Check out
Simon Fraser University Writer's Studio's

The Writers' Studio Guide to Publishing in Literary Magazines and Entering Contests 
http://www.thewritersstudio.ca/

LP
---
Lois Peterson - www.loispeterson.net
THE BALLAD OF KNUCKLES McGRAW , Orca April 2010

Converting Memories to Memoir
Saturday, January 9
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Port Moody Library
http://www.library.portmoody.ca/Programs+and+Exhibits/Adult+Programs/Special+Interest.htm
FREE. But registration required.
604-469-4704 or 604-469-4692

Presented by the Community Arts Council of White Rock & District

Unless noted otherwise,
7:30 p.m. at the Pelican Rouge coffee house
(Central Plaza - 152 St & 16 Ave, White Rock)
FREE ADMISSION, funded by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Presetners' books available for sale

Thursday, January 28^th -  Brian Brett.
His latest book, Trauma Farm, won the Writers' Trust of Canada's Award for Best Non-Fiction Book of the Year. It was also one of the Globe and Mail's Top 100 of 2009. The book is a memoir of 18 years on Salt Spring Island, but much more than that, with Brett offering remarkable tidbits about farming, gardening, corporate agribusiness, and just plain the craziness of life. 

Thursday, February 25^th -  poet and prison-rights activist Ray Hsu

Thursday, March 25^th  - critic, essayist and poet Carmine Starnino

April –  TBA

May – no date confirmed yet -  Dave Margoshes
who writes in many genres (even mystery), will not only be reading, but will be offering a fiction workshop as well. Pre-registration will be required, as applicants need to submit work to the author in advance. He will read the pieces, and will offer comments as part of the workshop. More info to come.

Thursday, June 17^{th -} Cree writer Sky Dancer Louise B. Halfe 
 as  part of the Community Arts Council's celebration of Aboriginal Heritage Month.

Arts Council of White Rock and District http://www.whiterockartscouncil.com/

HOW TO EDIT ON A SHOESTRING 

Instructor: Tracey Ellis

 November 1, 2004 — Tracey Ellis walked into her latest gig as a magazine editor ready to start the New Year with a new issue of the magazine. She was startled to find the magazine was not only not on the press but not one word of it had been written.

Oh, and the publisher wanted it to be a “Best of the Best” issue. Her budget? $0. On November 14, the 96-page November/December issue of the luxury home magazine went to press, a bit behind schedule, but absolutely on budget.

 Within extremely tight budgets, this 10-year veteran of the publishing industry was able to use her magazine’s pages to host such notable celebrities as Jay Leno, Gene Simmons, Richard Branson, the Dalai Lama, Mike Holmes, Donald Trump, Brett “the Hitman” Hart, Olympic figure skating great Toller Cranston and golf pros Stephen Ames, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus

 In addition to celebrities, her mag included features on homes worth over $10 million, along with mega-yachts, luxury automobiles, and worldwide luxury destinations. All this and more appeared in the glossy pages of her magazines with very little or no editorial dollars spent.

How did she do it? Tracey Ellis will tell you how in an upcoming seminar on how to put together a magazine’s editorial components with very little, or even no money.

 In this day-long seminar, learn tips and tricks to get what you want, when you want it, at the price you want to pay. Learn secrets on budgeting and planning your editorial calendar as well as how to research and source unique story ideas, photos, and illustrations. In this industry, the buck stops with the editor. Learn how to get the most for your budgeted bucks this one time before Tracey leaves for new horizons in Australia in 2010.

 Tracey Ellis is a journalist, writer and editor of some of British Columbia’s most notable magazines including Dream House magazine, Homes & Living, BC Outdoors Sport Fishing, Western Sportsman and Pacific Coastal Inflight magazine among many others. 

She has written for and contributed to Powell River Living, Pacific Yachting and Cottage magazines. She is editor of Ultimate Fly Box, 50 Years of BC’s Best Flies, which spent six weeks on the B.C. Bestseller list. She wrote Vancouver Signature Interiors, an acclaimed interior design coffee table book produced by Vancouver Designer Thu Watson.

 The Powell River-born writer spent her early journalistic career as a freelancer for The Peak  newspaper and sat on the board of editors for RIM magazine in Powell River before setting her sights on Vancouver, where she attended Langara College’s certificate journalism program, graduating on the Dean’s Honour Roll. With more than a decade in the field, she is familiar with all aspects of the publishing world.

After January 6:  Member $120.00   Non-member  $180.00

Yahoo! Canada Toolbar : Search from anywhere on the web and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now!

I'd usually stay away from whatever one writer considers 'rules'.
But there's a bunch of them here offered by writers of all sorts.
Part One
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/20/ten-rules-for-writing-fiction-part-one
Part Two
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/20/10-rules-for-writing-fiction-part-two

Enjoy.

LP
---
Lois Peterson www.loispeterson.net

Forwarded on behalf of Anna Barcos...

