Spring is around the corner, bringing new workshops, writing groups, contests, calls for submissions, and other writing opportunities from around the province and beyond. See something that might be of interest to someone you know? Please spread the word!
Note: the Federation of BC Writers is not directly affiliated with the following organizations or groups.
Submit your event or announcement to our next blog post here, or contact Rachel at rachel@bcwriters.ca.
Arc Poetry: Poem of the Year Contest
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Arc’s annual poetry contest is among the richest in the country, offering $5,000 for the winning poem, a $500 award for the poem selected as Honourable Mention, and a $250 prize for the Readers’ Choice selection. In addition, all 10 to 12 shortlisted poems receive paid publication in Arc and online.
For full details and to enter, visit https://arcpoetry.ca/contest/poem-of-the-year/
Canadian Freelance Guild Experts Panel on 2023 Tax Filing Season
Tuesday February 27, 2024 – 3 pm PT (6:00 pm ET)
Online Zoom Webinar
$5.00 for CFG Members; $10.00 for FBCW members (email hello@bcwriters for promo code); $20.00 for general public.
Are you a freelance writer? It’s that time again: getting ready to file our annual tax returns. What’s changed? What qualifies for expenses? How can you get through this without setting your hair on fire? Join CFG Finance Experts Dr. Nadine Robinson, Michelle Waitzman and Sandy Yong as they answer your tax questions.
For more information and to register, visit https://canadianfreelanceguild.wildapricot.org/event-5612812
Sage Hill: SPRING FICTION COLLOQUIUM
Facilitated by Jessica Westhead
May 15 – 24, 2024
St. Peter’s College, Muenster, Saskatchewan
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
This is a facilitated, in-person retreat for eight writers. The colloquium offers a small group context; focus will be on individual manuscript consultations, and on seminar discussions dealing with technical, philosophical, or conceptual issues in contemporary writing. Instruction occurs within a deep-immersion setting, with an emphasis on individual writing and manuscript revision. Successful applicants generally have a publication record of at least one book, or the equivalent in periodicals, and are working towards manuscript completion. Application is open to writers 19 years of age and older from Canada and abroad.
For more information and to apply, visit https://sagehillwriting.ca/writing-retreats/spring-colloquium/
Tri-City Wordsmiths Bookfest 2024
Saturday, March 23, 10 am – 4pm
Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC
Everyone is welcome for free morning sessions for children, afternoon sessions for writers, and an all-day book fair! Writers can also sign up for Blue Pencil sessions and get feedback on their writing from an industry professional ($25 for 30 minutes)
For the complete lineup and more information, visit https://www.tri-citywordsmiths.ca/book-fest-2024
Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle 2024
Application deadline: April 1, 2024
Program launches June 1, 2024
The Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle is a six-month mentorship and workshop program for emerging First Nations, Inuit and Métis writers in Canada looking to elevate their stories. Learn more and apply here: https://www.audible.ca/ep/IWC
Lilac Arch Press: Call for Submissions
All About Christmas—an upcoming anthology about how we celebrate the season. Submission deadline, March 31, 2024
Hi-Lo Advent Book—try your hand at crafting a short (250-500 word) holiday story for our hi-lo line for older adults. (Hi-lo means high interest/ low reading level.) Submission deadline March 31, 2024.
Celebrating This Chapter—an anthology for women by women as we navigate our 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. Submission deadline, April 30, 2024.
All submissions can be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com. For more information, visit https://lilacarchpress.com/submission-guidelines/
Pottersfield Prize for Creative Nonfiction
Submission Deadline: April 30, 2024 (early submissions encouraged)
For the seventh annual prize, Pottersfield Press is again looking for submissions from writers who can provide a manuscript of 30,000 to 150,000 words in any of the following categories: history, memoir, autobiography, biography, literary journalism, political or social commentary, travel writing or virtually any existing or new category that uses the nonfiction medium to tell a story or put forward an idea.
The First Prize winner will receive a contract for the publication of the winning book along with a $1000 advance on 10% royalty for all sales. The Second Prize winner will also see the publication of the book and a $800 advance on 10% royalties.
For submission guidelines and more information, visit https://www.pottersfieldpress.com/creative-prize-for-nonfiction
Montreal International Poetry Prize 2024
Open for submissions
Early-bird deadline: May 1, 2024
Final deadline: May 15, 2024
Enter your poem of 40 lines or fewer for a chance to win a cash prize of $20,000. The Montreal Prize celebrates the craft of the stand-alone poem as a work of art. The biennial competition, open to poets from around the world, is a not-for-profit initiative hosted by the Department of English at McGill University.
Submission fees for first entries are $20 until the early bird deadline 1 May, and $25 after that until submissions close. Every additional poem is $17 at any time (all prices in Canadian dollars).
Submit at https://montrealpoetryprize.awardsplatform.com For more information visit www.montrealpoetryprize.com
ONLINE WRITING GROUPS
(not affiliated with the Federation of BC Writers)
Short Story Writers’ Group
Facilitated by Lisa Hislop, The Short Story Editor
Tuesdays from 3 to 5 pm (Pacific)
Virtually via Google Meet
Cost: Free to attend. Drop-ins welcome.
Description: The SSWG is where short story writers come for feedback on short story manuscripts (no novel chapters, please). We are a hard-working bunch focused on the development (ideas), structure (organization of ideas), and style (how ideas are expressed) of the story—the virtual setting isn’t ideal for nitpicks. Lisa provides private, in-chat feedback to listeners to encourage honest, empathetic, incisive, and succinct critiques to keep us running efficiently and on time. Short storyists are welcome to drop in and read or just bask in the short story vibes.
Subscribe to weekly invites: https://theshortstoryeditor.com/short-story-writers-workshop/
Autistic Writers’ Group
Sponsored by AutismBC
Facilitated by Wendy Cooper (writer) and Lisa Hislop (editor)
Every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 3 to 5 pm
Cost: Free to attend. Registration required.
Description: The Autistic Writers’ Group is the collaboration of two autistics who figured out that friendship works best when we’re doing something together. Autistic writers of any genre or form are welcome to join. You can share your work-in-progress, receive critique, or listen and enjoy being able to relax your mask. Feedback is honest and direct but sensitive to RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria) and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance). We are decidedly anti-pretentious and generally awkward. You’ll love us.
Register: https://www.atypicalediting.com/autistic-writers-group/
SCI BC Virtual Writers’ Group
Sponsored by Spinal Cord Injury BC
Facilitated by Lisa Hislop
Every 1st Wednesday of the month from 6 to 8 pm
Cost: Free to attend.
Description: There are three keys to better writing: talking about what you read (shameless plug for SCI BC’s book club), sharing your writing with fellow writers, and learning to give and receive critique (the word is pretentious, but the group is not). Our monthly writer’s workshop is a cozy place where we take turns sharing our writing and learning how to give and receive productive feedback. Your host, Lisa Hislop, is a professional fiction editor who will help you strengthen your critical eye and build your writing confidence. Spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities are strongly encouraged. All brains are welcome.
Event details and Zoom link:
