Alberta Literary Awards Submissions Now Open

The Writers' Guild of Alberta is preparing to celebrate another successful year with the 2015 Alberta Literary Awards.  Writers from across Alberta and their publishers are invited to check out and submit to this year’s award categories. The deadline for submissions to the Alberta Literary Awards is December 31, 2014.

Click Here to Check Out This Year's Guidelines!

Submissions are evaluated on originality, creativity, and quality of writing, as well as appropriate fit within a category.  The winners will be announced at the 2015 Alberta Literary Awards Gala in Edmonton in the spring. The awards presentation will take place in conjunction with the 2015 Words in 3 Dimensions Conference (www.wordsin3d.com)

Want to be the first to receive the latest news on submission guidelines, shortlists and winners? Click to join our Awards Mailing List


Awards Background

The Alberta Literary Awards were created by the Writers' Guild of Alberta in 1982 to recognize excellence in writing by Alberta authors. Entries are judged by an independent jury recruited by the WGA. Submissions are evaluated on originality, creativity, and quality of writing, as well as appropriate fit within a category.

Prizes of $1500 are awarded in the following categories:

• R. Ross Annett Award for Children's Literature (picture books)
• Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction
• Wilfrid Eggleston Award for Non-Fiction
• Gwen Pharis Ringwood Award for Drama (plays published or produced)
• Stephan G. Stephansson Award for Poetry 
• Prizes of $700 are awarded in the following categories:
• James H. Gray Award for Short Nonfiction (published pieces)
• Howard O'Hagan Award for Short Story (published only)
• Jon Whyte Memorial Essay Prize (unpublished pieces)
•  The WGA is also administering the following awards for 2015:
• The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize ($5000 prize)
• The Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize ($10,000 prize) 

Deadline: December 31, 2014


Click Here for the 2015 application form, submission guidelines, and entry information

Open Season Awards- Deadline Nov. 1, 2014

The Malahat Review, Canada’s premier literary magazine, invites entries from Canadian, American, and overseas authors for our annual Open Season Awards. An exciting spring showcase of literary excellence, Open Season bestows a prize of $1,000 in each of three marquee categories: poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction.

Entries may be sent by regular mail or email. When submitting by email, please ensure you include a cover letter with relevant contact details (more below under Enter by Email); do not simply put this information in the body of the email. We also ask that no personal or contact information is written anywhere on the poems themselves!

Pay only $15 for each additional entry after the first.

The deadline for the 2015 Open Season Awards is November 1, 2014.

To learn more about the Open Season Awards and the guidelines & requirements, please visit http://web.uvic.ca/malahat/contests/open_season/info.html

Call for Submissions for NorthWord Magazine- Deadline March 30th

Do you want your art or poetry to be in the upcoming issue of Northword? Well, you better hurry because the deadline is this Sunday, March 30th!

The theme of Issue #11 is "superstitions". Are you superstitious? What do your superstitions mean to you? 
What if you're not superstitious? Then write about that. 

E-mail editors northword@hushmail.com to submit your work. 

CBC Literary Prizes 2013 - Poetry Deadline May 1

Visit the CBC Literary Prizes website to submit a text. 

The CBC Literary Prizes have existed since 1979. In 2001, the award was given new energy and higher profile, with the addition of enRoute magazine to the existing partnership between CBC / Radio Canada and Canada Council for the Arts. These awards give writers high visibility with Canadian readers from coast to coast. The competition is “blind”, meaning that the jury members do not know the writers’ names until after the adjudication process is complete. 

Two awards are given in Canada’s two official languages per year in each of three categories: Short Story, Creative Nonfiction, and Poetry. The First Prize is $6,000 and the Second Prize is $4,000. The long list of winners represents a Who’s Who of Canadian writers over the past two decades. 

Canada Council provides the funding for the prizes; CBC/SRC broadcasts the announcement of the winners as well as readings of excerpts of the winning works; and enRoute publishes the winning texts in a number of issues. 

Deadline:

Poetry Prize: 1 May 

Information about the Poetry Prize is located HERE. 

Information in this post was retrieved from: http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/Prizes/xj129447826889091872.htm

Big Spirit Magazine

Big Spirit Magazine is a community-based publication produced by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo that is dedicated to showcasing the unique spirit of Wood Buffalo.

It features stories about residents' achievements, local campaigns, past and upcoming events as well as recent community developments. It is produced biannually and distributed to every home in the region.


To view past issues, visit: www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/bigspirit

The ‘GILLER Slim’ Twitter Contest:

4 chances to win a signed set of the Giller shortlisted books

Though a winner has been chosen, the prizes haven’t stopped here at the Giller. We invite you to submit a ‘slim’ sample of your own writing for a chance to win an autographed set of the 2012 shortlisted books.

