Durham Region York Region Simcoe County
Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary act...
The Writers’ Communities of
Durham Region York Region Simcoe County
The Writers’ Community of DURHAM Region Upcoming Meetings 2013-2014 Come join us for the morning RoundTable The WCDR monthly meetings offer an opportunity for members and guests to network over a gourmet breakfast while listening to key-note speakers entertain, instruct and inspire you. Our speakers run the range of award-winning authors, publishers, agents and other industry professionals. Following the breakfast, take advantage of a mini-workshop or a blue-pencil session to help you improve your writing. Our meetings are held at the Ajax Convention Centre on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Here is a list of this year’s speakers: September 14, 2013 – Robert McGill October 12, 1013 – Sandra Kasturi November 9, 2013 – Guy Gavriel Kay December 14, 2013 – Tony Jenkins January 11, 2014 – Mark Leslie Lefebvre February 8, 2014 – To be confirmed March 8, 2014 – To be confirmed April 12, 2014 – To be confirmed May 10, 2014 – Barbara Kyle June 14, 2014 – To be confirmed (Note: This is our AGM) For more information about our breakfasts,
www.wcdr.org
A message from the President of The Writers’ Community of DURHAM Region —just east of Toronto “Writing Doesn’t Have to be a Solitary Act” The WCDR slogan- our watchword and a signal to nurture and advance writers everywhere. The wonderful writers, editors and readers who founded the WCDR contributed a belief in the power of writers and their words that stands today as the foundation of our group. Truly, they wanted writers, all writers, from those with a desire to share their family stories to those with dreams of becoming a published author, to feel supported, nurtured and mentored. A community was born, and people came from all over to share their writing, network with other writers, and grow as an artist. Today, that community has grown to over 300 members, a testament to the value and vision of the WCDR. I am so very honoured and proud to call myself President of this group. Our board has grown to eleven eager, talented and giving people who are willing to dedicate many, many volunteer hours to further the goals of the WCDR and its members—writers like us who hail from here in the GTA to as far away as Calgary, New Mexico and Ireland. The need for community is in all of us, and none more so than the writer. We write because we wish to share, and the WCDR gives us the opportunity to do so. From our web forums and social media to public readings to the short story contest to our monthly meetings, people participate and share what
they’ve written and what they like to read. We encourage others to write, we support books, we vote for a favourite slam, and we award and sponsor scholarships for our members. We support each other, because we care, writer to writer. Supporting writers is what the WCDR is all about, and members supporting members in the WCDR strengthens that cycle of support. We are a community, first and foremost, and we write to express how important that community is to us. Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary act! Come join the Writers’ Community of Durham Region.
Sally Moore, WCDR President
The Writers’ Community of SIMCOE County Monthly Meetings 2013-2014 Our monthly meetings feature inspiring talks by award-winning poets, best-selling authors, publishers, screenwriters, editors and professors • Optional hands-on, one-hour workshops on craft • Networking with writers at all levels • Information on contests, workshops, retreats, publishing opportunities, conferences and related events • Monthly raffles • Draw for members to read their work • 221 Mississaga Street East, Orillia • third Sunday of each month • Meeting: 1 - 2:30 pm • Optional workshop: 11:30 - 12:30
This Year’s Speakers’ List
September 15, 2013: Alissa York October 20, 2013: Sharon Clare November 17, 2013: Allyson Latta December 15, 2013: Sherry Coman Jan. 19, 2014: Barbara Turner-Vesselago February 16, 2014: Julie Czerneda March to June, 2014: TBA
www.simcoewriters.ca
A message from the President of The Writers’ Community of SIMCOE County —writers in the Near North The Writers’ Community of Simcoe County is the proud young sister organization to the thriving WCDR. Writers at all levels of skill and success find inspiration, encouragement, and engaging social interaction at WCSC meetings. Monthly meetings are held at the Down by the Bay, 121 Mississaga Street East in Orillia every third Sunday from September to June. Speakers from all aspects of the writing world are featured – from award-winning authors and poets to editors to social media experts to freelancers. WCSC members and guests from Owen Sound, Midland, Orangeville, Barrie, and Orillia also enjoy the monthly hour-long workshops offered at each meeting, with topics ranging from character development to sound techniques to storytelling to a story’s emotional arc.
Every meeting also features a short reading from one of our members and a raffle draw for great writerly prizes, such as bookstore gift certificates, journals and novels. Everyone is welcome at our meetings, but membership offers many benefits, including deep discounts on meetings, workshops, retreats and other sponsored writing events. Find us on Facebook, or go to: www.simcoewriters.ca
Deepam Wadds WCSC President [email protected]
www.simcoewriters.ca
Are you wondering exactly what a yearly membership to the Writers’ Community of Durham Region has to offer? Member Pages:
Discounts:
• A page on the WCDR website with the member’s professional profile: picture, website and contact info, biography, publication history, awards, etc.
WCDR Online Forums: • Ask questions, engage in discussion, post pieces up for critique, meet critique partners, find a writing circle, get help with query letters, stay in touch with the WCDR community outside of monthly meetings, and more!
