NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION BRANCH (NCR)
Weekly Notices for the week of May 21, 2012
–16 Items: 8 NEW EVENTS & 13 NEW CONTESTS!
(includes 2 playwriting contests)
####Please send all submission and event notices to Carol Stephen at cstephen0@gmail.com and ****Remember to check out writing-related services offered by our members at our CAA-NCR website http://www.canauthors-ottawa.org/hire-a-member.shtml
***NOTE THAT THERE IS A NEW AUGUST CONTEST ITEM WHICH DESERVES ATTENTION: U.K.’S AESTHETICA MAGAZINE TWO-GENRE CONTEST WHICH PERMITS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED WORKS! IT IS THE LAST ITEM ON THE LIST.
BRANCH NEWS
ITEM 1: “POETRY OF PLACE” WORKSHOP WITH TERRY ANN CARTER presented by Canadian Authors Association – National Capital Region
DATE: Saturday, June 9, 2012, Room T230 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LOCATION: Algonquin College, Woodroffe Campus Room T230
COST: $45 for CAA-NCR members and $75 for non-members
http://www.canauthors-ottawa.org/workshops.shtml
Terry Ann Carter Open Mic (Photo credit: pesbo)
During the morning session, Terry Ann Carter will lead participants through exercises to explore memory: where we come from, where we live now, the influences that shape the written word.
In the afternoon, Terry Ann will explore form: ballad, free verse, haiku, lyric, narrative in order to give shape to some of the morning exercises. Dramatic voices: apostrophe, mask, persona, conversation and experimental elements will also be considered. Participants will receive a twenty-page handout including references for creative writing and publishing.
Terry Ann Carter was shortlisted for the Archibald Lampman award (2011) for her collection of poems A Crazy Man Thinks He’s Ernest in Paris (Black Moss Press, 2010). She’s the author of two other collections: Transplanted (Borealis Press, 2006) and Waiting for Julia (third eye press, 1997). Two collections are forthcoming in the spring of 2012: Day Moon Rising from Black Moss Press, and Hallelujah from Buschekbooks. Lighting the Global Lantern A Teacher’s Guide To Writing Haiku and Related Literary Forms was published by Wintergreen Studios Press (2011). Terry Ann was the Random Acts of Poetry poet for the city of Ottawa from 2005 – 2010. To register e-mail somertonsmith@yahoo.com
BRANCH MEMBER NEWS
ITEM 2: SONIA SAIKALEY BOOK LAUNCH “THE LEBANESE DISHWASHER” NEW!
DATE: Tuesday, June 5 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: BOM Burgers on Main (upstairs), 343 Somerset St. West (between Bank and O’Connor)
Not your usual love story, here is an all-male version of Romeo and Juliet in which the Arab lovers find themselves threatened by society and worst of all by family prejudice and homophobia that culminates in a catastrophic climactic scene. The Lebanese Dishwasher is poetically charged, dramatically presented with engaging dialogue and employs
a plot having almost fairytale symmetry. -Gillian Harding-Russell, author of I forgot to tell you (Thistledown, 2007)
Admission is free. Books will be available for purchase. Drinks and food are sold through the restaurant.
ITEM 3: COLIN A WRIGHT BOOK LAUNCH AND READING FROM HIS NEW BOOK, “A CUPBOARD FULL OF SHOES” NEW!
DATE: Wednesday June 6 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
LOCATION: The Novel Idea, 156 Princess Street, Kingston
Colin’s new story collection, A Cupboardful of Shoes, And Other Stories, is now available at www.trafford.com as well as at Amazon sites. The official launch will be at The Novel Idea, 156 Princess Street, Kingston, on Wednesday, 6th June, from 7 to 9 p.m., when, as well as signing copies, he’ll be talking about the stories and reading from one of the shorter ones: closing, of course, with questions and comments. Colin is pleased to invite all those in the Kingston area (or who can make it to Kingston) to attend. For further information (and for those who won’t be at the reading), please see: http://www.cupboardfulofshoes.com where there is information on how to order, as well as a general description of the stories and questions for reading groups.
WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS
ITEM 4: SELF-PUBLISHING IN THE DIGITAL MARKETPLACE NEW!
