chart a new direction, or make a scene come to life. We’ve reached oversaturation when finding new research becomes more important than writing the story - in fiction or non-fiction.

p Gilbert M. Ep

I have learned, through writing eight novels and two non-fiction books that researching to create a background is important to a point. However, when the information you have written into your manuscript cramps your own creativity, it is too much. At present I am writing ‘Gold Fever’ which does contain a fair amount of history, which was researched from five different sources. However, after writing the foreword which lays the foundation for talking about the fur trade in New Caledonia, I switched to creative writing in chapter one and from there on in. I find historical fiction interesting, yet it needs to exhibit the writer’s own style.

How much research is too much? My first in-

Keith Foster: stinct, from the perspective of non-fiction, is

to say that that no amount of research is too much. An “excess” of data simply means that you have material for another article, or another book. Perhaps a more appropriate question would be: how much research is enough? Obviously incomplete research could bring embarrassing results, to say the least. You can usually tell when you’ve done enough research because your links to other sources all point to sources that you’ve already checked. When you’ve researched everything in your focus area, you’ve clearly done enough. If you find you have much more material than you can possibly use, don’t despair. You obviously have sufficient material for several articles. And if some of your research leads you on a tangent, no problem. Just think of it as a head start on your next project. JULy/AUGUST 2011

ontgomery:

Jeanette C. M

If you ask this question of any grade school student the answer would be ‘any research is too much’ however, as a writer, when considering research for a children’s fictional story every detail must be accurate. Research everything; don’t rely on your memory. Years later the reader will remember if your story stated John Diefenbaker belonged to the Liberal party. They may not remember the writer or title but for some reason this information will stick in their mind. And they will drag this incorrect ‘fact’ out of their memory for their Grade 10 social history final regardless of what any textbook or teacher has said! As for other genres, in my estimation there can never be too much research done for a cookbook or a romance novel. And don’t trust the Internet; these genres are best researched first hand.

Looking for contributors to share knowledge in the craft of writing by answering The Question in 100 – 125 words. Regular rates for contributors apply. Get your musings in to: communications@ skwriter.com in midSeptember. Responses will be published in the September - October - November issue of Freelance. FREELANCE

Climbing the ladder of success at the St. Peter summer retreat in Muenster, July, 2011. Clockwise - Virginia Eckert, Julie Burtinshaw, Myrna Garanis

Words in the Park! Authors, like Steve Miller (top right) and Carol Morin (bottom left), have been reading and entertaining with their words on Wednesdays throught July and August in Regina’s Victoria Park. SWG has teamed with Regina Downtown and Regina Public Library providing refuge in inclement weather. Words in the Ark, if you will. Thanks to sponsors - City of Regina. Tracking the Trekkers Revisiting the Regina Riot Walking tour, held June 22 in downtown Regina following the footsteps of the On-To-Ottawa Trekkers, previewing the Regina Riot of July 1, 1935. Garnet Dishaw leads the tour from our first stop in front of the museum’s Steam Locomotive at the Old Union Station (Casino Regina). Saskatchewn Writers’ Guild, Regina Public Library and the Regina Plains Museum partnered for this event.

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Cheryl and Henry Kloppenburg unveiled a glorious watercolour “The Beach #1” (2008) painted by Dorothy Knowles in anticipation of the Kloppenburg Award for Literary Excellence, to be announced in September. A limited edition framed print will be awarded, along with $10,000.

The Kloppenburgs are pictured (above), with Dorothy Knowles (centre) unveiling the painting at Saskatoons Persephone Theatre in where it will be on permanent display.

The Saskatchewan Festival of Words was celebrated by the SWG at a reception July 15 in the splendid Mae Wilson Theatre. Festival-ites enjoyed a delicious array of nibblies, courtesy of The Real Canadian Superstore in Moose Jaw. Informal Idea Exchange (aka “A Glass of Wine with the Big Cheese”) SWG President Cathy Fenwick, Members Carol Rempel and Gloria Morin

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FREELANCE

2012

entorship Program

The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild mentorship program allows developing writers (the apprentices) to work in a supportive environment under the guidance of professional writers (the mentors). The mentor provides the apprentice with one-on-one instruction (not editorial services) in the craft of creative writing. The program is open to writers in all genres and will be tailored to the apprentice’s individual needs. The pairs will be in weekly contact and can communicate through Email, phone, and face-to-face meetings. When an apprentice and mentor do not live in the same community, at least one face-to-face meeting is required (to take place within the first two weeks of the program). Because the focus of the program is on craft development, apprentices should not expect to have a completed manuscript by the end of the program (although that sometimes occurs). Also, because the program will focus on the apprentices’ development of their craft, it’s possible that apprentices may not produce a significant amount of new work during the mentorship, but will instead work with previously written material. The program will run from 01 January—30 April 2012. At the end of the program, the apprentices will give a public reading of their work. There is no cost to apply for this program and there are no participation fees. There will be a small travel allowance for apprentices who need to travel to meet with their mentors.

Call for Mentors The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild is seeking experienced writers in all genres to participate in the mentorship program. Mentors who have participated in the program in the past are welcome to re-apply. Mentors will be selected based upon the following criteria: • the possession of a significant body of published work • experience as a teacher, workshop leader, mentor, Writer-in-Residence, or editor • the ability to commit time (15-20 hours per month) during the mentorship period • Saskatchewan residency Mentors will receive an honorarium of $2,500 for their participation in the program. Application Please include the following in your application: Applications must be post-marked by Friday September 30, 2011. Late • a literary resume (maximum 5 pages) applications will not be accepted. • a cover letter which includes the following: • all your contact information (including work and home phone numbers) • a specification of the type or types of writing you’d be willing to work with • a brief paragraph explaining why you are interested in the program • an explanation of what the apprentice could learn from you

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Call for Apprentices

The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild is seeking four writers who wish to develop their skills in the craft of creative writing. Eligible applicants meet the following criteria: • you have a body of work of sufficient quality to benefit from the program • have work in progress when you apply • have not had a book published (or have had a book-length manuscript accepted for publication) in the genre in which you wish to apprentice • have demonstrated their commitment to writing by having participated in some form of formal or informal professional development (e.g. workshops, Manuscript Evaluation Service, working with a Writer-In-Residence) • be free to devote a significant amount of time to the program: a minimum of 20-25 hours per month; some past participants have spent up to 40 hours per month. As this program offers a prized and rare opportunity for development as a writer, past participants have recommended that future participants consider arranging their schedules so they can devote as much time as possible to it. Some previous apprentices have taken time off work or reduced their working hours in order to do so. • be a Saskatchewan residents 19 years of age or older Applications There is no application form for this program. Instead, send the following material: • a cover letter which includes the following information: • your contact information (mailing address, work and home phone numbers, E-mail) • an explanation of the project you would work on during the mentorship period • a clear statement of what you hope to achieve through the program (the more specific the better—e.g. better dialogue, more skilful use of imagery) • an outline of past professional development experience • a description of the quantity of material you will have available to work with over the mentorship period (e.g. number of poems written, number of pages already written for a novel) • a description of how long you have been writing and a summary of your writing activity for the past twelve months • an outline of your family, work, educational, and cultural commitments during the time of the program AND how you will accommodate them while still making time for the program • a sample of recent writing (no longer than ten pages) in the genre in which you plan to work during the mentorship period (double-spaced for prose, single or double-spaced for poetry) Standard Submission Guidelines for Mentors and Apprentices To ensure that your application is processed, please follow these formatting guidelines: • submit all material on 8 ½ x 11inch white paper, single-sided • type all entries in black ink • use plain text fonts (e.g. Times New Roman, Arial, Courier), not display fonts such as Algerian • use a 12 point font • have 1.25” margins on all sides • single-side all pages • please do not submit pages that have been hole punched • to fasten submissions, use paper clips (including foldback clips) — avoid staples or any other fastener which

