Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop
February 2010
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NOWW’s 2010 Contest

January 16th, 2010

The 12th Annual NOWW Writing Contest is now open!

Five categories!
Distinguished Judges!
15 Prizes!

Judges: Betsy Struthers (poetry), Lynn Coady (fiction), Gordon Korman (children’s story), Anne Coleman (memoir), and Pasha Malla (flash fiction).

Entry is FREE for paid-up members of NOWW. Non-members pay $10 per entry. Limit 2 entries per category.

For complete information, click the Contest link at the top of the page. Entry information is also available at public libraries and institutions of higher education across northern, northwestern, and northeastern Ontario.

The poster is here.

Special OAC Opportunity in 2010

January 4th, 2010

The Ontario Arts Council has established a special pilot project for its Writers’ Works in Progress program. The project is designed to attract more applications from writers in Northern Ontario. This one-time deadline is January 25, 2010, with cheques awarded by March, 2010.

For complete details and entry forms, go here: http://www.arts.on.ca/Page3612.aspx

Good-bye, 2009; Hello, 2010

December 30th, 2009

Thank you to all of you for your attendance this fall at workshops, readings, and other events in support of writing and literature in Northwestern Ontario.

As you can see from the Events listed to the right, we have more fun and learning planned for 2010 already—keep checking here for updates.

Oh, and get those contest entries ready!

Introducing NOWW’s Postcard Story Challenge

September 24th, 2009

Postcard Challenge Egg Image

News NOWW challenges NOWW members to write a dramatic, snappy postcard story (250 – 500 words long, not including the title) that relates to the image above. The relationship can be as tangential as you like, so long as there is some clear connection to the image.

Deadline: November 30th, 2009.

Submit your creation by email attachment to newsnoww@yahoo.ca; or mail it to

NOWW Postcard Story
c/o 55 Crown St., Apt. 2,
Thunder Bay ON P7B 3J8.

We will publish the cleverest, liveliest, most surprising submission(s) in our January newsletter. Writers of stories published will be paid an honorarium.

Open to NOWW members only. (To join online, click “Join” at the top of the page.) Limit of 2 submissions per writer. Submissions must be typed and double-spaced in a 12-point standard font. Please include your name and contact information.

Writers and Place: Join the Conversation!

July 7th, 2009

In the new issue of 807: A Northwestern Ontario Literary Review, you’ll find a conversation about the relationship between writers and geography.

Thunder Bay writer Mary Frost, in her initial salvo, admits that she might be “representative of the local writing community” in that she is ”interested in writing, in writing as well as we can, but unenterprising about feeding into the Canadian literary grid.”

Charlie Wilkins, also a Thunder Bay resident (at least part-time), sees “a reluctance up here [in northwestern Ontario] that prevents a more confident stake in the broader creation of literature. Or is it plain old fear of rejection?”

And Joe Fiorito, transplanted from Westfort to greater Toronto, mentions a “sense of inferiority–nothing good ever happened here, and I’m not good enough to be anywhere else,” while saying that writers, of necessity, remain detached observers.

What do you think?

If you live in Northwestern Ontario, how do you think that choice influences your writing? If you once lived here and have left, why did you leave and what changes did that bring? 

If a fairy godparent could wave a magic wand and remove all obstacles to your ideal writing life, what would disappear? And what would your ideal life look like?

What else do you want to say about writers and where they live–or have lived?

Note that the writers’ quotes above are just a few tidbits from a greater, wide-ranging conversation. For the whole pork chop, buy an 807 online (below) or from one of these fine Thunder Bay retailers: Northern Woman’s Bookstore, the Finnish Bookstore, the International House of Tea, Kelly’s Nutrition, Villedge Art, or Chapters.

807: A Northwestern Ontario Literary Review is Here!

July 5th, 2009

807-cover

The 2009 issue of 807: A Northwestern Ontario Literary Review is now available! Read winning entries from the 2009 writing contest and a wide-ranging conversation among writers Charles Wilkins, Mary Frost, and Joe Fiorito.

Copies of 807 are available by calling Deborah at 807 345-0353 or at the following Thunder Bay retailers: Northern Woman’s Bookstore, the Finnish Bookstore, the International House of Tea, Kelly’s Nutrition, Villedge Art, and Chapters.

You may also order copies below. The price is $8 to pick up a copy in Thunder Bay or $11 to have it mailed to you.

 

Pick up or Mail?
For Mail Orders: Address

Pork Chops and Writing?

July 4th, 2009

 “Thunder Bay allows me a life with sufficient white space
to let things resonate.”
Mary Frost, poet

“Need we feel shy about our small-town roots?
Margaret Laurence. Alistair MacLeod.
I rest that portion of my case.”

Joe Fiorito, columnist, memoirist, and novelist

“[I]t wasn’t simply my fascination with the north
that led to the writing; it was also that the writing
led to an ever-increasing
fascination with the north.”

Charles Wilkins, journalist and memoirist

The full conversation–including the pork chops–is in the soon-to-be-released issue of 807: a Northwestern Ontario Literary Review.

The launch party for the magazine will be Monday, July 6, at 7 p.m. at the Waverly Resource Library. Enjoy refreshments and readings from the magazine. NOWW members receive one free copy; additional copies are available for $8 each or two for $15.

