Our thanks to all the speakers and attendees at our Edmonton Fall Kick-off last week, where we had the opportunity to hear from representatives of a number of local organizations about their upcoming events and programming. The evening was such a success that we wanted to post a recap of some of the announcements mentioned at the event. To find out more, please click on the tabs below.
Third Verb - Jessica Kluthe and Jennifer Levallee
Third Verb intensive writing workshops are for those new to writing and for those well versed in the craft. Sign-up for a workshop—from fiction and poetry to blogs and business—and receive three hours of in-class writing instruction from published authors, online feedback of your work, on-going writing exercises to your inbox, an opportunity to meet other writers, and a well-stuffed swag bag. Third Verb workshops are held at Union Bank Inn on Jasper Ave. Find us online at thirdverb.com.Fall Workshops:
Sept. 29 – Tell it with a Twist (Memoir Writing) with author and MacEwan University instructor Roberta Laurie. Everyone has a story to tell. Let’s tell it with a twist. "Hermit crab” stories borrow existing forms as their containers — recipes, telegrams, Tweets, lists. Together, we’ll explore these containers. You’ll fill them with your stories. Oct. 6 – Narrative Journalism: The Secrets of Long-form Magazine Writing with journalist Omar Mouallem. Join Third Verb for this three-hour workshop and learn how to craft narrative long-form articles in the style of magazines like Esquire and The New Yorker. This workshop will break down the best narrative journalism techniques applied to researching, interviewing, structuring and fact-checking your story, as well as helping you find your market.Winter Workshops:
(dates still to be confirmed)- Flash Fiction: Writing Short, Short Stories with Edmonton author and publisher Jason Lee Norman
- The Structure of Plain Language: Using Form and Creativity to Create Clarity with technical writing expert Annette Wierstra
- Developing Dynamic Fictional Characters with novelist Diana Davidson
Other Services:
- Find writing prompts regularly posted to our Facebook page!
- Manuscript Evaluations with award-winning author Margaret Macpherson: Partnering with Third Verb, Margaret is offering three levels of manuscript evaluation, from a one-time analysis of a sample of your work to a full evaluation (including a one-on-one meeting). Visit thirdverb.com/manuscriptevaluation for full details.
Edmonton Public Library - Sharon Day
Edmonton Public Library has a new initiative to help amplify, support and grow the writing community in Alberta. Our objectives are to support Albertan Writers in honing their craft, and to support writers in spreading the word about their work. One of our first events will be to host a writing workshop at Stanley A. Milner Library on 8 Oct 2016 for Indie Author Day. Already Lined up to speak:- Wayne Arthurson
- Laini Giles
- Sandra (S.G.) Wong
- Bill Thompson (from Grant MacEwan creative writing as well as an indie author himself)
- Kimberley Grabas, writer and entrepreneur, creator of the website yourwriterplatform.com
- EPL will have a session demonstrating how to make a basic book template and give an overview of the Expresso book machine in our Makerspace
- moderated by Jon Fine, best known in the publishing industry as the longtime Director of Author and Publisher Relations for Amazon,
- Lineup will also feature IngramSpark’s Robin Cutler, Library Journal’s Kiera Parrott, Library Journal, Mover & Shaker Jim Blanton, and award-winning indie author L. Penelope
Metro Writer in Residence - Marty Chan
As solitary beings, we writers sometimes forget there is a community of other solitary beings who want the same thing we want: to talk to someone who nods with understanding when we bring up "writers' block" or "rejection letters." We want to further our craft and get a handle on this sometimes wonderful and sometimes aggravating industry of publishing. The WGA event is a great way to bring together writers, and it's a wonderful opportunity for writers to find out what's going on in their community.
As the writer in residence for the Metro Edmonton Federation of Libraries, I'm finishing my yearlong term at St. Albert Library. Not only am I running programs like the publishers' roundtable on November 28, but I'm also available to meet with writers. If you want more information about my programs, please check out metrowir.com.
Limitless Literacy Society - Laura Comfort
The Limitless Literacy Society is a non-profit organization committed to fostering literacy & learning through education and engagement.Our three programs support Youth, Writers & Educators.
**See our website for more information and contact us with your questions.
This fall we will be presenting at the Literacy Day event.
**check out out website for more details.
Our Imagination Expo on February 25th includes exhibits, booth & costume competitions, author readings and a special guest speaker/educator Jay Ingram.
Glass Buffalo Magazine - Matthew Stepanic
Glass Buffalo Fall 2016 Launch Party When: Wednesday, September 28 at 6:30 pmWhere: Yellowhead Brewery
What: Mingle over libations with fellow writers and literature lovers, and hear engaging stories and poems from Edmonton’s best emerging creative-writing talent, including the finalists for our 2016 writing contests and our Fall 2016 issue contributors.
After the TRC When: Friday, October 14 at 12:00 pm Where: CBC Centre Stage
What: At this free event in partnership with LitFest: Edmonton’s Nonfiction Festival, former contributors Danielle Lorenz and Paige Cardinal—along with special guest Norma Dunning—share writing and personal stories from their experiences following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.
Find more details on all of our events here: glassbuffalo.com/events
Edmonton Poetry Festival - Matthew Stepanic
Edmonton Poetry Festival
When: April 16-23, 2017
Where: Various venues
What: The Edmonton Poetry Festival returns again during National Poetry Month with this year's theme: "Horizons." The events at the festival will look at how poetic language shapes what will come and our own futures, and as always, the festival will welcome a variety of cultures, people, from around the world, and forms of poetry.
Bemused High School Festival
When: November 22
What: In partnership with the Edmonton Public Library, the City of Edmonton, and the Edmonton Catholic and Public School Divisions, this one-day festival includes workshops and poetry performances that give students a taste of poetry and their own poetic abilities.
Watch our website for more info: edmontonpoetryfestival.comThe Writers' Union of Canada - Gail Sidonie Sobat
There are opportunities for non-members via the website writersunion.ca and many exciting updates for members. To join you must have at least one professional publication; self-published authors may apply through a vetting system.As well, TWUC advocates on behalf of ALL writers to ensure fair copyright and Public Lending Right payments. The organization works hard to get CanLit on the radar of the nation, its schools, libraries and universities.
The Writers’ Union of Canada membership benefits:
- eligible members may participate in reading programs that pay a fee (plus travel costs)
- free contract advice from Union staff
- free grievance assistance
- free TWUC manuals on the business of writing
- contact with a national network of writers
- national recognition as a professional writer
- free subscription to TWUC’s magazine, Write
- access to clients from TWUC’s ghost writing and manuscript evaluation services
- access to group health benefits
Stroll of Poets Society - John Leppard
In 1991, the Edmonton Stroll of Poets Society was formed, taking its place as a bright new star in the literary cosmos and 25 years later we are still glowing. To celebrate our Season of Silver we will be planning a number of events throughout the year. We are still in the organizational phase so there is the hope and possibility of collaborative ventures with Edmonton’s other successful artistic and literary groups. Please share with us any ideas you may have in this regard. To learn more about us and what we’re up to this year please visit our website or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter. In closing, we would like to extend an invitation. If you do decide to slide by the Upper Crust Café, on most Monday evenings starting at 7 pm, to read a piece of poetry at our open mic or just dig the scene, know this, you will be welcomed, with the same warmth and enthusiasm that started our heart beating 25 years ago. And the beat goes on…
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