JULy/AUGUST 2011

goes through the paper (including binders and presentation covers) • good-quality photocopies are acceptable • if sending by courier, send to the courier address listed inside cover of Freelance, not the box number

therefore arrive late. If you are sending material close to the deadline, please consider Xpress Post, Priority Post, courier, or special delivery. We will accept entries on disk or those sent by fax or Email.

Please keep a copy of your submission; material will not be returned. The applications of apprentices who have been accepted to the program will be forwarded to the mentor.

The results of this competition will be announced in early-mid November. The decisions of the jury will be final. Jurors may choose to not make the entire four matches if they believe there is a lack of suitable candidates.

Please Note: Material sent to the box number may take an extra day for processing and may

For more information, contact Tracy Hamon at 791-7743 or programs@skwriter.com

FREELANCE

Grain Magazine takes home two Western Magazine Awards for non-fiction Congratulations to Chuqiao (Teresa) Yang, whose nonfiction piece Beijing Notes, featured in Grain Magazine’s Summer 2010 issue, All Over the Place, took first prize in two categories of the 2011 Western Magazine Awards. Yang’s piece won first prize in both the Student Writing category and the Gold Awards Best Article–Saskatchewan. Grain was also a finalist this year for Magazine of the Year, Saskatchewan. The Western Magazine Awards Foundation (WMFA) announced the winners for the 29th annual awards at

the Awards Gala on June 17, 2011 at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside. Chuqiao (Teresa) Yang hails from Saskatoon, SK, via Beijing, and is currently studying International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa. Her work has previously appeared in Grain, filling station, Ottawater, and on CBC radio. The WMAF honours and celebrates editorial excellence in western Canadian magazine writing, photography, illustration, and art direction. This is accomplished through an annual awards competition, a gala event where winners are announced and recognized with cash prizes, and Magazines West—a two day

industry-specific professional development seminar. The WMAF works to enhance the quality and diversity of Canadian magazines as well as the professional development of those working in the magazine industry to ensure the long-term vibrancy of Canadian magazines. The WMAF was established in 1983 in Vancouver, BC. Grain Magazine, a literary quarterly, publishes engaging, eclectic, and challenging writing and art by Canadian and international writers and artists. Published by the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, Grain continues to earn national and international recognition for its distinctive content and design. www.grainmagazine.ca

Celebrating Reading. Advocating Literacy. Saskatoon’s The Word On The Street festival hits the street on Sunday, September 25th.

Yann Martel

Sandra Birdsell

Sunday, September 25, 2011 Downtown Saskatoon 23rd Street East between 3rd and 4th Avenues and in the Frances Morrison Library. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Bring the family to this all-ages event. Listen to over 30 Canadian authors read from their latest books. Witness a live poetry slam. Be part of the audience for improv theatre. Shop the festival marketplace where you fill find a great book selection and be able to meet some of Saskatchewan’s authors. For an event schedule or more information check out www. thewordonthestreet.ca/wots/saskatoon or call 306.716.2890.

Free family fun!

FREELANCE

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Un / Controlled

Experiments

SCHEDULE CLOSE-UP

SWG Conf eren

ce October 14 - 16, 20 11 Ramada Ho tel 1818 Victo ria Ave. Regina

Friday October 14 12:30 p.m.

Registration table opens 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Living Phenomena: Literary processes and adaptations Stargazing or grass grazing, sometimes the relationship of words to environment/processes/ biodiversity and the world around them are what we need to write about. Get your fingers out of the mud, pull your head from the sky, and haul your butt to this session to hear Rebecca Grambo and MariLou Rowley discuss the processes of writing about the world that surrounds us.

Active Transport: The Chemistry of a Dramatic Scene Active transport is the movement of a substance against its concentration gradient (from low to high energy). (Wiki). Tracy:

(directed at the Courier) Is that a bomb in your hands, or are you just happy to see me?

Courier: It’s a bomb. Are you terrified? Tracy: No, because this is a dream and I’ve already woken up with a keyboardpocked forehead. Yeah. This is why I’m going to go to this session. Need I say more?

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Presenters: Leeann Minogue & Kelley Jo Burke

Into the Great/Un/Known - Emerging vs Established To brand or not to brand! What are the differences between being established and emerging and how do promotional/marketing concerns change—or do they? Join our panelists as they explore getting known and being known in the ever-changing world of the word. Presenters: Guy Gavriel Kay, Sandra Birdsell, Brenda Niskala & Lisa Wilson

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FREELANCE

Friday October 14 Con/Structions: The Pros & Cons of Self-publishing

3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Independent Variables: The Innovative

OR Process

In the design of experiments, the experimenter is often interested in the effect of some process or intervention (the “treatment”) on some objects (the “experimental units”) (Wiki).

Lose 10 pounds of publishing stress in one session! For the first time in one place, the top secrets of selfpublishing revealed! Gather those pages — assemble those notes and bring your questions. Join James Anderson as he discusses the benefits and detriments to publishing your own work.

Are you tired of ghazals and sonnets, of always writing the “ode” way? Maybe you’re addicted to form and want to get off the couplet track. What you need is an intervention! Join Jon Paul Fiorentino and Bruce Rice as they discuss varied methods of experimentation and innovations in writing poetry.

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Controlled Substances: Writers Groups/ SWG program session Ask not what you can do for your Guild, but what your Guild can do for you.

Social/ New Member Reception 8:00 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

Caroline Heath Lecture: Guy Gavriel Kay

Presenters: Alison Lohans & SWG Staff

9:15 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Post-Heath Reception

Saturday Oct. 15

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Stakeholders Session Host: TBA

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Research Lab I never did a day’s work in my life, it was all fun. Thomas Edison

Transforming Principles: Literary translation and transformation

Are you resourceful? Do you see the new in the old with more “I’s?” Join Rebecca Grambo as she leads the quest into raw information, inquiry, investigation, interviews and artistic invention.