Ottawa Public Library’s Main Branch, (Wikipedia)
DATE: May 23, 7:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
LOCATION: Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch, Metcalfe & Laurier, Meeting Room
Digital self-publishing exploded in 2011 with news of the success of authors like J.A. Konrath, Amanda Hocking, and E.V. Mitchell (Julianne Maclean). Self-publishing for the Kindle, Nook, Sony eReader, iPad and other digital devices, is easy… and complicated. It has big advantages and deep pitfalls. In this workshop, you’ll learn more about this intriguing new option for authors and get the info you need to help you decide if self-publishing is right for you.
Topics covered include:
The math: Why self-pubbing works
The technology: How self-pubbing happens
The business: What you should know before you take that step
The advantages: Why you might want to do it
The problems: What scary things to avoid
Thinking about dipping your toe into the wide ocean of digital self-publishing?
Bring your questions, and let’s talk about this new opportunity. Presented by Teresa Morgan from the ORWA: Teresa Morgan is the self-published author of Cinderella and the Sheikh and Handcuffed to the Sheikh, steamy contemporary romances available now on Amazon.
Online registration is required. Here’s the link to sign up: http://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/main/program?eid=39805
There’s a shorter version in Orléans at 8:00 p.m. on the 29th: http://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/main/program?eid=39806
ITEM 5: WRITING CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
NEW!
University of Calgary Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Do you have a passion for creative writing? Perhaps you work in a field that requires strong writing skills? Whatever your reasons for wanting to be a better writer, University of Calgary Continuing Education can help.
Three writing certificate programs are offered, all of which are delivered completely online. When you enrol in a course, you will be required to work within scheduled start- and end-dates and will be expected to meet assignment timelines. During the duration of the course, you will work whenever-and from wherever-you choose, as long as you have a computer and a reliable internet connection. Each program requires 200 hours of instruction time, and in some cases, courses can be applied to more than one certificate. One or more of the following certificate programs may be exactly what you need:
Professional Writing specializing in Business and Technical Writing
Professional Writing specializing in Marketing and Public Relations
Creative Writing
For more information, go to http://conted.ucalgary.ca/writing/
SUBMISSION CALLS AND OPPORTUNITIES
ITEM 6: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS SHORT STORIES
The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2012.
Editor Sandra McIntyre with Roseway Publishing (Nova Scotia & Manitoba) is seeking short story submissions for an upcoming anthology of political fiction. “Political” is open to interpretation—stories can be about politics, whether overtly or obliquely, or political by virtue of their stance, voice, point of view, or underpinnings.
Stories should be 4000 words maximum. There is no minimum length. Short graphic fiction is welcome. Simultaneous submissions are okay. Multiple submissions are okay. Submissions of previously published stories are okay. Canadian authors only.
Payment: $100 for “anthology rights” (print and electronic rights).
Send stories by email to sandra@sandralit.com
Send stories by mail to:
Sandra McIntyre, c/o Roseway Publishing, 32 Oceanvista Lane Black Point, NS B0J 1B0
To receive confirmation that your story has been received, please include an email address or a SASE with your submission.
ITEM 7: BYWORDS.CA SUBMISSION CALL
DEADLINE: June 15 for the June issue
Bywords.ca considers previously unpublished poetry from emerging and established poets for our online monthly magazine. We consider work by current and former residents, students and workers of Ottawa. We also publish poems by contributors to our predecessor, the Bywords Monthly Magazine. FOR SUBMISSION INFORMATION VISIT www.bywords.ca and click on Guidelines. Amanda Earl, Managing Editor
ITEM 8: BAICO PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITY FOR OTTAWA AUTHORS AT THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL MAY 30 – JUNE 3, 2012
Here is an opportunity to showcase and sell your books for children at the International Children’s Festival May 30- June 3rd 2012 in front of the War Museum. Baico Publishing has been approached by the festival to promote writing, reading and literacy for its annual
festival. With an expected 70,000 students and adults attending the five day event, 3 tents have been set aside for authors (two 20X20 foot tents for showcasing authors’ books and one 10X10 foot tent to do readings).
Authors with books for children (age level up to 16) have an opportunity to book a space at a table. Cost for half a table is $12.50 for half a day or $25.00 a day or $50 a day for a 6 foot
table. Book your spot, time and date by contacting George Laidlaw at laidlaw@iosphere.net or 613 831-2505.
ITEM 9: TD CANADIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK 2013
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is looking for authors and/or illustrators with new children’s books being released in the fall of 2012 and/or spring 2013 who are interested in touring schools, libraries, bookstores and community centres outside of their home province during TD Canadian Children’s Book Week 2013.
