WordWorks Winter 1988 by WordWorks Magazine, 1982-2012

WINTER

THE FEDERATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA WRITERS NEWSLETTER

1988

Mailing

Address:

Offrce Address:

P.O. Box 2206, Main Post Office, Vancouver,

BC V6B 3W2

Ste. 706 - 402 West Pender Street. Vancouver.

BC V6B

1T6

Tel: 683-2057 for this, urging increased political action. This we have been reluctant to do, because some members of the Cultural Services Branch have been verv supportive and also, to be blunt, for fear ofjeopardizing what funding we have.

SEASON'S GREETINGS!

What makes this worse is that the grant we applied for was only for nine months, as we had to change our fiscal year - primarily to accommodate the Cultural Services Branch.

Now, Cultural Services Branch will not let

change our application date in accordance with our new fiscal year. They won't let us play by their own

rules. o

The gloves are off.

You are a member of a valuable organization. Please tell this to the Cultural Services Branch. Send a strongly worded letter to:

WE TAKE ON VICTORIA

G. Richard Brownsey

When is a $5,000.00 increase really a $57,000.00 decrease?

When the Cultural Services Branch ignores the fact that we have more than met the conditions given to us a year ago and gives us only $5,000.00more than last year to meet the needs of more than three times as many writers.

When we had 200 members we received

$25,000.00 operating grant. Now that we have 700 members we are offered $30,000.00. This increase amounts to a decrease from $125.00 to $42.86 per member. The Federation has always been polite ro the Cultural Services Branch. Some of vou have chided us

Director Cultural Services Branch Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V IX4 with a copy to the Federation Office. This is the first step in a continuing strategy devised by the Federation to demonstrate that BC's writers will not go away.

ZoeLandale, President Heather Glebe, 1st Vice-President Clemens Rettich, 2nd Vice-President Sheena Ashdown. Treasurer

PRESIDENT'S REPORT In October, Bob and I attended an historic meeting in Winnipeg, the first ever to occur between Presidents and Executive Directors from Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C. We ended up calling it "The Western Writers' Summit". Bob and I wentin feeling like the poorkids on the block, prepared to gag when other organizations' budgets were mentioned. That happened. What we didn't expect, though, was a renewed pride in our own Federation. We are doing a tremendous number of interesting things here in B.C. With one-seventh Saskatchewan's budget and a much larger geographical area tocover, as wellas more members, we have tocome up with ways to cope creatively. (Thank goodness for Bob. He keeps putting in applications to various government agencies to provide us with staff. I like working with Bob.)

The Western Writers' Summit decided to: 1. Meet once a year. The next meeting will be in Vancouver, October'89. 2. Drafta letterendorsing the Canadian Reprography Collective's activities to date, butrequest an equal number of representatives from outside and inside Ontario. (Presently 8 out of 10 members are from Toronto.) 3. Actively lobby these four issues in the Federal Election Campaign: a. Support for the recommendations of the report of the Canadian Advisory Committee on the Status of the Artist, July 1988. b. Reaffirmation of commitment to Economic and Regional Development sub-agreements with regard to cultue. (Think this sounds dry? B.C. got bilked out of $34 million for culture with the cancellation of this agreement). c. Continuation of support to changes in the copyright act.

d. Support of recommendations that arts organizations be given charitable trx status.

had no idea the Federation was doing so much," said Sandra, the newest member of the Workshops & Readings Committee, the other night. It's true. You have to sit in often on meetings or be in the office to realize the volume of business we do. Our Workshop & Readings Committee has been busy arranging a large numberof Short-Term Writer-ln-

Residencies. These have been confirmed with participating writers and colleges, but not by the Canada Council. In 1989, we hope to see five-day Writer-in-Residencies in Castlegar, Nelson, Cranbrook/Creston, Vernon, Penticton, Williams LakeI 100 Mile House, Victoria, Vancouver and Chilliwack. Canada Council will sponsorreadings and workshops in Campbell River, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. Please see Jane Covernton's report on Vancouver activities, including a new Open Reading series. We are you. The Provincial Council changes every AGM and will again April 8-9 in Crescent Beach, where next year's conference will be held. Last year at Naramata, members decided that a mail

ballot to elect Regional Representatives area by area made sense. If you want, the Executive may be elected in the same way. There's an insert in the newsletter. If, in preference to electing yourExecutive atthe AGM, as we have in the past, you would prefer to see a province-wide mail ballot, let us know. Whatever your views, mail in the nomination form. We need a sixty percent favourable response from members in order to initiate this change. Please indicate on the card if you would like to stand for office or be on a comminee. For emerging writers it's a grcat way to meet other writers. For established writers it's a way of giving back. And for everyone involved, it's FUN! Happy Holidays.

ZoeLandale

VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT ..SPREAD

THE FED!''

When I was planning a visit to Prince George this fall, I started thinking how few Fed members seemed to come from there. So I decided to see what I could do to spread the good word of our fine organization. The result was

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Just a few items: 1.

The front page story. What I do not understand

is how the Provincial Govemment can claim $12 million extra in Lottery Funds and not provide adequate support to cultural groups or grants to individual artists.

Federation of B.C. Writers "Public

Information Night and Open Readings" on Sept. 19, co-sponsored by the Prince George Library.

Staff Changes. We will be losing our Section 38 people who produced this year's Literary rites2 Competition and the Members'Survey in mid-December: Jeannie Lochrie, Maurice Jenkinson and HeatherWells. It's the pits. Good luck. If you notice a slower response from the office in January, it is because we have lost these three incredible people.

Annual General Meeting. In this issue the Federation is calling for nominations for the 1989-90 Provincial Council and Executive. Get more involved in your Federation, fill out the insert and mail it back to us.

Membership Directory. The input of the raw data into the computer has begun, but it is slower than expected because of our many other activities. Paul Lang is doing most of the work on this project, at this time.

New members joining that night were Jill Bailly, Kim Fogmann, Marion Hoffmann and Marlene Mclarty, and hopefully there have been afew more since. Brochures and Literary rites2 information were left in the tib'rary. While there, I also had a 1 5minute radio interview and a couple of small articles were published in the newspaper.

Staff Update. Judy Villeneuve was elected a memberof City Councilin Suney: congratulations! Moreah Staven is working very hard to make the Literary rites2 dinner a great show. Gail Whitter is keeping the office afloat. The annual membership drive is bearing fruit. (Hooray, Lynne! We can use the money.)

I accidently left my package of direaories and Writers in the Classroom books in my mother's car. And bless her, she sold 8 of them before returning the remainder to the Fed office!

Ithinkthe new systemformeetings well. More Congratulations.

Happy Holidays.

Heather Glebe

Robert A. Webster

About 20 men and women attended, from teenagers to retirees, with a variety of interests in writing. I told them all about the Fed. Since I'd heard comments about "feeling isolated", I stressed the value of networking with others through the Fed and the outreach progmms. I also showed them books written by Prince George authors (with help from librarian Jan Jarman, who also supplied coffee). Several people did readings of poetry, stories etc. I think the quality of work was a pleasant surprise to some. At the end of the evening, a few Literary Arts

Directories were sold and people lingered. We photocopied a list of names and phone numbers, and those present talked of meeting again. I had the feeling they were hungry for contact with other writers.

working

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT,S REPORT

over 700 newsletters on Thanksgiving weekend.

* Congratulations to

our Vancouver Regional ton, for the fine job fitpotluck and open photos of the eve_

and assembring the tending. Enjoy!

