Tell a Story in 55 Words

55 word stories seeks vivid, unique, and quirky stories that are 55 words long. Stories must have character, setting, and beginning-middle-end. More details...

ScriptLab for Musical Theatre

ScriptLab Master Class Series Writing for Musical Theatre with Leslie Arden

ScriptLab is a not-for-profit organization with a 15-year history of developing new work in Toronto. Currently under the Artistic Direction of Jim Betts, ScriptLab has a mandate to develop the works and the artists of the Canadian Musical Theatre.

ScriptLab is pleased to announce that Leslie Arden will lead its first Musical Theatre Master Class this September. Composers, Lyricists and Book Writers are invited to submit “completed works" and/or "works in progress" for possible inclusion in this 10 session Master Class.

Leslie Arden is one of Canada's foremost musical theatre composers and lyricists. Her works include the critically acclaimed The House of Martin Guerre (book by Anna Theresa Cascio), with productions by Chicago’s Goodman Theatre and CanStage, the Chalmers Award winning The Happy Prince and the regional favourite The Last Resort (book by Norm Foster). Leslie is currently at work on The Boys Are Coming Home, a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, which is being produced this summer by Chicago's American Theater Project and directed by Gary Griffin (Broadway’s The Color Purple).

To be considered as a participant the materials we require include:

· Names of Composer(s), Lyricist(s) & Book Writer(s) with contact information for a primary contact;

· Demo recording containing at least 4-6 songs from the show, in show order, not including reprises or instrumental sections (CDs only – no need for a professional recording);

· Detailed synopsis or treatment of your show, noting the placement of songs from the demo recording (approximately 2-3 pages);

· 15-page script sample (15 consecutive pages representing the heart of the show and including lyrics for at least one of the songs on the demo, stapled);

· Complete script or for works in progress a minimum of 30 pages or a complete Act 1, NOT in a folder or binder (brads or binder clips are fine, double-sided preferred);

· A one page history of the development and staged productions of your show, if any.

· $25 non-refundable administration fee per submission, cheques payable to ScriptLab.


Mail your materials to: ScriptLab c/o LL7 - 45 Charles St. E., Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1S2. No personal deliveries please.

Materials must be received by August 21, 2006. Materials will NOT be returned. You are welcome to submit more than one show.

Should you be accepted to participate there will be a $265 (incl. GST) participant fee per writing team. Shows selected to participate in the Master Class may be also be selected to be part of the Toronto Musical Theatre Festival in November.

Forward all inquiries to: submissions@scriptlab.ca

Chocolate River Festival

1st Annual
Chocolate River Festival August 25-27, 2006

Events:
Friday August 25 7:00 PM Festival opening and book launches. Tribute to Canada's Peoples Poet Milton Acorn, meet Traditionalist Medicine Woman Carol Desjarlais and Guest Poets.
Log Cabin Restaurant, Hopewell Rocks Motel & Country Inn,
Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick.
Free Admission

Saturday August 26 8:30 AM Canadian Poetry Association 21st Annual General Meeting and Breakfast.
Log Cabin Restaurant, Hopewell Rocks
Motel & Country Inn, Hopewell Cape

10:00 AM Poets' Walk, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park Entrance. Participants must pay the price of park admission

1:00 PM Book Launches and Signings.
High Tides Cafe, Interpretive
Centre, Hopewell Rocks Park

2:30 PM "You Got Mail: Postcard Poetry Workshop".
Hopewell Rocks Motel
$5.00 Admission

4:00 PM Talking Circle and Smudge with Traditionalist Medicine Woman.
High Tide Cafe, Interpretive Centre, Hopewell Rocks Park.
Free

Festival dinner: two locations
5:00 PM * Dinner With Host Poet.
Interpretive Centre, Hopewell Rocks
Park 5:30 PM * Dinner With Host Poet.
Hopewell Rocks Motel & Restaurant

7:00 PM MAIN EVENT Raffle, Sweetgrass Ceremony, Native/African Drumming, Classical Guitar, Guest Poets.
Log Cabin Restaurant, Hopewell Rocks Motel & Country Inn, (big orange roof), Hopewell Cape.
Admission 'buy a book'. Limited seating of 120 so come early!