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Short MS Awards Lunch

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Да ли сте уморни од брбљања? Нико вас не разуме у потпуности? Не треба да се плашите! Êtes-vous fatigué des bavardages? Nul ne comprend pas bien? Ne devrait pas avoir peur! Sind Sie müde von Klatsch? Niemand versteht nicht? Sollte keine Angst! Are you tired of gossip? No one does not understand? Should not be afraid! Lost in translation? How does the essence of a translated work survive and/or thrive? Let Rita Bouvier and Anne-Marie Wheeler transform your ideas on translation!

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Saturday Oct. 15

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Genre-soluble: Insights, Reactions and Possible Solutions

Aboriginal Members Focus Group

Facilitated by Aaron Tootoosis

The word ‘hopefully’ has become the litmus test to determine whether one is a language snob or a language slob. William Safire Imagine a litmus test for literature—how is the work of multi-genre writers measured and received—is there one single indicator that defines a writer? Literary, genre, or multi-genre—slobby or snobby—we defy a single indicator, those public spit tests, and search for possible solutions. Presenters: Guy Gavriel Kay or Jon Paul Fiorentino

The Guild is seeking input on what sort of programming all our members are looking for – and we are especially interested in developing more programs that welcome and include SWG’s Aboriginal members. Come out and let us know what sort of programs/events/ adventures you’d like to see the Guild support. Let’s get the conversation rolling.

2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

The Science Within You: Biographical Methods

Do you have a great story to tell, but it’s somebody else’s life? Do you automatically think in terms of you, you, you rather than me, me, me? Alexandra Popoff and Cindy McKenzie will lead you through the intriguing world of biography (from writing to scholarly criticism). Why write about yourself when you can write about someone else!

Formal Hypotheses: Observations on the Oral/Written Relationship What happens when a story moves from the oral tradition to written tradition? What are the trends? How is this process changing? Is traditional oral story telling regaining popularity in performance? Is it hip-hop or stop, drop and roll? Presenters: Jesse Archibald-Barber, Thomas Roussin

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Readings by Guy Gavriel Kay, Jon Paul Fiorentino

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Cocktail Conversations:

TWUC with Rep Anita Daher

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

John V. Hicks Dinner

Sunday Oct. 16

9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

Annual General Meeting

9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Open Mic JULy/AUGUST 2011

FREELANCE

Registration Form for the SWG Fall Conference and AGM Un/Controlled Experiments October 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 16, 2011 Ramada Hotel, 1818 Victoria Ave., Regina 306-569-1666

PLEASE PRINT

Name: ____________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

Town/City: _______________________________ Postal Code: ______________

Phone (home): _______________________

Phone (business): ___________________ Fax: _________________________ Email: ____________________________________ To help us plan for adequate seating and refreshments, please mark all the events you will attend, even if there is no charge or if you are taking advantage of the Package Price

Member

Non-Member

Other Information

12:30 Registration table opens

_____

I am interested in being a volunteer at the Fall Conference.

Friday, October 14

_____

1:00

Concurrent Sessions (please indicate your choice) Living Phenomena: Literary Process & Adaptations _____ Active Transport: Chemistry of a Dramatic Scene _____

2:30

Into the Great (Un)Known

3:45

Concurrent Sessions (please indicate your choice) Con/Structions: Pros/Cons of Self-Publishing _____ Independent Variables: The Innovative Process _____

Free $20 $20

$25 $25

I am a new member. I am attending an SWG conference for the first time.

$25 $25 I would like to offer a billet/be billetted (circle 5:00 Cocktail Conversations: Controlled Substances as appropriate). Writers Groups Sessions ______ Free ______ Free Programming Insights ______ Free ______ Free I would like to offer a ride/catch a ride (check 7:00 Socialâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Member Reception ______ $10 ______ $15 and provide travel times). 8:00 Caroline Heath Memorial Lecture (Guy Gavriel Kay) ______ $20 ______ $25 9:15 Post-Lecture Reception ______ Free ______ Free SWG Membership

Saturday, October 15 9:00

Stakeholders Session (members only)

$20 $20

_____ _____

Free

_____ _____

______ Free

N/A

10:45 Concurrent Sessions (please indicate your choice) Research Lab ______ $20 Transforming Principles ______ $20

______ $25 ______ $25

12:00 Short Manuscript Awards Luncheon

______ $40

______ $30

1:30

Concurrent Sessions (please indicate your choice) Genre-soluble: Insights, Reactions, Solutions ______ $20 Aboriginal Focus Group ______ Free

______ $25 ______ Free

2:45

Concurrent Sessions (please indicate your choice) The Science within You: Biographical Methods ______ $20 Formal Hypotheses: Observations on Oral/Written ______ $20

______ $25 ______ $25

4:00

Readings by Guy Gavriel Kay

______ $10

______ $15

5:00 6:30 9:00

Cocktail Conversations: TWUC John V. Hicks Awards Dinner Open Mic

______ ______ ______

Free $45 $10

9:00 AGM ______ Free ______ Free Total fees (if paid by individual sessions) ______ $ Package Fee COVERS all events ______ $245 Early Bird Package Fee for all events (before September 26) ______ $200

______ $ ______ $310 ______ $265

Total Amount Enclosed for Conference:

______

Donation I would like to donate to the SWG; total donation enclosed: ______ Total Enclosed: ______

Free $50 $15

Sunday, October 16

FREELANCE

I would like to join/renew Regular Member $75; Full-Time Student or Senior (60 +) $55. Total Amount Enclosed for Membership: ______

Make cheque or money order payable to SWG Box 3986 Regina SK S4P 3R9 or courier/drop off at Suite 100-1150 8th Ave Regina SK S4R 1C9

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Billets and Carpooling IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A BILLET OR A RIDE FROM OUT OF TOWN (OR IF YOU WOULD PREFER A BILLET OR A RIDE), PLEASE FILL IN THE APPROPRIATE SPOT ON THE REGISTRATION FORM.

Book table The book table is open the following hours: Friday: 12:30 – 5:00 p.m.; and 6:45 – 10:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – noon; and 1:15 – 5:15 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Members and guests of the conference can leave up to five copies of a title at any one time. Please make sure the price is clearly marked on the book (rounded up to the nearest dollar). It is the author’s responsibility to fill in the log-in sheet (author’s name and book info—the number of books per title). Please pick up your unsold books by 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning (during the break at the AGM). After the conference, we’ll send you a cheque for the amount owing after your sales (less 10% for administrative costs). TRAVEL SUBSIDY (available to those who attend the Annual General Meeting) Members in good standing who live more than 100 kilometres from Regina may apply for a travel subsidy of 20 cents per kilometre to help defray their costs. To qualify for this subsidy, members must attend the Annual General Meeting on Sunday.