Word Weaver: • Electronic subscription to the newsletter, with access to the current issue 2 months before it becomes available online • Opportunity to contribute to newsletter by pitching to its editor (contributing an article results in a paid publishing credit)
• Monthly meetings • Blue-Pencil sessions • Mini-workshops • All WCDR-sponsored workshops • Ontario Writers’ Conference • Various writing retreats, events, courses, workshops around the province (i.e. WCYR, WCSC, WEN,WHEN, PWAC)
WCDR yearly grants & scholarships Only members are eligible to receive
WCDR SLAM contest Only members are eligible to enter
Reading As Writers (RAW): • Eligibility to contribute guest posts to the RAW blog • Eligibility to join the online RAW critique group, RAW Critters • Attend Books & Bevvies
www.wcdr.org
Self-promotion: • Opportunity to share news of your achievements (Paeans and Kudos) via board announcements at monthly meetings, via email listserv (email notifications), and on the WCDR online forums • Access to member tables at monthly meeting to promote your published works • Opportunity to advertise and promote your writing-related services, events, and/or achievements via PowerPoint slides displayed during monthly meetings • Opportunity to list any workshop you may offer on the WCDR website • Opportunity to include flyers and brochures on member tables during monthly meetings
Writing-related committees: • Opportunities to join and participate in: judging contests, staging literary festivals, participating in special workshops and programs, contributing to the WCDR website, running to become a WCDR board member, and more!
Keep in mind… Your membership fees help support and nurture others, and contribute to the community with a wide array of activities and programmes that support writers at all levels. The WCDR nurtures new writers, supports the careers of writers, contributes to worthy causes such as literacy events, and participates in the publishing world so that the WCDR can make a difference in the lives of writers. The vital support in fees and volunteer hours our members contribute enables the WCDR to advance the goals and aspirations of writers in our expanding community.
www.wcdr.org
Writers’ Community Writing Workshops
Workshops are an exciting, often affirming step in the process of being a writer. WCDR and our members are offering several excellent opportunities for writers who want to hone their craft, find out about the business of publishing, or find inspiration and fellow spirits in the writing world. Here are some exciting workshops we have coming up: October 27, 2013: Getting emotional: overturning the traditional story-first method of writing development, with Sherry Coman Sherry will discuss how to develop writing projects from the inside out, by putting the priority on creating a meaningful emotional line before focusing on story. Understanding how to listen to the emotional movement of a writing project can be an essential tool for successfully realizing it. Starting from the craft of screenwriting and moving into other writing formats, the session will include lecture as well as individual and group workshop practice pieces that build on each other as the day progresses. November 17, 2013: Produce your own book trailer with Rich Helms Book trailers are becoming an increasingly visible part of the publishing landscape. Yet how does an author go about creating one on their own? Rich Helms will show participants how they can make their own trailers using a variety of techniques. Interested? You can learn more or register for it here.
January 26, 2014: The Work of Wonder: Reimagining What, How, and Why We Write, with Daniel Scott Tysdal How do you inspire a sense of wonder in your readers? Through a combination of instruction, discussion, and hands-on exercises, participants will address this question and move from the level of the sentence to the work as a whole. At every moment, participants will endeavour to expand their understanding of what is possible and see their lives and work in a new way. Want to check it out? Learn more about Daniel’s workshop and register here.
See more of our workshops at http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/workshops
Mini-Workshops: Following the monthly breakfasts, we offer short, one hour bursts of creative inspiration designed to improve your writing. Here is a list of upcoming mini-workshops: September 2013: What You Need to Know About NaNoWriMo – Christina Vasilevski October 2013: Using Scrivener to Structure Your Writing Project – Sue Reynolds November 2013: Short Stories Aren’t Teeny-Tiny Novels – Sharon Overend December 2013: Approaches to Story Architecture – Erin Thomas January 2014: Agent Queries: It Starts Long Before Pressing “Send” – M-E Girard February 2014: Getting Sex on the Page – Sandy Campbell March 2014: Mind Mapping Your Writing – Laura Suchan April 2014: Write Funny for Money – with Dorothea Helms May 2014: Write a Winning Bio and Writer’s Profile – Gwynn Scheltema For more information, see
http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/the-after-breakfast-mini-workshops/
Blue Pencil Sessions:
http://wcdr.org
In one of these encounters, the writer brings a maximum of four pages** of his or her work. For fifteen minutes the writer sits with someone experienced in giving constructive feedback and together they work through the strengths in the piece and what would also make the writing stronger. Sometimes the author may have specific questions.
Past WCDR Breakfasts What our guest speakers have to say about us:
“Talking to fellow writers is always a pleasure, but my breakfast event with the WCDR crowd was special. The passion in the room, the evident love of literature and writing, was infectious, and I came away from my morning feeling better about both the business of books, and the life of being someone who writes them.” - Charles Foran, Author, Winner of the 2011 Charles Taylor Prize for Non-Fiction “I had a wonderful time speaking at the WCDR breakfast. What amazing people. And what a rich, warm, diverse, and supportive community you have created. I was thunderstruck at the scope of activities and opportunities you offer your members. You should be congratulated. I’d come back anytime.” - Terry Fallis, author of The Best Laid Plans and winner of the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. “I was absolutely awed by the size of the WCDR membership, their enthusiasm for publishing and ‘buzz’ that’s in the air during the meeting. It’s fantastic and would highly recommend the experience to anyone given the opportunity.” - Amy Jones, Product Manager – Retail Single Title Business Team, Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. “The WCDR is a remarkably attentive group of writers and lovers of literature. Their passion is intense and their commitment unflagging. This is one of the warmest circles of literati I have ever spoken to—to appear before them is a delight.” - Antanas Sileika, author and Director, Humber School for Writers.
