St@nza ‐ May 2013 Volume 10, Number 5
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 5 New Members Page 15 Poetry & Literary News Page 4 Events & Readings Page 10 Members News Page 15
NEWS FROM THE LCP
National Poetry Month National Poetry Month 2013 was an amazing success, and we have a lot of people to thank for the support! My Bindi, Literature for life, The Literary Press Group, The Canadian Library Association, and many others helped us to spread the word about National Poetry Month.
2013 marked the fifteenth year of National Poetry Month in Canada, and has been one of our most successful celebrations yet! Throughout April, poets were out in libraries, schools, pubs, community centres and on the street celebrating poetry. There were a huge number of poetry readings and spoken word events; workshops were given in many different cities to teach new poets how to get started; and there has been a huge number of amazing online poetry projects that have been started up.
Each year, the Mayor’s Poetry City Challenge is extended to cities across the country. This year, the challenge was enthusiastically taken on by city councils in Victoria BC, Nanaimo BC, Vancouver BC, Whistler BC, New Westminster BC, Nelson, BC, Jasper AB, Grand Prairie AB, Edmonton AB, Calgary AB, Lloydminster AB/SK, North Battleford SK, Saskatoon SK, Creighton SK, Moose Jaw SK, Regina SK, Bruce Rice; Yorkton SK, Dauphin MB, Winnipeg MB, London ON, Brantford ON, Norfolk County ON, Cobourg ON, Guelph ON, Toronto ON, Fredericton NB, Caraquet NB, Sackville NB, Halifax NS, New Glasgow NS, Charlottetown PE and St. John’s NF. We can't wait for next year! For more info: http://poets.ca/wordpress/mayor%E2%80%99s‐poetry‐city‐challenge/
Call for Jurors for the Raymond Souster, Pat Lowther and Gerald Lampert Awards One of the main tasks at the annual LCP Poetry Festival and Conference is to elect the people who will serve on the juries for the Raymond Souster, Pat Lowther and Gerald Lampert Awards. Full members not attending the conference are still welcome to stand for election. Each jury consists of three jurors and one alternate. There are between 60 and 80 books submitted for each award. Juries begin receiving the books in October and must have a shortlist of 6 (which includes the winner) and juror’s comments by March 1, 2014. All correspondence between jurors is via email and occasional teleconferences as needed. If you are interested and available during that timeframe please email Ingel at [email protected]. Please provide a link to your member’s page, personal website or attach a brief bio to the email.
LAST CALL: LCP Poetry Festival & Conference 2013 in Toronto Plans for the League of Canadian Poets’ (LCP) 47th annual Poetry Festival and Conference are under way. This exciting three‐day event is scheduled for June 7 ‐ 9, 2013, conveniently located in downtown Toronto at the Courtyard by Marriott at College and Yonge.
THURSDAY: Meet and mingle at the PoeTrain documentary launch at Q Space (382 College St.) on Thursday at 8 p.m. (TBC)
*Thursday: The LCP Poetry Festival and Conference overlaps with the MagNet Conference at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel. LCP members are welcome to attend the Connecting Canada Networking Reception on Thursday, 1 June 6, 5:00 p.m. Connecting Canada: Canada’s magazine media will unite for the networking event of the season as every MagNet partner (CMC, CSME, PWAC and Magazines Canada) welcomes industry professionals from all disciplines and from all parts of Canada and abroad The MagNet receptions, including the Connecting Canada reception are free. Please register as an LCP guest.
FRIDAY: 12:30 ‐ 1:30 p.m. Welcome Lunch 2:00 ‐ 3:00 p.m. Feminist Caucus Panel: "fe(males): dialogues, exchanges & conversations". Women Poets and Their Male Poet Mentors who supported our womanhood, Feminist Poetics, and writing; about how they have been helped in their writing careers. 3:00 ‐ 4:00 p.m. Feminist Caucus Business Meeting (all welcome) 4:00 ‐ 5:00 p.m. Associate Members Meeting and Reception 5:00 ‐ 6:00 p.m. The Joseph Sherman Memorial New Members Reading 7:00 p.m. Frame For (A)Frame: A benefit premiere of the independent Canadian feature film “The Shape of Rex” in support of the Al Purdy A frame. All proceeds are for the ongoing restoration of the A Frame as a writers’ retreat. The Royal Cinema, 608 College St. Tickets for screening and party ‐ $15.00 at the door.
* MagNet events on Friday: For LCP members who might be interested in participating in some of the events and workshops on Friday, we are including the link to the MagNet Conference. LCP Members will receive the discounted Member Rate, just please check “Other” in the Registration Form, and then enter League of Canadian Poets in the next field. Visit: http://magnet.magazinescanada.ca/overview/?page=29.
SATURDAY: 9:00 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m. Annual General Meeting 12:30 ‐ 2:00 p.m. Lunch 2:00 ‐ 3:00 p.m. Electronic Poetry Panel. Moderator: D.C. Reid 3:15 ‐ 4:15 p.m. Spoken Word Panel. Moderator: Ian Ferrier 4:15 ‐ 5:15 p.m. Feminist Caucus Reading (all welcome) 5:30 ‐ 6:30 p.m. Anne Szumigalski Lecture presented by A.F. Moritz 6:30 ‐ 10:00 p.m. Raymond Souster, Pat Lowther and Gerald Lampert Memorial Awards ceremony and dinner
SUNDAY: 2:00 p.m. Book Launch at Q Space (382 College St.). Details about how to register will be sent to all the members who register for the conference. For more info: http://poets.ca/wordpress/programs‐2/lcp‐ annual‐poetry‐festival‐and‐conference/
News from the Feminist Caucus By Anne Burke, Chair. Congratulations to the Lowther Award Finalists. We honour poets, poetry, and publishers, with the long list here. This month, our annual report, updates on our 2013 panel and launch of Poetry and the Disordered Mind; news from Canadian Women in the Literary Arts (CWILA); Women and Words, Summer Writing Week, with Jenna Butler, Jannie Edwards, and Sherri D Wilson; and When Worlds Collide is actively seeking poets! For full report: http://poets.ca/wordpress/programs‐2/feminist‐ caucus
Looking for Tech‐Savvy Person Hi Everyone, I'm looking for a tech‐savvy person with a smart phone and computer screen, so that during the Panel on Electronic Poetry at the AGM we can connect with Rebecca Banks who I believe lives in Ottawa, with enough volume to pipe her voice in on a computer to join us during the panel and so we can hear her and she us, and be a cyberhead on the computer at our end. I am guessing she needs the same set up at her end. But right now, I need someone who knows how to do this. I don't have a smart
2 phone, hence my request. If anyone can do this, please get in touch with me directly. Thanks. DC Reid: [email protected] / 1‐250‐592‐1700
How Bill C‐11, the Copyright Modernization Act, affects the writer By Kelly‐Anne Riess. Access Copyright payments to creators will likely be reduced after last November’s enactment of the Copyright Modernization Act.
