Moncton Writers to Hold Workshop

Have you always wanted to write, but don’t know how to start? Maybe you’ve been writing for ages, but don’t know where to go from here?

Join the MonctonWriters.ca group of professional freelance writers for an informative half-day workshop that will show you the possibilities and realities of the professional writing world.

The event will be held Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the Moncton Public Library, Northrop Frye Room, from 1-5 p.m.

Workshop presenters will share stories of how they carved careers doing what they love best: putting words to paper. Participants will learn about the writing life, how writers write and where they can be published.

The format will be casual, with lots of time provided for questions. Topics include writing from home; finding markets and protecting your rights.

The writers who will be passing on the tools and tips of their trade are members of the Professional Writers Association of Canada, Southeast NB Chapter. PWAC is a nation-wide non-profit organization, with over 600 members, that works to improve rates and working conditions for writers in Canada's magazine and newspaper industries.

The workshop makes a unique Christmas gift for the budding writer on your list. Pre-register and the group will send you a confirmation gift card that you can put under the tree.

Cost is $35 on or before January 19 and $40 at the door. Payment can be made by cheque, payable to "PWAC SE New Brunswick Chapter". For complete details on the workshop and the presenters, visit the group’s website at www.monctonwriters.ca; email info@monctonwriters.ca; or call Allison Finnamore at 860-7761.

The workshop is in keeping with the mandate of MonctonWriters.ca, a supportive group which meets monthly to discuss ideas, network, share potential markets and generally encourage each other in their individual businesses and endeavours.
Members are high quality professionals with many years experience. Their fields of expertise range from marketing to science, agriculture, conservation, business and politics.

Postcard Story Competition

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
9th Annual Postcard Story Competition
$500 PRIZE

The Writers’ Union of Canada is pleased to announce that submissions are being accepted until February 14, 2008, for the 2008 POSTCARD STORY COMPETITION for the best Canadian story of 250 words in the English language. Are you up for the challenge? Can you create a dramatic, short, snappy piece in only 250 words? You can use humour, poetry, dialogue… anything goes!

PRIZE

$500 and the winning entry will be published in postcard format. The winner agrees that The Writers' Union of Canada will have non-exclusive publication rights to publish the winning entry in postcard form for publicity purposes. Any publication of the author's story will include an authorship credit and a copyright notice in the name of the author.

JURY

We are proud to announce that Aritha van Herk, Hal Niedzviecki, and Mary Novik will serve as the jury.

ELIGIBILITY

This competition is open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants. Original and unpublished (English language) fiction or nonfiction.

HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES:

Entries should be typed or computer-printed, double-spaced, and numbered on 8.5 x 11 paper, not stapled.
Computer disks, CDs, e-mails, or faxes will not be accepted.
Include a separate cover letter with title of story, full name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and number of pages of entry. The author's name should not appear on the actual entry.
Make cheque or money order payable to The Writers' Union of Canada. Multiple entries can be submitted together and fees can be added and paid with one cheque or money order.
Entries must be postmarked by FEBRUARY 14, 2008 to be eligible.
Mail entries to: PCS Competition, 90 Richmond Street East, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5C 1P1.

Results will be posted at www.writersunion.ca. Manuscripts will not be returned.