-":Ht

Judy Villeneuve

This evening of readings was well anended by over despite the miserabf" rJnruff. The pro_ ,10^.l1:nt: J,ect met its objectivgs of: presenting writers from different backgrounds in un ruty cente; paying writers"tfrno"uitural commu_ to read their works before a wider audience; a cross_ cultural understanding of ,rr" urri"Jliterary talent within our city.

X-

We are.planning to.submit aproposai to continue the series with writeru ou""iini-tiriougtrout the province. will keep you posted on o* endeavors to reach out within the literary community.

* Wordworks:

The deadline for submissions and advertising in the next edition of Wordworks is February 15, 19g9. We have ,"iJ"finir" times as the processing of the newsler* ._'take up to 11eral weeks depending upon the-workload at Wordpower and tte prinLs. W";; need time to proofread and edit in order to avoid tf,or" in"uituUf" typing errors. please keep this irr_inj.

am grateful to

on the _work

r.,,

"T#,'l,tT,tl*'*lili;

"oi,iji Whitter, Jane Covernton, Maria Downie and Lor_ raine Snand who helped -" o.g_i"e and mait out

il< X. Xr X- X< X-

* )< X_ :X )K * r(

write this, I,m experiencing a quick

break between major tasks: I,v; ju;;-;Gltea the mail_ out for the lggg memb".rhip Cri"",'_O I,m antici_

,,nH:ili,:J,l:ff

media rnnnite rt1f :ff staff who helped with the t diou;-;;;; of stuffing, sealing and stamping envelopes.

-*'

A reminder to all members who did not take advantage

of lggg renewal member_ ship expires on December ""t.r, 31, l9gg. To avoid missing a single issue of Wordworkr, _O ensure that you are informed o Federation activities, ren

euptog15.00fi un[der]emplol AGM).

X-

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

-d;.;;;ting

Many thanks to the writers thatread, to those who attended, and to patti, Heath"r, tutor""t , andDoug, who helped me throughout the;ar:

(published and eligible to vote at the

Happy holidays

Lynne Melcombe

NEW MEMBERS FALL 1988 Jill Bailly Lynne Bealey Andrew Brown Raymond J. Burdock Katharine Clark Lyn Cockburn Juliet Eastman Reb Ellious Christine Elmitt Terrie Evans Kim Aileen Fogtmann Gary Gilbert Sunshine Goldstream Roxanne Gregory Margaret Gunning Emest Hekkanen Marion Hofmann Penelope Horton Beth Jankola Surjeet Kalsey W. Ruth Kozak Andrew Lucas Harvey MacGregor Patricia Maika Sheryl McFarlane Marlene P. Mclarty Patsi McMurchy Irene A. Mohr Bob Moropito Lynne Stonier Newman Betty Nickerson John P.H. Nicolls Cindy O'Dell Maria Pavlik Robbie Rapin Michael Roth Joe M. Ruggier Claudette Sandecki May M. Sinclair Allen Smith Claire Smith Hilda M. Sontyre Rob Spanell Henry L. Speer Moreah Staven Sylvia Swanson Maralyn Taylor Thomas S.Woods Sandra Zachaias

Prince George Surrey Nanoose Bay Abbotsford Aldergrove Vancouver Vancouver

Lantzville Vancouver Mission Prince George Gibsons Qualicum Beach Masset Port Coquitlam Vancouver Prince George Kelowna Vancouver Richmond Vancouver

Winfield Surrey Vancouver Victoria Prince George Vancouver North Vancouver Vancouver Heffley Creek Ladysmith Vancouver Whistler White Rock Port Coquitlam Delta North Vancouver Terrace North Vancouver Vernon Nanaimo Kelowna Vancouver Chilliwack Vancouver Vancouver Langley Vancouver Vancouver

REGIONAL REPORTS Central Region As the last birch leaves drifted to the ground and the number of firewood laden pick-up trucks past my door doubled, I had a visit from one of the Federa-

tion's newest members, Mer Montador of Lone Bute. Mer a:rived bearing copies of The Interior, the first publication of the 100 Mile Writers' Workshop. It is hoped that this will be a yearly event. The magazine itself is very professional in appqfance, and features many new writers and illustrators. Simmone Ellis, founder of the writers' workshop, persuaded W.P. Kinsella to conffibute to this first edition, and Richard Wright, author of many well loved guidebooks to this part of the country, shares a prize winning 'Tall Tale' from the annual contest in Barkerville. Congratulations to everyone associated with The Interior, one of the few 'literary' magazines to surface here in the heart of cowboy country. Actually, I plan one day to frnish my poem about cows, once I getpast the first line which, as I remember, has the unfortunate phrase 'bovinely bucolic' firmly planted in the middle of it. I'll keep working on it, ttrough, and perhaps by the next edition of The Interior....

Ann Walsh {/

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Fraser Valley Region Fraser Valley Fed members are invited to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of every month, at 7:30 at Fraser Valley College in Abbotsford. Our meetings are informal and members are encouraged to bring short pieces of writing to share. For more information, call Laverne Adams at 792-0025.

I have been teaching

a creative

writing course on

Monday evenings at Kent maximum security institution in Agassiz. One of the objectives of the course is to enable the students to form an ongoing

Z........:

writers' group when the course is finished in De_ cember. There's a remarkable variety of talent within the prison population, and I'm enjoying the

teaching.

I a r

todoareadingatparkholmlodge, care facility, in Chilliwact onOIc. s there are interested in poety and

in learning more about the Federation.

watch for Fraser Vallev ucation brochure in earlv three literary events titlee be herd in Mission . willfeature the,,bestof the Valley,spo"oy anj music".

^'rt'"1#;ffi,'iiilll

and

L. Adams x( )K X X )t( x

hope. We,re Duncan and

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South Islands

Now you don't have to phone me. Right? Basta!!

BASTA

Linda

More virulent than the nasty headache flu is the proliferation of writers on South Vancouverlsland. Under every barnacle, someone is versifying. Between calls fror action is my ph_one is hlperactive. It really gets hysterical when I'm in the bath orhaving good (A good dre*,io,"puft"ufarly yo,olnformation I_t.*tl rs usually in Ita-lian. Did you .""ih" fiIm?)

xxxxxxxxxxx(xx()xx

(what,s,ftffilH:ffit :HtT;

$ry:

Three answers

fit all enquiries. No, this is not Victoria Book and StationeryNo,',ti, is not Health and Welfare, but tell; y";;;ymptoms if

they are venereal bec

au se S u san

gr-a:ve and I are

thinking about a book on sexual faiil. I'm afrlid I_"*', ge-t you a paid reading And no,

not on the Canada Council list.

if you are

This is rtiscouraging for neophytes who want their rnomentin artificial sun. If you look hard enough,

Northern Region Our region will be featured in the next issue of Wordworks. Therefore, if more members would like to contribute a piece of work,

early new year.

plear"io

ro in tt

Karen Ballinger

9124g7thAvenue Fort St. John, BC VlJ 583

xx)KX(X)KXXXxx{(xx(x

INTERNATIONAL WNTERS BENEFIT

Vancouver Me too' Tolstoy saidhe wrote better in the spring' So start earlY:

February School centre' Sunday, February 26, WestEnd Community

Marion Quednau, authorof Th eButterfly Chnir' will teach a half-day course on Fiction Basics'

Sheri-D Wilson, performance poet' a half-day on Performing Your Poetr'v'

Florence McNeil, author of Catriona's Island andotherbooks, plays, andpoetrywill do ahalf day on Writing for Children'

at And finally, for those who want to make a living their art:

Trevor Carolan, prolific magazine writer' will teach a half-day on TheFine Art of Freelancing' great for those who want to "flirt at the edges of literature".