Bill C‐11 extended the list of fair dealing exceptions to “educational purposes.” This means that
• Anyone claiming an education purpose could arguably copy substantial parts of copyright‐ protected literary works without permission or payment. • Educational institutions and ministries will argue they do not have to pay Access Copyright for collective licenses to enable teachers and students to legally copy materials. • If Access Copyright is not paid for licenses, then its annual payments to creator and publisher affiliates will be much lower. Access advises that 80 per cent of its revenues come from ministries of education and educational institutions. Further, Access Copyright predicts it will need to vigorously litigate the fairness of the taking of copyright works under the educational purposes exception. Since “educational purposes” is conceivably much broader than the existing “private study” exception, multiple copies for classroom use may be argued to be fair. Therefore, writers and publishers alike could lose significant income.
ACCESS COPYRIGHT MADE EASY—SIX THINGS ALL WRITERS SHOULD KNOW 1. Access Copyright distributes two types of royalties: Title specific and non‐title specific. 2. Title‐specific royalties are paid out using data collected from organizations that have Access Copyright licences. Title‐specific royalties related to trade books are shared equally between authors and publishers even if your publisher contract says something different. In the case of textbooks and academic journals, 100 per cent can go to the publisher only if the creator has assigned copyright to the publisher and the publisher has notified Access Copyright. Otherwise Access Copyright will pay the writer 50 per cent. On title‐specific works, freelance journalists who write for magazines and newspapers receive 100 per cent of all royalties. Staff writers of magazines and newspapers receive zero per cent. (www.accesscopyright.ca/creators/how‐we‐ split‐royalties‐between‐creators‐and‐publishers/) 3. Fifty per cent of all the non‐title specific royalties are paid out annually through Payback to writers and visual artists. Additionally, since 2010, Payback has been topped up with a 15% allocation from all available royalties before these other royalties are distributed. 4. If your work is out of print, let Access Copyright know, and 100 per cent of title‐specific payments will then go to you. 5. Quebec authors whose works are mainly published outside of the province of Quebec can join Access Copyright. However, if most of your works are published by a Quebec publisher, you should join Copibec (www.copibec.qc.ca). 6. If a writer has works outside the 20‐year window, you will only receive the base payment for Payback. However, you will be paid for works published outside the 20‐year window, if the work is copied and reported by a licencee,
Note: Payback is calculated in two steps: • Step one—40 per cent of the Payback pool is distributed on an equal basis to all eligible affiliates. • Step two—60 per cent is distributed as a supplementary payment that will vary depending on what you published, how much you published and when you published. * Remember the deadline to submit your Payback claim is May 31. Visit www.accesscopyright.ca for more information about Payback.
3 POETRY AND LITERARY NEWS
Congratulations Lorna Crozier and Sarah Ellis We are very pleased to announce that Lorna Crozier and Sarah Ellis are the co‐recipients of the 10th annual Lieutenant Governor's Award for Literary Excellence. BC's Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC, will present the award at the Lieutenant Governor's BC Book Prizes Gala on Saturday, May 4, at Government House in Victoria.
Win finalist books: Our Contest for Finalist Books is now underway! "Like" us on Facebook for a chance to win all 5 finalist books in one of the 7 BC Book Prize categories. Already a fan? You are eligible to win too! Visit our website (http://www.bcbookprizes.ca/events/archive/win‐finalist‐books1/) for more details and to enter.
2013 Manitoba Book Awards Winners Announced The Manitoba Writers’ Guild, with the assistance of the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, presented the annual Manitoba Book Awards with a gala event this past Sunday April 28th at the West End Cultural Centre. This year’s award winners in thirteen categories are…
McNally Robinson Book of the Year The House on Sugarbush Road by Méira Cook, published by Enfield & Wizenty, an imprint of Great Plains Publications
Aqua Lansdowne Prize for Poetry | Prix Lansdowne de poésie The Politics of Knives by Jonathan Ball, published by Coach House Books
Best Illustrated Book of the Year | Meilleur livre illustré de l’année Imagining Winnipeg: History through the Photographs of L.B. Foote, by Esyllt W. Jones, design by Doowah Design, published by University of Manitoba Press
Manuela Dias Book Design of the Year | Prix Manuela‐Dias de conception graphique en édition Warehouse Journal Vol.21 edited and designed by Nicole Hunt and Brandon Bergem, published by the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Architecture
Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book Sonar by Kristian Enright, published by Turnstone Press
Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award | Prix littéraire Carol‐Shields de la ville de Winnipeg The Age of Hope by David Bergen, published by HarperCollins Canada
Le Prix Littéraire rue‐Deschambault La Révolution Tranquille par Raymond – M. Hebert, publié par Les Éditions du Blé
Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction The Age of Hope by David Bergen, published by HarperCollins Canada
Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non‐Fiction Creation and Transformation: Defining Moments in Inuit Art by Darlene Coward Wight, published by Douglas and MacIntyre and the Winnipeg Art Gallery
John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer Kristian Enright
4 Mary Scorer Award for Best Book by a Manitoba Publisher Thunder Road by Chadwick Ginther, cover design by Jamis Paulson, interior design by Sharon Caseburg, published by Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press
Lifetime Achievement Award Dennis Cooley
McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award – Older Category The Green‐Eyed Queen of Suicide City by Kevin Marc Fournier, published by Great Plains Teen Fiction
For more information on the Manitoba Book Awards visit: http://www.manitobabookawards.com
Michael Schellenberg Named New Ontario Arts Council Literature Officer The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has appointed Michael Schellenberg Literature Officer. Michael takes over following John Degen’s departure to become the executive director of The Writers Union of Canada (TWUC).
Michael has been an advocate for Canadian arts and culture for the past 20 years. Since 2011, he has been freelancing as a publishing consultant in New York, an editor, teacher and writer. Before that, he was associate publisher at Alfred Knopf Canada from 2003 to 2011 and senior editor at Penguin Canada from 1998 to 2003.
Michael has worked with a range of established Canadian writers of fiction and non‐fiction, including such Ontario writers as Jane Farrow, Andrea Gunraj, Steven Heighton, Jay Ingram, Lorraine Johnson, Margaret MacMillan, John Mighton, Doug Saunders, Rick Smith and Drew Hayden Taylor. Michael is a fellow of the Jerusalem and Frankfurt Book Fairs. For more information: Kirsten Gunter, Director of Communications, 416‐969‐7403 / 1‐800‐387‐0058, ext. 7403 or [email protected].
