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 January/February 2010      Issue #12

NetWords Issue #12
Wishing you much success and adventure in this new decade!  We invite you to continue building your networks through the many events in the GTA that we promote through NetWords. Happy new year!

Dawn Boshcoff, VP Marketing
Editor, NetWords PWAC Toronto Chapter
Professional Writers Association of Canada
Note: All events are held in Toronto unless otherwise stated.
January Events

 
Intermediate Creative Writing
12 great weeks of creativity, inspiration and growth!
Wednesday afternoons January 13 to April 7, 12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(Note: Begins by email January 13, but the first class is January 20)
This course is for people who are working on their own writing. During the 12 weeks of the class, you'll bring in six pieces for detailed feedback. All your pieces may be from the same work, such as a novel in progress, or they may be stand-alone pieces. They might be six different pieces or you might bring in some pieces twice. Participants will have reading to do each week and will need to come to class ready to contribute to the discussion of each other's writing. This is a challenging course, but extremely rewarding.
Cost: $180
Location: Appleby United Church, 4407 Spruce Ave., Burlington
Register: brianhenry@sympatico.ca  
 

How to Write and Sell a Romance Novel ~ An editor & an author tell all ~ with Brian Henry and Guest Brenda Harlen
Saturday, January 16, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Get the inside story. Whether you want to write chick lit (like Bridget Jones's Diary) a traditional Harlequin-style romance or women's erotica, this workshop will show you how. Learn the "secret formulas" and how to brainstorm a story line. Find out how much money authors earn and where the best opportunities are to get published now.
Cost: $41 advance registration, $45 at door

Location: Westdale Library, 955 King St. W., Hamilton
Register: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

PWAC Toronto Chapter presents Business Skills for Creative Types
Tuesday, January 19, Registration: 7:00 p.m.
Seminar/Q & A: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
There comes a time in many professional writers' lives when they face a harsh reality: talent alone does not guarantee a good income. While eloquence, creativity and a unique perspective on life make for great writing, running a business requires entirely different assets. This seminar offers practical tips on the presentation skills, people skills, negotiation skills and money matters that help generate repeat business and turn starving artists into busy artists.
Cost: FREE for PWAC Members/Students
$15 for Non-Members
$10 for Associate Writer Group Members
Register Online!
Location: Room 106, Health Sciences Building, U of T, 155 College St. 
Post-seminar Cheers with Peers Networking at O'Grady's Tap and Grill, 171 College St.
Contact:
s.aschaiek@pwactoronto.org 

(Not so) Nice Italian Girls & friends presents readings of poetry and short fiction
Tuesday, January 19, 7:00 p.m. onwards
Featuring Michelle Alfano, Valentino Assenza, Desi Dinardo, Luciano Iacobelli, Nyla Matuk, Lina Medaglia, Giovanna Riccio
Location: Supermarket Restaurant & Bar, 268 Augusta Ave.
Arrive early and enjoy the great food and ambiance at supermarket!
Contact: alitchick@rogers.com


Writing with Style with guest author Jean-Rae Baxter
Saturday, January 23, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you do any kind of creative writing, fiction or non-fiction, and your prose needs some panache or a dash of sass, this workshop is for you. We'll tackle the nitty-gritty of putting words on paper in a way that will grip the reader's imagination. You'll learn how to avoid common errors that drain the life from your prose. And you'll discover how to make your writing more vivid and more elegant.
Cost: $41 paid in advance or $45 at the door
Location:Four Corners Library, 65 Queen St. E., Brampton
Register:brianhenry@sympatico.ca

AIP presents: Successful Independent Practitioners 101: How they got to where they are now, featuring panel guests Paul Lima, Diana Degan Robinson, Ken Cherney and Annette Martell
Wednesday, January 27, 6:00 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.
Start the New Year with our panelists as they share insights and tips on how they achieved their financial goals.You will learn how to market yourself to attract the clients you want, how to grow your business to achieve your financial goals
and how to avoid pitfalls standing in the way of your success.
Includes light refreshments.
Cost: Regular member: $25
Student member $25

Non-member $35

Location: The Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive
Details:
http://toronto.iabc.com/events/eventDetails.asp?EventID=97

Writing Romance with Brian Henry
Saturday, January 30, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Get the inside story. Whether you want to write chick lit (like Bridget Jones's Diary,) a traditional Harlequin-style romance or woman's erotica, this workshop will show you how. Learn the "secret formulas" and how to brainstorm a story line. Find out how much money authors earn and where the best opportunities are to get published now.
Cost: $41 advance registration, $45 at door
Location: 576 Brant St., Woodstock
Register: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Note: All events are held in Toronto unless otherwise stated.
February Events


PWAC Toronto Chapter presents You ARE Your Brand!
Wednesday, February 17, Registration 7:00 p.m.
Seminar/Q&A 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Everything you think, say and do builds or destroys your brand, whether you know it or not. Join us for this informative seminar to learn how to determine your brand, how to build it, how to avoid branding landmines and much more!
Cost: FREE for PWAC Members/Students
$15 for Non-Members
$10 for Associate Writer Group Members
Register Online!
Location: Room 106, Health Sciences Building, U of T, 155 College St. 
Post-seminar Cheers with Peers Networking at O'Grady's Tap and Grill, 171 College St.
Contact: s.aschaiek@pwactoronto.org 

