Writers' Corner
As a Freelance Writer for over 18 years, I want to provide resources for those interested in writing in any form whether white papers, poems, songwriting, fiction etc. etc., or for those wanting information about how to get published and/or about self-publishing etc.. There is a myriad of information on writing that I would love to present here. Anyone wanting to submit an event etc. can contact me at heather.rennalls@oxford.net.
Coronavirus disease
(COVID-19)
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) all social activities have been cancelled. (For accurate information concerning COVID-19, visit the Government of Canada website.)
Due to the Coronavirus disease, I will post various on-line resources to encourage creativity.
Local:
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Oxford County Authors
"Join host Ashley Quinton as she speaks to talented local authors from Oxford County. Community Produced by Pam Livingston. " (From Rogers TV website) Also visit Rogers TV Oxford County Facebook
"Join host Ashley Quinton as she speaks to talented local authors from Oxford County. Community Produced by Pam Livingston. " (From Rogers TV website) Also visit Rogers TV Oxford County Facebook
As a result of the numerous protests that occurred in May 2020 in both the United States and Canada in support of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, David McAtee, and so many more unarmed Black Americans who were gunned down by police officers. I have posted a few resources and videos. Two videos are from Dwayne Morgan, Canadian writer, speaker performer, educator and event producer, whose spoken words are true.
Resources from The NaNoWriMo Staff:
"If you're able, you could donate to the Black Visions Collective, or the Louisville Community Bail Fund. Reclaim the Block, a Minneapolis-based community organization, is maintaining a list of organizations in Minneapolis you may want to support here.
Autostraddle also has a list of bail funds by state, or you can make a donation to be split across 38 bail funds here.
Autostraddle also has a list of bail funds by state, or you can make a donation to be split across 38 bail funds here.
- The End of Policing is a book about the history of modern policing, how it currently functions, and potential alternatives to help create safe and just communities. It's being offered for free as an ebook by Verso Books.
- Here's a list of books you can buy to learn more about racism. If you buy here, Bookshop will donate additional funds to the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, the Minnesota Freedom Fund, and the family of George Floyd.
- One of our Wrimos, Rachel Werner, reached out to share that she's offering a class this June called "Reading—and Writing—Diverse KidLit & YA" if you're interested.
- We've loved working with many writing-related organizations led and staffed by Black people and other people of color. Check out We Need Diverse Books, POC in Publishing, and Writing With Color.
- If you're a parent, here's are some suggestions and books to start conversations with your children around race and protest. Here's another great list of children's books from EmbraceRace."
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Announcing the 2021 Free Mystery Giveaway
Free Mystery Giveaway!
"We are all doing our part by staying home but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy some mystery and adventure!
Read the first in the series of these exciting books for FREE!
Stay safe and enjoy your adventures!
This free mystery promo has some amazing books!"
Maria Pease
Read the first in the series of these exciting books for FREE!
Stay safe and enjoy your adventures!
This free mystery promo has some amazing books!"
Maria Pease
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For more information visit Maria Pease's website.
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Help select our 2021 Oxford Reads book!
Book 1: Extraordinary Canadians by Peter Mansbridge and Mark Bulgutch
"Extraordinary Canadians is a collection of first-person stories about remarkable Canadians who embody the values of our great nation--kindness, compassion, courage, and freedom--and inspire us to do the same.
This book is about celebrating and building community. It’s a positive read that will leave you feeling proud to be Canadian. There is a “dream big” tone to the book that will encourage readers to feel that “if they did that, maybe I could too”. At the same time, there is a reflective quality to this book that will allow readers to reflect where they were at that particular time in their lives. Readers can pick and choose stories, or read cover to cover. The stories cover a diverse selection of Canadians and will appeal to a wide range of readers. In these difficult days, this is a timely positive read." (From Oxford Reads website)
This book is about celebrating and building community. It’s a positive read that will leave you feeling proud to be Canadian. There is a “dream big” tone to the book that will encourage readers to feel that “if they did that, maybe I could too”. At the same time, there is a reflective quality to this book that will allow readers to reflect where they were at that particular time in their lives. Readers can pick and choose stories, or read cover to cover. The stories cover a diverse selection of Canadians and will appeal to a wide range of readers. In these difficult days, this is a timely positive read." (From Oxford Reads website)
Book 2: The Pull of the stars by Emma Donoghue
"The Pull of the Stars is the newest title from Emma Donoghue, best known for her 2010 novel, Room. This historical novel is quite timely, set in Ireland in 1918 against the backdrop of the First World War, the Irish uprisings and at the height of the Spanish Flu.