New Arts Funding Released, Consultations Started in April Toronto City Council just released 6 million dollars in new arts funding! The funds will hit Toronto this summer based on the following disbursement plan (http://tinyurl.com/Yr1EcDevPlan). Over the next 3 years, increasing amounts will be released from the btax reserve as Toronto meets the$25 per‐capita commitment.
Please read on and help determine how the Cultural Services and Toronto Arts Council will distribute the increases in investment going forward. If you can't make the consultations, there is a survey here: ( http://tinyurl.com/CCGainsSurvey )
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.
Refugees and Human Rights Child and Youth Amateur Poetry Contest UNHCR Canada and COSTI Immigrant Services are sponsoring the second annual greater Toronto area “Refugees and Human Rights Child and Youth Amateur Poetry Contest” to bring greater attention to human rights abuses and the plight of refugees. Find out all the details on their website here: http://www.costi.org/sys/anno_detail.php?id=41341
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 5 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].
28th Annual Poetry Anthology Contest for Residents of Ontario The Niagara Branch of the Canadian Authors Association is holding its 28th Annual Poetry Anthology contest for residents of Ontario. The deadline for entries is May 31, 2013. The first prize is $200, second prize is $100 and third prize is $50. For details visit the Niagara Branch of the Canadian Authors Association (http://www.canauthorsniagara.org/Poetry_Contest.html).
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.”
“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.
Call for Applications: The A‐Frame Residency The A‐frame house at the edge of Roblin Lake was built in 1957 by Al Purdy and his wife Eurithe, who had set aside $1200 dollars from CBC radio plays Al had written in Montreal. They bought a piece of land and a load of used buildings material from a structure being torn down in Belleville, then set to work, building from architect’s plans ordered from a popular magazine. As Al made clear in his autobiography, Reaching for the Beaufort Sea, in the first years they endured fierce cold and poverty and worry. “But 6 Roblin Lake in summer, planting seeds and watching things grow; doing a marathon swim across the lake while Eurithe accompanied me in a rowboat; working at the house, making it grow into something that nearly matched the structure already in your mind. Owls came by night, whoo‐whooing in a row of cedars above the house; blue herons stalked our shallows; muskrats splashed the shoreline; and I wrote poems.” At 39 Al was a little known poet, still publishing what he later decided was bad poetry. He called a book from that period The Crafte So Long to Lerne. But he and Eurithe hung on, and in the following years, Al’s poetry took a new turn and his reputation began to grow. In 1965 he won the Governor‐General’s Award for The Cariboo Horses.
Many of Al Purdy’s best‐known poems were written in Ameliasburgh, a lot of them derived from the history and geography of the village. He lived in the A‐frame house—which was gradually improved and expanded—for many years, and he spent at least part of every year at Ameliasburgh until his death in 2000. He and Eurithe were always warm and welcoming to writers who came to visit, and dozens—some would say hundreds—did. There is surely no house in Canada so strongly connected with an important poet and his literary community.
The Purdy house is now the site of the A‐Frame Residency Program, under which writers are offered a time and place to work in a location that is attractive and of historic significance. Each year between April 1 and November 30 the house will be open for the residency. Writers who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents may apply for a term of one to three months. The residency will be open to all such writers, but preference will be given to poetry and poetry projects. Each year the jury will also consider proposals for a one‐month project in critical writing about Canadian poetry and will be open to unusual and creative ideas for residencies.
Travel to Ameliasburgh will be paid. Those awarded the residency will be given a stipend of $2500 dollars ($2,000 honorarium and $500 travel) a month while living in the A‐frame, and will be free to spend their time on their writing. Residents will be expected to participate in one public event for each month of their stay—the event could be a reading, lecture, workshop, an event in a local school or some other literary activity—and to consider other reasonable requests. These events will take place in one of the larger communities nearby, Picton, Belleville, Kingston. As well there is an event at the Town Hall in Ameliasburgh each April to coincide with National Poetry Month and National Al Purdy Day, April 21. All this will be organized in collaboration with the Prince Edward County Arts Council, and a dedicated group in Ameliasburgh. Residents will be offered a temporary library card for the excellent library at Queen’s University in Kingston, where many of Al Purdy’s papers are held. Those awarded a residency will be asked to donate at least one copy of one of their books to the Residency Library. Writers in residence will also be encouraged to make themselves known at the Purdy Library in Ameliasburgh and to donate a book. They may also wish to discuss with the local liaison the possibility of working with local schools.
Applications should include: A brief professional curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages); A plan for your residency at the A‐frame (max. 2 pages); A letter of reference (if desired by the candidate), and a 10‐20 page sample of recent writing.
Applicants should propose alternate residency dates if possible. Five copies of the application and the accompanying material should be sent to: Jean Baird, The Al Purdy A‐frame Association, 4403 West 11th Ave., Vancouver BC V6R 2M2. Any questions can be addressed to [email protected]. Applications for the calendar year 2014 will close on May 10 of 2013—mailed materials must be postmarked May 10, 2013 or before.
Call for Applications: Neighbourhood Spaces, Socially‐Engaged Artist in Residence Program Application deadline: May 6th, 2013. Details and application instructions: www.brokencitylab.org/apply. Arts Council Windsor & Region (ACWR), Broken City Lab (BCL) and The City of Windsor are pleased to 7 announce the launch of Neighbourhood Spaces: Windsor & Region Artist in Residence Program, a new initiative that will locate ten chosen artists in community sites throughout Windsor and Essex County in Ontario, for 4‐6 week artist residences. Supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, this new program will allow artists to pursue research and/or create work(s) that engage, explore and connect with local communities. The program is inviting applications from Canadian artists of all disciplines including visual, performing, literary, music, interdisciplinary and media arts. Neighbourhood Spaces will embed artists in community sites such as parks, nature reserves, libraries, health or community centres. These sites will provide a “home base” for each artist to work during their residency, while also allowing the artist to take on diverse roles, engaging with community members in various ways to animate, explore and inspire the specific stories, curiosities, challenges and triumphs of the local community. Curated by Broken City Lab, residencies will begin in summer 2013 and be staggered throughout the year, concluding in August 2014. There is no application or residency fee. Each artist will receive $4750, which includes an artist fee and funding to assist in covering travel, housing (for the duration of the residency), material and per diem expenses. While housing is not provided, Neighbourhood Spaces is available to assist artists in finding accommodations. A final exhibition and symposium will be held in the fall of 2014 and an online publication will be created documenting the program. The Program Coordinator will serve as a liaison between the artists and community site and will be available to assist in documenting work, promoting events and connecting to local resources, including organizations, artists, and volunteers. Along with a standardized submission form and artistic support materials, applicants are asked to outline their ideal neighbourhood site. A list of potential community sites can be found in the online application. For more information about Neighbourhood Spaces, visit: www.acwr.net/ns or www.brokencitylab.org/apply. Contact: Alana Bartol, Program Coordinator, Neighbourhood Spaces: Windsor & Region Artist in Residence Program, 1942 Wyandotte St E., Windsor, ON N8Y 1E4. 519‐252‐ 2787 / 226‐975‐1732 / [email protected].
