St@nza ‐ June 2013 Volume 10, Number 6

To include your news, events or other listings please contact Ingel Madrus at: Email: [email protected], Phone: 416‐504‐1657, Fax: 416‐504‐0096

News from the LCP Page 1 Opportunities Page 8 New Members Page 13 Poetry & Literary News Page 3 Events & Readings Page 10 Members News Page 13

NEWS FROM THE LCP

Annual LCP Poetry Festival & Conference We are looking forward to seeing everyone for a poetry filled weekend from June 6 ‐ 9. The registration packages will be available on Friday afternoon at the registration table. Other documents will be available online and an email will be sent all registered members on Monday, June 3rd.

Council and Jury Nominations for 2013‐2014 Following is the list of the candidates standing for election to positions on National Council at the Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday, June 8 at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown .

All positions are open to full eligible members who wish to stand for election. Some vacant positions are awaiting confirmation but, as always, all positions are open for non‐slate nominations. Nominations may be made from the floor at the conference. Members unable to attend the conference are still welcome to stand for election. Please contact Nominations Committee Chair, Dymphny Dronyk ([email protected]), to register a nomination.

You may nominate yourself or any other full member. Nominees must consent to stand for that position. Please note that only FULL MEMBERS are eligible to nominate and vote, except for the position of Associate members’ rep.

POSITION NOMINEE NOMINATED BY SECONDED BY Past President Mary Ellen Csamer Not an elected position President Dymphny Dronyk Nominating committee Vice President Ayeesha Chatterjee Nominating committee Secretary Jenna Butler Nominating committee Treasurer Ray Mitchell Nominating committee REGIONAL REPS Atlantic John J. Guiney Yallop Nominating committee Quebec–Nunavut Ian Ferrier Nominating committee Anna Yin Nominating committee Toronto Heather Cadsby Nominating committee Manitoba Victor Enns Nominating committee Saskatchewan Bruce Rice Nominating committee Alberta–NWT rep Micheline Maylor Nominating committee BC–Yukon Clea Roberts Nominating committee Associate members rep Angela Kublik Nominating committee STANDING COMMITTEES Membership Appeals (chair) President: Not an elected position Membership Appeals Vice President: Not an elected position Membership Appeals Past President: Not an elected position Feminist Caucus (chair) TBA – elected within Feminist Caucus and ratified by the AGM. Membership Committee (chair) Brian Campbell Nominating committee Membership Committee (print) Anne Burke Nominating committee Membership Committee (print) Louise Carson Nominating committee Membership Committee (spoken word) Ian Ferrier Nominating committee 1 Membership Committee (spoken word) Nominating Committee (chair) Vice President: Not an elected position Nominating Committee Nominating Committee Nominating Committee Education Committee (chair) Education Committee Education Committee AWARD JURIES Pat Lowther Award (3 positions plus 1 Betsy Struthers Nominating committee alternate) Elizabeth Greene Nominating committee Cornelia Hoogland Nominating committee Alternate: Sonia Di Placido Nominating committee Gerald Lampert Award (3 positions plus 1 Keith Garebian Nominating committee alternate) Pearl Pirie Nominating committee Carl Leggo Nominating committee Alternate: ‐‐‐ Nominating committee Raymond Souster Award (3 positions plus Sheila Martindale Nominating committee 1 alternate) Bruce Hunter Nominating committee Candice James Nominating committee Alternate: ‐‐‐ Nominating committee F.R. Scott Voice of the Land Award (3 Alice Major (continuing) Nominating committee positions plus 1 alternate) George Amabile (continuing) Nominating committee (AWARD TEMP. SUSPENDED) Lillian Allen (continuing) Nominating committee Alternate: Appointments to outside organizations The following positions are appointed by National Council. Members interested in representing the League in a future year are invited to express their interest. Book & Periodical Council Joanna Poblocka Public Lending Right Beatriz Hausner Access Copyright Kelly Ann Riess Coalition for Cultural Diversity Fortner Anderson

Poetry Views Dear Members, Poetry Views, the new web page for poetry reviews, is getting ready to launch. Your help is needed to fill the site with interesting content. Please send your reviews of books, chapbooks, CDs, performances, etc., to add to the 40 reviews already uploaded in preparation for the launch. Your reviews may, and probably should, include hyperlinks to authors and publishers where appropriate. We could also include scans of the book covers or author photos. Attachments preferred, but if you include your reviews in the body of an e‐mail, we should be able to deal with them. They may be reviews of new poetry or old; they may by new or old reviews, as long as you own copyright. The site may bring our reviews to new readers and help make www.poets.ca an even more useful resource for readers everywhere.

Remember, as announced at poets.ca, this site will be written and administered by League members. Volunteers always welcome. Don't send your reviews to the League office but to one of our current volunteers: Colin Morton ‐ [email protected]; Anne Burke ‐ [email protected]; Karen Bissenden ‐ [email protected].

