JUNE
1987
THE FEDERATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA WRITERS NEWSLETTER Mailing Address: P.o. Box 2206,Main post office, vancouver, 8.c., v6B 3w2 Office Address:
Ste. 706, 402 West Pender St., yancouver, B.C., Phone Number: 683-2057
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
The makeup of the provincial Council has altered c_onsiderably this year, with three members stepping down and one returning in another guise. I wani to thank Elfreida Read and Muriel Maclean for the great job they did with the newsletter, our single most effective tie between members, and Bella Chan for her work as Treasurer. All had held their positions for three years and I felt sad to see them go. Jan Drabek has ensured his place in Federation history as the last Chairman. At the AGM we changed the title to the less cumbersome "presi_ dent". Among other constitutional amendments we continuity presidents
provincial ime as far as f'm concerned! Jan is a fine person to work with, always reliable and steady.
v6B lT6
May 9th, the Federation was invited to meet at the Sylvia with two members of Council, Allan Ball (playwright, B.C.) and Nancy-Gaye Rotstein (poet, Ontario). Present for the Federation were two previous chairmen, Jan Drabek and David Watmough, Sandy Duncan, Allan Twigg and myself. Much soda water was consumed. What emerged: no extra money for B.C., similar to the Atlantic project last year. We gathered administration of funds had been a disaster. Concerns expressed about cut-back s program, number of women on juries, ion process. (Watmough, a senior writer, been asked, other writers, arbitrarily, it seems, are asked over and over.) The feeling was expressed that the Council was already doing more than its share for B.C. May 10. Hearings by seven members of the Council tre,
off the Fed
our approach and submit written briefs. For the n ce, major writers' groups re under the aegis of the ves much credit for this. Thanks to her, the Federation looked great, and at meetings, writers came out looking organized. On May 8, members of the arts community met
with
the Council at a reception at the Great Hall of the
"Tackle your provincial government. We've tried to soften them up for you, told them how unpopular they are. It's up to you now."
in choreographed succession; we seemed to have the meeting sewn up to such an extent began lining up along the stairs, wouldn't get a turn. presentations w a timed five minutes. Contrary to fears which had been expressed about publishers dominating the meeting, writers took up 80-85V0 of the time. Even
and gender-bi
for
children's litera successful meet
rilv
out cial government was obvious; every time a cross remark was made about them, the audience clapped.
presentations.
Zoe Larl.dale
Regarding membership, Lynne Melcombe is taking
over the reins as Membership Coordinator, and welcome assistance indeed. The greatest concern is the slow progress of member renewals. Growth of new members is encouraging, and the new g10.00 fee is helping there. Hopefully, we will have more vitality in our activities to rep-ort in the next issue. Doug Third NEW MEMBERS
Ann Alma Elliott Augustine
Vernon Burnaby Helen Bonnell Vancouver Montgomery Burt Vancouver Mrs. Mabel K. Dunham Burnaby Anita Fownes Dawson Creek Donna Lea Hawley Burnaby Gary Kosinsky Vancouver Sandra Leekie Sechelt Ms. Sylvia Loncarric Kelowna Elizabeth Milne Vancouver Carl Nelson Sointula Kit Pearson Vancouver Julie Schoenberger Falkland Kathy Shewan Langley C. Howard Shillington West Vancouver Martha Stainsby Maple Ridge Margaret Taylor Campbell River Anne Vakan Oliver Rochelle Van Halm Yancouver Sharon Von Troyen Penticton Tracy Young Courtenay
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL 1987-88 Executive Betsy Warland
President
Zoe Landale 4480 River Road W. Delta V4K lS3
Past President
First ViceTreasurer
946-7542
Jan Drabek 733-0289 3330 W. King Edward Ave. Vancouver V6S lM3 Sheena Ashdown 327-7547 7424 Prince Edward St. Vancouver V5X 3p9 George Read 733-547g 2686 W. King Edward Ave.
Vancouver V6L lT6
3
73r-0744
most helpful to us in our work on this issue, and we trust that the transition will not be too bumpy.
251-4443 Exec. Assistant Doug Third 301-596 N. Nanaimo St. Yancouver Y5L 3H2
PLEASE LET US HEAR FROM YOU! is what we would most like to say. Let us know what Wordworks can do for you . . . what you'd like to see in the newsletter . . what ideas you have. Letters, short articles, news items, reports on literary events you've participated in would all be received with interest. We'll look forward to opening the mail. The deadline for each issue is the end of the month preceding publication. So, for the September '87 issue, get your items in by the end of August.
