MARCH 1987|THE FEDERATTON OF BRrrrSH COLUMBTA WRTTERS NEWSLETTER
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 24624, Stn. C, Vancouver, 8.C., V5T 4E2
Office Address:
Ste. 706, 402 West Pender St., Yancouver, B.C., V6B Phone Number: 683-2057
lT6
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
I am having a bit of a problem writing this
particular report. It's my last one and it would be easy either to start patting myself on the back or get mushy. Bearing that in mind, I'll let others pen the paeans while I try to stick with the facts.
Granted that my metaphors tend to be somewhat strained, but under the pressure of time it's the best I can do. Hopefully my successor will improve them as well as the work of the Federation. Goodbye AGM.
for now; hope to see lots of you at the
The plain fact is that I've enjoyed tremendously my
Cheers,
work with the Federation during these past two years. Aside fron the satisfaction of seeing us
grow, there seemed to be an unusual purpose and organization to my life which may be hard to duplicate in the future. Of course there were the
frustrations, time constraints and sometimes inability to concentrate on rny writing. But the good times invariably outweighed the bad ones.
Five years ago several of us got together to found an organization which would represent all the writers in this province. With something like 300 members at present we haven't done that badly. We also have the full support of the provincial government now - something that wasn't too clearly indicated during the first two years. Most of all, however, the Federation is now truly provincial in scope. There are representatives in place in most regions who receive minutes of Provincial Council meetings and are encouraged by
monthly phone calls
to voice their concerns.
Granted that their physical presence at the meetings would be preferable, but the Federation's budget still isn't quite sturdy enough for that.
I am trying to say is that the bones of the Federation's skeleton are all pretty much in place. From now on it will be up to the I
guess what
membership and succeeding Provincial Councils to decide whether there will be some meat on it, or whether its main function will consist of rattling in the closet.
Jan Drabek
NOTES FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Happy to meet you "in paper" and soon, I hope,'in person" at the AGM! It has been just over four months since I joined the Federation as Executive Director and I must say, they have been four
months
of very
intense
activity. For
an
organization that only has three days of paid staff (two for me and one for our Office Manager & Membership Chairman Doug Third), we seem to be operating at full tilt! This is of course a mixed blessing: it reflects our vitality and our frustrations. Receiving our first Operational Grant from the Cultural Service Branch has been absolutely key in stabilizing the Federation's day-to-day ability to meet our commitments. Our outreach efforts in the last few months however, have been foiled. The Koerner Foundation decreased our grant substantially for the Outreach Workshops. This reflects their tendency not to fund the same project for three years. This year we have been successful in obtaining a National Book Festival grant, nBooks Alive", which will send writers into retirement centres, extended care units in hospitals and children's hospitals for readings. We're delighted at receiving this grant but frustrated that the budget was curtailed. We have been advised to focus on the Lower Mainland region (readings had been set up throughout the province). If "Books Alive" is a success, the NBF will consider funding cross-
2
province readings next year. We are determined to continue asserting province-wide needs for funding, so keep envisaging it!
Another delight is our new office at 402 West Pender St., Suite #706. Thanks to Doug Third's efforts, we have risen out of our darkened closet on Granville to the 7th floor, with an exquisite view of Mount Baker and surrounding range! We also have more space (for the same price) and imagine sharing the space with another writers' organization in the future. Phone us and arrange for a visit and viewing. We are in the office part of Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Our constitution is also undergoing some changes in
Everyone's image of the membership chair is a frustrated soul, alternately pleading and ranting, trying to get dues paid and mailing updated lists. I hope to ameliorate this image a little by thanking the members who have responded with little, or no, urging.
I've received dues from 23 new members and 103 current members. I anticipate the remainder of our current members will spring to life just like our daffodils and crocus blossoms in this favourable weather. Keep those cards, dues and letters coming. That's all I ask for now.
wording which will increase our chances of receiving charitable status. Keep an eye out for the changes which we hope to mail to you prior to the AGM. Discussion and voting on the suggested changes will occur at the AGM. Other news is that we have called a meeting of all the province-wide writers' organization reps to discuss our proposal for promoting writers in the schools visits which we will be making to the Cultural Services Branch in May. At this meeting we will also discuss strategies for the visit of the Canada Council Board in May. This is an unprecedented visit for which we want to be well prepared to make an irresistible case for the continual need to sustain (and in some areas to expand) funding for writers and publishers in B.C.
A particular writer we want to say farewell to is
Margaret Laurence, who died this past January. Though she is no longer with us, her early work in the Writers' Union of Canada and her books carry on. Through her work, the spirit of this remarkable writer is still very much with us.
I
would also like to express my appreciation to
Sheena Ashdown, Erica Hendry and Pam
Tranfield, the organizing committee for this year's reading series. I have so enjoyed their ideas and energy and look forward to working with more of you through committees in the future. I would also like to thank Jan Drabek, who will be completing his term as Chair at the AGM. Yes, a standing ovation for Jan, and his commitment, vision and humour! The Federation has grown in leaps and bounds in these past couple of years and Jan has had no small part in this. Thanks Jan.
Betsy Warland
Doug Third NEW MEMBERS
Marnie Andersen Millar Bell Hildegard Boenisch Margaret Campbell Earl Cooper Louretta Frolek Gillian Harding-Russell Katie Hill Samuel
Jan Hudson
Linda Johnson
Tofino Mission Kelowna North Vancouver Campbell River Vancouver Surrey Yancouver Vancouver Aldergrove
Sandi Johnson
Ganges
Michael Jones Brigitte Knaake Niall McArthur Sherrill Maclaren Maureen McEvoy
Surrey Okanagan Mission Prince George Vancouver Coquitlam Duncan Vancouver Prince George Vancouver Penticton Vancouver
Jackson Payne
Elizabeth Pratt-Johnson Marcia Risling .Sylvia Shirran J. Alvin Speers Mrs. G. Totz Mrs. E. Turin
Tsawwassen
GOALS FOR THE FEDERATION As we approach the AGM in April, the Provincial Council has taken a bit of time to reflect on what our possible goals might be for the upcoming year. Below you will find a list from that brainstorming session. What we need to know from you is which goals you see as most important and also if there are any goals we may have overlooked. We really need your input so give it some thought and come
3
to the AGM prepared for a discussion. If you are unable to attend the AGM, cut out this list and circle the six goals you think are priorities and mail them in before April l8th. If you have a goal which does not appear in this list, write it in.
l)
2) 3)
Drive to broaden the membership base and to solicit more memberships from our wellknown writers.
l3)
That the Federation act as a coordinating body for all other province-wide writers, organizations, and to that end, call the necessary meetings to clarify and organize the areas on which we can work together.