News from the Feminist Caucus, by Anne Burke We welcome new members who share the goals and objectives of The Feminist Caucus. If you will be attending the agm in Toronto, June 7‐9, please join us for the panel on Friday at 2 p.m.‐3 p.m. and the brief Business Meeting (to plan 2014) & Reading at 3 p.m.‐4 pm; and, on Saturday, the Open Reading at 4:15 p.m. ‐5:15 p.m., when we will be launching Poetry & The Disordered Mind, edited by Lynda Monahan, with readers Penn Kemp and Janet Vickers. This month, we also feature a brand‐new review by Susan McCaslin of Doyali Farah Islam’s Yusuf and the Lotus Flower (Ottawa: BuschekBooks, 2011); in 2 addition to Previews of Untying the Apron Strings, Daughters Remember Mothers of the 1950s (Toronto: Guernica Books) AND Force Field ‐ 77 Women Poets of British Columbia, edited by Susan Musgrave (Salt Spring Island B.C.: Mother Tongue Press). http://poets.ca/wordpress/programs‐2/feminist‐caucus

POETRY AND LITERARY NEWS

Dolores Ann Reimer November 25, 1957 ‐ April 21, 2013 Dolores died peacefully after a long battle with cancer at the age of fifty‐five while surrounded by her loving family. Dolores is survived by her husband Allan Safarik and her children Scott Kusalik (wife Kelly Cisar), Jeff Kusalik, James (Jake) Safarik, Emily Safarik and Henry (Hank) Safarik. Dolores was predeceased by her father Herman Henry Reimer. She leaves behind her mother, Audrey Reimer (Cranbrook); brother, Greg Reimer (Victoria) and his wife Jo‐Ann and their daughters Tanya and Amy; brother Rick Reimer (Saskatoon) and his wife Dana and their children Brenna and Simon. Dolores was born in The Pas, Manitoba but grew up in several regions of the country including Big Trout Lake in northern Ontario and Ft Smith, N.W.T. She went to high school in Cranbrook, BC and was a graduate of the University of Lethbridge. Dolores managed Classic bookshops in Calgary and in and worked as a bookseller in Saskatoon. She had a long career working in the book publishing industry as a publicist, editor and publisher. Dolores was the author of two titles, "Ladies and Escorts", Black Moss Press and "Stone Baby," Hagios Press which was nominated for a 2005 Saskatchewan Book Award. Dolores was a former President of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild and was active in promoting writing and the arts. Dolores was also a genealogist who researched into Mennonite, Ukrainian, Slavic and Scots/Irish family histories. Dolores loved cooking, gardening, and quilting. She was a member of the Dundurn Quilters. In addition, she was an avid sports fan who cheered for the Flin Flon Bombers, Boston Bruins, Toronto Blue Jays, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Canadian Women's national soccer team. She was also a volunteer who helped organize and administer sporting activities for kids. Dolores was a huge fan of Dundurn and East Side soccer teams as well as for the Clavet Cougars hockey program. The family is grateful for the incredible care Dolores received from the doctors, nurses and staff at the Palliative Care facility at St. Paul's Hospital. In lieu of flowers donations to the Saskatoon Cancer Centre. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service was held on Monday, May 13, at the Dundurn Community Hall.

Published in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix on May 7, 2013 Link: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestarphoenix/obituary.aspx?pid=164676216#fbLoggedOut

Ojibway Writer and Sustainable Community Researcher win Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prizes Richard Wagamese and Ann Dale and have been awarded this year’s Canada Council Molson Prizes. Ojibway author and journalist Richard Wagamese is recipient of the Molson Prize in the arts. Mr. Wagamese is known for his profound, compelling stories about Aboriginal life. Ann Dale, winner of the Molson Prize in the social sciences and humanities, is recognized for her work in advancing sustainable communities across Canada.

Two Canada Council Molson Prizes, worth $50,000 each, are awarded every year to distinguished , one in the arts and the other in the social sciences and humanities. Established in 1964, the prize is funded from the income of a $1 million endowment given to the Canada Council by the Molson Family Foundation and recognizes the recipients’ outstanding lifetime achievements and ongoing contributions to the cultural and intellectual life of Canada. The Canada Council administers the awards in co‐operation with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and both winners were selected by a multi‐sectorial peer assessment committee.

“This year’s Canada Council Molson Prize winners offer us new narratives on culture, environment and sense of community,” said Robert Sirman, Canada Council Director and CEO. “They illustrate how Canadian artists and social scientists expand our capacity to live fuller and more sustainable lives.” 3

“SSHRC is delighted to partner with the Canada Council for the Arts in presenting the prestigious Molson Prize to two exceptional Canadians for their respective contributions to research excellence and cultural heritage in Canada,” said Dr. Chad Gaffield, president of SSHRC. “The work of Ann Dale and Richard Wagamese demonstrates the important role of the social sciences and humanities in building a better future for Canada and the world.” For more information: http://canadacouncil.ca/news/releases/2013/au130141612011592037.htm

Winner Announced for RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers The Writers’ Trust of Canada announced this evening the winner of a literary award for emerging writers that identifies the future stars of . The award ceremony was held at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music and hosted by poet Jeramy Dodds, a previous winner of the award.

Laura Clarke, a 27‐year‐old graduate of the University of Toronto’s MA program in creative writing, won the $5,000 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers for “Mule Variations,” a collection of poems. Clarke’s literary work has been published in The Antigonish Review, Grain, PRISM international, Qwerty, and Freefall.

The prize alternates between poetry and short fiction each year, rewarding writers under age 35 who are unpublished in book form. It is supported by the RBC Emerging Artists Project, which invests in up‐ and‐coming artists to help build their professional careers.

A jury composed of the poets Mary Dalton, Phil Hall, and Susan Holbrook selected the winner from 135 submissions. Here is their citation about the winning work: Something both hip and ancient is given full rein in these poems: hard limits slurping in the sun, Aristotle and police reports, electric fences and pick‐ up lines, subway riders with donkey heads. These alternating voices speak without fluff. A washed‐out sardonic tone delivers a sure push that is humane and celebratory.

