The Picolata Review

The Picolata Review (St. Augustine, FL), a new online magazine, is accepting submissions of fiction, poetry, or essays on subjects related to literature and culture. More details...

Dance to Death Seeks Poems

Sorrowland Press is seeking poetry for the second issue of its online magazine, Dance to Death. No payment. More information at http://kdme.ca/index_files/SP_Guidelines.html

Words on Water, Miramichi

The next Words on Water reading event is Tuesday, June 27, 6:30 pm at Edgewater Gallery in Miramichi (Chatham downtown). Lynn Davies is our guest that evening. Lynn's first book of poetry The Bridge that Carries the Road was shortlisted for a Governor General's Award. Last fall her second book, Where Sound Pools, was released by Gooselane Editions.

Everyone is welcome. If you would like to read, we ask prose be limited to 250 - 500 words, a challenge in the post card category. Please pass this message along and bring friends.

Seeking Canada's Next Poet Laureate

Nominations are invited for the position of The Parliamentary Poet Laureate for Canada. Term: November 17, 2006 to November 16, 2008. Candidates must: have made a contribution to the cultural and literary community; have produced written or oral work reflecting Canada; be accomplished literary artists who have influenced other artists; and have a substantial record demonstrating literary excellence. Nomination deadline: July 31, 2006. More details...

Writing for Babies Call for Manuscripts

As part of our ongoing involvement with early literacy in New Brunswick, the Early Childhood Centre at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, in concert with Born to Read NB, is sponsoring a province-wide English-language "writing for babies" manuscript search.

The winning author will have their manuscript illustrated by a New Brunswick illustrator. 6000 copies will be printed for distribution through the Born to Read, Books for Babies programme in 2006. Born to Read is a provincial program, funded by numerous individuals and organizations. The mandate of Born to Read is to provide every newborn with quality, age-appropriate books in an effort to instill a love of reading in children.

The text must be appropriate for babies, not for older children.

The winner will have his or her manuscript illustrated by a New Brunswick illustrator.

A prize in the amount of $2,500, constituting a royalty advance will be awarded to the winner.

Your book will land in the laps of thousands of New Brunswick newborns over the next year.

Please visit www.unbf.ca/education/ecc/what for more information.

Need Inspiration?

Can't get started? There are many websites that provide creative inspiration and writing prompts. Here are a few I've stumbled across recently.

Story Spinner Online -- Click on the Story Spinner and you get a starting phrase, a setting and four words that you must include in a story. Set a timer for 10-minutes . . . and then write!

Creative Writing Prompts -- Over 200 writing prompts and ideas to create stories, poems, blog content and more.

Writers' Block Unblocker -- Random generator provides a character, a setting and a conflict. Take these ingredients and get writing!

Where do you get your inspiration? Do you use any tools like these websites? Comment and share your thoughts.

Descant Seeks Work on Iran

Descant is accepting submissions of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essays, art and photography for upcoming theme issue: "Iran". Publication in Winter 2007. Deadline: December 31, 2006. More details...

Finding the Right Words Flash Fiction Contest

The deadline for the 2006 Finding the Right Words Flash Fiction Contest is July 21, 2006.

Since 2004, InkSpotter Publishing has hosted the annual contest for writers of flash fiction -- also known as micro-fiction and postcard fiction. This challenging form requires masterful use of details and only the most necessary words.

Definitions vary, but most writers and editors agree that flash fiction is any story of 2000 words or fewer. The popularity of ultra-short stories has grown in recent years, with some running only 55 and 69 words.

For the purposes of the Finding the Right Words contest, flash fiction entries must run no more than 500 words and touch on a specific theme. Past themes have been "The First Time" and "Second Chances." This year's theme is "Rebel Heart."

Interested writers are encouraged to visit http://inkspotter.com/contests.htm and send any questions to contests@inkspotter.com at the address below.

InkSpotter Publishing provides publishing, writing, editing, proofreading, transcription, and research services to the global marketplace. We also publish two monthly newsletters.


Betty Dobson
InkSpotter Publishing http://inkspotter.com/
Phone: 902-444-1691 Fax: 504-262-9797

Sackville Reading Open Mic Tomorrow

Tomorrow (June 21st) is the longest day of the year!
Summer Solstice seems like a great reason to make sounds!

This is your invitation to join us:

Wednesday, June 21st
"Songs and Sounds for the Summer Solstice in Sackville" Coffee House
7 pm 'til dark
at the Bridge Street Cafe
hosted by the Sackville Community Garden
You are welcome to bring your own blend of musicality/ poetry/ personality to
share with an appreciative audience or just come by to enjoy!