ACCOMMODATION

WORDPRESs WORKSHOP

Instructor: Sharon Hamilton September 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saskatoon Community Service Village 101 – 506 25th Street East, Saskatoon Want to make yourself a website but don’t know how? Find out how easy it is to do with Wordpress. This 6-hour hands-on workshop will show you how to sign up for your free site, create pages and posts with photos, text and links, choose a “look” and customize it, and more. Bring a laptop, ideas about what content you want to put on your site, and digital photos to upload. Experience using Email, a web browser, photo software, and social networking sites like Facebook will be helpful. Sharon lives in Regina, where she works on websites and writes stories for children and young adults. Draco’s Child, her YA fantasy novel, was published by Thistledown Press. Her picture book Bill Bruin Shovels his Roof was published by Scholastic Canada. Visit her at www.books4kids.ca

We need volunteers for the registration table and for Volunt general duties. If you would eers like to donate a little time, Needed please get in touch with Tracy Hamon (306-791-7743 or programs@skwriter.com) or Milena Dzordeski (306791-7740 or info@skwriter. com) or indicate your interest on your registration form. We regret that we are unable to provide free admission to volunteers.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Ramada Hotel, 1818 Victoria Ave. Regina, SK 306-569-1666 or www.ramada.com/Ramada/control/Booking/property_ info?propertyId=11851

Parking For Hotel Guests

Parking is free at the meters on Saturday and, for those staying at the hotel, available in the hotel parkade. More details available at registration. JULy/AUGUST 2011

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Writers’ Coalition Program Jason Saulay Writers’ Coalition If you are not familiar with us, we are an insurance program designed exclusively by and for writers. We are offering our program to writing organizations so that they are able to offer benefits (health, dental and prescription drug) to their membership. We are expecting very big things of the program this year by the support of organizations such as the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild. This brings a total of 28 participating organizations and counting in the program! The program has caught the eye of other artistic organizations wanting to be part of this so we will soon be offering a new program to facilitate these organizations as well. The program is underwritten by Actra Fraternal Benefit Society (a not-for-profit insurer of actors and screenwriters in Canada). We would love to have the support of your organization and welcome the opportunity to offer benefits to your membership! If you would like to find out more please feel free to give me a call at 1-800-387-8897 x256.

Despite the old adage that suggests the pen is mightier than the sword, writing isn’t usually considered to be an activity that may be hazardous to a person’s health – certainly less so than fencing, for example. That is unless you are a professional writer in which case, until now, the pursuit of your career often has come at the expense of the good health of you and your family. “A lot of famous older writers can’t pay their rent, let alone their drug and dental bills,” says Susan Swan, the author of The Wives of Bath and What Casanova Told Me. “Far from the ‘Hollywood’ image most people have of writers, the reality is that money is always tight for the overwhelming majority of writers.” Poor health care is one result of that tight money. Quite simply, self-employed writers, poets, editors, translators and others have rarely been able to afford the insured benefits packages that most salaried employees take for granted. On average, for example, a Canadian writer makes only between $18,000 and $22,000 per year from his or her writing, according to Statistics Canada. In 2005, about 3,000 Canadian authors, or 11 per cent of the 27,500 people who identified themselves as either self-employed or salaried

writers, reported no earnings at all from their writing. And in 2006, almost 40 per cent of freelance writers for magazines earned less than $10,000.

Writers no longer need to write off their own health care Participating organizations: • Canadian Media Guild • Canadian Science Writers’ Association • Quebec Writers’ Federation Speculative Fiction Canada • Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick • Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia • Outdoor Writers’ of Canada • CANSCAIP We also have the support of: • Calgary Spoken Word Festival • Calgary WordFest • Thin Air - Winnipeg International Writers’ Festival • Ottawa International Writers’ Festival • Kingston Writersfest • Vancouver International Writers Festival • IOFA and Harbourfront Reading Series

Features of the Program: • You are eligible if you are associated with a Participating Organization through membership or employment. • There is no medical required to join. • You can pay the premiums monthly or annually. The premium is less than you can get elsewhere for comparable coverage. Coverage increases in years 2 and 3. • You may insure your eligible dependants for coverage (your spouse and eligible dependant children under age 18 or under 26 if still in school). • Your coverage becomes effective the first day of the month after AFBS approves your completed Enrolment Form and premium payment. • Your Benefit Year runs for 12 months from the effective date of your coverage. • You will receive a Claim Card with a unique AFBS member account number. Using this card, many prescriptions and dental claims can be processed immediately from the pharmacy or dental office.

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EVENTS Eastend Hosts “Writing People” August 19 & 20. Authors Arthur Slade and Candace Savage will present readings from their work at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, at Eastend United Church. Writing workshops 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 with a Showcase Reading for workshop participants at 7 p.m., at Eastend United Church. All events are free, but preregistration is required for workshops and Showcase Reading. For more information or to register, please contact Mary at 295 3673, stratfordthomson@sasktel. net

Spring Volume Seven, October 2011 NEW WORK FROM EMERGING SASKATCHEWAN WRITERS Spring editors have selected the very best in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction from Saskatchewan residents or members of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild

Join us for the launch and reception Thursday, October 13, 7:30 p.m. at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Centre, 1818 Victoria Avenue (the venue for the SWG Conference) Hosted by Managing Editor Mari-Lou Rowley

There Ought To Be A Law By Kay Parley

t wasn’t bad enough that film producers began to insert modern-day characters into pictures like Titanic, thereby giving the impression that the youth of the early 20th century were as committed to female sexual emancipation, for instance, as some mis-guided co-ed of 2011. Now writers are into the act, turning classic literature into trash. The first I heard of this was when a new version of Mark Twain’s work released, changing the word “nigger” to “slave”. Okay, so “nigger” is offensive now. That’s what usage does to a word. In the beginning, it was simply a derivation of the word “negro” subjected to the kind of slurring typical of the southern tongue. It was only the long association with word “slave” and the fact that slaves were looked upon as not much higher on the social scale than work horses, that the word took on such bad connotations. That’s history. What is more, Do I sound Twain was actually an abolitionist who wanted an end to disgusted? I slavery. Anyone who has read hope so. Huckleberry Finn would know that. Regardless of whether the term was good or bad in the 19th century, the fact remains that the books are history and it is a serious mistake to distort history, to give young people the idea that people in the real past were all wrong and we have nothing to learn from them at all. That is not true. A period in history is a reality, a working whole that included family, political, economic, and religious institutions and a whole host of norms and customs by which the people lived. Cultures differed, but to understand any one of those cultures we have to have a window into the past that is honest and fair. The great books of fiction gave us that window. To shatter it is the biggest mistake creative’s have made yet.