All is tentative. Call the Fed 683-2057 or me 8794073 for details and to register'

PRISON DAY

only every Gail Whitter won every raffle prize' No' second one. havNovember 15, we celebrated our freedom by g at the Unitarin g a potluck supper and open readin iai C^trurctr. Potluck is always geat' World famous

Fed' Then many elections, so little time) to plug the there were the readings. You never Open readings are like potluck suppers' to know who'll bring what and just trust the Fates balance

it out. Thank You Fates'

in this Some of the fine work we heard is featured

Wordworks. But new Federation member Nancy Knickerbocker read a strong Mother's Day piece 'disshe'd written after visiting the mothers of the for us' appeared' in El Salvador. That made it real Then the

raffle: nineteen excellent writers donated

their time to do manuscript evaluations' There was originat art. Books from Macleods and Octopus gast. And two original manuscripts by Spider Robinson and Mona Fertig. Actually, Gail only

d$180forthe ationalP'E'N'

OPEN READINGS

Coming up at Caf6 Caf6, 2297 East Hastings' more Sponsored by the Normal Art Society' For info, call Gail Whitter at253-9474' ! Probably at Caf6 Madeleine. Probably once a month on Friday evenings. hobably starting in the New Year' Checkihe office. Volunteer. Meet other writers'

More more more open readings

For future reference: there weren't quite enough

thoughts to the world. Thanks. Jane Covernton

Surjeet Kalsev

WRITERS

BRIDGING CULTURES

PEN

EVENT C.D. Dino Minni

Faces in pEN audience

Stephen Reid

INTERNATIONAL WRITERS IN PRISON DAY OPEN READING

It's time for the Vancouver Region to make the literary contribution to Wordworks. These are pieces of the readings given at rhe November

l5th

Open Reading. With thanks to Gerry Gilbert for taping them and apologies to the writers for cuts and clumsiness in transcribing from tape. The theme was prison and the power of words - which makes them a little grim, but interesting.

Armando Valladares It's interesting that things have significance while we say them and afterwards, but none before. Writing is much the same

Understanding, we create by doing; not by thinking, an exercise in captivity during which time passes without accomplishment

For Maggie Thatcher For you Maggie Thatcher in the UK we've heard over here in Canada of your scheme to take prisoner's right to silence in police custody away. Dirty slut Maggie Thatcher pretending to rule in a democratic and a human righs fashion. Stalinist pig. You know that right to silence in police custody is a pillar and a mainstay of our western civilization. You subversive bitch. Next we'll hear that police tornrre and beatings and murders of prisoners in custody, if it isn't already the norrn, shall be so in the UK. In post-Hitlerite Britain. Get out of office Thatcher. We don't need that shit over here either in this former crown colony. Prisoner's right to silence okay. Peter Imm

Words mean what they do after they have been put to use or in the instant they are spoken or written down, and later read

Last Spring I went to El Salvador for two weeks to

They combine in miraculous ways, loaves and fishes feeding the multitudes with baskets gathered of the surfeit

cover the national elections. It was the first time I'd been separated from my two year old daughter for more than a weekend. I missed her terribly and fretted when herdad told me she seemed suMued and bewildered by my absence.

A Mother's Day piece

Here, then, is a poem which written before or read until this instant, and which nobody wants

After I came home I stood for a long time watch_ ing her sleep and thinking about how loving her has changed me and strengthened me and I shuddered to think about how much stonger I would have to be if I was the morher of a child in El Salvador. This is a tribute to the mothers of that little nation

has neither been

From a low place on the hillside it will be mixed in with other scraps and lifted, from hand to hand,

who every day remind me of the power of maternal love and the courage that flows from it.

to rest at last before Jesus' face Paul Mutton

The office of the Committee of the Mothers of the Disappeared, Political Prisoners, and Assassinated

located Salvador. the shade a trees in the courtyard. old typewriterpunctu

(Stephen Reid

his piece bv saying he madly rr.ibblirttffied tg because he forgot his books

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*:F,fj;.r. T,il:X ig: :il:fr

that we must do.

just what it i, to uJi

*i*,,, ;

ads and tape recorders a

L.ike a living pieta, Am prctures of her son,s

only child, his name ca{penter, just 22 years Guard killed him. Tien they mutilated his corpse. What memories must have rushed back as she gouged out of his face the tongue they cut the sounds of her d offhis body took

q ffifritru;" ;

uTJ {9nre talked about causes and,we aft Juiout this ben fit and who's cor shourd ;" o?Hi: lXl call ..I used to compost,,. r ur.aio io things. yo know, get off mv

iljffiff ;::T,Hi:l

big redphoto atUui. ;truckthatth :y documen day parties

;;TT;,

back. think sometimes country. And r thilione worse than a reDressive

i:TJ,ff;

iffi;Jings.

And

J.nX*:: ;::J,T ,"gi;;^;;;unuy wha Iocks up its writers,i, a tol"rint;;il whlte that,s. h"pp";;;.";i thar standr ,1Tor think it,s ionigh-t unliu"'.. tarking ;ffi,T::Ytrff :'here ...

is:

Ijust want to send a guerilla_gram here. That that we gotta k

l:l,i"s^uid;;;",r"'r:iqTl*T:1ffi ,t;,ilsteps of these peopte until frri;-r;Luch that somebody .r-"-L members th.il's:H,"" # ;:j",ffi"_:#, ::_

remembering.

er help. Stephen Reid

In El Salvador there are thousands of mothers just Iike Amelia orsorio. the t"rr;;;;;"ars {n more

:::*i::[:iJ,","jff*#t#r#,1,tr of much blood. to conceive

(,his is a nove, excerpt)

that

Nancy

r._-. O""O'r# _y ho_" I around the usual kild of s;

had

otherday, waltzi _I tering of .nrri-rng

vacations.

up h

prison for their:::lTtTber-people wno power or the

We arrived, three Cana

appointment. Severa

stand

t-oortant that we.show

She remembered a line frr

Knickerbocker tH

};iltr11fity;1j" l,i;"::l;',f:H: the planting

just started, you,d never knouf:J]lh war, somewhere on *" far away as Hugh, u, e as these two fugitives she waited "for-

il:fifi#TJL::r:

for.

ivatch: Still twenty minutes to go. What if they''d come early and missed her somehow? What if they were late? She listened to a few birds off somewhere, hidden. She listened to her own breath. Nineteen minutes. What if they didn't make it at all?

She glanced at her

Atthe meeting the group had agreed for supporters to rush to the border on call if one of the men were caught. It felt like a feeble plan now - a bunch of people with fast cars throwing themselves in front of tanks, machine guns. If one or both men got caught by U.S. Immigration, they could be hustled onto the next plane to San Salvador, a one-way ticket to execution. light quiet rain had started to fall, dampening the road. Down among the trees, daylight was almost extinguished. "Borders are essentially fascist," Joanna had said. Now Barbara thought of them not as fences, but as rivers to be forde4 full of boulders and whirlpools, the last obstacle on the route to a safer place. She turned the ignition, startled by the sudden roar. ...A

. . . Til the mother of ten, eight still living, chooses iguana for evening meal. Chooses with care: they're not all the same. Fingering haunches, loins and tail, she nods, she wets her lips, as I wet mine, The stream offaces stops, presses closer. The woman reaches forth; fat quivers under skin. Edge of machete touches string. The iguana dangles head-down from her hand. Its stone eyes scan the ring of faces. Black stone mirrors for its eyes, that don't blink, show no surprise as its head leaps aside from under

the blade to join the others on the ground while the body squirms neck first into the bag. The tail peeps out, still twitching. The machete quivers in the block. She wipes her skirt, folds the money, licks her lips, and meets my eyes, which the iguana's soul just entered. And she shous a gutsy challenge as the market moves again: 'Ty'ho's nexl"

Morna Mcleod

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Corral You and

are fenced from us by our different freedoms

Franci Louann \l/ {/

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She's always first to the offrce. She has the keys in her hand. But the door is already half open, a man's shoe poking out. She pushes the door against some heavy object. A man with no head sits in her chair, clotted blood all over his neck and shoulders and shirt, his head held in his lap in rigid hands. That face might be her pa.rtner in the offrce of human rights if the machete hadn't split it between the eyes: iguana' s eyes, matte - glazed, withholdin g li ght. But it must be him. Why else would he be wearing that placard pinned to his bloody shirt. Two words for Anna Pilar: You're next.

