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NEWS FROM THE LCP

Office News
Lesley Fletcher, our wonderful Administrative and Communications Coordinator, will leave her position here at the League office to pursue a new position at the Retail Council of Canada. We'd like to thank Lesley for all her hard work and the many contributions she has made to the League. We wish her much success as she starts this new phase of her career!

National Poetry Month Celebrates the Success of the Mayor’s Poetry City Challenge in 2014
Building on the success of the Mayor’s Poetry City Challenge, the theme for the National Poetry Month events is Poetry City. In 2013 Regina Mayor Michael Fougere challenged his fellow mayors in communities across Canada to have a local poet read a poem at the opening of their Council meetings in March or April. The challenge is a celebration of UNESCO’s World Poetry Day (March 21) and National Poetry Month in April. The purpose is to celebrate poetry, writing, small presses and the contribution of poets and all writers to the cultural life in our communities. It also celebrates libraries, and the work of so many mayors and municipalities to promote literacy and reading. This project is a collaboration between the Saskatchewan Writers Guild and the League of Canadian Poets in cooperation with the City of Regina. The LCP asks poets and hosts to create events across the country, in their local urban communities, incorporating the Poetry City theme. For the National Poetry Month 2014 application click here: http://poets.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/npmappl2014.pdf

Spoken Word Award Call for Nominations
Deadline: January 15, 2014
The League of Canadian Poets and Calgary Spoken Word Festival are thrilled to present the 8th annual Sheri-D Wilson Golden Beret Award.

The recipient will be announced in April as part of National Poetry Month and the Calgary Spoken Word Festival! The award will be presented at the League of Canadian Poets’ annual LCP Poetry Festival and Conference in June. The recipient will receive a prize of $1000.

This $1000.00 annual award was created by Sheri-D Wilson—a pioneer of spoken word poetry in Canada—to honour a Canadian spoken word artist who has made a substantial contribution to the development of spoken word, through the originality and excellence of his or her own writing/performance works, and through involvement in—and contributions to—the expansion of the spoken word community. The Golden Beret Award was first presented at the Calgary Spoken Word Festival in 2007.

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY! Submit a One Page Letter by snail-mail to The League of Canadian Poets, Attn: Golden Beret Award, 192 Spadina Ave., Suite 312, Toronto, ON M5T 2C2 or email [email protected], Subject: Golden Beret Award by January 15, 2014.
The selection committee will evaluate candidates based on the following qualities:
Originality of creative process,
Mastery of the genre,
Innovation and quality of writing,
Use of new technologies,
Contribution to community,
Openness and Inclusiveness of diverse voices.
This year’s jury is: Tanya Evanson, Ian Ferrier & Sheri-D Wilson.

Previous Recipients:
2013 - Tanya Evanson (Vancouver, BC)
2012 - Kirk Miles (Calgary, AB)
2011 - Ian Ferrier (Montréal, QC)
2010 - Wendy Morton (Victoria,BC)
2009 - Lillian Allen (Toronto, ON)
2008 - Sarah Murphy (Calgary, AB)
2007 - Murdoch Burnett (Comox, BC)

For more information visit www.poets.ca or call 416-504-1657.

Deadline: January 15, 2014 for the Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Canadian Youth
There are two age categories, junior (grades 7-9) and senior (grades 10-12). First place poems in each category will receive a cash prize of $350, second place winners will receive $300 and third place winners will receive $250. All winning poems will be published in the League of Canadian Poets’ e-zine, Re:verse at www.youngpoets.ca. All winners will receive Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Youth certificates and student memberships in the League of Canadian Poets for one year. For guidelines: http://poets.ca/jessamy-stursberg-poetry-contest-for-canadian-youth/. Deadline: January 15.

Canada Poetry Tours funding deadline – January 31
The Canada Poetry Tours program deadline is January 31, 2014 (for readings taking place between April 1 and September 30, 2014). Please visit our guidelines online at http://poets.ca/programs-2/reading-programs/. Let me know if you have any questions. Contact: Ingel at [email protected] or 416-504-1657.

Young Poets Week – New Dates in 2014
Attention Ontario teachers and Poets in the Schools participants! In 2014 the League of Canadian Poets will celebrate young poets during National Youth Arts Week (May 1 – 7, 2014). The announcement of the winners of the Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Canadian Youth and Young Poets Week will both take place during this week. National Youth Arts Week provides an opportunity for young people ages 13 to 30 to express and exchange their ideas, showcase their talents, get excited about art and creativity and celebrate their positive contributions to their communities and to Canada. The League of Canadian Poets in very excited about this new collaboration! For more information on National Youth Arts Week visit: http://youthartsweek.ca/. The Young Poets Week deadline is: April 1, 2014. Young Poets Week application: http://poets.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ypwpitsappl2014.pdf

You’re Invited: LCP Poetry Festival & Conference 2014 in Toronto
Plans for the League of Canadian Poets’ ( LCP ) 48th annual LCP Poetry Festival and Conference are under way. This exciting three-day event is scheduled for June 6 - 8, 2014, conveniently located in downtown Toronto at the Courtyard by Marriott at College and Yonge. The schedule includes: Joe Sherman Memorial New Members reading, Annual General Meeting, an open mic., 3 panels, The Anne Szumigalski lecture (to be presented by Lillian Allen) and the Raymond Souster, Pat Lowther and Gerald Lampert Award ceremonies. Conference details will be available online shortly.

News from the Feminist Caucus
This month, a Muslim feminist poet and reformer, also The Munk Debate on Gender in the 20th Century; new books from Louise Carson and Magie Dominic; reviews of Snowformations, by Carolyn Marie Souaid , Rove, by Laurie D. Graham, I Am That Woman, by Vanessa Shields, Marion Nicoll by Anne Davis, et .al., Greening the Maple; previews of titles on Becoming Women, Gendering Parenthood, Assisted Conception, Family and Home (University of Toronto Press.) For full report: http://poets.ca/programs-2/feminist-caucus/

POETRY AND LITERARY NEWS

Appointment of a New Parliamentary Poet Laureate
The Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Andrew Scheer, announced the appointment of Michel Pleau as Canada’s next Parliamentary Poet Laureate, effective January 1, 2014. Mr. Pleau is the sixth poet to hold this office, succeeding Fred Wah, whose two-year term ended on December 31, 2013.

“A leading figure in the artistic community, Michel Pleau has an impressive body of work to his credit,” said Speaker Kinsella. “The passion for poetry he brings to his new role as Parliamentary Poet Laureate will serve Canadians well as he draws upon his extensive experience to inspire others with his writing and teaching.”

“Michel Pleau is well known for being a generous author," indicates Speaker Scheer. “He takes genuine pleasure in discussing poetry with others; he listens as intently as he writes and has influenced many other young writers with his humanity.”

Mr. Pleau was selected by the Speakers upon the recommendation of the Selection Committee composed of Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages; Lucie L. Séguin, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister at Library and Archives Canada; Joanne Larocque-Poirier, Head, Endowments and Prizes Section at the Canada Council for the Arts, and Sonia L’Heureux, Parliamentary Librarian.

Michel Pleau indicates he is delighted and honoured to act as “ambassador” of literature. As Canada’s sixth Parliamentary Poet Laureate, he intends to continue his life’s work of helping others discover and love poetry.

Mr. Pleau has been writing for 25 years and has been published more than a dozen times. He has received numerous awards over the course of his career, with La lenteur du monde earning him the 2008 Governor General Award in Poetry. Biographical notes and a photo of Michel Pleau are available on-line at www.parl.gc.ca/poet. For additional information media may contact: Library of Parliament Media Relations, Nancy Durning at 613-218-4611.

Gwen Hauser - May 16, 1944 – July 24, 2012
Gwen Hauser was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and grew up with her nine siblings on a hardscrabble farm near that city. From puberty on she suffered frequently from poor mental and physical health. Nevertheless, she attended the University of Alberta, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966. Following graduation, Hauser did graduate work at the University of British Columbia prior to moving to Toronto during the early 1970s. In Toronto she joined the LINK Poetry Work-shop and the League of Canadian Poets, where she was a member during the 1970s, ‘80s, and early ‘90s, helping to establish its Feminist Caucus. She remained active in the Toronto poetry community until her death at age 68.