Performers of all ages and abilities welcome!
For more information, please call 536-2264.

ellipse Open Mic This Saturday June 24th in Fredericton

This just in!

There will be an ellipse Open Mic reading at the Underground Café this coming Saturday evening, June 24th, beginning at 7 pm.

Expect this open mic reading to be at least bilingual, possibly multilingual, like ellipse itself. Share your poetry & flash fiction: Come one, come all! Put your best words forward. Info: tel 506.451.0408

Underground Café, Charlotte Street Arts Centre, 732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, NB.

See The Voice: Visible Verse 2006 call for videos

Pacific Cinémathèque (BC) and curator Heather Haley seek videopoem submissions (15 minutes max.) from around the world for the annual Visible Verse screening and performance poetry celebration. No documentaries. No entry fee. Selected artists will be notified by October 1, 2006 and receive a screening fee. Include a brief bio, full name, and contact information in a cover letter and send videopoems and poetry films/preview copies (which cannot be returned) in DVD format to: VISIBLE VERSE c/o Pacific Cinémathèque, 200--1131 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2L7, Canada. Deadline: September 1, 2006. More details...

One Hundred and One Words non-poetry challenge

Lichen invites entries for the 'One Hundred and One Words' non-poetry challenge. "Compose one hundred and one (101) words to explore absences and what can be lost." Choose and lose one vowel that will not be used throughout the entry. First prize: $300 plus publication in Spring/Summer 2007 issue. Entry fee: $20 (includes subscription); $5 per additonal. Deadline: July 15, 2006. More details...

Sage Hill Writing Experience

SAGE HILL WRITING EXPERIENCE has spaces for participants in four of its programs this summer, July 24-August 3, 2006. (Due to participant cancellations.)

Programs available are:
Non-Fiction Workshop with Sharon Butala
Poetry Workshop with John Steffler
Poetry Colloquium with Nicole Brossard
Playwriting Lab with Colleen Murphy

Those interested in applying for a space should visit the website for course descriptions, and for application procedures. Applications must be received by
June 30, 2006, midnight.

For information, contact the coordinates below.

Phone: 306-652-7395
Email: sage.hill@sasktel.net
Website: www.sagehillwriting.ca

Goose Lane Editions Seeks Managing Editor

Managing Editor

The Managing Editor is responsible for co-ordinating the work of the editorial team. The person in this position supervises, organizes, and co-ordinates all editorial aspects of book production, from raw manuscript to finished publication. She/he is responsible for maintaining the smooth workflow of the editorial aspects of the book publishing and contract services program. In addition, the Managing Editor is responsible for developing a list of highly marketable non-fiction titles.

For the right person, this position offers a great opportunity to learn just about everything there is to know about independent publishing. Challenging, satisfying and often exhilarating, the work requires a level head, perceptiveness, and an ability to keep many balls in the air at all times.

Responsibilities include:

Editorial Co-ordination

* Organizing and ensuring an orderly and timely flow of editorial content of all titles through all phases of production, including structural editing, copyediting, indexing, preparing for production, proofreading, and reviewing of printers' proofs
* Organizing and coordinating the work of in-house and contract editorial staff; developing style guides and providing guidance and, where appropriate, training
* Acting as primary liaison with authors throughout the editing, production and manufacturing processes
* Overseeing and coordinating the work of authors and editors on manuscript preparation and revision, both on paper and electronically
* Ensuring compliance with high corporate standards for editorial quality and productivity

List Development / Editing

* In consultation with the Publisher and the Pub Board, acquiring a list of non-fiction titles by reviewing and evaluating non-fiction submissions and by originating and commissioning original non-fiction titles
* Evaluating the editorial requirements of manuscripts accepted for publication, determining appropriate editorial procedures, and ensuring that appropriate editing is completed. (The Managing Editor is expected to personally edit 6-8 full-length manuscripts acquired for publication each year.)
* Collaborating on the selection of illustrators and contributors and consulting with the Art Director on the development of the cover and interior design for books accepted for publication

Contractual Co-ordination

* Developing and negotiating contracts for book manuscripts, based on offers negotiated by the Publisher
* Securing permission and/or rights to reproduce copyrighted materials or co-ordinating and supervising the permissions process