Book Week is a wonderful opportunity for authors and illustrators to promote their work to young readers across the country. The authors and illustrators who are chosen to tour for Book Week will be invited to give readings and/or workshops in the province/territory they are assigned to tour. The next Book Week tour will run from Saturday, May 4 to Saturday, May 11, 2013. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 25, 2012.
For complete application details and to download the application form, visit the Book Week website under Information for Artists http://www.bookweek.ca/information-artists
ITEM 10: ARC POETRY MAGAZINE: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: KIDSPO! DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 6 NEW!
Arc Poetry Magazine fall 2012 annual themed issue
Canada’s poetry magazine is looking for
poems for kids & youth
really good illustrations
kids to review poems (lend us your kids!)
your favourite poem as a kid
your published book of kids’ poems
articles & criticism on kids’ poetry
Submit your work online; pitches and queries to editor@arcpoetry.ca
IN THE INTEREST OF WRITERS HELPING WRITERS
ITEM 11: EDITORS’ ASSOCIATION OF CANADA CONFERENCE 2012: HITTING THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MOTHERLODE NEW!
DATE: JUNE 1 TO JUNE 3
LOCATION: OTTAWA CONFERENCE CENTRE, 55 COLONEL BY DRIVE, OTTAWA
This year’s conference, taking place June 1 to 3, 2012 at Ottawa’s spectacular, newly renovated Ottawa Convention Centre, presents an outstanding program during an inspirational weekend of learning and socializing. Most sessions are in English, but some are in French.
Here is a chance to invest in yourself—whether you’re a freelancer meeting potential contacts/clients and gaining skills to increase your market value, or you’re an in-house editor wisely utilizing training budgets and learning plans to expand your skills set and help advance your career path at work.
http://www.editors.ca/conference/conference2012/index.html
ITEM 12: INDEPENDENT WRITERS’ RETREAT AUG. 5 – 10 NEW!
Work independently on your manuscript and enjoy the support of the beautiful Tatamagouche Centre. Option to workshop your writing each evening with one of two facilitators. $550 all inclusive. Youth scholarship available. For details contact Gwen Davies: comwrite@gmail.com
Program Details: http://www.tatacentre.ca/index.php/programs/details/1762
Meghan MacCulloch
Promotions Coordinator
Tatamagouche Centre
259 Loop Route 6
Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0
1-800-218-2220
902-657-2231
http://www.tatacentre.ca
ITEM 13: ACCESS COPYRIGHT REMINDER: THE DEADLINE TO MAKE YOUR PAYBACK CLAIM IS MAY 31ST. NEW!
Registration with Access Copyright is free. Reproduction of your content shouldn’t be.
Every day across the country individuals in schools, businesses and government copy excerpts from published works to obtain the valuable content they need to get their jobs done. But are you – the owners of that content – being compensated? By registering with Access Copyright, you’ll be paid whenever they find your works copied under one of their licences. Through its licensing framework, Access Copyright provides users with access to valuable content while passing the royalties on to creators like you. Remember:
Registration is free
You receive royalties whenever your works are copied and copying is reported to Access Copyright.
Registration provides eligibility for Payback.
For more information or to register, go to www.accesscopyright.ca
ITEM 14: REMINDER STITTSVILLE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
ARTISTS & AUTHORS IN THE PARK
DATE: Sunday May 27th, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Village Square Park (corner of Abbott and Stittsville Main)
FREE ADMISSION
Enjoy an exhibition of the best creative works from Stittsville and surrounding areas, and meet the talented artists and authors behind them. Activities for adults and children throughout the afternoon.
About 50 artists & authors on hand to show and discuss their creations (books, paintings, drawings, sculpture, photographs, textiles and more)
Local authors presenting passages from their work
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum demonstrations
Charity BBQ in support of the Ottawa-Stittsville Rotary Club
musical interlude
Children’s Tent featuring crafts, library story time & learning activity
Stittsville Youth Connexion-Stittsville Youth Association stations
Artists & Authors in the Park, hosted by the Stittsville Village Association, has become a spring tradition in Village Square Park. Dozens of artists and authors will be exhibiting their best work in a relaxed park setting that enables conversation between exhibitors and visitors to the park. This event offers a wonderful opportunity for the artistic community to shine. All artists and authors interested in participating are encouraged to contact event co-chairs Metin Akgun or Tanya Hein. Participating artists and authors will be asked to pay a $15 registration fee when they arrive at the park, to cover some of the administrative associated with hosting the event.