That the Federation obtain a charitable status which would enable Foundation funding and tax deductible membership dues.
14)
That the Provincial Council and Executive Director work to generate more committee activity among the membership.
That the Provincial Council investigate how the Federation can develop more regional activity and involvement. This might also be discussed at the AGM.
l5)
That the Federation design and obtain funding for a project which will bring writers into the schools for paid readings,
That the Federation investigate how to set up Provincial Arts Grants to individual artists (writers).
16) That the Federation
investigate how the Province might provide grants for our senior artists (writers).
lectures and workshops.
4)
That the Federation keep an updated file on all current workshops, schools, conferences and other related professional organizations
and their activities and function as
a
referral service. 5)
That the Federation expand the newsletter to a bi-monthly publication.
6)
That the Federation continue to conduct
17)
That the newsletter run a series of profiles on writers.
18)
See below "Some Thoughts
on the AGM
Formatn.
19)
Other suggested goals
more Outreach Workshops. 7)
That the Federation host a B.C. poetry Competition judged by well-known B.C. poets. An entry fee could be charged per poem which could generate funds to publish
the winning poems. 8)
That the Federation host a B.C. Short Story Competition (organized on the model above).
e)
That the Federation host a General Writing Competition for B.C. (organized on the model in +7).
l0)
That the Federation use the AGM weekend to conduct several workshops for attending writers.
I
l)
t2)
That the Federation develop a Promotional Kit for Regional Reps which would include articles, news releases, who-to-approach, how-to-approach ideas, etc. That the Federation conduct a Membership
Some Thouehts on the
AGM Format
There has been, over a period of time, a desire by the members in the more distant areas of the province to be more involved in Federation matters, and to hold an AGM outside of the Lower Mainland.
This undercurrent enthusiasm is the chemistry the Federation needs for positive growth. Satisfying this desire does need consideration from many angles, and a rational perspective. Starting with regional distribution, the members by region present the following profile.
Regionl23456 Member l8 12 6 (as
l0 154 64
of mid-November)
It may stir different reactions on first impressions, but one obvious conclusion is that an AGM held a long distance from Yancouver would not likely have a large attendance, something for which the Council
4
needs
to get the optimum
members.
feedback from its
Another reaction is that regional boundaries can be altered to accommodate the desire stated above. This step n ly and caution applied, I the regional boundari the member and (2) altering the i ditional work correcting p other activities. Perhaps the best alternative is to try different meeting formats. Every third year the AGM could be held on Yancouver Island at a central point like Nanaimo, which favors access of Island members both North embers i 2,3, and 4, (a) just just beforer would a members to travel to a regional venue, and receive useful input to either (a) reinforce AGM decisions, or (b) add to AGM discussions.
The venue
hero-a the lights, Writer to unite into one voice, represent vibrant forces of human values in a rapidly-spinning technological society.
to
of this satellite-AcM could alternate
Beyond the personallinks of such groups emerge movers and shakers t these writer communi t the past and present
C
d
Directors, Trevor and Betsy, deserve this
recognition.
While some writer groups guard
their
independence fiercely, the benefits of cooperation by all B.C. writers need to be recognized. As an example, Jan Drabek and Betsy Warland met with
government officials on the Writers-in-Schools program. Funds exist in the current Artists-inSchools grants, but the number of Federation members is not enough to direct these funds effectively to help writers. The whole program would develop substance, and be more defined,
all writers in B.C. were represented.
A stout challenge, perhaps, but the kind of crusade to which we should pay heed, and provide support, for the movers and the shakers.
In the after" consid and (2
radical proposals uenced by Lower o points are only urse.
I
See
It ---
The following statements are merely
Doug Third Membership Chairman MESSAGE FROM WINONA BAKER
Hello from Vancouver Island. I'd like to introduce myself: Winona Baker, clothed and (I hope) in my right mind, your Coastal and Islands' Rep.
Douglas G. Third Membership Chairman
As
if
my
observations derived from my many "arms length" contacts with our members and associated groups.
May I be forgiven if I but poorly state what amounts to a growing respect for the writers struggling for recognition in British Columbia:
A group of writers is a unique community of sensitive, creative individuals bonded by their desire to exchange ideas, to exhibit skills, and to learn new techniques. Writers who consider themselves average, or less-than-average, pay a
The job is new and interesting. I've met several writers of the area, members and non-members of the FBCW; if we haven't met let's hope we do somewhere, sometime this year. Our locale seems to attract pen-pushers of all genres, some who do quite well financially, some who just do. Poetry is mostly what I published in 86, plus some short humour and other non-fiction. I attended the International Haiku Symposium at UBC in June, and met Japanese and English haikuists. Even pouring
rain didn't dampen my delight at receiving SHIKISHI for my submitted haiku in English.
a
Then there was being one of the poetry winners in
5
Best of . . . and attending the Awards evening, plus Twigg's Van. Lit Tour. I belong to a local writers group, some of whom are Feders also. I've had people say there's no group in my area / the group's too expensive or professional where I livean excuse. Start one! a notice in the laundromat, library, college in area, etc. Even four or five people will do.