Publications by Writers’ Community Members CHILDREN’S Carol Gaborie Cooper Piggies’ Hallowe’en Holt, Rinehart and Winston of Canada Children’s Fiction Margaret L. Hefferman Bedtime Treasures Soul Asylum Poetry Inc. Children’s Early Reader www.mhefferman.ca Christina Doucette Gordon’s Treasure A Sparkle Cove Adventure House Self Published Children’s Fiction http://www.sparklecove.ca/ Margaret L. Hefferman The Mysterious Door The Crystal Grove Soul Asylum Poetry Inc. Children’s Middle Grade www.mhefferman.ca
Bill Swan Deflection! James Lorimer Children’s Middle Grade www.billswan.ca Carol Gaborie Cooper My Grandmother’s Eyes PublishAmerica LLLP Young Adult, Romance/Mystery
COOKBOOKS Deb Rankine The Fridge Whisperer Cookbook Series The Fridge Whisperer: Condiment Confidential The Fridge Whisperer 50 Fast & Fabulous Family Faves The Fridge Whisperer: Lusciously Local The Fridge Whisperer Sunday Supper... any night of the week The Fridge Whisperer: Truly Tantalizing Canadian Cuisine Launching November 2013! All available from: www.TheFridgeWhisperer.com
Christina Vasilevski Writing, editing, and WordPress design services to meet your needs. (416) 884-5080 | www.christinavasilevski.com
FICTION Jane Bow Dead And Living Mercury Press Crime Fiction www.janebow.com
Barbara Ponomareff A Minor Genre Artichoke Publishing Literary Fiction (novella) In the Mind’s Eye Quatto Books Literary Fiction (novella)
RH Morrison GUYS Growing Up I-Universe Fiction www.rhmorrison.ca
Jane Bow Epigraph Mercury Press Literary Mystery www.janebow.com
Elaine Cougler The Loyalist’s Wife Peache House Press Historical Fiction www.elainecougler.com Tom Taylor Brock’s Agent Brock’s Railroad Brock’s Traitor Hancock & Dean Historical Fiction www.tomtaylor.ca Richard R. Pyves Night Madness: A rear gunner’s story of love, hope and courage in World War II Red Deer Press Historical Non-Fiction Karen Richardson Watercolour Toolbox: Essentials for Painting Success FriesenPress How-To; Painting Techniques www.watercolourtoolbox.com
MEMOIR Karen L. Cole Lifting the Veil Hidden Brook Press Memoir http://karenlcole.wordpress.com/ Kathleen M. Martin Still Dancing Stones Throw Publications Memoir, Caregiving and Cancer Carol Gaborie Cooper Jolly Hall Semi-Bio
NON-FICTION Ingrid Ruthig Richard Outram: Essays on his Works Guernica Editions Non-Fiction www.ingridruthig.com Laura Suchan Memento Mori: Classifying Nineteenth Century Ontario Gravestones Self published Non-fiction
Bill Swan REAL JUSTICE: Fourteen and Sentenced to Death (The Steven Truscott story) REAL JUSTICE: Convicted for Being Mi’kaq The Donald Marshall, Jr. story James Lorimer Non-Fiction www.billswan.ca
POETRY Maaja Wentz Fallow God Urban Green Man Anthology EDGE Poem Ingrid Ruthig Synesthete II Littlefishcart Press Poetry www.ingridruthig.com Barbara Ponomareff Voices from the Playroom Stone’s Throw Publications Poetry Ingrid Ruthig Slipstream ARKITEXWERKS & Soper Creek Chapbook Studio Poetry & Art www.ingridruthig.com/slipstream/
ROMANCE Judy Bagshaw Kiss Me, Nate! Pearlsong Press Contemporary Romance www.judybagshaw.com Gwen Campbell Angel In Leather Ellora’s Cave BDSM Romance www.gwencampbell.net Gwen Campbell Ghostly Seduction Siren Publishing Romance www.gwencampbell.net Gwen Campbell Stay With Me Siren Publishing Vampire Romance www.gwencampbell.net JL Madore Blaze Ignites Stone’s Throw Publications Adult Fantasy/Romance www.jlmadore.ca
When we’re not writing, we’re probably reading RAW is a where the concept of “reading as a writer” is dissected and explored. Whether you’re reading for pleasure, reading for research, reading to learn about writing, or reading a piece with the intent of giving its author feedback, you’re doing so with your writer’s eyes. RAW is where writers come together to discuss, share, and learn more about their reading experience. RAW is brought to you by the Writers’ Community of Durham Region (WCDR) and is primarily aimed at its members, as well as the members of its sister organizations, the Writers’ Community of York Region, and the Writers’ Community of Simcoe County. Members are encouraged to take advantage of RAW by doing the following: • Subscribe to our weekly blog and join in the discussions via comments. • Contribute to the blog by guest posting. • Browse our selection of books on the craft of writing. See what other RAW site visitors have to say about a particular title, or leave your own thoughts via comments. • Learn about critiquing, writing circles, and beta reading by visiting our section on feedback and critiquing.
