The Grapevine - UBC Creative Writing News

This event is based on the popular TED model and provides a unique platform for students to share their ideas and passions with 350 of their peers. Similar to TED, we could showcase a talk on creative writing or other artistic endeavor as part of the day’s events.

For application and info: http://www.terry.ubc.ca/terrytalks/

Writing With Style (Fall)
Program dates: September 13 - September 18, 2010
Application deadline: May 14, 2010
The Banff Centre’s most accessible writing program. Whether you have attended many writing workshops or this is your first, this week-long workshop will be an intense and transformative experience. You will encounter new ideas and gain confidence in your own voice, while shaping work-in-progress under the guidance of an experienced writer and editor.  More
Wired Writing Studio
Program dates: October 4 - 16, 2010 (2 week on-site residency in Banff)
November 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 (20-week online residency)
Application deadline: June 20, 2010
A unique opportunity for poets and writers of narrative prose to pursue their artistic visions and develop their own voices through one-on-one editorial assistance from an experienced writer/editor, as well as through involvement in a community of working writers, both on-site and online. 
 
Summer and Fall Self-directed Writing Residencies
Extend your stay after your program and continue your work with a Self-directed Writing Residency. Here you’ll find the time, space, and facilities for research, editing, and manuscript development. During your self-directed residency, you’ll be free of distractions and structure your own time. It’s a perfect way to gain creative focus. Applications ongoing.
For more Information please contact:
1-403-762-6180
arts_info@banffcentre.ca
www.banffcentre.ca/writing/

Do you want to be a part of an awesome group and build connections within our writing community?
Now is your chance. This coming Tuesday, March 9th we will be forming a brand new student association for the upcoming fall academic year. Have your say on what events happen, lead Brown Bags, pool resources and connect with other writers.
At this upcoming session, we will design the layout of our association and vote in it’s first board members. If you want to represent your department– come to this meeting. If you want to have a say– come to this meeting. If you are interested, but can’t make the meeting drop us a note on the Creative Writing Brown Bag facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=305364788319
Don’t miss out!

Event Details:
Next Brown Bag- The Birth of the Creative Writing Student Association
Tuesday, March 9th 12-1pm
BUCH E Room 458

Do you have a talented poet, novelist or playwright among your students? The Southampton Writers Conference, sponsored every summer by Stony Brook Southampton, offers limited scholarships and unlimited opportunity to select students–from undergraduates to post-professionals–in all genres. In our relaxed, intimate workshops, emerging and established voices come together to study with such distinguished authors as Elizabeth Strout, Meg Wolizer, Colson Whitehead and Billy Collins. Along with workshops, a full roster of lectures, readings, performances and small-group discussions offers inspiration and guidance to new writers, established writers, teachers of writing, editors, and qualified auditors.  Located in a resort area of natural beauty, the conferences welcome all who seek instruction that is friendly, rigorous, professionally useful, and intellectually challenging.

Please visit our website for details, a full list of faculty for workshops, and application guidelines and forms: http://www.stonybrook.edu/writers/.

The event may be of particular interest to both film and creativewriting graduate students who have stories ready to pitch to film and TV decisionmakers.

There is student pricing available for passes and to observe the special TV Pitch Competition, which would be a golden opportunity to learn about the pitching process without the pressure of enduring it!

More info is at www.ftxevents.com and all student pricing requests should be directed to marcy@ftxevents.com

Toronto publishers Cormorant Books announced today that it will begin publishing four poetry titles a year in the spring of 2011.
According to a press release from the company, “Cormorant Books began in 1987 with the publication of a poetry book. The decision to publish poetry again is a kind of return to the company’s roots and was inspired in no small measure by the success of the Griffin Prize for Poetry, which has raised the profile of and appreciation for this important genre…”
Of the four titles, two will be new collections from living poets, one will be an anthology and one will be a re-issue of an important out-of-print title.
Montreal poet Robyn Sarah will acquire and edit Cormorant’s poetry titles. Her mission statement:
“I will be looking for poetry that is

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In 2010, Write on Bowen will be held from July 2 to July 4 at Bowen Lodge by the Sea.  Opportunities are available for presenters to facilitate a workshop or participate in a panel discussion at the Bowen Lodge by the Sea on Saturday or Sunday, or give a reading at the Saturday night Gala Celebration at the Gallery @ Artisan Square.

All workshops and panel presentations in the Festival should relate in some way to the writing process. Priority is given to workshops that are interactive and provide participants with opportunities to write and share. Suitable topics for workshops and panels include, but are not limited to, writing poetry, novels, or short stories, writing genre fiction, writing for children/teens, freelance writing, business writing, making a living from writing, screenwriting, song writing, playwriting, writing for the Internet, blogging, inspirational writing, writing self-help books, how to blast writer’s block, self-publishing, traditional publishing, marketing and promoting writing, the role of the writer and reader, and storytelling.

The deadline for applications is January 29, 2010. Applicants can download an application form in Word format and then email the completed application to admin@biac.ca or print a PDF version of the application form and mail or drop it in at The Gallery @ Artisan Square, Box 211, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0.

The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is offering SECURE FOOTING IN A CHANGING LITERARY LANDSCAPE, a Professional Development Symposium for writers in all phases of their careers inHalifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Vancouver, in February and March 2010.
 
Even if you have attended a Writers’ Union of Canada workshop in the past, you won’t want to miss this exciting new day-long exploration of the changing literary landscape.

Authors Betsy Warland and Ross Laird will outline the current changes in the literary industry; explore the innovative digital opportunities; and discuss the creativity, economics, and community of a writer’s life. Deborah Windsor, the Union’s executive director, will discuss

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Get involved with the 2010 PuSh Festival — Volunteer!
The annual PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is one of Vancouver’s signature events. Produced over 20 days each January, the PuSh Festival presents groundbreaking work in the live performing arts: theatre, dance, music and various hybrid forms of performance. It attracts acclaimed local, national and international artists and their work. 
 
This year’s Festival takes place from January 20 to February 6, 2010 and we’re looking for people to fill volunteer positions in Front of House, Hospitality, Program Distribution, and Artist Transportation! 
Volunteering for PuSh is a fantastic opportunity to meet people and make new friends! You’ll work closely with a diverse group of exceptional people – national, and international performers, festival patrons, fellow volunteers, and festival staff will all be there!  You’ll also come out with transferable skills, training and knowledge about PuSh Festival, welcome and interact with visitors from around the world while giving back to the arts’ community and have tons of fun doing it all.
Volunteers will be provided with a cool t-shirt to wear while on shift and to keep as memorabilia.  All volunteers will receive an invite to a fun-filled Wrap Party for them and a friend, free admission to shows in the PuSh Festival program, and an exclusive volunteer badge that allows each volunteer access to even more additional shows! (Subject to availability)
For more information about volunteering and to access our online registration form, please follow this link: 
http://pushfestival.ca/index.php?mpage=involved&spage=volform
Visit our website for all things PuSh!
www.pushfestival.ca

Building on the success of the summer Readers & Writers Festival, the Denman Island Arts Centre announces the first annual Winter Writer’s Retreat, when three established writers will offer workshops over a two-week period in February 2010.

Join Ivan Coyote, Matt Rader and Heidi Greco for hands-on writing workshops and intimate salon readings.

For more information and registration go to www.artsdenman.com or leave a message at the Denman Island Arts Centre (250) 335-1224. The Denman Island Arts Centre is a short walk up the hill from the ferry. Classes are small so register early! Read the rest of this entry »