During her forty-year professional career, Hauser published at least seven poetry collections. Two were issued by bill bissett’s legendary blewointment press (The Fascist Branding Poems #2 and Hands Get Lonely Sometimes) and two were part of Fred Cogswell’s Fiddlehead Poetry Series (The Ordinary Invisible Woman and Gophers and Swans). She won the League of Canadian Poets’ Gerald Lampert Award in 1975.

In reviewing Hauser’s most recent full-size book for Canadian Literarure, Linda Rogers wrote:
Gophers and Swans by Gwen Hauser records the tortured journey from briefest innocence to the crucible experiences of a woman compulsively resisting the status quo. “Singing for her life,” Hauser celebrates the ugliness of compulsive rebellion. The only alternative to singing is madness in a world she perceives as dominantly male and brutal. There is no state of grace for the lower case “i” of these poems who “fought and got away but never went home again.” By holding it up to us without flinching, Hauser makes us share her pain.

In addition to her literary activities — in fact, as an intrinsic part of them — she was politically active in the trade union movement, the women’s liberation movement, the anti-poverty movement, the Native Rights movement, and the New Democratic Party. Despite her frequent poverty and occasional homelessness, she was an unfailing friend to all marginalized people, always supportive and generous to those in need.

Over the years, her poetry appeared in leading Canadian magazines and was often included in major anthologies, including those edited by Tom Wayman. The publications of Gwen Hauser include:

Poems from the Sun-Dance and Other Tribes (Intermedia, 1972);
The Fascist Branding Poems #2 (blewointment, 1974);
Hands Get Lonely Sometimes (blewointment, 1978);
The Ordinary Invisible Woman (Fiddlehead Poetry Books, 1978);
Danger, Woman at Work (Goldflower Press, 1979);
Gophers and Swans (Fiddlehead Poetry Books, 1982);
Black Moon, White Sun (Lean Hunter Press, 1985).

Hauser was a longtime member of the Metropolitan Community Church, where her memorial service was held on October 28, 2012.
James Deahl, December 30, 2013

New Saskatchewan Poet Laureate Announced
The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild is delighted to announce that Judith Krause of Regina is the new Poet Laureate of Saskatchewan. Judith's term will begin January 1, 2014 and will run until December 31, 2015.

Judith Krause is a Regina poet, editor and educator whose publications include four books of poetry and a collaborative chapbook. A fifth collection tentatively entitled Homage to Happiness is slated for publication in the fall of 2014. Judith has studied writing in Canada, France, and the US where she completed an MFA in Creative Writing. Her work has appeared online or in print in Canada, the US and in Ireland. She is a two-time winner of the City of Regina Writing Award and co-winner of the Ralph Gustafson Poetry Award.

In choosing the new Poet Laureate, the Selection Committee believes it is important that Poet Laureate have “meaningful connections with other writers and experience organizing occasions for thinking about poetry differently.” While the Committee trusts that Judith Krause possesses the qualities needed for the position, they recognize that her extensive teaching experience at SIAST, Fort San and Sage Hill provides her with additional experience in communicating poetry.

Krause is the fifth person to hold the title of Poet Laureate; her four predecessors were Glen Sorestad (2000-2004), Louise B. Halfe (2005-2006), Robert Currie (2007-2010), and Donald Kerr (2010-2012).

Commencing in 2000, the Saskatchewan Poet Laureate Program was the first provincial program of its kind in Canada. The Saskatchewan Arts Board, Saskatchewan Book Awards and the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild are partners in the program, which is under the patronage of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Her Honour the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield. For more information: Tracy Hamon, SWG Program Manager, Tel: (306) 791-7743 Email: [email protected]. See also www.skwriter.com and attached Bio and Backgrounder.

Graeme Smith has won the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction
The Writers’ Trust of Canada announced that Graeme Smith has won the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction for The Dogs Are Eating Them Now: Our War in Afghanistan, published by Knopf Canada. The prize is the richest annual literary award for a book of nonfiction published in Canada.

The prize was awarded by the Honorable Hilary M. Weston in Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario at a salon-style gathering of more than 200 members of the literary, philanthropic, and visual arts communities. Renowned Canadian performers enlivened the evening with dramatic readings of the nominated titles. These special guest actors were Ella Ballentine, Sid Bobb, Kevin Bundy, David Ferry, and Karen Robinson. The event was hosted by Shelagh Rogers, broadcast journalist and host of CBC Radio One’s The Next Chapter. Along with the $60,000 prize, Smith received a sculpture created by crystal artist Mark Raynes Roberts.

Prize finalists were selected by a jury composed of novelist and cultural critic Hal Niedzviecki; writer and last year’s prize winner Candace Savage; and writer and creative nonfiction writing instructor Andreas Schroeder. In selecting the winner they were joined by founder and executive director of War Child Canada Samantha Nutt and CBC broadcast journalist Evan Solomon.
http://www.writerstrust.com/News/News-(1)/Press-Release-Archive/Press-Releases/Weston-WT-Winner-Reveal-(Oct-21-2013).aspx

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.

Dr. William Henry Drummond Poetry Contest
Spring Pulse Poetry Festival northern Ontario’s largest poetry/arts event is sponsoring the 2014 Dr. William Henry Drummond Poetry Contest. In 1970 the first contest began in Cobalt during the Miners festival on French-Canadian Day. It is the oldest non-governmental national poetry contest in Canada. The contest honours Canada’s most popular 19 th century poet. Dr. Drummond was the town’s first doctor, a silver mine manager, and world famous poet who died in Cobalt in 1907.
Deadline: Friday April 11 2014
Entry fee: $10
Prizes: Cash prizes totalling $1,200 will be given: First $300, Second $200, and Third $100 place winners. Eight prizes of $50, for the Judges choice award, and Eight prizes of $25 each will be awarded for the honourable mention category. Decision of the judge is final. All those chosen by the judge to be included in the anthology will receive a certificate and a complimentary copy of the anthology.
Details: www.springpulsepoetryfestival.com
Enquires: Send to David Brydges [email protected]

Memorial University, Department of English Language and Literature Author Residency
The Department of English invites applications for an Author Residency for Fall Semester 2014 or Winter Semester 2015, subject to the availability of matching funding from the Canada Council and Memorial University. The position is intended to honour new and established writers whose published work demonstrates a high level of literary achievement. In the course of the residency, the author will work on his or her writing projects while making time available to students and writers within the University and in the community at large. The author will be given the opportunity to interact with writing communities in a variety of ways. Authors wishing to be considered for the position are asked to provide a letter of application and a curriculum vitae no later than Monday, January 13, 2014. When an author has been selected, a joint application will be made to the Author Residency program of the Canada Council. Remuneration for the position, if funding is approved, will be approximately $20,000 (plus return air fare). Written or electronic applications should be addressed to: Prof. Donna Walsh, Head
Department of English Language and Literature, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland A1C 5S7. For more info: email: [email protected] or telephone: 709-737-8277 or fax: 709-737-4528. Memorial University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from qualified women and men, visible minorities, aboriginal people and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and permanent residents will be given priority.

Canada Writes Competition for Creative Non Fiction
Each year Canada Writes hosts a literary competition for Creative Non Fiction and you are invited to participate! This is an excellent opportunity for professional writers, new writers, and non-writers that are looking to scratch their creative itch!

What is creative nonfiction? It includes memoir, biography, humour writing, essay, travel writing, and feature articles. While the events must be real and the facts true, creative nonfiction conveys your message through the use of literary techniques such as characterization, plot, setting, dialogue, narrative, and personal reflection. Don’t be afraid to insert yourself into the story, the writer’s voice and opinions should be evident. Finally, the work should be accessible to a general reading audience.

The First Prize winner will receive $6,000.00 courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts, and will have their story published in Air Canada’s EnRoute magazine and on the Canada Writes website. They will also be awarded a two-week residency at The Banff Centre’s Leighton Artists’ Colony, and will receive exposure on CBC Radio. The 4 runners-up will each received $1,000.00 courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts, and their stories will be published on the Canada Writes website.