Welcome to Creative Writing - 9 weeks of growth and discovery
Tuesday afternoons February 2 to March 30 in Oakville
or
Thursday evenings February 4 to April 1 in Mississauga

This course will open the door to all kinds of creative writing. We'll visit short story writing and personal writing, children's writing, memoir writing, and just-for-fun writing. You'll get a shot of inspiration every week and an (optional) assignment to keep you going till the next class. Best of all, this class will provide a zero-pressure, totally safe environment, where your words will flow and flower.
Cost: $120
Location: St. Cuthburt's Anglican Church, Oakville
Sheridan United Church, Mississauga

Contact: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Writers' Circle of Durham Region monthly breakfast meeting
Saturday, February 13, 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
WCDR welcomes Bill Howell, former CBC Radio Producer, as he examines the "poetry of the colloquial." Explore the structure and nature of what we hear on radio. Following the meeting, David Drane will lead a mini workshop: "If It Didn't Happen, Why Do I Remember It So Clearly?" exploring the difference between fact & memory.
Location: J.P. Fitzpatrick and Son restaurant, Whitby Entertainment Centrum, 75 Consumers Rd. (west of Thickson Rd. S.)
Cost: $15 for members
$20 for guests; includes breakfast

Information: www.wcdr.org

IABC presents Successful Communications in a 2.0 World with Steve Crescenzo on using new tools to motivate, engage and educate your audiences
Thursday, February 25, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Learn how Steve, one of North America's leading experts in employee communication, has helped thousands of communicators improve both their print and electronic communication efforts through this work as a consultant, writer and seminar leader. 
Location: Sutton Place Hotel, Stop 33 room, 955 Bay St.
Cost: Member early birds to January 31: $40
Regular member $45
Student member $25
Non-member $65.
For more information, CLICK HERE

Writers' Groups and Meetings
Join a group to gain inspiration, support, job leads or just a change in routine.
 
Writers' Meetups
Meetup.com is an online service that helps people organize community meetings among individuals with a common interest. Visit
www.meetup.com to learn more about groups in your area. Indigo Books & Music Inc. is an official Meetup Venue Partner, providing comfortable and convenient venues at selected Indigo, Chapters and Coles locations across Canada, and The World's Biggest Bookstore in Toronto. 

Society of Environmental Journalists hosts Pub Nights on the first Tuesday of every month with guest speakers and informal discussions about environmental journalism and other subjects of interest. All interested in environmental journalism and issues welcome!
Gather between 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
S
peaker at 8:00 p.m.
Location:
Upstairs bar at Harbord House (halfway between Spadina and Bathurst on Harbord)
RSVP:
SEJpubnight@saunderseditor.com

Writers' Circle of Durham Region
The WCDR monthly breakfast meetings are where experienced and aspiring writers gather, learn and connect. Join us throughout the year to hear authors and industry speakers, to enjoy a special event, and to broaden your networking circle. Everyone is welcome. Meetings run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: J.P. Fitzpatrick and Son restaurant in the Whitby Entertainment Centrum, 75 Consumers Rd. (west of Thickson Rd. S.)
Cost: Includes an excellent and hearty breakfast
$15 for members; $20 for guests.
Register online at www.wcdr.org or phone 905-686-0211

Weekly Writers' Workshop at U of T
Critique, discussion, creation and marketing of original poetry and prose. Workshop features guest authors and is involved in literary events and publications.
Fridays at 6:00 p.m.
Location:
Hart House, University of Toronto's St. George Campus
Cost:
FREE

Contact:
uoftwritersco-op@hotmail.com

World Literacy Canada presents
Kama 2010 Reading Series

"Kama" is the Sanskrit word for pleasure, and the annual Kama Reading Series celebrates the pleasure of reading, writing and living with books.  Now in its 18th year, Kama's lineup always includes both up-and-coming and well-loved authors writing in diverse fiction and nonfiction genres. It's five evenings of readings, conversation and book signings at the Park Hyatt, including complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and a charitable tax receipt. *Find out more about this year's line-up!

Contact: info@worldlit.ca or call 416-977-0008
NetWords GTA Event Newsletter is published monthly by
PWAC Toronto Chapter

Your Group Here!
Email editor@NetWords.ca
with all the important details including dates, location, contact information and a brief description.

PWAC Toronto Chapter NetWords 2009-2010. All Rights Reserved.
In This Issue 

January Events
February Events
Conference News
Literary Award
Online Courses
Writers' Groups
 
Forward to a Friend 
Quick Links
 
THE CAJ and CAJEF PRESENT:
JOURNALISM in the 21st CENTURY

Your newsroom's depopulated. You're doing video, blogging, tweeting and writing stories. You're wondering what the future holds for good journalism. This is the conference for you.