I've been asked to be on a three-person panel in February at the local University Women's Club meeting to talk about the Federation and publishing poetry.
Mornings I like to write, but if I can help, phone afternoons, even ll:00 - ll:30 at nights if it's long distance and you want the cheap rates. Good writing. Win
GENERAL NEWS AND INFORMATION
A re-reminder! International P.E.N. invites your participation. Become
a
member. For details write:
Greg Gatenby, Membership Committee, International
P.E.N., 24 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T
various literary magazines and aired on CBC
Anthology.
Nanaimo Writer's Grouo
Our group has been active for about 6 years. We meet at Nanaimo Parks and Recreation Centre, 500 Bowen Road, Games Room l, from I l:30 - l:00 every second and fourth Thursday of the month. Everyone is welcome, we're not ageist, sexist, educationist, publicationist. Though notenamoured of rules and regulations we try: l. to stay on the subject - writing 2. to bring typed and xeroxed copies of our work in progress for criticism 3. to contribute to the announcements period with news ofi contests or other markets, magazines folding/starting up, books on the craft, readings at libraries, bookstores, colleges, etc. 4. to share our subscriptions, buy as many literary magazines and books as our budgets allow - if we don't support the trade who will? The age goes from early 20's to pushing 80 and our members range from unpublished to book people and contest winners. Some have gone to jobs elsewhere or moved, currently there are about ten regulars. We rotate the chairperson's job and the role of
contact
2P3.
person. Our current contact Vi - Winona Baker.
Henderson, 758-7952.
of you may have received invitations from the American Poetry Association to submit entries to a no-fee poetry contest. A word of warning: while the association does apparently award the advertised prizes, it is a vanity-type operation, which accepts practically every poem submitted. The poems are published in an expensive anthology, which you are then invited to purchase (with extras for friends and relatives). In short, don't expect free author's copies, or bookstore and library distribution. Some
News Item from Paris
Emily Sion gave a poetry reading at
the
in December '86. This bookstore is on the Seine, kitty-cornered to Notre Dame. It was the focal point of the Lost Generation of writers between the wars. There, the
ZoeLandale, our Lower Mainland Representative has arranged for Corporate Rates for members of the Federation at the Abbotsford Hotel, 921 West Pender Street, Vancouver (Tel. 681-4335). Corporate Rates represent about a 25% reduction off regular rates. Rates until April 30th and beginning October I - December 31, 1987 are: $38.00 for a Single and $55.00 for a Double.
Writers' Tax Guidelines
Shakespeare and Company bookstore,
owner, Sylvia Beach, helped James Joyce to publish Ulysses. The present owner carries on the tradition of helping English speaking writers. This bookstore was the model used for the Literary Store Front that Mona Fertig started in Vancouver. Emily Sion is a Vancouver poet and a member of the Federation. She has had her poems published in
Revenue Canada has issued a new bulletin for Visual
Artists and Writers, IT-504, March 17, 1986. It covers changes made to this section of the Income Tax Act in 1985, after the battle between the tax department and Toni Onley. Included are guidelines as to when Revenue Canada considers a writer to
be carrying on a bona fide business. Phone for a copy.
Revenue Canada Taxation and ask
6
Canada Council
Has regained permission to receive collect calls. For information on grants and funding, call 613598-4366. General information number is 613-5984365. (Noted in Earthlink, May 1986.) The Canadian Poetrv Association
is building a network to advance poetry and to share visions of what it can become. It has seven
regional groups and the membership fee is $10.- a year. If you are interested in screening selected films and videos, planning readings or discussing individual arrangements, get in touch. Contact Kt. Eliot, #103,4386 West lOth Avenue, Yancouver, B.C. V6R 2H7, Phone No. (604) 222-2170.
Betsy is looking for an Executive Director's Apprentice. This is an ideal training situation for someone who wants to get back into the job market with expanded skills and experience. You would need to make a commitment of one day a week (volunteer time) for 6 to 8 months. Time flexible and some work can be done at home. Commitment crucial for training to be worthwhile for both you and Betsy. For further information call the Federation office at 683-2057 and leave a message saying that you would like to speak to Betsy. Must
be living in the Vancouver area.
Don't Tax Readine Campaien
The Association of Canadian Publishers,
the Canadian Booksellers Association, the Canadian Book
Publishers' Council, and the Canadian Periodical Publishers' Association have formed an industry coalition to defend the stability of the economic environment for Canada's books and magazines. The coalition members have launched a coast-tocoast campaign of involvement and protest by all Canadians who read books and magazines. The DON'T TAX READING campaign includes wide circulation of the coalition's Manifesto; a national poster program; a write-in campaign to members of Parliament; and, magazine, newspaper and journal
IMPORT DUTIES: The Canadian book industry agreed in 1979 that in the interest of the free flow of information and ideas, the l0% tariff should be rolled back. Its ill-conceived reimposition as a retaliatory trade measure in June, 1986 has had a dramatically punitive effect on the Canadian book industry. The first effect of the duty has been to reduce, immediately, the cash flow of publishers. Ultimately, this will interfere with the publishers' ability to sign Canadian authors, the development of new authors will be hampered, and the number of Canadian titles will be reduced. The Coalition's Manifesto demands that the tariff be rescinded immediately. FREE TRADE: Canada has always been open to imported cultural products. In order to ensure continuing viability of our domestic industries and access to our own market in the face of formidable competition, Canada's governments have long supported indigenous cultural industries through a variety of positive measures. Canadian publishers depend on government support programs, and if the government removes this support, many magazines
will die. For the writer this will
mean reduced
markets.
The Coalition's Manifesto demands that
these
cultural-support policies and programs be nonnegotiable in the free trade talks. POSTAL RATES: The removal of concessionary postal rates for books and magazines will lead to cost increases of 300-6000/0. The essential concessionary rate program in place for more than 70 years, has provided equal access to books and magazines for all Canadians regardless of where they live. The Coalition's Manifesto demands that concessionary postal rates be maintained.