Sunday August 27 1:00 PM Poetea Brunch.
Peck Colonial Tea Room, Hopewell Hill

1:00 PM Book signing and Informal Discussion.
High Tides Cafe,
Interpretive Centre, Hopewell Rocks Park

Participoets from Israel, Maine, CPA, Writers Federation of NB, and the League of Poets . . .

* Meals are the responsibility of the individual.

Contacts
Margaret Eaton, Phone (506) 382-6146
Email mairead@nb.sympatico.ca

Richard Doiron, Phone (506) 855-7884
Email lebard@nbnet.nb.ca

Chocolate River Poetry Association
c/o Donna Allard
331 Elmwood Dr - Suite 4-212
Moncton NB E1A 1X6
Tel: (506) 871-1004
Email: chocolateriver.poets@gmail.com
Website: chocolateriverpoets.moonfruit.com
CPA website: www.canadianpoetryassoc.com

More Online Writing Resources

Here's a website that everyone's talking about. Duotrope's Digest (Markets for Writers) contains a database of over 1125 current markets for short fiction and poetry; online submission tracker software; weekly newsletters in the categories of Poetry — sent every Friday, Short Fiction — sent every Saturday, and Novel/Collection Publishing — sent every Sunday; a publications upcoming theme calendar; deadline tracking; response time stats and more. It's free to register, free to use without registration. FREE! FREE! FREE! There are a lot of sites offering similar things but most of them charge for their services.

And no, I'm not on the payroll :-) I've just been hearing a lot of good buzz about Duotrope and thought I'd share the intel.

Orca Sports seeks short novels

Orca Book Publishers seeks short novels (23000-26000 words) for ages 10+ (grade 2.0 to grade 5.0 reading level,ideal for struggling and reluctant readers). Looking for strong stories with sports action combined with exciting mystery and suspense, vivid characterization, and compelling plotlines. Send outline, synopsis and sample chapters to: Andrew Wooldridge, Orca Book Publishers, PO Box 5626, Stn B, Victoria, BC V8R 6S4. More details...

Being at Work Poetry Challenge

Living Work (Ottawa, ON) invites entries for the Being At Work Poetry Challenge. Seeks poems that capture work life experiences: looking for work, being at work, work/life balance, etc. Two categories: experienced poets and "everybody else". Submit 3 poems, 120 lines max each. First prize in each category: $300. Selection of poems will be published in Our Times, Canada's independent labour magazine. Judges include Buzz Hargrove, Tom Wayman, and others. Entry fee: free; donations accepted to Movement for Canadian Literacy. Deadline: July 31, 2006. More details... (via Lit Electric)

Long Poem Contest

The Malahat Review, Canada’s premier literary magazine, invites entries from Canadian, American, and overseas authors for the 2007 Long Poem Prize. Two awards of $500 each are given, plus payment at the rate of $30 per printed page upon publication. Poets contributing to The Malahat Review have also won or been nominated for National Magazine Awards for Poetry and the Pushcart Prize. The Long Poem Prize is offered every second year, alternating with the Novella Prize.

Guidelines
* A single poem or cycle of poems with a minimum of 10 published pages to a maximum of 20 published pages. A published page is up to 32 lines (or less), including breaks between stanzas.

* No restrictions as to subject matter or aesthetic approach apply.

* Entry fee required:

$35 CAD for Canadian entries;
$35 US for American entries;
$40 US for entries from Mexico and outside North America.

* Entrants receive a one-year subscription to The Malahat Review for themselves or a friend.

* Entries previously published, accepted or submitted for publication are not eligible.

