Events, Readings and Book Launches


FedBCW members:  If you are reading, launching a book, or holding a book signing, please tell us and we will post it here.  For a timely posting, send your notice at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled event.  Email your information (follow our standard copy format as seen below), including date, time, title, description, location, “more info” contacts, and any particulars to bcwriters@shaw.ca.  For a listing of regular slams and open mike readings, see here: http://www.bcwriters.com/reading.php 



Vancouver and Lower Mainland


August 14-18, 2008
26th ANNUAL SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS - SECHELT BC
A festival that celebrating Canadian writers.  Organizers write that in “…this year’s line-up, our chosen authors run a lengthy gamut from the bedrock stalwarts of Canadian writing to the freshest young newcomers” – some of whom include: Michael Ondaatje, William Deverell, Rex Weyler, John MacLachlan Gray, Elizabeth Hay, Chantal Hébert, Don Genova, Mary Novik, Hal Wake, and more… At the Rockwood Centre in Sechelt, BC.  All info at: http://www.writersfestival.ca/.

Monday August 19, 7 pm
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Open-mike poetry night hosted by Bonnie Nish and Sita Carboni of Pandora's Collective. At the Bump N Grind Café (916 Commercial Drive, Vancouver).  More info:  www.pandorascollective.com.

Wednesday August 20, 8 pm
WRITERS IN THE ROUND
Regular event hosted by Kate Polsky, featuring readings and music, followed by an open mike. Cover $2. At the Montmartre Café (4362 Main Street, Vancouver). 

Saturday August 23, 7 pm
MEET THE AUTHOR SUMMER SEMINAR
Discussion with Claire Mulligan, author of The Reckoning of Boston Jim.  Tix $35 (includes wine and goodies). At Christianne's Lyceum of Literature and Art (3696 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver).  More info:  lyceum@christiannehayward.com/.  

Sunday August 24 -  10 am to 12:30 pm [next one]
GRIND WRITERS MEET…
We write, we read, we give/get feedback and offer community and support. Every two weeks at the Grind Gallery Café, 4124 Main Street @ King Edward Ave (aka 25th Ave). Writers of all ages, stages, genres, genders, orientations & outlooks are welcome. We write at every meeting, so bring pen & paper or your laptop. Occasionally we do move the venue, so email before you come to your first meeting, or if you have any questions - email Margo Lamont wonderwords@shaw.ca.  

Wednesday August 27, 7 pm
MICHAEL NICOLL YAHGULANAAS
A presentation and discussion with the author of Flight of the Hummingbird. Free but reservations required. For reservations email cstudies@sfu.ca or phone 778-782-5100. At the Fletcher Challenge Theatre, SFU Harbour Centre (515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver). More info: http://www.geist.com/yahgulanaas-michael-nicoll.  

Monday September 15, 7:30 pm
SPECIAL EVENT….WITH MIRIAM TOEWS
The Vancouver International Writers Festival and Random House of Canada presents this bestselling author of A Complicated Kindness and Summer of My Amazing Luck who will read from her new book, The Flying Troutmans.  Appearing on the same bill will be Joan Barfoot, author of the Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlisted Luck and a new novel Exit Lines. At the  Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver). Tix $15/$13 plus $2 facility surcharge. Tix went on sale Aug  at VancouverTix: 604-629-VTIX (8849) or www.vancouvertix.com. More info: 604-681-6330. 

Saturday September 27, 1 to 4 pm
FRASER VALLEY AREA WRITERS MEET 'N GREET
Open to experienced writers, newbies and wannabes. Readings - book exchange - networking - refreshments - door prizes - Show 'n Tell table of participants’ recent publications. Presented by LPwordsolutions in cooperation with Surrey Public Library. $5 admission. At the Semiahmoo Library Meeting Room (1815 - 18 Avenue, Surrey). For more info or to offer to read from your recent work, and/or to request space on the Show 'N Tell table to display your recent publications. Lois Peterson:  lpwordsolutions@hotmail.com.

