WE Writers meeting November 3, 2009

Twelve members attended the meeting on November 3, 2009 - Mari, Lara, Pat, Jeremy, Lionel, Fran, Wes, Lance, Fred, Kodi, Simon and Alex (new)

Lara read from her chick lit novel
Simon read some background to the evolution of Gupton Mubbes
Jeremy read Chapter 14 of the Adventures of Cyrus Longbones
Lance read a short story Second Treaty
Kodi read a short story The Dreams
Fred read s short story about his experiences living in Japan
Fran read a short memoir The Demise of Myrtle

There was a discussion of this year's Christmas Party. It has been tentatively scheduled for December 8. Members were asked to think about whether this party should be pot luck, as it has been in the past, or whether we should some of the funds in our account to pay for the food.

Please bring your views to the next meeting which is November 10, 2009.

Meeting, October 20, 2009

Thirteen members attended the meeting on October 20, 2009, Mari, Angela, Jeremy, Lionel, Simon, Elizabeth, Pat, Lea, Lara, Linda S. Lance, Susan and Karen

Lea read from her memoir
Angela read the Epilogue of her book
Pat read a kids' story, Noreen
Elizabeth read an essay on driving
Linda S. read a non fiction piece, Whore of Babylon

To read next week: Jeremy, Lara, Simon

There is a social evening next Tuesday, October 27 at the Urban Rush Cafe, Denman and Comox, commencing around 7 p.m.

Next meeting is November 3.

West End Writers Meeting, October 13, 2009

Eight people attended the West End Writers meeting on October 13, 2009 - Pat, Lea, Karen, Elizabeth, Lara, Jonas, Linda S and Lionel.

Lea read from her memoir
Linda S read two poems "Left" and "Stranger"
Lara read Chapter 17 of her untitled chick lit book
Jonas read the first chapter of his book "We used Babylonians"
Elizabeth read her short story
Pat read her short story The CEO and the 6 year old.

We have been having only light attendance at our meetings since the beginning of September. If we do not have an attendance of an average of ten members per meeting, we stand to lose our privilege of using the room in Barclay Manor, which would mean the end of the West End Writers. Members - even if you do not have anything to read, please make an effort to attend, so we can keep our numbers up.

Collection of membership fees will continue over the next few weeks - $15 regular member and $8 for those of us who don't work and live off the rest of you!

Geist Magazine October Workshops

The Art of Writing for Children - Saturday, October 24, 1–4 p.m.

Why write for and about children? In this workshop we’ll take a look at the pleasures and challenges of writing for and about children and young adults, people in the making. Led by children’s author Sarah Ellis, the workshop will include an overview of genres, some fast and dirty writing exercises and plenty of Q&A.

Sarah Ellis was born in Vancouver, and although she has travelled and lived elsewhere she always misses the sea and the rain and has to come home. As a child she read everything in sight, and when she grew up she was lucky enough to find a career where reading is allowed. During her years as a children’s librarian, she discovered a delight in performing—in puppetry and storytelling. At the same time she became interested in writing about children’s books, spending a year at The Center for the Study of Children’s Literature at Simmons College in Boston. She now reviews children’s books for Quill and Quire, The Hornbook and occasionally for The New York Times. She lectures internationally on Canadian children’s books and has travelled to Japan, Venezuela, England, Ireland and various Canadian and American locations in this role. She began writing her own fiction in a spirit of curiosity. Could she do it? Fifteen books later she is well and truly hooked. When she is not telling stories, whether on paper or in the air, Sarah teaches writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts, gives readings in schools and libraries, gardens, cooks, reads, plays the ukulele, goes for long walks and potters around the basement. Awards include the Governor General’s Award for Literature, The Mr. Christie Book Award, The Sheila A. Egoff Award and the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. Sarah’s latest book is Days of Toil and Tears.

Saturday, October 24, 1–4 p.m.
Listel Hotel 1300 Robson St., Vancouver

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Writing the Narrative Scene - Sunday, October 25, 1–4 p.m.

The scene is the dramatic heart of fiction, where plot, setting and character come together on the page. In this intensive workshop we will study examples of successful narrative scenes, analyze their elements, including the effective use of dialogue, and, of course, write them. Write lots of them! Useful for both short fiction writers and novelists, this course is led by fiction writer and teacher Caroline Adderson.

Caroline Adderson is the author of two novels, A History of Forgetting and Sitting Practice (winner of the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize in 2004), and two collections of short stories, Bad Imaginings and Pleased to Meet You. She lives in Vancouver. Read her work in Geist.

Sunday, October 25, 1–4 p.m.
Listel Hotel 1300 Robson St., Vancouver

For more info please visit Geist at 604-681-9161 or online

Kristin Cheung
Geist Magazine
200 - 341 Water Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1B8
604-681-9161
www.geist.com

WE Meeting, October 6, 2009

A great meeting Tuesday night with lots of readers and just enough time to read.

Attendees included: Mari, Lea, Susan, Lara, Jeremy, Laurel, Wes, Angela and newcomers Jeremiah, Cynthia, Jonas, Lionel and Elizabeth. Critiquing Process

– We discussed the 4th and 5th Tuesday meetings, which are NOT happening for right now. Social nights ARE still on at Urban Rush Cafe.

– We’re going to have membership drives in November so please bring your dues ($8 or $15) in cash or check as well as your West End Community Center membership number.

– Anyone want to throw a Halloween Party? Angela is into it. Please leave comments below.

On Tuesday, Lea read from her memoir, Susan read a poem, Lara read from her romantic comedy, Jeremy read from his YA fantasy, and Laurel read the second chapter of a new novel.

I won’t be there next week, but Pat will.

See you in Surrey!

– Mari

Surrey International Writers Conference Early Registration

Early Registration for the Surrey Writers Conference is ending on October 1st.

Act now before prices increase by $20 per day, or $30 for the weekend.

If you have never been to the conference, I encourage you to do so.

There are lots of seminars on various topics and genres, 10 minute pitch appointments with editors and agents, 10 minute blue line appointments with authors, lunches, parties and many opportunities to get your questions answered by experienced people.

Check out the SIWC site and peruse the offerings.

If you can only go for one day, it's worth it.

Look for me there!

-Mari

CBC Literary Awards - Deadline November 1, 2009

From the CBC Web Site:

The 2009 CBC Literary Awards Competition is now open! Are you wild about words? Send us your unpublished poetry, short stories or creative nonfiction. The deadline for submissions is November 1st, 2009.

What are the awards?
The CBC Literary Awards competition is the only literary competition that celebrates original, unpublished works, in Canada’s two official languages. There are three categories—short story, poetry, and creative nonfiction. These awards are presented in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts and enRoute magazine. The Canada Council supports the prizes with $60,000 so that the 12 winners (6 in each official language) can garner $6,000 for the first prize and $4,000 for the second prize in the three categories. Publishing the works in enRoute magazine guarantees a pool of one million readers per month for the winners, and visibility is offered to the winners and their winning entries by CBC.

We are also now on Facebook! Please look us up: "CBC Literary Awards/Prix Littéraires Radio Canada".

See the Categories section for more information. If you can't find the information you need on our site, please use the Contact page.

Good luck, Westenders!

-Mari