FEDERAL SALES TAX: For more than 30 years, books and magazines have been exempt from federal (currently at l2o/o). This historical absence
sales tax
of
surcharges on information and knowledge has been of great benefit to our industries and Canadians. Within the next two years, the government plans to replace the current federal sales tax system with a business transfer tax. The Coalition's Manifesto demands that the federal sales tax exemption be maintained.
advertisements.
As writers we
!DUS! take an active stand. The repercussions to the writing community can not be ignored.
BUSINESS TRANSFER
to
TAX: The government
plans
replace the federal sales tax system with a universally applied federal tax on reading in Canada. The Coalition's Manifesto demands that business
7
transfer tax not be applied to Canada's magazine and book industries - DON'T TAX READING.
DAVIDWATMOUGH will readfrom the seventh volume of his popular Davey Bryant series, Yiblgliglalgfug, also recently published.
We urge you as readers and writers to respond to
the coalition's campaign by writing to:
The Classical Joint Coffee House, 231 Carral Street,
Place:
The Honourable Flora MacDonald Minister of Communications House
of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
KIA
0A6
Gastown, Vancouver, B.C.
Admission:
$2.00 Federation Members; $3.00
General Public.
The Honourable Michael Wilson Minister of Finance House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario KIA 04,6
The Right Hon. Brian Mulroney Prime Minister House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario KIA 04'6
Or to your own MP, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, KIA 0A6 M.W.G. Newsletter
ALERT! DON'T MISS THE LAST TWO READINGS OF THE SERIES! March 19 at
7:30
DALE ZIEROTH will read from his highly regarded When the
Stones Flv Uo, a new collection of poems which
moves from
present-day Vancouver to prairie ancestors to "the very roots of dream and memory." and
MONA FERTIG WHO will read from her new collection 4722 rue berri, a collage of poetry, dreams, journal entries and
visuals which inscribe her encounter with Montreal.
April
16 at
7:30
LEONA GOM will be reading from her recently published
a very first novel, and Private Prooerties, a new
@,
successful
collection of poetry. and
OLYMPIC ARTS FESTIVAL The literary arts component of the Olympic Arts Festival promises to be an affair worthy of any Olympic tradition. The theme of the Festival is 'The World of Canadian Books - Past, Present and Future.n Two dozen writers from abroad will join an equal number of Canadian authors, both Anglo and Francophone, for the five-day event. Works of fiction, poetry, screenplays, science-fiction, sports, travel and other popular genres will be read and discussed.
Through showcase evening readings, morning and afternoon seminars and workshops, and numerous related book-oriented events, the power of the written word will be focused upon and illuminated. In addition, public forums will be presented offering the media, the general public and members of Canada's writing community the opportunity to join a discussion on the role of written communications in a global community. Poetry Sweatshops will be featured for five nights during the actual Games period. Teams of writers will have 30 minutes to create a new, spontaneous poem. The competitions will be presided over by a celebrity judge.
In the Convention Centre Exhibition Hall, A Book Fair -- already termed "Canada's Largest book store" -- will present the scope of the Canadian publishing industry. Approximately 150,000 Canadian-authored titles will be displayed and offered for sale. A reader's theatre will give the public the chance to see many celebrated authors read from their own work and to mingle with those authors. There will be displays featuring publishing techniques of the past and present, as well as the computerized desktop publishing of the future.
8
LETTER FROM ALISON HOPWOOD Dear "Wordworkso,
In the December "Wordworkso a letter asserts that "free verse is not poetry" and that belief in the pre-eminence of free verse and Whitman was part of the cultural baggage taken to England by Arnerican soldiers in 1943. In fact, the history is long and complicated; a few facts, however, may shed a little light on the subject. For several centuries at least, English poetry has existed in two kinds: one with regular scansion and rime, the other with irregular rhythm and no endrimes. The translations of Hebrew poetry in the
King James Bible, parts of Shakespeare's later plays, Milton's nSamson Agonistesn are all in what lve now call free verse. So this kind of poetry was well established in England in the lTth century, though in the ltth and lgth centuries strict scansion returned to dominance. Free verse resurfaced in 1855 when Walt Whitman published 'Leaves of Grass,n written in a style largely derived from the Bible. It was read with appreciation in all the English-speaking countries-Britain, Canada, Australia, and so on. A selection of Whitman's poetry, editedby William Rossetti, was published in France, Italy, and Germany, and in these countries Whitman's verse was welcomed by poets already seeking new, freer forms for poetry.
About 1880 some French poets calling themselves Symbolists, including Yerlaine, Mallarme, and others, used the term "vers libren for verse that did not obey the strict rules of French prosody. An English admirer, Arthur Symons, was active in introducing the movement into England, publishing 'The Symbolist Movement in Literature" in 1889. "Free versern a translation of "vers libre," became the standard name for the less regular kinds of
"Snake,n Pound's "The River-Merchant's Wife," Eliot's'Journey of the Magi."
in its elements is a constant process in art generally, not least in English literature. For example, two verse forms particularly significant from the l6th century to the lgth were new, foreign imports whenShakespeare was ayoung man.
Change
The sonnet had been introduced by
Wyatt's translations from the Italian of Petrarch. Unrimed iambic pentameter had made its first appearance in
Surrey's translation of some books of Virgil's Aeneid. And in the centuries that followed, Milton wrote sonnets and blank verse that were very unlike Shakespeare's, and later Wordsworth used these forms in different lvays again. Art grows out of the past, it lives by change. For poetry that is alive! Alison
ta:]++ In case any of you out there are wondering about the spelling of "rime" in the above letter, the Oxford English Dictionary has this to say: Down to 1560 the original spelling "rimen continued to prevail in English. About that date the tendency to alter orthography on classical models led to the new spellings rithme/rhythme/rhythm which continued to be current till about the close of the lTth century. Soon after 1600, probably from a desire to
c
distinguish between rime and rhythm, the intermediate forms of rhime and rhyme came into use and the latter finally established itself as the
standard form. The original nrime" however has never been quite discontinued and from about 1870 its use has been considerably revived, especially by writers upon the history of the English language of literature. Ed.
poetry.
