fThis page is updated by Alison Gair, our Web Editor. If you have an item for listing, please send it to bcwritersfed@gmail.com with "EVENTS" in the subject line. Please use the format you see on the items below.
Central | Fraser Valley | Islands |
Lower Mainland & Sunshine Coast | North | Out-Of-Province
EVENTS, READINGS & BOOK LAUNCHES
Federation 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 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled event. Please follow our standard format, as displayed below, starting with the day, date, and time; event title; description with location, "more info" contacts, and any particulars. Email your item to bcwriters@shaw.ca. For a listing of regular slams and open mike readings, see Reading Series tab - www.bcwriters.com/reading.php.
Central September 10 - 12
KOOTENAY LAKE WRITING RETREAT & WRITING WORKSHOP
Start and end the day with Zen Writing Practice and attend two morning workshops with Luanne Armstrong. Afternoons will be free for beach time, hiking, canoeing, reading, etc. Wireless, canoe rentals, kayak rentals - all are available at this private beach. Tenting spaces with picnic tables are available for participants, as are small trailers or beds in the main house. The Armstrong farm is a working heritage organic family farm that has been in existence for 80 years. Cost: $210 (includes land fee, food, and instructor fees). By combining Zen practice with writing, reach deep into your creative mind and write from the source. Info: 250-223-8203, 250-428-3390. November 20, 9 am - 5 pm
2010 AUTHORS & ARTISTS CHRISTMAS FAIRE
Admission is free to the public for this market, designed for authors and other artists to sell their work; authors are invited to register to sell their books (register before June 15th, $50 fee, register later, $60). More info: David Korinetz (dave@redtuquebooks.ca, 778-476-5750). Location: Penticton Lakeside Resort, 21 Lakeshore Drive W, Penticton. TOP Fraser Valley
Please send in your events items.
TOP Islands September 16, 7 - 9:30 pm
MALAHAT REVIEW SUMMER ISSUE LAUNCH
Website: http://www.malahatreview.ca/friends/summer2010/launch.html
Enjoy readings by local authors Maleea Acker (poetry), Kyeren Regehr (poetry), Stephen Reid (creative non-fiction), and Bill Stenson (2010 Novella prize winner). Admission is free. Location: UVic Fine Arts building, Room FIA 103 & lobby, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria.
Islands Region- regular monthly meetings & ongoing events Nanaimo
Third Monday of every month, 7 pm
NANAIMO SCREENWRITERS' GATHERING
The Nanaimo Screenwriters' Gathering (NSG) is a group devoted to writers for film and TV, to discuss screenwriting and share scripts for feedback. No membership fees. Meeting location: Starbucks in Chapters, across from Woodgrove Centre. Comox
Last Tuesday of the Month, 7 pm
WRITING SUPPORT DROP-IN
The Comox Valley Arts Council is offering a Writing Support Drop-In. The group is meeting at the Muir Gallery (440 Anderton Ave.) the last Tuesday of every month. Writers and poets, beginners, intermediate and accomplished shall exchange information, share the tricks of the trade, discuss, read and write. More info: Krista @ 250-338-0536.
Gabriola
Sundays (ongoing), 2 to 4 pm
"JUST WRITE" -- DROP-IN WRITING SESSIONS
Based on a life-drawing approach, where the model may be a poem, a photo, a view from the window, designed to generate a flow of images from fresh perspectives.$15 a session, or 5 for $60 (use for any session through April). Facilitated by Patricia Ludwick - playwright, poet, editor and writing coach, who has taught in the creative writing departments at VIU and UBC, as well as having conducting workshops across Canada (for professional artists and at the community level). For a complete bibliography, phone 250-247-8990 or see her website: http://mypage.uniserve.com/~writershaven. Nanaimo
First Thursday each month, 7 - 8 pm
MONTHLY POETRY SERIES
Greg Skala is establishing monthly poetry reading sessions at the Wellington Branch Library, 3032 Barons Road, Nanaimo. If you or someone you know is interested in reading either their own poems or favorite poems by others, contact the library at 250-758-5544. Qualicum Beach
First Friday of the month, doors 7 pm
ACOUSTIC CAFÉ
The QB Acoustic Café is committed to the sharing of community, acoustic music from all genres, poetry, story-telling, and more... At the QB Acoustic Café Rotary House on the corner of Fern Road and Beach Road (211 West Fern, Qualicum Beach). Next Evening Qualicum's Acoustic Cafe, with music, poetry, story telling and song is on the first Friday of the month with doors open 7:00; Open Stage 7:30-8:45; Intermission 8.45 -9; Feature act 9.00-10. Admisson $5 at the door. Please arrive early if you want to sign up for the open stage. More info or to sign up: call Joyce at 250 752-1162. Nanaimo
Second & Fourth Friday of each month
WHIMSICAL SCRIBES
Eclectic writing and lively, inspiring discussions. Anyone welcome to listen or share their own pieces with the group. Call 250-585-3348 for more information and meeting location. CANADIAN AUTHORS' ASSOCIATION (CAA)
Vancouver & The Islands chapter - monthly meeting
