WordWorks May 1988 by WordWorks Magazine, 1982-2012

MAY

1988

THE FEDERATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA WRITERS NEWSLETTER Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 2206, Main Post

Office Address:

Ste. 706, 402 West Pender St., Vancouver, B.C., V6B Phone Number: 683-2057

*'r * * * * * + * * * !r** * * * * * * *

++*

WHAT'SINSIDE...

* * *

Conference 88: Balancing the Books Stimulating, relaxing and fun Regional Reports North Coastal Writers Members Directory, Literary Arts Directory

Special Events: July Social and Reading

Update PLR, PEN

Markets, Workshops and Awards

* * * * * + * * + * * :t + * * * * * * ** :l * *

Personally I am delighted that so many of the objectives I had when starting this job are coming into view. I am mindful though, that everything we have accomplished is the outgrowth of years of hard work by many dedicated people. The Federation is like a tree which is just beginning to bear fruit.

Major membership drive. Membership has now reached almost 550 members. Our membership continues to be diverse with many of the well known and senior writers in B.C. joining in the last year. Thanks to Lynne Melcombe for all her effort in this area. Higher profile. With three-quarter time for our Executive Director (up from half time), we've begun a flurry of news releases and media outreach. CBC now calls us on a regular basis when they want an opinion on literary issues.

Office, Vancouver, B.C., V6B

3W2

lT6

Arms-length Provincial Arts Council with funding for individual artists. Represented by Bob Webster, our excellent Executive Director, we are taking a leading role in the Ad Hoc Coalition for B.C. Artists which promotes this issue to the provincial government. A year ago, arms-length funding was seen as impossible; now we look at it as a question of time and intensive lobbying. Writers in the Classroom, a directory of writers

for schools. More money for B.C. writers! It will also enhance the profile of B.C. authors and broaden our audience among young readers. Patty Gibson was hired on a four-month contract to facilitate the publication and promotion of the

directory.

Art Reach, a series of hearings sponsored by the Assembly of B.C. Arts Councils to point a direction for the provincial government for the community arts. Our Regional Reps came through strongly here, as did Betsy and Bob. Our participation made a difference.

rilriters Bridging Cultures. Sponsored by the City of Vancouver and organized by our Vancouver coordinator Judy Villeneuve, this jampacked reading featured 6 readers from diverse backgrounds.

National Book Festival. This year, we held readings in Nelson, Nanaimo and Penticton in long-term care facilities. We were also pleased to receive a last-minute grant to host a reading in Vancouver as well. Working with other writing groups, Bob has set up an informal meeting every two months with representatives from the Kootenay School, CANSCAIP, Women and Words, PWAC, FEAC,

and

PUC. This kind of liaison is new

and

valuable.

LITERARY RITES: A Competition. Well-run and organized; the staff are to be cornmended on the fine job they did. Literary Rites attracted over 700 entries while Saskatchewan, after 15 years, had 135 for their competition. The legacy of the project is the Literary Arts Handbook, a 100-page directory of literary resources. Conference 88: Balancing the Books. Our first province-wide conference for writers is also the first out of town AGM for the Federation. Situated at the Naramata Centre in the sunny Okanagan, the conference features three Canada Council-sponsored readers and Blue Pencil Caf6s

with well-known writers.

second term as President. Last year the idea would have sent me raving, to my study, this year I'm able to look forward to it. I cannot believe the changes we have seen in this organization in such a short time. People are actually waking up to the fact that serving on the Council is: l) an honour, and 2) great fun. There \vere actually contested elections at our AGM this year. The momentum we're gaining, with every project we take on turning up roses, is really exciting. Melody Corrigall, the past Vancouver Regional Rep said to me with some aure,'You can actually feel the thing growing under our rears." Not, of course, that we sit down on the job! Zoe Landale

******* FIRST VICE.PRESIDENT'S REPORT

As First Vice-President, I had a very interesting and hectic year. The first event of note was that I was promoted to First Vice after having originally been elected as Second Vice at the 1987 AGM! What had appeared to be merely a titular position soon became much more demanding.

But it's been great! The Council decided early in the year that each Council member should head a committee. I nabbed the Social Committee and organized the Fall Social and Potluck Dinner in early October. The turnout was high and the reading by George McWhirter was most enjoyable. We also said goodbye that night to our fabulous Executive Director, Betsy rilarland, who had done such a great job for the Federation.

was on the hiring committee for the new Executive Director and Executive Assistant positions. We had such an array of talent to choose from that it was difficult, but we finally selected Bob and Judy, who are both wonderful (actually an understatement!).

The Writers Conference in Naramata was the next item on the agenda. Besides participating in the elections and scheduled events, I also organized the George Ryga Menorial Dinner on Saturday night. Two speakers reminisced about their friendships with George Ryga.

have also tried to go to most Council meetings but, due to a long and nasty bout of the flu and an over-scheduled schedule, I had to miss several of them. Did I mention that I also squeezed in coediting the Federation Newsletter with Cynthia Flood?

I still have to admit I've met some interesting

Harassed, frazzled, wild-eyed,

that I've loved it.

people, made some great friends, found out about the provincial writing community and had a lot of fun. I'd recommend it to anvone! Sheena Ashdown

+t*t*** EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Yes, Judy, I was able to write my report after all, despite my heavy work load and the occasionally improving weather conditions.

I am almost conferenced out. This is a new phrase describing the condition experienced by writers and their employees during the month of May when almost every writers' organization in Canada decides

to hold a

convention; the Writers' IJnion, the League of Poets, the Alberta Writers Guild (which I had the pleasure of attending) tion of B.C. \ilriters.

even the Federa-

Ours, of course, was a wonderful success, even if the weekend did leave a deficit. The food was great, the company challenging, the accommodation warm, the staff of Naramata friendly and helpful, the readings (so I hear) were excellent and the dance, well the dance happened. Everyone wants to do it again, so far.

Other items of interest:

Fundine News:

appears we

h you, by mail or phone, before the t, to see how we can improve commun_ it goes both ways..

will receive a grant from the Federal

Government th from last year' to better serve

follow up and design a strategy

s to do some

Request Ifyouh A (their

found in your telephone book) and to

o a

For those of you who keep track, we have a new region - Fraser Valley. Congratulations to all the new Regional Reps and we will remember where vou live and your phone number.

I met at the Conference,

other pizza eating pushy types.

Bill Reid Minister of Tourism, Recreation and Culture

Bob Webster Executive Director

Parliament Buildings

Victoria, B.C. V8V lX4 thanking them for their past support and encourag_ ing them to increase the funding for our Federi_ tion, will be helpful.

still awaiting the final cheque from the now defunct JobTrac program which allowed us to sponsor Literary Rites: A Competition and the Literary Arts Directory, which no home should be

*t*+*:t*

We are

without.

Newsletter: Sheena Ashdown and Cynthia Flood deserve a warm round of applause for the time and energy that they spent this year editing WordWorks.

So many members have commented on how much

they appreciate the newsletter for the information

Staff News:

that

It's the pits. Patty Gibson, our Writers in Class_ room Coordinator is almost finished. She has done an excellent job on this, worked at the Conference and helped edit a lot of the propaganda we have produced. We are going to miss her. dragons.