Tell us a story in one paragraph (50 words or less). Entries must include all of the words in the five shortlisted titles:

inside / the / imposter / bride / 419 / whirl / away / rue (instead of title, Ru)

Feel free to play with the words, as writers do.

The competition opens Monday, November 19. We’ll choose our favourite entry each week for the next month – that’s four chances to win a set of five amazing books signed by the authors! The winning (& most choice) entries will be posted on our Facebook page. Give it a go! We can’t wait to read your submissions.

To enter:

Email your entry to michellek@raisingreaders.ca with #GILLERslim in the subject line

For more information, please visit: http://www.scotiabankgillerprize.ca/

(information in this entry was retrieved from http://www.scotiabankgillerprize.ca/news/details/?id=109)

RMWB Programs presents Writers Block

Writers Block - Every Wednesday at 6:00pm

Location: Haxton Centre / Borealis Park

Join RMWB Programs in support of the Justin Slade Youth Foundation every Wednesday for a writer’s workshop. This is open to everyone from amateur to experienced writers. Writers block is a great place to meet other writers, improve your craft, and get feedback to improve your pieces. Open to all types of writing, from prose to poetry, and fiction to non-fiction, even song lyrics!

Look forward to guest speakers!!

August 15 Kevin Thornton. Killing fiction -Crime, Mystery, Suspense and Thriller writers.

August 22 Brea Burton, Poetry

August 29 Russell Thomas, Blogging

For more information on Writers Block and other RMWB programs and events call RMWB Programs at 780-799-1144 or e-mail us at programs@woodbuffalo.ab.ca 

Fiction award contest for emerging Canadian writers

The New Quarterly (TNQ) is a magazine of Canadian fiction, poetry, and conversation, primarily about the writer’s craft.  Their mandate is to nurture emerging writers by publishing and promoting their work alongside that of well-established writers.  TNQ offers a lively mix of fiction, poetry, author interviews, writing techniques and more. 

Currently, TNQ is accepting submissions for the Peter Hinchcliffe Fiction Award.  Sponsored by the St. Jerome’s University English Dept, this award will offer $1000 to the winning story.

This contest is named in honour of Peter Hinchcliffe, who was instrumental in the founding of the magazine and has made an impact in the lives of many students in his longstanding role as lecturer at St. Jerome’s University. 

The $1000 top prize will be awarded for a work of short fiction by a Canadian (citizen or resident) writer who has not yet published a first novel or short story collection.  Though there is only one top prize, all submissions will be considered for paid publication ($250) in the magazine. All submissions will be judged blind.

Entry fee: $40 per submission. Each submission includes a one-year Canadian subscription (or subscription extension) to The New Quarterly

Eligiblity: Submissions must be previously unpublished. Entrants must be Canadian or currently residing in Canada. Writers must be in the early stages. We define a writer in the early stages as someone who has not yet published a first story collection or novel.

There is no word limit. Entrant’s anonymity will be carefully preserved throughout the judging process; please ensure that your name does not appear on your document. Decisions will be made by August 31; finalists will be notified by email.

Deadline: May 28, 2012

For more information or to receive an entry form, please visit www.tnq.ca 

TNQ writers have been nominated for Giller prizes, Governor General’s Awards, Griffin Poetry Prizes, Writer’s Trust Notable Author awards, Commonwealth prizes, National Magazine awards and more.  

More Than Oil-History book of Fort McMurray

Long term resident, Frances K. Jean, recently published a history book of Fort McMurray entitled More Than Oil - Trappers, Traders and Settlers of Northern Alberta.  


Frances moved to Fort McMurray in 1967 and raised her family here.  She's been a supporter of endless community based initiatives and events and has a strong passion for the Region's history.  This passion is well represented in her book as the tone of all her stories and writings are very touching and personal. 


Frances dedicates her book to the memory of her husband, Bernard Charles Philip Jean, who told her she could do anything if she really wanted to.  
More Than Oil is a series of short stories that highlight local people, events, happenings and all other possible topics relating to Fort McMurray.  Frances provides detailed information about many colourful and interesting characters and recalls memories of when her family moved here in the 60's.  


This book is a wonderful read for any interested person hoping to grasp the depth of community and history that is here.  It is a book of wealthy knowledge that I am pleased Mrs. Jean took the time to write.  


