National Novel Writing Month Turns 10

There are some who say writing a novel takes awesome talent, strong language skills, academic training, and years of dedication. Not true. All it really takes is a deadline – a very, very tight deadline – and a whole lot of coffee.

Welcome to National Novel Writing Month: a nonprofit literary crusade that encourages aspiring novelists all over the world to write a 50,000-word novel in a month. At midnight on Nov. 1, more than 100,000 writers from over 80 countries – poised over laptops and pads of paper, fingers itching and minds racing with plots and characters – will begin a furious adventure in fiction. By 11:59 PM on Nov.
30, tens of thousands of them will be novelists.

2008 is the ten-year anniversary of NaNoWriMo, founded in 1999 by freelance writer Chris Baty. In its first year, NaNoWriMo had just 21 participants. In 2007, over 100,000 people took part in the free challenge, making it the largest writing contest in the world. And while the event stresses fun and creative exploration over publication, 24 NaNoWriMo novelists have had their NaNo-novels published, including
Sarah Gruen, whose New York Times #1 Best Seller, Water for Elephants began as a NaNoWriMo
novel.

Around 18% of NaNoWriMo participants "win" every year by writing 50,000 words and validating their novels on the organization's website before midnight on Nov 30. Winners receive no prizes, and no one at NaNoWriMo ever reads the manuscripts submitted.

So if not for fame or fortune, why do people do it?

"The 50,000-word challenge has a wonderful way of opening up your imagination and unleashing creative potential like nothing else," says NaNoWriMo Director (and nine-time NaNoWriMo winner) Chris Baty. "When you write for quantity instead of quality, you end up getting both. Also, it's a great excuse for not doing any dishes for a month."

There will be a "Meet and Greet" Event held 2:00 pm Sunday, October 26 at Chapters (Regent Mall), 1381 Regent Street, Fredericton, NB, E3C 1A2. Come and find out what the buzz is all about.

If you would like more information about National Novel Writing Month, or would like to talk to participants from NaNoWriMo chapters in your area, please visit our website at www.NaNoWriMo.org, or contact Fredericton Municipal Liaison Susan Douglas (506-451-2955) OR press@nanowrimo.org.

New Brunswick Artists Wanted

New Brunswick Artists wanted to represent New Brunswick in the cultural competitions of the VI Games of La Francophonie in Beirut, Lebanon from September 27 to October 6, 2009.

Artists who are 35 years old or younger, have Canadian citizenship, are a resident of New Brunswick and are interested in representing New Brunswick in the cultural competitions, should register now.

November 7, 2008 is the deadline to submit an application.

Official Disciplines:
Song
Storytelling
Traditionally-inspired original dance
Literature (short story)
Painting
Photography
Sculpture

Information:
Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport
Arts Development Branch
Cultural competitions of the VI Games of La Francophonie
250 King St., Fredericton, NB E3B 9M9

Telephone: (506) 453-2555 Fax: (506) 453-2416
Email: michel.l.berube@gnb.ca
www.gnb.ca/Jeux

WFNB Executive Director Position

The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick invites applications for the position of part-time Executive Director. The candidate should have a BA or equivalent, and possess grant-writing experience, excellent writing skills, organizational ability, book-keeping and administrative experience, and be proficient with computers/e-mail. Knowledge of writing in New Brunswick and arts funding agencies would be an asset.

The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick is a non-profit organization that represents writers in all disciplines and at all levels of development. The WFNB currently has 150 members. Its objectives are:

1. To promote the works of New Brunswick writers and encourage greater recognition of our writers.
2. To assist writers at all stages of their development.
3. To promote literacy and provide additional educational services to schools and libraries.
4. To promote a sense of community among New Brunswick writers.

Please visit our website for additional info on the Federation: www.wfnb.ca

Emailed or postmarked applications must be received by October 24, 2008. Candidates should send a copy of CV and two letters of recommendation to:

Search Committee / WFNB
PO Box 37, Station A
Fredericton, NB
E3B 4Y2

OR wfnb@nb.aibn.com
If emailing, please save attached documents as MS Word Documents, or Rich Text Files.