Call for entry: Victoria Book Prize Society’s Two Annual Awards Authors and illustrators from Greater Victoria are invited to participate in the Victoria Book Prize Society’s two annual awards: The City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and the Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize. In our tenth year, the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize honors members of the literary community. The $5,000 prize is awarded to a local author for the best book published in the preceding year in the categories of poetry, non‐fiction and fiction. Established in 2004, the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize is a partnership between the City of Victoria and Brian Butler of Butler Brothers Supplies.
“The City of Victoria Butler Book Prize has celebrated the accomplishments of our talented authors for ten years,” said Mayor Dean Fortin. “This is a great opportunity to nourish and honour the local literary community.”
In its sixth year, the $5,000 Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize will be awarded to a local author or illustrator of children’s literature. The prize was created in 2008 by Mel Bolen to provide authors of children’s and youth literature an increased opportunity for recognition.
“This is a landmark year for the society as we mark ten years of celebrating local writers. The gala promises to be fun‐filled so mark your calendar.” said Michelle Wong, President of the Victoria Book Prize Society.
Books must have been published between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013 to be considered. Submissions can be made to the Victoria Book Prize Society, c/o Target Storage Ltd., POB #13, 747 Princess Avenue, Victoria, BC V8T 1K5, between April 1 and May 31, 2013. . The Society will appoint two independent juries comprised of representatives from the literary arts community to review and assess adult and children’s literature entries based on their literary merit. Shortlisted nominees will be announced in September and authors will be showcased at a public reading 8 and reception held at the Union Club of British Columbia on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. The City of Victoria, Brian Butler of Butler Brothers Supplies, Bolen Books, the Union Club of British Columbia, the Magnolia Hotel and Spa, CBC Radio, Island Blueprint and the Greater Victoria Public Library sponsor the book prizes and gala. The Victoria Book Prize Society establishes the policy and criteria for the prizes, appoints the juries and administers the competitions. For more info: www.victoriabookprizes.ca
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 ON, 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). Contest Coordinator: Maureen Hynes, poet, and Our Times Poetry Editor.
Coastal Spectator Calling All Poets! Coastal Spectator: http://coastalspectator.ca. We're a new arts‐based review and commentary site operating independently out of the University of Victoria. Check us out! We are starting a new feature: we want to publish, on our home site, one new poem each week for a year, so if you have a new piece of work ‐‐ that is a haiku or up to 25 lines long ‐‐ do submit. We can pay $25 for each poem published, and once its week on the site is over, it will be placed in a poetry archive onsite. We see it as a new way to introduce new or pending books of Canadian poetry. By "new" we mean book published in 2012. If you've just signed a poetry deal, then this is a good way to let the world know. Send your submission (one only, pick your best!) to [email protected]
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:
• January/February: sonnets • March: poems from the margins, e.g. pieces from/about our prisons, reserves, North, rural areas, etc. • April: short poems, of less than 50 words ‐ consider haikus, tankas, rubaiyats, tweet‐poems, triolets, and other short styles • May: poems on the elements, e.g. fire, earth, water, air, wood, etc. • 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
9 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
First Call: submissions for retrospective/compendium/anthology on Milton Acorn (Mosaic Press) Dear Fellow Poets, After several years of preparation, last year Mosaic Press released a new selected of Milton Acorn, edited by poet James Deahl. An informal group we sometimes jokingly call 'The Fellowship of the Acorn' is doing our best to resurrect and perpetuate the literary work and legacy of Canada's People's Poet. Most of us believe Milt was Canada's best ever poet.
To promote Milt and his new book, In a Springtime Instant, we organized a number of events in 2012, beginning with a casual gathering at Grossman's Tavern in Toronto where Milt received the People's Poet Medal. In the summer we organized a standing‐room‐only book launch at The Parliament Street Library, followed soon after by a tribute to Milt at the sixth annual Purdy Country Literary Festival, which we dubbed AcornFest in Milt's honour. On November 22nd we held An Evening With the Friends of Milton Acorn at The Imperial Public Library in Toronto.
We are now entering the next stage of resurrecting Milton Acorn. Mosaic Press did a beautiful job with IASI, and Howard Aster, the publisher of Mosaic, has now approved the publication of a compendium/retrospective book on Milt to continue this campaign. We anticipate the book will be of equal quality and length to IASI.
We are asking for submissions for this book from you. We would also appreciate it if you'd circulate information about this project far and wide to other Acornphiles. We are seeking reminiscences, memoirs, critiques, poems, pictures, artwork ‐ one of our first contributions is a song for Milt ‐ just about anything. Surprise us! Please send submissions, queries, proposals and questions to me, Chris Faiers, preferably via email: [email protected]. Snail mail can be mailed to: Chris Faiers, 12 Main St. Marmora, ON K0K 2M0. Or if you'd prefer, phone calls are welcome (please keep trying, afternoons & evenings best) 613‐472‐6186. You can also contact co‐editor Terry Barker by phone: 1‐416‐491‐8676 or snail mail: Terry Barker, 22 Deerford Rd., Willowdale, ON M2J 3J2. The target date for publication is spring 2014. We are in the first stages of this project, so feedback, ideas and encouragement are very much appreciated. peace & poetry power! Chris (Faiers). Information updates will be posted on my blog: http://riffsandripplesfromzenrivergardens.blogspot.com/.
EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, COURSES, FESTIVALS & READINGS
Untying the Apron: Daughters Remember Mothers of the 1950s Official Vancouver Launch Free event. Join Guernica Editions for the official Vancouver launch of Untying the Apron: Daughters Remember Mothers of the 1950s edited by Lorri Neilsen Glenn. There will be readings by Kate Braid, Shauna Butterwick, Clarissa P. Green, Zoe Landale, Marsha Lederman, Daphne Marlatt, Jane Munro, Sheila Norgate. Hope to see you there! Refreshments will be served. May 16, 2013 at 7 p.m. at People’s Co‐Op Bookstore, 1391 Commercial Drive, Vancouver. For more information on the book: http://bit.ly/YJcuth
Sage Hill Writing Experience Summer 2013, Lumsden, SK July 22 – August 1, 2013. This is a ten‐day session for writers at three basic levels of proficiency in a variety of genre. The Introduction to Fiction & Poetry is for novice writers consisting of daily workshops and individual meetings in both genre. At Sage Hill, the Workshops are primarily group sessions coupled with individual meetings for writers at intermediate stages in their career. In the Colloquia, a series of focused one‐on‐one sessions is for writers who are well advanced (often with full manuscripts in 10 development) with occasional group sessions to discuss markets, theory and craft. The summer programme is augmented by public readings by all faculty and the Kroetsch Keynote address delivered by an important literary figure. Application deadline is May 10, 2013. Apply online: www.sagehillwriting.ca/adults/registration
• Intro to Writing Fiction and Poetry Facilitators: Kimmy Beach & John Gould • Fiction Workshop Facilitator: Helen Humphreys • Fiction Colloquium Facilitator: Lawrence Hill • Poetry Workshop Facilitator: Priscila Uppal • Summer Poetry Colloquium Facilitator: Ken Babstock • Non‐Fiction Workshop Facilitator: Denise Chong
Rowers Pub Reading Series, Toronto, ON May is magical at the Rowers series. Join for our fabulous evening of poetry & prose featuring Stephanie Bolster, Sue Goyette, Richard Scarsbrook & Elizabeth Zetlin. Monday, May 6th 7:30 pm, upstairs at The Victory Café, 581 Markham St, Toronto. For more info: http://rowerspubreadingseries.com
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.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!!!