For more information: Metin Akgun, co-chair (aysemetin@rogers.com or 613-836-5350); or Tanya Hein, co-chair (tanya.hein@travnet.org or 613-686-1842)
ITEM 15: MAY 21 to MAY 31 EVENTS AT COLLECTED WORKS
1242 WELLINGTON STREET WEST AT HOLLAND Check Facebook for full details or visit http://www.collected-works.com/pages/events.htm
Every Sunday in MAY! Rugrat Readers – 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Parents, are you looking to get you and your rugrats out of the house? Looking for ways to get your child interested in reading? In need of an hour of “me” time? Then come on down to Collected Works on Sundays and have your child introduced to the love of reading by a Rugrat Reader, while you peruse the books and enjoy the coffee bar! Readings for children 5 and under from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and for children 6 and older from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 24 7:00 p.m. Ottawa launch for Elseworlds by Nina Berkhout
Elseworlds observes everyday moments from the mundane to the enlightening through conversation, story and daydream. Whether a preoccupation with time and the nature of memory to a coming to terms with failed relationships; reflections on the haunting presence of departed loved ones, or the intermittent desire to escape into another world altogether, Berkhout’s wry humour and honest voice resonate beyond the personal in these meditations on life and loss.
Nina Berkhout is originally from Calgary. She is the author of four poetry collections, including the best-selling Letters from Deadman’s Cay and Arrivals and Departures. Her work has been shortlisted for THIS Magazines Great Canadian Literary Hunt and the John Hirsch Award for most promising Manitoba writer. Berkhout holds a degree in Classical Studies from the University of Calgary and a Masters in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto.
Friday, MAY 25 Open Mic – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Whether you’ve the urge to perform in front of a fun, accepting audience, or you just want to sit back after dinner on a Friday night with some coffee and enjoy some of the best neighbourhood talent, this is the place to be.
Saturday, May 26 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Carleton University Humanities and Political Science professor Tom Darby reads from Disorderly Notions
Before history there were infinite possibilities. The year was 1989 – the year everything unexpected happened: the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, the massacre at Tiananmen Square, the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was the beginning of the end of an era, but Professor Hamilton West had the notion it was the end of much more – the end of history itself. So Hamilton, who finds himself on sabbatical after getting into trouble with his dean, and Andy, a 75-year-old communist, take off for Asia in a desperate search for “anything new.” Their adventure includes a team of travelling misfits: Hamilton’s new lover; a former All American tackle; and a Brahman elder, along with his young, delectable Californian wife.
All the while, Hamilton is determined to keep his promise to his cousin Jud and rewrite the history of their common relatives, the Benjamin family. Locked away in hotel rooms with a Zenith 286 laptop, Hamilton reconstructs the lives of Judah P. Benjamin, Secretary of State for the Confederate States of America, his brother Malachi, founder of Altamaha, Georgia, and the Benjamins after them.
Sunday, May 27 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Jeff Ross reads from Dawn Patrol, his book for young readers
In collaboration with our Rugrat Readers and Orca Books we are pleased to have Jeff Ross reading from his new book Dawn Patrol. From the Orca Sports series and just in time for summer it is a story of surfing, friendship and family geared towards the sports-minded teen reader!
Luca and Esme have more than monster waves to worry about. Everything stops making sense for extreme surfer Kevin Taylor after his parents die in a plane crash. When Kevin disappears leaving only a cryptic note, his best friends Luca and Esme have no choice but to try and find him. Their journey takes them to the coast of Panama where they must confront unfriendly locals, a surfer who seems bent on destroying them and monster waves. As their hope dwindles and time runs out, the mystery of what really happened to Kevin’s parents deepens, and Luca and Esme begin to wonder if they are in over their heads.
Thursday, May 31 7:00 p.m. Arleen Paré reads from Leaving Now
Join Collected Works in welcoming one of British Columbia’s most talented writers on a bit of a tour to our fair city to read from her stunning work, Leaving Now. Set in the volatile 1970s and ’80s, when social norms and expectations were changing rapidly, Leaving Now is the emotionally candid story of a mother’s anguish as she leaves her husband to love a woman. In this second book, Paré masterfully blends aspects of her personal journey with her own version of a well-loved fairy tale. Gudrun, the five-hundred-year-old mother of Hansel and Gretel, appears hazily in the narrator’s kitchen–presumed dead, all but written out of her own tale, but very much alive. Gudrun spins a yarn of love, loss and leaving, offering comfort and wisdom to the conflicted young mother.