Poetry by the award winner and finalists is available as a free download exclusively on Apple’s iBookstore at iTunes.com/BronwenWallace.

Additionally, a print booklet featuring the young poets’ work was distributed at the prize ceremony, it is also available by request at [email protected].

BC Book Prizes 2013 Winners Announced The West Coast Book Prize Society is pleased to announce the names of the winners of the 29th Annual BC Book Prizes.

Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize awarded to the author of the best work of fiction (Supported by Friesens and Webcom): Bill Gaston, The World (Hamish Hamilton Canada, Penguin Group Canada)

Roderick Haig‐Brown Regional Prize to recognize the author(s) of the book that contributes most to the enjoyment and understanding of British Columbia (Supported by Marquis): Derek Hayes, British Columbia: A New Historical Atlas (Douglas & McIntyre)

Hubert Evans Non‐Fiction Prize awarded to the author of the best original non‐fiction literary work (Supported by AbeBooks, Victoria Bindery, and First Choice Books): Geoff Meggs and Rod Mickleburgh, The Art of the Impossible: Dave Barrett and the NDP in Power, 1972‐1975 (Harbour Publishing)

Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize awarded to the author of the best work of poetry (Supported by the BC Teachers’ Federation): Sarah de Leeuw, Geographies of a Lover (NeWest Press) 4

Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize presented to the best illustrated book written for children (Supported by Kate Walker and Ampersand Inc.): Maggie’s Chopsticks by Alan Woo, illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant (Kids Can Press)

Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize awarded to the best non‐illustrated book written for children (Supported by the BC Library Association): Caroline Adderson, Middle of Nowhere (Groundwood Books)

Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award presented to the originating publisher and author(s) of the best book in terms of public appeal, initiative, design, production and content (Supported by the BC Booksellers Association): Shelley Fralic, with research by Kate Bird, Making Headlines: 100 Years of The Vancouver Sun (The Vancouver Sun)

Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence: Lorna Crozier and Sarah Ellis are the recipients of this award established in 2003 by the Honourable Iona Campagnolo, which recognizes British Columbia writers who have contributed to the development of literary excellence in the province.

A total of $24,000 is awarded to winners with each prize providing $2,000 with the exception of the Lieutenant Governor’s prize which awards $5,000 (the two recipients will each receive $5,000). This year’s gala, hosted by Grant Lawrence and attended by British Columbia’s Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC, took place at Government House in Victoria May 4, 2013.

The Writers' Union of Canada Announce the Short List for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award The Writers' Union of Canada is pleased to announce the short list of nominees for the sixteenth annual Danuta Gleed Literary Award. The Award recognizes the best first English‐language collection of short fiction by a Canadian author published in 2012. The Award consists of cash prizes for the three best first collections, with a first prize of $10,000 and two additional prizes of $500.

The jury this year was comprised of authors Bill Gaston, Alexander MacLeod, and Carol Malyon, who determined the short list from 29 collections submitted, some by seasoned writers, others by authors being published for the first time. Those finalists are:

• Rebecca Lee, Bobcat and other stories, Hamish Hamilton Canada • Paul Marlowe, Ether Frolics, Sybertooth Inc. • Anton Piatigorsky, The Iron Bridge, Goose Lane Editions • Yasuko Thanh, Floating Like the Dead, McClelland & Stewart • John Vigna, Bull Head, Arsenal Pulp Press

The winners will be announced on June 11, 2013. The Award was created as a celebration of the life of Danuta Gleed, a writer whose short fiction won several awards before her death in December 1996. Danuta Gleed’s first collection of short fiction, One of the Chosen, was posthumously published by BuschekBooks. The Award is made possible through a generous donation from John Gleed, in memory of his late wife, and is administered by The Writers’ Union of Canada.

The Writers’ Union of Canada is our country’s national organization representing professional authors of books. Founded in 1973, the Union is dedicated to fostering writing in Canada, and promoting the rights, freedoms, and economic well‐being of all writers.

19‐Year‐Old Chloe Hogan‐Weihmann Wins $2,500 Cash Prize – The Writers’ Union of Canada’s 20th Annual Short Prose Competition The Writers' Union of Canada is pleased to announce that Chloe Hogan‐Weihmann has won the $2,500 cash prize for its twentieth annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers, for the best story 5 under 2,500 words, with her piece "The Night Café." The Union will submit the winning story and the eleven other shortlisted stories to three Canadian magazine publishers for their consideration.

Chloe Hogan‐Weihmann is a 19‐year‐old university student (doing a B.Sc. in psychology) from Edmonton, Alberta, who just started writing. In her spare time she likes to drink too much coffee, read too many books, and watch too many cartoons. She is trying to learn to play guitar although she is currently impressively bad at it. She is very eager to continue with her writing.

As the Union celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, it also marks 20 years of the Short Prose Competition. The Competition aims to discover, encourage, and promote new writers of short prose who are not yet published in book format, in order to provide opportunity and exposure to developing writers. This year, twenty‐four Union members donated their time and expertise to read 505 outstanding submissions and distill them into a long‐list of one hundred and two stories. These stories went on to a second round of twenty‐two readers who selected the finalists to pass on to the jury: Ami McKay, Rosemary Nixon, and Mark A. Rayner.