Dick Bird

t2 In

a Dead

Guard's

Ear

Voting on peality (pan of a longer poâ&#x201A;Źm on free rade)

A guard died

standing on duty outside the door of my cell. I had a pen with no ink, so I stuck it in his ear. I immediately felt bad, that I was showing disrespect. Then my cell-mate stuck his pen, also dry, in the guard's nose. The prisoners in the cell next door also had dry pens. These were soon stuck in the guard's other ear

Forget art

if it's just another

song for the U.S. market of who's to lose? Free trade: lose the country. Nuclear subs: lose the world. The mock in democracy. The pain in campaign. Calling all Canadians. time to fall apart, together again. Can Odd Breadbent and Glassjaw Turnip upstooge Barn-not-Brains Balooney? Yop. Nup. Think of a century, slowing up.

etcetera.

The lack of respect continued to bother me. I thought why do we all have dry pens? Why can our thoughts reach no furtherthan a dead guard's ear? I had no answer but fear. My pen is dry and sticks in a dead guard's ear.

To whose advantage is all this bad news every day in the world here: multi-national gangs getting in on the gtound floor of chaos bluffing the peoples of the world into dying of

fright to make the universe safe for thinking about?

Gerry Gilbert Michael Hetherington \7 \7 \l/ \7 ?tr,a ?r zr \7 /a\

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We Shall Not Perish Ghosting

lt was October 22.1962 . . .

Write liquid streets overflowing lives Write siren song a dry wail above the storm. Write dreams, dreams of dreaming beyond screen's edge. Write expectant words, affesting words. Hell, write your whole life away. David

Firman

This was thefar-off dangerwe hadknown of since childhood bur never believed possible. We didn't hear the president announce his planned blockage of Cuba. We could only stare out into the indigo sky as though expecting it to erupt into a blinding fatal sun.

"The Russians won't fire these missiles," we protested, trying to muster common sense. "They're bluffing. Neither the Russians nor the Americans can risk atomic war."

"But surely the president wouldn't warn people without reason?" someone asked.

"But why scarc everyone, when there's no defense. Ornpatients in cardiac ward. They'll have fatal heart attacks. Doesn't Kennedy know that?"

"It's Kruschev, he's Antichrist,"

said aPentacostal

girl

I '

"But Stalin was ceftainly Antichrist and our leaders welcomed himwhen they needed his armies to defeat Hitler's," said a student of high school history. "They were guilty too."

"If

one of us probies risked a patient's life by a mistake she'd be expelled in disgrace," someone burst out. "Yet leaders of countries can risk millions of innocent people."

"We couldn't save any of the wounded- All our training would be waste4" said a prroud and capable second year studenl "In past wars people could fight back, even. if they couldn,t do much. But this. . . it's maddening to be so helpless.,' "We mustn't panic,"

a placid girl said in her usual quiet tones. The others seemed calmed by her stoic

face...

t I

"If . . . if

LITERARY RITES2 COMPETITION Literary rites2 was again a sudaess with 600 entries. Our hearts were in our mouths, though, as entries did not start pouring in until the last week! So it was indeed a relief to see Bob carrying in sacks full of lovely brown envelopes from the post office.

Our only disappointment was in the high school category. We thought we would save Fed money by sending out news releases to schools via the Writers In The Classroom Directory. Big mistake. Most of the teachers never saw them. So now we know. Overall the quality of writing was fairly good. We found the strongest areas to be established poetry and emerging fiction. The Federation is hoping to publish an anthology of the unitings, this would likely include sorne of last

year's entries too. A resercher is working on funding sources at thi s ysxy mornent! If anyone has sage anthology advice please let us know. Reading so rnany manuscripts over a two week period has its downside: it's very labourintensive. The upside is that the boundary between art and reality breaks down and one feels like a real live fiction character. It's quite bohemian and we recommend the experience.

someone in charge does make a mistake

with those bombs," the stoic girl was evidently searching for words until she remembered a phrase we had heard about terminal cancer patients. ..We

could die with dignity." Helen Birrell

IIIIIITIIIITTTTTII

There is talk of another rites literary competition with a totally different face: sci-fr, children's fiction and creative documentary. One thing is certain: BC's most fabulous resource is writers.

Jeannie Lochrie,

Gail D. Whitter & Heather Wells for rites'reading committee

EIGHT WINNERS IN LITERARY RITES

t4 COMPETITION Happy diners at the first Literary rites Awards Dinner will be F.A. Muir, Linda Bailey, and Rhonan Heitzman. All arewinners in the Federation of B.C. Writer's second annual Literary rites2: a competition. Each of the winning writers mentioned will receive

cash prizes of $250. The entries in emerging fiction, high school fiction and established poetry were so exciting that honorable mentions have been chosen by Federation of B.C. Writers staff. This year's Literary rites, staff were again inundated with over 600 enries indicating that British Columbia is indeed a province of writers! The first prize winners were chosen by such distinguished judges as: Jane Rule, Robert Kroetsch, Maxine Gadd, Leon Rooke, Jeannette Armstrong and Phyllis Webb. The winners and honourable mentions are as follows:

Established FICTION - F.A. Muir (Vancouver) POETRY - Linda Rogers (Victoria) Honourable mention - Patricia Young (Victoria)

Emerging FICTION - Linda Bailey (Vancouver) Honourable mentions - Mavis Jones (Vancouver) Lisa Marr (Vancouver) POETRY - Kathleen Thomson (Port Moody) Honourable mentions - Valerie Laub (Vancouver) Deborah Foulks (Vancouver) High School FICTION - Evelyn Huang (Vancouver) Honourable mentions Michael Wayne Galloway (Vernon) Megan Walsh (IMilliams Lake) POETRY - Rhonan Heitzmann (Ganges) Honourable mention - Klisala Harrison (Garden Bav)

VANCOUVER WRITERS FESTIVAL I felt privileged to represent the Federation at four sessions of the VancouverWriters Festival ,Oct.2'l to 30 on Granville Island. It was rewarding to me, personally, as well as an excellent opportunity to meet (oratleastputfaces to names) of some significant flgures in the Canadian literary world. Authors I' d heard interviewed on CB C Radio or names I'd seen here orthere are now "realpeople", andl'm eager to read their books.

believe this is the most important reason for having festivals or readings or workshops-to familiarize more readers and writers with our own Canadian authors and literature. I alwavs find it such an exciting discovery.

CREATIVE NON-FICTION discussed exploring fiction techniques in writing nonfiction. Myrna Kostash called it the "new journalism". Daniel Wood said he tries to find an innovative, mood-generating way to get into a subject, rather than simply reporting. The reader is then drawn into the story while still getting the facts. Howard White suggested characters and their verthe use of certain

nacular will capture the reader, and although it is more work,it's more rewarding. This approach to magazine writing as storytelling is beginning to be accepted by more editors, they said.