The original, unpublished work of creative nonfiction must between 1200 and 1500 words. The submission deadline is February 1, 2014 at 11:59pm ET. The competition is open to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

Click here (http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/literaryprizes/nonfiction/) for more information on the rules and regulations.

21st Annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers
The Writers' Union of Canada is pleased to announce that submissions are being accepted until March 1, 2014 for the 21st Annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers. The winning entry will be the best Canadian work of up to 2,500 words in the English language, fiction or non-fiction, written by an unpublished author.

Prize: $2,500 for the winning entry, and the entries of the winner and finalists will be submitted to three Canadian magazines.
Jury: Writers Mark Abley, Ranj Dhaliwal, and Erin Dunham will serve as the jury.
Eligibility: This competition is open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who have not had a book published in any genre and who do not currently have a contract with a book publisher. Original and unpublished (English language) fiction or non-fiction is eligible.
How to submit entries: Entries should be typed, double-spaced, in a clear twelve-point font, and the pages numbered on 8.5 x 11 paper, not stapled.
Submissions will be accepted in hardcopy only.
Include a separate cover letter with title of story, full name, address, phone number, email address, word count, and number of pages of entry.
Please type the name of entrant and the title of entry on each numbered page. This is not a blind competition.
Make cheque or money order payable to The Writers' Union of Canada. Multiple entries can be submitted together and fees can be added and paid with one cheque or money order, $29 per entry.
Entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2014 to be eligible.
Mail entries to: SPC Competition, The Writers' Union of Canada, 90 Richmond Street East, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5C 1P1.
Results will be posted at www.writersunion.ca in May 2014. Manuscripts will not be returned.

Calling all Writers! Baycrest Writer-in-Residence, Toronto
Baycrest, has an opportunity for a one-year Writer-in-Residence position to begin in early 2014. This program seeks to integrate a professional writer into a variety of clinical units and programs across the centre, as well as develop initiatives for families, staff and caregivers. We are looking for a professional, practicing writer with an aptitude for working in community settings and a proactive, collaborative approach that will engage a wide range of clients and health professionals. Direct the application including a writing sample, CV, statement of interest, a description of a potential writing project to be undertaken during the residency and two references (preferably not from agents or publishers) to: Melissa Tafler, Arts Health Coordinator/Educator, [email protected] or 416 785-2500 x 2578. Submissions due January 10, 2014.

Headquartered on a 22-acre campus in Ontario and fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest is the global leader in developing and providing innovations in aging and brain health.

Baycrest is unique in the world, combining a comprehensive system of care for aging patients, one of the world’s top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience, dedicated centres focused on mitigating the impact of age-related illness and impairment, and unmatched global knowledge exchange and commercialization capacity.

An independent benchmarking study concluded that few institutions match the breadth and uniqueness of the integrated models of service delivery and the calibre of translational research at Baycrest.

Call for Submissions - Breaking Mennonite: Living In The City
Rhubarb magazine is looking for new, unpublished work about living in the city from writers and artists who self-define as Mennonites, whether genetic, practicing, declined, lapsed, in denial, or resistant; we also accept writing and visual art by non-Mennonites about Mennonites.

Mennonites and our Anabaptist ancestors were not always rural people, and most of us, no matter how we define ourselves in relation to our heritage, live in cities now. Rhubarb is looking for those short stories, poems and creative nonfiction about living in the city. For some of us it may be recent, while other families made homes in the city already 100 years ago. Does living in the city break or relieve Mennonites?


Submit fiction, poetry, non-fiction to using the submission form on the website or by email to [email protected] before January 27, 2014. Please check www.rhubarbmag.com for complete guidelines before submitting your writing. Rhubarb buys 1st North American rights, paying $50.00 on publication, $25.00 for reviews and web content.

Call for Submissions: The Inspired Heart, Edition 3
Our inner beauty is the first thing we are told matters as women, but the current media messages have somehow skewed our concepts of it. It has made those who do not fit the mold feel less attractive. This submission call is one for writers..., male and female who wish to write about the sensuality, and beauty of women. Each off us is a budding flower, and the third edition of The Inspired Heart will be about all of us in our own beauty and skin.

Submissions Include: Poetry, Poetic Prose, Black and white photography with text and short prose no longer than 500 words.

You can send the submissions to [email protected]

I will be editing this edition as it is one close to my heart as a survivor of anorexia in my twenties. I will be defining a new message in this book for all our daughters.

Work should be sent in word doc. 12 pt font. Deadline is January 30th. This is the cover, art work was done by me with the concept of the many definitions of beauty.See More

EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, COURSES, FESTIVALS & READINGS

Launch of Raymond Souster Tribute Anthology, Toronto, ON
On Wednesday, January 15 at Tequila Bookworm, 512 Queen St. West, Toronto, 7:00 p.m., all are welcome to join editor James Deahl, consulting editor Allan Briesmaster, and a dozen of the 35 contributing poets for the launch of Under the Mulberry Tree: Poems for & about Raymond Souster, from Quattro Books. Under the Mulberry Tree is an anthology of poems paying affectionate and admiring tribute to one of the most important figures in Canadian poetry in the second half of the 20th Century. Raymond Souster (1921-2012), one of the founders of our League, was a groundbreaking poet of wide-ranging influence who distinguished himself like no one else, as an editor, publisher, readings organizer, and mentor. The poets contributing to this anthology include some who knew Souster personally and others from younger generations who are extending the tradition of modernist “People’s Poetry” in a Sousterian spirit. Some of the better-known contributors include Glen Sorestad, David Donnell, Dennis Lee, Bruce Meyer, Ronnie R. Brown, Norma West Linder, Robert Currie, Terry Ann Carter, Anna Yin, Karl Jirgens, and John Robert Colombo. The book features a substantial editor’s introduction which details Raymond Souster’s many remarkable achievements. Ordering information for the book will be posted at www.quattrobooks.ca/books.

Below is a list of poets participating in the anthology launch for Under the Mulberry Tree. Two contributors are actually flying in to read at the launch: David Eso from Calgary and Margaret Patricia Eaton from Moncton! Amazing.

Participating Poets include: Steven Michael Berzensky (Mick Burrs), Kent Bowman, John Robert Colombo, James Deahl, Margaret Patricia Eaton, David Eso, Joe Fiorito, Michael Fraser, Ryan Gibbs, Debbie Okun Hill, Laurence Hutchman, Norma West Linder, Bruce Meyer, Lynn Tait, Carleton Wilson, Anna Yin.

HIJ House Reading Series Kick off event with Mat Laporte and Fenn Stewart, Toronto, ON
Sunday January 19, 2014
4:00pm-7:00 pm
260 Ryding Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6N 1H5
For more info please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/399366370194038/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

BookThugs and Troubador Slaves Series at COCO , Toronto, ON
Featuring poetry readings by Aisha Sasha John, Mark Truscott, Stephen Cain, Jay MillAr and with live music by Mark Martyre and Michael Menegon.
Thursday January 23, 2014
7:00-10:00 pm
COCO , 365 Jane Street, Toronto, Ontario
For more info visit http://on.fb.me/Ktuab3

BookThug's 10th Anniversary Party, Toronto, ON
BookThug is celebrating 10 years of adventures in literary publishing. We're throwing a big party to celebrate this pretty awesome milestone and we hope you can come. There will be lots of special guests and even some mystery guests. PWYC. Suggested $5.00.
Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton St., Toronto, Ontario M6J 2N8
For more info please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/239892499511721/

Bards at the Beaches Library Celebrate Robbie Burns, Toronto, ON
Thu Jan 23, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Beaches Program Room. Come to hear George Elliott Clarke, Toronto's Poet Laureate, accompanied by 3 poets, Ayesha Chatterjee, Peter Norman, and Anna Yin who will celebrate Robbie Burns day by reading his works and sharing their own poetry.