Winner: "The Night Café” by Chloe Hogan‐Weihmann

The jury “admired ‘The Night Café’ for the risks it took. In this lovely inventive piece, the author creates poetry through intersecting structures. Form and content meld as the imagination of two solitary artistic characters gives rise to a longing beautifully portrayed in, 'He doesn’t fancy himself a poet – it’s just that his loneliness sometimes rhymes.' The writer’s playful slip into future tense as the story moves along its wistful trajectory, and its surprising layering of multiple endings opens possibility, and captures the uncertainty and mystery of the human experience.”

Dr. William Henry Drummond National Poetry Contest Summary The 2013 Dr. William Henry Drummond National Poetry Contest was our most successful ever. Ninety five passionate voices from the Yukon to Prince Edward Island spoke and shared their courageous truths. Detailing their despairs and triumphing in the many things they love. Such a cornucopia of spring creativity from the many minds, hearts, and souls of this home land we call Canada. The outer and inner shells of souls from sea to shining sea. Speaking to the all too human in us all. You have sent your raw capsuled confessionals distilled, edited, refined, into a poetic format of essences gifted back to the world.

Dr. Drummond if he were alive today would surely be immensely happy such talent blossoms and blooms in the bosoms of Canadian poets. For he travelled from Halifax to Victoria reading his patriotic and passionate verses of its characters, character, and collective history. Becoming the nation’s first national and most popular poet. Blazing an original poetic trail as a “pathfinder of a new land of song”. Since 1970 in Cobalt the Dr. William Henry Drummond Poetry Contest has celebrated his legacy and memory through the continued pulse of poetry across our country. Spring Pulse Poetry Festival (dedicated to preserve and promote Drummonds fame) honoured the winners on Friday May 31 at the Cobalt Public Library with an award ceremony.

The final 19 poems captured the professional eye, heart, and soul of this year’s judge league member Allan Briesmaster. Congratulations to league members Deborah Cox for her first place win, Joanna Lilley second place, Honourable Mentions Keith Garebian, Marsha Barber, K.V. Skene, and Judge’s Choice Kate Marshall Flaherty, Marsha Barber, and Peter Austin.

Spring Pulse Poetry Festival Is Northern Ontario’s Premier Poetry/Arts Festival Spring Pulse Poetry Festival is Northern Ontario’s premier poetry/arts festival. Our sixth annual event will be held May 29‐ June 1 in Cobalt. With 25 events and 3 communities participating poetry is alive in the north. We Promote and present a mix of literary heritage and modern culture. The Dr. William 6 Henry Drummond National Poetry Contest ceremony is held at the Cobalt Public Library with judge Allan Breismaster hosting the award event. Last year poets/musicians journeyed on the “Poetrain Express" from Toronto to Cobalt. With no train service anymore we've partnered with Helen Lovekin at the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation to bring 16 poets/musicians from Toronto on the "PoetBus Express". Poetry and poets will be in motion! David Brydges artistic director, SpringPulse Poetry Festival.

Ghassan Zaqtan Barred from Attending Griffin Poetry Prize Ceremony Ghassan Zaqtan, one of the finalists for this year’s Griffin Poetry Prize, will reportedly not be allowed into Canada to attend the awards ceremony.

According to a Facebook post that circulated on Tuesday, the Palestinian poet has been denied a visa to enter the country.

He is nominated for his tenth collection of poetry, Like A Straw Bird It Follows Me, and Other Poems. Wang Ping, one of this year’s jurors, said that “[his] poetry awakens the spirits buried deep in the garden, in our hearts, in the past, present and future. His singing reminds us why we live and how, in the midst of war, despair, global changes. His words turn dark into light, hatred into love, death into life.”

His translator, Fady Joudah, posted the following message: “Please share and mobilize: Ghassan Zaqtan, the great Palestinian poet, finalist for the prestigious International Griffin Prize for poetry, has been denied visa to enter Canada to attend the ceremonies in two weeks. The reasons for rejection are: 1‐Prize provides insufficient grounds for a visa 2‐ Uncertainty about his financial independence 3‐ Uncertainty about his true desire to return to his home. Conditions to consider a new application: 1‐ proof of financial capacity, explanation of prize money 2‐ Proof that he had been granted visa before in certain countries (the online application system is not apparently efficient enough to recognize this from his passport info).”

On their official Twitter feed, Griffin Poetry Prize officials wrote that they are “working through appropriate Canadian government channels in the hope we can welcome poet Ghassan Zaqtan…” The Griffin Prize, one of the world’s most lucrative awards for poetry, will be awarded on June 13. It celebrates the best book published by a Canadian and International poet the previous year. The winners each receive $65,000, while poets who attend the readings, held the night before, each receive $10,000. It is unknown whether or not Zaqtan would receive the money if he is unable to attend.

UPDATE: According to Scott Griffin, chairman of the Griffin Trust, Ghassan Zaqtan has been granted a visa and will attend this year’s reading and ceremony: “All’s well that ends well!”

National Post: http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/05/28/ghassan‐zaqtan‐barred‐from‐attending‐griffin‐ poetry‐prize‐ceremony/

The Great Canadian Writer’s Craft Students Interview Poets: http://canadianwriterscraft.wordpress.com. This spring, Toronto high‐school students at Malvern Collegiate Institute conducted interviews with some of Canada’s finest poets. The interviews feature savvy journalism from John Ouzas’ Grade 12 Writer’s Craft class— the continuation of a pilot project commenced in 2011.