BOOK NEWS By 19l0 in England, a somewhat similar movement called Imagism and intended to revitalize English poetry, was initiated by T.E. Hulme. Though the form of verse was not the primary concern of either Symbolism or Imagism, as the names indicate, they were influential in giving free verse its importance in this century. Among the Imagists were D.H. Lawrence, EzraPound, and T.S. Eliot, the latter two Americans but living and working in England. By the twenties a considerable body of free verse had been written including poems frequently found in anthologies, such as Lawrence's
SHOWCASE
ANIMALS, LindaWikene Johnson,
Press
Porcepic, poetry. New book from Writer's Digest Books, spring 1987: HOW TO WRITE TALES OF HORROR, FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION. Edited by J.N. Williamson,
with contributions by experts in the field. New from International Self-Counsel Press, February 1987: THE RADIO DOCUMENTARY HANDBOOK: Creating, Producing and Selling for Broadcast, by
Jurgen Hesse. 160 pp., $g.95. Explains how to gather information, how to collate it, how to research facts and background, how to interview people with a microphone, how to handle tape recorders and edit tape, and how to assemble all these components into a slice of creative radio sound: in short, everything you need to know to a win
Cookbook. Two books designed for local history
International Self-Counsel press, l4gl Charlotte Road, North Vancouver, B.C., V7J lHl.
This is about a would-be writer's dream dying the hard way.
books
for
those interested in
ctical st i you to s you- lvant to plunge in full-time or work on your radio project on a freelance basis." Order from
"Never judge a book by its movie." J.W. Eagan
stalted a year ago, when an ad in the newspaper baught her eye. "Published author,n the heading said.
HANDBOOKS International Self Counsel press Ltd. has put out a few titles of use to people working in the media and journalism:
"Editing Your Newslettern is a guide to writing,
design and production. $14.95.
to conduct a media such pros as peter Webster. $7.95.
ft
Hutchinson and Jack
That's what she lvants to be, a published author.
In the ad, he offered to help unpublished become published authors, too.
She's close to 70 and living alone apartment in Richmond. nf've been through all sorts
of
authors
in a high_rise
hell,n she said.
The hell of it was being raped some 50 years ago, then rejected by her husband because of it.
After the divorce, she became the first woman lawyer in her Caribbean homeland. Now, she wants desperately to write her life storv and have it published. With that in mind, she dashed off a letter to the box number in the ad.
Write International Self-Counsel press Ltd.., 306 North Vancouver, 8.C., VZN 2Gl.
West 25th Street,
At first, the published author came across a shirt_ and-tie agent. He's close to her in age. He wears dark glasses and, sometimes, a Greek sailor's cap, and lets on that he has more books in print than Stephen King. One afternoon at her place, after guzzling a bottle
of Gordon's gin, he made a pass at her. BOOKS ON SELF-PUBLISHING Friesen's Printers has a series
of helpful how-to
No sex please, she insisted.
After that, it was entirely platonic. He led her on with assurances she had what it took to become a
writer.
l0
it is available to noninformation call (416) 362For for members $195.
free to CBIC members;
him $1,500 for coaching her through three chapters of her memoirs.
She paid
6555.
to a Toronto publisher. He had her convinced that a cash advance and contract for the rest of her book were in the bag. She sent them
COPYRIGHT NEWS
"I cried my
eyes out when the manuscript was rejected," she said.
His next proposition was to rework the
three chapters and mail them to a literary agent. His fee for that was $5,000. She also paid another $400
for advertising for
his
author's workshop and covered his NSF cheques.
"Don't tell me I'm a naive fool for believing him,"
A
handbook titled "Copyright Compliance" and dealing with reproduction of copyright material by libraries, print shops, and educational institutions has been published jointly by the Canadian Book Publishers Council, the Association of Canadian
Publishers, and the Canadian Booksellers Association. The handbook is available free of charge from the Canadian Booksellers Association, 49 Laing Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4L 2N4.
she said.
MARKETS
"I know now he is a sly old drunkard who can't help himself."
Editor's
note:
We gather our information
on
A month ago, she sent him packing for good and went to Miami for a Christmas vacation.
markets and contests from various sources, but the Federation of B.C. Writers does not guarantee any of these listings.
No use saying either that publishers aren't lining up for the memoirs of retired lawyers or old divorcees' Friends and family keep telling her that.
(f)Lio is a new newsletter of feminist innovative writing, edited by Sandy (Frances) Duncan and
The book dream is dying hard. It's as big an obsession as the published author has with Gordon's gin.
Betsy Warland. Each issue will feature the work of four writers, with their statements about writing;
along with mini-essays on re-visionings of innovative women writers of the past, thumbnail sketches of recent books, and news items
"I'll change it from a biography to a novel and keep on writing and writing and writing," she said.
(conferences, readings, workshops, publications, etc.) Quarterly; 20 pp.of laser type on quality paper. By subscription only: $8.00/year. First issue Winter 1987. Address: 2533 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V6K lS9.
The title of her book is The Broken Rainbow.
Allyson MacBean, editor
She's back at the Smith Corona typewriter near her
bedroom window.