TIIE DREAM CLASS was a professional development seminar, so named not because it was about using your dreams for writing, but because the innovative classes David Young teaches in Toronto and North York schools are a "dream" come uue. He explained how his successful program works with gifted high school students. There were a lot of teachers in the audience, so in the discussion time I had a chance to plug the Fed's Writers in the Classroom directory.

STONES: A Staged Dramatic Reading was the highlight of the Festival for me. Three actors, with author Timothy Findley, made the short story "S tones" come alive. Director Paul Thomp son was enthused about this platform presentation, a new

way "writing can be tifted from the page"' Findley, a b-ig, grandfatherlyJooking man, said, "A writer .uni hulr" a better editor than a theane director' Same with the audience connection. I only put the images in front of you, you interpret. Thete's no better way to learn."

GETTING PUBLISIIED was afommon thebusiness of writing. A panel of six, chaired by Vancouver literary agent Denise Bukowski, gave I 50 hopefuls the bad news: getting published ain't easy' But it can be done, if you're persistent enough'

After three hours of information, the latter part in small groups, here are some highlighs' Stanley and Nancy Colbert explained how much easier it is for agents to sell non-fiction than fiction or poetry and, as marketers, they are basically interested in commerce. "'We may turn down a project because it's just not economically viable for us' That may be no reflection of the worth of the project

itself." They have a staff of nine in their Toronto office, three involved in film and TV. They suggested writing only outlines for book ideas. "There's nothing preventing you from doing the writing first," said Nancy. "But don't expect that because you have written it, agents, publishers or readers will necessarily resPond."

Allison Griffiths, Vancouver freelance magazine writer and author, said you sell the idea, not the

I I

frnishedpiece in non-fiction. She added one needn't live in Toronto, and maybe this "regional obstacle" mentality could be used as an excuse not to produce. Her husband, David Cruise, said an agent had been "crucial" for he and Allison. The agent "gave us a window on what we wanted to do; somebody to help guide our career."

Rob Sanders of Douglas and Mclntyre confirmed the viability of non-frction over fiction in the publishing business. He stressed the importance of a good book proposal in non-fiction, "everything

from five to25 pages' every bit as readable as a book. It's worth its weight in gold'" He said their frrm tries to "invest in an author rather

than a book." Robin Skelton-who has 70 (!) published books to his credit-said the small presses calry the bulk of fiction and almost all poetry and short stories' "Look for a publisher who's a gambler, who's willing to take a risk," he suggested.

As an editor he reads only the first page of a story' "If it doesn't gnp me, it won't grip the readers"'

Maria Falcone explained the role of B.C' Film in helping writers develop film ideas. She said B'C' Film was a business, not

a government agent, and

gave loans but not grants to develop scripts' Expetience and a producer were almost prerequisites to

gening anywhere, she said. "It's a sad fact, but *tit".t still spendmore time hustling than writing"' In response to one older man's plea for consideration of fust-time novelists, Rob Sanders said, "Not everybody is going to get published. That's the reality of it. " Robin Sketton added th at few successful novelists had their first works published. It was usually their second or third. "So, if you've written a novel and can't sell it, write another novel."

At that, I could almost see 150 pairs of shoulders droop a little further. But equilibrium was restored by a young woman who jumped up and addressed the crowd. "You don't need all that," she cried, waving an arm in the direction of the panel. "You get yourself an ISBN number and publish your own work. You can sell it to your friends and family, and it will do wonders for you. And most important of all-it will keep you writing!" Her outburst drew boisterous applause, from audience and panel alike...a great conclusion to tbe discussion on the tough business side of vniting Heatlrcr Glcbc

A SCIENCE FICTION PANEL AT THE ARTS CLUB THEATRE, OCT 26188 Reviewed by R. Graeme Cameron Inside, the stage is a bizarre vision of Venice in the late 1920's. On either wing, fake graystone buildings sprout Romeo & Juliet style balconies and a large 'DUCE' sign in black letters. Above a low wall screening a 'canal' pokes the high snout of a Venetian gondola. have visions of the panel

alighting from it, but no, they simply walk out to tables

& chairs at centre stage.

Merril is a kind of female Gertrude Stein, a formi dable earth-grandmother with piercing eyes below a halo of white hair. "Guess which is Spider?" she asks, and in truth, both gents are rather tall & thin. Spider is wearing his trademark dark broadbrimmed hat, somehow a punctuation to his height, while Gibson relies on a helmet-mop of brown hair to guarantee anonymity.

After Spider reads from TIME PRESSURE, and Gibson from MONA LISA OVERDRIVE, their latest novels, Merril introduces the question period by remarking, "A large part of SF (Science Fiction) is social SF. The be st *riters I know are in this areadealing with what happens to the individual in a society affected by technological change. Here are

two such social SF writers who do it very differently." Writing technique is discussed. Spider reveals he used to write longhand because he enjoyed editing as he wrote, something not so easily done when typing. Now he uses a word processor for the same reason. One unique advantage of longhand, he explains, is that sooner or later it has to be typed, a process so tedious it led him to cut wordage and subplots ruthlessly, much to the benefit of the manuscript. Gibson's view of computers is not quite so sanguine. He comments, "Working with a word processor is like writing through a layer of mud. There's an extra level of concentration, of paying attention to the mechanism, that distracts me." Merril rounds off the topic by mentioning a friend of hers who j ust switc hed to a word proces sor

after writing with a quill pen for forty years! As to why they write SF, all three authors maintain it is because they find SF-which deals with the implications of current trends-more relevant to contemporary problems than mainstream novels which tend to treat characters in light of their past experience and is thus backward looking and in a sense, years behind the times. And what does the future hold for us? Gibson & Merril foresee the replacement of the nation-state by immensely powerful corporate entities ruling a world of everdiminishing resources, while Spider feels new technologies may yet hold the key to reversing social decay.

That such talent is preoccupied with interpreting our common future is most reassuring. Valuable assets to a frenetic civilization. these three writers are the kind of seers we need.

******************* EXCLUSWELY YOURS On Target

If you \l'ant to save time, energy and postage when contributing, it's worthwhile doing a little research first. Get acquainted with current market needs send for sample copies and request writers' guidelines. A few well-invested dollars will save a lot of frustration and guide you to the right market for your work.

Along with our own \YordWorks and Literary Arts Directory, I u'ould like to take this oppornrnity to list just a few of the many marketing newsletters and publications available in Canada:

LITERARY MARKETS 4340 Coldfall Road Richmond, BC V7C 1P8 (Subscripti on $12/ 6 issues)

*Concise listings of Canadian kets.

& American

mar-

t7 WRITERS' GUIDE TO CANADIAN MAGAZINES Writers' Union of Canada 24 Ryerson Avenue Toronto, ON M5T 2p3

TIPS FOR WRITERS Tax Time Tips

($2.00)

*A Survey of

in is suggestinga can be charged income tax form

Canadian magazines, editorial re_ quirements (fiction

1iip,, ticles).