Rhubarb Magazine #34, Power and Politics Launch, January 19th, Winnipeg, MB
Reserve your seats now for the launch of Rhubarb magazine #34, Power & Politics, at Sam’s Place,159 Henderson Highway, Sunday January 19th at 2:00 p.m. absolutely free!

The Mennonite Literary Society wants to thank our readers and all our supporters, with Rhubarb Platz, Rhubarb Fizz, and coffee. Doors will open shortly after 1:00 pm, with crokinole boards on several tables as we bring back this most Mennonite of board games.

Featured readings begin at 2:00 pm. Armin Wiebe, and Veralyn Warketin will present excerpts from their award winning one-act play scripts. Luann Hiebert, whose poetry appears in the Power & Politics issue, will read from her debut poetry collection which Turnstone Press is publishing this spring.

While admission is free, reservations are recommended to ensure seating. Contact Ian Klassen- King at [email protected] to make your reservation. More information is available at www.rhubarbmag.com.

Poetry Gabriola Society Hosts an Open Mic Night at the Old Crow Café, Gabriola Island, BC
Every third Thursday of the month, the Poetry Gabriola Society hosts an open mic night at the Old Crow Café, Gabriola Island, from 7 - 9 pm. Doors open at 6:45 pm. Each open mic night includes an open mic, a guest poet / spoken word artist, and a writing exercise. For more information contact Lisa Webster-Gibson, [email protected] or 250-247-0117.

TWUC is Holding a Series of One-Day Professional Development Workshops
The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is holding a series of one-day professional development workshops for writers called Publishing 2.0 - Tips and Traps. Registration is now taking place for workshops in Moncton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto in February 2014.

Authors Mary W. Walters and Caroline Adderson, along with author and executive director of TWUC, John Degen will discuss writing in the digital age. The workshop will consider both the Traditional Path to Publication and Independent Publication including topics such as working with agents and editors, keys to successful submissions, crowdsourcing, contract terms, royalty rates, copyright, managing your digital rights, design work, distribution, and promotion.
Workshops will be held from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The registration fee is $95.00; TWUC members pay only $80.00. Both prices include any materials and lunch. For registration go to http://www.writersunion.ca/pd-workshops#register

Twisted Poets Literary Salon, Vancouver, BC
Features poets Mariner Janes & Raoul Fernandes + Open Mic. Thursday, January 23, 7–9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. Twisted Poets runs the 2nd Wednesday and the 4th Thursday of the month. More information at www.pandorascollective.com

Wordstorm Reading Series, Nanaimo, BC
WordStorm will feature Daniela Elza, Mary Ann Moore and Jan De Grass on Tuesday, January 28th, 7pm, at Demeter’s Coffee Vault, 499 Wallace Street, Nanaimo. http://www.wordstorm.ca

The On Edge Readings Series, Granville Island, BC
Features Gillian Jerome & Daniela Elza, 7 pm, Thursday, January 30th, South Building Room 406, Emily Carr University, 1399Johnston St., Granville Island. Free and open to the public. The On Edge series gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council and Emily Carr University.

NEW MEMBERS

Allison Grayhurst
Allison Grayhurst has had over 280 poems published in more than 165 international journals, magazines, and anthologies. Her book Somewhere Falling was published by Beach Holme Publishers, a Porcepic Book, in Vancouver in 1995. Since then she has published ten other books of poetry and four collections with Edge Unlimited Publishing. Prior to the publication of Somewhere Falling she had a poetry book published, Common Dream, and four chapbooks published by The Plowman.

Her poetry chapbook The River is Blind was recently published by Ottawa publisher above/ground press December 2012.

She lives in Toronto with husband, two children, two cats and a dog. She also sculpts, working with clay.

Some of places her work has appeared in include Parabola (summer 2012); Blue Fifth Review; South Florida Arts Journal; Gris-Gris; New Binary Press Anthology; The Brooklyn Voice; Straylight Literary Magazine; The Milo Review; The Foliate Oak Literary Magazine; The Antigonish Review; Dalhousie Review; The New Quarterly; Wascana Review; Poetry Nottingham International; The Cape Rock; Journal of Contemporary Anglo-Scandinavian Poetry; The Toronto Quarterly; Fogged Clarity, Boston Poetry Magazine; Decanto; White Wall Review.

Mary Ann Moore
Mary Ann Moore’s latest chapbook of poetry is You Are Here (Leaf Press, 2012). Her poems have appeared in several chapbooks edited by Patrick Lane and have been published in Carousel, Room, Freefall, Vallum and Poems from Planet Earth (Leaf Press, 2013). Her full length book of poetry, Fishing for Mermaids, will be published by Leaf Press in the spring, 2014. Mary Ann leads women’s writing circles in Nanaimo, B.C. and is working on her next poetry collection, Putting Things By. www.maryannmoore.ca

MEMBERS NEWS

Rebecca Anne Banks
Rebecca Anne Banks and Tea at Tympani Lane Records announces the publication of Poetry EBook Montreal Postcards on Amazon.ca. www.tympanilanerecords.com.

Fern G. Z. Carr
2013 proved to be a productive year for Fern G. Z. Carr. She was honoured to be nominated by The Worcester Review for the Pushcart Prize. Other highlights for 2013 include: her haiku being sent to Mars on the NASA MAVEN spacecraft; an invitation to be the featured poet in a literary magazine in the Seychelle Islands; winning a few poetry contests; being interviewed for Words with Writers W3 Sidecar; invitations to record her work for an Australian internet audio site; a Los Angeles radio broadcast; having her poetry translated into German and Crimean Tatar; having some of her poetry taught at West Virginia University as well as in some USA high schools; plus multiple publications in various Canadian provinces, American states and in Australia, Austria, China, England, India, Israel, Romania and the Seychelles.

Magie Dominic
It's official, Magie’s new book link, Street Angel: http://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/press/Catalog/dominic-street.shtml. For more information see www.magiedominic.blogspot.com / Magie Dominic Writing and Art / Magie Dominic at Lincoln Center Archives / twitter @magiedominic

Elizabeth Johnston
Elizabeth Johnston would to put the word out to our membership that she’d like to have a reading in Montreal with the Montreal chapter poets. If interested, please contact [email protected]. For more info: www.elizabeth-johnston.com

Valerie Mason-John
Here is a link to my latest TEDx talk. I hope to be part of a culture that is saving lives especially those of our youth. Be well and thanks for taking the time to watch. 16 mins that can help change a life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TKR-IKtaCg&feature=share&list=PLsRNoUx8w3rPfRcvXIuqx_21y0Iuw2vkF&index=11

Mary Ann Moore
Mary Ann Moore will be reading at WordStorm in Nanaimo, B.C. on Tuesday, January 28, 7 to 9 p.m. at Demeter’s Coffee Vault, 499 Wallace Street. www.wordstorm.ca

Colin Morton
Colin Morton's tenth book of poetry, Winds and Strings, has been published by BuschekBooks.

Colin has also joined Ottawa's Tree Reading Series as a co-director, and will co-edit the online poetry magazine Truck.com, with new work each day through the month of March 2013.

Kamal Parmar
Event: --Focus on Poetry: Celebrate poetry with local authors takes place on Jan.13th 2014 at Brampton library--Cyril Clark Branch at 7:00 pm. I shall be reading from my new book," In the rising mist."

Event: Poetry reading from my book," In the rising mist" at Covernotes cafe' at Richmond Hill , Ontario on Jan .25th 2014, afrom 3-4 pm.

Event: Sunday Soiree' at Hesparus Lodge, Vaughan, Ontario. I am the featured reader at 6 pm.

To subscribe, unsubscribe, or post a notice, send an e-mail to [email protected]. If members don’t have e-mail access, we’ll be happy to send printed copies by Canada Post. Please send a note to the League office requesting us to do so. Address: 192 Spadina Ave, Suite 312, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2C2. Send news to [email protected].