!t*+t+ The Canadian Book Information Centre's 1986/87
Media
List is now available. This list is
a
comprehensive guide to media in Canada. This year's edition contains more than 450 pages listing radio and television stations, newspapers, magazines, journals, and newswire services in Canada. It lists book-review editors, arts-programming directors, and others in specific subject areas. A periodical section lists more than 550 journals and trade and consumer magazines. There is a section that names department editors 4t newswire services and producers of all CBC and CTV shows. The list is
of DISCOVERY, the magazine, needs Society History Natural Vancouver public general on natural the to interest of articles history in B.C. If you would like to write a short article (500-2000 words) on birds, mammals, marine life, insects, plants or conservation issues, contact Allyson at 401-5550 Yew Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6M 3Yl (tel. 261-1861) and ask for a free copy of the magazine. EARTHLINK is an international poetry newsletter that helps poets to find homes for their poems around the world. Upcoming are issues on markets in China, Japan, Australia and English-language Jewish markets. Subscribers pay one dollar an issue for as many issues as they wish to receive, until August 1987, when Earthlink will be taking on a
ll new direction. Editor is Dale Loucareas, 100 King
High Avenue, North York, Ontario, M3H 3Bl. Volume
l,
Issue
I of ACTION Magazine is now
available. "Vancouver's Active Magazine" is published 6 times a year by Course Setter Communications, Ste. 1214, ll24 Lonsdale Avenue, North Yancouver, B.C., V7M 2Hl. Articles, photoarticles, welcome, on action sports -- kayaking, climbing, tennis, mountain biking, weight training, skiing, sports fashion, profiles, etc., etc.
Kathryn Ptacek is editing an anthology of original dark fantasy/horror by women writers, with the tentative title "WOMEN OF DARKNESS". She needs stories ranging from psychological horror to the supernatural,3000-7500 words. Pays l0 cents a word against pro rata share of royalties. Deadline June l, 1987. Address: 28 Linwood Avenue, Newton, New Jersey, 07860. WAG MAGAZINE is looking for people who can write humour. They buy short stories (2000- 3500 words), short plays, poetry, articles, editorials, gag lines and cartoons that will "provide a chuckle or generate a belly laugh". Pays on publication (rates not given). Send your mss to WAG Magazine, P.O. Box 8098, Bridgeport Post Office, Kitchener, Ontario, N2K 286. ANERCA is a monthly poetry newsletter which plans to feature one poet per issue, together with other poems and essays on poetics. (An upcoming issue will feature Latin American poets.) Pays in copies, $1.00 for sample issue frorn Wreford Miller, 3989 Arbutus Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6J 4T2. (Thanks to Literary Markets, Sept./Oct. issue.)
\ l.
CANADIAN WEST MAGAZINE is a quarterly that wants well-researched and well-written non-fiction articles on almost any aspect of western Canadian history, preferably stories predating 1900. Articles must be accompanied with appropriate art, photographs, maps, drawings, etc. which, if used and paid for, remain the property of the Sunfire archives. Articles should be 2500-3500 words, although fillers are sometimes used. Longer articles are used under certain circumstances. Free writer's guidelines available. Write to: Canadian West Magazine, Sunfire Publishing Ltd., P.O. Box 3399, Langley, B.C. (from The Branch Echo) PIONEER SQUARE THEATER of Seattle is looking for new scripts: contemporary plays, full-length or companion one-acts, for development through workshop productions and staged readings at PST's
fourth annual NEW WORKS FESTML in
September 1987. Deadline for submissions is APRIL 30. Submit plays to Paula Magar, Literary Manager, Pioneer Square Theater, 512 Second Avenue, Seattle, Washington, 98104. Include a SASE to ensure return. For more information, contact PST at (206) 622-2016. Mss. must be typed and securely bound.
For receipt acknowledgement, enclose a self-
addressed stamped postcard (U.S. postage, please).
Sharon Ann Jaeger, editor of the Alaska literary publishing house INTERTEXT, advises us that Intertext will no longer be considering chapbook manuscripts, but is interested in full-length poetry collections, from 48 to 96 pages, of sustained excellence and intensity. Authors are asked to query first, sending three to five poems onlv as a nWe cannot sample; cover letters are optional. return mss. sent without sufficient return postage (SASE/IRC) and unfortunately owing to the steadily increasing volume of submissions, must soon discontinue writing individual letters of rejection. In addition to poetry, we will consider novellas or short-story collections; as a sample, send one chapter or one story, please not the entire manuscript." VERVE MAGAZINE is published 8 times a year for lvomen aged 25-35. Subject areas are: health, nutrition, fitness and personal care for beauty; also fashion of sport and psychology of sport. Freelancers are invited to contribute to the Feeling Great department. Stories should be 150-350 words, concentrating on fitness -- how to, why not, what happens. Fee varies from $100 to $300 depending on amount of research, etc. Prefers query first' Address: Verve Magazine, Southam Communications, Ltd., 1450 Don Mills Road, Don Mills, Ontario, MiB 2X7. (Stories tend to be seasonal, so remember that editors are working six months ahead.) (Thanks to Freelance)
NATURE CANADA, the quarterly publication of the Canadian Nature Federation, pays 20 cents per word and 5 free copies for freelance material. Feature articles make up 55% of the content, with regular departments comprisin g 20%. Departments are Discovery (one-page explorations of the quirks of nature and the passions of naturalists); Notebook (first-person accounts of naturalists, etc.) and Uprising (profiles of major conservation battles from people in the trenches). Most articles are solicited, so query first, with outline. Write to The Editor, Nature Canada, 75 Albert Street, Ste. 203, Ottawa, Ontario, KIP 6Gl. Sample issue $3.50. (Also thanks to Freelance)
r2
A reminder from Kyle Kirkwood of the UBC
Peninsula. Themes for future issues include SF
Society and Ether Patrol, that Ether patrol is still going strong on Co-op Radio, 9:30, Thursday evenings. Kyle says, "We're always open to new sf/fantasy scripts or ideas for shows.', (Send to Kyle's attention at 337 Carrall Street, yancouver, 8.C., V6B 2J4.)
MERIDIAN is a bimonthly magazine aimed at the 55-plus age group. The magazine wants articles (to 750 words), poetry (to ten lines), and a little fiction (to 50 hich show a w ofaging. Subje nformative, ,or dealing
with
Must be t to older readers. Pays $30 to $50 for articles, $5 for poetry. The editor says "short articles have the best chance of being accepted.n Write to: Janice Forbes, Editor, Meridian Magazine, Troika Publishing, Box 13337, Kanata, Ontario, K2K lX5.