* Entrants’ anonymity is preserved throughout the judging. Contact information (including an email address) should not appear on the submission, but along with the title on an enclosed separate page.

* No submissions will be accepted by email.

* No entries will be returned.

* Entrants will not be notified by separately by letter or separate letter about the judges’ decisions even if a SASE is included for this purpose.

* Winners and finalists will be notified via email.

* Winners will be announced with the publication of their entries in The Malahat Review’s Summer 2007 issue, on the Malahat web site, and in Malahat lite, the magazine’s quarterly e-newsletter, in July 2007.

* Send entries to:

The Malahat Review
Long Poem Prize
University of Victoria
Box 1700 STN CSC
Victoria B.C., Canada, V8W 2Y2

* Inquiries: malahat@uvic.ca or www.malahatreview.ca

Deadline: February 1, 2007 (postmark date).

Great Canadian PitchFest, Vancouver 2006

The Great Canadian PitchFest is moving to Vancouver, BC to partner with the FTX WEST Film & Television Expo, to be held October 12-15, 2006.

This will be the 6th PitchFest event hosted by Canada- and Los Angeles-based Writer/Producer, Signe Olynyk. To date, nearly 30 participants have sold their scripts and ideas, gained agency representation, or been hired for writing assignments as a result of this PitchFest held in Canada and the United States.

The Great Canadian PitchFest is an event, similar to speed dating – except the five minute “dates” are with producers, broadcasters, studio executives, agents and managers. Anyone with an idea or script can attend, and can expect as many as 15-20 meetings with buyers in one day. A lineup of more than 20 studio, production and broadcast executives from Hollywood and Canada will hear pitches at this year’s event.

“Many writers have ideas for TV shows or movies, but don’t have access to the decision makers,” says Signe Olynyk, creator of the Great Canadian and Great American PitchFests. “The Great Canadian PitchFest gives them that access, and enables them to make that crucial next step.” This year’s event is tied in with the FTX WEST Screenwriter’s Series, which offers a multitude of training sessions on how to pitch more effectively, develop skills in story structure, write for emotional impact, and strategize and target specific genre markets. PitchFest Participants then meet directly with industry insiders to pitch their projects.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Great Canadian PitchFest, and launching FTX WEST in Vancouver," says Marcy Schacter, Event Producer and Founder of FTX WEST. "This is an opportunity for people with ideas for TV shows and movies to meet with industry leaders who can help them get their shows made.”

In addition to the Great Canadian PitchFest, FTX WEST includes a two day trade show and three separate series in the FTX WEST conference, featuring nearly 60 master classes, seminars, panels, and networking opportunities for emerging and established writers, producers, and directors.

Guest Speakers in the screenwriting series include renowned instructors such as Michael Hauge (Script Consultant/ Author of ‘Writing Screenplays That Sell’), Ellen Sandler (Emmy award winning, Executive Producer of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’), husband and wife TV writing team Maria & Andre Jaquemetton, Canada’s own Jan Miller, (founder of the National Screen Institute) and Marguerite Pigott (former V.P. of Development and Production for Odeon Films). Other guest instructors include industry veterans Larry Brody and Jeff Kitchen who will mentor teams of writers through their participation in intensive workshops and simulated writers rooms. In addition to all this, FTX WEST will be introducing a host of some of the most popular speakers from L.A’s Screenwriting Expo, such as Pilar Alessandra, Heather Hale, Laurie Scheer, Kathie Fong Yoneda and Karl Iglesias.

"There is no other event like this in Canada," says Rob Neilson, Film Producer and Event Producer of FTX WEST. "Instead of asking participants to spend thousands of dollars each to travel to Hollywood or attend conferences, we are bringing these key executives and speakers to Vancouver."

Also participating in FTX WEST on the trade show side will be companies such as Sony, Technicolor, Apple, Panasonic, Sennheiser, Eyeon Software, Panavision, Arri, Canon and other well-known equipment providers and manufacturers from across the world.