As if the distortion of Tom Sawyer’s world wasn’t bad enough, now they’ve started on Jane Austen and Emily Bronte. They seem to think it is simply fun-and-games to turn a character like Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice into a hot-blooded feminist with wanton desires. Introduce eroticism into Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights? Apparently today’s writers and publishers of the “romantic” ilk have become calloused they can’t even recognize the fact that Wuthering Heights already vibrated with sexuality. The fact that it was repressed only heightened the tensions. Repression is like that, and the people of the 19th century were repressed. Nobody can change that history by re-writing the best books which gave an honest picture of that time. It’s wrong to recontinued page 24

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write history. History is fact. Distortion of the history is lies, and lies are untruths. I still remember how strange it was to me to read The Mill on the Floss and realize that Maggie’s world was so extremely different from mine, but it would never have occurred to me to want to rewrite the book and put Maggie into Indian Head in the 1930s. What could anyone learn from that? There has to be a reason why these mis-guided writers and these even more misguided publishers are “transforming” the classics these days. The obvious reason is they see a new way to make money and money, of course, is now “god”. There may be another reason. They are

probably running out of ideas of their own, so why not steal from the great creative writers of the past and jazz them up a bit, make them attractive to the kind of young people who take drugs and sleep around? Let’s “modernize” the 19th century. Easy way to make a buck. Do I sound disgusted? I hope so. As an historian who has studied sociology and knows how the many threads of a culture enmesh at any point in history, this distortion is a horrendous error and it should definitely be illegal. If those classic writers were alive today they would be able to sue, but apparently we have no laws whereby someone can sue in their name. We should rectify that.

To change a writer’s book is the same thing as deliberately mis-quoting a speaker or falsifying an interview. It’s libel. It was my understanding that when a work was in the public domain we were free to quote freely from it. I didn’t know it meant we could misquote freely from it. Nobody can change the realities of the past by telling distorted fibs, but they can get a lot of young people very missed up in their view of the past. This latest game is not just a crime against writers, it’s a crime against history. Meantime we can all help by refusing to buy these newly reviewed books.

DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS DIVERSE VOICES The WGC Presents…

THE BELL MEDIA DIVERSE SCREENWRITERS PROGRAM Are you an early-career writer from a diverse background? Need help getting your foot in the door? The Bell Media Diverse Screenwriters Program is designed to help writers hone their craft and polish the pitch materials they need as their calling card to the TV industry. And one writer from each session will be selected for a paid internship on a Bell Media TV series. The Bell Media Diverse Screenwriters program includes a one-week intensive television-training workshop followed by mentoring with a professional writer. Western Canada Deadline – Sept. 6, 2011 (December program in Vancouver) Eligibility & Application details at www.wgc.ca

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Speaking from the Heart Ryshia Kennie on receiving the City of Regina Writing Award, 2011

The 2011 City of Regina Writing Award was given to Ryshia Kennie. This $4,000 award for literary merit in creative writing is designed to enable one local writer to work on a specific solo writing project for a three-month period. The program is funded by a generous grant from the City of Regina Arts Commission. Runners-up for the Award were B.D. Miller and Bruce Rice.

What does it mean to you as an author to receive the City of Regina Writing Award? It was an honour to be acknowledged for my writing, concrete evidence that this work has validity in this time and place in our culture. More importantly, it’s a validation of me as a writer. The City of Regina Writing Awards has been given annually since 1980. Many genres have been represented but we believe this is the first time a romance novel has been recognized. I was thrilled both as an author and an author of romantic fiction. From the classic Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice to the modern novel and long before – romance has permeated fiction. Yet it seems to be the genre with the most preconceived notions. Romance leaves its

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imprint on horror, fantasy, suspense. Nothing is off limits – there’s only one rule or the formula if you will, the story must end happily, the romance must succeed. So this Award gives another stamp of legitimacy to a genre which is long overdue. How did you gravitate to romance novel writing? Was it pure business, perceiving a need or did you truly follow your heart? I’ve always loved the happily ever after of romance. When I was a child I loved L.M. Montgomery. Jane of Lantern Hill where a divorced couples’ love is reignited by their child’s creative scheme. Anne of Green Gables and the sequels, of course turn out romantically happily for Anne. And who couldn’t love the Sound of Music?

Ryshia Kennie is the author of two published romances. The magic of the prairies influenced her first book, From the Dust. Her second book, Ring of Desire, was set with a hint of magic, in medieval England. While she still loves history, her novels now focus on romantic suspense where her travels allow her to place the action in all sorts of exotic locales. She strongly supports the romance genre from virtual hosting to mentoring.

When will Absolute Zero be published and available? Absolute Zero will be finished and in my agent’s hands before the end of the year. Decisions regarding publication can take anywhere from months to years. But because I’m not sending this book to a known publisher there’s no way to say when it will be published as the process is dependent on the publisher who finally accepts Absolute Zero.

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The Space-Time Continuum By Edward Willett

hey’ve become a fixture at science fiction conventions: people wearing goggles, leather coats, high laced boots and aviator caps, carrying strange devices of glass, brass and leather. They look old-fashioned and futuristic at the same time. They’re aficionados of a sub-genre of science fiction and fantasy known as steampunk, one of the odder sub-genres to come along in a while...and one that has proven remarkably longlived. Way back in the 1980s, the hot movement in SF was cyberpunk, of whom Canada’s own William Gibson was one of the top practitioners. Cyberpunk was all about techsavvy geeks in mirror shades hacking and surfing computer networks. Steampunk has pretty much nothing in common with it—except for the name, coined by science fiction K.W. Jeter. According to Wikipedia (a source I consider suspect for a lot of things, but not when it comes to geek history; there are an astonishing 71 references listed for the article on steampunk, a good place to start if you really want to steep yourself in the subject), Jeter wanted a general term for four novels that all took place in a 19th-century setting and imitated the conventions of the SF writers of that century, such as H.G. Wells

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and Jules Verne: The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers, Homunculus by James Blaylock, and Jeter’s own Morlock Night and Infernal Devices.

tricks and gadgets and facing villains similarly equipped.)

These days, “steampunk” covers a lot of ground. There’s historical steampunk, set in a In a letter to Locus (the scirecognizable historical period ence fiction newsmagazine), (or alternate version thereof), Jeter wrote, “Personally, I typically post-Industrial Revothink Victorian fantasies are lution but pre-electricity, regoing to be the next big thing, sulting in lots of steam-powas long as we can come ered or clockwork gadgets. up with a fitting collective There’s also fantasy steamterm...something based on punk, which incorporates, not just old-fashioned technology, but elements of magAnd let’s face it, ic. (Jeter’s own Night is airships goggles Morlock about an attempt by Merlin to bring . back King Arthur to save 1892 Britain from an the appropriate technology invasion by the Morlocks of of the era; like ‘steampunks,’ H.G. Wells’s The Time Maperhaps...” chine future.)