"nid;#.:.#'*:iT##;

fl: hotocopying supplies and repair furniture

lf l:

fees

- fTir, meters, p_*ki"J;;: ilil,n"r, ur" - ornce rent or n r"ia-ii;;;;;;:,

home ror

office space

tional dues d/or librarv

MARKETS FOR CANADTANS Edition, Edited by Jam", Meyer avaitable from The r"ugu" poets 24 Ryerson Avenue Toronto, ON M5T2p3

IgTRY 3rd

Dr;il;;ce

oldoffi;

WRITERS' GUIDE TO CANADIAN PUBLISFIERS Available from: lhe. lriter,s Union of Canada pacilic Regional Office 3102 Main Street

,r#_r,?,iT"

Bc v5r 3c7

* )i< *< * * )i< * * * * :i< * X

ri" ;"'lH::i" "oit' u"-'i"*' it"tot"g

IT:r, mgs

rong

costs not otherwise reimbursed forread_

Research materials

fno.tgSrantry supplies, film processing Audio tape andbun".i", Capital cost allow"n."_ of nrc^^ -_ . furniture una uuroo,Xt!; ^, office equipment, Wardrobe and clothing repafu and maintenance Writer's library _ uooti mad;ffi;ewspa_ per subscriptions

f Can_ Ave.,

87+ available from the peri_ n of Canada (PWAC),24

Gail D. Whitter

P"_h*ry charges, posage and cables

* * {< * *

ON, M5T 2pll. Ci"es terms of paymenB and more that 23O Canadian

ually. Crsc gls-m.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

,!;:l*

,---- "v{'t) u'aotuablz magazine ,*llil'Y:/":rwox'wa4.Kaaotuaute oii fror. *tv* 'ru't,', tfriouii" l.'X'.f1'! tfut e4cept ;"f:tr"&,,#i,,#:7, ly"y4 - w, w c.+ r*7olf,r, wor k fiop o t q,roti"ai'^:tttg funA{rraitfitfie Z;:;ffifly. _

_. 2

lean\ysstal

66'zI664Jaaazs66a6aa

tpince Kupen

o."*':: r"_1pGi

Hl*:*:**F'

naiu 31, te8e JU' I989 "wvrurrtoer l3l' n' n

submitno ao.a rt--ul, ",;ii;#J up ro a length of ., r) rrnes each o. or ioo _ --"-o ,Tj^.lo:r:, rin-.","#T#: rrr n)ritl. 1?,9:-::r, AII poems to ue unr returned: all riohr":,r,i?l^1"9 No entries will be hizes ffi :ff1i:-":gr, E.t"gory 111,,;;t; $50 tst $25 2nd

ffi1iff i,ill

# ff::

$20 3rd

AWARDS Keep in mindfor nen year . .

The Canadian Children, ann_ounce the creadon

iytrE

r1oof

,f:

rroRrcAL rr Cii_o"u r on Top BC Books Sought

The award GeoffreyBil author, who

were copynght in l9gg. and a $15 entry fee are

'on

contact: ociety

;

(416) s97_133

****

{< {€

****

{€

155

COMPETITIONS B.C. Writer's poetry Contest

Sponsors:

Hope Writers Guild

Box 16g3

Hope, BC VOX Open to.three categories:

ffi cauons in

:^T:llls

perpoem; multiple submi scnpts will not be returne contact: Aya press

lLO rive or more

pu b-

:_Having less than five publi_

chosen.ur.gof,-

Box 1153, Station F Toronto, ON M4T 2T8 Tel: (416) 469_9773

WOMEN IN VIEW, a festival presenting the human experience from the perspective of the female artist, will make its debut in Vancouver January 17th to 22nd. The festival will showcase performers, writers, choreographers, visual artists and musicians, offering a diversity of works, ideas, and stylei

As part of the three days of performances at the Firehall Arts centre, an event held on the weekend called 'Reading writers' will offer an hour and a half of literary readings followed by open discussion. Sanrday's readers include Paddy campbell, Nicola Cavendish, Ellen Schwartz, and Audrey Thomas. on Sunday the authors will be Angela Flryniuk, paulette Jiles, Lee Maracle, Daphne Marlatt, and Caroline Woodward.

In addition there will be storytelling by Mary [-ove May, Nora Randall, Nan Gregory and Melanie Ray, and play readings of "cargo of crinolines" and "The Oldest Living". WOMEN IN VIEW will be open with three days of workshops and forums exploring areas of concern to the arts community. Topics include comedic timing, movement, developing a play-in-progress, script improvisation, longevity in the arts, promoting your projects, and funding.

. . .

Saturday's 'Reading Writers' is 8:00 pm to 9:20 pm Sunday's 'Reading Writers' is 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm Workshops and Forums will be held at The Four Sisters Housing Cooperative, 133 Powell Street

For a program brochure and ticket information, call the VIEW office at 87 5-6210.

1990 GAY GAMES AND

CULTURAL FESTIVAL are under way to hold a

and Lesbian Liter-

ary Festival as part of the 1990 Gay Games and Cultural Festival. Celebration '90 will see gays and lesbians

from across

North America and around the world

come to Vancouver in August, 1990 to participate in a range of sports and cultural events. Twenty-six sports will be represented, as well as a variety of cultural activities, including opening and closing ceremonies featuring Gay and Lesbian Bands of America, a frlm festival, music festival, choral festival and juried art show.

Gay men interested in any genre of writing are invited to come to a meeting on January lg at 7:30 in Room 3 at the Gay and Lesbian Community Centre, 1170 Bute Street, Vancouver. This meeting is for generating ideas on what kind of literary festival we want to have. What about format: panel discussions, workshops, readings?

If you can't make it to this meeting or live outside of Vancouver and have ideas, contact Richard Marchand, Literary Festival, Metropolitan Vancouver Athletic and Arts Association, 1170 Bute Street.

Vancouver,BC Y6E 126; Graphic dcsign by Sandi Walnn 'Silhouette Quortet'

telephone (604) 684-3303. Lesbians can contact Jana

Williams

at the same address.

i_ 20

ANNOUNCEMENTS Brian McCabe

Subscribers of the service may contact the writers direcrly and srike their own j"Uri --- '

short story writer and poet, has by the Scottish C*n"il for the !31ry]ected 1 98 8- 89 S cottishCanadian Writrrr_in_nrridence Exchange. He is spending his eigfri_month resi_ dency at Malaspina Colleg! in Nui.l_o. gC

e.,

For more dsrei l5 ard ro receive Registration Form:

Academl. of C-.:jan Cinema And Television 653 Yonee S=:e:- l:C Floor Toronto. O-\ I,i:1- 179 Tel: r-115 95--:__:-_< Fax: ,-116 9{--::<'

As writer-in-residence, Brian McCabe will act as a resource person and advisor to young writers, and pursue his own writing. He is accomianied on his Canadian visit by his wife, the poet riJrr,o. ,,ory writer Dilys Rose.

Touchstone Theatre is pleased to announce a newly implemented play reading committee review incoming plays for prod"uction/develop_to ment consideration. We hope we will now

be able nce and decision making wi Touchstone pro_ uons each season as well as conducting several script development work_ shops. Weproduce a wide.ung" of material, most often of an alternate nature and dealing with con_ temporary issues in an urban setting. hJ'ference for s to local playwrights; work has been from ions to: Tou;hstone Theare lilr Ea_i: Cordova Sreet \-"::;OUt.er. BC \ 5-.\ -L_1

New address: g Appleton Ave, Suite 201 Toronto, ON M6E 3A3 Tel: (416) 659_0582

Note that Moonstone press has moved-

New address: 46 Nelson Street West Goderich, ON N7A 2M3 Peter

altensperger, Editor.

if:.:_

-{[en:on:

Roy Surette

Tfoman to Woman Magazine has moved.

\er* accress:

2nd Floor 535 West 10th Avenue Vancouver, BC

\'50 lKg Iel: 974_761 s

guug

g u E 6UU S g gsg gg g

uug

COURSES / WORKSHOPS

Creating Professionats 1989

A Canadian Writing Workshop IuIy 23-29,7989 University of Toronto St. George Campus

tions of a canon. Thus, whereas some of the titles are familiar, they will be used as landmarks as we read the unfamiliar and chart directions like postmodern regional feminists writings, science fiction since the mid-nineteenth century, native writing, beat and jazz novels, and writings which challenge the hegemony of a national identity itself.