A note from Chris Carroll at Collected Works Bookstore: You thought we were awesome before… late this spring we will be completely remodeled, capable of double capacity for author events and still taking local authors on consignment! If you have books, we WANT to sell them!
ITEM 16: WRITING CONTESTS COMING UP
WEEKLY TWITTER WRITING CONTEST! DEADLINE: EVERY THURSDAY AT 11 AM NEW!
Scribendi.com is hosting a weekly writing contest that I think would be of interest to your audience. How it Works: Every Friday at 11 AM, we will announce the topic of the week. Entrants must write a 140-character-or-less tweet, mention @Scribendi_Inc, and summarize the topic of the week. The contest closes the following Thursday at 11 AM.
Summarize This! promotes concise and precise writing skills in a fresh, fun way (http://www.scribendi.com/summarize_this). Prizes range from free editing to Scribendi.com swag.
CONTESTS MAY DEADLINES
City of Vancouver Book Award Deadline: May 23, 2012 The book may be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or drama written for adults or children and may deal with any aspects of the city: history, geography, current affairs, or the arts published anywhere in the world, may be entered as long as they contribute to an appreciation and understanding of Vancouver’s history, character, or of the achievements of its residents. The book must not have been copy-righted prior to the previous year. Official entry form found on website. City of Vancouver – Cultural Services Department, Suite 501, 111 West Hastings Street, Vancouver BC, V5Y 1H4 Prizes: $2000 Entry Fee: $20 Details: http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/oca/awards/book/index.htm; tel: 604 871 6434
WRITER’S DIGEST COMPETITIONS SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK AWARDS DEADLINE MAY 21, 2012. We know it takes time to get your book back from a publisher. We have had many writers tell us so. So, now you have time. Get on the phone now and tell your self-publisher that the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards has been extended. We will be accepting entries through May 21, 2012. http://www.writersdigest.com/competitions/selfpublished?et_mid=551597&rid=233037386
The New Quarterly Peter Hinchcliffe Fiction Award Deadline: May 28, 2012 sponsored by St. Jerome’s University English Dept. Winning Story: $1,000 Entry Fee: $40 per submission* For a work of short fiction by a Canadian writer in the early stages. Entry fee includes a one-year subscription to The New Quarterly: Canadian Writers & Writing. There is no word limit; all submissions are judged blind.Though there is only one prize, all submissions will be considered for publication. For full details, see www.tnq.ca/contests
THE SAVING BANNISTER POETRY ANTHOLOGY CONTEST Deadline: May 31, 2012 Poems must be titled, previously unpublished, not being considered elsewhere. Please indicate where you heard about our contest. Submissions will not be returned. Only poets included in the anthology will he notified. By entering the contest your give Canadian Authors Association, Niagara Branch first rights to publish your poem in The Saving Bannister Poets retain all other rights for further publications. Decisions of the judge are final. Canadian Authors Association – Niagara Branch Poetry Anthology, Box 1069, Fonthill ON, LOS lEO. Prizes: $200, $100 & $50. Publication Entry Fee: $15/3 poems Details: www.canauthorsniagara.org/ResourcestPoetryContest.html
James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award Deadline: May 31, 2012 Every year up to six Aboriginal students will receive this award for their creative writing talent. Creative pieces may include, but are not limited to short stories, poems, essays. plays, or songs and must be original work created by the student. Maximum length is 2,500 words. For each category there will be an ‘up to 12 years of age’ and ’13 to 18 years of age’ recipient. Nomination forms online from the website. Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration 400 University Avenue, 4th Floor Prizes: $2500 Entry Fee: Nominations Details: http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/citizenship/honours/bartleman.shtml tel: 1 877 832 8622 / 416 314 7526
Sheldon Currie Fiction Prize Deadline: May 31, 2012 Stories on any subject. Total entry not to exceed 20 pages. Entry Fee is $25, outside of North America $35 USD. This includes a one-year subscription to ‘JAR which will begin with the fall issue. Make cheques or money orders payable to The Antigonish Review. The Antigonish Review Contest, St. Francis Xavier University, Box 5000 Antigonish NS, B2G 2W5. Prizes: $600, $400, $200 & Publication Entry Fee: $25 Details: http://www.antigonishreview.com/; tel: 902 867 3962