(from the Branch Echo)
l0
issues.
Ethnic
A new journal, The New Canadian Review is being created. Its purpose is to encourage the ethnic communities of Canada, the new Canadians, to contribute to the literary wealth of this country. It aims to have Canadians become acquainted with the works of emerging as well as established Canadian writers from all cultural communities. Will publish fiction, poetry, drama, reviews, folklore,
critiques and reports on ethnic cultures. Submissions must be in English or translated into English. As the journal is a non-profit venture, pays in copies. Send to p.O. Box 717, pointe-
KID LIT Realistic fiction for 8-15 year olds is the object of a search by Linda Sheppard of James Lorimer and
Company. Lorimer is also on the lookout for samples from illustrators. Write to James Lorimer and Company, 35 Britain Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5A lR7, or phone (4t6) 362-4762.
International Self-Counsel Press is moving at the end of January to a new address: l48l Charlotte Road, North Vancouver, B.C., V7J lHl. The telephone number remains the same: 986-3366. Ross Westergaard reports that (formerly Northwest Edition) has Alberta's Lonesooon Press has announced suspension of its editorial operations "for an indefinite period", and will not be accepting any new mss. in the foreseeable future. However, Publisher Douglas Barbour stresses that the press is not closing down, and will continue to promote and sell its backlist.
POETRY TODAY has ceased publication; MIDNIGHT WINE.
Blanche Black, Editor, 309-835 Humboldt Street, Vancouver, B.C., V8V 4W8. Subscription is $12 for
also
Women Seaside Woman is a new magazine which aims "to foster an interest in the creative development, endeavours and cultural pursuits of women in Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sechelt
Claire-Dorval, P.Q., H9R 4S8. Include S.A.S.E. and your writing credits. Writers Wanted for Anthology of Immierant Wonen Writers
Nela Rio of St. Thomas University, Fredericton, N.B., is working on an anthology of immigrant women writers. Her aim is to publish an anthology containing the prose and poetry of immigrant lvomen writers living in Canada. The purpose of the anthology is to show the contribution of immigrant women to the literary art of Canada. She is currently working on the first part of the
project, which is to collect short stories and poems, published and unpublished, written by immigrant women. She is interested in literature written in the person's original language, or in translation into English or French, or written in English or French. For those who are interested in the projecf If you write and your work has been published, provide citations; if you write and your work has not been published, your work is still eligible for the anthology. Interested women writers should contact Nela Rio, Romance Languages Dept., St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 5G3. (Writers Guild of Alberta Newsletter, January I987)
l3 Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58202. (from Literary
CONTESTS
Markets)
The theme of the Burnaby Writers'
Society's
twenty-first annual writing competition is STORIES FOR CHILDREN. The contest, open to all B.C. residents, runs until April 30, offering prizes of $100, $50, and $25 for the top entries. Maximum word-length is 1250 words, and there is a fee of $5.00 per entry. For complete rules, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: Burnaby Writers' Society Contest, c/o 5770 Halifax Street, Burnaby, B.C., V5B 2P3.
Colleen Anderson passes on
the following information on URSUS PRESS, P.O. Box 112247, San Diego, California, 92lll; The press holds monthly contests, offering prizes of $30, $20, and $10, plus honourable mentions and "also selected". All winners, hon. mentions and nalso selecteds" are included in an annual anthology. Entry fee is $1.00 per poem, with a maximum length of 20 lines. Entries must be post-marked by the last day of each month to qualify for that month's contest. Each month has a particular theme -â‚Ź.9., inspiration, thanksgiving for November; Christmas, joy of giving, family for December. (Send a SASE for information on upcoming themes.) Name, address, telephone number, subject, and month should appear in upper right hand corner of each entry. Poems are not returned, but if you enclose a SASE you'll receive a list of winners. Deadline is
Aoril l for the 49th Parallel Poetry
an essay
of
The 1987 Salnon Arm Sonnet and nljn-Sonnetn Contest has been announced. The organizers are accepting entries until MARCH 15. There is a $2 entry fee for each poem submitted, and a limit of no more than two poems per contestant. Prizes are $500 and a vacation week in Salmon Arm; $250 and a weekend in Salmon Arm; and l0 book prizes for runners-up. A new wrinkle this year: for those poets nwho can't quite get the hang of iambic pentameter or whose couplets don't quite mesh with their quatrainsn, there is an nun-sonnetn category. An un-sonnet, we are told, is a l4-line poem that is technically not a sonnet. The judges will also consider modern sonnets that are variations or mixtures of the classic Petrarchan or Shakespearian forms. Entries should be sent to: Sonnet Contest, Box 999, Salmon Arm, B.C., VOE 2T0. Canadian Author and Bookman is now offering a$50 cash prize, and publication, for poetry. Details (and official entry coupon -- which you have to enclose)
appear
in current issues of the magazine.
will be one winner
announced
Contest sponsored by The Bellingham Review. Write
(quarterly).