September 2008
CANADIAN AUTHORS’ ASSOCIATION (CAA) MEETINGS
Vancouver Chapter
Meets monthly on the second Wednesday, Sept. through June, from 7 to 9 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.). Meetings are open to the general public for a nominal fee and are held at the Alliance for Arts & Cultural Events Suite 100, 938 Howe Street Vancouver, BC.  In addition to our regular meetings, we offer one or two workshops each year, for which a fee is charged. These workshops are offered at a discount to our members.  For details, see our Meetings & Workshops on the website:  http://www.canauthorsvancouver.org/meetings.html.  


September 20, check time 
MONTHLY MEETING – ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA® - Greater Vancouver Chapter  
Speakers will be Mary Forbes and Wendy Roberts talking about collaging. This group is a network of romance writers who strive to support and encourage each other through all stages of their writing careers. Members range from beginners working on their first manuscript to published authors working on their 30th book. Monthly newsletter, sponsored writing contests, regular Writing Week Challenges; workshops and seminars to promote the craft of writing. We meet once a month to exchange news and hear guest speakers. At the regular meeting place:  Ebenezer Baptist Church (53rd and Fraser, Vancouver). More info at the website: http://www.rwagvc.com/ or email: rwagvc@hotmail.com.

Sunday September 28th – 11 am to 5 pm 
THE WORD ON THE STREET
The Word On The Street is an annual one-day festival celebrating literacy and the written arts. Held in four cities across Canada simultaneously, TWOTS celebrates reading and writing with free exhibits, performances, readings and hands-on activities every September. This fest attracts tens of thousands of visitors, and hundreds of participating exhibitors, authors, and performers for literary readings, cookbook demonstrations, music, contests, panel discussions, and much more. 

We invite you to join us and become part of Vancouver's favourite annual celebration of words and reading. At Library Square, downtown Vancouver (between Homer & Hamilton streets between Robson & Georgia). Free. For more info or to volunteer, call 604-788-8340 or email srduncan@shaw.ca. Check the website for program:  http://www.thewordonthestreet.ca/vancouver.php


October 21-26, 2008
21st ANNUAL VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WRITERS’
AND READERS’ FESTIVAL
Info at:  http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/




The Islands



Nanaimo

WORDSTORM IN NANAIMO
From its beginning WordStorm has played to packed houses with a full slate of readers--some coming from as far away as Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, Courtenay, Qualicum, Duncan, Ladysmith, Prince Rupert, Protection Island, Gabriola Island, Port Alberni and Ucluelet. It’s an ongoing reading series that focuses on all types of the spoken word -- poetry, short fiction, storytelling, improv, music, song -- with two components:  a prearranged reading series, and an excitingly competitive spoken word competition.

Reserve a ticket and ask to be an open mike reader or sign up at the door. The readings are always be a mix of genres, and the sign-up for WordStorm will be in categories - poetry and prose. You can sign up for WordStorm Open Mike in advance by email, and also between 6:30 and 7:00 at the door.  Admission is $5 at the door. At The Mermaid's Mug (357 Wesley Street, Nanaimo). More info: David Fraser at ascentaspirations@shaw.ca or Cindy Shantz at 250-722-2566 (cindyshantz@shaw.ca). Web: www.wordstorm.ca.  Ongoing.
Some future featured readers/performers:
Sept 30  - Bernice Lever, Mike Matthews
Oct.  28 - Themed Night - Halloween - Many Lightning Performers
Nov.  25 - Dinah D, Yvonne Blomer


Victoria

July 20-25
VICTORIA SCHOOL OF WRITING
See description under Press Room>Workshops, Conferences tabs.


September 2008
WORKSHOPS & MORE…
The Greater Victoria Public Library and Vancouver Island Regional Library are planning a Writer in Residence program to commence September 2008. This is a first for our library systems and with such a rich and diverse group of local authors, we hope this will be an annual event. The program will give a local author a paid opportunity to work on their material and also offer our communities the benefit of their experience and talent. The chosen author will be mentoring emerging writers including reading and commenting on manuscripts, conducting workshops and participating in other activities to share their experiences with our communities.  More info: http://www.virl.bc.ca.