The League of Canadian Poets receives operating funding from the Canada Council for the Arts,
the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council.
_________________
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Anna Yin

《爱的灯塔-星子安娜双语诗选》
<Nightlights> <Seven Nights with the Chinese Zodiac> ...

http://annapoetry.com

[[星子安娜]]

NEWS FROM THE LCP

Office News
Lesley Fletcher, our wonderful Administrative and Communications Coordinator, will leave her position here at the League office to pursue a new position at the Retail Council of Canada. We'd like to thank Lesley for all her hard work and the many contributions she has made to the League. We wish her much success as she starts this new phase of her career!

National Poetry Month Celebrates the Success of the Mayor’s Poetry City Challenge in 2014
Building on the success of the Mayor’s Poetry City Challenge, the theme for the National Poetry Month events is Poetry City. In 2013 Regina Mayor Michael Fougere challenged his fellow mayors in communities across Canada to have a local poet read a poem at the opening of their Council meetings in March or April. The challenge is a celebration of UNESCO’s World Poetry Day (March 21) and National Poetry Month in April. The purpose is to celebrate poetry, writing, small presses and the contribution of poets and all writers to the cultural life in our communities. It also celebrates libraries, and the work of so many mayors and municipalities to promote literacy and reading. This project is a collaboration between the Saskatchewan Writers Guild and the League of Canadian Poets in cooperation with the City of Regina. The LCP asks poets and hosts to create events across the country, in their local urban communities, incorporating the Poetry City theme. For the National Poetry Month 2014 application click here: http://poets.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/npmappl2014.pdf

Spoken Word Award Call for Nominations
Deadline: January 15, 2014
The League of Canadian Poets and Calgary Spoken Word Festival are thrilled to present the 8th annual Sheri-D Wilson Golden Beret Award.

The recipient will be announced in April as part of National Poetry Month and the Calgary Spoken Word Festival! The award will be presented at the League of Canadian Poets’ annual LCP Poetry Festival and Conference in June. The recipient will receive a prize of $1000.

This $1000.00 annual award was created by Sheri-D Wilson—a pioneer of spoken word poetry in Canada—to honour a Canadian spoken word artist who has made a substantial contribution to the development of spoken word, through the originality and excellence of his or her own writing/performance works, and through involvement in—and contributions to—the expansion of the spoken word community. The Golden Beret Award was first presented at the Calgary Spoken Word Festival in 2007.

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY! Submit a One Page Letter by snail-mail to The League of Canadian Poets, Attn: Golden Beret Award, 192 Spadina Ave., Suite 312, Toronto, ON M5T 2C2 or email [email protected], Subject: Golden Beret Award by January 15, 2014.
The selection committee will evaluate candidates based on the following qualities:
Originality of creative process,
Mastery of the genre,
Innovation and quality of writing,
Use of new technologies,
Contribution to community,
Openness and Inclusiveness of diverse voices.
This year’s jury is: Tanya Evanson, Ian Ferrier & Sheri-D Wilson.

Previous Recipients:
2013 - Tanya Evanson (Vancouver, BC)
2012 - Kirk Miles (Calgary, AB)
2011 - Ian Ferrier (Montréal, QC)
2010 - Wendy Morton (Victoria,BC)
2009 - Lillian Allen (Toronto, ON)
2008 - Sarah Murphy (Calgary, AB)
2007 - Murdoch Burnett (Comox, BC)

For more information visit www.poets.ca or call 416-504-1657.

Deadline: January 15, 2014 for the Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Canadian Youth
There are two age categories, junior (grades 7-9) and senior (grades 10-12). First place poems in each category will receive a cash prize of $350, second place winners will receive $300 and third place winners will receive $250. All winning poems will be published in the League of Canadian Poets’ e-zine, Re:verse at www.youngpoets.ca. All winners will receive Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Youth certificates and student memberships in the League of Canadian Poets for one year. For guidelines: http://poets.ca/jessamy-stursberg-poetry-contest-for-canadian-youth/. Deadline: January 15.

Canada Poetry Tours funding deadline – January 31
The Canada Poetry Tours program deadline is January 31, 2014 (for readings taking place between April 1 and September 30, 2014). Please visit our guidelines online at http://poets.ca/programs-2/reading-programs/. Let me know if you have any questions. Contact: Ingel at [email protected] or 416-504-1657.

Young Poets Week – New Dates in 2014
Attention Ontario teachers and Poets in the Schools participants! In 2014 the League of Canadian Poets will celebrate young poets during National Youth Arts Week (May 1 – 7, 2014). The announcement of the winners of the Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Canadian Youth and Young Poets Week will both take place during this week. National Youth Arts Week provides an opportunity for young people ages 13 to 30 to express and exchange their ideas, showcase their talents, get excited about art and creativity and celebrate their positive contributions to their communities and to Canada. The League of Canadian Poets in very excited about this new collaboration! For more information on National Youth Arts Week visit: http://youthartsweek.ca/. The Young Poets Week deadline is: April 1, 2014. Young Poets Week application: http://poets.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ypwpitsappl2014.pdf

You’re Invited: LCP Poetry Festival & Conference 2014 in Toronto
Plans for the League of Canadian Poets’ ( LCP ) 48th annual LCP Poetry Festival and Conference are under way. This exciting three-day event is scheduled for June 6 - 8, 2014, conveniently located in downtown Toronto at the Courtyard by Marriott at College and Yonge. The schedule includes: Joe Sherman Memorial New Members reading, Annual General Meeting, an open mic., 3 panels, The Anne Szumigalski lecture (to be presented by Lillian Allen) and the Raymond Souster, Pat Lowther and Gerald Lampert Award ceremonies. Conference details will be available online shortly.

News from the Feminist Caucus
This month, a Muslim feminist poet and reformer, also The Munk Debate on Gender in the 20th Century; new books from Louise Carson and Magie Dominic; reviews of Snowformations, by Carolyn Marie Souaid , Rove, by Laurie D. Graham, I Am That Woman, by Vanessa Shields, Marion Nicoll by Anne Davis, et .al., Greening the Maple; previews of titles on Becoming Women, Gendering Parenthood, Assisted Conception, Family and Home (University of Toronto Press.) For full report: http://poets.ca/programs-2/feminist-caucus/

POETRY AND LITERARY NEWS

Appointment of a New Parliamentary Poet Laureate
The Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Andrew Scheer, announced the appointment of Michel Pleau as Canada’s next Parliamentary Poet Laureate, effective January 1, 2014. Mr. Pleau is the sixth poet to hold this office, succeeding Fred Wah, whose two-year term ended on December 31, 2013.

“A leading figure in the artistic community, Michel Pleau has an impressive body of work to his credit,” said Speaker Kinsella. “The passion for poetry he brings to his new role as Parliamentary Poet Laureate will serve Canadians well as he draws upon his extensive experience to inspire others with his writing and teaching.”

“Michel Pleau is well known for being a generous author," indicates Speaker Scheer. “He takes genuine pleasure in discussing poetry with others; he listens as intently as he writes and has influenced many other young writers with his humanity.”

Mr. Pleau was selected by the Speakers upon the recommendation of the Selection Committee composed of Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages; Lucie L. Séguin, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister at Library and Archives Canada; Joanne Larocque-Poirier, Head, Endowments and Prizes Section at the Canada Council for the Arts, and Sonia L’Heureux, Parliamentary Librarian.

Michel Pleau indicates he is delighted and honoured to act as “ambassador” of literature. As Canada’s sixth Parliamentary Poet Laureate, he intends to continue his life’s work of helping others discover and love poetry.

Mr. Pleau has been writing for 25 years and has been published more than a dozen times. He has received numerous awards over the course of his career, with La lenteur du monde earning him the 2008 Governor General Award in Poetry. Biographical notes and a photo of Michel Pleau are available on-line at www.parl.gc.ca/poet. For additional information media may contact: Library of Parliament Media Relations, Nancy Durning at 613-218-4611.

Gwen Hauser - May 16, 1944 – July 24, 2012
Gwen Hauser was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and grew up with her nine siblings on a hardscrabble farm near that city. From puberty on she suffered frequently from poor mental and physical health. Nevertheless, she attended the University of Alberta, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966. Following graduation, Hauser did graduate work at the University of British Columbia prior to moving to Toronto during the early 1970s. In Toronto she joined the LINK Poetry Work-shop and the League of Canadian Poets, where she was a member during the 1970s, ‘80s, and early ‘90s, helping to establish its Feminist Caucus. She remained active in the Toronto poetry community until her death at age 68.