a poem of up to 40 lines and win $150, $100, or $50. WRITE FOR THE RULES FIRST: 412 NoTth State Street, Bellingham, Washington, 98225, and
G.P. Putnam's Contest
include SASE. (Thanks to Publishine Northwest and Poetrv Exchanee)
Anwallogy, the First Annual Postcard Literature Exhibition, from May l-9, 1987, is calling for submissions. The theme is "Mayday - M'aidezn, and the address: Mayday - M'aidez, Box 3986, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3R9. The deadline is March 31, 1987. Works must be complete in themselves, not excerpts. Anwallogy is a project of the Regina Book Festival Committee. Plainswonan Magazine's fifth annual fiction contest offers $200 in prizes for stories under 4000 words. Stories should focus, when possible, on rural women in the plains region. Entry fee is $5, deadline is February 15. Write to: Plainswoman, Box 8207,
t
by Cross-Canada Writers' Quarterly for 1500-3000 words on a literary subject. The 1986 prizes were $100 (lst), $50 (2nd), and $25 (3rd). Deadline June 30. No entry fee. C.C.W.Q., Box 277, Station F, Toronto, Ontario, IN/4Y 2L7. Sponsored
for
There
each
issue
for Novel Written
for
Children Aees 8-12 G.P. Putnam's Sons has announced a new contest for an outstanding novel written for ages 8-12. The winner will receive $ 1000, a hardcover contract, a $3000 advance against royalties, and guaranteed promotion of the published novel. North American writers who have never published a novel for this age level are eligible to enter. For complete contest rules send a self-addressed envelope with American stamps or an international postal reply coupon (available from the post office) to Arthur Levine, G.P. Putnam's Sons, Fiction Prize, 5l Madison Avenue, New York City, New York, 10010, or call Levine directly at 212-689-9200. (Writers Guild of Alberta)
l4
OF THIS AND THAT
WORKSHOPS
Tax Time You got those tax time blues?
the professional field. Each week is led by a different sf/fantasy professional. The 1987
ve you hives? . . me take care of artists' and writers' tax
Specializing in and business concerns' Kearnon O. Kanne' 2531
it for you!
Cornwall Street, Yancouver, 8.C.,
V6K lCl,
telephone 733-7721. \ilashington, 98103; telephone (206) 547'6549. Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts' July 19 - August l, 1987. For information, write to 46fl William Head Road, R.R. l, Victoria, B.C., v8x 3W9.
WritingSaskatchewan: A Literary Symposium. June lS-21;1987. For information, write P-O. Box 3986, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3R9.
v-coN
15,
fiction, with be held May Membership escalating to $18 by May 15, and $20 at the door'
The Banff School of Fine Arts is seeking an Associate Artistic Director for its Music Theatre this Program. The posilion are the administration o
progr super stage
and
the
Productions; devising and ; scheduling for ParticiPant ng as Acting Artistic Director
when Director is absent.
Will also be expected to contribute in planning the
ing artistic
and
ection of facultY toire; day-to-daY
administrative duties. Please write enclosing C.V., giving details of relevant experience to: Pauline Martin, Recruiter, The Banff Centre, Box 1020, Banff, Alberta, TOL
only, and offering professional one-on-one critiques from well-known sf/fantasy writers. Anyone registered for V-CON can take part in the o,Jtksttopr -- but you NS! submit your manuscript in advance. Here are the rules: 15' l. You must be a member of V-CON (sf fantasy) piece or prose 2. You may submit one up 3.
4. 5.
0C0. Deadline: APril
l,
1987.
Writer Wanted Theatre Prosram The Banff Centre School of Fine Arts is seeking a writer-in-residence for its Music Theatre Program' This is a seasonal faculty position tenable for the Winter Cycle 1987-88 (September 14, 1987 - March 31,1988).
The successful candidate will be an established writer with a strong interest in, and knowledge of, 4t 937-0545.
l5 Write enclosing a C.V., giving details of relevant interest and experience to:
subjects.
Write about the commonplace so that readers have a quick identification.
John Metcalf, Artistic Director, Music Theatre Program, The Banff School of Fine Arts Box 1020, Banff, Alberta, TOL 0C0
Write visually. Describe colour, texture, weather.
Use the reader's imagination. Don't entire scene for him/her.
fill in the
Manuscriot Readine Service Deliver humour quickly. Personal readings by professional writers. Contact The Writers' Union of Canada, B.C./Yukon Region, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver, B.C., V5T 3G7, telephone (604) 874-l6l l. There is a minimum fee.
Jose
R. Lopez is a retired banker with
an
adequately sophisticated word processor and wishes to.be productive at home. He offers his services to members of the Federation either on a full-time or a part-time basis, depending on the volume of work involved. He informs us that rates are competitive and very reasonable. You can contact Mr. Lopez as
follows: 3896 Cambridge Street, North Burnaby, B.C., V5C lG3, telephone 298-7804. Word processins
/ tvoist
work. Call Cathy --
Reasonable rates/quality
434-2344, or write: 7868 Marchwood Place, Vancouver, B.C., V5S 4,4,6.
Ann Walsh's idea for a section called "You know you're really a writer when " has been taken up by: Signe Muhle, who says: "You know you're really a
writer when you pick up a pencil, strike out a word or line and write "cut" in the margin, while reading a book by your favourite author." Win Baker: "You know you're really a writer when you wish the mail came at 6 a.m."
+:l+*+ Pat McManus from Spokane is a humourist widely published in both books and major magazines. He shared the following tips about writing humour:
Never write about something that was funny while it was happening.
Write about your bad experiences. Trouble is the humour writer's stock-in-trade.
Don't attempt to write a straight humour piece. Write humour into articles about relativelv serious
Give the reader double vision. Let him/her
see
what is actually happening plus what the character in the story or article thinks is happening. Never let facts stand in the way of a good story. Be careful of exaggeration. It can break the spell you have over your readers.
THE 10 DON'TS Ten ways to kill an association or committee:
l. Don't come to the meetings. 2. If you do come, come late. 3. If the weather doesn't suit you, don't think of coming.
4. If
you attend a meeting, find fault with the work of the officers and other members. 5. Never accept an office, as it is easier to criticize than to do things. 6. Nevertheless, feel hurt if you are not appointed on a committee; but, if you are, do not attend committee meetings. 7. If asked by the chairman to give your opinion on some matter, tell (him, her) that you have nothing to say. After the meeting, tell everyone how things should have been done. 8. Do nothing more than absolutely necessary, but when members roll up their sleeves and willingly use their ability to help matters along, say that the association/committee is run by a clique. 9. Hold back your dues as long as possible or don't pay at all. 10. Don't bother about getting new members. Let someone else do it. (Reprinted from B.S. School Sports Magazine.)