• Check out the past issues of the WCRD‘s professionally edited, information-packed newsletter, The Word Weaver. • Follow us on Twitter! @ReadingAsWritrs • Contribute to the WCDR’s Pay It Forward Scholarship by “borrowing” one of the current selections of the scholarship’s books on the craft. • Attend our Books & Bevvies, a gathering over dinner and/or drinks, if you’re in the Durham Region. • Participate in the discussions and debates sparked by our weekly blog. • Read the Word Weaver, and pitch an idea to the editor (WCDR members only). • Join the RAW Critters! (Online critique group for members of the WCRD only.) The RAW Coordinator is M-E Girard, board member of the Writers’ Community of Durham Region. M-E is the primary contributor and editor of the Reading as Writers blog, and the facilitator of the online critique group, RAW Critters. For more information, visit RAW at www.readingaswriters.ca or email M-E Girard at
[email protected]
AMPROSIA ANTHOLOGY Mary Margaret Sheridan Track Record Short Story
Vera Constantineau The Widow River Short Story
Barbara Baker Distracted Short Story
Stephanie Curry Jump Short Story
Ann Dulhanty What Ails You Short Story
Zan Robinson Lucky Day Short Story
Wendy A. Lewis Imaging Short Story
Sarah McComb Shameless Self-Promotion in Eight Acts Short Story
Shirley Limbert Woman on the Beach Short Story
Matthew Heiti Ruby’s Song Short Story
Nicker Fuller Googins Not a Question People Usually Ask Short Story
Amprosia is published by Piquant
Press and is available through the WCDR website: www.wcdr.org
By Ettie M. Rutherford M.Ed, founder of “Women Are Worthy”
Women Are Worthy: Why Perch Like A
Chick When You Can Soar Like An Eagle?
In spite of teen-age pregnancy, an abusive husband, and taking care of four children after her husband left the family in Alberta, Ettie , a Jamaican immigrant,gained a M.Ed degree from the University of Calgary and recently retired as an Elementary Principal in Ontario. Women and girls of all ages will be inspired by her courage. The book’s message is that challenges can be used as stepping stones to gain success. This paperback sends a message of hope to everyone who reads it. Price: $20.00 + S&H
www.WomenRWorthy.com
Do you write, illustrate or Perform for children? Want to learn?
CANSCAIP Presents: CANSCAIP PACKAGING YOUR IMAgINATION
November 16, 2013
The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers presents a day of workshops focused on writing and illustrating and performing for children. Virtual PYI Not able to join in person? Attend online. All Sessions can be streamed live. Need even more PYI? Join us Sunday, November 17 for our inaugural PYI GET PUBLISHED BOOTCAMP. Space is limited! Register today at www.canscaip.org/pyi CANSCAIP acknowledges the generous support of the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council and conference partner Humber College.
WCDR’s MembersOnly Forums In August 2013, the WCDR launched a new benefit to membership: the members-only forums and discussion boards. A yearly membership to the WCDR gives you access to this virtual meeting spot, where you can mingle with other members and discuss all things writing. Connect with others day and night from the comfort of your home, while at work, or even via cell phone browser. These are just a few things you can take advantage of as a registered user of the forums: Talk about your work, get help with your questions, post work up for critique, spark discussions within your genre, meet up for online write-in sessions, trade social media info, stay up to date on WCDR events, find a writing circle or beta readers, promote your work and share news of your achievements. Whether you can make it to the WCDR’s in-person events or not, know that you can be part of our community of writers.
www.wcdrforums.com
Stone’s Throw Publication Services
Welcome to Joyous Self-Publishing! NO MINIMUM ORDERS If you have a manuscript and need detailed assistance to produce a professionally printed book, we will provide a detailed quote on all costs, produce a timetable that suits your needs, and help you through every aspect of this important process. If you have a book ready to go and are looking for printing quotes, please contact us and we will email you back with questions about your manuscript and supply a guaranteed quote, usually within 24 hours. We can help you answer with issues like these: • How to obtain an ISBN number at no cost so book sellers world-wide can order your book • How to acquire a C.I.P. designation at no cost so libraries can order your book • How to add a price barcode to the back cover of your book at no cost so every bookstore and retailer can sell your book • Choose a Publishing Timeline that suits YOUR SCHEDULE • How to find trusted editors to help professionalize your manuscript if needed • How to choose the price that will sell your book • How to layout your book and design a professional eye-catching cover that suits your genre • And when you are ready to celebrate your entry into publishing, we will help you organize a Book Launch!