Regions, Provincial Council, and Staff. Unfortu_ nately they both are rel r task and thus I will be assuming re input with diligent volunteer help newsletter committee. Thanks Sheena and Cynthia for your committment and a job well done!

it offers as well as the reports from the

Lynne Melcombe, our Membership Coordinator, is back to work after time off to bring Jamie into ihe world, just the cutest tittle girl. yes, your membership card is in the mail.

Our Vancouver Coordinator/Assistant Executive Director, Judy Yilleneuve, has a new title, News_ letter Editor. She is beginning to work on the next Writers Bridging Cultures reading series. All this and raising a family and politics too.

With over 80 people attending, writers spoke about the challenge of celebrating values of their indivi_

Receipts:

you have not received a receipt from the Conference and are expecting to, drop us a line, or give us a call. Yes, the great system broke down. Reeional Reos: Lynne is breaking down the membership, all600 of you, by postal code. Your area rep will be getting

Liaison with The rrVriters, Union

Canada:

Wearing my "second hat" as pacific Coordinator for the Writers' Union has proved beneficial for both

organizations. Many Union members have joined or hips as well as participated Writers have shared reports on important issues such as censorship, copyright and free trade.

Office Management We've shared space with the efficient Competition staff and currently with Patty Gibson, Coordinator of the Writers in the Classroom directory. The computer is constantly in use and the telephone rings non-stop with inquiries about publishing, news items, memberships, etc. One major plus amongst the chaos is Bob Webster's humour and competent directorship.

all of you who were paid up to the end of 1987 have renewed your committment for 1988, and many have upgraded from Associate to Full Membership status. And l0% of the 200 lapsed members who were sent letters encouraging them to rejoin have responded with membership cheques. Add to that the tremendous number of entrants in 'Literary Rites: A Competition' who have since become

Members are welcome to drop by the office anytime and, of course, volunteers are gratefully received!

members, thanks to the efforts of competition staff Jeannie Lochrie, Deanna Ferguson and Angela Hryniuk, and the Federation's membership roster is now approaching a staggering 600 names.

Judy Villeneuve ft**t+*

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

It's been a

grea;t year

for

membership!

When I took over this post a year ago, despite the efforts of my hard-working predecessor, so many members had failed to renew that our mailing list had dropped from more than 300 names to less than 200. With the goal of doubling that number by year's end, our fall 1987 membership drive began. It took months of work by numerous people to get the drive off the ground: First Vice-president Sheena Ashdown used her public relations expertise to redesign the Federation's information brochure. With input from almost everyone on the Executive, I wrote, edited and rewrote the letters for a direct

mail campaign. Soon-to-become Treasurer Michael Hetherington assisted in compiling names of prominent B.C. writers and creative writing departments at the post-secondary level, while the Competition's Jeannie Lochrie offered mailing lists she had gathered from numerous national and provincial writer's groups. While I was consolidating all these names into one mailing list on the Federation's new computer, President Zoe Landale was painstakingly hand-signing the T00letters that would be mailed by early December. It was only then that the real work began.

Within a week of that mailing, responses began to January our membership roster was approaching the 500 mark, including such prominent locals as Jane Rule, Spider Robinson, Susan Musgrave, W.P. Kinsella, and many others whose names will carry weight with government funding bodies. In all, we have had an overwhelming 25Vo response to the direct mail blitz.

arrive. By the end of

By early February, a renewal drive encompassing current and lapsed members was under way. Almost

With all this work, it has been necessary for the Federation to change the post of Membership Coordinator from a one day per month fee-forservice position to a 2-4 day per month job paid by hourly wage. But, although this means more of the Federation's hard-earned funds are being paid out in wages and postage, we feel the increased revenue from dues and the higher profile we are enjoying are worth the expenditure. On a personal note, I would like to thank all of you who patiently awaited my sometimes overdue responses to your queries and applications. In addition to being a busy year for the post of Membership Coordinator, it has been a hectic time in my own life. From buying a house last fall, to being pregnant all winter and giving birth to my second child last month, dealing with the development of some serious health problems in my immediate family, and juggling all of the above with some wonderful advances in my writing career, I have not always been able to keep as up-to-date with my duties as I would like. Although I always try to ensure that applicants and enquiries receive responses within 4-6 weeks, critical circumstances have occasionally forced me to let as much as 8 weeks lapse between the date you have mailed your enquiries and the date you've received a reply. I apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you again for your patience, and for your continued support of this organization.

Have a creative and productive year.

Lynne Melcombe Membership Coordinator NEW MEMBERS

Dorothy Allen Hereward Allix Kathryn Androsoff Jeanette Armstrong

Port Alberni Parksville Langley Penticton

Robert Armstrong Brian Aveling Lesley Baker

Sidney

Matthew Beaugrand Hugh Beard Ken Bell Roger Bishop Bonita Bouchard Lynne Bowen Joanne Broatch J.E. Bryan G. Scott Chabotar Ignatius Chung

Vancouver Langley Kelowna Surrey Surrey Vancouver Vancouver Surrey San Josef Nanaimo Vancouver Penticton Vancouver Vancouver

Lyllian Cole

Victoria

Nipper Cole

Boswell

Sheila Crossley Joan Currie

Parksville Penticton Vernon Nanaimo Quadra Island Penticton Mill Bay Vancouver Vancouver Richmond Williams Lake Vancouver Burnaby Vancouver Ruskin Vancouver Penticton Vancouver Richmond 100 Mile House Vancouver Yancouver Vancouver Vancouver

M. Stella Barnes J. Alan Barrett

Virginia Dansereau Diane O'Dell Davis Audrey Dorsett John L. Doyle Valerie Dudoward Jo Dunaway Julie Emerson Caroline C. French Diana French Carla Furlong Laura Halleran Nan Halsey Howard Harrelson Sue Harris D. Phyllis Harrison Jacqueline Hansen Reva B. Henriques Anetta Herzog Barbara Herringer Melanie Higgs Susan Hoch Wayne Hughes Darlene Hughes-McMillan Asif Husain Nonavee Ibbetson Sally Ito Barbara Jackson Elena Kaufman Russell Kelly Ivey Kent Lena Klassen Faye Kenji Lala H. Koehn Theresa Lazar Don Larvente Michael Livingston Ruta Loomis Beth MacDonald

Rosedale

Yancouver Kelowna Vancouver Richmond Vancouver Vancouver

Victoria Kelowna North Vancouver

Victoria Vancouver Vancouver Richmond Ladysmith Ladysmith

Harold Macy Lorraine Martinuik Elaine Matthews Ann McKinnon Estelle Mclachlan Debra McNaught Joni Miller Ray Minter Eileen O. Mitchell Catheran Hilda Mcraes Nicola Morgan Maureen Moore Mary J. Muir Andrew Mulcahy Dr. M.V. Nash Janet Neilson Eric Olsen Nancy Oswald Robin Park Cathy Pattison Lois J. Peterson Teresa Plowright Janet Pollock Debra Marie Purdy Jay Reeves Pat Robertson June Rolson