The Great Canadian Writer’s Craft includes cumulative exercises exposing students to a variety of writing practices (from contemporary poetry to journalism, short autobiography to editorial feedback, and media literacy to thank‐you letters). The long‐term, open‐access, public results of this project are these fantastic interviews, conducted by students. For a complete overview of how the project works as well

7 as all supporters and 2011 participants click here: http://canadianwriterscraft.wordpress.com/about‐ this‐project/

In Spring 2013, the Writer’s Craft class interviewed poets from across Canada: a rawlings, Adam Dickinson, Angela Szczepaniak, Beatriz Hausner, Dani Couture, Garry Thomas Morse, Jason Christie, Jenny Sampirisi, Jordan Scott, Mark Truscott, Nikki Reimer, Sonnet L’Abbé, and Steve Venright. The project extends its ties within the literary scene as OpenBook: Toronto will publish three student interviews per week for the duration of June— offering many students their first publication credit. To learn more about the project, read OpenBook’s interview with angela rawlings and John Ouzas: http://www.openbooktoronto.com/great_canadian_writers_craft/main

OPPORTUNITIES Please note: The opportunities, contests or markets listed in this electronic newsletter are only an informational resource. We encourage all poets to thoroughly investigate all contests or markets before submitting their work.

Literature Officer – The Ontario Arts Council 5 Year Renewable Term; Salary Range: $62,000 ‐ $93,000; Toronto. The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) requires an accomplished literary arts professional with broad knowledge of the interrelationships and complexities affecting literature in Ontario to support the advancement of the field through OAC’s granting programs.

Your extensive work experience in the literature field, combined with your leadership skills, innovativeness and thoughtful approach regarding the diverse needs of Ontario’s literary communities, enable you to act as a critical link between them and the OAC.

Key Responsibilities: • Administer, develop and evaluate granting programs and policies; • Manage and facilitate the peer assessment granting process; • Assess grant requests in collaboration with jurors and advisors; • Present grant recommendations to Directors and Board; • Develop policies, programs, strategies and services relevant to literature and OAC’s priorities; • Provide information, consultative advice and feedback to applying artists, arts organizations and publishers; • Conduct outreach and development to increase access to, and awareness of, OAC and its programs; • Manage program budgets and program workflow; • Supervise, manage and collaborate with staff in a team setting; • Attend events on evenings and weekends and travel throughout Ontario to meet with artists and arts organizations.

Key Selection Criteria/Qualifications: • Working knowledge of the history, current status and issues of the literature field, including literary cultural industries; • Progressive experience working in the literary arts as an artist and/or administrator; • Proven ability to provide direction and leadership in the implementation of arts development strategies, programs and initiatives; • Experienced and knowledgeable in grant writing and public funding systems available for literature; • Sound project planning, organizational and administrative skills, backed by judgment and the ability to problem‐solve and multi‐task; • Practical financial knowledge and experience with operating and project budgets;

8 • Demonstrated effective communication, interpersonal, consultative, facilitation and presentation skills; • Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse set of individuals internally and externally; • Understanding of how Ontario’s Aboriginal, culturally diverse, regional and new generation voices are represented in literature. • Computer proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook and database programs. • Ability to work overtime evenings and weekends and travel.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume, by June 14, 2013 using one of the following methods: Mail: Ontario Arts Council, Human Resources Office, FILE #03‐13, 151 Bloor Street West, 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1T6 or online: (http://www.arts.on.ca/Page3435.aspx)

If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation in any stage of the recruitment process please contact Nina Small at 1‐800‐387‐0058 x 7426 or [email protected].

The Ontario Arts Council is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and strongly supports and values diversity in the workplace. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome and individuals from equity‐seeking groups are encouraged to apply. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for interview will be contacted. For more info: www.arts.on.ca

Room Magazine's Annual Contest is on! Calling all women writers: Sharpen your pencils or fire up your laptop and send us your fiction, poetry, or creative non‐fiction contest entries. Deadline: Entries must be postmarked or submitted online no later than July 15, 2013. Entry Fee: $30 per entry. Non‐Canadian entries: $42 Canadian dollars. Each submission includes a complimentary one‐year subscription to Room. Writers who submit more than one entry will get a multiple year subscription. Prizes: 1st prize in each category – $500, 2nd prize – $250. Winners will be published in a 2014 issue of Room. Honourable mentions will be featured on Room’s website. Judges: Fiction: Yasuko Thanh; Poetry: Jane Munro; Creative Non‐Fiction: Betsy Warland. For more info: http://www.roommagazine.com/contest‐2013

Yearly W.B. Yeats’ Festival in Sligo, Ireland A Senator from Sligo, Ireland organizes a yearly W.B. Yeats’ festival in Sligo and wishes to connect their Yeats’ celebrations with those of poets in other countries. Their Yeats’ Day is on his birthday, June 13. In local press, they are highlighting events that have been organized in Taiwan, Japan and London. They wanted to find out if you and/or any of your colleagues might be celebrating Yeats birthday with readings, cake or a glass of wine! Do let them know and they will publicize it. They would love to include Canada on their list. Email: [email protected].

The Walrus Foundation and the Hal Jackman Foundation Announce Second Annual Poetry Prize The Walrus Foundation and the Hal Jackman Foundation are proud to announce the return of the Walrus Poetry Prize. The contest, open to all Canadian residents, will be judged by award‐winning poet Ken Babstock and The Walrus magazine’s poetry editor, Michael Lista. The winner, to be selected blindly, will receive $2,500, and his or her poem will be published in the December 2013 issue of The Walrus. On September 1, the five finalists’ poems will be posted online at thewalrus.ca/poetryprize, where readers can vote for the $2,500 Readers’ Choice Award. Winners will be announced in October.