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.
11 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].
Saturdays at Portobello, Toronto, ON May 4th, Featuring Poet/Storyteller ‐ Ann Tudor; Featured Musicians ‐ Tony & Veronica Hanik; Guest Poet ‐ Mary Milne; Guest Poet ‐ Benjamin Hackman; Guest Monologuist ‐ Shirley Gibson; Guest Musician ‐ Allan Fraser. Saturday, May 4th, 2013 from 1:30 ‐ 4:30 p.m. at Portobello Restaurant & Bar, 995 Bay St., Toronto ON M5S 3C4, 416 926‐1800.
Twisted Poets Literary Salon, Vancouver, BC Features poets Jacob Scheier (Toronto), Sean McGarragle, & Ray Hsu + Open Mic. Wednesday, May 8, 7 ‐ 9:30 pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. All are welcome. Twisted Poets runs the 2nd Wednesday and the 4th Thursday of the month. More information at www.pandorascollective.com
Written in the Forest, Fort Langley, BC Poetry reading by Han Shan Poets opening Susan Falk’s Art Exhibition (May 8‐26). Sat. May 11, 12‐3 pm. Poetry Readings between 1 and 2 pm, at The Fort Gallery, 9048 Glover Road, Fort Langley. Poets: E.D. Blodgett, Daniela Elza, Pam Galloway, Heidi Greco, Fiona Tinwei Lam, Chris Levenson, Susan McCaslin, Ray McGinnis, Elsie K. Neufeld, Catherine Owen, Jamie Reid, Celeste Snowber. Wine and cheese; silent auction of 12 new paintings by Susan Falk based on 12 poems by the Han Shan Poets. Contact: 604‐888‐ 7411 Website: [email protected]
Leaf Press Spring Poetry Launch, Vancouver, BC Join us in celebrating Leaf Press’ spring poetry collections: “Surge Narrows” by Emilia Nielsen, “milk tooth bane bone” by Daniela Elza and “Dark Matter” by Leanne McIntosh, May 14th, 7pm, at Rowan’s Roof Top Restaurant, 2340 W 4th Ave, Vancouver. Readings. Books for sale. Free event with appetizers and mingling. For more information: http://www.leafpress.ca/
Twisted Poets Literary Salon, Vancouver, BC Features poets Aislinn Hunter and Daniela Elza + Open Mic. Thursday, May 23th, 7 ‐ 9:30 pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. All are welcome. Twisted Poets runs the 2nd Wednesday and the 4th Thursday of the month. More information at www.pandorascollective.com
The Artel Open Mic Reading Series, Kingston, ON The next poetry @ the artel open mic reading in that monthly reading series on Tuesday, May 7th, 7 ‐ 10pm at The Artel, 205 Sydenham St, Kingston (corner of Queen & Syenham) will be the forty‐ninth in this monthly reading series. And guess what ‐ that means it's our fourth birthday!!! There will be cake! :)
As always, I do especially want to let you know that it is each and all of you that make this the wonderful and beautiful event that it is. Again, thank you :) ... For those coming to read/perform ‐ The only assured time limit is 8 minutes. But prepare for longer if you like, because on nights with fewer readers that time limit will expand a couple minutes or so.
This reading series' mission ‐ to be a reading held in an inviting, warm, accepting and acoustically sound "safe" space where the diversity of work, style, word and voice are welcome, always ‐‐ a comfortable space for poets/writers to read/perform, and for the audience to relax and enjoy.
Always held on the first Tuesday night of the month, this month's reading, scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th, at the Artel, will run from 7:00 to 10:00pm. There will be a short intermission with light food and 12 beverage provided.
This reading series is recorded for playback (with permission) on CFRC 101.9fm's "finding a voice". And this event also offers a two section display table ‐"the revolving free library" and "words for free/barter/sale".
The event is free, with all donations going directly to the Artel, and is an open event, so feel free to invite or bring friends as well.
Meditation & Poetry Course, Toronto, ON Add an island of creativity and calm to your week. Take 2 hours. Add silence, then words. Reconnect with where you are and where you’re going. Whether you’re a long‐time meditator/poet looking for inspiration or a complete beginner wanting to explore this course is for you: 8 weeks of guided mindfulness practice and poetry reading, writing and play. Led by Jody Nyasha Warner.
Spring 2013 Session Details Thursdays from May 9th to June 27th – 7:00 ‐ 9:00 p.m. Women’s Art Association of Canada – 93 Prince Arthur Ave. (Steps from St. George Subway) $175.00. Registration: Via email [email protected] or by phone 416‐538‐2007 or online at www.inksparks.com/workshops/
Creative Writing Retreat on Pelee Island, ON May 23‐26, 2013 with Roger Nash and Chris Nash Pelee Art Works invites you to unlock your creativity this spring with a very special writing retreat. Roger and Chris will lead you jointly in developing your writing potential while you enjoy all the special pleasures and beauty of Pelee Island.
Roger Nash is a well known author and poet. He has books published in philosophy and fiction, but is best known for his many books of poetry, the latest of which has just been published by Buschek Books. (The Sound of Sunlight). You can check out some of his work at this link: http://www.poetrymap.ca/profile.php?PoetID=39. Roger is Poet Laureate of the City of Greater Sudbury and has served two terms as President of the League of Canadian Poets. His literary awards include the P.E.N./O.Henry Prize Story Award (2009), the Confederation Poets Award (2001, 1997), the Canadian Jewish Book Award for Poetry (1997), 1st Prize, Fiddlehead Poetry Contest (1993‐4) and 1st Prize, Prism international Poetry Contest (1985‐6).