& are cool

His prediction proved perceptive: in 1990 William Gibson turned from cyberpunk to steampunk with The Difference Engine, written with Bruce Sterling, about an alternate Victorian era in which the steam-powered mechanical computer proposed by Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage was actually built, and ushered in the information age a century early. (Not that any of those novels were the first example of the sub-genre. There were numerous novels with steampunkish elements before those, and who can forget the 1960s CBS TV series The Wild Wild West, featuring U.S. secret agent Jim West as a “James Bond on horseback,” armed with all kinds of technological

A third sub-sub-genre is future steampunk: stories set in the future whose technology developed in a different way, one that involves a lot more brass and rivets. (And airships! Nothing says steampunk like airships.) Then there’s the sub-sub (possibly sub-sub-sub) genre of “gaslight romance” or “gaslight fantasy,” which tend more toward the supernatural, drawing inspiration from Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Jack the Ripper, and so forth. What’s striking about steampunk is its staying power. Although we live in a cyberpunkish world, where anonymous hacking groups regularly steal data, as a sub-genre

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cyberpunk is stuck on the blue screen of death, while steampunk chugs along undaunted. The reasons for that formed the subject of a recent “Mind Meld” at SF Signal, a website that regularly asks writers and critics to answer questions on SF-related topics. Jeff Vandermeer, an editor and author who rarely writes steampunk himself but writes about it quite a bit, gave what I thought the best explanation: steampunk persists because it has become its own sub-culture, focused not just on fiction but on the aesthetic as a whole (hence those costumers mentioned at the beginning of the column).

pressure, the subculture stokes the fires again, so that, as Vandermeer writes, “The subculture reanimates the impulse to create steampunk fiction, the fiction energizes the subculture.”

publishers, or even through indie publishers...It isn’t the bleeding edge in terms of innovation in fiction by any means, but it is in general practical, more and more progressive, durable, and beautiful.”

The cross-pollination among websites, books, magazines, artists, sculptors and costumers creates an atmosphere in which “steampunk” books sell well...which encourages publishers to publish more steampunk books.

And let’s face it, airships and goggles are cool. Which is why I have both in my next book, Magebane, even though it’s fantasy, not science fiction.

The result, Vandermeer says, is that “Steampunk is rapidly creating a safe haven for very, very interesting material that might not otherwise enter the world through commercial

When the boilers of steampunk fiction begin to lose

THE TERRY FOX RUN Regina 2011

What can I say? Steampunk is in the air, and even I am not immune. edwardwillett.com My new young adult novel: Song of the Sword (Book 1 of The Shards of Excalibur) (Lobster Press)

is creating a database of professional services for our members. We would like your assistance in gathering pertinent contacts in businesses and services that have experience and are knowledgeable working specifically in the literary arts that other members could access as needed. Your recommendations would be appreciated. Please advise us of those you have felt confident with, who are astute in the literary arts and from whom you have benefited. We will contact them to see if they would be willing to accept being part of our professional resource database and if they are open to new clients.

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In particular we are seeking those in the business services of accounting & income tax, and legal issues (such as contracts for writers). If there are additional services you feel other members would benefit from, we’re open to hearing about them as well. Please contact: Milena at SWG info@ skwriter.com Please note: Arrangements made through this resource are the responsibility between individuals and the service provider.

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Self-Publishing: To Do or Not To Do (With Apologies to Shakespeare) Marion Mutala

aking the plunge into self-publishing can be a scary process, especially if you do not do your homework. After receiving my fair share of rejection letters, I decided that I was not getting any younger, had a great marketable story, and so decided to somersault into selfpublishing. Flying forward into the dive at the age of 53, I was amazed to find the water is just fine! Since my book launch on October 15, 2010, it’s been a remarkable dip, a refreshing experience with the fruits of my labours blessed by amazing book signings, readings, interviews and meeting many super, supportive people. This is all part of the package that can go with self-publishing: a best-selling (2,500 copies), number one (McNally Robinson, 2010); award-winning (Anne Pidruchney Award) children’s picture book that is now in its second printing. For me, it has been well worth the swim, the money involved (my children’s inheritance!), and all the time and effort. However, the success, I achieved on my first book was no accident. I did do my homework and dove into the process of self-publishing with great preparation and investigation. I tried to achieve a well-researched, marketable product with Olympic style.

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I did not just enter the water nesses that offer help, and blindly, though, but put real compare costs, time and the effort into making my book information that the self-pubthe best it could possibly be lishing company handles for before it came out. I started you before, during and after this process with an idea six the process. It is vital to find years ago. I did the research out what, exactly, the selfnecessary to build a marketpublishing company will help able product and compared you with and what you are costs and information on responsible for before writself-publishing companies. ing a cheque. If you are really I found an excellent illustrabrave, you can even work tor to help directly with tell my a printer and Find a story story and do the entire idea that not was selfself-publishing promoting experience all only interests both before by yourself. you, but creates and after some magic. my book I did not choose launch. My to do the selfsuccess publishing book was based on many factors experience myself, rather I that worked for me. I would investigated reputable selflike to share them with you publishing companies both so perhaps you might gain online and in Saskatchewan. insight into the self-publishThroughout this process, I ing world should you dare to discovered a gem of a comventure down “the road less pany. travelled” speaking from Robert Frost. There are important I chose Heather Nickel at decisions to make and things Your Nickel’s Worth Publishyou can do that might make ing Company in Regina. This the experience easier, and turned out to be the best help to create a better, more decision for me. Heather marketable book should you has 13 years experience in decide to embark on the path assisting authors and artof self-publishing. ists. She is professional, has self-published 62 books, is Technology is changing, rapknowledgeable, insightful, idly. It is important to underand is very well liked by the stand that this phenomenon bookstores she arranges to creates a need for tools to sell your book in like Chapwork smarter and not harder ters/Indigo/Coles and McNalin order to survive in the ly Robinson. 21st century. The same holds true in the self-publishing Together, Heather and I, world. There are important along with Wendy Siemens, things you need to know to my illustrator, created a final produce a successful book. product, that, in my opinion, My advice to you is do your is exceptional and comparahomework. Check out the ble to books produced by any many self-publishing busimajor publishing company

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out there. In the end, that is what really matters if you are interested in selling books. It is important to have a marketable product/book that people want to buy. My historical fiction children’s book Baba’s Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Christmas is the story of Natalia, a little girl who goes back in time to Ukraine at the turn of the 20th century and meets another little girl, who turns out to be her baba (grandmother). Finding the right artist is another important area of consideration. I was very lucky to find a wonderfully talented illustrator, Wendy Siemens, who can paint both portraits and landscapes. Her illustrations are vital to my story. My pictures had to match the Ukrainian traditions. Wendy used pictures I gave her of my actual family members to illustrate her pictures and the people in the story. Heather had the foresight to photoshop my grandparents’ picture into the photograph on the wall in my story. You’re sometimes advised to write about what you know, about what interests you or about what you are passionate. However, if you can put a twist on your story that makes people want to buy your book and it contains intriguing information, you will have completed a oneand-a-half somersault dive into the water. I was always curious about my roots, my ancestors, my culture and my traditions, and am very passionate about my fam-

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ily. In 2009, my three sisters and I went back to Ukraine to explore our roots on my mother’s side. I had already started the research and the writing of my book before I went to Ukraine, six years prior to self-publishing. Because it is a work of historical fiction, I wanted the Ukrainian traditions to be accurate and consulted many fine people with expertise to ensure the traditions and the spelling of the 27 Ukrainian words used in the book and glossary were exact. The Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper is a beautiful tradition. My late mother, Sophie Mutala, loved these cultural traditions and taught them to me, and they are now preserved for future generations to enjoy, for schools to study and for others to use to learn about Ukrainian culture and immigration to Canada. So don’t be afraid to jump in the water, even if you don’t yet know how to swim. There are experts out there who can help you, if you plan and do your homework. Find a story idea that not only interests you, but creates some magic. Swim in magic! This has been a truly, magical, historical moment in my life and I owe it all to taking the big plunge into self-publishing. Or as Shakespeare might have said “to do and to do.”