Exec. Director Betsy Warland 2533 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver V6K
1S9
Council and Committees
Newsletter
Cynthia Flood 2792 Cambridge St. Vancouver V5K lL7
2ss-7820
Sheena
327-7547 734-8957
Ashdown
Membership Lynne Melcombe
LETTERS
2537 Bilaclava St.
Vancouver Y6K
Third Emily Sion
4C4
Doug
Cultural Liaison
251-4443 228-0063
6061 Chancellor Blvd. Vancouver V6T lE8
Reeional Reoresentatives
North
Whitter 9120 - l0l Avenue
Gail
785-0926
Winger Road Williams Lake V2G 356 492-4002 Heather Glebe Kootenay Box P.O. 673 Okanagan Penticton V2A 6Pl 733-5990 Lower MainlandMelodie Corrigall Coordinator 3485 W. l5th Ave. Yancouver V6lr'^ 2Zz 753-8417 Coastal-Island Win Baker 606 First Street South 923-5442
868 Simcoe Street
Campbell
River V9W 5G7
EDITOR'S NOTE This issue of Wordworks is the first produced under the joint editorship of Cynthia Flood and Sheena Ashdown, who took on the task at the Annual General Meeting of the Federation in April.
like first of all to express our thanks to Elfreida Read, who has edited our newsletter for the past several years. In addition to doing much other work for the Federation, Elfreida has been We would
opinion and reaction. We'd like Wordworks to have that kind of "Letters" page. Please, let us hear from you, on any literary subject of importance to you. Keep your prose as succinct as possible, as editing can and will be done in the interests of providing a forum for as many correspondents as
*t***+*
4ll
Nanaimo Y9R lV9 Eric Jamieson
to the "Letters" section first, knowing they'll find there a zippy collection of personal nes, turn
possible.
Fort St. John VIJ 2A6 Cent-Coastal Ann Walsh
North
Many people, when reading newspapers and magazi-
This letter is in answer to Alison Hopwood's letter in your last issue with a criticism of my original article explaining the difference between vers libre and real poetry. I hope you will find space for it in the next issue. I will start with the grossest of the errors.
lst error. History reports that there have been fourteen translations of the Bible into English since Caxton's rendition from Luther's German in the middle of the fifteenth century, and printed by him then. There are no copies of this version extant. Thereafter, there were one or two in each century, including Wycliff's. The most famous is what is known as the King James Yersion. James, Ist and VIth, a most religious man, commissioned an "Official" Version from a panel of eminent divines. This was translated from Jerome's Vulgate. There were several translations in the Victorian era' mostly by Protestant bishops who flattered themselves that they knew the answer to everything. One dear old gentleman declared the world to be 4,000 years old, calculated from the "begats" of Genesis. The penultimate version was made from an original Greek copy found in Salonika during the First World War. Several outstanding English
4
scholars laboured at this
for
up with a volume of resounding prose. (I have a copy of this, if anyone is interested in borrowing it.) Since then, several of the fundamentalist groups have monkeyed with the various versions, dovetailing them to suit their own views and publishing them under outlandish titles. To which of these fourteen does Ms. Hopwood refer? 2nd error. Walt Whitman never referred to "Leaves of Grass" as poetry. It was his imitators who did this, hoping thereby to enhance their own egos.
3rd error. The list of people who wrote vers libre is at first impressive, until it is revealed as a most dishonest list, never saying a word about the real poets lvho were contemporary with those mentioned. This list is so long that space does not permit me to do more than mention a few of the more modern ones: Walter de la Mare, John Masefield, John Drinkwater, Rupert Brooke, A.E. Housman, W.B. Yeats, and a dozen others. 4th error. Shakespeare was rel! a poet, he was a dramatist, though he did write some delicately disciplined sonnets, that are a treasure for our language.
reiterate--most free verse that I have read is nothing more than mental diarrhoea dribbled out from a lazy mind in the hope that if it is obscure enough it will look learned.
I
Yours,
+*
Morag Renwick
+**t**
First we want to congratulate all of you at the Federation of B.C. Writers on the outstanding job you have done of putting this organization on the map. I'm sure it has taken time and real work from several people.
In the last two issues of "Word Works" Seiside Woman has been mentioned. It has been defunct for some time. Then Putnam's contest for a novel for children--I wasted postage coming and going, inasmuch as the deadline was Jan. 3l /87 .
Re Markets:
Best regards,
May 28, 1987
some years and came
Audrey W. Babb
Dear Premier Vander Zalm:
Outside
of this country, when you go into
any
first thing you are handed are brochures with statistics on how Canadian embassy or consulate, the
many ballet companies and symphony orchestras we
have, things which speak of the culture of our country. These are international credentials. In this province we are used to thinking of exports as raw materials: salmon, Douglas fir, coal. Something else which can be shipped out in boxcars and yet represents all of B.C. is our writing. From writing come books, publishing houses, drama festivals, movies. The individual writer is the raw resource: we come first, the others could not exist without us. B.C. is an extraordinarily beautiful province. We also represent English Canada's second largest population of writers. Do you realize how many books are written about this province? Effectively promoting these books and assisting the people who write them would have a truly vitalizing effect on our economy. For visitors and residents alike, a community which is thriving culturally is an attractive one. People like to move there, they visit and come back again. Culture is like ambiance, hard to pin down but you know when it's there and working. In B.C. we have been too stuck on logs to keep up with what the rest of Canada is doing: they're passing us. Consider the budgets of the Manitoba Writers' Guild and the Saskatchewan Writer's Guild, over $100,000 and $400,000 respectively compared to the $15,000 the Federation received last year. Now, I am not complaining about the size of our budget; as we grow steadily and capably, our funding has also increased. What I am pointing out is that other provinces have recognized the great advantage a healthy literary community provides.