Check back here, www.nowwwriters.org, starting July 7 to participate in the ongoing conversation about what Charlie calls the “hassles, advantages, rewards, and curses” of being a writer in or from our region.

NOWW News

May 9th, 2009

NOWW presented its two major literary awards and 15 writing contest prizes on Saturday, May 9.

The Thunder Bay Public Library and Thunder Bay writer Joan Skelton are this year’s winners of the major awards presented by The Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop.

See the contest page for more information and the list of winners.

Upcoming Events

Workshops 2010: Mark Your Calendars

February 9th, 2010

NOWW has two workshops scheduled for 2010, with one on a Saturday afternoon! Mark these dates on your calendar: Tuesday, February 9 and Saturday, March 6.

Read more...

New Year’s Resolutions, Promises, Game Plans, and Plots

January 26th, 2010

January 26, 7 p.m., Fireside Room at Brodie Library: come hear Jim Foulds, Dorothy Colby, Christine Prentice, Sandi Boucher, and a selection from a 2010 Contest judge. Bring a short poem to read at the open mic!

Read more...

Readings 2010: Mark Your Calendars

January 26th, 2010

What will 2010 mean to you? Start writing and mark your calendars for readings on the following dates: January 26, February 23, and March 23. Readings are at 7 p.m. in the Brodie Library Fireside Room, 216 Brodie Street, Thunder Bay.

Read more...

Workshop: Sound, Rhythm, and Prosody Deux

November 23rd, 2009

On Monday, November 23, at 7 p.m., come to the Waverley Library Auditorium to learn ways to re-invigorate the written word with the sound of the language. Even if you missed Part I of the workshop, please come to Part II!

Read more...

Reading: The Playground

November 17th, 2009

It’s all about the drama at this reading! Come share the comedy and tragedy — and bring a dramatic monologue or poem of your own to share. See you at 7 on November 17 at the Brodie Library, 216 Brodie Street, in Thunder Bay.

Read more...

Workshop: Sound, Rhythm, and Prosody

November 9th, 2009

Join Scott Pound for a two-part workshop about how sound operates in all genres of writing and how you can capture sound on the page. November 9 and 23, 7 p.m. at the Waverley Library Auditorium, Thunder Bay. Attendance at the first session is NOT required for attendance at the second — and vice versa!

Read more...

REMINDER: Annual General Meeting

October 27th, 2009

NOWW’s Annual General Meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. SHARP on Tuesday, October 27, in the Waverley Library Auditorium. Come select the officers and members of the Executive for the coming year and review your organization’s activities for last year.

Read more...

Workshop: Voice in Writing

October 27th, 2009

What’s the difference between a character in a story and the narrator of the story? How can you make your characters distinctive? Join Roy Blomstrom to explore answers to these questions at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, in the Waverley Library Auditorium.

Read more...

Reading: The Poetry Garden

October 20th, 2009

An abundance of readers will sow poems across the landscape — bring one short poem to share at the open mic! The festivities are on October 20 at 7 p.m. in the Fireside Reading Room of the Brodie Street Library, Thunder Bay.

Read more...

Workshop: Susan Goldberg, Blogging

October 6th, 2009

Curious about blogs? Learn from Susan Goldberg, “momoirist” extraordinaire.

Read more...

Reading: Word Sports

September 22nd, 2009

Come to a lively evening of readings and oustanding word-smithery, September 22, 7 p.m. in the Fireside Reading Room of the Brodie Resource Library.

Read more...

Fall Readings: Fun and Vitality

September 6th, 2009

Ready for some word play? Come to readings on September 22, October 20, and November 17.

Read more...

Fall Workshops

August 28th, 2009

Sharpen your pencils and charge up your laptops: the fall season of NOWW workshops is drawing near! Mark these dates on your calendar: October 6, October 27, and November 9 and 23.

Read more...

Constellations: An Art Exhibit

August 18th, 2009

NOWW Member Duncan Weller invites you to the opening celebration for Constellations, a visual art show of new and unusual work. Friday, August 21, 7 p.m. at 12 St. Paul Street.

Read more...

Haiku Happenings

August 5th, 2009

Extension of time
To August 27
For Haiku Contest

Read more...

SGWF: Reduced Rate!

July 31st, 2009

Through August 15, you can register for the entire Sleeping Giant Writers Festival (Aug 28, 29, and 30 at Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay) at the earlybird price of $159.

Read more...

Haiku Competition

July 22nd, 2009

Hailing Haiku Writers! The Thunder Bay International Arts Association must receive your entry (+ $10 fee) by 5 p.m. on July 29.

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NOWW in Atikokan: the Sequel

July 17th, 2009

NOWW in Atikokan: The Sequel! On July 17 and 18, Atikokan Public Library hosts another NOWW-sponsored writing workshop. This time, NOWW members and writers Roy Blomstrom and Marion Agnew will address “Voice—Finding It, Playing with It, Developing It, and Refining It.” The event kicks off Friday evening with a reading at 7 p.m. Bring your writing to share!

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Magazine Launch

July 6th, 2009

The all-new, bigger and better 2009 edition of 807: A Northwestern Ontario Literary Review will launch on Monday, July 6, 2009, at 7 p.m.

Read more...