Budgeting and Administration

* Developing and managing the budget for editorial expenditures, including individual title budgets
* Participating in management meetings and reporting to the management team on the status of the lists, as well as budgets, scheduling, resource requirements and results
* Keeping abreast of developments in the industry by reading trade and literary publications, developing and maintaining a national network of colleagues within the industry (including authors and agents), and attending conferences and trade fairs, where appropriate
* Preparing supporting materials for grant applications and, where appropriate, taking a lead role in developing grant applications
* Handling telephone calls and correspondence requiring knowledge of the industry

Promotion/Marketing

* Developing preliminary materials, such as Advance Book Information forms, Tip Sheets for sales representatives, and catalogue copy
* Writing cover or jacket copy as required
* Representing the company at various public events, conferences, book launches, and workshops

Education
Bachelor's Degree in English, History or a related field plus certification in publishing or editing or equivalent professional experience.

Skills/Experience
The person in this position must have excellent writing and editing skills. He/she must be a successful team builder, with proven negotiating, communication, problem-solving, and project management skills. He/she must have a demonstrated knowledge of the book production and editorial processes, at least 2 years of editorial experience, strong interpersonal skills, excellent general knowledge, and an ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies. Familiarity with MS Word, Outlook, and MS Excel is essential. The ideal candidate will have intense curiosity about almost everything, an aptitude for detail, the ability to work within tight schedules, and an appreciation of the charms of a somewhat eccentric, fast-paced workplace.

Compensation
$30,000 to $35,000 per annum plus benefits. Goose Lane offers a comprehensive cost-shared health care/ insurance package, a collaborative work environment, and flexible working arrangements.

Applicants should submit a resume of their professional experience and a letter outlining their specific qualifications for this position, including a list of manuscripts edited for publication, no later than 14 June 2006 to:

The Publisher
Goose Lane Editions
500 Beaverbrook Court, 3rd Floor, Suite 330
Fredericton, NB E3B 5X4
(506) 450 4251 / (888) 926 8377 Fax: (506) 459 4991
gooselane@gooselane.com
Candidates chosen for interview will be required to provide references.

Call for Cultural Consultation

FRANCOPHONE SECRETARIAT / PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Description

The Canadian Government firmly believes in linguistic duality and in the French language as a fundamental aspect of Canadian culture. Hence, the Government of Canada has publicly committed to establishing a Francophone Secretariat within Canadian Heritage. The Secretariat will be tasked with ensuring that the arts and cultural policies and programs managed by the Department reflect the reality of Canada's Francophone cultural community. To better define the activities and the final mandate of the Secretariat, Canadian Heritage would appreciate hearing the views of various sector stakeholders.

Process

The Department of Canadian Heritage is conducting a one-day round table meeting in Gatineau, Quebec, assembling representatives of arts and culture service organizations of Canada's Francophone space. The round table meeting will address only the Secretariat's mandate and activities; the discussions will not pertain to the delivery of arts and cultural programs to the Canadian Francophonie. The Canadian public will also be consulted, through an online consultation.

Timeframe

Start Date: 06/02/2006

End Date: 19/06/2006

How to participate

We invite Canadians interested by the Government's undertaking to read the discussion paper entitled "Francophone Secretariat: Discussion Paper" and then share your comments online. Please note that all comments submitted will remain anonymous.

Discussion paper: Click Here

Share your comments on the discussion paper. Please note that all comments submitted will remain anonymous.

----------------------------


SECRÉTARIAT FRANCOPHONE / CONSULTATION PUBLIQUE

Description

Le gouvernement canadien a la ferme conviction que la dualité linguistique et la langue française sont des éléments fondamentaux de la culture canadienne. Ainsi, le gouvernement du Canada s’est engagé publiquement à instaurer un Secrétariat francophone au ministère du Patrimoine canadien. Ce Secrétariat aurait comme vocation générale de s'assurer que les politiques et programmes artistiques et culturels que gère le Ministère traduisent les particularités de la communauté culturelle francophone canadienne. Afin de mieux définir les activités et le mandat final du Secrétariat, Patrimoine canadien souhaiterait entendre les points de vue de divers intervenants du secteur.

Processus

Le ministère du Patrimoine canadien organise une table ronde d'une journée à Gatineau, Québec, réunissant des représentants d'organismes de services artistiques ou culturels de la francophonie canadienne. Cette table ronde ne portera que sur le mandat et les activités du Secrétariat; les discussions ne porteront pas sur la livraison de programmes artistiques et culturels en francophonie canadienne. Le public canadien sera aussi consulté, par l'entremise d'une consultation en ligne.