Publicity? Absolutely! Nationally andinternationally these books go out and are read; mysteries, stories about wildlife, poetry, plays, these are our ambassadors. They're for real, name towns and show a way of life which we take for granted but is unioue in the world. The problem is that we writers have been writing about B.C. for very little money for years and too many of us have moved to Toronto in order to qualify for grants from the province of Ontario. What we would like to see, and is in fact overdue, is the establishment of a provincial Arts Council, an arm's length funding organization modelled on Ontario's. The benefits of
5
such an organization could truly be "Super Natural"
for all of us in British Columbia. Yours
sincerely,
Zoe Landale, President word road to life.
REGIONAL REPORTS
Until next time.
This issue of Wordworks features reports from two the Okanavigorous writing future to n gan and Norther ons in each publish a report touch with issue of the new
Eric Jamieson
***+*
**+ Okanaean
Okanagan writers have raised more than $7,000 for Rick Hansen's Man in Motion World Tour at the
time of this writing (end of April), by their own unique fund-raising Project. e to reach it bY selling n anthologY featuring
community of writers in the province.
100 Okanagan writers
Northern Island
and illustrators.
When Winona Baker kindly split her Vancouver Island in two I inherited the portion from Qualicum Beach north.
More than two-thirds of the 3,000 books have been sold, since publication in December. Community support has been especially gratifying in Kelowna and Penticton.
My name is Eric
J
River, and I am lo and every one of t best to represent.
call hom ard to m needs
Writers range in age from eight to 90; the 100page book features mainly poems and short stories' chosen from hundreds of submissions.
I
At the AGM, I especially enjoyed meeting the rest of the executive and marvelling at their spectrum of talents. And the talk given us by that celebrated writer, Peter C. Newman, was enlightening' "How to write a best seller" . ilY, if it were only that easy.
Our territory is unique. From the stately residences of Qualicum on up through the timbered slopes of the snow-blasted interior mountains, down the many salt water inlets that only time and loggers haven't forgotten, history has dealt us a favourable hand.
Our shores have been visited by Vancouver
and
Cook, our native heritage is perhaps the richest on the coast and we host such wonders as the largest burl in the world--material that writers cry for' As you can tell, we are fiercely proud of our little patch of turf.
But we need to sing it out to the rest of the world and for that we need more members; associated and
Federation members are invited to see what other writers are doing in the Okanagan, and to help support Rick Hansen's Man in Motion at the same time. When all the other fund-raising projects are over and gone, Pens in Motion will remain a lasting souvenir and testimony to one man's courage and the sharing of manY'
s for Po hologY
the original to Pens in Weir House Cultural Centre, 220 Manor Park Ave., Penticton, B.C. Y2A 2R2. $5 (a
Thanks,
Heather Glebe
MALCOLM LOWRY SYMPOSIUM An International Symposium on the Life and Work of Malcolm Lowry was held at the University of British Columbia May l0 to May 13. This gathering, organized by a committee chaired by Dr' Sherril
6
Grace of the Department of English, also featured a fine display of books and photographs arranged by Anne Yandle, head of Special Collections. The university holds the bulk of Lowry's manuscripts
and letters. Distinguished scholars came from across Canada, the United States and Mexico, from Britain and Europe (France, West Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Greece) and from Japan, Australiaand New Zealand.
Biographical aspects of his life occupied the first morning. Th erest was Lowry's famous novel , and many scholarly ideas concerning its unique structure and powerful impact were thoroughly covered. Dr. Carmen Virgill, from the University of Barcelona, compared the characters to those of Cervantes'Don Quixote de la Mancha, an idea I personally found fascinating. The character of the Consul was dealt with in depth; also Lowry's concern for the political morass of the period, and his writing's effect on a new generation of writers.
An evening of Jazz and poetry in honour of Lowry
held at International House on Monday featured Dr. Dorothy Livesay reading a poem about "her friend Malcolm." A jazz suite, by Graham Collier, O.B.E., ork of Malcolm Lowry, received its North American premiere.
Robert Kroetsch gave the Keynote Address on Tuesday morning. He spoke of the lyrical quality of
LABRADOR WRITERS' CONFERENCE My bag had previously been to Newfoundland (due to an Air Canada error), but this was my first visit. The occasion was the Newfoundland/Labrador Provincial Writers' Conference held in St. John's March 26 to 29. The conference was named "Overcoming Isolation" and the purpose was to overcome isolation. It was an exhilarating experience for the visiting guest and for the Newfoundland/Labrador writers. In common with B.C. writers, Newfoundland/Labrador writers are excluded from the central Canadian markets and funding. In common with women everywhere, women writers from Newfoundland and Labrador have difficulty getting published.
Previous to the conference, the writers' groups in Newfoundland were East Coast Women and Words, Newfoundland Writers' Guild, and the Thursday Collective. These are all based in St. John's.