During her forty-year professional career, Hauser published at least seven poetry collections. Two were issued by bill bissett’s legendary blewointment press (The Fascist Branding Poems #2 and Hands Get Lonely Sometimes) and two were part of Fred Cogswell’s Fiddlehead Poetry Series (The Ordinary Invisible Woman and Gophers and Swans). She won the League of Canadian Poets’ Gerald Lampert Award in 1975.

In reviewing Hauser’s most recent full-size book for Canadian Literarure, Linda Rogers wrote:
Gophers and Swans by Gwen Hauser records the tortured journey from briefest innocence to the crucible experiences of a woman compulsively resisting the status quo. “Singing for her life,” Hauser celebrates the ugliness of compulsive rebellion. The only alternative to singing is madness in a world she perceives as dominantly male and brutal. There is no state of grace for the lower case “i” of these poems who “fought and got away but never went home again.” By holding it up to us without flinching, Hauser makes us share her pain.

In addition to her literary activities — in fact, as an intrinsic part of them — she was politically active in the trade union movement, the women’s liberation movement, the anti-poverty movement, the Native Rights movement, and the New Democratic Party. Despite her frequent poverty and occasional homelessness, she was an unfailing friend to all marginalized people, always supportive and generous to those in need.

Over the years, her poetry appeared in leading Canadian magazines and was often included in major anthologies, including those edited by Tom Wayman. The publications of Gwen Hauser include:

Poems from the Sun-Dance and Other Tribes (Intermedia, 1972);
The Fascist Branding Poems #2 (blewointment, 1974);
Hands Get Lonely Sometimes (blewointment, 1978);
The Ordinary Invisible Woman (Fiddlehead Poetry Books, 1978);
Danger, Woman at Work (Goldflower Press, 1979);
Gophers and Swans (Fiddlehead Poetry Books, 1982);
Black Moon, White Sun (Lean Hunter Press, 1985).

Hauser was a longtime member of the Metropolitan Community Church, where her memorial service was held on October 28, 2012.
James Deahl, December 30, 2013

New Saskatchewan Poet Laureate Announced
The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild is delighted to announce that Judith Krause of Regina is the new Poet Laureate of Saskatchewan. Judith's term will begin January 1, 2014 and will run until December 31, 2015.

Judith Krause is a Regina poet, editor and educator whose publications include four books of poetry and a collaborative chapbook. A fifth collection tentatively entitled Homage to Happiness is slated for publication in the fall of 2014. Judith has studied writing in Canada, France, and the US where she completed an MFA in Creative Writing. Her work has appeared online or in print in Canada, the US and in Ireland. She is a two-time winner of the City of Regina Writing Award and co-winner of the Ralph Gustafson Poetry Award.

In choosing the new Poet Laureate, the Selection Committee believes it is important that Poet Laureate have “meaningful connections with other writers and experience organizing occasions for thinking about poetry differently.” While the Committee trusts that Judith Krause possesses the qualities needed for the position, they recognize that her extensive teaching experience at SIAST, Fort San and Sage Hill provides her with additional experience in communicating poetry.

Krause is the fifth person to hold the title of Poet Laureate; her four predecessors were Glen Sorestad (2000-2004), Louise B. Halfe (2005-2006), Robert Currie (2007-2010), and Donald Kerr (2010-2012).

Commencing in 2000, the Saskatchewan Poet Laureate Program was the first provincial program of its kind in Canada. The Saskatchewan Arts Board, Saskatchewan Book Awards and the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild are partners in the program, which is under the patronage of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Her Honour the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield. For more information: Tracy Hamon, SWG Program Manager, Tel: (306) 791-7743 Email: [email protected]. See also www.skwriter.com and attached Bio and Backgrounder.

Graeme Smith has won the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction
The Writers’ Trust of Canada announced that Graeme Smith has won the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction for The Dogs Are Eating Them Now: Our War in Afghanistan, published by Knopf Canada. The prize is the richest annual literary award for a book of nonfiction published in Canada.

The prize was awarded by the Honorable Hilary M. Weston in Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario at a salon-style gathering of more than 200 members of the literary, philanthropic, and visual arts communities. Renowned Canadian performers enlivened the evening with dramatic readings of the nominated titles. These special guest actors were Ella Ballentine, Sid Bobb, Kevin Bundy, David Ferry, and Karen Robinson. The event was hosted by Shelagh Rogers, broadcast journalist and host of CBC Radio One’s The Next Chapter. Along with the $60,000 prize, Smith received a sculpture created by crystal artist Mark Raynes Roberts.

Prize finalists were selected by a jury composed of novelist and cultural critic Hal Niedzviecki; writer and last year’s prize winner Candace Savage; and writer and creative nonfiction writing instructor Andreas Schroeder. In selecting the winner they were joined by founder and executive director of War Child Canada Samantha Nutt and CBC broadcast journalist Evan Solomon.
http://www.writerstrust.com/News/News-(1)/Press-Release-Archive/Press-Releases/Weston-WT-Winner-Reveal-(Oct-21-2013).aspx

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.

Dr. William Henry Drummond Poetry Contest
Spring Pulse Poetry Festival northern Ontario’s largest poetry/arts event is sponsoring the 2014 Dr. William Henry Drummond Poetry Contest. In 1970 the first contest began in Cobalt during the Miners festival on French-Canadian Day. It is the oldest non-governmental national poetry contest in Canada. The contest honours Canada’s most popular 19 th century poet. Dr. Drummond was the town’s first doctor, a silver mine manager, and world famous poet who died in Cobalt in 1907.
Deadline: Friday April 11 2014
Entry fee: $10
Prizes: Cash prizes totalling $1,200 will be given: First $300, Second $200, and Third $100 place winners. Eight prizes of $50, for the Judges choice award, and Eight prizes of $25 each will be awarded for the honourable mention category. Decision of the judge is final. All those chosen by the judge to be included in the anthology will receive a certificate and a complimentary copy of the anthology.
Details: www.springpulsepoetryfestival.com
Enquires: Send to David Brydges [email protected]

Memorial University, Department of English Language and Literature Author Residency
The Department of English invites applications for an Author Residency for Fall Semester 2014 or Winter Semester 2015, subject to the availability of matching funding from the Canada Council and Memorial University. The position is intended to honour new and established writers whose published work demonstrates a high level of literary achievement. In the course of the residency, the author will work on his or her writing projects while making time available to students and writers within the University and in the community at large. The author will be given the opportunity to interact with writing communities in a variety of ways. Authors wishing to be considered for the position are asked to provide a letter of application and a curriculum vitae no later than Monday, January 13, 2014. When an author has been selected, a joint application will be made to the Author Residency program of the Canada Council. Remuneration for the position, if funding is approved, will be approximately $20,000 (plus return air fare). Written or electronic applications should be addressed to: Prof. Donna Walsh, Head
Department of English Language and Literature, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland A1C 5S7. For more info: email: [email protected] or telephone: 709-737-8277 or fax: 709-737-4528. Memorial University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from qualified women and men, visible minorities, aboriginal people and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and permanent residents will be given priority.

Canada Writes Competition for Creative Non Fiction
Each year Canada Writes hosts a literary competition for Creative Non Fiction and you are invited to participate! This is an excellent opportunity for professional writers, new writers, and non-writers that are looking to scratch their creative itch!

What is creative nonfiction? It includes memoir, biography, humour writing, essay, travel writing, and feature articles. While the events must be real and the facts true, creative nonfiction conveys your message through the use of literary techniques such as characterization, plot, setting, dialogue, narrative, and personal reflection. Don’t be afraid to insert yourself into the story, the writer’s voice and opinions should be evident. Finally, the work should be accessible to a general reading audience.

The First Prize winner will receive $6,000.00 courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts, and will have their story published in Air Canada’s EnRoute magazine and on the Canada Writes website. They will also be awarded a two-week residency at The Banff Centre’s Leighton Artists’ Colony, and will receive exposure on CBC Radio. The 4 runners-up will each received $1,000.00 courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts, and their stories will be published on the Canada Writes website.