What: A one-day crash course on the skills you need to transform your reporting and reinvent your newsroom in the new digital age. Learn about emerging techniques, technologies and models to transform journalism for the 21st century.
When: Saturday, January 30
Where: MaRS Centre, Toronto
Who: Working journalists, managers and students.  There are sessions for every skill level.
Cost: Students and unemployed journalists $45
CAJ members $99
Associate members $129
Non-members $199
Register: Online at caj.ca

 2010 Ontario Writers' Conference
May 1, 2010
Ajax, Ontario
The event features a full day of festivities, including continental breakfast, three writing workshops, lunch with guest speaker Catherine Gildiner, publishing panel, dinner with guest speaker Robert J. Sawyer and an evening festival of author readings, complete with dessert and cash bar.
Visit www.thewritersconference.com

~~~


Save the Dates!
>>>
MagNet PWAC<<<
2010 National Conference
Toronto, Ontario

June 1 to 4, 2010  Watch magnet.magazinescanada.ca for information and updates on the next MagNet starting in Spring 2010.
 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Symposium: Secure Footing in a Changing Literary Landscape
 
The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC) is offering an exciting new full-day event designed to address the creative and financial questions that arise as writers in all phases of their careers navigate print-based and digital landscapes. The symposium also explores the importance of and need for writers to develop their own writing community.  The session will take place in February and March 2010 in major cities across Canada, including Toronto.
 
Authors Betsy Warland and Ross Laird will outline the current changes in the industry; explore innovative digital opportunities; and discuss the creativity and economics of a writer's life. TWUC Executive Director Deborah Windsor will discuss authors' contracts in the digital age.
 
Cost: $45 includes lunch
Contact: Writers Union of Canada

IABC World Conference Toronto, ON
June 6 to 10, 2010
The IABC World Conference is the leading international forum of its kind. More than 1,500 business communication professionals-decision makers in leading industries around the world gather annually to learn the latest developments and best practices in communication and make connections that will advance their communication programs and careers.
Visit www.iabc.com for more information. 
FEATURED ONLINE COURSES
University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies presents
Memories into Story: Introduction to Life Writing
Editor and writer Allyson Latta guides developing memoirists through required readings, online discussion, and critiqued assignments. Course features a cyber-visit from New Brunswick memoirist and novelist Beth Powning, who will answer participants' questions.
When: January 18 to March 29 (10 weeks); log on to the course site anytime, from anywhere
Cost: $585
Register: http://tiny.cc/JS8Na
Contact: lattamemoirs@gmail.com  

The Humber School for Writers

Correspondence Program in Creative Writing
The Correspondence Program in Creative Writing, offered by The Humber School for Writers, gives aspiring writers the rare opportunity to work on a novel, book of short stories, volume of poetry, or piece of creative non-fiction with one of the School's distinguished faculty. Students receive extensive feedback via either regular or electronic correspondence and learn to refine their craft. Students may also share their experience in a closed web lounge. Each 30-week program is specifically designed for those who prefer working at their own pace and in their own environment. Applicants can choose from these start dates: January 2010 or May 2010

For more information: 
http://creativeandperformingarts.humber.ca/content/writers_correspondence.html

2009 Danuta Gleed Literary Award
The Writers' Union of Canada and John Gleed are pleased to announce that submissions are being accepted until January 31, 2010, for the 2009 Danuta Gleed Literary Award for best first Canadian collection of short fiction in the English language.
Prize: One $10,000 prize for the best first collection of short fiction; second and third prizes in the amount of $500 each. Winners will be announced on June 5, 2010, during the Annual General Meeting of The Writers' Union of Canada.
Jury: We are proud to announce that Ivan E. Coyote, Mary Soderstrom and David Bezmozgis will serve as the jury.
Eligibility: Eligible titles are first collections of short fiction written by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and published in Canada in the English language in the 2009 calendar year.
Submissions: Please send five (5) of each eligible title, along with a cover page outlining author, title and publisher, to: The Writers' Union of Canada, 90 Richmond St. E., Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1P1.
Submission deadline: January 31, 2010
For additional information: Deborah Windsor, Executive Director, The Writers' Union of Canada, 416-703-8982 ext. 221, dwindsor@writersunion.ca
NetWords Event Listings
Submission Guidelines 
NetWords is published monthly by PWAC Toronto Chapter. Submit your article or details about an event, seminar or workshop to editor@NetWords.ca. Please include the following: 
 
WHO:
  Name of sponsoring organization,  individual or association
WHAT: Seminar/workshop/course/networking event
WHERE: Location with address and directions
WHEN: Date and time
WHY: Important details including topic or event name
COST: Price and payment options
CONTACT: Registration information with contact email, phone number and website address

DEADLINE: 1st of every month for publication on the 15th of the same month. Listings will be posted at the discretion of NetWords' editor.
 
FORMAT:
Maximum length is 125 words. All listings must be embedded in email copy. No Word attachments or PDFs will be accepted. Listings are subject to approval and may be edited at the discretion of the NetWords' editor.

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