Spend an Evening with Canadian Author Anna Barcos

Anna Barcos reads from her second novel,
Walls That Listen, Walls That Talk

Tuesday, March 9, 2010,  7 - 9 pm

Semiahmoo Library,  1815 - 152nd St. Surrey/White Rock, BC

Followed by light refreshments, conversation, and book signing.
Copies available for purchase.
Info: (604) 592-6900
Author's website: www.annabarcos.com
http.twitter.com/annabarcos

Print            Post          Forward

Many writers have a great personal story to tell, but face the challenge of finding their way into a memoir that resonates for the reader while being true to their own life.
Join published memoirist Jan Drabek on Saturday, March 27 for a half-day workshop on writing memoir.
10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. at the Guildford Library, 15105 – 105 Avenue.
$45

With a published memoirist, explore issues such as how to approach your story, where to get background material and how to determine how long your memoir should be. You'll also review various published memoirs.

Offered through Surrey Writers School.  Information and registration here .

Anatomy of a Scene Workshop with Jessica Morrell  

Want to make your writing better? I can help.

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Sunday, April 18
Times: 10-4:30
Location: Granville Avenue , Richmond , B.C. (the home of Margaret and David Stuart)
Cost: $90 Canadian
Includes beverages, participants provide their own lunch. Space is limited so please contact me soon.

"A scene is a miniature drama in which a single issue is decided in specific circumstances." Philip Gerard

Scenes are basic units of storytelling that dramatize both everyday life and key moments in fiction and nonfiction. In scenes something significant happens, it has not happened before and will not happen again. A scene—an unbroken actionŻ brings the story to a new place in the narrative, it offers something fresh and somehow stirs reader's emotions Thus scenes are a means of perception and the intimate moments in the story that create emotional involvement with the reader. Fully rendered scenes are dramatic high points and help the readers see the events, but also experience them via their senses.

But crafting compelling scenes isn't merely a trick of assembling actors onto a stage.  The best scenes and are built on character's goals meeting opposition, and often include an emotional reversal. Our discussion will define: half scenes, sequels, action scenes, transitions, and set pieces. This workshop is suitable for fiction and nonfiction writers. We'll also cover using scene cards, using setting to enhance drama, and the role of dialogue.

Participants will learn:

• Which events in the story can be summarized and which are written in scenes.
• How scenes advance at least two things in the story—the theme, the plot, a subplot, or develop or change characters.
• How a scene must be vital to the overall plot; suggests more scenes to follow; and tension and conflict in scenes is cumulative.
• How to move in and out of scenes quickly; when you need transitions and when to use cliffhangers.
• How to structure action scenes.

The fine print:

Thanks so much for reading this notice. Please feel free to forward to anyone you think might be interested. The workshop requires pre-registration and payment. Space is limited, so you're encouraged to register early. Contact Jessica at jessicpage@... or phone at 503 287-2150 or Margaret Stuart at 604 270-4515 margaretsturat@...

To reserve your place: Please send a US bank draft or money order to Margaret Stuart (address will be provided upon request) A confirmation e-mail will be sent when your check arrives as well as an e-mail several days before the workshops to clarify last-minute details.

Yahoo! Canada Toolbar : Search from anywhere on the web and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now!

SIGN UP SOON!

Only three seats left in the FREE April 17 Databases for Writers Workshop

Saturday, April 17, 10:15 - 11:30 a.m.
Electronic Classroom, Semiahmoo Library
1815 - 152 Street, South Surrey

Do you know the difference between a Google search, library websites and online databases?

These FREE resources are invaluable as research and marketing tools whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, for adults or kids.

Email me soon to register for this useful workshop.
Co-sponsored by Surrey Public Library and the Surrey Writers's School.
Email me at lp@... to sign up.

Please join me for the cowboy-themed launch of  my second kids' novel

THE BALLAD OF KNUCKLES McGRAW (Orca Book Publishers)
You can read the first chapter here http://issuu.com/orcabookpublishers/docs/knuckleschapter.

 Saturday, April 10, 1 pm. at the Newton Library, 13795 - 70th Ave.

Readings. Books sales (Vancouver Kidsbooks) and signing.
Cowboy refreshments. Bandanas for everyone.
Door prizes include a one-hour riding lesson for two.

Bring the kids. Wear your cowboy boots and spurs.

Hope to see you there.

LP

---
Lois Peterson
www.loispeterson.net

the balla

Reply with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line if you no longer wish to receive this newsletter

Surrey Writers' School - Spring newsletter
April 2010

  
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS from the SWS 
Further info. and registration http://surreywritersschool.com/coursesandregistration.aspx

Hero's Journey - Sat. May 15 10:15 - 1:15 p.m.
Semiahmoo Library, 1815 - 152 Street
Discover how this very useful storytelling framework can help you build meaningful stories.
 