More Than Oil is for sale at Heritage Park's gift shop.   
1 Tolen Drive Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1G4(780) 791-7575

Words in Motion Launch

At the Fort McMurray Public Library, April 2

In partnership with the Fort McMurray Public Library and the Fort McMurray Public and Catholic School boards, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is pleased to launch Words in Motion. This pilot program celebrates National Poetry Month during April by promoting literacy in our region.  New and existing writers, armature and professional of all ages, submitted poetry for a chance to have their poems transferred onto bus panels and placed inside public transit for the month of April.  Local schools and the public got involved and a total of 50 panels were created. 

The Launch for Words in Motion takes place at the Fort McMurray Public Library on April 2, at 6:30pm.  The Mayor will be giving a speech, followed by two readings of poems by their authors.  A WOOSH bus, showcasing poetry panels, will be parked outside the Suncor Community Leisure Centre for all to view.  Snacks and refreshments will be available. We invite you to attend the launch of Words in Motion to support our local poets and celebrate National Poetry Month.

2012 Alberta Literary Awards Submissions Closing Soon

The WGA is now accepting submissions for the 2012 Alberta Literary Competitions!

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Alberta Literary Awards were created by the Writers Guild of Alberta in 1982 to recognize excellence in writing by Alberta authors.  Entries are judged by an independent jury recruited by the WGA.  Submissions are evaluated on originality, creativity, and quality of writing, as well as appropriate fit within a category.

Prizes of $1500 are awarded in the following categories: (Books published in 2011)

• R. Ross Annett Award for Children's Literature (alternates yearly between picture and chapter books)
• Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction
• Wilfred Eggleston Award for Non-Fiction
• Gwen Pharis Ringwood Award for Drama (published or produced)
• Stephan G. Stephansson Award for Poetry

Prizes of $700 are awarded in the following categories:

• Amber Bowerman Memorial Travel Writing Award (unpublished pieces)
• James H. Gray Award for Short Nonfiction (published or unpublished pieces)
• Howard O'Hagan Award for Short Story (published pieces)
• Jon Whyte Memorial Essay Prize (published or unpublished essays)

The WGA is also administering the following awards for 2012:

• The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize ($5000 prize)
• The Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize ($10,000 prize)

Click Here for more information and for submission guidelines

The Culture Network

The next Culture Network meeting takes place in December:

Thursday December 1, 2011
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Keyano College, Room AC 139
(Rehearsal Hall located near the loading dock in the Arts Centre)


What is the Culture Network?
A network that recognizes, promotes and supports Arts and Culture issues in Wood Buffalo.

Who participates in the Culture Network?
Any groups or individuals engaging in arts and/or cultural endeavors within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo shall be eligible to join the Culture Network meetings.

When does the Culture Network meet?
Meetings are held on a monthly basis; on the first Thursday of each month.

The meetings will be scheduled during regular work hours (2:00pm) and during the evening (at 6:00pm) on a rotating basis to accommodate all members.

For example:

December 2011 – Thursday December 1, 2011 at 6:00pm
January 2012 – Thursday January 5, 2011 at 2:00pm
February 2012 – Thursday February 3, 2011 at 6:00pm

How can you participate in the Culture Network?
The best way to participate in the network is to attend the meetings.

During the meetings, you can bring up ideas and share your thoughts about what is happening in the cultural community within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

You will meet other individuals and groups who are engaging in arts and/or cultural endeavors in our region. As a group, the Culture Network can brainstorm solutions, collaborate on projects, and promote programs and events.

You can learn about groups who have access to resources that you may be interested in. Conversely, you may be able to share information about resources that you know about.

Finally, you can also invite others to participate in the meetings. The larger the Culture Network is, the greater the capacity each member has for networking and sharing cultural knowledge throughout our region.

Fort McMurray Public Library to hold book release party

Long awaited 6th book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series: Cabin Fever

Save the date! Friday, November 25 at 3:30 will be the Fort McMurray Public Library's official celebration of the latest in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The highly anticipated 6th book in the series Cabin Fever will be available to check out from the library on November 15. “The library has ten copies on order – all ten copies will be available to check out by readers on the 15th.

To ensure you get a copy, you can place a hold on the book now by completing the request online or by calling library staff at 780-743-7804.” says marketing manager Carolyn Murray.

Children‟s Librarian Jennifer Mason is now preparing for the library‟s book release party which will be free to attend. There will be games and take home activities and everyone in attendance will have the opportunity to win a brand new copy of the book.

The celebration will take place in the Program Room, just off Syncrude Corner on the main floor of the library.

Media Contact:
Carolyn Murray
Marketing Manager, Fort McMurray Public Library
780-792-5155


PRESS RELEASE: Major Diary of a Wimpy Kid 6 Announcement!