Testimonials available upon request
www.stonesthrowps.ca
Writers’ Sanctuary Single Day Writing Retreats in a beautiful rural location with other writers to nurture the starving artist in you
by T. M. Wallace YA fiction, Gelett Burgess Award WINNER 2012: A girl becomes lost in her neighbor's magical garden. (9780986865749) Available:
www.goforwords.com
Ingram, Amazon www.brownridgepublishing.com
Move the Body, Move the Pen Yoga and Writing Together in Community in Beautiful Places WINTER/SPRING 2014 Hatillo, Costa Rica: February 20 to March 6, 2014 – one week or two Valfabbricia, Italy: April 16 – 27, 2014
www.radicalrestoration.ca
2014 ONTARIO WRITERS’ CONFERENCE Friday, May 2nd
Master Classes Festival of Authors (open to the public)
Saturday, May 3rd Conference
Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility, Ajax
Register online at thewritersconference.com by March 31st, 2014
The Writers’ Communities of
Durham Region York Region Simcoe County
The Writers’ Community of DURHAM Region Upcoming Meetings 2013-2014 Come join us for the morning RoundTable The WCDR monthly meetings offer an opportunity for members and guests to network over a gourmet breakfast while listening to key-note speakers entertain, instruct and inspire you. Our speakers run the range of award-winning authors, publishers, agents and other industry professionals. Following the breakfast, take advantage of a mini-workshop or a blue-pencil session to help you improve your writing. Our meetings are held at the Ajax Convention Centre on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Here is a list of this year’s speakers: September 14, 2013 – Robert McGill October 12, 1013 – Sandra Kasturi November 9, 2013 – Guy Gavriel Kay December 14, 2013 – Tony Jenkins January 11, 2014 – Mark Leslie Lefebvre February 8, 2014 – To be confirmed March 8, 2014 – To be confirmed April 12, 2014 – To be confirmed May 10, 2014 – Barbara Kyle June 14, 2014 – To be confirmed (Note: This is our AGM) For more information about our breakfasts,
www.wcdr.org
A message from the President of The Writers’ Community of DURHAM Region —just east of Toronto “Writing Doesn’t Have to be a Solitary Act” The WCDR slogan- our watchword and a signal to nurture and advance writers everywhere. The wonderful writers, editors and readers who founded the WCDR contributed a belief in the power of writers and their words that stands today as the foundation of our group. Truly, they wanted writers, all writers, from those with a desire to share their family stories to those with dreams of becoming a published author, to feel supported, nurtured and mentored. A community was born, and people came from all over to share their writing, network with other writers, and grow as an artist. Today, that community has grown to over 300 members, a testament to the value and vision of the WCDR. I am so very honoured and proud to call myself President of this group. Our board has grown to eleven eager, talented and giving people who are willing to dedicate many, many volunteer hours to further the goals of the WCDR and its members—writers like us who hail from here in the GTA to as far away as Calgary, New Mexico and Ireland. The need for community is in all of us, and none more so than the writer. We write because we wish to share, and the WCDR gives us the opportunity to do so. From our web forums and social media to public readings to the short story contest to our monthly meetings, people participate and share what
they’ve written and what they like to read. We encourage others to write, we support books, we vote for a favourite slam, and we award and sponsor scholarships for our members. We support each other, because we care, writer to writer. Supporting writers is what the WCDR is all about, and members supporting members in the WCDR strengthens that cycle of support. We are a community, first and foremost, and we write to express how important that community is to us. Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary act! Come join the Writers’ Community of Durham Region.
Sally Moore, WCDR President
The Writers’ Community of SIMCOE County Monthly Meetings 2013-2014 Our monthly meetings feature inspiring talks by award-winning poets, best-selling authors, publishers, screenwriters, editors and professors • Optional hands-on, one-hour workshops on craft • Networking with writers at all levels • Information on contests, workshops, retreats, publishing opportunities, conferences and related events • Monthly raffles • Draw for members to read their work • 221 Mississaga Street East, Orillia • third Sunday of each month • Meeting: 1 - 2:30 pm • Optional workshop: 11:30 - 12:30
This Year’s Speakers’ List
September 15, 2013: Alissa York October 20, 2013: Sharon Clare November 17, 2013: Allyson Latta December 15, 2013: Sherry Coman Jan. 19, 2014: Barbara Turner-Vesselago February 16, 2014: Julie Czerneda March to June, 2014: TBA
www.simcoewriters.ca
A message from the President of The Writers’ Community of SIMCOE County —writers in the Near North The Writers’ Community of Simcoe County is the proud young sister organization to the thriving WCDR. Writers at all levels of skill and success find inspiration, encouragement, and engaging social interaction at WCSC meetings. Monthly meetings are held at the Down by the Bay, 121 Mississaga Street East in Orillia every third Sunday from September to June. Speakers from all aspects of the writing world are featured – from award-winning authors and poets to editors to social media experts to freelancers. WCSC members and guests from Owen Sound, Midland, Orangeville, Barrie, and Orillia also enjoy the monthly hour-long workshops offered at each meeting, with topics ranging from character development to sound techniques to storytelling to a story’s emotional arc.
Every meeting also features a short reading from one of our members and a raffle draw for great writerly prizes, such as bookstore gift certificates, journals and novels. Everyone is welcome at our meetings, but membership offers many benefits, including deep discounts on meetings, workshops, retreats and other sponsored writing events. Find us on Facebook, or go to: www.simcoewriters.ca
Deepam Wadds WCSC President [email protected]
www.simcoewriters.ca
Are you wondering exactly what a yearly membership to the Writers’ Community of Durham Region has to offer? Member Pages:
Discounts:
• A page on the WCDR website with the member’s professional profile: picture, website and contact info, biography, publication history, awards, etc.
WCDR Online Forums: • Ask questions, engage in discussion, post pieces up for critique, meet critique partners, find a writing circle, get help with query letters, stay in touch with the WCDR community outside of monthly meetings, and more!