Northern Ontario Poetry Competition Deadline: May 31, 2012. All entrants must be Northern Ontario residents. Poems must be titled and previously unpublished. Make cheques out to White Mountain Publications. There is no official entry form. A SASE will be used to invite you to the awards night and launching of the Anthology in September, the first Saturday after Labour Day. By entering the contest you are giving White Mountain Publications first Canadian rights to publication. White Mountain Publications, Box 1178, New Liskeard ON, POJ IPO Prizes: $100, $75, $50 & Publication Entry Fee: $5 Details: http://www.wmpub.calnopc.htm; tel: 705 647 5424
Quebec Writers’ Federation Awards Deadline: May 31, 2012. QWF holds an annual juried competition for published books by Quebec authors in five categories: A. M. Klein Prize (Poetry) McAuslan First Book Award Paragraphe Hugh MacLennan Prize Fiction Mavis Gallant Prize for Non-Fiction QWF Prix de traduction / Translation Prize Quebec Writers’ Federation, 1200 Atwater Avenue, Suite 3, Montreal QC, H3Z 1X4 Prizes: $2,000 Entry Fee: $25 Details: http://www.qwf.org; tel: 514 933 0878
JUNE DEADLINES
The 2013 KEN KLONSKY Novella Contest http://www.quattrobooks.ca/submissions/ Quattro Books will publish the two best novella manuscripts by a Canadian author as part of their 2013 Publishing list. You may send your manuscripts anytime between March 01, 2012 and June 01, 2012 along with a $15 reader’s fee and your email address, to: Quattro Books Inc, CSI second floor, 720 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2R4. Manuscripts will not be returned.
ASPIRING CANADIAN POETS CONTEST APRIL 1 TO JUNE 1 2012 Recognizing and Developing Unpublished Canadian Poets. This contest invites the participation of Canadian poets who have not published any of their original creative writing (poems or prose). What are you waiting for? Click on http://www.aspiringpoetscontest.org/How-To-Enter.html for contest rules and guidelines.
NEW! GOVERNOR GENERAL’S LITERARY AWARDS DEADLINE JUNE 1, 2012 The Governor General’s Literary Awards are given annually to the best English-language and the best French-language book in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children’s Literature (text), Children’s Literature (illustration) and Translation (from French to English). Each laureate receives $25,000 and a specially crafted copy of the winning book. In addition, publishers of winning titles receive a $3,000 grant for the promotion of the prize-winning book. The Canadian Council for the Arts, Box 1047, 350 Albert Street, Ottawa ON K1P 5V8. Deadline: June 1, 2012 Prizes: $25,000; $1000 Entry Fee: None Details: http://www.canadacouncil.ca/prizes/ggla/zu127826964756111003.htm 1 800 263 5588 (toll-free) or 613-566- 4414, ext. 5573
NEW! gritLlT WRITING COMPETITIONS DEADLINE JUNE 1, 2012 Poetry: A suite of poems may be up to 300 lines, on any subject. The submission may be made up of a single poem or multiple poems (up to 15) so long as the total number of lines in the submission is 300 or less, including titles. Fiction: submitted story may be up to 3,000 words, on any subject. All three winning submissions of fiction and of poetry will be published in the gritLlT Writing Competition Anthology and may also appear on the grirLlT website. gritLlT: Hamiliton’s Literary Festival, 102 – 69 Hughson Street North, Hamilton ON L8R 1G5. Deadline: June 1, 2012 Prizes: $200; $100; $50 x 2 categories Entry Fee: $20 Details: http://gritlit.ca
NEW! WYN LIT 24 HOUR SHORT STORY WRITING CONTEST DEADLINE JUNE 9, 2012 Once every month, Canadian members of Wynterblue Publishing have the opportunity to enter the 24 hour short story competition Wyn Lit 24 free as part of their membership. An email will be sent including the details of the particular month’s 24 hour short story writing contest. The contest dates sometimes change, so please check the website for updates. Wynterblue Publishing Canada Inc., 128 Rivers Rd E – Unit 22, Callander ON POH 1 HO. Deadline: June 9, 2012 Prizes: Publication Entry Fee: $5; free to members Details: http://www.wynter.ca 705-752-4586
NEW! THE TORONTO FRINGE’S 24 HOUR PLAYWRITING CONTEST DEADLINE JUNE 10, 2012 One of the most anticipated writing contests of the year has up to 60 participants attempting to write a new play in 24 hours. Playwrights show up, are given 4 objects that MUST be incorporated into the script and are given 24 hours to complete a script. The winning play is presented to the public in a free staged reading on the final night of the Fringe Festival featuring noted Toronto area performers. The Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival, 344 Bloor Street West, Suite 208, Toronto ON M5S 3A7. Deadline: June 10 , 2012 Prizes: $500 and a staged reading of the winning script; $300; $150 Entry Fee: None Details: Http://www.fringetoronto.com/artist_opp/24_hour_con.html 416-966-1062.