Chris Nash developed and taught Writing Across the Curriculum in the Scholarly Teaching Program at the University of Guelph, as well as having spent 12 years as an op‐ed columnist for Northern Life. She has had a non‐fiction book as a best seller and has recently published her first historical novel, Temperance Lloyd. You can read more about it at http://www.temperencelloyd.com.
This will be a fabulous opportunity to work with these two accomplished and inspirational authors! Your retreat will begin on Thursday evening with a wine and cheese reception with the group and Roger and Chris. Friday and Saturday will be busy as you work under their expert guidance. On Saturday evening you will have an opportunity to share some of your work in a public reading. Sunday will be a day of reflection on feedback from the night before and perhaps some rewriting. The retreat will wind up by about 2 pm on Sunday.
Your cost of $ 475 will cover Roger and Chris’ leadership as well as accommodation for 3 nights (double occupancy) in an island Bed and Breakfast. Breakfast at your B&B and a light lunch at Art Works will also be included. There will be time to explore the island restaurants for the evening meals. Consider extending your stay on the island at this beautiful time of year to explore trails, birdwatching, Pelee Island Winery, Heritage Centre, and just plain relaxing and being inspired by nature. Don’t hesitate to book your spot today. Contact Art Works at [email protected] to register. Do you already have 13 a place to stay on the island? You can register for the retreat only, with no accommodation and breakfast provided, for $300.
Spur, a New National Festival of Politics, and Ideas, Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver 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 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/
Berton Writers’ Retreat, Dawson City, YK Berton House Writers’ Retreat provides a unique opportunity for professional Canadian creative writers to work in a remote northern community. The writer is housed in a cozy two‐bedroom bungalow in Dawson City, Yukon. The residence is the actual boyhood home of author Pierre Berton.
The program is intended to provide writers with an opportunity to further develop their professional career. It is also an opportunity for them to become familiar with a part of the country they might otherwise not experience.
Since the program began in 1996, Berton House has hosted more than 50 writers. The Writers’ Trust of Canada administers the program in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts, Klondike Visitors Association, and Dawson City Community Library.
What does the Writers’ Retreat provide? Writers are housed at no cost in rent or utilities. A three‐month honorarium of $6,000 is provided along with travel costs to and from Dawson City. Writers are responsible for their personal expenses (e.g. food, paper supplies) and long‐distance telephone expenses. High‐speed cable internet is provided as is a printer/scanner. Writers are responsible for bringing their own computer. Pierre Berton initiated the Berton House library. The collection includes useful northern‐themed books, which have been supplemented by the books of past writers‐in‐residence.
What are the Writers’ obligations to the program? The writer is expected to perform a public reading at the Whitehorse Public Library and the Dawson City Community Library. As well, the writer is to provide a recent book to each of the following libraries: Dawson City Community Library, Whitehorse Public Library, and the library in Berton House. We encourage writers to engage further with the local community by doing such things as:
• hold writing workshops in the community • feature their work in local and national newspapers and radio stations • avail themselves for interviews with local and national media • interact with the public and the local literary communities • participate in local events and festivals
About Berton House: Berton House is a two‐bedroom bungalow, located across the street from Robert Service’s historic cabin and just up the street from Jack London’s cabin. Berton House has a furnished kitchen, dining room/study, living room, and bathroom. The house is fully equipped with bedding, linen, kitchen appliances, and cooking utensils. The house has a telephone, internet, computer printer, radio, CD player, and television. Children and spouses are welcome to accompany writers during their residency. However, writers are responsible for all costs (including travel) associated with their families. Please note: Berton House has a no smoking and no pets policy. For more info: http://bertonhouse.ca/retreat.html. 14
MEMBERS NEWS
Lillian Allen Sound Addictions curator Christopher Laursen interviewed Toronto‐based, Jamaican‐Canadian dub poet, writer, playwright and Professor Lillian Allen who, in October, released her latest album Anxiety. Here is the link: http://soundaddictions.com/lillian‐allen/
Amani (Anne‐Marie Woods) Amani (Anne‐Marie Woods) received the 2013 Harry Jerome Award on April 27th for Excellence in Entertainment. The Harry Jerome Awards is a national event that recognizes and honours excellence in African Canadian achievement. In addition to the Harry Jerome Awards, the Black Business & Professionals Assoc. sponsors the Harry Jerome Scholarship Fund, providing financial support to African Canadian youth pursuing higher education. On Saturday April 27th Anne‐Marie Woods received the BBPA Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in Entertainment. This year's Keynote Speaker is the one and only Dr. John Carlos. An athlete and humanitarian, Dr.Carlos ran in the Olympics with Toronto's very own Harry Jerome. Please check this link for the BBPA Press Release, list of Recipients, the Share Article and the BBPA Website and Contact Info http://www.imaniartsbiz.com/a‐big‐surprise‐announcement/
Amani performed at the Colour of Poverty Campaign ‐From Poverty to Power 2013: Racial Justice, Making Change on April 29th. The Colour of Poverty / Colour of Change Campaign presents its Second Provincial Strategic Forum with Co‐MCs Mohamed Boudjenane (Canadian Arab Federation) & Debbie Douglas (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants)...With words from: The Honourable Ted McMeekin, Minister of Community and Social Services for Ontario and George Elliott Clarke, City of Toronto Poet Laureate and a Roundtable Discussion:20 Year Reflection on the Ontario Employment Equity Act, 1993 with Moderator: Jean Carter (CBC). Panelists included: Prof. Grace‐Edward Galabuzi (Ryerson University); Amy Go (Yeehong Centre for Geriatric Care), John Rae (retired, OPSEU); Judy Rebick (former President of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women) With Spoken Word performances by Amani and Black Coffee Poet.
Amani is to present Artivate Your Mind at Graham Creighton Jr. High in CherryBrook, Nova Scotia the school assembly that uses spoken word, and storytelling to deal with anti bullying, peer pressure and other hard topics.
Amani is to perform a Signature Poem at the MAS ‐ 20th Anniversary Dare to Be Great Distinguished Speakers Panel on May 15th. This event will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of MAS providing pro bono business consulting services for the non – profit sector. Engage with thought leaders of the GTA on issues its non ‐ profit sector is involved with and interested in. Celebrate the work of its Volunteer Consultants within the non‐profit sector. With Featured Panelists: Rahul Bhardwaj – President and CEO – The Toronto Community Foundation. Debbie Douglas (Executive Director OCASI) , Violetta llkiw (Youth Advocacy/ Laidlaw Foundation) – Michael Seaton (Director Digital Marketing Canada Post, formerly Head of Digital Marketing CNIB). Che Kothari (Manifesto)Venue: Foodshare Toronto Warehouse ‐ 90 Croatia Street, Toronto, ON M6H 1K9
Rebecca Anne Banks Rebecca Anne Banks announces the publication of the Poetry EBook Confessions of a Soldier: when love is war and other insouciancies at Poet’s Corner on Tea at Tympani Lane Records. For more info: www.tympanilanerecords.com.
Stephen Bett Stephen Bett has had thirteen books of poetry published: Sound Off: a book of jazz (Thistledown Press); Re‐Positioning (Ekstasis Editions, 2011),Track This: a book of relationship (BlazeVOX Books, 15 Buffalo, N.Y., 2010),S PLIT (Ekstasis Editions, 2009), Extreme Positions (Spuyten Duyvil Books, NYC, 2009), Sass 'n Pass (Ekstasis Editions, 2008); Three Women(Ekstasis Editions, 2006); Nota Bene Poems: A Journey (Ekstasis Editions, 2005); Trader Poets (Frog Hollow Press, 2003); High‐Maintence (Ekstasis Editions, 2003); High Design Refit (Greenboathouse Books, 2002); Cruise Control (Ekstasis Editions, 1996); Lucy Kent and other poems (Longspoon Press, 1983).
Forthcoming: Penny‐Ante Poems (Ekstasis Editions, Fall, 2013)
A selected poems is forthcoming from Salmon Poetry, in Ireland: The Gross & Fine Geography: New & Selected Poems (March, 2014).
His work has also appeared in well over 100 literary journals in Canada, the U.S., England, Australia, New Zealand, and Finland, as well as in three anthologies, and on radio.
His "personal papers" have been purchased by the Simon Fraser University Library, and are archived in their "Contemporary Literature Collection."
He lives in Vancouver. For more info: www.stephenbett.com
Allan Briesmaster Thursday, May 2, 6:30‐9 pm, Vancouver Public Library, Peter Kaye Room, 350 West Georgia St. MC: Renée Saklikar. As consulting editor and partner in Quattro Books/Fourfront Editions, Allan Briesmaster will launch Jack Layton: Art in Action on May 2, to celebrate the second anniversary of the NDP as Official Federal Opposition. Presenters include Terry Ann Carter, Heidi Greco, Franci Louann, Sonnet L’Abbé, Susan McCaslin, and J Peachy. For more info., visit www.quattrobooks.ca or email [email protected].
Friday, May 3 at 7:30 I will be reading in the Planet Earth Poetry Series at The Moka House, #103‐1633 Hillside Avenue in Victoria, from my new book Against the Flight of Spring, together with fellow Quattro Books poets Robert Colman and Susan Helwig. $3 donation. planetearthpoetryvictoriabc.blogspot.ca
Saturday, May 4, 10:30am‐1:00pm, Talking Books Room, Greater Victoria Public Library, Victoria. As consulting editor and partner in Quattro Books/Fourfront Editions, Allan will launch Jack Layton: Art in Action with readings by contributors Terry Ann Carter, J Peachy, and Janet Vickers. Others who have an appropriate poem or anecdote about Jack and his influence on arts, culture and social activism are also welcome to read or speak. Contact: [email protected].
Sunday, May 5th at 2:30‐5:00 I will be reading at the Vancouver Public Library, Alma Van Dusen Room, with Robert Colman, Susan Helwig, and novelist Claudio Gaudio. Free admission.
Sunday, May 12, 2:00‐4:00 at Q Space, 382 College St., Toronto (at Borden, just east of Bathurst).Cry Uncle: An Avuncular Anthology, from my micro press, Aeolus House, will be launched. Contributors to this 64‐page book of poems about uncles include: myself, Sue Chenette, Kildare Dobbs, Richard Greene, Maureen Scott Harris, Maureen Hynes, Carla Hartsfield, R. Johnson, Mary Nyquist, John Reibetanz, Ruth Roach Pierson, Dorothy Sandler‐Glick, and Leif E. Vaage. Free admission, refreshments. All are welcome.
16 Fern G. Z. Carr Poetry Super Highway, a Los Angeles‐based website, selected a poetry prompt written by Fern G. Z. Carr for National Poetry Month in the USA. A different poet was showcased each day of the month of April. A Canadian, Carr was honoured to have been chosen as one of these thirty featured poets.
April has proved to be a busy month for Carr in terms of publication. Her poems were accepted for publication / published in Canada, the USA (Nevada, North Carolina and West Virginia) as well as Australia (she has already been published there several times), the Seychelle Islands and Romania. www.ferngzcarr.com
Terry Ann Carter In April, Terry Ann Carter gave a haiku and prayer flag making workshop at Heiwa Japanese Garden on Salt Spring as part of their Flower Festival. She also participated in Sakura Days, van Dusen Gardens, Vancouver, with haiku readings and small book demonstrations. She is the judge for this year’s Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Haiku Invitational. This international contest closes June 3rd. Visit www.vcbf.ca for more information. On May 2nd she will join Allan Briesmaster, consulting editor and partner in Quattro Books/Fourfront Editions, plus Heidi Greco, Franci Louann, Sonnet L’Abbe, Susan McCaslin, and J. Peachy, for the book launch of “Jack Layton:Art in Action” at the Vancouver Public Library. A Victoria launch will be held May 5th at the Victoria Public Library.
Penn Kemp Upcoming Launches for Jack Layton: Art in Action, edited by Penn Kemp: Thursday, May 2, 6‐9 pm. Jack Layton: Art in Action, book launch. The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. West, Toronto. Contact: Quattro Books, [email protected]. 647‐748‐7484. We are launching Jack Layton: Art in Action on May 2, to celebrate the second anniversary of the NDP as Official Federal Opposition. After party, 9 pm at Q Space, 382 College St. at Borden, where everyone can read their piece and/or talk about Jack’s influence. Sponsored by The League of Canadian Poets, Metro Readings in Public Places. Speakers, Readers, and Performers at The Rivoli: Simon Bell (slides), Laura Bird, Patricia Bradbury, Olivia Chow, John Calabro (Quattro Books), James Gordon, Penn Kemp (host), Mike Layton, Donna Lypchuk, Tanis Macdonald, Susan McMaster, Peter O'Brien, Robert Priest, Vicki Obedkoff, Judy Rebick, Larry Sagan, Jowi Taylor (slides), Jennifer White/ Robert McMaster, and Nancy White. Q Space, 9 pm: Contributors Katerina Fretwell, Ellen S. Jaffe, Daniel Kolos, Honey Novick, Lisa Richter and more. Hosted by Luciano Iacobelli for Quattro Books.
Thursday, May 2, 6:30‐9 pm. Jack Layton: Art in Action, book launch. Peter Kaye Room, Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver BC. MC: Renée Saklikar. As consulting editor and partner in Quattro Books/Fourfront Editions, Allan Briesmaster will launch Jack Layton: Art in Action on May 2, to celebrate the second anniversary of the NDP as Official Federal Opposition. Confirmed Presenters: Terry Ann Carter, Heidi Greco, Franci Louann, Sonnet LAbbé Susan McCaslin, J Peachy. Contact: Quattro Books, [email protected], 647‐748‐7484, or [email protected].