“We’re proud to be supporting the Walrus Poetry Prize again this year,” says Victoria Jackman, executive director of the Hal Jackman Foundation. “The project has increased the exposure of some very talented Canadian poets and engaged the public in both the reading and discussion of poetry. Our goal is to foster artistic creativity, and we’re thrilled to support and celebrate this wonderful art form.”

9 “We are delighted to be partnering with the Hal Jackman Foundation again,” says Shelley Ambrose, executive director of the Walrus Foundation and co‐publisher of The Walrus. “The poetry prize is exactly within our mandate to promote Canadian artists and ideas and to engage the country in debate through the Readers’ Choice Award. It is exciting to have a partner who shares our enthusiasm for Canadian literature.”

• The Walrus Poetry Prize will be open and accepting submissions on May 1. • Submission period closes on June 30 • Five finalists are announced and voting for the Readers’ Choice Award begins on September 1 • Voting closes on September 30 • Winners are announced in late October For full details, including contest rules and regulations, and to submit your poem, please visit thewalrus.ca/poetryprize.

Lena Wilson Endicott Poetry Award Contest Our Times, Canada’s Independent Labour Magazine, is sponsoring a poetry contest in honour of Lena Wilson Endicott (1928‐2012), an artist and poet who cared deeply for the world and social justice. Send us your unpublished work poems and your poems of working people and social justice. You may send your poems by email or your letter carrier. Send up to 5 poems as an attachment, but with no identifying info on the poems (to ensure impartial judging). Poems should be no longer than 40 lines. This contest is open to residents of Canada only. NO entry fee! Put your name, address, email address and union affiliation, if any, in the body of your email or in your cover letter. Email your submission to [email protected] , or mail it to: Our Times, Poetry Editor, Suite 407 – 15 Gervais Drive, Toronto Ont, M3C 1Y8. Deadline: June 30, 2013. Grand Prize: $400; Two Runners‐up: $100 each. Winner and runners‐ up will have their poem published in Our Times, and will receive a two‐year subscription to the magazine. Winners will be announced in our Labour Day issue, September 2013. Poetry Judges: Marilyn Dumont, poet; Valerie Endicott, family member; Adriane Paavo, labour educator (Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union, and member of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada).

Literary Review of Canada (LRC) We're changing up our poetry section for 2013, with each issue to feature poems that share a common form or theme. During the months devoted to a given form, the subjects will vary, and vice versa. Below is our 2013 publication calendar to help guide submissions. As always, we welcome unsolicited, unpublished, original submissions, provided that they fit one of the categories outlined in this schedule:

June: villanelles July/August: ekphrastic poetry, i.e. pieces inspired by other art forms (visual, film, music, etc.) September: prose poems October: poems inspired by family November: ghazals December: poems inspired by food

Please note that there are two reading periods: 1) May 1 to December 5, 2012 for publication January‐ June 2013 and 2) beginning May 1, 2013 for publication July/August‐December 2013. Please include the month in which you would like your work to be read in the subject line of any emailed submissions. For more information, check out our full submissions guidelines online at: http://reviewcanada.ca/submissions

10 EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, COURSES, FESTIVALS & READINGS

"PoeTrain Express"(A Poet's Journey) Documentary launch ‐ Toronto You are invited to the "PoeTrain Express"(A Poet's Journey) Documentary launch Thursday June 6 at 8:00 pm at Q Space 382 College St. Toronto, ON ( 647‐748‐7494). Come for an evening of Music, Film, Poetry. Special guest Ian Ferrier from Montreal, one of Canada's top spoken word performers.

June is jumping at The Rowers Reading Series! Toronto Join us for a superb evening of poetry and prose, featuring: Judy Fong Bates, Allan Briesmaster, Kirsty Elliot and Laura Lush on Monday, June 3, 7:30 pm, upstairs at The Victory Café, 581 Markham St, Toronto. For more info: http://rowerspubreadingseries.com. Follow us on twitter @RowersReading.

Rowers Reading Series – Directors Reading June 9th ‐ Toronto Rowers Reading Series is celebrating the successful end of our 6th season with our annual Directors Reading. Come out to the Victory Café for a special night of free snacks & readings by the Rowers Team: Sue Bowness, Kate Dawson, Catherine Graham, Megan Swaine and Heather Wood, plus our special guests ‐ former directors Ian Burgham, David Clink & Ned Hagerman. Sunday June 9th, 7 pm, upstairs at The Victory Café, 581 Markham St, Toronto. For more info: http://rowerspubreadingseries.com

Saturdays at Portobello – Toronto June 1st featured Poet ‐ Charlene Jones; Featured Musician ‐ Rita Visser; Guest Poet ‐ Susan Helwig; Guest Storyteller ‐ Carol Farkas; Guest Writer/Poet ‐ Ann Elizabeth Carson; Guest Storyteller ‐ James Phelan; Guest Musician ‐ Roger Zuraw. Saturday, June 1st, 2013, 1:30 ‐ 4:30 p.m. at Portobello Restaurant & Bar, 995 Bay St., Toronto ON M5S 3C4. 416 926‐1800.