The doctor, who is one of the main characters in the story is based on a true historical figure. This searing account demonstrates an incredible amount of research that Donoghue weaves throughout her story. It explores life, death and love during a pandemic. It also highlights the toll that a community spread health crisis takes on our incredible front line workers. The Pull of the Stars will leave a deep impact on you long after reading." (From Oxford Reads website)
Book 3: Indians on Vacation by Thomas King
"Indians on Vacation offers a poignantly funny and layered story with rich characters that provides opportunities to reflect on life, marriage, politics and more.
With a postmodern mode of storytelling King invites us to settle into an intimate conversation with his characters in postcard like glimpses into their lives. Humour is the vehicle by which the author explores the inner and outer worlds of indigenous couple Bird and Mimi as they take a once in a lifetime trip to Europe. While the book follows their meandering trip the reader is delivered sometimes sharp and gently cutting glimpses into the reality behind the laughs." (From Oxford Reads website)
Book 4: Butter, Honey, Pig, Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi
"The beautiful writing in this debut novel by its Nigerian born Canadian author captivates you with a sensual story about 3 women estranged and disconnected risking self-discovery, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Ekwuyasi’s unflinching voice takes the reader on an intimate journey into the bonds of love and pain that connect families. The title represents 4 parts of the book and the different tastes, temptations, and scars that are revealed as 3 women navigate love, loss, and grief which threaten to unravel their relationship and untether family bonds. A complicated look at the longing for family, the role forgiveness plays in forging one, and the battles that have to be fought to maintain connection." (From Oxford Reads website)
Author Readings:
TBA
Book Spotlight:
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Schooling the System: A History of Black Women Teachers By Dr. Funké Aladejebi
About The Book:
"In post–World War II Canada, black women’s positions within the teaching profession served as sites of struggle and conflict as the nation worked to address the needs of its diversifying population. From their entry into teachers’ college through their careers in the classroom and administration, black women educators encountered systemic racism and gender barriers at every step. So they worked to change the system.
Using oral narratives to tell the story of black access and education in Ontario between the 1940s and the 1980s, Schooling the System provides textured insight into how issues of race, gender, class, geographic origin, and training shaped women’s distinct experiences within the profession. By valuing women’s voices and lived experiences, Funké Aladejebi illustrates that black women, as a diverse group, made vital contributions to the creation and development of anti-racist education in Canada. As cultural mediators within Ontario school systems, these women circumvented subtle and overt forms of racial and social exclusion to create resistive teaching methods that centred black knowledges and traditions. Within their wider communities and activist circles, they fought to change entrenched ideas about what Canadian citizenship should look like. " (From Amazon.ca website)
Using oral narratives to tell the story of black access and education in Ontario between the 1940s and the 1980s, Schooling the System provides textured insight into how issues of race, gender, class, geographic origin, and training shaped women’s distinct experiences within the profession. By valuing women’s voices and lived experiences, Funké Aladejebi illustrates that black women, as a diverse group, made vital contributions to the creation and development of anti-racist education in Canada. As cultural mediators within Ontario school systems, these women circumvented subtle and overt forms of racial and social exclusion to create resistive teaching methods that centred black knowledges and traditions. Within their wider communities and activist circles, they fought to change entrenched ideas about what Canadian citizenship should look like. " (From Amazon.ca website)
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Dr. Funké Aladejebi
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Biography"Funké Aladejebi is a scholar of the twentieth century with a specialization in Black Canadian history. Her research and teaching interests focus on oral history, the history of education in Canada, Black Canadian women’s history, and transnationalism. Her forthcoming book, Schooling the System: A History of Black Women Teachers, explores the importance of Black Canadian women in sustaining their communities and preserving a distinct Black identity within restrictive gender and racial barriers.