Calendrier

Début : 06/02/2006

Fin : 19/06/2006

Participation

Nous invitons les canadiens et canadiennes interpellés par cet engagement du gouvernement à lire le document de discussion titré « Secrétariat francophone : document de discussion » et, de formuler leurs commentaires en ligne. Veuillez noter que tous les commentaires soumis demeureront anonymes.

Document de discussion : Ici

Formulez vos commentaires sur le document de discussion. Veuillez noter que tous les commentaires soumis demeureront anonymes.

Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit

ABC CANADA invites entries from Canadian professional journalists for the Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit. Entries may be of either a local or national interest, and may be based on reporting analysis, commentary, special section, feature or series, and must have been published, broadcast or posted online between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005. Categories: newspaper, magazine, television news, television feature, radio interview and Internet. Deadline: June 30, 2006. More details...

Call for Manuscripts

New Brunswick publisher Trinity Enterprise seeks youth and adult book manuscripts for the 2007-2008 publishing year. Prefers environmental/climate change themes and mainstream fiction of social consequence/importance. No science fiction or picture books. Query first. More details...

Online Writing Tools

I thought I would take a few moments to share a few of my favourite writing tools online. Here are some links to websites I sometimes use to help me with my writing. Feel free to try them or not, I'm not being paid to suggest them or anything like that, I just thought some might find them helpful. This is by no means a complete listing of my favourite websites, but a glimpse. If you know of a website that might be helpful to writers, please leave a comment and tell us about it.

The Elements of Style, William Strunk Jr. -- THE book for writers, as far as I'm concerned. I reread it about once a year to refresh myself and reference it frequently between readings. I own two copies, both dog-eared, but find this online version also quite handy.

Ask Oxford.com -- There are a lot of fun things here including the word of the day, quotes, and games, but I most often visit this site to look up words in the Oxford English Dictionary, it's faster than thumbing through the pages myself (provided the book can be found under all the papers on my desk.)

One Look Reverse Dictionary -- When the right word is on the tip of my tongue, I know what it means but I just can't spit it out, this Reverse Dictionary comes to my rescue.

Rhymezone -- Exactly what it sounds like and so much more. Here you can search for words that rhyme, synonyms, antonyms, definitions, homophones, pictures, quotations, and more.

Behind the Name (First Names) -- I name my characters like I would children, with a lot of thought and research. Sometimes I browse names until I find one I like, other times I'll have a few names in mind and search to see which meaning behind the name best suits the character.

Behind the Name (Surnames) -- Again, I like my characters' surnames to represent who they are.

And that is just a few websites I use as tools to help me with my writing. If you have any favourites of your own, please tell us about them in the comments.

Zeugma Literary Journal seeks submissions

Zeugma Literary Journal (NF) is accepting submissions for their August issue. Seeks quality writing "from out of left field" including: fiction, poetry, erotica, non-fiction, personal essays, reviews, comics, line drawing, and photography. Limit: 3000 words. Values alternative perspectives, good stories, insightful commentary and command of the English language. Payment: two copies and small honorarium (amount depending on number of contributors). Each issue in the 400-issue print run of Zeugma is hand-silkscreened, hand-bound and hand-numbered. Zeugma is funded in part by the NLAC. Deadline: July 31, 2006. More details...

Poems of the Week Website Relaunches

The Parliamentary Poet Laureate, Mrs. Pauline Michel, is proud to announce that the Poems of the Week website is now again online. Mrs. Michel has relaunched this website dedicated to Canadian poets and their poems on June 5th. This project has been set up by the previous Poet Laureate, Mr. George Bowering, in 2002.

From now on and until the end of Mrs. Michel's mandate on November 16th, readers will have access to poems written by 48 living Canadian poets invited to share
their poetry. These poets come from all around the country, they are from several ethnic origins, they are women as well as men. Their work is already well-known or will soon be. French writers and English writers are equally represented.

Two new poems will be available each week: one in French, the other in English. Previous poems will remain online in the archive section so readers can read them until the end of the project.

Visit this out-of-the-ordinary website, which promotes Canadian poets and contributes in its way to the Canadian literature radiance.

David Suzuki to speak in Sackville

Internationally renowned environmentalist, scientist, and broadcaster Dr. David Suzuki will speak at Mount Allison University in Sackville on Saturday, June 10 beginning at 2 p.m. in the Wu Centre of the Dunn Building. Dr. Suzuki will discuss his latest book, David Suzuki: The Autobiography. The presentation is open to the public.