September 9, 2008 
CANADIAN AUTHORS' ASSOCIATION (CAA)
Vancouver & The Islands chapter - monthly meeting
On Sept. 9th , 2008 a new season of monthly meetings begins. They are held from September through May, except December each year. Look for a new series of events beginning in September, including at least one workshop designed to hone your writing skills. Find out about CAA writers’ circles. More info on the website: http://www.canauthors.org/island/meetings.html.

Fraser Valley

Saturday September 27, 1 to 4 pm
FRASER VALLEY AREA WRITERS MEET ‘N GREET
Open to experienced writers, newbies and wannabes. Readings - book exchange - networking - refreshments - door prizes - Show 'n Tell table of participants’ recent publications. Presented by LPwordsolutions in cooperation with Surrey Public Library. $5 admission. At the Semiahmoo Library Meeting Room (1815 - 18 Avenue, Surrey). For more info or to offer to read from your recent work, and/or to request space on the Show 'N Tell table to display your recent publications. Lois Peterson:  lpwordsolutions@hotmail.com. 


Saturday November 1 – see times below
BOOK LAUNCH AND WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN
Surrey Lois Peterson, author of the children's novel Meeting Miss 405 (Orca, fall 2008) presents:
*10:30 am to 11:45 pm -  “Spinning Stories,” an interactive workshop for kids aged 7 to 12;
*12 noon to 1:15 pm  Book Launch - readings, Q&A, book sales, refreshments;
*1:30 to 4:30 pm. “The Building Blocks of Good Writing,” a workshop for adults. Workshops by voluntary donation with proceeds to Surrey Public Library's Legacy Fund (along with $1 from sale of each book sold during the day's activities - and 10% of author royalties on all other sales). At the Newton Library (13795 - 70th Ave.). Registration required for workshops: lp@loispeterson.net Book Launch - drop in , everyone welcome. www.loispeterson.net.



Central




South East

July 14-27, 2008
FERNIE WRITERS’ CONFERENCE
The workshops run from 9 am to 1 pm every day. The balance of the day is open for working on your writing, enjoying the Elk River Valley and the surrounding mountains.  The golf folks will likely golf.  The fishing folks will hit the river slashing the water for the not-so-elusive trout.  The poets will wander around waxing poetically.  Or whatever poets do when they wander the mountains.
(Map of Fernie area:   http://www.fernie.com/maps/images/mountain_playground_summer.pdf)
**Week One - Screenwriting – Mon. July 14 to Sat. July 19
The mornings will be spent in workshop and critique sessions with the afternoons spent working on new material.  One or two evenings will offer panel discussions on the film industry and aspects of the industry.  The workshop ends with a scramble randomly pairing screenwriters with film shooters.  The teams will have 24 hours to produce a short film on a directed theme.
**Week Two - Literary Sessions – Mon. July 21 to Sun. July 27
3 novel sessions, 2 short story sessions, 1 poetry session.  The Novel A and B sessions are one-week long with the group returning for a second session one year later.  The Novel C workshop is for writers just starting or planning a novel. 
More info: www.ferniewriters.org.  Phone: 250-423-6132.  Director: Keith Liggett keith@ferniewriters.org.


September 19-20-21 
5th ANNUAL KOOTENAY BOOKWEEKEND – NELSON, BC
The 5th Annual Kootenay BookWeekend will be held in Nelson, BC on September 19, 20 & 21st. Celebrity author in attendance will be Jack Hodgins, Governor General's Award winner and bestselling author, who’ll be discussing his book, Broken Ground. The other selections for this year are: To All Appearances a Lady by Marilyn Bowering, The Rug Merchant by Meg Mullens and Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje. Come & join other passionate page-turners for this stimulating event.  More info -- Website: www.kootenaybookweekend.ca. Email: kbw@kootenaybookweekend.ca.  Phone Victoria at 250-352-6197.




North