NEW! JUST WRITE! WORD ALIVE PRESS ANNOUNCES 9TH ANNUAL CANADIAN PUBLISHING CONTEST DEADLINE JUNE 15, 2012 The search for great Canadian authors has begun! Have you written a book or novel? Do you dream about getting published but you don’t know where to start? This could be exactly what you need. Word Alive Press is launching their 9th Annual Free Publishing Contest and will select two winning Canadian manuscripts – one fiction and one non-fiction winner – to publish, market and distribute in both book and e-book format. The total prize package is worth over $10,000 ($5,000 for each winner). For more information contact Caroline Schmidt, caroline@wordalivepress.ca. Deadline: June 15 , 2012 Prizes: $10,000 Entry Fee: None Details: Www.wordalivepress.ca/2012Contest.html 1.800.967.3782
NEW! ACORN – PLANTOS AWARD DEADLINE JUNE 15, 2012 The award is open to any living poet who is a Canadian citizen or landed Immigrant. The work may be entered by the poet or the publisher. The award itself honours the poet. For volumes that follow in the People’s Poetry tradition of Acorn, Livesay, Purdy, Plantos and others by being accessible to all people in its use of language and image, published during the previous year. Acorn-Plantos Award c/o Jeff Seffinga, 36 Sunset Avenue, Hamilton ON L8R 1V6. Deadline: June 15, 2012 Prizes: $500 + People’s Poet Medal Entry Fee: $25 Details: jeffseff@allstream.net; 905-521-9196 http://www.theontariopoetrysociety.ca/contest_Acorn%20Plantos.htm
NEW! WESTERN MAGAZINE AWARDS FOUNDATION DEADLINE JUNE 15, 2012 Open to magazine publishers, editors, art directors and freelance contributors working in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and the Northwest Territories in the following categories: Magazine writing, Photography, Illustration and Art direction. Western Magazine Awards, 875 Prairie Avenue, Port Coquitlam BC V313 1R9. Deadline: June 15, 2012 Prizes: $1000; $500; Entry Fee: $60+HST Details: http://www.westernmagazineawards.ca/ 604-945-3711
NEW! BRUNSWICK ARTS BOARD AWARDS DEADLINE JUNE 15, 2012 Lieutenant-Governor’s Awards for High Achievement in the Arts * Alden Nowlan Award for Excellence in English Language Literary Arts * Pascal Poirier Award for Excellence in French Language Literary Arts. Nominees must have been born in New Brunswick or have resided there for at least five full calendar years and must have distinguished themselves for their contributions to the literary arts. artsnb, 61 Carleton Street, Fredericton NB E313 3T2. Deadline: June 15, 2012 Prizes: $5,000 Entry Fee: None Details: http://www.artsnb.ca/en/awards.php 506-444-4444
DAVE GREBER FREELANCE WRITERS AWARDS from Monday, March 12, 2012 until Friday June 15, 2012 at 5 PM PST. Freelance writers wishing to apply for the book or magazine award can submit their work. Criteria for the awards is set out in the Call for Submissions at http://www.greberwritingaward.com/submissions.htm The separate book and magazine awards recognize excellence of writing and research in the area of social justice writing and also provide support for independent freelance writers during the publishing process. The Book Award for 2012 has been increased to five thousand dollars. Thanks so much to our generous donors. If you have questions about the Call for Submissions please call Shirley Dunn at 1.403.259.5689 or e-mail dunnss@telusplanet.net. If you do not receive an answer within twenty four hours, please contact Brent Gushowaty at brentg@telus.net or phone him at 1-604-727-8437
Room Magazine’s Annual Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Non-Fiction Contest
Calling all women writers: Room magazine is accepting submissions for its 2012 annual Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Non-Fiction Contest. Deadline: June 15, 2012. First prize in each category is $500, 2nd prize $250, plus publication in the summer 2013 issue of Room. Judges: Cathleen With (fiction), Miranda Pearson (poetry), and Kathy Page (creative non-fiction). $30 entry fee includes a one-year subscription to Canada’s oldest literary journal by and about women. Please visit http://www.roommagazine.com/contest for complete details.
