This week’s blog has a little of everything: author readings, writing residencies, literary festivals, contests and more. Scroll down to read all the details.
Note: the Federation of BC Writers is not directly affiliated with any of the following organisations or groups.
Submit your event or announcement to our next blog post here, or contact Rachel at rachel@bcwriters.ca.
Wine Country Writers Festival Writing Contest
Short Fiction (max 2,000 words); Short Non-Fiction (max 2,000 words); Poetry (max 40 lines)
Submission deadline: midnight (PST) June 30, 2023
Fee: $15.00 per single entry; $25.00 for two same-time submissions.
Win cash prizes and a copy of the anthology. The contest is open to writers and poets, over the age of 18, worldwide. For more information, visit https://wcwfestival.com/wine-country-writers-festival-writing-contest/
Langara College Writer-in-Residence
Mid-January – Mid-April, 2024
Vancouver, BC
Submissions Deadline: Midnight PST, July 11, 2023
The Langara Writer in Residence program provides an opportunity for the college community to engage with an established writer. The program permits the Writer in Residence to pursue their own creative projects while being available to Langara students for classroom visits, manuscript consultations, and events—including a public reading. The position runs for three months at the start of the spring term (January-March) and is made possible with a gift to the Langara College Foundation in honour of Gregory James Graham. The Writer in Residence is hosted by the English department.
The posting can be found at https://langara.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External_Employment_Opportunities/details/Writer-in-Residence–Department-of-English_JR-2709. Questions may be directed to writerinresidence@langara.ca.
Meet the Authors Night
Tuesday, July 11, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
40 Knots Winery, 2400 Anderton Rd, Comox, BC
Cost: $5 donation to support literacy and education in the Comox Valley
Grab a glass of wine and join three BC travel writers – Ella Harvey, Meaghan Hackinen, and Lisa Duncan – for an evening of stories, slides, and enticing readings from around the world!
Ella Harvey: “In In A Time of Light and Shadow, Ella Harvey gracefully ties together the multiple landscapes of travel and work in humanitarian disasters with a personal journey of purpose, identity, love, and reconciliation. Ella’s skilled, lyrical writing gives colour to the immediacy of her experiences, holding the beauty and brokenness of our world together.” ~ Dianne Westwood, Psychologist
Lisa Duncan: “If you ever wanted to travel to Africa, Chasing Africa is your second-hand, vicarious chance to go, and Lisa Duncan is a charming and upbeat travel companion.” Wanda Baxter ~ Miramichi Reader
Meaghan Hackinen: “Everyone says ‘Be careful,’ but Meaghan Marie Hackinen wants to live large. South Away will fill your lungs with the fresh air of adventure and restore your faith in human goodness. An exhilarating debut.” ~ Candace Savage, author of A Geography of Blood and Strangers in the House
For reservations and more info, visit https://www.exploretock.com/40knotswinery/event/416153/meet-the-authors-ella-harvey-lisa-duncan-meaghan-hackinen
Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival
July 20-23, 2023
Denman Village, Denman Island, BC
This small and intimate festival brings together an invited group of talented Canadian authors with readers and aspiring writers for two and a half days of literary adventures. For more information, visit https://denmanislandwritersfestival.com/
Wine Country Writers’ Festival
September 22-24, 2023
Penticton Lakeside Resort, Penticton, BC
Early Bird Registration: $189.00 by July 31, 2023
Located in the heart of wine country, the WCWF invites writers of all genres, ages, levels, and interests to improve their craft, hone their business know-how, and connect with other like-minded individuals to garner a sense of support and community. For more information, visit https://wcwfestival.com/
Banff Late Fall Residency Online 2023
Application deadline: August 9, 2023
Residency: November 20 – December 1, 2023
Online
The Late Fall Writers Residency Online is a small cohort program that gives participants a chance to learn from each other and faculty, attend exclusive talks, ask questions, and develop their practice. This 12-day online residency provides broad thematic teaching from faculty members Moez Surani and Klara du Plessis, Q&A sessions, and workshopping. Instructors will discuss ideas, experiences, and obstacles that participants may be encountering with their writing of both poetry and fiction. One-on-one mentorship will facilitate further craft and professional development.
Writers in all creative genres are invited to apply. The online program is designed for emerging and established writers with a proven publication record. We welcome writers from all ages (18+), backgrounds, and all gender identities and expressions.
https://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/late-fall-writers-residency-online-2023/20231120
Banff Winter Writers Residency 2024
Application deadline: September 6, 2023
Residency: January 15 – February 02, 2024
In-person
The three-week Winter Writers Residency will provide writers space for the creative exploration of their writing practice. This self-directed residency offers the opportunity to work away from the constraints of everyday life. The program provides optional teaching from faculty members and professional guests, Q&A sessions, public events, and one-on-one consultations with mentors. Public readings, and group sessions led by guest mentors will explore techniques, aspects, and devices that writers may find useful in their practice.
The first two weeks focus on mentorship and consultations with faculty, the third week allows self-directed time for further work on manuscripts and peer community. Faculty: Casey Plett, Waubgeshig Rice, and Kwame Fraser.
https://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/winter-writers-residency-2024/20240115
Write On Bowen Festival
September 16-17, 2023
Bowen Island, BC
The Write On Bowen Festival of Readers & Writers features 8 2-hour workshops and is sponsored by the Bowen Island Public Library, and the Hearth-Arts on Bowen. For more information, visit https://www.writeonbowen.com/
Royal City Literary Arts Society (RCLAS):
10th Annual Fred Cogswell Award for Excellence in Poetry
Submission Deadline: October 1, 2023
Reading Fee: $25.00
The RCLAS is inviting book submissions to their annual contest. Books must be a minimum of 60 pages in length, and the original date of publication must fall between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. For complete details, visit: https://rclas.com/2023-contest/