Meetings are held held from September through May, except December, each year. Find out about CAA writers' circles. More info on the website: http://www.canauthors.org/island/meetings.html. ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA (RWA) Victoria/Nanaimo - monthly meeting VIC-RWA is a group of writers focused on romance novels, or novels with romantic elements. Members range from beginners to published authors in sub-genres such as paranormal, historical, romantic suspense, inspirational, and young adult. Monthly meetings alternate between Victoria and Nanaimo and often include a seminar, workshop, or guest speaker. More info: http://www.vicrwa.ca. TOP
Lower Mainland & Sunshine Coast
September 9, 7 - 9:30 pm
THE WRITERS' STUDIO READING SERIES SEASON LAUNCH
Website: http://www.thewritersstudio.ca
Both established and beginner writers are welcome at this space for writers to share their work. TWS writers and established authors Shaena Lambert, Brian Payton, and Jen Currin will start the night off with readings from their selected works. Special guest appearance by Kathy Page. Location: Rhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway, Vancouver. September 24 - 26
WRITERS' RETREAT: DEER LAKE
Retreat space offered for six writers to get away from it all and get creative. Cost: $300 per person includes 2 nights accomodation (2 rooms with single beds and one room with a double), breakfast and lunch, kayaking vouchers, and tickets to a live performance at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Reserve by September 17th - call 604-298-7322 or email info@burnabyartscouncil.org. Saturday, September 25, 1 pm
BOOK LAUNCH: DAVID GLENN
The Burnaby Arts Council will host a launch of The Queen's Sword and The Queen's Jewels at the Deer Lake Gallery, 6584 Deer Lake Avenue in Burnaby. David will be reading from the novels and talking about how he brought his characters, both historical and invented, to life. Sunday, September 26, 11 am - 5 pm
THE WORD ON THE STREET NATIONAL BOOK & MAGAZINE FESTIVAL
Website: http://www.thewordonthestreet.ca/wots/vancouver
This festival promotes reading and literacy throughout the community, and includes a significant Exhibitor Marketplace. Registration for the Marketplace at their "regular rate" ends on May 30, although registration is still possible until June 30 at a higher rate. Save money by registering before May 30. Vancouver Region- regular monthly meetings & ongoing events BOOKCLUBS: PRESCHOOL - GRADE 12
Website: http://www.christiannehayward.com/qs/page/8364/8122/-1
These bookclubs help familes interact around quality literature, promoting the sharing of values, effective communication around challenging subjects, and a love of literature. A different book club is offered for each grade, for parents and children to join together. Location: Christianne's Lyceum of Literature and Art, 3696 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver. Mondays (ongoing), 8 pm
Vancouver Poetry Slam
Website: http://vancouverpoetryhouse.com/vanslam/
A poetry slam competition with frequent guest performers, the Vancouver Poetry Slam has been wowing audiences since 1996. 1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays: Open Slam; 2nd Monday: Alternative Slam; 4th Monday: Youth Slam (ages 13 - 22). Tickets are generally $5. Location: Cafe Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial), Vancouver. Second Tuesday of every month, 7 - 9 pm
WORD WHIPS - THE NORTH SHORE EDITION
Take a writing challenge! Pandora's Collective provides the prompts, time to write, and the opportunity for sharing. See what you can whip up! Hosted by Fran Bourassa and Suzy Malcolm. Location: Starbucks in Indigo Books, 1025 Marine Drive, North Vancouver. First and Third Wednesday of every month, 8 - 12 pm
THE SPILLIOUS SPEAK AND SING
This event is open to musicians and spoken word performers, poets and storytellers, and anyone who wants to take the mic. Contact: Trevor Spilchen (trevorspilchen@yahoo.co.uk). Location: The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street @ 29th Avenue, Vancouver. First Thursday of every month, 7-9 pm
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Website: http://www.pandorascollective.com/
All poets are welcome! Come out and bring your best, favorite, newest, oldest poems, and share in an evening of literary surprises Upcoming: September 3rd: Marnie Norwich and Mike Peacock. Location: Cambie Bakery and Cafe, 312 Cambie Street, Vancouver. Third Thursday of every month, 7 pm
POETRY AROUND THE WORLD
Poetry Around The World invites poets, writers, and artists to promote their cultural values through music, poetry, spoken word, and art in a pleasant and friendly ambiance. Admission is free. Info: luciag_esl@yahoo.com. Location: Chapters at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. Every Thursday, 7:15 pm
THE COLD READING SERIES
Website: http://www.evolvingartscollective.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69&Itemid=61
Every Thursday throughout the summer and early fall, writers, actors, directors, producers, and audience members come together for an exciting evening of brand new work. Details on how to submit scripts for this event available on website. Location: Billy Bishop Legion, 1407 Laburnum Street, Vancouver. First Saturday of every month, 7 - 10 pm
THE EASTSIDE WRITERS
Feature performances with open-mic event to follow. Location: 20 West Hastings (Main & Hastings), Vancouver. TOP North
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Southeast Please send in your events items. TOP
OUT-OF-PROVINCE EVENTS
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