For more information, call UBC English Department: 228-5122.

Reserve time now for this weekJong writing workshop on the campus of Canada's largest university.

This workshop is appropriate for everyone who writes and is designed with sessions for all forms of creative writing. The option of staying in residence on campus during the week enables you to develop your writing in a supportive and stimulating envi-

+++++++++++ SFU Spring 1989

ronment.

Women's Studies Presents:

For further information, phone or write to: Creating Professionals University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies 158 St. George Street Toronto, ON M5S 2V8

(416) 978-7756

+++++++++++

w.s.303-31823_s Women's Writing in Canada and Feminist Theory Is there any relationship between women's writing in Canada and American and French feminist criti-

cal theory? What are the differences between Quebegoise writing and Anglophone women's writing? Have Canadian women writers sought new forms to express women,s experiences not traditionally considered "literary" material? How does a feminist writer engage with a literary language shaped by patriarchal concems?

University of British Columbia English 424: Canadian Fiction (3 units) In this section, we

will not be concerned with meas_ uring Canadian fiction against such standards as greatness or "literature". Rather, we will assume such groundwork as done and investigate instead some of the kinds of writing being produced within

this country which are more often passed by in the consideration of a national radition or the forma_

This course will look at three decades of contempo_ rary Canadian women's writing through three notions of rupture with mainstream/"malestream" literary radition. In doing so, we will also look at some of the feminist theory coming out of France and North America during those decades.

For further information, contact the Women-s Studies Program. Phone 291-3593

cc 922r

MARKETS

Deadline: January 31, will be considered, bu their own werghr q J.

westTisbury,NIA

SFAnthology'Box39',

RTMENT lookin g for origi_ words) thatreflects an inno-

Room

outlrnl

guy,25 Calgary

GENERAL

of Guelph, Room 243. O* Nlc 2W1 is look_

st Office, r, poâ&#x201A;¬try,

.NATTVE

WoMEN: - a^n

SURVTVAL"

CELEBRATING oUR

American women's essays, oral narratives.

SASE to Ts'eku Colle Vancouver, BC V6A I NEXUS, 221Florence Avenue, Willowdale, ON M2N lG7, is interested in both

The editor is Sophie

Thomas.

pffi L

and prose.

NORTH COAST

COLLECTION is an annual project of the prince Rupert Writers Croup. Shon story, poetry, to a maximum of 2,500 words. ,,We want to keep the content North and Coastal, but are open to writers from all over BC.,, Deadline for submissions is March lst, 19g9. pf.ur" include a SAS E. Limited number of I 9 g7 editions-available.

More of 1988. $4 per copy. Address: prince Rupert Writers Group, nox iogo, p,i;;. Ruperr,

BC V8J 4H6

pop-tafi: MAGAZINE OF INSTANTART, ..is pub_

lished ten times a year and accepts submissions of ffeative and experimental poetry, reviews, haiku, fiction fragments, etchings, graphics and comic strips." Payment on publication one conffibutor,s copy. Subscription $25.00. Sample copy $2.00. Editor: Gordon Murray, nox eil4e, Station F, Vancouver, BC V5N 5K7

GREETING CARDS BELLA-FLOR ENTERPRISES l0 - 1925 Kirschner, Kelowna, BC

Vly 4N7

BLUERIDGE STUDIO 3160 Mountain Hwy., North Vancouver, BC

v7I2P2

Attention: pam Mayer I I

STORIES & LETTERS is a new small press pub_ lication which features stories and letters from readers. Try them with adventure, romance, mys_ tery, humour, SF, andfantasy,500 to 3,000 words. Pays 7/4 - I/2 g/wordon acceptance for one_time rights. Guidelines on request. g0l South puget Ave., Tacoma WA 99405

sub-TERRAIN, a new literary magazine from Anvil Press, is looking for submissions of fiction, poetry, essays, visuals, rants, whatever. Deadline for issue #3, ..The Ascending Spirit,,, or "Whatever Gets you (Jp", is February 2g, lggg. Address: Box 1575, Station A, Vancouver, BC V6C 2YI

polemics

TIIE POINT is a new visual

oriented publica_ tion to be distributed through galleries. It will have a ulique format (it comes to a point!) and will include articles, graphics, poetry *O ,t ort fiction, as-well as a comprehensive visual arts calendar. Address: The point, 1605 West 7th Avenue, Van_ couver, BC V6J 1S4 ar:ts

ZAJETS is a new Vancouver literary magazine published from Box 15739, MpO, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5B4- plans are to publish 3 times yearly. Looking fu satirical or us prose or poetr], essays of general interesg book ieviews, shoft plays, carbms and grryhics.

hum

BLUEWATER CREATIONS 1885 Franklin Street, Vancouver, BC V5L lp9 CREATTVE CONNECTIONS Box 878 - 810 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC

v5z

4C9

JWENILE CHALK TALK, a magazine for young writers,

accepts material from children aged five to fourteen

years. Editor and publisher is Virginia Lee, who

began the magazine out of concern for her youngest

son's lack of interest in writing. Address: f SSO Mills Road, R.R.2, Sidney, gC VSI. :St

GROUNDWORK, 1562 Braid Road, Delta, BC Y 4L lT3: Florence McNeil and Theres S wayne are editing a book of poems for children ages approxi_ mately 8-11 (middle school years) to be published by Groundwood. Contributors should send a mini_ mum of eight poems. JAMES LORIMER & COMPANy wants realistic fiction,20,000 - 40,00 words, ageT to 15. Editor liidu Sheppard, 35 Britain 5t., Toronto ON

M5A

1R7

OXFORD UNTVERSITY PRESS has appointed a children's book editor who will be looking for new material in text and illustration. Kathryn Cold has mostrecentlyworked with Scholastic _ TAB ardas editor of Crackers Magazine. Address: 70 Wynfdd Dr., Don Mills ON M3C lJ9

SCHOLASTIC-TAB Newkirk Road, Richm

POETRY

needs humourous books

pecially mysteries and a also dog {9upt grts. (AIso, pres WILDTFIfNGS

n*pll, a new Nova Scotia_based

il;fu

publishe., is l5t*r,r".book manu_ scnpts: fiction and non_fi",ion, _u?ic and the unexpected.

euewyif a SAs; *

"wilorrring,

Press, Susan Ktub;_smirh, Ed;;;,';ssz Street, Halifax, NS ngf SCg

wnasor

ALPHA BEAT Sgq,a new literaryjournal, fea_ tures both established one issue, $3.00. Subsc__rtion "na "_ffiiroo.o. (r*o- iriurr) $5.00. s I 1 o Ad;; s *JJ,, vrono.u'

iffi:fi fl;r*,*, DON'T

eurr 109 Road, Toronto, ON M4E "o-Tl9B,i; Enderby tr"nd new magazine. Editon phil?S_g, "".*1. Hail *Jl;;.," Vaitsius are into labo'r arts and *.,rt;;.*' iREADWRE

_ small formar Canadian poery

short stories and TgT:lookingfor.ryg, artwork (5x 8 inches). 3 Ci"r;;;'ir., ""ry - -- -"' o.rour., Halifax, NS B3p lcl

NON.FICTION

BRICK: A Journal of Reviews _ reviews, adapta_

ISSUE ONE, d,S_br Ian Brocklebank, is a quar_ terly pamphlet which

st scripts

or revision of ,r_ another publisher. . Box 537, Station

ournal seeks

famil_ needs. Canadian Street, Ste. 602.