By the end of the conference, a statement of purpose had been worked out and a steering committee chosen to form a new provincial writersi alliance. As well as providing writers with support and information, the new provincial alliance will seek to make more money available to writers and writers' groups. At present, three Newfoundland writers make a living from writing.
provide of readings. It is perience for writers to strut The conference also
millions
The culmination of the symposium was what could only be called a pilgrimage, made by two bus loads of visitors from the university to Cates park, where Mayor Marilyn Baker of the District of North Vancouver presided over the unveiling of a handsome plaque honouring Lowry. It is beautifully situated near the start of the MALCOLM LOWRY TRAIL. Another small plaque marks the location of the shack where Malcolm and Margerie Lowry lived.
ty for
g
exother writers to admire and/or criticize in a supportive environment.
I heard and read some excellent work and came away really impressed with the overall quality of the writing. It was a great time, and a privilege to have been invited. Helen Potrebenko
It
was a moving experience to be there and to witness the honour paid to a great man who lived almost unnoticed among us for fourteen years, and is today recognized as one of the greatest novelists of the twentieth centurv. Johann Polberg
REPORT FROM CALGARY
XV Olvmoic Writers Festival Trevor Carolan reports from Calgary that the development of the Olympic Writers Festival programme is going well. The Festival will be held from January
3l
to February 4, and is a showcase
opportunity for novelists, poets, playwrights, literary journalists, screen writers, kid lit writers from around the world. It will include readings,
Dawn Wallace Cultural Services Branch Ministry of the Provincial Secretary
seminars, workshops and special events.
Parliament Buildings Victoria, B.C.
A Book Fair will exhibit examples of the scope and diversity of Canadian publishing as well as other exhibits on other book-related activities, including calligraphy, hand binding, etc. The Fourth Annual Poetry Sweatshop will be held February 19 and will pit competitive poets against one another. They will have thirty minutes to compose a poem from the words on a page from Roget's Thesaurus. Inspired madness! TAXES AND GOVERNMENT: PUBLIC LENDING RIGHTS COMMISSION The upcoming year's registration deadline will be October 15, 1987--two months earlier than last year. If you have already registered with the Commission, updated forms will be sent to you automatically, and in plenty of time. If you haven't, this is a good time to drop the Commission a postcard (P.O. Box 1047, Ottawa, KIP 5V8) to let us know your name and address. That way you'll also get the updated forms automatically. Only previously unregistered titles will need to be registered. And if any of your already registered titles weren't found in any of the sample libraries this year, we'll automatically keep looking for them in subsequent years. Libraries frequently update or back-order. There's always a hope. The Canadian Conference of the Arts is about to publish the first-ever practical guide on taxation for artists and writers. Taxation and the Arts offers 200 pages of information on the tax status of artists in various disciplines, and reviews recent administrative policy changes which have improved tax treatment of artists. Order from Canadian Conference of the Arts, 126 York Street, Ste. 400, Ottawa, Ontario, KIN 5T5; $12.95 plus g2 postage/handling.
GRANTS AND WRITERS Dawn Wallace, the provincial government's Coordinator of Publishing Programs and Publications, has
information about grants to writers and writers' organizations. Request a copy of the guidelines by writing to:
V8V
lX4
Phone: 387-l0ll MARKETS
Editor's Note: We gather information on markets, contests, anthologies, special issues, conferences, workshops, courses, and so on from a wide variety of sources. Our thanks especially to the Burnaby Writers' Society Newsletter, the Manitoba Writers' Guild Newsletter, Writers' Guild of Alberta Newsletter, Literary Markets, Writers' Union of Canada Newsletter. The information given is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing. However, the Federation of B.C. Writers does not guarantee any of these listings.
t*+***** NELSON CANADA needs poetry, short fiction, drama and novel manuscripts for children aged 9 to 14. Submissions may deal with a broad range of themes, including relationships with friends, family, an ever-enlarging world, adventure, history, technology and environment. Send mss. with SASE to Carroll Klein, Project Manager, Language Arts 47, Nelson Canada, I120 Birchmount Rd., Scarborough, Ontario, MIK 5G4; telephone (416) 752-9100. Prisoners of the Nieht is interested in excellent writing, original characters, different slants on the old vampire theme and erotic (but not pornographic) content. "... we aren't really a horror publication. We are more interested in the romantic rather than the shock value or disgusting side of vampires." It's important that all characters in a story are original and not based on someone else's creations. Plans a lengthy publication--with room for I I to l2 fiction submissions, 20 to 25 poetry submissions and 20 to 30 art submissions per issue. However, print run will only be 200, so payment is in copy only. Reports in one week, if proper SASE enclosed. $15 sample. Alayne Gelfand, Editor, Prisoners of the Nieht, P.O. Box 368, Poway, CA, 92064-0005.
The New Canadian Review is being created to encourage ethnic communities to contribute to the literary wealth of Canada. Will publish fiction, poetry, drama, reviews, folklore, reports, critiques. in copies. P.O. Box 717, Pointe Claire-Dorval, P.Q., H9R 4S8. Send SASE and writing credits.