Story, Art & Craft - Sat. May 15  1:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Semiahmoo Library, 1815 - 152 Street
Explore and practice four craft elements that bring your ideas for fiction and nonfiction to life on the page -
characterization, dialogue, pace, and metaphor.
While you don't have to take both workshops, each complements the other.
 
Introduction to Creative Writing  - Fall session
Fleetwood Library, 15996 - 84 Ave.
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 - Nov. 6 
 
Poetry workshop - fall session 
If you'd be interested in fall poetry workshop, please contact instructor Heidi Greco  (heidigreco@...)
with your preferred days/dates. 
Further information will be posted at the website once it's confirmed.
 
******

COMING EVENTS

Anthology Launch: WORDS Youth Literacy Project
Tuesday, April 20, 7 - 8:30
White Rock Community Centre, Hall A
A join project by Alexandra Neighbourhood House and the Surrey Writers' School
Meet the authors and artists - many of whom are publishing creative writing in English for the first time.
Readings ~ Free copies of the anthology for everyone who attends ~ Refreshments.

White Rock Open Mike
Thuesday, April 15 Pelican Rouge Coffee House Central Plaza, SW corner of 152nd St and 16th Ave.
Sign-up from 7 pm to 7:25; the reading starts at 7:30 - five-minutes each
FREE. Sponsored by the Community Arts Council of White Rock and Surrey.

Short Course: Writing about the natural world
2 Saturdays, May 1–8, 11am–4pm, Simon Fraser University - Harbour Centre
Fee $230 / WRIT 671
See website for long course description and for details on registering
http://www.sfu.ca/wpp/twnwr.htm

Fiction workshop with Dave Margoshes
Saturday, May 29th, White Rock. Location tba.
Presented by the Community Arts Council of White Rock and Surrey
Register by May 11th in ordert to submit work for discussion.
$45 for members of the Community Arts Council and students; $50 for non-members.
Details: www.whiteartscouncil.com or phone 604-536-8333. 

Canadian Authors' Assc. CanWrite! Conference
June 24 - 27, Harbour Towers Hotel, Victoria
Wrokshops, Keynote by Patrick Taylor (Irish County Doctor), blue pencil cafe, etc.
Lois Peterson presents a memoir workshop.
Complete program + registration details http://www.canauthors.org/conference.html

Other
Thanks to everyone who attended last Saturday's launch of THE BALLAD OF KNUCKLES McGRAW.
Photos - and recipes as requested - are now posted here: http://lpwords.blogspot.com/

Send YOUR NEWS ~ Upcoming events/readings/publication news, etc. 
to lp@... 

--
Lois Peterson, Surrey Writers' School
Just Imagine...
www.surreywritersschool.com

THE WRITER'S STUDIO CELEBRATES 10 YEARS Three winning manuscripts to be
published in 2011  VANCOUVER, Mar 15, 2010 – The Writer's Studio at Simon Fraser
Universityis celebrating its tenth anniversary. The Writer's Studio is an
awardwinning, non-credit certificate program in creative writing that
teachesstudents writing, editing and critical thinking skills while
emphasizinggroup learning and the importance of building a strong
writingcommunity. The Writer's Studio writers who have recently published,
orwill in 2010 publish their books are: Rhonda Waterfall, Arleen Pare,Michelle
Elrick, Sara Leavitt, Gurjinder Basran. Several of these areaward-winning books.
The Writer's Studio recognizes however, that formost writers, getting published
for the first time has becomeincreasingly difficult. For this reason, the
Writer's Studio willcelebrate its tenth anniversary by sponsoring a national
literarycompetition- the 1st Book Competition.  The 1st Book Competition is a
national competition that is looking fororiginal, book-length manuscripts
written in English by emergingCanadian writers who haven't previously published
a book. The winningmanuscript in each of the three categories of fiction,
creativenonfiction and poetry, will be published by Vancouver's Anvil Press
in2011.  "It's a first in Canada," says Director of The Writer's Studio
andauthor, Betsy Warland. "And due to changes in publishing and theeconomy, 1st
Book is a dynamic response to the fact that emergingwriters from across the
country find publishing more and moredifficult," she adds. "It's also a great
fit for The Studio and Anvil'sgoals of supporting talented emerging writers with
their entry into theliterary community."  Anvil Press publisher Brian Kaufman
agrees. "This is a fantasticopportunity for both emerging writers and for us:
the 1st BookCompetition will allow three writers with great manuscripts to
bypassthe slush pile and move to the front of the queue. It's what thebusiness
types like to call a win-win situation."  The 1st Book Competition deadline for
entries is May 31, 2010.Submissions will be judged anonymously and on merit
alone. Contestjudges are Mark Anthony Jarman, fiction; Karen Connelly,
creativenonfiction; Gregory Scofield, poetry. For further contest details
andguidelines or to download an entry form,
visit:http://www.thewritersstudio.ca/news/1st-book-competition/  The Writer's
Studio is a one-year, continuing studies creative writingcertificate program at
Simon Fraser University. For more informationvisit: www.thewritersstudio.ca