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.                                              

About Musing About 

"Musing About aims to provide a platform by which local news stories, featured artists and events are promoted and celebrated within Oxford County and surrounding area.
Musing About is a concept based on appreciating the various talents and experiences of our community.
Our Focus is to Promote:
  • Local Talent i.e. Artists & writers
  • Local Business through advertising and promotional articles
  • Local Events: by informing the community of local ‘what’s happenings’" (From Musing About website)
Picture
Kathy Eller
Kathy Eller
 "Has extensive experience working with local community papers in media marketing. Musing about is something she has done over the years, by reflecting and observing the way media portrayed local events and people. It is from this personal experience and insight that she was inspired to create this concept of Musing About. Owning her own business allowed her to express her long-time dream of being entrepreneurial as well as giving back to her community.
​
*Kathy Eller is also the publisher of Coffee News in Oxford County since September 2016." (From Musing About website)

Author Profile:
Waubgeshig Rice

Picture
Waubgeshig Rice, author & journalist (Headshot by Rey Martin)
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
"Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist originally from Wasauksing First Nation. His first short story collection, Midnight Sweatlodge, was inspired by his experiences growing up in an Anishinaabe community, and won an Independent Publishers Book Award in 2012. His debut novel, Legacy, followed in 2014. A French translation was published in 2017. His latest novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, was released in October 2018.Waub got his first taste of journalism in 1996 as an exchange student in Germany, writing articles about being an Anishinaabe teen in a foreign country for newspapers back in Canada. He graduated from Ryerson University’s journalism program in 2002. He’s worked in a variety of news media since, reporting for CBC News for the bulk of his career. In 2014, he received the Anishinabek Nation’s Debwewin Citation for excellence in First Nation Storytelling. He currently hosts Up North, CBC Radio’s afternoon show for northern Ontario.
His proudest roles are as dad to Jiikwis and husband to Sarah. The family splits its time between Sudbury and Wasauksing." (From Waubgeshig Rice's website)

Moon of the Crescent Snow

A daring post-apocalyptic novel from a powerful rising literary voice

"With winter looming, a small northern Anishinaabe community goes dark. Cut off, people become passive and confused. Panic builds as the food supply dwindles. While the band council and a pocket of community members struggle to maintain order, an unexpected visitor arrives, escaping the crumbling society to the south. Soon after, others follow.
The community leadership loses its grip on power as the visitors manipulate the tired and hungry to take control of the reserve. Tensions rise and, as the months pass, so does the death toll due to sickness and despair. Frustrated by the building chaos, a group of young friends and their families turn to the land and Anishinaabe tradition in hopes of helping their community thrive again. Guided through the chaos by an unlikely leader named Evan Whitesky, they endeavor to restore order while grappling with a grave decision.
​
Blending action and allegory, Moon of the Crusted Snow upends our expectations. Out of catastrophe comes resilience. And as one society collapses, another is reborn.” (From ECW Press website)
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)

Book Launch: ​

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. ​
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
"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) 
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
TBA
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
"​With successful pilot symposiums in Winnipeg and Ottawa, Diaspora Dialogues is launching TOK Toronto. Join us in our hometown for a three-day symposium dedicated for writers and readers On September 20 – 22, 2019. TOK, the digital magazine of Diaspora Dialogues, publishes fiercely honest, freshly original writing from our cities, and from around the world . . ." (From Diaspora Dialogues website)
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
Contests:
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)

Congratulations to the 2018 Story Starters Semi-Finalists!
​​"For the seventh time, The Ontario Writers’ Conference has partnered with visual artists of all sorts in the form of our Story Starters Contest – run October, November and December 2017 as well as January and February of 2018. On the first of each month, our website featured an extraordinary work by a local artist and we invite writers from everywhere and of all ages to enter a piece of writing inspired by that work (entry-free). By taking inspiration from the art, writing a short piece (100 words maximum) and posting it in the comment section of our entry page, more than 150 writers created works of poetry, prose, dialogue, haiku, etc. for a chance to impress that artist and win a prize for that month.  For a list of the semi-finalists click this link. 
​​
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
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.)
  • Check out the various writing and poetry contests listed on Brian Scott’s website Freelance Writing Helping freelance writers to succeed since 1997.
  • Canadian Authors - lists of Canadian contests and opportunities
Creative Writing Camps:
Events:
 Festivals:
Picture(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
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.)
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
"The Word On The Street is a national celebration of literacy and Canadian writing. Each September, we host hundreds of readings for visitors of all ages. Join us as we share vital stories about where we live."
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Halifax Central Library | 10am - 3pm