Pays
8
Breakthroueh! Submissions wanted: up-beat articles, stories, poems and cartoons requested for consideration. Magazine pays in tearsheet copy at
present (cash payment to commence as soon as feasible). \ilriters are urged to read at least one copy of our quarterly magazine to see our style and theme. We need short stories, articles, essays and cartoons most, but like to see rhyming poems too. If not rhyming, poems have to be very good to make it into Breakthroush! In turn, magazine promises fast, friendly reply with acceptance or reasons if rejected. Submit with SASE or IRC. J. Alvin Speers, Ed., Breakthroueh! Aardvark Enterprises, 192 Balsam Place, Penticton, B.C., Canada,
vzA
Carousel seeks poetry which demonstrates "a fresh approach to the literary arts." Any length, any
subject. Also fiction to 1500 words, and artwork. Pays in copies, all rights remain with author. Editors: Ann Lehmann, Gail Mercer, University Centre, Room 243, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NIG 2Wl. JAMES LORIMER AND COMPANY is looking for realistic fiction for 8 to 15 year olds; also sample
work from illustrators. Contact Linda Sheppard, James Lorimer and Company, 35 Britain Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5A I R7, or telephone (416) 3624762.
7Y3.
Bendinq Moment, a new literary magazine based in Vancouver, is looking for poetry and short story submissions as well as reviews. Prefers "experiments that work but also strong traditional pieces: definitely lvant evidence that the writer is aware of the tradition that he/she is writing out of." Steve Noyes (ex-editor of Prism) is the poetry editor, Lee Gowan is the fiction editor, and Sue Donaldson is the managing and reviews editor. For the first issue of the magazine at least, payment will probably be in copies only. Submit to: Bendine Moment, 1849 E. l6th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V5N 2G7. Endeavour, I l6 Lisgar Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0C2, is a new magazine publishing poetry, short stories, articles on any aspect of the arts, reviews, photos and graphics. Pays in copies, published bimonthly. Deadline for each issue is l5th of previous month. Single copy $1.50.
The Alchemist is seeking any type of poetry,
including haiku. "We prefer short imagistic poetry." Needs no more fiction for 1987, but will take graphics, preferably black and white. Pays in copies. Sample copy available for $2.00. Editor: Marco Fraticelli, Box 123, La Salle, Quebec, H8R 3T7. (Subscription rates: $I0/four issues.) (A beautifully produced magazine--highly recommended.)
Kids Stuff began as a newsletter for home-schooled children, containing poetry, prose, puzzles, mazes and art on a wide variety of subjects, from literature and wildlife to computers, maths/sciences, by and for kids ages six to twelve. Submissions are welcome from young authors. Pays in copies. Back issue for $1.00. Editor: Heidi Priesnitz, 195 Markville Road, Unionville, Ontario, L3R 4V8.
KIDS CAN PRESS wants picture book manuscripts, non-fiction for 8 to 12 year olds, and novels for 7 to l0 year olds. The novels should be mystery and detective stories, adventure stories and humorous stories. Send submissions to Ricky Englander, Kids Can Press, 585 l/2 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M6G lK5. Canadian playwrights are encouraged to submit their work to the Arts Club Theatre, 1585 Johnson Street,
Vancouver, B.C., V6H 3R9, attention Bill Millard, Director. The theatre is interested in works about Canada for adult audiences, and reports in two months on your complete manuscript. The Mvstic Muse, l3l9 Dennis Court, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007 is looking for fiction and poetry on the themes of reincarnation, psychic phenomena, prophecy and the supernatural. Previously published material welcome. Editor is John Waltz.
Riverside Ouarterlv is a science fiction literary magazine which uses articles, interviews, reviews, art, poetry and fiction. Limit of 3500 words for fiction. Best to write for a sample copy for 92.00 U.S. Editor is Leland Sapiro, P.O. Box 833-044, Richardson, Texas, 75080. Meridian is a bi-monthly magazine aimed at the 55plus age group. Try them with articles (to 750 words), poetry to l0 lines maximum, or fiction to 500 words, which show a positive view of aging. Subjects can be informative, humorous or nostalgic. Pays $30-$50 for articles, S5 for poetry. Janice Forbes, Ed., Troika Publishing, Box 13337, Kanata, Ontario, K2K lX5. Sol Risine, the quarterly newsletter of the Friends of Spaced Out Library, is published by the Toronto Public Library's unique science fiction collection, founded in 1976 by Judith Merril. Sol Risine will
9
carry articles, reviews and news of interest to the Canadian SF community. Information: Lorna Toolis, The Spac-ed Out Library, 40 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2ii.
Hutcheson, 56 The Esplanada, Toronto, Ontario,
M5E IR2.
Ideas Exchanee likes "success" stories
for
entre_
to BALLANTINE BOOKS can now be directed to the Canadian representative, Ed Carson, 1265 Aerwood Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, LIW lB9. Su^bmissions by Canadians
I
I
DETSELIG ENTERPRISES LTD., Box G399, Cal_ gary, Alberta, T3A 2G3, a publisher of college texts and general-interest non_fiction trade books,
welcomes proposals
for book projects.