Passes to the conference, trade show, and Great Canadian PitchFest are available either ‘a la carte’ or in ‘combo’ and ‘all access’ passes, ranging from $10 to attend the trade show and $65 to attend conference seminars, to $295 for a PitchFest pass, or $995 for an “All-access pass” with unlimited access to all the parties, lunches and the three full days of training in addition to the PitchFest itself on Sunday Oct 15th.

For information on FTX WEST and the Great Canadian PitchFest please visit www.ftxwest.com or phone 604-873-0277 or Toll Free 1 866-320-EXPO (3976).

If you have ideas or scripts for TV shows or movies, or you need an Agent or Manager, you need to attend this event!

Outstanding organization, roster of companies and general atmosphere of the whole event. You have perfected the whole concept of a PitchFest. - Anthea Sibert

It was the best one I've ever attended. The lines were short, and there were more people to pitch to than I had time for. – Jim Curtis

This event was started by a group of writers and producers dedicated to helping others to get their scripts and ideas produced. Your success is also ours, and we are very proud to have helped many of our participants to achieve this. If you are serious about your craft, and selling a screenplay, make this your year for screenwriting success!

Tickets and Information for the Great Canadian PitchFest are available at www.ftxwest.com or by calling Marcy Schacter at 1-866-320-EXPO (3976).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Marcy Schacter
604-873-0277 or 604-999-6532
Email : marcy@ftxwest.com

www.pitchfest.com

Cezanne's Carrot seeks transformational work

Cezanne's Carrot is accepting submissions for its Fall Equinox edition (deadline: August 22, 2006). Seeks literary work that explores spiritual, metaphysical, transformational, visionary, or contemplative themes. Work also sought for the Winter Solstice (deadline: November 21, 2006) and Vernal Equinox (deadline: February 20, 2006) issues. Payment: CD of issue. Three $25(US) Editors' Prizes awarded each issue. More details...

Writing Prompt Contest Continues Until July 31st

OnceWritten.com invites entries for the July 2006 Writing Prompt Contest. Write a 500-word short story or story segment using writing prompts provided. Prize: $100(US). Entry fee: $5(US). Deadline: July 31, 2006. More details . . .

Three Poets And an Open Set, Sackville

THREE POETS AND AN OPEN SET

Bridge St Café Sackville NB
7:30 PM Saturday July 22 2006

Marilyn Lerch Sackville poet and author of Moon Loves Its Light, will read from her new manuscript . . . unless she's cantering on Vinn.

Ronin Romantic Kathy Mac, author of Nail Builders Plan for Strength and Growth will regale you with tales from the hundefraulein archives.

Eric Folsom was born in Lynn Massachusetts, home of Marshmallow Fluff and Lydia Pinkham's Medicinal Compound, and has inhabited (for 30 years) Kingston Ontario,
birthplace of Don Cherry and The Tragically Hip.

Circus Master: Kellie Underhill

A hat will be passed to support the Writers Federation of New Brunswick

For more info, contact kathymac@stu.ca

MIX Magazine Call for Submissions

Dear friends,

With an eye to publishing the best and boldest in Canadian artwork in upcoming issues of the magazine, MIX is pleased to announce a Call for Submissions. That’s right, we’re looking to showcase the most exciting and innovative work that artist-run centres from across the country are exhibiting, and we’re hoping you’ll help us by forwarding this message to your members.

Chosen artists will have their work published in the pages of MIX and any ARC that represents such an artist will be given a credit. In addition, a listing of the ARC’s upcoming shows will accompany the published artwork images. All in all, a win/win situation, I’m sure you’ll agree!

Please note that we require submitted images to be:

* in Photoshop format;
* 300 dpi;
* 9” (23cm at narrowest dimension).

As well, images must be accompanied by the following caption information:

* artist’s name;
* work title;
* date of works;
* medium;
* dimensions.