Dr. Suzuki was a professor at the University of British Columbia for over 30 years but it is through the popular media that he became a household name. He has created shows for both television and radio that have made science accessible to the general public. He is probably best known as the host of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC) television program, The Nature of Things. His series, A Planet for the Taking, won an award from the United Nations. He also created the Public Broadcasting Service series The Secret of Life, the Discovery Channel series The Brain, and the CBC Radio series, Quirks and Quarks. He is the author of more than 40 books.

According to Dr. Michael Fox of Mount Allison’s geography department and environmental studies program, “Dr. Suzuki is a passionate and outspoken advocate for the environment, reminding people about such threats as climate change but also recommending constructive choices people can make to live differently. He serves as an inspiration for environmental educators and students, so we are very pleased to invite students, teachers, and all those interested in the environment to hear David speak.”

David Suzuki: The Autobiography is the second installment of his autobiography and describes his family’s internment in Canada during World War II, his career as a geneticist, and work in radio and television. It discusses several other topics of interest including how he came to be an environmentalist, his work with the David Suzuki Foundation, and meeting such leaders as Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama.

The event is sponsored by Tidewater Books, the department of geography, the environmental studies program, and the Centre for Canadian Studies at Mount Allison University. Dr. Suzuki will autograph books after his presentation.

Ladies of the Fountain Reading, Fredericton

Author Biff Mitchell, who will be conducting a workshop on Science Fiction and Cyber Punk at the Maritime Writers' Workshop and Literary Festival in July, will be reading his story about madness and mayhem in the streets of Fredericton, entitled Ladies of the Fountain, this Sunday at 2 pm on The Green by the foundation in support of the workshop. Biff will be giving out free workshop bookmarks, posters ... and pennies for the daring. Ladies of the Fountain contains strong language and mature subject matter and is not intended for young listeners. For a photo tour of the story and a free download of the first few paragraphs, visit http://biffmitchelldotblog.blogspot.com.

Friends: A Contest for Writers

The Manitoba Writers' Guild invites entries from Canadian writers for Friends: A Contest for Writers. All Canadian writers are invited to submit their original, unpublished writing, demonstrating the importance of friends. How friends support us through the best and worst of times. The times when we turn to those people we consider our friends and the importance of friendship. With over $7500 in prizes across three categories and two age groups, this is one contest that can't be missed. Genres: non-fiction, fiction, and poetry. Prizes totaling over $7500. Entry fee: adult - $15; youth (15-17) - $10. Deadline: December 31, 2006. More details...

Community of Writers

Community of Writers July 23-28, 2006

Join this writing community gathering near the coastal village of Tatamagouche to learn, have fun, write, and get to the heart of your work. The Tatamagouche Centre offers simple, comfortable rooms, healthy, home-style cooking, and places to walk, paddle or swim. Above all, there is creativity and camaraderie - this community's population knows the love and challenges of writing.

*How Does It Work?*

They have small groups in organized workshops as well as writers who need a retreat to pursue their own projects. The *workshop program* has mornings designed to get you writing, advance the basics and try new things. Afternoons are free. Each evening, work is read and discussed. The *retreat program* is self-directed. Writers in retreat are invited to take part in the evening readings and benefit from relaxed, lunchtime discussions with each of the workshop leaders.

The faculty for this year's program: Brian Bartlett leading Poetry, Sue Goyette leading Fiction, and Deborah Ellis leading Writing for Young Adults.

Costs: $620 for the Workshop Program, $485 for the Retreat Program. Costs include room and board.

For more information check out the website at www.tatacentre.ca/cw.htm,
email comwrite@supercity.ns.ca, or call 1-800-218-2220.

Historical Short Fiction Prize

Fish Publishing (Ireland) and the U.K.-based Historical Novel Society invite international entries for the Short Histories Prize II. Entries: 5000 words max. First prize: €1500 plus publication as the title story in the Fish 2007 Short Histories II Anthology. Winners invited to read their work at the launch in London in March 2007. Entry fee: €20. Deadline: September 15, 2006. More details...

29th Annual Three-Day Novel Contest

Registration is open for the 29th Annual International The 3-Day Novel Contest. First prize: publication, "but the contest's true rewards are a creative kick-start, the 72-hour (Labour Day weekend) exile of writers block, and bragging rights afterward." Novels can be written in any location, anywhere in the world. Entry fee: $50. Registration deadline: September 1, 2006. More details...