Lethbridge, Alberta
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Main Library: 5th Ave. S. and 8th St. S. | 11am - 5pm 

Toronto, Ontario
W​OTS Plus
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Harbourfront Centre | 12pm - 8pm
 
WOTS Festival & Marketplace
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Harbourfront Centre | 10am - 5pm ​

Free Admission
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: Wednesday September 4th & 18th, 2019  
  • 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: Thursday September 19th, 2019​​​
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
(For more information please contact Eric Schmiedl at ericschmiedl@yahoo.ca or 519-539-5926)

Poetry Publication

Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
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
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
NEW: Poetry London’s 2019-2020 Season
  • September 18th, 2019: Emma Healey/Jason Dickson
  • October 23rd, 2019: Nicole Brossard
  • November 20th, 2019: Deanna Young/Joshua Whitehead
  • January 22nd, 2020: Dale Smith/Kirby
  • February 26th, 2020: Gillian Sze/Doyali Islam
  • March 25th, 2020: Mary di Michele/Susan Gillis
  • April 22nd, 2020: Lucas Crawford/D.A. Lockhart
Location:  Landon Library’s basement, 167 Wortley Rd., London, ON

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.
  • September 19, 2019
  • October 17, 2019
  • November 21, 2019
  • January 16, 2020
  • February 19, 2020
  • March 20, 2020
  • April 16, 2020​​​

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 
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
Monthly poetry workshops are held at Westdale Public Library, 955 King St. W.
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, ON​​​
  • September 14, 2019 – workshop
  • October 19, 2019 – workshop [NOTE: moved to third Saturday]
  • November 9, 2019 – workshop
  • January 11, 2020 – workshop
  • February 8, 2020 – annual Poetry TALK*
  • March 14, 2020 – workshop
  • April 18, 2020 – workshop [NOTE: moved to third Saturday]
  • May 9, 2020 – AGM and short workshop
​ No workshops are held in the summer months." (From Tower Poetry Society website) 

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:
Workshops:

Picture (Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
Check out the workshop and course schedule for all levels of writers listed on Brian Henry's website Quick Brown Fox.
Writer's Clubs with Membership:
Writer's Groups:
Writing Jobs:
Writing Links:  
Writing Retreats:
November at the Briars Writing Retreat
Friday November 1 – Monday November 4, 2019
Four days of creativity in a setting that provides the warmth of a country estate steeped in history while providing all the benefits of an extensive, modern lakeside resort.
The Briars Resort & Spa on Lake Simcoe
55 Hedge Road, Jackson’s Point, Ontario, Canada 
Details here.
Picture
(Image courtesy of/& used with permission)
"Give yourself a four days of writing time – a long weekend of instruction, inspiration and creativity. Award yourself with time away from distractions, with no dishes to do, delicious food at every meal, and with the leisure you need to sit with your feet up and write. 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. All writing levels welcome. Whether you’re just beginning or have a novel in progress, please join us.

The setting: Originally a Regency-style Manor House built by Captain William Bourchier in 1840, the estate was purchased in 1870 by Dr. Frank Sibbald, who added two wings to the manor house, a coach house, a brick stable and of course a peacock house, because where else are you going to keep your peacocks?

The Briars also has a storied literary history. Humorist Stephen Leacock was a great friend of the Sibbalds, visited often, and is buried just down the road from the resort at the pretty St. George’s churchyard, as is author Mazo de la Roche. De la Roche’s Jalna series were worldwide bestsellers, making her one of Canada’s bestselling authors ever. 

Today, the Briars still offers the warmth of a country estate steeped in history while providing all the benefits of an extensive, modern lakeside resort." (For more details click here.)
​International Conferences:
  • 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.
  • 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:
Writing Tip:
Tip 15: "To be a good writer is to start writing everyday. As Mark Twain said, “the secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
Try using new words. i.e. avoid repeating words. this way we learn the usage of different words.
Do edit your previous articles.

Start with small paragraphs like writing an article for a Newspaper, and proceed from there.” ~ Amit Goyal
(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