Surf on over to our website at www.mixmagazine.com for additional submission info, and be sure to check out the Hotlist while you’re there. If you’ve got an exhibition, a call for submission, an art-related event, or a call for entry that you’d like to see on our Hotlist webpage, please send your submission to katy@mixmagazine.com.

Meanwhile, don’t delay—get your members to submit their work for publication in MIX to katy@mixmagazine.com no later than August 1, 2006.

Yours truly,
Katy McDevitt
Senior Editor
MIX magazine

ellipse Mini-Launch, Fredericton

Mini-launch: ellipse no. 77 / Mini-lancement : ellipse no 77

Join ellipse for a mini-launch of issue no. 77, featuring haiku by women writers from Québec, writing and translations in Catalan, Italian, Spanish, German and English, and beautiful artwork by Fredericton artist Whitefeather. The launch will take place during the Culture Crawl, in the Underground Café of the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, from 5 to 6:15 on Thursday, July 13. Information: festival@ellipsemag.org.

Dans le cadre de la soirée Culture Crawl, la revue ellipse lancera son plus récent numéro au Café Underground du Centre d'arts de la rue Charlotte, de 17h à 18h15, le jeudi 13 juillet. En vedette dans ce numéro, des écrivaines et des traductrices de diverses langues qui nous présentent des haikus, des poèmes et une nouvelle en français, en catalan, en italien, en espagnol, en allemand et en anglais, ainsi que
de magnifiques oeuvres de l'artiste WhiteFeather. Renseignements : festival@ellipsemag.org

ellipse Open Mic Reading July 15th, Fredericton

15 July, Saturday, 7 pm: ellipse Open Mic—at least bilingual, possible multilingual, like ellipse magazine itself. Share your poetry & flash fiction: Come one, come all! Put your best words forward. Info: tel 506. 451.0408. Underground Café, Charlotte St Arts Centre, 732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, NB.

Maritime Writers' Workshop Reading Series in Fredericton

10 July, 8 pm. Sue Sinclair and Ross Leckie @ Memorial Hall, UNB Arts Centre, 9 Bailey Dr

11 July, 8 pm. Charles Foran, Biff Mitchell, Eric Hill @ The Lighthouse, off the corner of Regent & Queen St

13 July, 8 pm. Philip Lee, The WolfTree Writers, matt robinson @ James Joyce Pub, Lord Beaverbrook Hotel, Queen St

14 July, 8 pm. Beth Powning, Mark Jarman, Sharon McCartney @ the Beaverbook Art Gallery, 703 Queen St

Armada seeks writing and photography

Canadian .pdf-based quarterly literary journal Armada seeks literary fiction, poetry, short humour, as well as opinion, journalism, and criticism. Photography and illustration especially appreciated. Deadline: August 18, 2006. More details...

Canadian Booksellers Association Continues Push to Remove GST on Books

Following the one percent GST cut, Canadian Booksellers Association (CBA) praises the Conservative government for lowering taxes on the reading material they sell; however, CBA wants to take this opportunity to remind politicians that the GST should be eliminated completely from books.

CBA Executive Director, Susan Dayus, says that recent studies have shown the greatest barrier to book purchases is price. If fewer books are purchased, that means lower literacy levels and less civil discourse which in the end hurts our country's innovation and productivity, says Dayus. By completely eliminating the GST on books, we will undoubtedly improve literacy.

CBA would like to see the government commit to removing the GST from books, returning books to the list of non-taxable items, as they were when the GST was first introduced. CBA supports the Private Member's Bill, recently introduced by Member of Parliament Alexa McDonough, calling for complete removal of GST on books.

"This is a first step," says Dayus, "but we still have six percent more to go in order to remove tax on reading to really make a difference in our literacy levels." An impressive coalition of national associations with an interest in literacy, reading and education are all in agreement that the GST should be removed from books.

In addition to Canadian Booksellers Association, the coalition includes: Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP); Association of English Language Publishers in Quebec (AELAQ); Association des libraries du Quebec (ALQ); Book and Periodical Council (BPC); Campus Stores Canada (CSC); Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL); The Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC); Canadian Library Association (CLA); Canadian Publishers Council (CPC); Christian Booksellers Association Canada (CBA- Canada); Crime Writers of Canada (CWC); Editors' Association of Canada (EAC); The League of Canadian Poets (LCP); The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC); and York University Mature Students Organization.

Canadian Booksellers Association(CBA) is the national trade association representing Canadian booksellers from coast to coast, including independents, campus, specialty, chain, superstores, used and rare booksellers, in urban and rural communities.

For more information, visit the CBA website: www.cbabook.org

Freelance Writers for ASKMEN Canada

AskMen.com is now accepting applications from freelance writers to produce Canadian-specific content for the company's Canadian website. Potential applicants must:

* Be knowledgeable on Canada-specific history, culture and trends as they pertain to AskMen.com features (e.g. Sports, Dating, Fashion, etc.).
* Possess strong writing skills.
* Be deadline-oriented.
* Be capable of assuming a variety of tones and viewpoints in their writing.
* Be able to follow the creative direction of articles as outlined by AskMen.com's Editorial staff.
* Be receptive to feedback and criticism.


WHAT TO SUBMIT

* A complete application for the position must include the information listed below (incomplete applications will not be considered).
* A Canadian-specific sample article (not previously published) between 800-1,200 words, written to match the tone and structure of one of AskMen.com's features. Sample articles may cover any of the subject matter covered on our site (e.g. Sports, Dating, Fashion, etc.).
* An updated C.V.
* A list of other sections from the website that the applicant would be interested in working on.


GUIDELINE FOR WRITING SAMPLE

Other things applicants must keep in mind when writing their sample pieces:

* Articles must match the structural format of other pieces from their relevant section. Please refer to previous articles as a guide.
* Your submission must be UPE: Useful, Practical & Entertaining.
* AskMen.com's average reader is a male professional between the ages of 18 and 45, with an advanced education. Make sure your submission reflects that.
* Submitted article topics may have already been assigned to other writers.
* AskMen.com does not publish short stories or poetry.


HOW TO SUBMIT

Submit your information via e-mail to iwanttowrite@askmen.com

Only e-mail submissions will be accepted. Attachments might not be considered.

Compensation: To be determined.

Application Deadline: Monday August 14, 2006.

Art in the Air Call for Submissions

Art in the Air 2006
Far and Few

Call for Submissions

Audio artists are invited to submit their work to Art in the Air, the audio component of Ok. Quoi?! Contemporary Arts Festival
Faucet Media Arts Centre & Struts Gallery
Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada,
July 31 to August 5, 2006

Titled Far and Few, the 2006 Art in the Air, will present audio works that explore the curiosity and appetite for being somewhere else: a place where people and things are perceived as different.

Far and few, far and few,
Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,
And they went to sea in a Sieve.
–from The Jumblies, Edward Lear

Far and Few will consider audio art works, as well as other audio productions taken from art, film, literature, spoken word, journalism, music, mass media, etc. Selected works will be broadcast on CHMA Radio (FM and Internet), on programming specifically prepared for OK.Quoi?!

Submissions must be received by July 21, 2006 and should include the following:

Audio CD(s) containing your work(s)
Brief description of the work(s)
Artist Statement
CV
Contact info (E-mail, telephone number, postal address, etc.)

Send materials (in French or English) to:

Art in the Air
C/o Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens
1850 Adanac Street #319
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada, V5L 2E3

Submissions should state: NO COMMERCIAL VALUE - FOR CULTURAL PURPOSES ONLY on the package.

If you have any questions, please contact:
marilou36@hotmail.com, or ibghy@openface.ca,
Or visit: www.strutsgallery.ca/faucet.html for more information.