Trillium Book Award ‐ Toronto Please join us on the evening of Monday June 17, 2013 for an Author Readings by several of the finalists for this year’s . This event is open to the public so please feel free to pass this invitation along to other people that would be interested in attending (no RSVP to the Author Reading is required). We hope that you are able to join us as we toast this year’s finalists and their literary achievements. For more info: http://www.omdc.on.ca/book/trillium_book_award.htm

Lorca‐Inspired Readings – Toronto Don't miss this evening of Lorca‐inspired readings hosted by Ronna Bloom, U of T Poet in Community, and featuring readings by Brian Dedora, Sonja Greckol, Beatriz Hausner, Maureen Hynes, Jaclyn Piudik, Gerry Shikatani and Elizabeth Ruth. Tuesday, June 4, 2013 ‐ 7:00pm at Hart House Library at U of T, 7 Hart House Cir., Second Floor, Toronto, ON M5S 3H3. This event is FREE.

Lorca’s Granada: Writers’ Retreat and Colloquium Lorca’s Granada: writers’ retreat and colloquium. Sept. 2 – Sept. 16, 2013. Places still remain for this truly unique fantastic retreat for nine established writers. Directed by Gerry Shikatani, author of Three Gardens of Andalucía (2003), and a renowned expert on Spain. Find inspiration from the spirit of Federico García Lorca still palpable in the houses where he was born and raised, the city where he studied, discussed art with de Falla, and frequented the gypsy barrio which informed his grasp of duende. Discuss and read with other writers in the cafes of Lorca’s Granada and then work on your own writing projects. Visits to the breathtaking Alhambra and the city’s historic flamenco club (the world’s oldest) with a local expert is just the beginning. Enjoy Granada’s astounding local gastronomy ‐‐ its local markets and legendary tapas bars with host Gerry who has been honoured and decorated by King Juan Carlos for his writing on Spain’s gastronomy and culture. Register NOW! Not a competition ‐ the first nine qualified applicants will be accepted on a first‐come‐first‐confirmed basis until all spots are filled. Quick acceptance by email. Plus ‐ until June 21, League members receive a 10% reduction on fees.

11 Further information, registration guidelines and testimonials from leading Canadian writers at http://www.gerryshikatani.com Contact: Gerry Shikatani, Director – [email protected]

Toronto Poetry Slam June 9: Toronto Poetry Slam's bi‐weekly spoken word competition returns, featuring Vancouver's Fernando Raguero. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W. 8pm. $5. 416‐312‐3865

Note: Raguero, a long‐time star of Vancouver's poetry slam scene, is making his first feature performance in Ontario in many many years; he's a unique talent ‐ incredibly funny, biting satirical, refreshingly honest ‐ and can provide deep insight into Canada's spoken word community. He is available for interviews.

Klezkanada Poetry Retreat, at Camp B’nai Brith, Lantier, QC Three Millennia of Poetic Subversion from August 19‐25, 2013. Led by award winning poetic innovators, and world renowned performers Adeena Karasick and Jake Marmer.

Poetry’s greatest moments have often been measured by its proximity to music. For the second consecutive year, KlezKanada – legendary festival of Jewish music and culture – is inviting poets world‐ wide to join the festivities at the week‐long Writing Retreat. Two daily workshop sessions will explore the poetic tradition and anti‐tradition across the three millennia of Jewish discourse, with a special focus on the poetics of Klezmer, chants, rants ritual and rebellion, recombination and textual re‐formation, improvisation and conceptual innovation. There will exclusive time with the faculty, internationally celebrated poets, musicians, artists, performers and academics. Poets will be encouraged to draw inspiration from the numerous concerts, and to collaborate with musicians, dancers, painters and other participating artists, to attend lectures, Yiddish classes, write, sing, dance, celebrate. Held in the heart of the Canadian Laurentians.

About KlezKanada: Canada’s largest annual festival of Jewish/Yiddish culture and the arts. Featuring: an all‐star faculty, world‐class concerts, workshops for instrumentalists, singers, dancers, and visual artists of all levels, films and lectures on Jewish history, literature, language and culture, children’s and teen programs that set the standard for learning and creativity.

In addition “The Chai Year” will feature: several new and exciting faculty members, the return of our groundbreaking Klezkanada Poetry Retreat, a Yiddish theater intensive, and an exploration of the Jewish Graphic Novel. Hands‐on art making & workshops lead by an international all‐star faculty in the areas of music, vocals, dance, performance, literature, poetry, art, film & more! FREE concerts daily from cutting‐ edge to traditional Jewish & world music. Nightly dance parties and the famous Klez Kabaret. A meaningful and spiritual Shabbes experience blending new and old traditions. Yiddish languages classes, lectures, poetry readings & performances.

Registration: Starting at $825 (CAN) for the full week including accommodations, meals & all programs. Day passes & scholarships are available! Spaces fill up quickly – early registration is strongly recommended.

For more info: http://klezkanada.org/poetry‐retreat/ or http://www.facebook.com/KlezKanadaPoetry or skype: klezkanada. For more questions about the Poetry Retreat, feel free to contact us directly: Adeena Karasick at [email protected] or Jake Marmer at [email protected].