Send a
sum-mary of the proposed book along with resume
of
professional background, and l0_pige excerpt from manuscript. (If manuscript not yet written, include sample of previous work.) NO poetry, fiction
or children's- books,. please. Oetsetig's program includes history, biography, humour, e-tt nit isiues, women's concerns, national and internationai current affairs. Send proposals to attention of Laurel Enright. American FAntasv is experiencing a temporary glut on manuscripts, due to listings in St and Literary Markets.
wants satirical fiction about for 200-1500 w. Box 16315, rolina, 92606.
BARBARA LOWENSTEIN & ASSOCIATES, york agency representing moreINC., than 100 writers, has appoinied portland author and publicist Carolan Gladden as literary scout for the Pacific northwest. says, ,,lie are eager to locate individuals of-Gladden note and autirorities in various fields for non-fiction books aimed general public. Physicians, attorney, scientists, "t-tfrc social scientists, business with a writer. Wha
for stage reading Wanda Buchanan, e, 588 Shaw Street,
a major New
for a book."
The
calibre mainstream contact Gladden & Associates, p.O. Box 12001, Portland, Oregon, 97212.
CANADIAN POETS, ASSOCIATION has a new address: Box 7, Stn. D, Scarborough, Ontario,
MIR
Qmohalos wants human interest, topical opinion re: Red Deer or Central eiUerta. photos to y. Pays $.10/w Donald C.
pieces,
Editor, Sylves GoldenWestA
Ltd., Ste. ,Alberta,
4Y7.
Eoultv Maeazine requires business related profiles and features. pays $600-$900 on publication. Free sample copies. ne or draft.
Editor:
Harvey
Street, Vancouve
West pender
Ca_nadiAn Forum pays $100 for feature articles on cultural, social, economic and political issues involving Canada and the world. iJitor: lotrn
accepts poetry, editorials about rtists' relation to society. SASE
l0
only. Editor/Publisher: Bill Marles, Road, Richmond, B.C., V7C lpg.
4340 Coldfall
Yerve deals with health, nutrition, fitness, personal
poetry, fiction. Challenge current notions, politics or trends in Canadian literature. Articles and essays should examine impact of arts funding on Canadian poet and fiction writer. Submissions and queries to Ted Plantos, Editor, Writers' euarterly, P.O. Box 277, Station F, Toronto, Ontario, i,tlV Zfi. Wae Maeazine wants short plays, poetry, gag lines,
Road, Don Mills, Ontario, M3B 2X7.
(flLio,
a newsletter of feminist innovative writing, "aims to publish the work of women writers who are attempting to work outside or sometimes
and cartoons. payment on publication. SASE. Wag Magazine, P.O. Box 8098, Bridgeport p.O., Kitch_ ener, Ontario, N2K 286. Canadian West Maeazine wants non-fiction articles
on any aspect of
Western Canadian history, preferably predating 1900, 2500-3500 worOi.
Writers' guidelines available. Write Canadian West Magazine, Sunfire Publishing Ltd., p.O. Box 3399, Langley, B.C.
BANTAM BOOKS will begin a new line of original trade paperback fiction in July, with 6 books scheduled for publication through November. Quality fiction with a commercial edge. euery Deb Futter, Editor, 666 Fifth Avenue, New york, N.y., May 31, 1987. Guidelines: 9933 Alliance Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45242.
,
a quarterly, wants experiwomen, short statements by poetics, notes about new or publications by women writers. Frances
7l
Corbett Avenue, San , g4l3l.
Francisco,
Sting wants stories, poems, cartoons that
are
of Cana coverin Press
suitable publications may be sent to: Mr. p.R. Hansen, 33 Bedford Hill, London, IJ.K., SWl2 9Ey.
poetry avant-garde, of 6 poems. New
Payment
rban, con $6 entrv
f
st 3l for in copies. Brian Schulze, Editor, Under_
pass Press, #57
4-21,10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmon_ ton, Alberta, T5J 3S2.
Writer's Ouarterlv wants essays, articles, criticism,
10103.
DOUBLEDAY editors Jean and Ian Malloch are looking for stories, poems, songs and non-fiction for a Grade 2 and 3 series called Chime in Two. They would like as much Canadian *ort-* possibte. For information, write to the Mallochs at 17 Hammok Crescent, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 2Xl. IYeifd Tales magazine wants fantasy and horror fiction up to 20,000 words. payment approximately $0.3-$0.7 a word, on acceptance. The first issul Spring 1988, with quarterly publication at first. eventually moving to bi-monthly. They need aboui 60,000 words of original fiction for each issue. Address: Terminus publishing Co., 4426larchwood Avenue, Philadelphia, pennsylvania, 19104. Chanticleer, the literary publication of the Vernon Writers' Group, needs material for the October/g1 issue: articles, short stories, poems, humour, etc. Pays in copies. Adam Tolway, Editor, Box 443, Armstrong, B.C., VOE lB0.
Citv Parent News, a quarterly newsmagazine for urban parents and children, is accepting high_ quality submissions of poetry and short sto;ies suitable for children ages four to twelve, covering
any theme from adventure to the whimsical. pavs $10.00 for short stories (maximum g00 words) and $5.00 per poetry page. Sample copies availabie for
$1.00. Responds in six to eight weeks.
