| NetWords Issue #4
The writing community in the GTA is active and thriving, amidst the grumblings of a grim economic forecast. It seems that regardless of what is going on around us, writers still write, creators still create and communicators still talk and listen attentively.
During tough times, we will often find the greatest opportunity for self-discovery and growth.Through the many events, activities and professional development opportunities taking place, we have the chance to meet and learn from others, share our stories and grow in our understanding of writing as a career or craft.
Now is the time to take advantage of these opportunities. Join a special interest group, network with your peers, take a workshop, attend a book launch or speak your mind through a blog post.
And please, continue to let us know how we can help support your writing
habit!
Dawn Boshcoff, President
PWAC Toronto Chapter
We support your writing habit!
Have you been thinking about writing a novel and aren't sure where to begin. Check out this useful tool for creating a story outline! http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php
__________________________________________ |
February Events
Note: All events are held in Toronto unless otherwise stated.
Freelancers & Start-Up Scribes: Launching and Running Your Freelance Writing Business Panel Discussion
presented by PWAC Toronto Chapter
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
Registration 6:30 Seminar 7:00-8:30 p.m.Networking to follow!
Learn what it takes to run your business as an independent, whether you are just getting started or need a boost to your client base. Successful freelancers aren't just born, they are made! Panel members Luigi Benetton of Luigi Benetton Communications, Dawn Boshcoff, President BOSHmedia Communications and David Johnston, Executive Director PWAC, share the secret ingredients for success.
Cost: FREE for PWAC Members/Students, $10 for Non-Members
Location: World's Biggest Bookstore, 20 Edward St.
Visit http://www.pwactoronto.org/events_prodev.html
Lose the February Blues Mix and Mingle presented by IABC (International Association of Business Communicators)
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The value of networking in these uncertain economic times is perhaps more important than ever. Develop your network and relax in an 'hola' atmosphere. Recession proof your career by networking with other professionals.
Cost: $27. (Price includes 1 margarita or drink of your choice and authentic Mexican appetizers)
Location: Chimichanga Mexican Grill, Upstairs Lounge, 2360 Yonge Street (Yonge/Eglinton)
Why Organizations Hire Freelancers Panel Discussion
Presented by Association of Independent Practitioners
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Networking to follow until 10:00 p.m.
Cost: Members $25/Non-members $35.
Location: Quince, Lower Level, 2110 Yonge Street (near corner of Yonge & Eglinton)
For more information visit: www.toronto.iabc.com/events
Both Sides of the Fence-The Author/Editor Relationship with Sharon Crawford
Thursday, February 19th, 7:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by the CAA, Sharon's seminar will cover the 'BS' (bizarre and serious) including: Finding the right editor for your book manuscript/Different types of editing and which is best/Pitfalls that can arise in the author/editor relationship/What the editor will and won't do/Editing contracts and fees
Cost: Free for CAA members/Non members $10.
Location: The World's Biggest Bookstore (upstairs meeting room),20 Edward St. (Yonge St. and Dundas St. area)
Visit www.canauthorstoronto.org/events.html
PodCa.m.p Toronto taking place the weekend of
February 21st-22nd, 2009 PodCa.m.p Toronto 2009 is a weekend "unconference" for new media enthusiasts and professionals including bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, social networkers, and anyone curious about new media. Topics from podcasting, to social media monitoring, to case studies of new media in higher education.
Cost: FREE
Location: Rogers Communications Centre at Ryerson University,80 Gould Street
Visit the Wiki to register http://podca.m.ptoronto.pbwiki.com/
Fearless Writing: Conquer Your Writing Blocks
Presented by Editwrite Communication Services
February 21st, February 28th, March 7th, March 14th, 2009
9:30a.m.- 4:30 p.m
This 4-day workshop offers a unique pairing of Emotional Freedom Techniques and creativity training that will show you how to overcome your personal limitations and get you writing prolifically and with confidence.
Cost: $279.00
Location: 1513 Dixie Rd., Mississauga, ON
Visit http://writeware.ca/index.php?main_page=product_workshop_info&cPath=1&products_id=3
From Desk to Bookstore: Making the Leap to Writing as a Career with Professional Writers' Wayne Grady, Genni Gunn and Deborah Windsor
Presented by The Writers' Union of Canada
Monday, February 23, 2009 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Designed to enhance the careers of book writers, whether unpublished, emerging, or established.
Cost: $45 (includes lunch)
Location: Ryerson University, International Living Learning Centre, 240 Jarvis Street, International Room
Visit http://www.writersunion.ca/ww_prodevelop.m.ent.asp
Email: info@writersunion.ca
Successful Speech Writing for Business Professionals
with John Watkis
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(Registration begins at 8:30)
Writing a speech isn't easy, but it can be made easier when you learn the principles and practices used by successful speechwriters. In this one-day, interactive seminar you'll learn more than just the fundamentals of writing a successful speech - - you'll learn the secrets that successful speechwriters use to make good speeches great! Bring a
speech you're working on now and you'll immediately be able to apply the tools and techniques you will learn during the session.