Alexander Routh Leba Rubinoff Josep Sabater Elizabeth Salomens

Karen Schendlinger Jean Schoenfelder Sheila Simpson

Heather Siska Rose Stacey Pauline Stiles Lorraine Strand Ron Sostad Rosemary Supernault Joyce Thierry Anne Thomas Brenda Timbers C.J. St. Cyr Tompkins Heather Vosburgh Cathy Wakeling Carmen Ward Joanna M. Weston Lorna Whishaw Calvin White Pamela White Pete White Barbara Wild Robert Wilson Bruce Woodsworth Patricia Young Netta Zukerman

courtenay Denman Island Coquitlam Vancouver Hope Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver Quathiaski Cove Naramata Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver Delta Sidney Burnaby Maple Ridge Gang Ranch Westbank 100 Mile House New Westminster Vancouver Coquitlam Port Moody Hornby Island Vancouver 100 Mile House New Westminster

West Vancouver Nelson

Ladner Vancouver Campbell River Vancouver

Victoria Barriere Sidney Vancouver Vancouver Burns Lake Gabriola Island 100

Mile

House

Campbell River Vernon

Victoria Vancouver Vancouver Duncan Windermere Armstrong New Westminster Kaslo Vancouver Quesnel

Halfmoon Bay Victoria Vancouver

Returned Members

Karen Bullinger Hilary K. Blair Elizabeth Brochmann Colin Brown Jim Chapman Carl Chrismas Sandra Deeble Colean Douglas Bruce Edmundson Joan Ford

Robert Harlow Tanis Jones Desmond Lindo James Lougheed

Keith Maillard Jean Mallinson Daphne Marlett Gregory Middleton Marilynne Prupas Andreas Schroeder Carolyn Swayze Betsy Symons Colleen Tivy Alan Twigg Judy Winter

Welcome Back!

Fort St. John North Vancouver North Vancouver Vancouver Castlegar Sechelt

Chemainus Whaletown New Westminster

Vancouver Vancouver Tofino Victoria Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver Richmond Vancouver Mission White Rock Coquitlam Burnaby Vancouver Kimberley

teachers with information on funding sources, how to prepare for a writer's visit, the variety of ways a writer can be used in a classroom or school setting, and so on.

As of the AGM, the project was on schedule and on

budget. There has been a lot of interest in

the

project, so we expect there will be no problems p-romoting it amongst educators. The B.C. Associa_ tion of English Teachers has been particularly helpful, and hopefully, with their assistance we will be able to send writers listed in the directory information that would assist them in preparing for a classroom visit. Patty Gibson

+*+t*** REGIONAL REPORTS Okanaean

The Federation is blossoming like the fruit trees in the Okanagan-Similkameen. Membership has more than doubled this year. We're an enthusiaitic bunch and looking forward to becoming better acquainted

at Conference 88.

for the Conference has been fun for of Region 4. We met our president, Zoe Landale, in July, 1987 when she gave readings as well as checked out the conferen'ce site. Sinay Duncan visited penticton in November, under a Canada Council grant from the Okanagan Writers, League, and she also toured Naramata dentre. The Preparing

Thanks to a short-term grant from the Ministry of Tourism, Recreation and Culture, the \Vriters inthe Classroom directory_will be compiled and printed by the end of June and distributed to B.C. schools for the 1988/8 t the outset of the Project an was struck which includes r CANSCAIp, the Writers' Union of Canada, Women and Words, the Playwrights Union of Canada, The League of Canadian poets, Kootenay Sciiool of liriting, Periodical Writers Association of Canada and the Federation.

Post cards were then sent through all the above_

mentioned organizations to individual writers letting them know they could request an application to be included the directoiy. eppiicaiiorrs were designed and sent out and to Aate just over 100

have been received. I expect the iirectory will include about 125 writers with information on their publishing credits, writing genres, the grade levels they are prepared to work with, iheir ipproach to the classroom, and basic background. tn adOition to listing writers, the directory will also provide

members

conference has given Fed members here a focus in the past few months. Otherwise, we haven,t done anything as a group . . . but maybe this is a begin_ nrng.

As Regional Rep I have kept in touch with the Vernon Writers Group, the Canadian Authors, Association Okanagan Branch in Kelowna and the Okanagan Writers' League in penticton. I would like to seek out fellow writers in the North

Okanagan, east to Greenwood and to Keremeos and Princeton in the Similkameen. Maybe by this time next year our membership will have douiled again.

Region 4 members welcome everyone to the sunny Okanagan. It's great to have you here to share our beautiful Valley and our enthusiasm for writing! Heather Glebe

'ltt+++*

Jack Hodgins'new book was launched right here in Nanaimo last December to an overflow crowd.

Kootenav Resion

Since last

fall, Kootenay School of Writing in

Nelson has sponsored readings by Aritha Yan Herk,

I've had an interesting time as Federation Rep and wish the new Rep the same.

Michael Ondaatje, Frank Moher, Fred Wah, Timothy Shay, and Rosemary Sullivan. Workshops include Van Herk's "dis/integrating genre", Ken

Winona Baker

tt+*+:!t

Kenney's'Writing for the Yisual Medium', Rosemary Sullivan's'Freelance Journalism', and Frank Moher's 'Offstage Collaborators Workshop' (for writers and

Northern Reslon

actors).

I have recently taken over from Gail Whitter

The highlight of my year has been the St. Valentine's Eve Benefit, with readings by local writers on the theme "We Love This Planet." (Proceeds will go to help shut down the Hanford Nuclear Reactor in Richmond, Washington.)

going on throughout the year, mostly centered in Fort St. John, although we are hoping to expand to include the neighbouring communities. We have sent information to the local colleges and school boards to advise them that we are available for readings in the schools, and Gail taught a class in haiku in one of the elementary schools.

will read in two long-term care facilities during National Book Ernst Havemann and Timothy Shay

In November, jointly sponsored by the Federation and the Canadian Poetry Association, we had a

Festival.

Writer-in-residence Carol Shields workshop and read in May.

will conduct

as the Federation's representative. We have had activities

Irene Mock

r3**+t** South Vancouver Island Denise Bukowsky, Lynn Bowen, Sandy Duncan, Kim Goldberg and Constance Rooke were featured speakers at the Celebration of Women Writers. Reading before the poetry sweatshop got underway were Mae Hill Brown, Mildred Trembley, Carol Windley, Jo Merrill and me. Thora Howell and Carol organized the affair. She was our big winner in CBC's short story contest.

Mae and I read to seniors during Bookweek, and Margorey Hope and I during Storytime in schools. Parksville's Spindrifters organized a workshop on novel, bio, travel, poetry and short story writing in March. PWAC's Victoria chapter put on 'There Must Be Fifty Ways to Be a Writer' at University of Victoria in March also. Nanaimo's Writers Group attended the Nanaimo Arts

Council birthday party in their Northbrook Gallery.

workshop and poetry reading. Betsy Warland gave a reading on November l3th at the Women's Resource Centre, and the next day presented a workshop on 'Breaking the Habit', at Northern Lights College,

which was very enthusiastically received. She gave us hints on how to present our readings, and on different places to hold them. We had been holding our readings at the local library but have found them very poorly attended.

I also attended the meeting of ARTREACH

and

to the committee the very real need for provincial funding of writers and poets. Also the amount of money that can be generated for the local communities by these events. Gail and I have also attended some of the meetings of the local arts council, and placed some information in their information area. suggested

Karen Ballinger

++*a+*+ Centre Coastal Reqion

Although things remain static in my own town of Williams Lake, with our Writer's Support Group no longer meeting regularly, member Beatrice Klassen from Barriere writes that their Writer's Club has ten regular members, a huge number for the small village of Barriere, and that interest is lively. Beatrice and her husband, Henry will be attending

the conference in Naramata, and hope to encourage others from their group to attend as well. Simone Ellis, a creative

writing teacher from 100 Mile House is launching the Cariboo's first.literary, magazine with submissions from Cariboo writers encouraged. Deadline for the first issue in May 15, (Simone Ellis, p.O. Box 631, 100 Mile Uouse, i.C., VOK 2E0). We look forward to the magazine, and ith previous experience editing literary feels confident it will be a success as s

to writing.

that the Cariboo area is very conducive

Rumours have reached me of an active writers, group- in Quesnel, and if any Federation members from it will send me information, I wiit Ue glad to include it in the next report.

My first daffodil poked its nose through the earth today, although the killer Cariboo riubarb has already made its survival known, sticking its first shoots through the snow. you Lower Mainland people don't know what spring really is, poor

things.

Lower Mainland Resion Goo

Regional Rep

does any

of the regions ould be more

ener

I was electe I'm new to I'm hoping

ser

to gge

Some ideas

. .

in this

set up practic

anyone

likes shor at

V5V lC6. I'll

doing reading groups,

t (to match like_minded ;t l Tth Avenue, Vancouver, assume that if you send a manuscripi

you are willing to put energy into setting up your own group. The Literary Arts Directory (put out

through the Literary Rites competition by the t;o Or[anize Your Own Writers' Support Group, by Betsy Warland. Recommended reading. Federation) has a good section on ,How

There seemed to be enough interest in small open readings to go ahead with that. watch this space for details. Jane Covernton

**++*** l.

Send out a press release about your election to

Represent and talk up the Fed whenever you get

the chance. Hand out brochures (wriie yo'ur phone number on the back of each brochure so that people know there is someone local they can talk to).

tt+**,f*

send a short people) to me

the regional rep position u, ,oon as possible.

Ann Walsh

put

help please contact me at g7g_4073.

r p.E other for

organize horizontal writers' workshops (reading groups).

3. Hold monthly meetings with whomever in your region can come.. Have readings, workshops, of Fed business.

speakers, discussions

4. Plan the occasional social event. 5. If you need help, create committees and delegate work. Don't wait for people to come to you _ msday. The best way to helping is to phone them

think they,d be wondffi #irJ'jirtff?.,t:i ITX and that you'd be pleased if they could help you.

Because the members

of the Federation

are

scattered, the regional reps are vital to any success

we have as a provincial organ ization. All the will feel the benefits of, any efforts you make. members depend on, and

So:

you have any other ideas, energy, or need

And remember, the Federation is your organization. The Council may make the (occasional!) m'istake, but it has worked hard to represent you. It welcomes

your suggestions, advice, commentsr criticisms. or write to the Federation office. The Council will respond A.S.A.P. Please phone

Sheena Ashdown

++'t+**t

Nearly 50 people attended the Federation,s Writers, Conference, Balancing the Books, in Naramata on the _Victoria Day, weekend in May. This two_day con ference i ncluded workshops, ."ud ings, videotaping and, of course, the chance to meet other writers from around the province.

at Naramata Centre, a setting was

ke. The

and the food _ ah, the

Presidenc ZOE LANDALE 4480 River Road, West Delta, B.C. V4K l53

pounds.

First Vice-presidenc HEATHER GLEBE P.O. Box 673, penti*on, B.C. V2A 6pl Second Vice-presidenc CLEMENS RETIICH 3362 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5X

3p9

Treasurer: SHEENA ASHDOWN 7424 Prince Edward St., Vancouver, B.C. V5X 3p9 Kootenays: SANDRA HARTLINE l5l I Cedar Street, Nelson, B.C. VIL ZG2

NoTth: KAREN BALLINGER-SPOFFORD - 97th Avenue, Fort St. John, B.C. VtJ 5E3

9124

Okanagan: VIRGINIA DANSEREAU

9004 Russett Drive, Vernon,

B.C. Vis Zgl

Centre-Coastal: ANN WALSH Winger Road, Williams Lake, B.C. V2G 356

4ll

North Islands: ERIC JAMIESON

868 Simcoe Street, Campbell River, B.C. V9W 5G7

South Islands: LINDA ROGERS 202 - 228 Douglas Street, Victoria,

B.C.

vg[

2p2

Vancouver & Districc JANE COVERNTON 1296 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5V lC6 Fraser Valley: LAVERNE ADAMS t Wellington Avenue, Chilliwack, B.C. V2p 2Eg

4558

JAN DRABEK, past presidenr west King Edward Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. _3-3-3^0 V6S IM3

Dorothy Livesay, Susan Crean and Keith Maillard each read from their work at times throughout the weekend; all were greatly enjoyed. An open reading on Saturday night gave members a chance to read

from their own work. This was a very popular - nobody wanted to leave for the dince,

eye.n!

which was scheduled immediately afterwards!

Writers also had the chance to have their work critiqued by established writers in the Blue pencil Caf6s. Colin Brown_tackled poetry; Christie Ha.ris, children's writing; Leona Gom, iiction; and Alan Twigg, non-fiction. These caf6swere very popular. Several seminars were offered on Saturday and about making money n in terms, it seems! Susan crean told us abour creative 0"",r["rtl",L?Ll George Ryga was originally scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the coni"rence and Saturday,s dinner was a memorial for him. Dick Clemenis, long-time friend of Ryga, gave a personal and very touching after-dinner speech about his association with him. He also performed a selection from Otre More /or the Road, a collection of vignettes and songsvh-ich Ryga had written especiaiy for him. Alan Twigg also spoke after dinner about the need to keep literature in everyone's hands, not just the literary aristocracy, and how Ryga himself triO triea to do just that. Judy Villeneuve, our indefatigable Executive Assis_

tant, conducted video recording workshops. These for writers to be video_recorded as

were the chance

they read from their

work. Judy then gave

comments_ and suggestions

******r

improve their performance

about how they could

Lest you think the participants solemnly went just to edifying seminars and workshops, I ihoula

CONFERENCE

,88;

BAIANCING TITE

Dorothy Livesay, poet

Keith Maillard, reading

Christie Harris, Keith ltaillard, coiin growne--

Susan Crean,

Staff: Lynne Meleonbe, Patty Judy

Gibso: Villeneuve, Bob l{ebste:

ers:

le, Jane Coverrrton, ansereau, ine, Heather Janieson, Clenens

mention that there was a dance on The band played Dixieland jazzand creative and innovative dancing w dance floor.

i I

about trying - Susan

The members also attended to business: the AGM was held on Sunday afternoon. Though it was a long meeting, it was lively (thanks to Bob Webster,s exuberance and energy) and a huge amount of business was covered (thanks to Zoe Landate,s efficient chairing). The elections were held and several committees struck.

ust; then two wild strangers the violence between them. in: how Timothy Findlay wrote in This Magazine in the voice of tana Turner (an abused woman).