NEW! PRAXIS SCREENPLAY COMPETITION DEADLINE JUNE 22, 2012. In order to attract the best scripts in the country, we cover all workshop costs. Writers must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants. All rights remain with the writer. Praxis has no proprietary interest in any of the projects. Due to the number of screenplays we receive, we regret that we cannot provide any feedback on an individual submission. See website for more detail. Praxis Centre for Screen Writers, 3305-149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver BC V6B 1H4. Deadline: June 22, 2012 Prizes: One week workshop, advisor Entry Fee: $45 Details: http://www.praxisfilm.com/en/competitions/featurefilmscreenpla/default.aspx 778-782-7880
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 2012 bpnichol CHAPBOOK AWARD Deadline June 30, 2012 A $2000 prize will be awarded for the poetry chapbook judged to be the best submitted. Interested authors or publishers should submit three copies of a chapbook of poetry in English published in Canada in 2011. Chapbooks should be no less than 10 pages and no more than 48 pages. Submissions should include a brief C.V. of the author, plus address, telephone number, an email address. Send to: Meet the Presses / bpNichol Chapbook Award, PO Box 26, Station P, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2S6. The closing date for submissions to the 2012 competition is June 30, 2012. (Submissions must be received by this date.) Please email Meet The Presses for more information: meetthepresses@gmail.com.
NEW! EDEN MILLS WRITERS FESTIVAL LITERARY CONTEST DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2012. Contest is open to new, aspiring, and modestly published writers age 16 or over. Writers may submit either a short story (max. 2500 words), poetry (max. 5 poems/5 pages) or one-act play. There is also a submission protocol to be asked to read at the Eden Mills Festival-see website for details. As the coordinators and addresses sometimes change between our press time, and their deadline please recheck the website closer to the due date. Eden Mills Writers Festival Literary Contest, c/o Susan Ratcliffe, 57-295 Water Street, Guelph ON NIG2X5. Deadline: June 30, 2012 Prizes: $100 + HM Entry Fee: $15 Details: http://edenmillswritersfestival.ca/EMWF/contests 519-822-8236
NEW! GREAT BLUE HERON POETRY CONTEST DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2012 Poems on any subject. Total entry not to exceed 4 pages. Maximum 150 lines. Entries might be one longer poem, or several shorter poems. This includes a one-year subscription to TAR which will begin with the fall issue. Make cheques or money orders payable to The Antigonish Review Contest, St. Francis Xavier University, Box 5000, Antigonish NS B2G 2W5. Deadline: June 30, 2012 Prizes: $600, $400, $200 & Publication Entry Fee: $25 Details: http://www.antigonishreview.com/index.php 902-867-3962
NEW! THE JOHN GLASSCO TRANSLATION PRIZE DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2012 BUT PLEASE CHECK WITH ORGANIZATION RE DEADLINE AS WEBSITE SHOWS JULY 1, 2012 Awarded by the Literan’ Translators’ Association of Canada each fall, the $1000 prize, created in memory of writer and literary translator John Glassco, is awarded for a translator’s first book-length, literary translation into French or English, published in Canada during the previous year. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s literature are eligible. The translator must he a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Submissions may be made by anyone interested. Literary Translators’ Association of Canada, Glassco Prize Committee, Concordia University, LB 631, 1455, boul. de Maisonneuve ouest, Montreal QC H3G 1M8. Deadline: June 30, 2012 Prize: $1000 Entry Fee: None Details: http://www.attlc-ltac.org/2011-john-glassco-translation-prize-winners 514-848-2424
AND FOR LATER DATES:
NEW! AESTHETICA CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION DEADLINE: AUGUST 31, 2012. The Aesthetica Creative Writing Competition is now open for entries! The competition celebrates and champions creative writing, nurturing talent and bringing work to international attention. Aesthetica is inviting all writers and poets to submit to the Aesthetica Creative Writing Competition 2012. There are two categories for entry, Poetry and Short Fiction, and a selection of fantastic prizes including: £500 prize money – Poetry winner £500 prize money – Short Fiction winner Publication in the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual Complimentary copy of the Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual A selection of books from our competition partners. For more information and to enter please visit: http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/submission_guide.htm Submissions previously published elsewhere are accepted. Entry is £10 and allows for the entry of two works into any one category. Deadline: 31 August 2012
