This week’s post feature’s BC’s Spring Literary Festivals and other writing events and opportunities from across the province and beyond – including poetry readings from Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate, a call for submissions from the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, and a call for applications for the Regina Public Library’s Writer in Residence Program.
Note: the Federation of BC Writers is not directly affiliated with any of the following organizations or groups.
Submit your event or call-out to our next blog post here, or contact Rachel at rachel@bcwriters.ca.
Poetry Readings from Kamal Parmar: Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate
Saturday, April 22, 2:00 PM – A Toast to Spring, Gabriola Library, Gabriola Island
Monday, April 24, 2:00 PM – The Healing Power of Poetry (poetry reading and panel discussion), North Nanaimo Library
Saturday, May 6, 2:00 PM – Reading With Local Poets, Ladysmith Library
Saturday, May 20, 2:00-3:30 PM – Ushering in Spring, Parksville Civic and Technology Centre, Parksville
FREE
In honour of Poetry Month, Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate will be participating in poetry readings and panel discussions at the above libraries and venues around Central Vancouver Island.
Call for Applications: Writer in Residence Program
Application Deadline: May 26, 2023
Regina Public Library, Regina, Saskatchewan
Residency from September 2023-May 2024
The RPL Writer in Residence program provides opportunities for members of the community to get guidance and advice from an established Canadian writer, while allowing the writer to devote time to a specific writing project.
The residency begins in September and ends in May. During this time, the Writer in Residence is available for consultations with people who need assistance on personal writing projects, and will plan public readings, literary activities, and programs that focus on serving and supporting the amateur writing community in Regina. For more information, visit: https://www.reginalibrary.ca/services/writer-in-residence/applicants
Poetry and Short Story Contest
Icelandic Festival of Manitoba
Entry Deadline: June 5, 2023
Free Submission/Cash Prizes
The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba invites you to submit previously unpublished poetry (three entries per person) and/or a short story (one per person-maximum of 1200 words). Prize entries will be awarded and successful entries will be published in the festival program and/or on the festival website.
You do not need to be of Icelandic descent to submit an entry, however material reflecting Icelandic culture and interests will be given preference, as will entries that reflect our 2023 theme: “Continue Your Saga.”
Visit https://www.icelandicfestival.com/festival-events/contests/poetry-short-story-contest or contact writingcontest@icelandicfestival.com
Spring Festivals
UNBOUND POETRY Festival
Saturday, April 15, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
North Delta Centre for the Arts
FREE registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/cc/2023-unbound-poetry-festival-1865509
The Delta Literary Arts Society is hosting an all-day poetry festival, featuring 9 workshops (including 2 for children), panels, readings, hands-on activities, a film screening room, Haiku Contest, vendors, Poetry Slam competition, food trucks and much more – including a 20-minute one-on-one WRITING CONSULTATION with one of our Blue Pencil Editors.
Sidney LitFest
April 20-22, 2023
Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney, BC
https://www.sidneyliteraryfestival.ca/
A celebration of readers, writers and the written word.
North Shore Writers Festival
April 27-29, 2023
West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC
FREE
The North Shore Writers Festival is presented in partnership by North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library and brings Canadian authors and readers together to celebrate Canadian literature.
Registration for each event is through Eventbrite (drop-in seating may be available, but registration will guarantee a seat). https://northshorewritersfestival.com/lineup/
Port Coquitlam May Days Readers & Writers Festival
May 6, 2023 10 AM – 5 PM
Port Coquitlam Community Centre
https://www.tri-citywordsmiths.ca/festival
This one-day festival features workshops, blue pencil sessions, a book fair, live readings and an open mic, and writing activities.
Contact: tri.city.wordsmiths@gmail.com
LiterASIAN Festival
May 6-7 (additional events through May)
Multiple Venues, Vancouver, BC (see below)
2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act in Canada, and this year’s festival theme is Inclusion. Readings, panels, and author events take place at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Floata Seafood Restaurant, Chinatown Storytelling Centre’s Foo Hung Curios, Centre A, and the