3. Other:

- Fun:

discussing beloved books with other writers for Twigg's questionnaire. Insight from Dorothy Livesay: more and more

feminists are using nyoui

- the second

personal singular direct address. From Susan Crean: if you are a self_employ_ ed writer, don't ever get paid as an employle

(on a T-4). Frorn Keith Maillard: maybe it,s a good idea to get a job.

4. Special

educational, social, AT weekend! Thanks redible work. And Sheena Ashdown

r+*+++* I.

Laughs:

Dorothy Livesay's Monty python poem about granny bikers. Dick Clements and banjo doing George Ryga,s

Chester Sharp.

- "The chewing gum you need to listen to this

seminar should be charged against income tax"

effects: Evening sunlight slanting into the loft from tree-filled windows, where Dick Clements speaks lovingly of his friend George Ryga and

his "juicy love of language'. itre iace of Alan Twigg moving in and out of the same slant of sun, staying dark along the front and lit in a soft diamond atong ihe side as he talks about the power George Ryga had to reach out beyond the literary aristocracy. Then the shock of etectric lighc darkness has fallen as we've honoured. The strong flow of Dorothy Livesay,s voice and the fluid grace of her face andbody as she celebrates love and passion. Sunday night lightning and flickering tatk.

Songs

in the dark.

5. Final observation:

The gentle respect of more-established writers

exchanging stories with needy new. Jane Covernton

grAtvtQuUEtl Su N, twt$1 34, t'1 87

Keith Maillard: four major relationships because

gone

money.

2. Tears (up-welling, not

spilted): Keith Maillard: four major retationships gone because of money. Susan Crean: an unpublished piece on a ritual

of friends, burying a friend. Journalism of

emotion.

- Keith Maillard

again, reading from Mokl

(coming out soon from Random House): two Gcrmans playing Bach in the face of the truth

CaITURAL S?ENDrN6 comen

Itlcr1r.1.

ArTt ' Vtss

?.ts

f cJjt <q I rla ttc

6 oat.

IrBc.

la.6trc t rt6--. O/Ae r D.

Lt a,<

L-LZ

funding for B.C. orts

.. Thg conference

will be held

rne vancouver area next year.

l3 LETTERS WORDWORKS welcomes letters from readers - and

they don't have to be letters of praise'We would like to see this part of our Newsletter filled with stimulating discussion of all the issues related to writing, r-ading, publishing, et al. We do retain the right to edit for clarity, brevity, and taste' Let's hear from You!

Most of these came frorn one kindly local bookseller, who let us clean out his "writing" section to take io the conference' He says philosophically, "It happens all the time in retail business' But it kind of shakes'your faith in human nature'" Indeed!

sent to Okanagan Writers' ir House Cultural Centte,22} Penticton, B.C' VzA 2F'2'

Cheque League Manor Dear Bob:

Dear Zoe,

This is just to thank you again for the delightful informative holiday and the fare to and from and the honorarium and the sunshine! Smiling faces. Naramata was a wonderful idea' As you know, I am hoPing that the Fed receive enough financial support to Writers' Colony set-up in Ontario, Saska Banff. I feel that the success of the Women and Words summer workshop on U.B.C. campus indicates that women and men need a place in which to get away and write - say for two, three or more weeks'

The first province-wide conference held by the federation seemed to me to have been an unqualified success. Congratulations to the organizers' Having been involved in a couple of Kelowna conferinces for the Canadian Authors Association,I have some idea of the work involved' Never having been to Naramata, I was prepared to 'rough it' and was delighted that I didn't have to' Our accommodations were very comfortable, the food excellent and the weather beyond our expectations. The programs were informative and most enjoyable. What a treat to hear Dorothy Livesay!

Good luck in your coming Year.

Sincerely,

MYrle Machan

Dorothy LivesaY

*t+**+'B

*+++f** NORTHERN COASTAL SECTION The Okanagan Writers' League (OWL) thanks the Fed for the opportunity to display books at Conference 88 in Naramata. Thanks to all those who contributed books and all who bought books'

great disappointmen books were mi

I I

was a

t I t

for one dthat6 Their

total value of about $81 ate up half of the profit which would have been made by the sponsoring OWL grouP. For those who may discover they have books they'd forgotten to pay for, the titles and prices are as follows: Paper Radio

Three Dollar

(Poems) Dreams

Writing Goof Proofer Starting from Scratch Rhyming DictionarY

$5.95 $29.95 $14.95 55.95 $19.95 $4.25

The Editors have decided to offer Regional Reps four pages of the newsletter to report on their region. The first is Eric Jamieson. . . . Dear Members: ago Northern Coastal District was proviCed with the unique a of being the first of B.C.'s directly involved with the The four middle pages were valiantly given up to the cause and with fingers crossed Fed staff threw caution to the wind in assigning us this task' The

A few months

lies a wealth of hidden talent. We chose as a theme

for our contributions, what it

t4 membe

newspa poetry. simply

on eY

The writers group meets twice each meeting geared towards brri;;;;, month with one and the other reserved for discussing and evaluating w;li;r;.-,". nNo

Man Is An fsland,,

In search of inspiration, education and entertain_ ment, the group (with some fi th_e Federation) has ,ponro.J editors Bill Freeman, peter C Klan and peter Trower. combined with plays or musical events. manuscript preparation. ama and other topics of g and experienced writers.

All.this reading,.writing and talking has led to two anthotogies, Fuil. Ao9n, F"t M;;;:a poetry by island- writers published chapbook of i, l-9*;;; Reflections, a collection of i,o.trv,-rio., stories and non-fiction, which ,u.. ,u'Ufirfrrd i" rgSZ. When it comes right solitary affair. Bui so someone know exactlv say, "I'm 200 words ov just ate my only copy.,, paula Wild

Iexada fsland nlV.hy-

do they call

asked.

Blubber Bay?,, the traveller

She had caught an early

ferry across Horseshoe Bay before driving across the p.oin.uf" to one at Jervis Inlet. The third f"r.y "ur"n another Lio,rght her to Texada Island. "When the whalins industry was in its heyday on coast,. that bay-would have been crammed with !!is carcasses," her host said.

"Thank goodness

it is no longer.,,

He poured the beer first into her glass then his the green bottles were t osieJ and 9*l; now beginning to perspire. "You can't see it from here,,, he went on, pointing

l5 in the general direction anyway, "but over that hill is the town of Vananda.

"Killer whale," said the man who was rowing. What a welcome home!

"Just a couple of hundred people live there now. But at one time there were more than twenty thousand. A newspaper. Saloons. Even an opera

nd has continued to be. A home ancient trees and new friends, of work and long hours of writing

house."

"What was the lure?',

"Iron ore. It's not mined here anymore. Before the iron the island was a popular port of call for steamships going from California to Alaska during the gold rush. Jack London recalled stopping here.i

"A place of some historical

reno.wn.,'

"But not popular with the native Indians. They have a legend which says the island rose from thl sea and is doomed to sink back in." "Does the legend have any basis

Just say that I am a writer who is going to write as long as her brain cells can frolic about. Ten

in fact?"

"It does actually. The soil of the island formed on top of a reef consisting of fossilized crustaceans. The only mining done on the island now is for limestone. Some of the richest deposits in the world exist here." "This is all very well," she said. "But I'm fam_

Gilean Douglas

ished."

"If I light the barbecue will you toss the salad?"