The original, unpublished work of creative nonfiction must between 1200 and 1500 words. The submission deadline is February 1, 2014 at 11:59pm ET. The competition is open to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

Click here (http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/literaryprizes/nonfiction/) for more information on the rules and regulations.

21st Annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers
The Writers' Union of Canada is pleased to announce that submissions are being accepted until March 1, 2014 for the 21st Annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers. The winning entry will be the best Canadian work of up to 2,500 words in the English language, fiction or non-fiction, written by an unpublished author.

Prize: $2,500 for the winning entry, and the entries of the winner and finalists will be submitted to three Canadian magazines.
Jury: Writers Mark Abley, Ranj Dhaliwal, and Erin Dunham will serve as the jury.
Eligibility: This competition is open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who have not had a book published in any genre and who do not currently have a contract with a book publisher. Original and unpublished (English language) fiction or non-fiction is eligible.
How to submit entries: Entries should be typed, double-spaced, in a clear twelve-point font, and the pages numbered on 8.5 x 11 paper, not stapled.
Submissions will be accepted in hardcopy only.
Include a separate cover letter with title of story, full name, address, phone number, email address, word count, and number of pages of entry.
Please type the name of entrant and the title of entry on each numbered page. This is not a blind competition.
Make cheque or money order payable to The Writers' Union of Canada. Multiple entries can be submitted together and fees can be added and paid with one cheque or money order, $29 per entry.
Entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2014 to be eligible.
Mail entries to: SPC Competition, The Writers' Union of Canada, 90 Richmond Street East, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5C 1P1.
Results will be posted at www.writersunion.ca in May 2014. Manuscripts will not be returned.

Calling all Writers! Baycrest Writer-in-Residence, Toronto
Baycrest, has an opportunity for a one-year Writer-in-Residence position to begin in early 2014. This program seeks to integrate a professional writer into a variety of clinical units and programs across the centre, as well as develop initiatives for families, staff and caregivers. We are looking for a professional, practicing writer with an aptitude for working in community settings and a proactive, collaborative approach that will engage a wide range of clients and health professionals. Direct the application including a writing sample, CV, statement of interest, a description of a potential writing project to be undertaken during the residency and two references (preferably not from agents or publishers) to: Melissa Tafler, Arts Health Coordinator/Educator, [email protected] or 416 785-2500 x 2578. Submissions due January 10, 2014.

Headquartered on a 22-acre campus in Ontario and fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest is the global leader in developing and providing innovations in aging and brain health.

Baycrest is unique in the world, combining a comprehensive system of care for aging patients, one of the world’s top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience, dedicated centres focused on mitigating the impact of age-related illness and impairment, and unmatched global knowledge exchange and commercialization capacity.

An independent benchmarking study concluded that few institutions match the breadth and uniqueness of the integrated models of service delivery and the calibre of translational research at Baycrest.

Call for Submissions - Breaking Mennonite: Living In The City
Rhubarb magazine is looking for new, unpublished work about living in the city from writers and artists who self-define as Mennonites, whether genetic, practicing, declined, lapsed, in denial, or resistant; we also accept writing and visual art by non-Mennonites about Mennonites.

Mennonites and our Anabaptist ancestors were not always rural people, and most of us, no matter how we define ourselves in relation to our heritage, live in cities now. Rhubarb is looking for those short stories, poems and creative nonfiction about living in the city. For some of us it may be recent, while other families made homes in the city already 100 years ago. Does living in the city break or relieve Mennonites?


Submit fiction, poetry, non-fiction to using the submission form on the website or by email to [email protected] before January 27, 2014. Please check www.rhubarbmag.com for complete guidelines before submitting your writing. Rhubarb buys 1st North American rights, paying $50.00 on publication, $25.00 for reviews and web content.

Call for Submissions: The Inspired Heart, Edition 3
Our inner beauty is the first thing we are told matters as women, but the current media messages have somehow skewed our concepts of it. It has made those who do not fit the mold feel less attractive. This submission call is one for writers..., male and female who wish to write about the sensuality, and beauty of women. Each off us is a budding flower, and the third edition of The Inspired Heart will be about all of us in our own beauty and skin.

Submissions Include: Poetry, Poetic Prose, Black and white photography with text and short prose no longer than 500 words.

You can send the submissions to [email protected]

I will be editing this edition as it is one close to my heart as a survivor of anorexia in my twenties. I will be defining a new message in this book for all our daughters.

Work should be sent in word doc. 12 pt font. Deadline is January 30th. This is the cover, art work was done by me with the concept of the many definitions of beauty.See More

EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, COURSES, FESTIVALS & READINGS

Launch of Raymond Souster Tribute Anthology, Toronto, ON
On Wednesday, January 15 at Tequila Bookworm, 512 Queen St. West, Toronto, 7:00 p.m., all are welcome to join editor James Deahl, consulting editor Allan Briesmaster, and a dozen of the 35 contributing poets for the launch of Under the Mulberry Tree: Poems for & about Raymond Souster, from Quattro Books. Under the Mulberry Tree is an anthology of poems paying affectionate and admiring tribute to one of the most important figures in Canadian poetry in the second half of the 20th Century. Raymond Souster (1921-2012), one of the founders of our League, was a groundbreaking poet of wide-ranging influence who distinguished himself like no one else, as an editor, publisher, readings organizer, and mentor. The poets contributing to this anthology include some who knew Souster personally and others from younger generations who are extending the tradition of modernist “People’s Poetry” in a Sousterian spirit. Some of the better-known contributors include Glen Sorestad, David Donnell, Dennis Lee, Bruce Meyer, Ronnie R. Brown, Norma West Linder, Robert Currie, Terry Ann Carter, Anna Yin, Karl Jirgens, and John Robert Colombo. The book features a substantial editor’s introduction which details Raymond Souster’s many remarkable achievements. Ordering information for the book will be posted at www.quattrobooks.ca/books.

Below is a list of poets participating in the anthology launch for Under the Mulberry Tree. Two contributors are actually flying in to read at the launch: David Eso from Calgary and Margaret Patricia Eaton from Moncton! Amazing.

Participating Poets include: Steven Michael Berzensky (Mick Burrs), Kent Bowman, John Robert Colombo, James Deahl, Margaret Patricia Eaton, David Eso, Joe Fiorito, Michael Fraser, Ryan Gibbs, Debbie Okun Hill, Laurence Hutchman, Norma West Linder, Bruce Meyer, Lynn Tait, Carleton Wilson, Anna Yin.

HIJ House Reading Series Kick off event with Mat Laporte and Fenn Stewart, Toronto, ON
Sunday January 19, 2014
4:00pm-7:00 pm
260 Ryding Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6N 1H5
For more info please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/399366370194038/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

BookThugs and Troubador Slaves Series at COCO , Toronto, ON
Featuring poetry readings by Aisha Sasha John, Mark Truscott, Stephen Cain, Jay MillAr and with live music by Mark Martyre and Michael Menegon.
Thursday January 23, 2014
7:00-10:00 pm
COCO , 365 Jane Street, Toronto, Ontario
For more info visit http://on.fb.me/Ktuab3

BookThug's 10th Anniversary Party, Toronto, ON
BookThug is celebrating 10 years of adventures in literary publishing. We're throwing a big party to celebrate this pretty awesome milestone and we hope you can come. There will be lots of special guests and even some mystery guests. PWYC. Suggested $5.00.
Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton St., Toronto, Ontario M6J 2N8
For more info please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/239892499511721/

Bards at the Beaches Library Celebrate Robbie Burns, Toronto, ON
Thu Jan 23, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Beaches Program Room. Come to hear George Elliott Clarke, Toronto's Poet Laureate, accompanied by 3 poets, Ayesha Chatterjee, Peter Norman, and Anna Yin who will celebrate Robbie Burns day by reading his works and sharing their own poetry.

Rhubarb Magazine #34, Power and Politics Launch, January 19th, Winnipeg, MB
Reserve your seats now for the launch of Rhubarb magazine #34, Power & Politics, at Sam’s Place,159 Henderson Highway, Sunday January 19th at 2:00 p.m. absolutely free!

The Mennonite Literary Society wants to thank our readers and all our supporters, with Rhubarb Platz, Rhubarb Fizz, and coffee. Doors will open shortly after 1:00 pm, with crokinole boards on several tables as we bring back this most Mennonite of board games.

Featured readings begin at 2:00 pm. Armin Wiebe, and Veralyn Warketin will present excerpts from their award winning one-act play scripts. Luann Hiebert, whose poetry appears in the Power & Politics issue, will read from her debut poetry collection which Turnstone Press is publishing this spring.

While admission is free, reservations are recommended to ensure seating. Contact Ian Klassen- King at [email protected] to make your reservation. More information is available at www.rhubarbmag.com.

Poetry Gabriola Society Hosts an Open Mic Night at the Old Crow Café, Gabriola Island, BC
Every third Thursday of the month, the Poetry Gabriola Society hosts an open mic night at the Old Crow Café, Gabriola Island, from 7 - 9 pm. Doors open at 6:45 pm. Each open mic night includes an open mic, a guest poet / spoken word artist, and a writing exercise. For more information contact Lisa Webster-Gibson, [email protected] or 250-247-0117.

TWUC is Holding a Series of One-Day Professional Development Workshops
The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is holding a series of one-day professional development workshops for writers called Publishing 2.0 - Tips and Traps. Registration is now taking place for workshops in Moncton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto in February 2014.

Authors Mary W. Walters and Caroline Adderson, along with author and executive director of TWUC, John Degen will discuss writing in the digital age. The workshop will consider both the Traditional Path to Publication and Independent Publication including topics such as working with agents and editors, keys to successful submissions, crowdsourcing, contract terms, royalty rates, copyright, managing your digital rights, design work, distribution, and promotion.
Workshops will be held from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The registration fee is $95.00; TWUC members pay only $80.00. Both prices include any materials and lunch. For registration go to http://www.writersunion.ca/pd-workshops#register

Twisted Poets Literary Salon, Vancouver, BC
Features poets Mariner Janes & Raoul Fernandes + Open Mic. Thursday, January 23, 7–9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. Twisted Poets runs the 2nd Wednesday and the 4th Thursday of the month. More information at www.pandorascollective.com

Wordstorm Reading Series, Nanaimo, BC
WordStorm will feature Daniela Elza, Mary Ann Moore and Jan De Grass on Tuesday, January 28th, 7pm, at Demeter’s Coffee Vault, 499 Wallace Street, Nanaimo. http://www.wordstorm.ca

The On Edge Readings Series, Granville Island, BC
Features Gillian Jerome & Daniela Elza, 7 pm, Thursday, January 30th, South Building Room 406, Emily Carr University, 1399Johnston St., Granville Island. Free and open to the public. The On Edge series gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council and Emily Carr University.

NEW MEMBERS

Allison Grayhurst
Allison Grayhurst has had over 280 poems published in more than 165 international journals, magazines, and anthologies. Her book Somewhere Falling was published by Beach Holme Publishers, a Porcepic Book, in Vancouver in 1995. Since then she has published ten other books of poetry and four collections with Edge Unlimited Publishing. Prior to the publication of Somewhere Falling she had a poetry book published, Common Dream, and four chapbooks published by The Plowman.

Her poetry chapbook The River is Blind was recently published by Ottawa publisher above/ground press December 2012.

She lives in Toronto with husband, two children, two cats and a dog. She also sculpts, working with clay.

Some of places her work has appeared in include Parabola (summer 2012); Blue Fifth Review; South Florida Arts Journal; Gris-Gris; New Binary Press Anthology; The Brooklyn Voice; Straylight Literary Magazine; The Milo Review; The Foliate Oak Literary Magazine; The Antigonish Review; Dalhousie Review; The New Quarterly; Wascana Review; Poetry Nottingham International; The Cape Rock; Journal of Contemporary Anglo-Scandinavian Poetry; The Toronto Quarterly; Fogged Clarity, Boston Poetry Magazine; Decanto; White Wall Review.

Mary Ann Moore
Mary Ann Moore’s latest chapbook of poetry is You Are Here (Leaf Press, 2012). Her poems have appeared in several chapbooks edited by Patrick Lane and have been published in Carousel, Room, Freefall, Vallum and Poems from Planet Earth (Leaf Press, 2013). Her full length book of poetry, Fishing for Mermaids, will be published by Leaf Press in the spring, 2014. Mary Ann leads women’s writing circles in Nanaimo, B.C. and is working on her next poetry collection, Putting Things By. www.maryannmoore.ca

MEMBERS NEWS

Rebecca Anne Banks
Rebecca Anne Banks and Tea at Tympani Lane Records announces the publication of Poetry EBook Montreal Postcards on Amazon.ca. www.tympanilanerecords.com.

Fern G. Z. Carr
2013 proved to be a productive year for Fern G. Z. Carr. She was honoured to be nominated by The Worcester Review for the Pushcart Prize. Other highlights for 2013 include: her haiku being sent to Mars on the NASA MAVEN spacecraft; an invitation to be the featured poet in a literary magazine in the Seychelle Islands; winning a few poetry contests; being interviewed for Words with Writers W3 Sidecar; invitations to record her work for an Australian internet audio site; a Los Angeles radio broadcast; having her poetry translated into German and Crimean Tatar; having some of her poetry taught at West Virginia University as well as in some USA high schools; plus multiple publications in various Canadian provinces, American states and in Australia, Austria, China, England, India, Israel, Romania and the Seychelles.

Magie Dominic
It's official, Magie’s new book link, Street Angel: http://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/press/Catalog/dominic-street.shtml. For more information see www.magiedominic.blogspot.com / Magie Dominic Writing and Art / Magie Dominic at Lincoln Center Archives / twitter @magiedominic

Elizabeth Johnston
Elizabeth Johnston would to put the word out to our membership that she’d like to have a reading in Montreal with the Montreal chapter poets. If interested, please contact [email protected]. For more info: www.elizabeth-johnston.com

Valerie Mason-John
Here is a link to my latest TEDx talk. I hope to be part of a culture that is saving lives especially those of our youth. Be well and thanks for taking the time to watch. 16 mins that can help change a life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TKR-IKtaCg&feature=share&list=PLsRNoUx8w3rPfRcvXIuqx_21y0Iuw2vkF&index=11

Mary Ann Moore
Mary Ann Moore will be reading at WordStorm in Nanaimo, B.C. on Tuesday, January 28, 7 to 9 p.m. at Demeter’s Coffee Vault, 499 Wallace Street. www.wordstorm.ca

Colin Morton
Colin Morton's tenth book of poetry, Winds and Strings, has been published by BuschekBooks.

Colin has also joined Ottawa's Tree Reading Series as a co-director, and will co-edit the online poetry magazine Truck.com, with new work each day through the month of March 2013.

Kamal Parmar
Event: --Focus on Poetry: Celebrate poetry with local authors takes place on Jan.13th 2014 at Brampton library--Cyril Clark Branch at 7:00 pm. I shall be reading from my new book," In the rising mist."

Event: Poetry reading from my book," In the rising mist" at Covernotes cafe' at Richmond Hill , Ontario on Jan .25th 2014, afrom 3-4 pm.

Event: Sunday Soiree' at Hesparus Lodge, Vaughan, Ontario. I am the featured reader at 6 pm.

To subscribe, unsubscribe, or post a notice, send an e-mail to [email protected]. If members don’t have e-mail access, we’ll be happy to send printed copies by Canada Post. Please send a note to the League office requesting us to do so. Address: 192 Spadina Ave, Suite 312, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2C2. Send news to [email protected].

The League of Canadian Poets receives operating funding from the Canada Council for the Arts,
the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council.
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Anna Yin

《爱的灯塔-星子安娜双语诗选》
<Nightlights> <Seven Nights with the Chinese Zodiac> ...

http://annapoetry.com