aaaaa

Freelance invites you to share your expertise in the craft of writing.

short fiction

Poetry

Historical

Children's

Young Adult

u iScience Fiction

Humour

MYSTERY

Romance

Freelance Writers Wanted! If you would like to speak to your area of expertise in writing, please submit to Freelance – SWG’s bi-monthly members’ magazine. We seek contributors to share knowledge in the craft of writing. Regular rates for contributors apply. Get your musings in to communications@skwriter.com by September 16. If selected, your article will be published in the September-October-November* issue of Freelance – all genres welcome. *note this upcoming issue will span 3 months to accommodate covering the SWG conference

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The Perils of Forgetfullness, the Rewards of Remembrance #3 This is the final in the series of articles based on a new work -in-progress, The Literary History of Saksatchewan, by David Carpenter

he Rapture is coming in two days, and I’m trying to tie up as many loose ends as I can. This is hard to do, because I don’t know if the world is going to catch on fire and all of us die or if there’s just going to be a lot of demons running around. If it’s just demons, then I’ll have more time to catch up on things and maybe watch a few more Stanley Cup games before they start nattering and blowing up stuff, or whatever they do. Or maybe the good souls among us will simply ascend in two days and the rest of us will mill around for a while and hang out before the Apocalypse comes. But how do I know if I’m one of the good ones or one of the bad ones? Is there a website for this stuff? One of my loose ends (I hate clutter) is to write my final report on The Literary History of Saskatchewan for Freelance. Maybe there will be enough of you (or us) milling around next month so that you can all read my last piece here, even if the ones available on Earth to read it will be just the evil ones and the demons. And what would be wrong with that? Evil people and demons can’t spend all the time raising hell. Surely at least some of them hunger

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for a taste of literary history now and then, right? I’ve been thinking about how it all happened. I have a big list of thankyous. I have to start with David Parkinson. David is vice-dean of Humanities & Fine Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, but back in 2006, he was an English Prof on a mission. His department wanted to spearhead an initiative to explore the considerable amount of imaginative writing that has emerged from Saskatchewan. A committee was formed and David was appointed headhunter. I was drinking with David and some of his erudite colleagues, and he waited for the right psychological moment, ie, the moment when, clearly, all my defences were down. There was a lot of noise in the bar, so his proposition sounded like this: How would you like to shmedltysiv a krossenpop of Saskatchewan Literature? I was under the impression (let alone the influence) that every human being in the bar was my best friend and that nothing ill could befall me, and so I said something like, A piece of cake, Parkinson. Before I knew it I had a little office in the U of S library and some boxes of literary research belonging to Bonnie Burnard. Some years before, she had been researching a similar project, but work on her novel, A Good House, had apparently called her away. For his wisdom, tenacity and fidelity to the project, I want

to thank David. For her dilligence in digging into the history of the Guild and interviewing a box full of writers, I thank Bonnie. Before too long this box will go to the Special Collections room at the U of S library. I muddled through the first year as editor of this project seeking about two dozen essayists to do the research and write the essays for the literary history of our province. I was given so much advice on how to accomplish this task that I suffered from an excess of well-meaning wisdom from Parkinson’s committee. Whenever I got bogged down in this information overload, I sought the company (and the scotch) of Len Findlay. He is the consumate intellectual, a man who can wax learnedly on so many subjects that his brain circuitry is currently being studied by a group of neurologists in Heidelberg, the much heralded “Walking Compendium Syndrome” study is even longer than The Literary History of Saskatchewan. When I confided in him that I was awash with conflicting advice, he said, simply, Run the (expletive) project yourself. And so I did. When I needed funding for the early ground work, he went to his Humanities Research Unit and forked over some (expletive) cash. But when I needed a much greater wad of cash to pay the essayists for their work, and I was getting stonewalled by funding agencies over a period of two years, he pointed to the campus admin building and said Send MacKinnon JULy/AUGUST 2011

a (expletive) note and go see him. He meant President Peter MacKinnon. Go and see the President and shake him down for 30 grand. Findlay had clearly mistaken me for a brazen and ballsy empire builder who could sell anything to anyone. Thanking Findley for his wise counsel, as I thank him now, profusely, I looked around for a writer in the academic and the writing communities who carried some whack. Peter Stoicheff, now Dean of Arts & Science, and twice former winner of the Bad Faulkner Contest in Oxford, Mississippi, pointed, as Findlay had done, to the door of an office covered in cartoons from The New Yorker. The door had been painted green and white. The door knob was a miniature pigskin. “Who’s the hell’s in there?” I said, perhaps tremulously. From somewhere in the corridor I heard the strains of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and a waft of cigar smoke drifted up from a crack in the door. “Calder,” said Stoicheff, and his voice echoed Calder ... alder alder alder. For his canny wisdom on this and other questions, I thanked Stoicheff, as I do now. “Don’t thank me yet,” he said, moving swiftly away from Calder’s door. He turned around to face me. “And don’t get him started on the Riders.” And Stoicheff was gone. Calder walks with slow, brutal JULy/AUGUST 2011

authority, like Rocky Marciano. He’s full of advice. If he leads with a question, counter with a quote. If he starts dancing around the subject, cut off the ring and go for the big question.” “The big question?” “Yeah, you know.” “You mean the funding.” He shrugged and fell into thoughtful taciturnity. “But if he starts a sob story about overhead and lousy budget projections, hit him with a bigger sob story. Y’got that?” We walked over to the Admin Building and I knocked on President MacKinnon’s door. He welcomed us in and we sat down by a large window that commanded a view of the campus. We were brought coffee, and Peter smiled and asked me what, exactly, I wanted. I uttered a sentence that contained the words thirty thousand dollars, and launched into an elaborate justification of such a huge amount of-“Sounds like a great idea,” he said. Our heads went up. “Who’s going to write about Vanderhaeghe?” I discovered that Peter Mac Kinnon was, among many other things, an avid reader of Saskatchewan literature. On his many plane trips to conferences, he read Saskatchewan novels. I’m sure when the Rapture comes that he will be ascending. Imagine, a top administrator who reads Saskatchewan fiction. I was speechless with gratitude to

MacKinnon. But Calder was anything but speechless. He wanted to know MacKinnon’s opinion about the Riders’ chances in the fall, and they were off. I owe a debt of thanks to Peter McKinnon and Bob Calder. There were others who helped me put this history together, I mean in addition to the essayists themselves. One of them, Alison Calder (surely no relation to the man with the green and white door) helped to enlist several of my essayists and wrote a zinger of an essay herself. Allison Muri handles our website with so much aplomb that not even the coming Apocalypse would throw her off. Everything I don’t know about computers is her stock in trade. Jeremy Morgan and Joanne Gerber, at the Arts Board, gave me good advice and support, as did the librarians in Special Collections at the U of S. I’ll miss all of you as of this Saturday when we go up in smoke or fly off to Heaven or get nattered at by demons and such. Maybe I’ll see you on the other side. Maybe we can catch a Riders game sometime. Until then ...