Mourning Again

"That sounds terrific," she said. Steve Pyle

Writer on an Island Was in the Beginning

two eternal bliss, thereby making the second person

of the first couple aware he oi she will miss the

But one starlit night we came together, the island and I. What with one thing and another it was almost midnight when I found myself in a rowboat on th future h

still, revell eleme the

silence en sudde

ry close, night. It certainly shook me.

I proceeded third party. places to liv

ine, and a slimy ed occupations,

it was time to clean up the workshop (my kitchen table) and pick up the kids for their dent;l But

appointment. Writing was one thing, "to ""rr"r, ap p o in tmen ts took mo n-ths jirls t

dental

Poor Bob

I drove to the ferry. -The drive was quick and everyrhing r saw on. the 6-;;r; rise to new thoughts about my characters aln].the part each would play in my novel.

ftoT the desert of students Rank with boredom And cigarette smoke

The trip across the strait lulled me further into spirit of romance. f watcheJ'-r#irrg

Reading their work He wears

the

seagulls. When I had first,seen the ,.", I l-ai frateO it. It looked grey and ureat anisi"irii""r dead fish. seen a pod of kilG;whates |-y:-tn:l f.hadswim_ mrng south, their. mainificenJ ;t;.i and white bodies rolling sently through the T-,*r sea. The

ffi Jffi

seagulhrlminoedrn. sea was filled with romance.

"iiit"r ri_..

The

Traffic was heaw *e streamed off the ferry onto the rsland .a: "rr..rts were slippsly. I bent to pi.r up;;;;;_ of my car, and swâ&#x201A;Źrved,.n."riv-rnirrlg the floor a Honda heading toward -u

Spare him

Literary titiltation

itoly*-ffi"ril

_rrr-'i,r-oin"i""r. At the i#j.:ii:"?l,"",ilt* r skiddeJ i;;" d parking rot stoppedinchesr;".'$:j;,Jr"lf :T.,,:t"j;r,H".T; someone's nice

new tvtercecJs. eJJjrg ,",fled and I maOe m-v way to the dentist's second floor office a smidge less than rornandc,

uHi,'

f greeted M"y,- the receptionist. ,,f can,t believe I made it. r.tert minutes before the rhree o'clock ,"-t-li#;;;ial r rucry to get on. The ferrv was loaded." il;"'i;id aI over the streets ouu. h.r.. CoJ trrsr;r;;;"'

Great sex Makes your heart pound Your ears ring And your toes curl

Great writins Should be An intellectual metaphor

hiliffiir'.:n

Sandra Leekie

++**

rF+*

"Hi," she smiled at me. "Do you want the kids, teeth cleaned today as well a, ,fr."t l1, The kids! I wondered wh-at right now as thev waited f;; they were thinking

from the euadra schoolyard ;; to louu"t tt.rn very important dentist appoirrt_erri. "rJi"t. ti"em to ttreir Jocelyn Reekie

*+*+rt*

The passage of BilI C_60 is a step in a long process towards paying writers a fajr *"?.-f", irreir work.

rnnnutloN or n.c. wnttnns, MEMBERS' DIRECTORY

In response to numerous inquiries from members and persons wishing to employ writers, the updated Members' Directory of the Federatibn oi g.C. Writers will be out this fall.

All members of the Federation, Associate and Regular, are entitled to be listed. The Federation of British Columbia Writers is proud to announce the publication of the Literarv Arts Directory through funas naae avaif_ able from the Connunity JobTrac Progran. This compreh-nsive gruide includes vital infor.nation on funding sources; awards and conpetitions; writers, groups; festivals and work_ strops for the vritten wordi and a list of publishers. Sections how to submit a manuscript and howand to inplenent a successfirl pufficity campaign will appeal to a broad range of writers. Order now while supplies last! Copies are available from: The Federation of British Columbia Writers P.O. Box 22OG Main p.O. Vancouvef British Columbia V6B 3W2 (604) 683-2O57

There are size limits to listings, because of limited funds and time available to lioduce this project. We hope to avoid editing your work. pleale ilelp the office staff by keeping your responses concise.

Your answers to #9 and #12 are limited to a maximum number of letters. Spacing and punctua_ tion don't count. Responses tirut ur"" too long will be edited. Remember when

filling out the enclosed application that it will be sold to persons interested in hiring writers. Please have your completed application form returned to our office: Federation of B.C. Writers p.O. Box 2206, Main p.O. Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3W2

by August 15, 1988, 5:00 p.m. Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing you in the Directorv.

Bob Webster

the pLR Commission wrapped operations wittr ttre mailout of PLR payments to some 5,200 writers across Canada - fully 1,245 more than in our inaugural year. The huge increase in applicants wasn,t unexpected, but I'd be pretending to a nonchalance we never felt if I denied the slowly rising level of panic that pervaded our offices from Nlrrember ,g7 to January'88 - as our frantic tobbying efforts for the additional funds to keep the progiimme on an even keel seemed to b.e failing. As tite as January 25, 1988, we were still operiting *ith a scenario that might have seen the average i"Vou, per author On March 25, 1988,

tj:

second year

Vexf .,roo-r^ -

octooerli

Dote rhor

titl lf*" aut

aut rut

In the sltDle or-^.r (AIt 'AIr of BaL Baba

thaf f,

No ^{o

l":",a:l

il|il: il"l:il|| ffi

ned lefter

the fhe he tryc WG ilG --"..,rdrry ""'"'ouY year. ,uar-fear.

Finally, fike to t

aSS ass

2nd

t4/a h_:_ lr-:-^ ^ WF

ar. It's hard

than excifemen Srey hair admirably Iess

rave

passed

r dD Wrflr wrrh orhers. ^.r tst_aqii.,ap s3_8417.

h:,i?l,,,}#

So I,d I Commis

ame

pat

h6^._ . --.vrurjo -:;r:: r discrroo;^discrroo;,

trle

c;;r;il

IDarvelous p

year.

something' to invol rorget. be

ssible

ta*a{c1*

of the

was

.tl"Tl?'j

_roser en. lt's 6een experience-if

flil::tf

With best regards,

ffiTffij"lif

-t

-writer who fff.;J}:

the and

rrom all

of the

r"rrll"llj

wife kin I-my during thar

r^':T,fa{lt:}i';,';}#t#f

. _ __.usuuy ,n.

NANATMo wRr.,-'^^

month. month. R Rr R.r $r EI

imminent

office

*g*a*arF

;1J

*frij" ,

rL,

ryir wir

;-,,:ll,; fnn:*:ilff"':fiJ' r;r" ix j,:[ T:i:"",,;JT*i1,,t".{,,iffi

as a substitutel

nr cr_

)Ie eIe

,t you don,f hav, """: "u, ,"X;1J,":,$li^'t""e i,',v new ,;"";"lj.r1.sriu send_u; on form /whi^r--:].:.'" :T-,H: 'J"";"H..,,*.rr,,:Li:lii.;: a signe ;.$*::: 'l',unc yu'!t send vo'u ctryatet, your you io ir clr "rr"""r"TJl,ltll "tt """r"T.ll1t:l ror D e s)ii. wrthout *irn"","ll"'-cf1in

d8lmmi,,ion

ilT fi?f ,j::ff :.fi f i,:it#,:,".":i?flff

;"J

l9 heads of state and other government officials requesting clarification of individual cases, assurances that the prisoner is provided access to legal counsel, and that his or her physical well-being is not endangered. A second committee, the Censorship Committee, is concerned with legislation on both a domestic and international level relating to issues

of censorship.