Saskatoon Library Seeks Writer-in-Residence Applications

Applications are invited from creative writers for the term position of Saskatoon Public Library/Canada Council for the Arts Writer in Residence from September 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010.

Remuneration: up to $30,000 for a nine-month term. Criteria are based on Canada Council guidelines; position subject to Canada Council funding.

Applications must be received by November 3, 2008. For more details visit http://www.saskatoonlibrary.ca/pdf/WIR-posting_2009- 10.pdf

Regina Public Library Seeks Writer-in-Residence

The successful candidate will work with the public through individual consultations, community/school visits and group workshops or seminars. The Writer-in-Residence will devote 80% of his/her time to personal writing projects. The author must live in Regina or surrounding area during the term of the residency. Experience working with the public, a history of literary publications, and a background in the literary field should be clearly demonstrated in the covering letter or résumé. Please include a résumé, 10 page writing sample, and three letters of reference from members of the writing community. References should include a daytime and evening phone number in their letters. Previous experience as a writer-in-residence or teacher would be an asset. All genres of writing will be considered.

Salary: $26,000/annum (based on availability of grant funds.)

Eligibility Criteria: Based on the Canada Council for the Arts guidelines.

Application deadline: October 31.

Apply to: Writer-in-Residence Search Committee, c/o Public Relations, Regina Public Library, P.O. Box 2311 (2311-12th Avenue), Regina, SK, S4P 3Z5.

Writer in Residence Wanted for Facilitated Retreat

St. Peter's Abbey, Muenster, SK: November 6-9.
Payment: $1300 (private room & meals provided, transportation is not)

The Saskatchewan Writers/Artists Colony is organizing a facilitated retreat. The writer in residence will give a talk on an aspect of writing as reflected by the needs of the participants. They will also meet one on one with each of a maximum of 15 participants for one hour to give them specific feedback on their writing and/or answers to their writing-related questions. They will be expected to be available for informal discussion with participants during meals and at other times for a minimum of seven hours over the course of the retreat. The object of the facilitated retreat is to encourage and motivate participants. On site coordination of the retreat is also expected.

To apply, please submit cv, the names and phone numbers of two people familiar with your teaching/mentoring ability, and one or two paragraphs describing your approach to teaching/mentoring writers. Please contact Tracy Hamon, Colony Coordinator, at (306) 585-3252 or by email at skcolony@sasktel.net with any questions about the contract position. Your application must be received at the SWG office in Regina made to the attention of the Saskatchewan Writers/Artists Colony by 4:30 pm Friday, September 26th.

Editor and Online Program Manager Opportunity

The Poetry Foundation is seeking an experienced senior manager who will serve as the editor of poetryfoundation.org and as the program manager for the Foundation’s online initiative.

Poetryfoundation.org is one of the leading websites for poetry in America. Its goal is to provide a major poetry resource on the Internet—a site unique on the Web for its breadth, depth, and quality of poetry and poetry-related offerings. It is the Poetry Foundation’s only venue for electronic publishing and dissemination and continues to evolve, adding new features such as audio and video offerings. It also serves as the online home for all of the programs of the Poetry Foundation.

For a full description of the position visit www.poetryfoundation.org.

Interested applicants should email a cover letter, along with a C.V. or résumé, to employment@poetryfoundation.org (please send all attachments as a Word or PDF document; subject line: Editor/Online Program Manager). The deadline for applications is September 25, 2008. The Poetry Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and values the various perspectives and talents of a diverse staff.

New Men's Magazine Offering Internships

New Canadian men's magazine Toromagazine.com seeks candidates for unpaid 2-3 month internships. Welcomes recent university grads seeking experience. For more information contact Salvatore at salvatore@blackangusmedia.com.

Job Opportunity

The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick invites applications for the position of part-time Executive Director. The candidate should have a BA or equivalent, and possess excellent writing skills, organizational ability, and administrative and computer experience. Knowledge of writing in New Brunswick and arts agencies would be an asset.

Emailed or postmarked applications must be received by Friday, November 9, 2007

Candidates should send a copy of CV and two letters of recommendation to:

wfnb@nb.aibn.com

or

Search Committee / WFNB
PO Box 37, Station A
Fredericton, NB
E3B 4Y2

Playwright-in-Residence Applications Sought

Either week of October 15th or week of October 29th, 2007

For the upcoming, 2007-08 season, Native Women in the Arts continues our Writer in Residency to stimulate Aboriginal women’s writing on art, culture, and the advancement of Indigenous Peoples. This year we are hosting a one-week playwright residency: for an emerging or an established Aboriginal woman playwright.

PURPOSE:
• To generate new theatrical works on subjects pertinent to Indigenous culture.

• To support Aboriginal women playwrights by providing a one or two-week residency in order to create or complete a publishable play.

SELECTION CRITERIA:
Writers will be selected based on an assessment of:
• The relevance of the their work to art, culture and the advancement of Indigenous peoples;

• Examples of writer’s previous works, published and un-published (Established playwrights must have previously published work), demonstrating their capacity to create unique and interesting work on pertinent topics;

• A synopsis of the work the writer wishes to undertake for this residency; as this is residency is meant to further develop a current work in progress

WHO MAY APPLY:
Women and female youth of Aboriginal ancestry who are established or emerging playwrights.

HOW TO APPLY:
1. Personal Information: Include your full name, Aboriginal nation affiliation/community, and updated contact information, including phone number, fax (if applicable) email and mailing address.

2. Synopsis: Include a 1-2 page synopsis of a project you wish to complete during this writer in residency. Please include: a) working title, b) topic to explore, c) hypothesis (if applicable), d) explanation of relevance to Aboriginal issues and art, e) possible sources for publication, and f) estimated length of work (ie: number of words).

3. Example of work: Please submit 2 examples of published and/or completed works for review. Please do not send originals, as work will not be returned. (Established playwrights must submit an example of published work)

4. One copy of your most recent resume.

Deadline: September 10, 2007

Send Application via mail to:

Playwright in Residence
c/o Native Women in the Arts
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 420
Toronto, ONT
M5V 3A8

OR email to:
melissa@nativewomeninthearts.com
Put in subject heading: Writer in Residence
Please do not fax your application unless otherwise advised.

For further information about this project and the application process, contact (416) 598-4078.

www.nativewomeninthearts.com

Opportunities

Great Blue Heron Workshop

The deadline for applications is coming up soon! Applications should be postmarked by May 28th. The workshop will take place at St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS from July 3-7, 2007. Faculty members include Sheldon Currie (Fiction & Playwriting), Charles Gaines (Screenwriting), Jeanette Lynes (Poetry), Alistair MacLeod (Fiction), and Lisa Moore (Fiction). For more information contact gbheron@stfx.ca or phone (902) 867 4533. See www.stfx.ca/workshops/gbheron for details.

27th Atlantic Film Festival Seeks Feature Film Outlines for the Festival’s Inspired Script program. Deadline for outlines: June 8, 2007. Full details can be found at the AFF website: www.atlanticfilm.com under ‘Filmmakers & Delegates.’

CANSCAIP is hosting two upcoming conferences. The Prairie Horizons conference in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, September 14-16th (http://www.canscaip.org/ph.html) and the Packaging Your Imagination conference in Toronto, November 3rd (http://www.canscaip.org/pyi.html). Visit the websites for more information. SCBWI, the society of children’s book writers and illustrators, is also having a conference on June 23 in Barrie, Ontario. For more information, please visit: http://www.scbwicanada.org/east

Job Opportunity

Executive Assistant, Part-time. One year, beginning July 6, 2007.
24 hours per week. Salary: $15.00 per hour

The Writers’ Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador is seeking applications for the part-time position of Executive Assistant. The position will operate out of the Writers’ Alliance office in St. John’s. Duties: The Executive Assistant will report to the Executive Director and assist with office operations, event planning (AGM, annual book awards), delivery of programs and activities (mentorship program, workshops, readings), communications (weekly email newsletter and quarterly print newsletter), and member inquiries. Qualifications: strong oral, written, and organizational skills; knowledge of the provincial writing/publishing industry; familiarity with an office environment; and computer proficiency. Experience with Quark Express is an asset. Closing date: Friday, May 18, 2007. Please fax, mail or deliver your resume with cover letter to: Executive Assistant Hiring Committee

Writers’ Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador
P. O. Box 2681
St. John’s, NL A1C 6K1