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"Her writing frequently explores how legacies of race, gender, and migration influence the contemporary educational encounters of Black Canadian communities. Her articles on Black Canadian history and feminist pedagogies have appeared in Education Matters, Ontario History, and the Southern Journal of Canadian Studies. She is also currently co-editing with Dr. Michele Johnson, a collection of essays titled, Unsettling the Great White North: African Canadian History, which explores the histories of African Canadian, Canadian, and African Diasporic communities across chronological, regional and thematic subjects.
Her second research project charts international education recruitment and training programs in Canada, the Caribbean and Africa. Her work seeks to understand how Canada’s role in the development of Black Internationalism was shaped by broader social criticisms about the scope of Black freedom globally."
(From University of Toronto website)
Her second research project charts international education recruitment and training programs in Canada, the Caribbean and Africa. Her work seeks to understand how Canada’s role in the development of Black Internationalism was shaped by broader social criticisms about the scope of Black freedom globally."
(From University of Toronto website)
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TBA
Conferences:
The Book and Periodical Council (BPC) - "The Umbrella Organization for Writing and Publishing in Canada. The BPC acts as a forum for its members to network, identify common goals and coordinate action to benefit the Canadian writing and publishing industry." (From website) This site lists academic, editing, library, publishing & writing conferences.
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TBA
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"The Ontario Writers’ Conference is dedicated to the celebration of writing by inspiring, educating & connecting writers of all levels; providing participants with an opportunity to network with writers and other publishing professionals; and encouraging writers to publish, promote and sell their work." (From Ontario Writer's Conference website)
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TBA
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38 Canadian writing conferences and literary festivals:
5 Helpful Writing Resources for the First-Time Author
The Hardest Question for a Writer: "What Do You Write About?"
The Hardest Question for a Writer: "What Do You Write About?"
- CanWrite! - allows writers to meet with people of like interest from across the country
- Professional Writers Association Annual Conference - includes a mix of professional and social activities.
- The Writers’ Union of Canada Conference and AGM - consists of panels, lectures & workshops all open to the public
- Write! Canada - an annual three-day meeting of Christian writers in Guelph, Ontario
Contests:
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TBA
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Brian Henry's The Canadian Writers’ Contest Calendar "is a book that gives a full listing of annual writing contests in Canada arranged by deadline date. It lists contests for short stories, poetry, children’s writing, novels, and nonfiction – contests for just about everyone." To order contact Brian Henry. (From Quick Brown Fox Website.)
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- Canadian Authors - lists of Canadian contests and opportunities
- Contests for short fiction & poetry
- Dreamers Writing Contest - Stories of Migration, Sense of Place and Home, Deadline: January 31, 2020
- FreelanceWriting - Writing Contests - Poetry, Short Story, Essay, Screenwriting & More
Creative Writing Camps:
Events:
- Freedom to Read - Freedom to read can never be taken for granted even in Canada
- TD Canadian Children's Book Week - connects Canadian authors & illustrators with children & teens across Canada
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TBA
Festivals:
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The Writers' Union of Canada
The Writers' Union of Canada "is the national organization of professionally published book authors. The Union was founded in 1973 to work with governments, publishers, booksellers, and readers to improve the conditions of Canadian writers."
For a full list of Canadian Festivals and Reading Series throughout Canada visit The Writers' Union of Canada website.)
The Writers' Union of Canada "is the national organization of professionally published book authors. The Union was founded in 1973 to work with governments, publishers, booksellers, and readers to improve the conditions of Canadian writers."
For a full list of Canadian Festivals and Reading Series throughout Canada visit The Writers' Union of Canada website.)