2 Tewksbury Drive, ,

NEW MUSE, Box 35g1 Halifax, NS B3J lfZ,j tooUn8 forcglcreleSourh, poeby and other far_out stuff (such as homolinguistic *i,ri.,i""O. TTIE

PLOWMA\ a ..full_sized

saddle_stitched n international journal,,, ous need of submissions.

HARROWSMITH _ wants in_depth reporrs on

try submissions from all d a SASE for details to: The plowman,Box297.

issues, _

plus hortictr.", - 700 words, $75 _ resources, $75opinions on any sub;ect,

$,p. ,"T$: l;:li

lffi;

5,000

i,X]

eueen victoria ha.,

OF CANADIANLIT-

$150.

on G, Calgary,

ffi'|;;

up to 1,600 words, $400

Lrniii'nast, oN

DN344TL, England.

AB T3A

ul.i::1, on pregnancy

wercome, .year

j:l:fi

"#:i"" subscription is $6, if you want

RENEW YOUR FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP 1989 Rates: I

$15 - Associate $30 - Full Membership

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF PUBLISHERS? WE WANT TO KNOW The Broken Typewriter/Gilded wordprocessor Awards

The Federation of BC Writers is receiving a lot of complaints about publishers these days. Experi_ enced writers are telling us horror stories about being ignored and insulted. If publishers are treat_ ing established writers like this, what is it like for inexperienced authors offering their first manu_ script?

a variety of methods the Federation is seeking to educate its members in these courtesies. The igno_ rance of some writers must never be an excuse on the part of any publisher. We also recognize there are some responsible and commendable publishers who respond promptly to inquiries, who acknowl_ edge receipt of manuscripts, and who take the time to steer writers in the right direction.

Fed upaCan thekudo The

Canadian publishing houses are in business some_ times because they are heavily subsidized but always because of us, the writers. Without us, there would be no product. We are artists operating in a real world. We want receipt of our manuscripts ac_ knowledged when we have provided a self_ad_ &essed stamped envelope for that purpose. We want txrr manuscripts accepted or rejected in a reasonaHc munt of time, say four months, rather than a yet- E-c sant the conditions spelled out when aprff-x*< fs aresrite : is it speculative or are 6cy (ftr crnFrr t+on completion?

av=n,huhtrcdca ignaantof theirobh gff*ar Tkuret We are

is therefore setting m. Wewill tallyup endofthe yearand come up with the winners (the ones to work with), and the losers (the ones to stay away from). We want to hear about the publishers who go the extra mile and those you want to avoid, by at least a mile. Please direct your nominations outlining specific abuses and praise to BROKEN TYPEWRfTER/

GILDED WORDPROCESSOR AWARDS,

Fed_

eration of BCWriters, MpO Box 2206, Vancouver.

BC V6B 3W2.

NOMINATIONS FORM Yes, the Federation should elect the Executive by mail ballot.

No' the Federation should continue to elect the Executive at the Annuar General

Meeting.

The Federation constitution calls for the First vice-president to become hesident after their term. one year

Elections will be held for the Executive offices of First Vice_prresident, Second Vice_president and Treasurer.

I would be willing to stand for the Office of: office please-include a 200 word biography of yourself.) The 8 Regionar Representatives will be elected by

(If you

ma'ba,ot.

I would be willing to stand for the office of Regional Representative. I would be willing to serve on the following committee(s): Constitution

Readings and Workshops

Newsletter Government Affairs

Finance and Fundraising

(Your name will be forwarded to the appropriate comminoe ctairpenm) Name Address Phone (day)

Please mail to:

(evening)

Federation of BC Writers \nPo 2206 Vancouver, B.C. v6B 3W2

Please Retum by February 1, 19g9.

are

willing to stand for

CLASSIFIED

BC FrLM NEws REeUIRES wRrrERS AND REPORTERS for its premiere edition, this

January.

A knowledge of the local film industry, and a familiarity with the print industry are essential. Renumeration negotiable based on writing experience. Applicants will be requested to submit a portfolio of their non fiction writing for consideration. Please dkect inquiries to: Cornellya Van Keith P.O. Box 487I9 Bentall Centre Vancouver, 682_6397

BC V7X 1A6

i Cartoonist witl illustrate yourpoem, story, article, book, novel or tome. Call Natalie Flryciuk at 530_

The Federation of British Columbia Writers

"",P,O. Box 2206 Main p.O. Vancouvei, British Columbia V6B 3W2

8074.

.:::

\lanuscripts, reports completed using Word,per_ .fecr (Lotus 1-2-3- also available) - proofread and overnight service. Per page or conffact rate prices ET AL Heather- 585-769g or Ann 585-8291

WORDWORKS is now accepting both classified and display advertising for all issues of the newsletter af the following rates:

.\ORTHWEST POETS

DISPLAY'ADS:

C-{LENDAR pubtished

ARTISTS

1989

Advertising Rates

BusineSs Card Size

1l6pa,gs Featured in this full-color, l2_month wall ca-lendar are award-winning works by poets and arrists from AK, ID, MT, OR, WA and B.C., selected from 2,600 competition entries. Now in its third year, the NORTHWEST POETS & ART_ ISTS 1989 CALENDAR has won praise for its unique fusion of words and images as well as its fine color reproduction and design. Along with artwork suitable for framing, the

--'-::-i.ar includes large note squares, holidays, r.--.- ---:. :nd biographies of the poets and artists. It ElP-a:--:'-)" x 12" (\2,' x24,, open). Order at :--r s - -i0 postage & handling) from Bain:9 :- -:-i-t' b:--:3-: i::_r Council, 26I tvtadison South. Ba=-r.-*=:.i-_c_ \\'A 99110 (206) g42_7g01. DL\;{.SE -R -n{l CALENDAR ENTRIES -i - i.__-\RY 15, 1ggg. \tr'ri;r a lrme r-T ==-. :orm (please specify poe-t a ttt-t i-Ei -

ll4page l/2page

$2s $s0 $75 $100 $150

FULL PAGE

NEWSLETTER INSERTS: (Literary Announcements) Camera Ready (8 IlZ x lI)

$180

Federation members will be charged 75Vo of the above rates.

CLASSIFIED ADS: 209 per'word (e.g. $5 for

a 25-word ad).

All classified and display advertising must be received by the 15th of the month

prior to the month of publication: February lSth; Ma.y 15th: lSth and November lSth.

WRITERS OUT LOUD

series presenting recognized Vancouver and District writers reading in a variety of genres and styles.

January 26th

Christie Harris Douglas Tait

February 16th

L.R. (Bunny) Wright Laurence Gough

March 2nd

Spider Robinson David Gurr

March 30th

Brian Brett Sharon Thesen

April20

Keith Maillard Marion Quednau

The 5 readings are co-sponsored by the Writers Union of Canada and the Community Arts Council of Vancouver. Location: Community Arts Council of Vancouver 837 Davie Street Vancouver BC Telephone: 683-4358 for more information

Time:

WORDWORKS

A quarterly publication Produced by

The Federation of B.C. Writers P.O. Box 2206, Main p.O. Vancouver, B.C. v6B 3W2 Phone: 683-2057

8 pm

$2 per person

Editor:

Judy Villeneuve

Contributing Editors: Jane Covernton Gail Whitter

Photos: Moreah Staven The Federation's Annual General Meeting be held the weekend of April gth & 9th at Camp Alexandra, Crescent Beach, BC.

will

Details in the next issue of WordWorks.

We gratefully acknowledge the ongoing support for this publication from the Minisw of Tourism, Recreation and Culture.