Saturday, May 4, 10:30am‐1:30pm, Talking Books Room, Greater Victoria Public Library, Victoria, BC. As consulting editor and partner in Quattro Books/Fourfront Editions, Allan Briesmaster will launch Jack Layton: Art in Action. Confirmed Presenters: Terry Ann Carter, J Peachy, Janet Vickers. Contact: Quattro Books, [email protected], 647‐748‐7484, or [email protected].
Tuesday May 7, 7:30. The launch will take place at the Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton. The Political Action Committee at Mohawk College is thrilled to be launching Jack Layton: Art in Action with contributors including Ellen Jaffe, Patricia Bradbury, Daniel Kolos, editor Penn Kemp, Monique Taylor, MPP, and musicians Nancy White, Jennifer White and Robert McMaster. Contact:
Thursday, May 23, Doors Open: 7 pm for a 730 start. 7‐9:30 pm. Jack Layton: Art in Action, book launch with contributors. MP Irene Mathyssen and Penn Kemp will co‐host. Presenters include MPP Teresa Armstrong, Quattro’s, Allan Briesmaster, contributors Gina Barber, Clark Bryan, Kathleen Dindoff, Katerina Fretwell, Andreas Gripp, Daniel Kolos, Shawn Lewis, Tanis Macdonald, John Magyar, Nancy Loucks‐McSloy, Gavin Stairs, Wendy Valhoff, Jennifer White and Robert McMaster, Joe Wilson. The Aeolian, 795 Dundas St. E., London, 519‐672‐7950, fax: 519‐675‐0614, [email protected], www.aeolianhall.ca/contact‐us. Contact: [email protected] or Quattro Books, [email protected], 647‐748‐7484. A chance to talk about Jack and his influence. http://aeolianhall.ca/events/jack‐layton‐ art‐action‐book‐launch
Wednesday, May 29, 5:30‐ 7:30 pm. Jack Layton: Art in Action, book launch with hosts MP Irene Mathyssen and editor Penn Kemp, contributors Ronnie R. Brown, Susan McMaster and many others. Brixton's Pub, 210 Sparks St Ottawa, ON K1P5T9 (613) 233‐8283. Contact: Janine, 613 995 2901, [email protected] or Quattro Books, [email protected], 647‐449‐9287.
Thursday, May 30, 4‐6:30 pm Jack Layton: Art in Action, book launch with contributors including Sandra Stevenson and editor Penn Kemp. The Greenwood Centre for Living History, 254 Main Road, Hudson, Quebec. http://www.greenwood‐centre‐hudson.org/ . Contact: Jane Havard or Audrey Wall, [email protected], Tel.:450‐458‐5396.
Please note: contributors are very welcome to present their piece on Jack in local launches. Just let me know. ([email protected])
Susan McCaslin In April 2013 Susan McCaslin had poetry and an essay published in the following anthologies, from which she read at their various launches: Alive at the Center: Contemporary Poems from the Pacific Northwest (Pacific Poetry Project, Portland, Oregon: Ooligan Press); Force Field— 77 women poets of British Columbia (Ed. Susan Musgrave, Mother Tongue Publishing); Poems from Planet Earth: an anthology from the reading series.(Ed. Yvonne Blomer & Cynthia Woodman Kerkham, Leaf Press); Jack Layton: Art in Action. Ed. Penn Kemp (Toronto: Quattro Books).
Susan’s poems appeared in Sage‐ing with Creative Spirit, Grace & Gratitude: A Journal of Arts and Ageing, Quills, Canadian Poetry Magazine (ed. Bonnie Nish and Daniela Elza), Monkscript Two: Surprising Saints (Fons Vitae), and the League of Canadian Poets’ blog site for National Poetry Month.
In late October 2012, Susan spearheaded a succession of art initiatives in Langley, BC to help save a rare and endangered rainforest, McLellan Forest East. She invited poets from all over BC, Canada, and the world to contribute tree poems, which were suspended from trees in the spirit of the ancient Chinese hermit monk Han Shan. As a result of the media attention, the Township of Langley has taken two thirds of the 25‐acre parcel off the market. Efforts continue to save the rest and ensure that the politicians carry through on their implied intention to make the area a park or reserve.
Susan spoke as a special guest about the Han Shan Poetry Project at the launch of Al‐Mutanabbi Street Starts Here Anthology, Pandora’s Collective in April. On May 2nd she reads at a launch of Jack Layton: Art in Action hosted by Quattro Books at the Vancouver Public Library. On May 3 she reads at the Vancouver launch of a special issue of Poetry Is Dead, on mental health, “Inside/Out.” On May 11 she hosts “Written in the Forest,” an exhibition in Fort Langley, BC of forest paintings by Langley visual artist Susan Falk, based on poems by the Han Shan poets. She will read some of her own Han Shan poems at the Wordstorm Series in Nanaimo hosted by David Fraser on May 28th.
18 See Susan’s article about the Han Shan Poetry Project in Common Ground (March 2013): http://commonground.ca/2013/03/art‐activism/ as well as a piece by J.S. Porter from In Retro magazine on the Han Shan Poetry Project: http://www.inretro.ca/2013/04/national‐poetrymonth‐susan‐mccaslins‐campaign‐to‐save‐the‐trees‐of‐ langley/
Rona Shaffran Rona Shaffran will launch her new poetry collection, Ignite (Signature Editions, 2013) at the Ottawa Writer's Festival, in a poetry cabaret presented in collaboration with the Plan 99 Reading Series, hosted by David O’Meara. Speaking a language we understand, Ignite tells the story of remarkable things that can happen in a broken relationship. This poetry cabaret will also feature poets David Seymour, reading from For Display Purposes Only, and Stephanie Bolster, reading from A Page from The Wonders of Life on Earth.
This free event takes place on April 28th, 5:00‐6:00 PM, at the Manx Pub, 370 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario. Event details are: http://www.writersfestival.org/events/spring‐2013/plan‐99‐poetry‐cabaret‐ with‐david‐seymour‐stephanie‐bolster‐and‐rona‐shaffran
Mary Lou Soutar‐Hynes Mary Lou Soutar‐Hynes' third collection of poetry, Dark Water Songs, (Inanna Publications, 2013) was launched on Thursday, April 18, 2013, 6:00pm‐9:00pm, at the Women's Art Association of Canada, 23 Prince Arthur Avenue (St. George Subway, Bedford Exit). Two other books were also launched that evening, And Neither Have I Wings to Fly: Labelled and Locked Up in Canada's Oldest Institution, by Thelma Wheatley, and A Glittering Chaos, a novel, by Lisa de Nikolitis. Hope to see you there.
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.
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