Word Weaver: • Electronic subscription to the newsletter, with access to the current issue 2 months before it becomes available online • Opportunity to contribute to newsletter by pitching to its editor (contributing an article results in a paid publishing credit)
• Monthly meetings • Blue-Pencil sessions • Mini-workshops • All WCDR-sponsored workshops • Ontario Writers’ Conference • Various writing retreats, events, courses, workshops around the province (i.e. WCYR, WCSC, WEN,WHEN, PWAC)
WCDR yearly grants & scholarships Only members are eligible to receive
WCDR SLAM contest Only members are eligible to enter
Reading As Writers (RAW): • Eligibility to contribute guest posts to the RAW blog • Eligibility to join the online RAW critique group, RAW Critters • Attend Books & Bevvies
www.wcdr.org
Self-promotion: • Opportunity to share news of your achievements (Paeans and Kudos) via board announcements at monthly meetings, via email listserv (email notifications), and on the WCDR online forums • Access to member tables at monthly meeting to promote your published works • Opportunity to advertise and promote your writing-related services, events, and/or achievements via PowerPoint slides displayed during monthly meetings • Opportunity to list any workshop you may offer on the WCDR website • Opportunity to include flyers and brochures on member tables during monthly meetings
Writing-related committees: • Opportunities to join and participate in: judging contests, staging literary festivals, participating in special workshops and programs, contributing to the WCDR website, running to become a WCDR board member, and more!
Keep in mind… Your membership fees help support and nurture others, and contribute to the community with a wide array of activities and programmes that support writers at all levels. The WCDR nurtures new writers, supports the careers of writers, contributes to worthy causes such as literacy events, and participates in the publishing world so that the WCDR can make a difference in the lives of writers. The vital support in fees and volunteer hours our members contribute enables the WCDR to advance the goals and aspirations of writers in our expanding community.
www.wcdr.org
Writers’ Community Writing Workshops
Workshops are an exciting, often affirming step in the process of being a writer. WCDR and our members are offering several excellent opportunities for writers who want to hone their craft, find out about the business of publishing, or find inspiration and fellow spirits in the writing world. Here are some exciting workshops we have coming up: October 27, 2013: Getting emotional: overturning the traditional story-first method of writing development, with Sherry Coman Sherry will discuss how to develop writing projects from the inside out, by putting the priority on creating a meaningful emotional line before focusing on story. Understanding how to listen to the emotional movement of a writing project can be an essential tool for successfully realizing it. Starting from the craft of screenwriting and moving into other writing formats, the session will include lecture as well as individual and group workshop practice pieces that build on each other as the day progresses. November 17, 2013: Produce your own book trailer with Rich Helms Book trailers are becoming an increasingly visible part of the publishing landscape. Yet how does an author go about creating one on their own? Rich Helms will show participants how they can make their own trailers using a variety of techniques. Interested? You can learn more or register for it here.
January 26, 2014: The Work of Wonder: Reimagining What, How, and Why We Write, with Daniel Scott Tysdal How do you inspire a sense of wonder in your readers? Through a combination of instruction, discussion, and hands-on exercises, participants will address this question and move from the level of the sentence to the work as a whole. At every moment, participants will endeavour to expand their understanding of what is possible and see their lives and work in a new way. Want to check it out? Learn more about Daniel’s workshop and register here.
See more of our workshops at http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/workshops
Mini-Workshops: Following the monthly breakfasts, we offer short, one hour bursts of creative inspiration designed to improve your writing. Here is a list of upcoming mini-workshops: September 2013: What You Need to Know About NaNoWriMo – Christina Vasilevski October 2013: Using Scrivener to Structure Your Writing Project – Sue Reynolds November 2013: Short Stories Aren’t Teeny-Tiny Novels – Sharon Overend December 2013: Approaches to Story Architecture – Erin Thomas January 2014: Agent Queries: It Starts Long Before Pressing “Send” – M-E Girard February 2014: Getting Sex on the Page – Sandy Campbell March 2014: Mind Mapping Your Writing – Laura Suchan April 2014: Write Funny for Money – with Dorothea Helms May 2014: Write a Winning Bio and Writer’s Profile – Gwynn Scheltema For more information, see
http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/the-after-breakfast-mini-workshops/
Blue Pencil Sessions:
http://wcdr.org
In one of these encounters, the writer brings a maximum of four pages** of his or her work. For fifteen minutes the writer sits with someone experienced in giving constructive feedback and together they work through the strengths in the piece and what would also make the writing stronger. Sometimes the author may have specific questions.
Past WCDR Breakfasts What our guest speakers have to say about us:
“Talking to fellow writers is always a pleasure, but my breakfast event with the WCDR crowd was special. The passion in the room, the evident love of literature and writing, was infectious, and I came away from my morning feeling better about both the business of books, and the life of being someone who writes them.” - Charles Foran, Author, Winner of the 2011 Charles Taylor Prize for Non-Fiction “I had a wonderful time speaking at the WCDR breakfast. What amazing people. And what a rich, warm, diverse, and supportive community you have created. I was thunderstruck at the scope of activities and opportunities you offer your members. You should be congratulated. I’d come back anytime.” - Terry Fallis, author of The Best Laid Plans and winner of the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. “I was absolutely awed by the size of the WCDR membership, their enthusiasm for publishing and ‘buzz’ that’s in the air during the meeting. It’s fantastic and would highly recommend the experience to anyone given the opportunity.” - Amy Jones, Product Manager – Retail Single Title Business Team, Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. “The WCDR is a remarkably attentive group of writers and lovers of literature. Their passion is intense and their commitment unflagging. This is one of the warmest circles of literati I have ever spoken to—to appear before them is a delight.” - Antanas Sileika, author and Director, Humber School for Writers.