David Carpenter

David Carpenter is currently trying to deal with his demons in Saskatoon. Watch for the new paperback edition of David Carpenter’s award-winning memoir, A Hunter’s Confession, due to be released in Canada and the United States this fall. www.dccarpenter.com

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BOOKS by MEMBERS Racing Home by Adele Dueck Coteau Books for Kids

Erik didn’t want to leave his grandfather’s farm in Norway. Didn’t want to lose the memory of his dead father. But his mother’s new husband, Rolf, was determined to take the family to Canada, where they’d be able to afford a farm of their own.

The Books by Members feature is a promotional service for individual Guild members. To let others know about your latest book, send a copy and a description along with a brief autobiographical note. The book will also be displayed in the SWG library.

wegian name means “brave,” and he’s a wonderful runner. Maybe Tapper’s courage and heart will help the people understand each other.

of the Canadian prairie - even though they’ve never lived on a farm. The Reverend Isaac Barr will help them get started. Or so they hope.

Born in Outlook, Saskatchewan, Adele lived in Drake, Lanigan and Saskatoon before moving to Lucky Lake, where she farms with her family.

When their ship leaves England and steams across the ocean, Dorothy knows her life has changed forever. While her family falls victim to seasickness, she explores the decks, meets new friends and finds a freedom she’s never known.

A Barr Colony Adventure Full Steam to Canada by Anne Patton Coteau Books for Kids

Born in Ontario, Anne taught elementary school in Regina for many years, before retirement launched her into a career as a prolific children’s author.

The farm isn’t anything like what they’d imagined. It’s wide-open, unbroken prairie. Erik has to clear land and help build a sod house. It’s a man’s work and Rolf never seems to appreciate it. Something else doesn’t feel right. Rolf’s brother lives close to the nearby town with his son, Olaf. Why does Olaf dislike Rolf?

“A voyage that reawakens us to Canada...”

Erik and Olaf get to know each other when they work to save the life of a badly injured horse: Tapper. The Nor-

It’s 1903 and Dorothy Bolton and her family are sailing to Canada! They plan to become farmers in the middle

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JULy/AUGUST 2011

Markets & Competitions James Lorimer & Company Ltd. currently seeking submissions for its children’s books series. Sports Stories are exciting, plot-driven hi-lo novels with lots of fast-paced sports action. Settings must be Canadian, contemporary, and realistic. Main characters are aged 1214. Hockey, soccer, and basketball stories are in the highest demand. 25,000 words. SideStreets novels are issuebased, high-interest stories for reluctant teen readers. They feature realistic characters, situations, and dialogue, and explore the often difficult feelings and situations faced by contemporary Canadian teens. 30,000 words. www.lorimer.ca Mail query letter, summary, author bio, and manuscript to: Children’s Book Editor James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers 317 Adelaide Street West, Suite 1002 Toronto, ON M5V 1P9 Include SASE for return of material. Allow 12-16 weeks for a response. l Deadline: register now! 34th Annual International 3-day novel contest Labour Day Weekend Sept. 3-5. Grand Prize: publication Summer 2012, 2nd prize: $500, 3rd prize: $100. Find contest history, FAQs, full rules and registration info at www.3daynovel. com or Email info@3daynovel. com

JULy/AUGUST 2011

Inclusion in the Markets & Competitions listing is not an endorsement of any contest, market, event or otherwise. This is only an informational resource. We encourage all readers to thoroughly investigate all contests or markets before submitting their work.

l Deadline: August 31

l Deadlines: November 30

Room (Canada’s oldest literary magazine by & about women) PO Box 46160 Stn D, Vancouver BC V6J 5G5 www. roommagazine.com Room celebrates its 35th volume in 2012. The anniversary issue has the theme journey. Looking for quality writing and art images that reflect all aspects of journeying - the milestones and lessons, the vehicles & companions, the maps & misadventures. Pays $50 for 1-5 published pages $75 for 6+ pages and $100 for cover art.

The Battlefords Community Players - looking for scripts for annual On the Rivers Edge Festival to be held Feb 2012. Preference given to SK Playwrights. Short one-acts of less than 30 minutes that require six or fewer actors. $50 for scripts plus 2 tickets for the playwright and guest. Submit to array@sasktel.net ; include a letter giving the BCP performance and copying rights. Roy J Challis 9038 -16th Ave. North Battleford, SK S9A 2T7 306-445-5102

l Deadline: November 3 TWUC Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers: SPC Competition. The Writers Union of Canada, 90 Richmond St. E. Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5C 1P1 www.writersunion. ca $2,500 Prize Winner and finalists will have their stories submitted to three Canadian magazine publishers for consideration. Entry fee $25 per entry. Open to writers who have not been published in book format in any genre and who do not have a contract with a book publisher. Nonfiction and fiction prose, up to 2,500 words. l Deadline: November 30 PRISM international www. prismmagazine.ca Literary nonfiction contest. 1st prize $1500; entry fee $28 for 1 story, $7 for ea. additional piece. Short fiction 1st $2000. Two runner-up prizes of $200 each; entry fee $28 for 1 story, $7 for ea. additional piece (deadline Jan 27, 2012) Poetry contest 1st prize $1000 2 runner-up prizes of $300 & $200; entry fee $28 for 3 poems, $7 for ea. additional poem (deadline Jan. 27, 2012).

Prairie Fire 2011 Annual Writing Contests: 423-100 Arthur St. Wpg, MB R3B 1H3 www. prairiefire.ca The Banff Centre Bliss Carman Poetry Award, up to 3 poems per entry, max. 150 lines per entry. Short fiction - 1 story per entry, max. 10,000 words. Creative Non-fiction - 1 essay per entry, max. 5,000 words. Contest winners and honourable mentions will be published. Entry fee $32 (includes subscription to mag). Prizes in each category: 1st $1,250, 2nd $500, 3rd $250.

Freelance Advertising Rates Freelance accepts classified and display ads at the following rates: Display ads: Full page: $150 1/2 Page: $100 1/4 page: $50 business card: $35 (add gst to above rates; SWG members pay 75% of above rates) FREELANCE

W ELCOME NEW MEMBERS

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THE

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Aksomitis, Linda Armstrong, William Baker, Brenda Biasotto, Linda Dean, Jeanette Edlund, Merill Ehman, Amy Jo Fahlman, Jean Givner, Joan Goertzen, Glenda Gossner, Carol Grandel, Loaine Guymer, Myrna Halsband, Ilonka Hamilton, Sharon Heagy, Sharon Husband, Carol & John Lonsdale, Margaret Martin, Miriam Popp, Muriel Rae, Annie Schwier, Karin St George, Marie Elsie Tesar, Erica Traquair, Morgan Trussler, Michael Wardill, William

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