Cost: $499.
Location: 1 Yonge Street
Improving Your Documentation Design, Layout and Readability presented by Society of Technical Communicators
Friday, February 27, 2009 beginning @ 8:30 a.m.
This is full day educational event!
Cost: Students $79/STC Members(and affiliates)$149
Non-members $249
Location: 21 St. Clair Ave E, Toronto in the Front Runner boardroom
Email education2009@stctoronto.org
How to Build Novels and Short Stories with Brian Henry and guest author Eve Silver
Saturday, February 28 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
This workshop will show you how writers plot a novel. You'll also get the best tips on writing short stories, where to get them published and how to win contests. Best yet, you'll see how to apply the story-building techniques you've learned to your own writing.
Cost: $39.05 plus gst = $41 paid in advance
or $42.86 + gst = $45 paid at the door
|
March Events
Note: All events are held in Toronto unless otherwise stated.
Tax Tips For Creative Entrepreneurs Women's Networking and Seminar with Sunny Widerman
presented by Creative Women's Entrepreneurial Alliance of Toronto
Sunday, March 1, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m.-2:45 p.m., mingling and registration; 2:45p.m.- 3:45 p.m., Keynote and Q&A.3:45p.m. -4:00 p.m. Thirty Seconds at the mic; 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.,networking
Along with providing a venue for women entrepreneurs to network with one another, this event is designed to educate writers, artists and other small business owners about money-saving tax tips.
Cost: $10 in advance ($12 at the door)
Location: Northern District Library, 40 Orchard View Blvd. (Yonge/Eglinton)
Visit www.torontocreatives.ca to register online.
Society of Environmental Journalists monthly Pub Night
Tuesday March 3rd, 2009 gather from 7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Guest speaker at 8:00 p.m.
Featuring: Jane Story, Manager, Policy & Communications, Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
Hot on the heels of Ontario's Green Energy Act announcement, comes an opportunity to explore the background informally with one of the proponents.
Location: Upstairs bar at Harbord House (halfway between Spadina and Bathurst on Harbord)
RSVP: SEJpubnight@saunderseditor.com
Welcome to Creative Writing with Brian Henry
~ 9 weeks of fun and discovery ~
March 5 - April 30 Thursday afternoons from
12:45 p.m.- 2:45 p.m.
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.
Location: Oakville
Cost: $114.29 plus gst = $120. Advance registration only. Number of attendees strictly limited.
Email
brianhenry@sympatico.ca
How to Write and Sell Romance Novels ~ An editor and an author tell all ~
with Brian Henry and Lynda Simmons
Saturday, March 14, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 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.
Location: Chartwell Baptist Church, 1880 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga
(Just east of Southdown Rd in Clarkson Village)
Email brianhenry@sympatico.ca
Web Writing Smarts: Navigating the New Media Landscape
A Panel Discussion presented by PWAC Toronto Chapter Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
Registration 6:30 Seminar 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Networking to follow!
|
Writers' Groups and Meetings
Join a group to gain inspiration, support, job leads, or just a change in routine.
Writer's Meetups
Meetup.com is an online service that helps people organize community meetings that bring individuals with a common interest together.
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 bookstore venues at selected Indigo, Chapters, Coles, and World's Biggest Bookstore locations across Canada.
WEN Authors Showcase
Date: February 18th, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: The Gladstone Hotel
Cost: NO admission charge. Guests Welcome!
Visit http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=ZFZVCJQLTMZVGNBLOZYQ&li=iq&src=email&trk=aei6> Mary Ellen905-823-9174
Valentine Recovery Show Hot Sauced Words
February 19th, 2009 at 8:10 p.m.(and every third Thursday of the month)
Poetry and Spoken Word Performance. A minimum of 2 featured readers every month, one male, one female. Interactive responses between audience and poets. Best open mic in town. Location: Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Ave., 2nd floor PWYC http://www.hotsaucedwords.ca/hotsaucedwords/
East End Writers' Group
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 (and
every last Wednesday of each month)
Writing critique group welcomes new writers. Bring your short story, part of your novel, personal essay, memoir, play, poetry, etc. etc. to read for constructive criticism. Meetings take place on the last Wednesday of each month.
Location: St. Clair Ave. E. and O'Connor Drive
For more information contact samcraw@interlog.com
Book Launch
February 26th, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.there is a launch of the recent books published by Marvin Ross including one of his own sponsored by Bryan Prince Books and Different Drummer Books
Location: Gallery on the Bay, 231 Bay St N, Hamilton, ON
Join us for book launch, food,wine and beer.
For more information
E-mail mross@bridgeross.com
And, for those who don't live in the area, you can still participate.
Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvc1_kl4nrY
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 Brian Henry presents
Readings from aspiring and published authors at CJ's Café, Location: Oakville
Email brianhenry@sympatico.ca
April
Book-Signing
Valen Cover, the subject of Dennis McCloskey's 2008 biography, "My Favorite American", will be in Toronto for an in-store event with the author at Indigo Bookstore on Bloor Street West.
Details at www.openbooktoronto.com.
For more information e-mail: dmcclos@rogers.com
Society of Environmental Journalists hosts monthly Pub Nights
On the first Tuesday of every month beginning in March
with featured guest speaker and informal discussions about environmental journalism and other subjects of personal interest. All interested in environmental journalism and issues welcome!
Gather between 7:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Speaker at 8:00 p.m.
Location: Upstairs bar at Harbord House (halfway between Spadina and Bathurst on Harbord)
RSVP: SEJpubnight@saunderseditor.com
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. Date and Time: Fridays at 6:00 pm Location: Hart House, University of Toronto downtown campus Cost: FREE For more information contact uoftwritersco-op@hotmail.com | |
|
|
|
In This Issue
NetWords News February Events
March Events
Blog Spots
Writer Resources
|
What's the attraction?
Over 80 PRO DEV sessions to choose from!
Networking Events
Keynotes
Awards Luncheons
Gala Dinner Banquets
Writers, Editors, Freeelancers, Professionals, Publishers, Photographers, Students
and the industry's TOP presenters...
June 2-7th, 2009
Toronto, ON
Bringing together PWAC, CAA EAC, CSME, CME & Magazines Canada for a SuperConference you won't want to miss!
|
NetWords Event Listings
Submission Guidelines
NetWords is published monthly by PWAC Toronto Chapter. Submit your article, event listing, seminar or workshop including the following to: editor@NetWords.ca
WHO: Name of Sponsoring Organization, Individual or Association
WHAT: Seminar/Workshop/Course//Networking
WHERE: Location Address and Directions
WHEN: Date & Time
WHY: Important Details including Topic or Event Name
COST: Price and Payment Options
CONTACT: Registration Information with Contact Email, Phone & Website Link
DEADLINE: 1st of every month for publication on the 15th of the same month. .Listings must be received no less than 2 weeks prior to the next publication date and will be posted at the discretion of NetWords
Editor.
FORMAT: Maximum length of listing is 125 words. All listings must be embedded in email copy. No Word attachments or PDF files will be accepted. Listings are subject to approval and may be edited at the discretion of the NetWords Editor. |
| Editor, NetWords E-Newsletter
PWAC Toronto Chapter |
|
2009 Canadian Science Writers' Annual Conference May 23-26, 2009
Highlights current science and technology issues, bringing together scientists, engineers, journalists, educators, youth and the general public.
Location: Sudbury, ON
Visit www.sciencewriters.ca
|
|
"For Copywriters Only"
FREE subscription
|
Contests/Awards
Canadian Media Market announces
Canada's 12th Annual Travel Journalism Competition
northern.asp
Canadian Association of Journalists Awards
Deadline for applications is February 16th, 2009
The CAJ Awards recognize the best in Canadian investigative journalism in the following media:
Newspaper (>25,000 circ.)/Community Newspaper/Magazine/Television (over 5 minutes)/Television (under 5 minutes)/Regional Television/Open Radio News/Current Affairs/Photojournalism/Computer-Assisted Reporting/Faith and Spirituality Reporting
And new this year: Scoop/Daily Excellence/Print Feature
Each CAJ Award is an opportunity for your work to win prominent professional recognition and a $500 prize.
For entry details you can download the entry form from the CAJ website at www.caj.ca or contact the CAJ at (613) 526-8061 or via e-mail canadianjour@magma.ca
"Ten Stories High"" SHORT STORY COMPETITION
sponsored by Niagara Branch of the CAA
Writing for Children Competition
sponsored by Writers' Union of Canada Deadline: April 24, 2009
Unpublished writing for children up to 1,500 words
|
The Canadian Writers' Contest Calendar
2009 edition is now available!
Whether you're a beginner or advanced writer, if you're looking for places to send your work, you should put contests on your list. The Canadian Writers' Contest Calendar gives a full listing of contests in Canada arranged by deadline date. Whether you write non-fiction, short stories, poetry, children's writing or novels - it lists contests for just about everyone. For more information contact brianhenry@sympatico.ca
|
|
Best Seller BOOTCAMP
Begins March 18th
Bestseller Bootcamp is a development program designed to help you write, market and submit your manuscript to agents and publishers. The program combines working at home at your own speed with structured workshop activities.
Regular deadlines, peer support and practical exercises will help you stay on track.
Suitable for non-fiction, literary fiction, film scripts, TV Scripts, kids books, teen fiction and more.
With guidance structure and support over 12 monthly sessions, you will finish your manuscript in 1 year.
Register early to ensure your place in the program.
| |