Publications by Writers’ Community Members CHILDREN’S Carol Gaborie Cooper Piggies’ Hallowe’en Holt, Rinehart and Winston of Canada Children’s Fiction Margaret L. Hefferman Bedtime Treasures Soul Asylum Poetry Inc. Children’s Early Reader www.mhefferman.ca Christina Doucette Gordon’s Treasure A Sparkle Cove Adventure House Self Published Children’s Fiction http://www.sparklecove.ca/ Margaret L. Hefferman The Mysterious Door The Crystal Grove Soul Asylum Poetry Inc. Children’s Middle Grade www.mhefferman.ca
Bill Swan Deflection! James Lorimer Children’s Middle Grade www.billswan.ca Carol Gaborie Cooper My Grandmother’s Eyes PublishAmerica LLLP Young Adult, Romance/Mystery
COOKBOOKS Deb Rankine The Fridge Whisperer Cookbook Series The Fridge Whisperer: Condiment Confidential The Fridge Whisperer 50 Fast & Fabulous Family Faves The Fridge Whisperer: Lusciously Local The Fridge Whisperer Sunday Supper... any night of the week The Fridge Whisperer: Truly Tantalizing Canadian Cuisine Launching November 2013! All available from: www.TheFridgeWhisperer.com
Christina Vasilevski Writing, editing, and WordPress design services to meet your needs. (416) 884-5080 | www.christinavasilevski.com
FICTION Jane Bow Dead And Living Mercury Press Crime Fiction www.janebow.com
Barbara Ponomareff A Minor Genre Artichoke Publishing Literary Fiction (novella) In the Mind’s Eye Quatto Books Literary Fiction (novella)
RH Morrison GUYS Growing Up I-Universe Fiction www.rhmorrison.ca
Jane Bow Epigraph Mercury Press Literary Mystery www.janebow.com
Elaine Cougler The Loyalist’s Wife Peache House Press Historical Fiction www.elainecougler.com Tom Taylor Brock’s Agent Brock’s Railroad Brock’s Traitor Hancock & Dean Historical Fiction www.tomtaylor.ca Richard R. Pyves Night Madness: A rear gunner’s story of love, hope and courage in World War II Red Deer Press Historical Non-Fiction Karen Richardson Watercolour Toolbox: Essentials for Painting Success FriesenPress How-To; Painting Techniques www.watercolourtoolbox.com
MEMOIR Karen L. Cole Lifting the Veil Hidden Brook Press Memoir http://karenlcole.wordpress.com/ Kathleen M. Martin Still Dancing Stones Throw Publications Memoir, Caregiving and Cancer Carol Gaborie Cooper Jolly Hall Semi-Bio
NON-FICTION Ingrid Ruthig Richard Outram: Essays on his Works Guernica Editions Non-Fiction www.ingridruthig.com Laura Suchan Memento Mori: Classifying Nineteenth Century Ontario Gravestones Self published Non-fiction
Bill Swan REAL JUSTICE: Fourteen and Sentenced to Death (The Steven Truscott story) REAL JUSTICE: Convicted for Being Mi’kaq The Donald Marshall, Jr. story James Lorimer Non-Fiction www.billswan.ca
POETRY Maaja Wentz Fallow God Urban Green Man Anthology EDGE Poem Ingrid Ruthig Synesthete II Littlefishcart Press Poetry www.ingridruthig.com Barbara Ponomareff Voices from the Playroom Stone’s Throw Publications Poetry Ingrid Ruthig Slipstream ARKITEXWERKS & Soper Creek Chapbook Studio Poetry & Art www.ingridruthig.com/slipstream/
ROMANCE Judy Bagshaw Kiss Me, Nate! Pearlsong Press Contemporary Romance www.judybagshaw.com Gwen Campbell Angel In Leather Ellora’s Cave BDSM Romance www.gwencampbell.net Gwen Campbell Ghostly Seduction Siren Publishing Romance www.gwencampbell.net Gwen Campbell Stay With Me Siren Publishing Vampire Romance www.gwencampbell.net JL Madore Blaze Ignites Stone’s Throw Publications Adult Fantasy/Romance www.jlmadore.ca
When we’re not writing, we’re probably reading RAW is a where the concept of “reading as a writer” is dissected and explored. Whether you’re reading for pleasure, reading for research, reading to learn about writing, or reading a piece with the intent of giving its author feedback, you’re doing so with your writer’s eyes. RAW is where writers come together to discuss, share, and learn more about their reading experience. RAW is brought to you by the Writers’ Community of Durham Region (WCDR) and is primarily aimed at its members, as well as the members of its sister organizations, the Writers’ Community of York Region, and the Writers’ Community of Simcoe County. Members are encouraged to take advantage of RAW by doing the following: • Subscribe to our weekly blog and join in the discussions via comments. • Contribute to the blog by guest posting. • Browse our selection of books on the craft of writing. See what other RAW site visitors have to say about a particular title, or leave your own thoughts via comments. • Learn about critiquing, writing circles, and beta reading by visiting our section on feedback and critiquing.