Membership in P.E.N. is open to writers who share P.E.N.'s interests and goals. Regular membership requires substantial published credits (two books minimum or the equivalent for editors and playwrights). However, Friends of P.E.N. is a category of associate membership open to those writers who do not qualify as regular members. Members in both categories receive regular information and newsletters. If you are interested in learning more about P.E.N. or would like to apply for membership in the Canadian Centre of International P.E.N., write: The Writers' Centre, 24 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2P3. f+*!}***

EVENTS WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES

++***** CANSCAIP WEST presents

Wordcraft Writing and Illustrating for Children Featuring Jean Little, award-winning children's author; and other speakers on picture books, poetry, non-fiction, script writing and publishers' contracts, Saturday, September 24,1988,9-4 p.m. Tickets are $35. Wordcraft is hosted by the Department of Language Education at Ponderosa Annex E at the University of British Columbia. For registration information contact Kit Pearson: 736-1381.

The Festival of the \ilritten Arts Sechelt, on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast, will see an impressive line-up of some of Canada's leading literary personalities during the Sixth Festival of the Written Arts, August I I to 14.

The Grand Gala Opening, Thursday, August ll, features Wyckham Porteous in his one-man show, "Joe's Caf6", followed by an evening of dancing and music.

FEDERATION EYENT Summer Picnlc Pot-Luck Social and Reading Saturday, July 30, 1988 Noon-3 p.m.

To be held at the home of Judy Villeneuve 12258 Gardiner Street

In the three days to follow audiences will see and hear Knowlton Nash, David Suzuki, W.P. Kinsella,

Barry Broadfoot, P.K. Page, Nicole Parton, Kit Pearson, Lynne Bowen, Dr. Morris Gibson, David Rousseau, Ann Ireland, Christie Harris, Fred Wah and Iris Skeoch.

Crescent Beach

Telephone:

536-3091

(Bus #351)

Members are asked to bring a dish and beverages for lunch. Guests are welcome. The beach is only I block away so plan to stay for the day, walk and swim.

The reading will be by Dionne Brand, a poet, as well as an author of fiction and non-fiction. She is also a member of the Black Women's Collective in Toronto, a group of Black rvomen who are feminists and socialists. Her most recent book of non-fiction, Rivers Have Sources, Trees Have Roots, is about racism in Canada and includes interviews with Native people, Black people, South Asian people and Chinese people around Toronto. This fall, two new books are due: Sans Souci and Other Stories (short stories) and No

Language is Neural (poetry).

As well, evening receptions will give writers and readers the chance to meet each other in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. B.C. publishers and booksellers will also participate, displaying a wide range of the latest Canadian books. To nourish the body as well as the mind, there'll be salmon barbecues on both Friday and Saturday evenings, and on Sunday evening the Festival closes with a dinner featuring recipes from Nicole Parton's The Galley Gourmet.

The Festival of the Written Arts is committed to the support of Canadian writers, publishers and readers by bringing them together in a unique setting to celebrate the written word. Brochures and tickets are available by writing to Festival of the Written Arts, Box 2299, Sechelt, B.C, VON 3A0, or calling (604) 885-9631.

The

GREMF,

multidisciplinarv s, invites you t;

the

CanaOian

ement of lVomen

November ll. conference is om Here and

f*,1*,;+*

:'"?::Tfl

.t'3,:y#,Jlil'':::i,". th;;l;;:.

",ro,

"f?r,_1d r,. a,i,,'il*j tfiTi;:Jr5

*,,"*;

,;t,l+,3*f WORDWRIG

Tutorial, Can writing poetr new opportu Ioannou's ,ua"ri poets'Workshop practical lessons wrrters sfudy )oi ctat-t, as we , creafivity. tearn their a each finds mos For a dehiled

es poets to at the pace nient. fee schedule and

, send a business_

to:

Box

+t***+:t . Writing in the The Wrtting program Rockies: at

th;;;;ff

centre

n rising over Olympic_sized r drinks at the resort in the writer in the Patricia Robertson

2l MARKETS WOMEN'S EDUCATION DES FEMMES, a quar_ terly magazine published by the Canadian Coniress for Learning Opportunities for Women, is now accepting poetry for publication. please submit onlv previously unpublished work and include the usuai SASE. Address submissions to poetry Editor, Women's Education des Femmes, CCLOW. 47 Main Street, Toronto, Ontario M'4E 2y6. I

WOMAN TO WOMAN writers'guidelines: Articles

should be entertaining, B.C. oriented and concerning women, have a strong human interest and,/or cu.reni news angle with mainstream appeal. Articles vary

in length:

between 250 and 500 words for thi Woman's World section; between g50 and 1,200 words for features. We run two features per issue, and between three and ten shorter articles pei month. Other areas for freelance assignment are the- health, beauty and quiz pages. Writing is tabloid style - fast paced, informal and suppoited by PLENTY of quotes, personal accounts and anecdotes. The articles aim to stimulate interest 1"9 entertain, rather than provide in_depth information, and must include regional representa_ tion, where possible. Cp style uppties. NO: how_ to, history or travel articles, reviews or poery. SOME: humour, testimonials. Written queriis preferred. Please include an outline, resum6 and samples of related published work. payment ranges from 15 to 25 cents per word, half payable on acceptance and half on publication. The magazine takes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

+t+**tt CONTESTS

BRITISH COLUMBIA HISTORICAL FEDERATION invites submissions of books or articles for the sixth annual Competition for Writers of B.C. f{istorV. Any book with historical content published in 1988 is eligible. The work may be a community history, a-biography, a record of a project, industry or- organization, or personal recollections givin! glimpses of the past. The judges are looking foi fresh presentations of histoiical information with appropriate illustrations, careful proofreading, an adequate index, table of contents and bibliography. Winners will be chosen in the following categoriei:

Best history book by an individual writer. Winner receives the Lieutenant_Governor,s Medal for Historical S-riting and a monetary prize.

Best anthologt'.

- for an author or editor of an outstanding book. 4. Best article published in the British Cotumbia Historical News quarterly magazine. Articles 3. Special Award

il',';llSilll_ (photos

returned.)

will

All winners will receive considerable publicity, an invitation to the B.C. Historical ConferenCe in Victoria in May 1989, and a Certificate of Merit. Books and articles should be mailed as soon as possible to: British Columbia Historical Federation, c/o Mrs. Naomi Miller, Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB 2K0.

++***** AWARDS

B.C. BOOK PRIZES B.C.'s Best in Literature Named for lggg

The winners for the l98g B.C. Book prizes are: The Bill Duthie Bookseller,s Choice: The Adventures and Suf ferings of John R. Jewittby Hilary Stewart (Douglas & Mclntyre)

Ethel Wilson Fiction prize: Cage by George McWhirter (Oberon press)

Sheila A. Egoff Children's prize: !_i,i(, of Lions by Nicola Morgan (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)

B.C. Prize for Poetry: All I Ever Needed Was A Beautifut Room by patricia Young (Oolichan Books)

Roderick Haig-Brown Regional prize: ll/halers No More by W.A. Hagelund (Harbour) Hubert Evans Non-Fiction prize: Brazilian Journal by p.K. page (Lester & Orpen Dennys)

Winners in the six categories were awarded prizes of S1,000 each. B.C. authors or their publishers are

encouraged to submit bonlrc next vear,s c

^ ^r.-:-L. ;;;1???fi,H1:'fil:$:1lii:i:'

:f+*+*g

EVENT is pl

Creatiie g50 Summer Rea

The Gerald Lampert Award hon

the

three winners

receives

Each writer 1. Event tn

t_ennl "Detox,,, a journal

wrote ose.wrirer o.-vi. r.ur.r, Massachusetts,

sinc

Grower of

Haywood of Vancouver, B.C. ces with "U*i fr"u-"^

th..; st;;;* ,,Nostru

van Iate

I7//2,

The winners are

tor

arso of

_J.ii,#;

ctrrvs3kline'

;.itl;; #{| "f

.1t-ntmums"'-an the

Mary Di Michere

for

"The itprtionJ-- pi..J -'"--

death of a profesro..

9_:."19 Lampert, an art, organized writers, ,ori, -"nO rnterest in the work of recognizes the ,ig"n"ani' ";;

Canadian poet The tggg win My Mother, _oi pu is a resident

+***++!t

KIT

won Year

ti?ll^d-no:et, A Handfut of Time, Association root or

H}rj

" +*+f+**

ilu

IANPOETS ,atits22nd Vancouver, announced 3L__poetry awards _ The pai Irhree _ l::rd,_The Geratd t";o;; Jh.u F.R. Scotr rr"orlriioo "lo rd carries with it a cash priri ot ed were the first and rrrsr annual National second poetrv

The pat Lowther Mem

wen died in I9g7. The alf of the family bv po.i

one press. Brandt

urrently writing a disserta _as lother,s Narrative pitt Sto.y sity of tvtaniioba. She is ro-rlrr. .,^.' " r::b,;."rrh.;1#i1ii!r::,,,H:,,r:;;;:;:,; yerse 2, and a contributinilt;;. f; (f.)Lrp.

Ph.D.

,l.o^.t*po Award was established as t"::.I lrrank) s..u _ tawyer, \ poet and translator _ anO is giu.ri c work of translatron puUfisfr"eJ in

Event received

ranging';;n."J";..3,:l;:HT;"yl,j.*il.,,11 urnals and TF. rhrrteen entries filij;;; thor tnsiie tii irls.

Pacheco, publis was born in Be taught in Ireland at U.B.C. since I of Creative Writ of Pris the Ma rl.. Commonwealiil' poetry prize 1n9 Achebe), I972. pubtication;i";ffi"", Cage, paut Fire Before D",k;;i-;;;;;;'to'Grips

itr;

with

SCREENPLAYS WANTED by Canadian producer. with return postage to: Spectra Communica_ tions, 201 - 319 West pender Street, Vancouver, Send

B.C. v6B l14.

TASSO LAKAS, B.I.S., Contract Consultant/ Negotiator, serving Writers, performers, Directors in the Film/Video and Broadcast Industry. "rri Commencing on April l, lggg I shall be available to evaluate and negotiate writer, performer, director contracts. As a formei employee"oO of ACTRA performer

Writer and

Guilds,

f"t"fim

Canada, CBC Network Television, and the CRTC,I am very familiar with the Independent Film/Video

Producer and Network Broadcaster contract stand_ ards and practices. My unique third party service will be available on a per contract/project 6asis

and

may be credited when applicabie against a l0o/o contract commission. Minimum fee for the first consultation hour 975. For more information please contact Tasso Lakas, 60 Mann Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4S 2yS. phone: (416) 4S:_g455.

OPEN POETRY GALLERY SERIES. Clochard Gallery and pop-tart magazineare co_sponsoring the Open Poetry Gallery Series that sta;ts July 14. Combined poetry readings and exhibitions. Open to all participants. Theme for the first event, July l4: Birth; July 28: .Food for Thought'; andAugust ll: 'post-tart, postcard art show'. Att suUmlssions, visual or verbal, must be on postcards and must post marked by July 3lst. All participants be are invited to attend August I l. The final event will take-place on August 25th and is an ,art sweat_ ..hopl All images and poems will be produced in the Gallery that night. The Clochard Gallery is located at 3505 Commercial Street, Vancourrer. f.o, more information contact Gail Wirittier, 253_9474. FBCW MEMBERSHIpS: Fed memberships -iuu. will be increased as of october l, l9gg. .orr.y_ renew now at $25 for Full Members and $10 f-or Associate Members!

WHO'S WHO IN THE LEAGUE OF CANADIAN POETS. Third edition edited by Stephen Scobie. O.ver 210 pages provide entries fo. eacf, poee a p.hotograph, short.profile, list of awaids, publica_ tions and anthorogies and selected criticat comments are all there for each poet. Includes poets from Newfoundland to British Columbia, winners of the Governor General's Award unJ-"ny tn. League,s own awards - The patLowther Memorial Award and the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award. S19.95

(paper) available June t ggg; postage and handling gl. Please ma-ke cheque or money order payable to:

WORDWORKS

League of Canadial_p_1rtr, 24 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2p3. fnone: lAtO) 363_5047.

A quarterly publication of B.C. p.O.

Produced by the Federation

Box 2206, Main p.O. Vancouver, B.C.

WRITER / EDITOR seeks non_smoking office mate for spacious Broadway and Granville oifice (rental $200 each, or $133 iach with t peopfe). Could th?I" ottotte system, photocopie., .".6u."u books. Adjacent office has 3 writeis ui.o irrt"r"sted in sharing resources. phone 224_lfga Oavs or eves.

v6B 3W2 phone: 693_2057 Editor: Judy Villeneuve

XPOSURE MAGAZIN Vancouver, B.C. V6N I

Contributing Editors: Sheena Ashdown patty Gibson Rose Klinkenberg

editors, writers, critics, ar of the

ers crucially aware

and of constructive. knr criticism of the arts in this city. Xposure will develop a solid base of exciting anO genuirre

commentary, to develop a critics and the communitv. input you may have in ih cover to events, plays, exhibitions. . .

gratefully acknowledge the ongoing support for Minijrt;i Tourism, Recreation and Culture. We

this publication from the

Writers

IrY-n e,'j

SIDtr GLAI\CtrS notes on the writer's cr:aft by John V. Hicks

_Co-published brv Thistledown and the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, Srr/e Glanrces is a delightfut pttp",lrri

s tor poets and story creative process: how

rearize s

the

poem or ston: t'ers

agnat,*,f;ffJ"il['I3"T:,t]:l

.\ \'eteran writer, John V Hicks of. the reader provocative insi$hts and much-

needed reminders for both approiching the actual rvriting task and for honing and refinin"g towards a finished piece. He also olfers iialii.- r.o.,, -u"v notable writers and embellishes them in his own in_ imitable fashion to produce a book that is entertain.

ingly written, while at the same tl-" *"ring tt reader to reflect a$ain and again on many facets " of the writer's craft.

.g o.

several prizes for his poetry in literary competitions.

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