NOVEMBER 15, 2011 . . . Hold on Tight, this Winter has Bite


FIRST PRINTING OF MORE THAN 6 MILLION COPIES OF DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: CABIN FEVER, BOOK 6 IN THE #1 BESTSELLING SERIES BY JEFF KINNEY, FROM AMULET BOOKS NATIONAL LAYDOWN IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011 SUMMER "SNOWBALL" EVENTS WILL THRILL AND CHILL FANS


New York, NY, June 16, 2011—Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS, revealed today in a major press announcement the title, first-printing quantity, and cover of the sixth Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. CABIN FEVER will have the largest first printing of any title in the series to date, with more than 6 million copies, making it the largest print publishing release of 2011 when it goes on sale Tuesday, November 15. The cover color is ice blue, which complements the red, blue, green, yellow, and purple of the first five #1 bestselling books. Cabin Fever follows the sales and publicity momentum of the March 2011 release of the #1 bestsellerthe Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book, a journal filled with interactive pages and space for readers to record their own stories. In Cabin Fever, the Heffley family is stuck indoors during a blizzard. But will they weather the storm? "A very tough New England winter inspired me to snow the Heffley family in for the holidays," said Jeff Kinney. "'Cabin fever' refers to the claustrophobia Greg feels, as well as the broader theme of the book. . . that you're trapped by the identity you create for yourself."


Six summer "snowball" events will be announced in July. Featuring the oversized Wimpy Kid Snow Globe that premiered at BookExpo in New York in May, and much more, the events will thrill fans with treats and special book previews. The wide reach of the release of the title will continue in August as kits with branded materials are mailed to booksellers and librarians to help build awareness and excitement.


"This is clearly the most anticipated book of 2011, with the largest initial print run," said Michael Jacobs, President and CEO of Abrams. Jeff Kinney's millions of fans are eager with anticipation, and the release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever will be an elating experience for them. We're thrilled to bring millions of kids—and their parents, caregivers, librarians, teachers, and friends—the book this fall, and believe that our laydown of Cabin Fever will help make this holiday season a great one for booksellers. Our pre-sales and marketing campaign over the next few months will help build that excitement and anticipation for our laydown of Jeff's next number-one bestseller."


Books in the core Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney include Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007), Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2008), Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (2009), Diary of a


Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2009), and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth (2010). Jeff Kinney has also written and illustrated The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book and The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary. The series is a fixture on the USA Today bestseller list (the first book in the series has remained in the top 150 for more than 200 weeks) and the Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. It has also remained consistently in the top spots on the New York Times lists since publication of the first book in the series.


More than 50 million Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are in print in the United States and Canada. The books have been sold in more than 36 countries in 35 languages around the world. Published by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS, Kinney's work has been widely praised for its ability to turn reluctant readers onto books. Jeff Kinney was named one of TIME magazine's most influential people in the world. The first movie based on the books, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, grossed more than $75 million worldwide in box office sales, and the second movie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, was the #1 movie at the box office in its opening weekend in theaters. The book series won Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in 2010 and 2011, and Jeff Kinney was nominated for a Children's Choice Book Award in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Books in the series have won numerous awards voted on by students and teachers in schools around the globe. In March 2011, the first-ever Wimpy Kid Island, Wimpy Wonderland, debuted on www.poptropica.com.


# # #


For more information, interviews, or images, please contact:


Jason M. Wells Executive Director, Publicity and Marketing Abrams Books for Young Readers/Amulet Books 115 West 18th Street New York, NY 10011 office: 212-229-8826 mobile: 646-456-5446 fax: 212-366-0809 jwells@abramsbooks.com  http://www.abramsbooks.com/

Alberta Playwrights' Network- Edmonton Playwrights' Circle

The APN Edmonton Playwrights Circle is back and Conni Massing will once again be leading a small and mighty bunch onto the next level with their pieces of theatre. This season we are doing just one circle starting in the New Year, dates being February 27- April 23 at Workshop West Theatre, and our final readings on April 30 at the TransAlta Arts Barns.

The maximum number of participants is 8, the price for 8 weeks is $240.00 (Non-members pay $295 which includes the 1 year membership fee). Please bring to the circle and early draft or one-act of a play that you are working on.

If you are interested in signing up for this circle, please contact Tracy Carroll, APN Edmonton Liaison at tracy@albertaplaywrights.com.

Deadline Extension: NorthWord Magazine

The deadline to submit works for the upcoming edition of NorthWord magazine has been extended to May 15, 2011.

The local publication is seeking short stories or excerpts from current projects, fiction or non-fiction (3000 words maximum), verse of no more than 50 lines, along with anything surprising, original, evocative, or inventive - the theme for all submission is 'light'.

Submission address is northword@hushmail.com