• Check out the past issues of the WCRD‘s professionally edited, information-packed newsletter, The Word Weaver. • Follow us on Twitter! @ReadingAsWritrs • Contribute to the WCDR’s Pay It Forward Scholarship by “borrowing” one of the current selections of the scholarship’s books on the craft. • Attend our Books & Bevvies, a gathering over dinner and/or drinks, if you’re in the Durham Region. • Participate in the discussions and debates sparked by our weekly blog. • Read the Word Weaver, and pitch an idea to the editor (WCDR members only). • Join the RAW Critters! (Online critique group for members of the WCRD only.) The RAW Coordinator is M-E Girard, board member of the Writers’ Community of Durham Region. M-E is the primary contributor and editor of the Reading as Writers blog, and the facilitator of the online critique group, RAW Critters. For more information, visit RAW at www.readingaswriters.ca or email M-E Girard at
[email protected]
AMPROSIA ANTHOLOGY Mary Margaret Sheridan Track Record Short Story
Vera Constantineau The Widow River Short Story
Barbara Baker Distracted Short Story
Stephanie Curry Jump Short Story
Ann Dulhanty What Ails You Short Story
Zan Robinson Lucky Day Short Story
Wendy A. Lewis Imaging Short Story
Sarah McComb Shameless Self-Promotion in Eight Acts Short Story
Shirley Limbert Woman on the Beach Short Story
Matthew Heiti Ruby’s Song Short Story
Nicker Fuller Googins Not a Question People Usually Ask Short Story
Amprosia is published by Piquant
Press and is available through the WCDR website: www.wcdr.org
By Ettie M. Rutherford M.Ed, founder of “Women Are Worthy”
Women Are Worthy: Why Perch Like A
Chick When You Can Soar Like An Eagle?
In spite of teen-age pregnancy, an abusive husband, and taking care of four children after her husband left the family in Alberta, Ettie , a Jamaican immigrant,gained a M.Ed degree from the University of Calgary and recently retired as an Elementary Principal in Ontario. Women and girls of all ages will be inspired by her courage. The book’s message is that challenges can be used as stepping stones to gain success. This paperback sends a message of hope to everyone who reads it. Price: $20.00 + S&H
www.WomenRWorthy.com
Do you write, illustrate or Perform for children? Want to learn?
CANSCAIP Presents: CANSCAIP PACKAGING YOUR IMAgINATION
November 16, 2013
The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers presents a day of workshops focused on writing and illustrating and performing for children. Virtual PYI Not able to join in person? Attend online. All Sessions can be streamed live. Need even more PYI? Join us Sunday, November 17 for our inaugural PYI GET PUBLISHED BOOTCAMP. Space is limited! Register today at www.canscaip.org/pyi CANSCAIP acknowledges the generous support of the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council and conference partner Humber College.
WCDR’s MembersOnly Forums In August 2013, the WCDR launched a new benefit to membership: the members-only forums and discussion boards. A yearly membership to the WCDR gives you access to this virtual meeting spot, where you can mingle with other members and discuss all things writing. Connect with others day and night from the comfort of your home, while at work, or even via cell phone browser. These are just a few things you can take advantage of as a registered user of the forums: Talk about your work, get help with your questions, post work up for critique, spark discussions within your genre, meet up for online write-in sessions, trade social media info, stay up to date on WCDR events, find a writing circle or beta readers, promote your work and share news of your achievements. Whether you can make it to the WCDR’s in-person events or not, know that you can be part of our community of writers.
www.wcdrforums.com
Stone’s Throw Publication Services
Welcome to Joyous Self-Publishing! NO MINIMUM ORDERS If you have a manuscript and need detailed assistance to produce a professionally printed book, we will provide a detailed quote on all costs, produce a timetable that suits your needs, and help you through every aspect of this important process. If you have a book ready to go and are looking for printing quotes, please contact us and we will email you back with questions about your manuscript and supply a guaranteed quote, usually within 24 hours. We can help you answer with issues like these: • How to obtain an ISBN number at no cost so book sellers world-wide can order your book • How to acquire a C.I.P. designation at no cost so libraries can order your book • How to add a price barcode to the back cover of your book at no cost so every bookstore and retailer can sell your book • Choose a Publishing Timeline that suits YOUR SCHEDULE • How to find trusted editors to help professionalize your manuscript if needed • How to choose the price that will sell your book • How to layout your book and design a professional eye-catching cover that suits your genre • And when you are ready to celebrate your entry into publishing, we will help you organize a Book Launch!
Testimonials available upon request
www.stonesthrowps.ca
Writers’ Sanctuary Single Day Writing Retreats in a beautiful rural location with other writers to nurture the starving artist in you
by T. M. Wallace YA fiction, Gelett Burgess Award WINNER 2012: A girl becomes lost in her neighbor's magical garden. (9780986865749) Available:
www.goforwords.com
Ingram, Amazon www.brownridgepublishing.com
Move the Body, Move the Pen Yoga and Writing Together in Community in Beautiful Places WINTER/SPRING 2014 Hatillo, Costa Rica: February 20 to March 6, 2014 – one week or two Valfabbricia, Italy: April 16 – 27, 2014
www.radicalrestoration.ca
2014 ONTARIO WRITERS’ CONFERENCE Friday, May 2nd
Master Classes Festival of Authors (open to the public)
Saturday, May 3rd Conference
Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility, Ajax
Register online at thewritersconference.com by March 31st, 2014