- Canadian Festival of Spoken Word (CFSW)
- gritLIT - is Hamilton’s annual literary festival, a four-day celebration of Canadian authors
- International Festival of Writers (IFOA) - is a celebration of words and ideas, of writers and readers.
- Kingston WritersFest
- The Festival of Literacy Diversity (FOLD)
- The Word On The Street - renowned for the quality and diversity of its event programming
- The Toronto International Festival of Authors - Canada’s largest & longest-running celebration of words & ideas
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TBA
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TBA
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"Storytellers of Canada-Conteurs du Canada (SC-CC) is devoted to connecting people, reflecting culture, and inspiring learning and creativity through the art of storytelling." (From Storytellers of Canada website)
Local Writing Groups:
- Woodstock Writer’s Circle - meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month at the Woodstock Public Library, 445 Hunter St., Woodstock, ON, from 6:00 – 8:15 p.m. in the Meeting Room, next meetings: TBA
- Thamesford The Write Stuff - meets the 3rd Thursday each month at the Thamesford Public Library, 165 Dundas St., Thamesford, ON, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., next meeting: TBA
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YOZine
"YOZine is a brand new zine for Oxford County Library tweens and teens. Created by you, for you! YOZine will be published every 2 months and will be made from the writing, poetry, cartoons, art and more that you create and submit.
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Digital Programs for Adults
"Join us on our YouTube channel as we concoct some creative crafting projects . We have a new lineup of holiday and winter adult crafts planned!" (From Woodstock Public Library website)
Zoom Armchair Travel
"Escape on a travel adventure from the comfort of your home this winter! Our guests will share pictures of the highlights from their travels, followed by a question and answer period. Register monthly for your personalized Zoom invitation." (From Woodstock Public Library website)
Pub Trivia - Kahoot
"While we can't meet at Upper Thames Brewing Company right now, the fun continues online! Join us for a virtual version of Pub Trivia, where you can test your smarts against other trivia enthusiasts. Participants will need a stable internet connection. Links will be posted on social media 30 minutes before the program begins."(From Woodstock Public Library website)
High Notes Movie Club - Monthly Zoom Group
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"Lively, interactive discussions about uplifting movies for those touched by mental illness.
Hosted by Emmanuel Lopez aka Motivatorman, award-winning Illustrator & Movie Blogger, Speaker and Social Media Influencer & Consultant, www.MoviesForMotivation.com. Emmanuel has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CBC Radio and The Globe & Mail. Emmanuel shares his lived-experience with clinical/seasonal depression and his easy-to-use tips for self care & self motivation. He inspires individuals to increase their resilience and indestructible optimism through the magic of cinema!" (From High Notes website)
Hosted by Emmanuel Lopez aka Motivatorman, award-winning Illustrator & Movie Blogger, Speaker and Social Media Influencer & Consultant, www.MoviesForMotivation.com. Emmanuel has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CBC Radio and The Globe & Mail. Emmanuel shares his lived-experience with clinical/seasonal depression and his easy-to-use tips for self care & self motivation. He inspires individuals to increase their resilience and indestructible optimism through the magic of cinema!" (From High Notes website)
Toronto Peoples' Library
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Toronto People's Library - A movement striving to amplify literary works + stories by people from our BIPOC communities.
Writing Workshops
Links to Freelance Writing Jobs:
- ARC POETRY MAGAZINE - Canada's Poetry Magazine
- Aspiring Canadian Poets Contest - Recognizing & Developing Unpublished Canadian Poets
- Canadian Festival of Spoken Word
- CBC Books - Home for writers and original writing
- Event Poetry and Prose - Western Canada’s longest-running literary magazines
- Hamilton Poetry Centre - Established in 1983, supports & encourage the writing & appreciation of poetry
- League of Canadian Poets - Supporting poets & poetry in Canada
- National Poetry Month
- Poetry in Voice (Les voix de la poésie) - Ensures all Canadians speak the language of poetry
- Poetry Institute of Canada - Celebrating uniting writers & poets
- Poetry London
- Poets & Writers - American, has tools for writers
- Spring Pulse Poetry Festival - Northern Ontario’s largest poetry/arts festival
- The Art Bar - Canada's longest running poetry-only, weekly reading series
- The Artists of Colour - Telling Our Stories Through Art
- The Griffin Trust For Excellence In Poetry - Raise awareness of poetry plays in our cultural life
- The Ontario Poetry Society - Provides support & encouragement in all aspects of poetry
- Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) - Canada’s largest and longest-running festival of words and ideas
- Toronto Poetry Slam - A twice-monthly spoken word competition judged on poems presented, all ages
- Tower Poetry Society - A non-profit organization established to promote poetry and encourage poets since 1951
- Young Writers - A site for young writers
Poetry Contests:
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Poem of the Year Contest
TBA
Arc Poetry Magazine Contests:
- Aspiring Canadian Poets Contest - Recognizing and Developing Unpublished Canadian Poets
- Contests for short fiction & poetry
- Dreamers Haiku Contest -
- Freelance Writing - Helping freelance writers to succeed since 1997
Poetry Conferences:
League of Canadian Poets Annual Poetry Festival and Conference - Hosted each year in a different Canadian city
Poetry Publications:
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Tower Poetry - publishes a poetry book twice a year, summer and winter. Deadlines for TOWER POETRY submissions are February 28th for the Summer issue and August 31st for the Winter issue each year. Submit by email to: info@towerpoetry.ca." (For further information on Submission)
Poetry Reading:
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NEW: Poetry London’s 2019-2020 Season
TBA
Location: Landon Library’s basement, 167 Wortley Rd., London, ON
Questions? Email: poetrylondon.ca@gmail.com (From Poetry London website)
Questions? Email: poetrylondon.ca@gmail.com (From Poetry London website)
Poetry Workshops:
The Hamilton Poetry Centre Workshops
"The Hamilton Poetry Centre offers free public workshops throughout the year. These are a place to share your work in progress and receive supportive and thoughtful feedback from your peers. New and experienced poets welcome!
Please bring 12-15 copies of one poem to share with fellow workshop participants.
Workshop dates: the following Thursdays from 7:00 – 8:45 p.m.
Workshop location:
Westdale Branch of Hamilton Public Library, 955 King St. West, Hamilton, Ontario
Telephone: (905) 546-3456 (From Hamilton Poetry Centre website)
Please bring 12-15 copies of one poem to share with fellow workshop participants.
Workshop dates: the following Thursdays from 7:00 – 8:45 p.m.
- TBA
Workshop location:
Westdale Branch of Hamilton Public Library, 955 King St. West, Hamilton, Ontario
Telephone: (905) 546-3456 (From Hamilton Poetry Centre website)
Tower Poetry Society
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Monthly poetry workshops are held at Westdale Public Library, 955 King St. W.
in Hamilton, Ontario.
in Hamilton, Ontario.
"Workshop Format: The poet brings 24 copies which are passed out to those present, and reads the poem while the rest of us follow along on the printed copy. Then the group discusses the poem, providing feedback on what seems to work or not work well for the reader, and making suggestions. The poet listens, but makes no comment. It is by listening to all the opinions that a sense of what enhances the poem becomes clear. There is often disagreement. After the group has finished discussing the poem, the poet has the chance to comment, if he or she wishes to do so.
If you are writing in a lonely vacuum, find or form a group with other poets. It will enhance your work and theirs too. If you live close to Hamilton, come and join us!
We meet one Saturday a month from 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Westdale Public Library, 955 King St. W., Hamilton, ONTBA
No workshops are held in the summer months." (From Tower Poetry Society website)
If you are writing in a lonely vacuum, find or form a group with other poets. It will enhance your work and theirs too. If you live close to Hamilton, come and join us!