Send
ll submissions to: City Parent News, Corinne Fontaine, Ed., 103 Qithrow Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4K
Longspoon Literary Press, University of Alberta Seaside Woman
lc8.
Phoebus \ilants visual poetry
for its Fall 1987 issue. Poetry must be illustrated or else visual in its form (typography), i.e., concrete, pattern poetry, etc. We would especially like to see work that combines art and words on the same page in a single fused image. No collaborations or photography, please. Send work with SASE to Phoebus, P.O. Box 3085, Hampton, Virginia, 23663. Sample, $2. Deadline: September 10, 1987.
CONTESTS
Mr. Cosito Press. The deadline is October 15. 1987 for a new contest The Immigrant Experience: The Second and Third Generation Writes. The contest is open to first and subsequent generations, writing on some aspect of their ethnic heritage or ethnic experience. Pize of $50 and publication for the best poem or group of poems (previously unpublished).
CACTUS TREE PRESS invites submissions for a poetry anthology on Northern Spirituality. Themes include goddess worship, praise of nature, natural cycles, magic and folklore. To be published in early 1988. Payment in copies. Send 3 to 5 poems and SASE to P.O. Box 16, Stn. B, Hamilton, Ontario,
L8L 7T5. AYA PRESS (Box I 153, Station F, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 2T8) cordially invites you to submit l-2 pages of prose, poetry, or black and white artwork for The Intoxication Anthology, deadline October l, 1987. Submissions without SASE or exceeding length limit will not be considered.
Boqq, John Elsberg, 422 N. Cleveland Street, Arlington, Virginia, 22201.4/$8 for 3 issues; 1.50/ $3 per copy, two or three times a year. A magazine of British, Commonwealth and North American writing. Canadian correspondent, Sparling Mills, 35 Purcell's Cove, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3N
lR3.
Bogg
is
actively soliciting
Canadian
Mr. Coeito Maeazine. Previously published poems, as well as new work, may also be submitted for a special issue in November. Indicate original place of publication and give permission to reprint. Deadline: October 15, 1987. All ethnic backgrounds are welcomed. Send material to either: Contest/ Mr. Cogito Press, Robert A. Davies, Editor, UC Box 627, Ptcific University, Forest Grove, Oregon, 97116; q John M. Gogol, Editor, P.O. Box 66124, Portland, Oregon, 97266.
The Calgary Winter Olympics Arts Festival is creating a national theatre showcase based on stories written by Canadian children. The theme will be Winter Play, a celebration of winter in Canada. Young Canadians from kindergarten to Grade 9 are invited to submit illustrated stories, poems and songs, in either written or taped form to: Winter Play, c/o Youth Dept., XV Olympic Games Organizing Committee, Box 1988, Stn. C., Calgary, Alberta T2T 5R4.
submissions.
Imolosion, a new poetry journal, will feature wellcrafted short poetry. Please submit your poetry with SASE to: Implosion, P.O. Box 232, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 6Kl.
CANCELLED The following have suspended operations or ceased publication: sf: new science fiction stories Published!
JAM Cricket Midway Review Ursus Press Just About Me Crackers
Deadline: December lst each year. Awards: lst$1,000; 2nd - $500; 3rd - $250. Entry form and
rules available with SASE. Fiction Contest, Department of Creative Writing, IJniversity of British Columbia, Yancouver, B.C., V6T lW5. Aees 8 to 12: Offers a $1,000 hardcover contract, $300 advance against royalties and guaranteed promotion. Obtain contest rules before submitting. SASE to Arthur Levine, G.P./ Putnam's Sons, Fiction Prize, 5l Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y., 10010.
for
Fiction '87 Contest. $500 prize, 10,000 words maximum. Entry fee $5.00. Send SASE, cover letter, short biography. No deadline given. Michael C. White, Editor, English Department, New York
l2 Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, N.y., I1567.
South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, 366gg.
WORKSHOPS
contest are April information contact: P.o. Box 1630, Los
For est'
is an annual
ANTHOLOGIES
t3 summer 1988, no deadline given. No mention of to submit to this special P.O. Box 1061, Kingston, 376-3584.
WORKING FOR A LIVING: Women spend a great working--in paid and unpaid jobs. This theme is central to much of our fiction and feminist literary deal of their time
fi.i,l?lt"t'il,l:i, please query first for reviews. November 1987 ., (Submissions may be held until the deadline.) Enclose SASE (outside Canada, SAE with "Working for a Living", c/o P.O. Box 46160, Stn. G,
\::".tl"j:"1td
4c5.
OUR EYES HAVE FOUND yOU: ANGRY WORDS FROM HONEST WOMEN is an anthology that will provide a creative and constructive expression of our anger as we use it to heal, recover and create. Send poems, short stories, plays, journal entries (all forrns of expression acceptable) with SASE to Celine-Marie Pascale, p.O. Santa Cruz, California,95063. Deadline: l,l9g7. Ali pieces will be published in ge in which they were written.
NELA RIO is working on an anthology of immigrant women writers living in Canada. Interested in literature written in the person's original language, or in translation into English or French. Contact her c/o Romance Languages Department, St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 5G3.