Spur, a New National Festival of Politics, and Ideas Spur, a new national festival of politics, and ideas ‐ the latest innovative idea to come forward from the Literary Review of Canada and Diaspora Dialogues ‐ launches in Toronto with an eclectic mix of events, debates, musical performances, walking tours and more. In its inaugural year, Spur will roll out editions 12 in Winnipeg and Vancouver in addition to Toronto. Spur invites Canadians to join today's most provocative writers, journalists, entrepreneurs, activists and political leaders. For more info: http://spurfestival.ca/

NEW MEMBERS

Paddy Chitty Paddy Chitty was born, raised, and resides in Hamilton, Ontario. She is a graduate of McMaster University and has creative writing certificates from both Mohawk College and McMaster University C.E. She was fortunate to be accepted and given the opportunity to study with notable Canadian poets at The Banff Centre, The Sage Hill Writing Experience, and Piper’s Frith. Her poetry and short stories have been published in Canadian literary journals and anthologies.

Kim Clark Disease and desire, mothering and the mundane propel Kim Clark’s ongoing journey between poetry and prose, stage and page. Her poetry chapbook, Dis ease ad De sire, the M anu S cript (Lipstick Press), came out in April, 2012 and her new poetry collection, Sit You Waiting, hit bookshelves in August, 2012 via Caitlin Press. Kim’s work can also be found in Body Breakdowns (Anvil Press), the Malahat Review, and e‐zines and other publications in Canada and the U.S. Her debut fiction collection (sexysickchiclit), Attemptations (Caitlin Press), was launched in 2011 and one of its novellas has been optioned for a 90 minute feature film. She lives in Cedar on Vancouver Island.

MEMBERS NEWS

Louise Carson Louise Carson is pleased to announce that her poem 'Plastic bucket' which appeared in Prairie Fire, Volume 33, No. 1, Spring, 2012 has been selected by editors Sue Goyette and Molly Peacock as one of the fifty poems which will appear in The Best Canadian Poetry in English, 2013. The book will be published by in the fall.

Sue Chenette Sue Chenette will read from her latest book, The Bones of His Being, along with new work, on the Paris anglophone series PoetsLive. June 18, 7:30 p.m. at Carr's Pub, 1 rue Mont‐Thabor, métro Tuileries.

Rienzi Crusz Rienzi Crusz was presented the FSALA Lifetime Achievement Award. FSALA is a Canadian arts festival with a difference, promoting writers from South Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, and those not writing in English, who are major figures in their own countries though not always known to the global "mainstream". FSALA also invites many Canadian writers to the Festival, as well as musicians and other artists. In the past they have had dramatists Girish Karnad and Mahesh Dattani from India, novelist Bapsi Sidhwa from Pakistan/USA, and classical dancer Hari Krishnan from Canada. Important features of FSALA are panel discussions on various aspects of the arts, and opportunities for members of the public to meet the artists. For more info: http://www.fsalatoronto.com/

Keith Inman Keith Inman will read from ‘An Unfinished War,’ Black Moss Press, at the following venues: • May 26, 11‐6pm, Grey Borders’ Niagara Literary Arts Festival at Stratus Winery • June 8, 10‐2pm, the Welland Book Fair at the Wellness Centre • June 22, 2‐4pm, the Pelham Festival Book Fair at Fonthill Library. • July 6th, 10am‐5pm & July 7, 10am‐4pm. Poets and Painters present their work at "ART IN THE PARK" Montebello Park, St. Catharines.

13 • August 3,4,10 & 11, 12:30 pm, with Louisa Howerow and Denis Robillard for the Niagara Historical Society at 43 Castlereagh Street, Niagara‐ on‐the‐Lake. Keith also has two poems in ‘Whiskey Sour City,’ and he will help judge the Niagara Region Poetry Contest for 2013.

Fiona Tinwei Lam Fiona Tinwei Lam just launched her first illustrated children's title, The Rainbow Rocket, http://www.oolichan.com/lam‐rainbow‐rocket about a young boy, who takes a magical dream journey to visit his beloved grandmother, whose beautiful paintings and loving guidance have inspired his own creativity. Celebrating the Chinese holiday of Ching Ming, he finds a meaningful way to address his grief over her decline and death from Alzheimer's disease, and honour her rich legacy of art. The author's proceeds are going to the Alzheimer's Society of BC.

Micheline Maylor Micheline Maylor's "Whirr and Click" was launched April 4th by Frontenac House.

Carmelo Militano Carmelo Militano, award winning poet, will be publishing 'Sebastiano's Vine' a novella with Ekstasis Editions in September, 2013. 'Sebastiano's Vine' is a moving story about the personal and historical forces unleashed after the discovery of a powerful ancient wine: guilt, betrayal, family history, and a love‐triangle all unfold in a relentless haunting pace. It is a story that is both comic and tragic and offers a fresh perspective on the Southern Italian experience. The novella is Militano's first work of prose fiction.

Stan Rogal I recently had my 11th poetry book published, this one from Bookland Press. The title is: "Love's Not The Way To" a collection of urban haiku dedicated to the life and work of American writer Richard Brautigan.

Carolyn Zonailo Carolyn Zonailo's 12th poetry book, Fight Fire With Spirit: Selected & New Poems, was published by Ekstasis Editions in Victoria, BC in November 2012. Current readings from Fight Fire With Spirit are at the Yellow Door Coffee House this past April and at the Visual Arts Center, Montreal, on May 14; on June 5 she will launch her new poetry chapbook, In The Shadow of War (Coracle Press, 2013) at the Bistro Gourmet, Montreal.

To subscribe, unsubscribe, or post a notice, send an e‐mail to [email protected]. If members don’t have e‐mail access, we’ll be happy to send printed copies by Canada Post. Please send a note to the League office requesting us to do so. Address: 192 Spadina Ave, Suite 312, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2C2. Send news to [email protected].

The League of Canadian Poets receives operating funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council.

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