We meet one Saturday a month from 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Westdale Public Library, 955 King St. W., Hamilton, ONTBA
No workshops are held in the summer months." (From Tower Poetry Society website)
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TORONTO POETRY SLAM is a twice-monthly spoken word competition, where the judges vote on each poem presented. Open to a all ages to attend, compete/perform on stage.
Home venue is the Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON (From the Toronto Poetry Slam website)
Home venue is the Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON (From the Toronto Poetry Slam website)
Dwayne Morgan Creates
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Check out Dwayne Morgan's new YouTube channel for his latest videos.
Author of The Autobiography Of Miss Jane Pittman Ernest J. Gaines, Dies At Age 86
January 15, 1933 - November 5, 2019
Remembering Toni Morrison
February 18, 1931 - August 5, 2019
Remembering Derek Walcott
January 23, 1930 - March 17, 2017
Nobel Prize-winning Poet & Playwright
Publishing Links:
- Access Copyright - a collective voice of creators and publishers in Canada writers, visual artists & publishers
- Agent Query.com - The Internet's largest free database of literary agents
- Ask a Literary Agent – An agent and author answers aspiring authors’ questions about writing & getting published
- Author's Publish - a free copy of their eBook "Submit, Publish, Repeat"
- Editors’ Association of Canada - The Voice of Canadian Editors
- Oxford County Library - offers resources for independent authors
- Publishers Archive.com - Directory of book publishers, literary awards, book events & more, American
- Pub Rants – American blog with writing & publishing tips
- The Book and Periodical Council (BPC) - The Umbrella Organization for Publishing in Canada
- Windsor Public Library
- Writer's Guild of Canada - List of Agents
- Writer's Relief, Author's Submission Service - American
Workshops:
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Check out the various workshop and course schedule for all levels of writers listed on Brian Henry's website Quick Brown Fox.
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Writer's Clubs with Membership:
- London Writer’s Society - meets 3rd Thursday each month except August at Landon Library, 167 Wortley Rd., London, ON, 7:00 p.m. Membership fee: $25.00 Contact: mail@londonwriters.ca
- The Sudbury Writers’ Guild - meets the last Thursday of the month from September to May, except December at the Parkside Older Adult Centre inside the YMCA, Room "C", 140 Durham St. Sudbury, ON, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Membership fee: $30 annually each September
- The Writers’ Community of Simcoe County - meets 3rd Sunday each month at Down by the Bay, 121 Mississauga St. E., Orillia, ON, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Ottawa Romance Writers Association
Writer's Groups:
Writing Jobs:
- Brian Scott - Subscribe to his Morning Coffee Newsletter
- Brian Scott - Video tutorials on "How to Start A Successful Freelance Writing Career"
- Canadian Freelance Writing Jobs - Jobs for Canadian Writers
- Savvy Writers & e-Books online - 11 Websites to Find Freelance Writing Jobs
- The Book and Periodical Council - lists online job boards
Writing Links:
- Brian Henry - check out his creative writing courses & workshops
- Brian Scott - a wealth of information including jobs, writing & poetry contests
- Canada Arts Connect - opportunities, resources & more
- Canadian Authors - writers helping writers since 1921
- Canadian Links of Interest to Writers - an extensive list
- Canadian Literature - a Quarterly of Criticism and Review
- Canadian Writer's Journal - an annotated list of internet links & information useful to writers
- Clear Writing Literacy - Literacy information & referral network
- Diaspora Dialogues (DD) - supports diverse writers to turn their craft into a career
- Dreamers Creative Writing - dedicated to writing that is from the heart
- Firefly Creative Writing - offering cozy and joyful creative writing workshops & coaching in Toronto, Ontario
- Freefall Writing
- A Guide to Effective Instruction in Writing Kindergarten to Grade 3
- The Book Band - places new authors and ideas into your hands
- The League of Canadian Poets
- Library Archives of Canada
- Morel Magazine - a forum celebrating Southwestern Ontario
- National Film Board of Canada
- Professional Writers Association of Canada - Serve Canadian non-fiction freelance writers across the country
- The Ontario Writers' Conference
- The Other Side of the Story – an informative blog with over 500 articles on writing fiction
- Silver Pen Writers Society
- Storytellers of Canada -supports the art of oral strorytelling thorugh its storytellers & listerns
- Wine Writers' Circle of Canada
- Word Writes Canada - Canadian Links of Interest to Writers, an extensive list
- Writescape ...escape to write
- Writer's Circle - Blog on writing tips
- The Book and Periodical Council -
- The Eyeopener - Ryerson University’s independent student newspaper, and has been since 1967
- The Word Guild - Growing Communities of Christian Writers Across Canada
- The Writers' Community of Durham Region - offers forum where writers can find support, education & networking
- Writers Guild of Canada
- The Write Life - American, helps writers create, connect & earn
- Writer's Resources - American, lists of websites, books etc. for writers
- The Writers’ Trust of Canada - to advance, nurture & celebrate Canadian writers & writing
- The Writer’s Union of Canada
- Toronto Romance Writers (TRW) - a robust branch of Romance Writers of America founded in 1986
Writing Retreats:
Algonquin Park Writing Retreat at Arowhon Pines Resort
Friday, June 11 – Monday, June 14
"Give yourself a long weekend of writing time – a weekend of instruction, inspiration and creativity. Award yourself with time away from distractions, with no dishes to do and wonderful food at every meal, as you sit with your feet up and write in the most beautiful wilderness setting in Ontario. This is where the Group of Seven got its inspiration (Tom Thompson is buried just a couple of lakes over); it’s a wonderful place for you to find your inspiration, too.
The retreat will feature both instruction and guided writing exercises, plus one-on-one critiquing and coaching from Brian. You’ll also have lots of time to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with your creativity.
This year, the retreat will be limited to eight participants to allow for physical distancing. As a bonus, this will mean more one-on-one time with the instructor.
The setting: Arowhon Pines is a peaceful, quiet resort nestled in the woods on Little Joe Lake inside Algonquin Park. There are no motorboats on the lake, except for the resort’s own pontoon boat which takes guests on occasional wildlife tours.
All writing levels welcome. Whether you are just beginning or have a novel in progress, please join us.
The retreat will feature both instruction and guided writing exercises, plus one-on-one critiquing and coaching from Brian. You’ll also have lots of time to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with your creativity.
This year, the retreat will be limited to eight participants to allow for physical distancing. As a bonus, this will mean more one-on-one time with the instructor.
The setting: Arowhon Pines is a peaceful, quiet resort nestled in the woods on Little Joe Lake inside Algonquin Park. There are no motorboats on the lake, except for the resort’s own pontoon boat which takes guests on occasional wildlife tours.
All writing levels welcome. Whether you are just beginning or have a novel in progress, please join us.
Instructor Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada’s most popular blog for writers, teaches creative writing at Ryerson University and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Saint John. But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get their first book published and launch their careers as authors." (From Quick Brown Fox website)
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International Conferences/Workshops:
- Abroad Writers’ Conference
This summit of international authors and aspiring writers features conferences led by some of the worlds most talented authors, journalist, poets, playwrights, screenwriters and literary agents. Stimulating talks, interviews, readings, Q&As and workshops. - ASJA Writers Conference
The American Society of Journalists and Authors annual writers conference is one of the premier events in the United States for professional independent writers, with more than 600 attendees each year. - Freefall Writing Calendar 2019/20
- Geneva Writers’ Conference
The international conference brings together English-language writers for high-level instruction, inspiration, support, advice, networking and feedback. Writing genres covered include fiction, creative non-fiction, children’s writing and poetry. (From The Book and Periodical Council (The BPC))
Writer's Quote:
(From the internet)
Writing Tip:
Tip 33: "If you’re writing fiction, it’s a great idea to have a plot. It will coordinate your thoughts and add consistency to the text."~ Lydia ~ (From 34 Writing Tips That Will Make You a Better Writer website)
Quote: “The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.”
~ Maya Angelou ~
~ Maya Angelou ~