THE NEW POET'S HANDBOOK, 2nd revised and expanded edition, is now available for $6 from League of Canadian Poets, 24 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2p3. Information on writing, publishing in magazines, contracts, etc. For $5 they'll send yo a listing of magazines izing in poetry and fiction. THE CANADIAN POETRY ASSOCIATION now has a Vancouver chapter, based at #103 - 43g6 West lOth Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V6R 2H7; telephone (604) 222-2170. Their newsletter, SPOKES, features news, reviews and activities of the local poetry scene. Free to CPA members, g6 per year to interested supporters. dated annual, is now availab from Box 100, Paradise, California,95969.
R. OTTMANN is an artist interested in breaking into illustration, especially of children's books. He would like to get in touch with other JOSEPH
illustrators willing
to share information and experience, or with writers looking for an illustrator. Call 681-8334 anytime. CHILDREN'S WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS: CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors,Illustrators and Performers) is now holding Vancouver meetings, as CANSCAIP WEST. If you would like to get involved, write for info to Sonia Craddock, 3820 West lTth Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., v6s ll|.4.
GRAEME GIBSON is editing a book on Canadian literary anecdotes, and deadline for submission for
this volume is September 30, 1987. Sent to Graeme Gibson, c/o Writers' Llnion of Canada, 24 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2p3. CONNECTIONS
sion. We're very informal, and have been meeting for over a year. Other writers are welcome.', For information call Lisa Hatton - 859-31l4 or Brenda Matthews
-
852-2382.
THE CANADIAN PERIODICAL PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION has just put out a new catalogue of
Canadian magazines. Send $2 to CppA, 2 Stiwart Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5V lH6. A most useful publication which gives addresses of about 150 Canadian markets.
ASSEMBLY OF B.C. ARTS COUNCILS CONFERENCE: September 25 - 27,1987, Williams Lake, B.C. Arts Round-up is the theme of ABCAC's l9g7 conference, where those working to develop
community and regional arts in B.C. meet and exchange ideas and information. For information,
contact Williams Lake Community Arts Council, p.O.
t
t4 Box 4537, Williams Lake, B.C., V2G 2Vg; telephone (604) 398-6323.
in the series is Fire
Eves,
a
er by Victoria writer Don Bailev Douglas & Mclntyre plan to
Canz dian novels annually. JOAN BELLINGER has had an article accepted by Breakthroueh, as well zrs poems by pioneer News, Creen l4aeazine, and a childrlrF a"tfrofogy, Bubbles.
VALERIE AELBERS' documentary on premature births, "Born Too Soon," has been awarded the
National Programmers' Award of Excellence, given by the Canadian Cable TV Assocation. (In fuf""r.fr, the film received the CCTS' pacific programmers, Award.)
po
e
of
ms b y MA
Ry cHoo:,'rrr" HT "rrrli.t' for an upcoming issue.
t',lee:,ly"l
Ghosts", WINONA KENT has a short story, "The Garden," in the next issue of West Coat Review.
CLELIE WYLLIE was a quarter_finalist in the first 1987 rs of the Future contest; and P emi_finalist in this year,s Natio eration scientific fictionf fantasy competition.
EILEEN KERNAGHAN's poem, "Tales from the will appear in the Technology and Society issue of prism International, in Julyl Holo_graph Woods,"
CAROLE BROST
will have two poems,
,Moral
Support" and "Offspring,'published in the upcoming
Family Fictions issue rf The New Ouarterli (University of Waterloo). In June, MOSAIC PRESS will publish David Wat_ mough's new novel, The year of Fears, set in San Francisco in the McCarthy era;-th;-6ook is the eighth in Watmough's Davey Bryant series of autobiographical fiction.
**:t+**++ ,CREATIVE BUT MADU Creative people really are weirder than everybody
else.
DOUGLAS & McINTyRE of vancouver have just launched a ne\il quality paperback Canadian ficiion
l5 study indicates less well-known manic depressives may be more creative than their well_adjusted counterparts.
r3.
obtain charity status purposes.
t4.
for funding and
tax
encourage more regional activities and
involvement. 15.
16.
investigate setting up provincial Arts Grants for individual writers.
investigate provincial grants writers.
t7. ch we ran last issue, to serve you well, we o fill oui and to add any-personal thoughts or suggestions; we hope to publish a summary of all responses in the September
rssue.
e
following goals which yOU
Federation's
priorities.
The
l.
act as a coordinating body for all province_ wide writers' organizations.
2.
encourage the membership active on committees.
3.
promote a project to bring writers into the schools for readings, lectur-s and workshops.
4. act as a
referral service
conferences, etc.
5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
to become more
for
workshops,
publish the newsletter bi-monthly. conduct more Outreach Workshops. host a B.C. poetry Competition. host a B.C. Short Story Competition. host a General Writing Competition for B.C.
10. conduct workshops for writers on the AGM weekend.
L
ll.
develop
12.
conduct an intensive membership drive.
a Promotion and Information Kit about the Federation for the regional reps.
senior
run a series of profiles on writers in
newsletter.
The gene need
for
the
+***t* 18.
Other goals that yOU would like to see the Federation pursue: