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SUMMARY:Deep Story Design: Story-Craft Essentials for Longer Form Narratives (Wednesday Cohort)
DESCRIPTION:Ten Wednesdays\, Oct 8-Dec 17\, 5:45-7:45pm (No session on October 15)        Open to allLimited to 12 participantsOnline Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis workshop delves into the five fundamental elements of story-making—structure\, plot\, character\, theme\, and scene building. Whether you’re writing a novella\, novel\, screenplay\, or memoir\, the skillful use of these elements allows all writers to create powerful stories that are meaningful and satisfying. \n\n\n\nAfter introducing a basic three-act story structure that’s foundational for most stories\, the workshop will progress through aspects of character\, theme\, and plot so that you can feel confident about completing fiction or nonfiction of any kind or length. We also touch on scene construction so your stories feel dynamic and alive on the page. \n\n\n\nWeekly homework exercises help writers at different stages of your story-making process\, whether you’re gathering material for a new story\, drafting an existing work\, or revising a project that is nearly ready to share with others. Completed homework will receive instructor feedback and some in-class discussion. \n\n\n\nIn addition to the focus on craft essentials\, this workshop invites writers to make personal discoveries about what matters most deeply to them and how this connects with their writing. This connection between self and story is integral to Deep Story Design\, because writers who know who they are\, and what they care about most\, are better able to access their unique creative voice. \n\n\n\nWeekly meetings will look something like this: \n\n\n\n\na 90-minute lesson\, including 15-30 mins of in-class exercises\n\n\n\na 10-minute break\n\n\n\n20 minutes for Q&A/homework discussion\n\n\n\n\nCompleted homework assignments will be due 4 days after the meeting at which they are assigned. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place online via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants a week or so prior to the first session. Please note that this is the Wednesday iteration of the workshop; there is also a group meeting on Mondays. The material covered will be the same\, but note that due to limited spots\, we cannot facilitate transfers between groups.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/deep-story-design-story-craft-essentials-for-longer-form-narratives-wednesday-cohort/2025-11-05/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251105T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251105T220000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T202248Z
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SUMMARY:Short Fiction: Plot and the Inner Life
DESCRIPTION:Eight Wednesdays\, Oct 8- Dec 3\, 8-10pm (No session on October 29)                 Open to allLimited to 12 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis eight-week workshop will explore how deepening a character’s inner life can generate new possibilities for a short story’s plot. One premise of this workshop is that fiction’s power lies in its capacity to depict with a high degree of detail an individual’s consciousness: the realm of perceptions\, feelings\, desires\, memories\, and thoughts. How one consciousness bumps up against another—and against the external world of norms\, things\, economic and cultural forces\, etc.—is what makes a story possible. We will investigate story as\, in George Saunders’s words\, “a system for the transfer of energy.” \n\n\n\nPlot and interiority are broad categories that encompass other topics such as point of view\, dialogue\, backstory\, and deepening the role of setting and/or of the body\, all of which can be studied and discussed\, depending on the group’s interest and the story drafts that are submitted for workshopping. Note that the workshop leader’s focus is realist literary fiction\, but all genres are welcome. The larger goal of the workshop is to support writers in uncovering the best possible versions of their stories. \n\n\n\nMost of the workshop will be devoted to reading and discussing participants’ stories (two per week over seven weeks\, up to 5000 words each). However\, for the first meeting\, participants will discuss Yiyun Li’s story\, “Prison\,” a jarring tale about surrogate birth. Please read the first 23 pages before the first session\, but do not read farther than that. We will read the final 5 pages together\, tracking how the plot ultimately unfolds. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 4023 Tupper Street\, Westmount\, Quebec) with up to 2 virtual spots for participants who are unable to attend in-person because of distance or disability. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to request a virtual slot\, contact Riley at riley@qwf.org stating the reason for which you would need the virtual spot\, then wait for a response before registering. Please do not register until you receive confirmation of a virtual spot for you. \n\n\n\nMichelle Syba is the author of the story collection End Times (Freehand Books\, 2023)\, a finalist for the QWF Concordia University First Book Prize. End Times explores the lives of people variously entangled with evangelical culture\, including immigrants\, the elderly\, the burned-out\, and the lonely\, examining our hidden anxieties and longings. Michelle’s shorter works have been published in The New Quarterly\, Cosmonauts Avenue\, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency\, and elsewhere. \n\n\n\nYou can find out more about her at www.michellesyba.com.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/short-fiction-plot-and-the-inner-life/2025-11-05/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
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SUMMARY:Writing the Personal Essay
DESCRIPTION:Eight Thursdays\, Oct 9-Dec 4\, 5:45-7:45pm (No session on October 30)        Open to allLimited to 12 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nHave you ever wanted to see your words on the pages of your favourite newspaper\, magazine\, or website? The personal essay is a subgenre of creative nonfiction that focuses on unique stories with universal appeal told from a first-person perspective. In this 8-week workshop\, you’ll learn everything from how to generate ideas to how to structure your first and second drafts to how to pitch your completed piece. \n\n\n\nThe workshop will consist of teacher-led instruction\, at-home readings\, generative in-class writing exercises\, and guided peer feedback. You will also be expected to work on your essay at home\, between classes. By the end of this session\, you will have one completed personal essay. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Westmount\, Quebec) with up to 2 virtual spots for participants who are unable to attend in-person because of distance or disability. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to request a virtual slot\, contact Riley at riley@qwf.org stating the reason for which you would need the virtual spot\, then wait for a response before registering. Please do not register until you receive confirmation of a virtual spot for you. \n\n\n\nJulie Matlin is a writer with several areas of concentration\, including screenwriting\, personal essays\, novels\, and reported articles. Previously\, Julie worked at the National Film Board of Canada as a writer and social media strategist. Prior to that\, she spent 15 years as a producer’s assistant and production coordinator in feature film.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/writing-the-personal-essay-2/2025-11-06/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T203000
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SUMMARY:Black Creek by Susan Grundy\, Montreal Launch
DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, November 6\, 20257:00 pm ET\n\n\n\nAn intimate evening in a Griffintown speakeasy setting with author Susan Grundy in conversation with producer and musician Carrie Haber. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRSvp ON EVENTBRITE
URL:https://qwf.org/event/black-creek-by-susan-grundy-montreal-launch/
LOCATION:Suite 301\, Le Petit Dep\, 290 Rue de la Montagne\, Montréal\, QC\, H3C 2B1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Book Launch
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251106T220000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T150551Z
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SUMMARY:Building a Better Short Story Collection
DESCRIPTION:Eight Thursdays\, Oct 9-Nov 27\, 8-10pmOpen to allLimited to 12 participantsOnline Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis workshop takes as its premise that any writer can throw together a bunch of good or even great stories to publish as a collection\, but questions whether great stories alone make a great manuscript\, a great book.  \n\n\n\nIn looking at what binds a story collection\, we’ll consider: \n\n\n\n\na few writers (like Alice Munro\, Raymond Carver\, Edward P. Jones\, Amy Sands Brodoff\, Zalika Reid-Binta\, and Kaie Kellough)\n\n\n\ncritiques/reviews of their collections/books\n\n\n\nparticipants’ own work/stories.\n\n\n\n\nWe’ll also look at excerpts from a journal that participants will be asked to keep during the workshop (and hopefully beyond). The journal will contain thoughts\, such as story ideas\, outlines for their collections\, story order and contents\, frustrations\, and illuminations\, on the evolution of their manuscript. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place online via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants a week or so prior to the first session.  \n\n\n\nRobert Edison Sandiford is the author of several books\, among them the story cycle Fairfield\, the novel And Sometimes They Fly\, and graphic novels with NBM Publishing.  He has been shortlisted for The Frank Collymore Literary Award and is a recipient of Barbados’s Governor General’s Award of Excellence in Literary Arts.  In 2003\, he founded with the poet Linda M. Deane the Barbadian cultural resource ArtsEtc Inc.  He has worked as a publisher\, teacher\, and producer with Warm Water Productions.  His stories have appeared in journals\, magazines\, newspapers\, and anthologies.  Currently\, he’s busy with another novel\, this time about fathers\, sons\, and dementia. 
URL:https://qwf.org/event/building-a-better-short-story-collection/2025-11-06/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251107T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251107T230000
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SUMMARY:WRITERS' ROOM #4
DESCRIPTION:All writers of Montreal are welcome to attend WRITERS’ ROOM #4\, the fourth in a series of events where local writers meet up in a room. \nNo readings\, no cover charge\, no books for sale. No scheduled activities or presentations. Writers’ Room is just fiction writers\, poets\, playwrights\, screenwriters\, cartoonists\, novelists\, literary translators\, magazine-pitchers\, writing students\, word-wrestlers\, etc\, gathered together in one place. A chance to meet people you’ve read\, people you’ll one day read\, other people who sit like you and try to compose worthy sentences. \nPlease note: Writers’ Room is not a “shut-up and write” kind of event. If you want to shut up and/or write\, you will have better luck somewhere else. \nIt is just a room with writers! \nFREE \nFeel welcome to bring a writer friend with you. \nÉcrivain•e•s français•e•s\, soyez bienvenu•e•s aussi. \nBYOB + snacks to share (nothing will be for sale)\nhosted by sean michaels on behalf of the Writers’ Union of Canada
URL:https://qwf.org/event/writers-room-4/
LOCATION:Le Depanneur Cafe\, 206 Rue Bernard O\, Montreal\, Quebec\, H2T 2K4\, Canada
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251108T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251108T123000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20251024T152026Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251024T152030Z
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SUMMARY:Shut Up & Write! with QWF (Virtual)
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, November 8\, 2025\, 10:00 am–12:30 pm ETOnline via Zoom—RSVP below to receive the Zoom link\n\n\n\nLooking for some dedicated\, quiet writing space? \n\n\n\nRegister below to do all that writing you’ve been meaning to do. Using the Pomodoro technique\, participants write in 25-minute bursts\, with 5-minute breaks in between. \n\n\n\nThis event is for QWF members only. Not a member? Learn about becoming a member.  \n\n\n\nThe Zoom link will be sent out a day or two before the session. \n\n\n\nPlease note that these sessions are designed for silent writing\, rather than discussing or getting feedback on work. \n\n\n\n10:00–10:25: Writing 110:25–10:30: Break10:30–10:55: Writing 210:55–11:00: Break11:00–11:25: Writing 311:25–11:30: Break11:30–11:55: Writing 411:55–12:00: Break12:00–12:25: Writing 5 \n\n\n\nTo receive the Zoom link\, RSVP below. You will receive the Zoom link a few days before the session. \n\n\n\nNote: RSVPs for virtual Shut Up & Write! sessions close 24 hours before the session begins. If there is no option to RSVP\, RSVPs are closed. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNote: We are aware of a glitch rendering our RSVP forms unresponsive for some users. If you encounter difficulties registering for this session\, email John Wickham at john@qwf.org\, who will register you manually.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/shut-up-write-with-qwf-virtual-47/
LOCATION:Online – Please RSVP to receive a Zoom link
CATEGORIES:Shut Up & Write!
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251108T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251108T163000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T161857Z
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SUMMARY:Third Mind: A One-Day Workshop in Writing Collaborative Poetry
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, Nov 8\, 10:30am-4:30pm       Open to allLimited to 12 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nDo you have an appetite for poetry and connection? For playing and writing with others to enrich your practice\, push your limits\, and make great things happen? Come collaborate with us! \n\n\n\nCollaboration is standard in music\, theatre\, dance\, science\, and many other areas of creative and professional practice. Writers have long worked with artists in other disciplines. Some would even say that all writing is\, in some way\, collaborative: even when we write alone\, we’re writing in conversation with the poetry of today and the rich art of the past. The last decade or so has seen a blossoming of writers writing together. \n\n\n\nThere are many ways to approach literary collaboration.  In “Third Mind\,” we begin by creating short sequences and move to editing together and practicing close listening to each other as we develop the ‘third’ or collective voice. We work with models offered by renga (Japanese linked verse) using the technique of link and shift\, Surrealist collaborative experiments that seed the ground for gifts of chance\, and applied principles of improv theatre\, perhaps the ultimate collaborative practice.  \n\n\n\nIn this one-day\, hands-on workshop\, we will write in groups and pairs to create the collaborative voice that sings together. \n\n\n\nPlease bring paper\, pens\, and a simple object that fits in a pocket. Note: you do not need to sign up with a partner/partners. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Westmount\, Quebec) with up to 2 virtual spots for participants who are unable to attend in-person because of distance or disability. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to request a virtual slot\, contact Riley at riley@qwf.org stating the reason for which you would need the virtual spot\, then wait for a response before registering. Please do not register until you receive confirmation of a virtual spot for you. \n\n\n\nBorn in Italy and immigrated to Canada in 1955\, Mary di Michele is an award-winning\, internationally published writer. She is the author of over twelve books\, including the collection of poems Stranger in You and the novel Tenor of Love. Her last collection of poetry\, Bicycle Thieves (ECW 2017)\, was short-listed for the Pat Lowther Award. She is active in the collaborative writing group Yoko’s Dogs. Now retired from teaching at Concordia University\, she continues to live in Montreal. \n\n\n\nSusan Gillis has lived on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in Tiotià:ke Montréal\, and now makes her home in unceded Omàmìwininì Algonquin territory near Perth\, Ontario. Her most recent book\, Yellow Crane (Brick 2018)\, is a meditation on ecologies of place\, writing\, and desire. A chapbook\, Last Winter\, is forthcoming from Baseline Press. A member of the collaborative group Yoko’s Dogs\, Susan also works as a poetry editor and mentor. \n\n\n\nMary and Susan have been writing collaboratively since 2006\, as members of the group Yoko’s Dogs. In June 2019 their workshop “One Poem\, Many Voices: A Workshop in Writing Poetry Collaboratively” was offered in Montreal in conjunction with the Atwater Writers Exhibition. They have also worked together on editorial projects including the micro-poetry webzine HALIBUT and two special issues of Matrix Magazine. Both are accomplished individual poets.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/third-mind-a-one-day-workshop-in-writing-collaborative-poetry/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251110T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251110T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
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SUMMARY:Deep Story Design: Story-Craft Essentials for Longer Form Narratives
DESCRIPTION:Ten Mondays\, Oct 6-Dec 15\, 5:45-7:45pm (No session on October 13)        Open to allLimited to 12 participantsOnline Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis workshop delves into the five fundamental elements of story-making—structure\, plot\, character\, theme\, and scene building. Whether you’re writing a novella\, novel\, screenplay\, or memoir\, the skillful use of these elements allows all writers to create powerful stories that are meaningful and satisfying. \n\n\n\nAfter introducing a basic three-act story structure that’s foundational for most stories\, the workshop will progress through aspects of character\, theme\, and plot so that you can feel confident about completing fiction or nonfiction of any kind or length. We also touch on scene construction so your stories feel dynamic and alive on the page. \n\n\n\nWeekly homework exercises help writers at different stages of your story-making process\, whether you’re gathering material for a new story\, drafting an existing work\, or revising a project that is nearly ready to share with others. (Completed homework will receive instructor feedback and some in-class discussion.) \n\n\n\nIn addition to the focus on craft essentials\, this workshop invites writers to make personal discoveries about what matters most deeply to them and how this connects with their writing. This connection between self and story is integral to Deep Story Design\, because writers who know who they are\, and what they care about most\, are better able to access their unique creative voice. \n\n\n\nWeekly meetings will look something like this: \n\n\n\n\na 90-minute lesson\, including 15-30 mins of in-class exercises\n\n\n\na 10-minute break\n\n\n\n20 minutes for Q&A/homework discussion\n\n\n\n\nCompleted homework assignments will be due 4 days after the meeting at which they are assigned. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place online via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants a week or so prior to the first session.  \n\n\n\nApril Bosshard is a respected workshop facilitator and story coach who’s helped hundreds of writers develop and complete their projects. Sometimes called a “story whisperer” or “story genie\,” she has a background in film and television and has written fiction and non-fiction for traditional and independent markets\, which include publications in the US\, UK\, and Canada. April teaches at conferences and leads workshops internationally and online\, while also working with individual clients as a story coach and developmental editor.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/deep-story-design-story-craft-essentials-for-longer-form-narratives/2025-11-10/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251110T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251110T223000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250304T203144Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T191852Z
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SUMMARY:The 2025 QWF Awards Gala
DESCRIPTION:Monday\, November 10\, 2025Cabaret Lion d’Or (1676 Ontario St. East\, Montreal)Reception: 6:30 pmAwards Ceremony: 8:00 pm\n\n\n\n\nBUY TICKETS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEnter a world of literary magic at the 2025 QWF Literary Awards Gala. \n\n\n\nOn Monday\, November 10\, Cabaret Lion d’Or (1676 Ontario St. East) transforms into a spellbinding celebration of Quebec’s finest wordsmiths as we reveal the winners of the 2025 QWF Literary Awards. The event will be hosted by broadcaster\, arts journalist\, and translator Shelley Pomerance. \n\n\n\nThe theme of this year’s gala is “Literary Greats.” Attendees are invited to get in the spirit of the theme by dressing as their favourite author or literary character. Don your Holmes-inspired deerstalker or a black trilby à la Leonard Cohen. Come dressed as Maya Angelou\, Margaret Atwood\, or Oscar Wilde. Come as you are\, or as Wonderland’s Queen of Hearts. We want to see who inspires you. \n\n\n\nJoin us for a cocktail reception with the finalists preceding the Gala from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. VIP tickets to the reception are $60 ($40 for full-time students) and include two glasses of wine\, beer or non-alcoholic drink; hors d’oeuvres; and admission to the awards ceremony\, which begins at 8:00 pm. \n\n\n\nTickets for the ceremony alone are $25 ($10 for full-time students). Doors for the ceremony open at 7:30 pm. \n\n\n\nReserve your tickets now and prepare for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate literary excellence in Quebec.  \n\n\n\nAnnouncements\n\n\n\n\nThe Winners of the 2025 QWF Literary Awards\n\n\n\nThe 2025 QWF Literary Awards Finalists\n\n\n\nThe 2025 QWF College Writers Award Finalists\n\n\n\nJan Draper wins the 2025 Judy Mappin Community Award\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBuy Tickets
URL:https://qwf.org/event/the-2025-qwf-awards-gala/
LOCATION:Quebec
CATEGORIES:QWF Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251111T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251111T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T171936Z
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SUMMARY:Poetry in Concert: Composition\, Voice\, Performance
DESCRIPTION:Eight Tuesdays\, Oct 7-Nov 25\, 5:45-7:45pm        Open to poets and writers with some writing experienceLimited to 12 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nThe workshop Poetry in Concert: Composition\, Voice\, Performance is intended for poets or writers with some writing experience who are interested in pushing their poetic imagination and expanding their vocal and performative abilities. No previous public performance experience is required\, but participants need to be willing to experiment and vocalize their work in front of each other. As everyone will be producing new writing\, no advance submission is necessary. \n\n\n\nIn this poetry workshop\, participants will focus on composing a poetic work or suite that draws inspiration from the oral and performing arts\, including forms such as theatrical dialogue\, prose monologue\, performance art\, sound poetry\, spoken word\, and vocal improvisation. In the first half of the workshop\, participants will engage in various writing and listening exercises in order to generate work\, listen to diverse poets and sound artists\, discuss and respond to each others’ writing\, and gradually compose a poetic work inspired by various aspects of performance that are not only translated onto the page but also imagined for the stage. Ideas related to composition\, movement\, pacing\, and embodiment will be explored. \n\n\n\nThe second part of the workshop will focus on the vocalization and performance of this work. Participants will learn about range\, volume\, dynamics\, timing; how to warm up their voices and prepare for a performative reading; how to properly use a microphone; and how to explore multiple ways that their unique voices can embody their work. Depending on interest\, the workshop could culminate in a performance event of the work produced. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Westmount\, Quebec) with up to 2 virtual spots for participants who are unable to attend in-person because of distance or disability. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to request a virtual slot\, contact Riley at riley@qwf.org stating the reason for which you would need the virtual spot\, then wait for a response before registering. Please do not register until you receive confirmation of a virtual spot for you. \n\n\n\nOana Avasilichioaei has created many performance/sound works that mix electronics\, ambient textures\, noise\, and vocal play\, published seven collections of poetry hybrids\, including Chambersonic (Talonbooks\, 2024) and award-nominated Eight Track (Talonbooks\, 2019)\, and written a libretto for the one-act opera Cells of Wind (FAWN Chamber Collective\, 2022–24). Based in Montreal\, she has been a writer- or artist-in-residence at Green College\, UBC (Vancouver\, 2009)\, University of Calgary (2010–11)\, Simon Fraser University (Vancouver\, 2018)\, OBORO (Montreal\, 2021)\, and Rhizome (Quebec City\, 2024)\, and is currently nominated for the Bernard Heidsieck Centre Pompidou International Literature Prize for her intermedia work.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/poetry-in-concert-composition-voice-performance/2025-11-11/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251111T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251111T210000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20251017T204937Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251017T204941Z
UID:10004625-1762889400-1762894800@qwf.org
SUMMARY:La belle-mère
DESCRIPTION:In the aftermath of a crisis within her blended family\, a stepmother weighs up her choices\, past\, present\, and future. Fragment by fragment\, she pieces together her story\, with the honesty of a woman with everything to lose and everything to gain. Using words as a mirror\, she tries to see herself as she is\, not in the eyes of the society around her\, but in the eyes of those who love her and who she loves.  \nThe show will be performed in the French language version only\, with Amélie Prévost as The Stepmother and Rachel McCrum as The Blue Voice.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/la-belle-mere/
LOCATION:Maison de la Culture de Rosemont La Petite-Patrie\, 6707\, avenue De Lorimier\, Montreal\, Quebec\, H2G 2P8\, Canada
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T130000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20251112T151530Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T151534Z
UID:10004644-1762952400-1762952400@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Writers Read Presents: John Barton
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday\, November 12\, 20251:00 pm ETJohn Molson Building (Concordia University)14-250 (Floor 14\, Room 2501600 Blvd. de Maisonneuve Ouest\n\n\n\nWriters Read Presents John Barton \n\n\n\nJoin us on November 12 at 1PM in MB-14.250 (John Molson Building\, 14th Floor\, Room 250)\, 1600 Boul de Maisonneuve O\, for a reading and conversation with Canadian poet John Barton. This event is free to attend and open to everyone. Please register to reserve your place.  \n\n\n\nBorn in Edmonton and raised in Calgary\, John Barton has won three Archibald Lampman Awards\, an Ottawa Book Award\, a CBC Literary Award\, a National Magazine Award\, and an e-Lit Award. His book Lost Family was nominated for the Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry in 2021.  \n\n\n\nThe author of eleven books of poetry\, John Barton edited two of Canada’s most prominent literary magazines\, Arc (1988 to 2003) and The Malahat Review (2004 to 2018). He has taught poetry at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and the University of Victoria; led workshops on craft and publishing for the New Brunswick Writers Federation\, Saskatchewan’s Sage Hill Writing Experience\, and Ottawa’s Tree Reading Series; and served as writer in residence at the Saskatoon Public Library (2008/ 2009)\, the University of New Brunswick (2010/2011)\, and Memorial University of Newfoundland (Fall 2015).  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nREGISTER
URL:https://qwf.org/event/writers-read-presents-john-barton/
LOCATION:Quebec
CATEGORIES:Reading
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250818T183309Z
UID:10004502-1762969500-1762976700@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Stage-Worthy: How to Write a Play
DESCRIPTION:Seven Wednesdays\, Oct  8-Nov 26\,  5:45-7:45pm  (No session on October 29; double-session [5:45-9:45pm] on November 26)Open to allLimited to 12 participantsIn-Person Workshop* \n\n\n\nDialogue\, characters\, plot\, setting! This will be a learn-by-doing-as-you-go\, anecdotal (in a theatre history way)\, ease-you-into-it experience that’s not scary or overwhelming. If you have always wanted to write a play or already have a play idea in the works\, this is the workshop for you. I’m quite motivational\, coach-like\, and pushy in a good way. I will get that play out of you if you are willing to try. I am all for deadlines\, discipline\, and contests. Since I have more of a comic bent\, there could be more emphasis on comedy. The workshop will evolve as it goes\, based on what everyone hopes to accomplish. I am often surprised and quite happy to see what happens when I throw ideas and writing games at writers in a workshop. I am very careful about how feedback is given because everything is so new. This does not mean that there won’t be opportunities to share your work or prove that you are indeed writing. Participants will have something dramatic to show for it at the end of the workshop. A past QWF workshop resulted in Picturesque: Voices From Beaver Hall\, which saw productions at Redpath Museum\, Dawson Theatre\, as well as museums in Hamilton and Calgary. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place exclusively in-person at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Westmount\, Quebec). \n\n\n\nColleen Curran is an award-winning playwright\, novelist\, actor\, and teacher. Her comedy Cake-Walk premiered at the Blyth Festival in 1984 and has had more than 50 productions across North America. It was brought to the attention of Showtime Network by Whoopi Goldberg. Curran’s many plays include Villa Eden\, Sacred Hearts (winner of the International Gabriel Award and most recently done by Zeitgeist Stage in Boston) Maple Lodge (Winner Best Canadian Play\, Samuel French Inc. Competition)\, Another Labour Day (Best New Play\, QDF\, 1984)\, El Clavadista\, A Brave Girl\, Sibyl and Sylvia\, Casa de Mary\, Ceili House\, and Ireland’s Own Carmel O’Reilly Tonite! Her three novels about Montreal singing waitress Lenore Rutland are Something Drastic\, Overnight Sensation\, and Guests of Chance. Her stage adaptation of Something Drastic premiered in 2002 and has been seen in Winnipeg\, Toronto\, Athens\, and Melbourne. Her True Nature launched the 2011-2012 season at Centaur Theatre. Her latest novel\, Out for Stars\, made the long list for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/stage-worthy-how-to-write-a-play/2025-11-12/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250827T174338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250827T175103Z
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SUMMARY:Deep Story Design: Story-Craft Essentials for Longer Form Narratives (Wednesday Cohort)
DESCRIPTION:Ten Wednesdays\, Oct 8-Dec 17\, 5:45-7:45pm (No session on October 15)        Open to allLimited to 12 participantsOnline Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis workshop delves into the five fundamental elements of story-making—structure\, plot\, character\, theme\, and scene building. Whether you’re writing a novella\, novel\, screenplay\, or memoir\, the skillful use of these elements allows all writers to create powerful stories that are meaningful and satisfying. \n\n\n\nAfter introducing a basic three-act story structure that’s foundational for most stories\, the workshop will progress through aspects of character\, theme\, and plot so that you can feel confident about completing fiction or nonfiction of any kind or length. We also touch on scene construction so your stories feel dynamic and alive on the page. \n\n\n\nWeekly homework exercises help writers at different stages of your story-making process\, whether you’re gathering material for a new story\, drafting an existing work\, or revising a project that is nearly ready to share with others. Completed homework will receive instructor feedback and some in-class discussion. \n\n\n\nIn addition to the focus on craft essentials\, this workshop invites writers to make personal discoveries about what matters most deeply to them and how this connects with their writing. This connection between self and story is integral to Deep Story Design\, because writers who know who they are\, and what they care about most\, are better able to access their unique creative voice. \n\n\n\nWeekly meetings will look something like this: \n\n\n\n\na 90-minute lesson\, including 15-30 mins of in-class exercises\n\n\n\na 10-minute break\n\n\n\n20 minutes for Q&A/homework discussion\n\n\n\n\nCompleted homework assignments will be due 4 days after the meeting at which they are assigned. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place online via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants a week or so prior to the first session. Please note that this is the Wednesday iteration of the workshop; there is also a group meeting on Mondays. The material covered will be the same\, but note that due to limited spots\, we cannot facilitate transfers between groups.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/deep-story-design-story-craft-essentials-for-longer-form-narratives-wednesday-cohort/2025-11-12/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T220000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T202248Z
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SUMMARY:Short Fiction: Plot and the Inner Life
DESCRIPTION:Eight Wednesdays\, Oct 8- Dec 3\, 8-10pm (No session on October 29)                 Open to allLimited to 12 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis eight-week workshop will explore how deepening a character’s inner life can generate new possibilities for a short story’s plot. One premise of this workshop is that fiction’s power lies in its capacity to depict with a high degree of detail an individual’s consciousness: the realm of perceptions\, feelings\, desires\, memories\, and thoughts. How one consciousness bumps up against another—and against the external world of norms\, things\, economic and cultural forces\, etc.—is what makes a story possible. We will investigate story as\, in George Saunders’s words\, “a system for the transfer of energy.” \n\n\n\nPlot and interiority are broad categories that encompass other topics such as point of view\, dialogue\, backstory\, and deepening the role of setting and/or of the body\, all of which can be studied and discussed\, depending on the group’s interest and the story drafts that are submitted for workshopping. Note that the workshop leader’s focus is realist literary fiction\, but all genres are welcome. The larger goal of the workshop is to support writers in uncovering the best possible versions of their stories. \n\n\n\nMost of the workshop will be devoted to reading and discussing participants’ stories (two per week over seven weeks\, up to 5000 words each). However\, for the first meeting\, participants will discuss Yiyun Li’s story\, “Prison\,” a jarring tale about surrogate birth. Please read the first 23 pages before the first session\, but do not read farther than that. We will read the final 5 pages together\, tracking how the plot ultimately unfolds. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 4023 Tupper Street\, Westmount\, Quebec) with up to 2 virtual spots for participants who are unable to attend in-person because of distance or disability. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to request a virtual slot\, contact Riley at riley@qwf.org stating the reason for which you would need the virtual spot\, then wait for a response before registering. Please do not register until you receive confirmation of a virtual spot for you. \n\n\n\nMichelle Syba is the author of the story collection End Times (Freehand Books\, 2023)\, a finalist for the QWF Concordia University First Book Prize. End Times explores the lives of people variously entangled with evangelical culture\, including immigrants\, the elderly\, the burned-out\, and the lonely\, examining our hidden anxieties and longings. Michelle’s shorter works have been published in The New Quarterly\, Cosmonauts Avenue\, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency\, and elsewhere. \n\n\n\nYou can find out more about her at www.michellesyba.com.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/short-fiction-plot-and-the-inner-life/2025-11-12/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T212138Z
UID:10004518-1763055900-1763063100@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Writing the Personal Essay
DESCRIPTION:Eight Thursdays\, Oct 9-Dec 4\, 5:45-7:45pm (No session on October 30)        Open to allLimited to 12 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nHave you ever wanted to see your words on the pages of your favourite newspaper\, magazine\, or website? The personal essay is a subgenre of creative nonfiction that focuses on unique stories with universal appeal told from a first-person perspective. In this 8-week workshop\, you’ll learn everything from how to generate ideas to how to structure your first and second drafts to how to pitch your completed piece. \n\n\n\nThe workshop will consist of teacher-led instruction\, at-home readings\, generative in-class writing exercises\, and guided peer feedback. You will also be expected to work on your essay at home\, between classes. By the end of this session\, you will have one completed personal essay. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Westmount\, Quebec) with up to 2 virtual spots for participants who are unable to attend in-person because of distance or disability. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to request a virtual slot\, contact Riley at riley@qwf.org stating the reason for which you would need the virtual spot\, then wait for a response before registering. Please do not register until you receive confirmation of a virtual spot for you. \n\n\n\nJulie Matlin is a writer with several areas of concentration\, including screenwriting\, personal essays\, novels\, and reported articles. Previously\, Julie worked at the National Film Board of Canada as a writer and social media strategist. Prior to that\, she spent 15 years as a producer’s assistant and production coordinator in feature film.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/writing-the-personal-essay-2/2025-11-13/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T190000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20251028T183948Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251028T193212Z
UID:10004633-1763060400-1763060400@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Book Launch: Private Number by David Homel
DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, November 13\, 20257:00 pm ET\n\n\n\nVéhicule Press and Argo Bookshop invite you to the launch of David Homel’s new novel Private Number. The event will feature readings from the book as well as conversation with Esplanade Books editor Dimitri Nasrallah. This ​event is free\, but space is limited\, so please RSVP on TicketSource. Masks are not required\, but will be provided at the door. \n\n\n\nAbout the Book\n\n\n\nIn his tenth novel\, master storyteller David Homel blurs the line where art and secrecy overlap. \n\n\n\nDocumentary filmmaker Mikhail never aspired to spend time in a small coal-mining city called Lepuy in the middle of France. But his latest project has complicated life in Montreal\, garnering attacks from all sides after screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Looking to get away from the noise until things quiet down\, he hastily applies to an out-of-the-way artist’s residency in a place where nothing ever happens. \n\n\n\nBut for a documentary filmmaker\, there is always trouble to uncover. Mikhail quickly finds himself caught up amidst the violence of a miners’ strike\, as well as in clandestine relationship with Caroline\, a married judge with an unstable husband. With his time in Lepuy quickly spinning out of control\, Mikhail wants to call Caroline and warn her of the coming consequences. But he can’t. She has a private number. \n\n\n\nAbout the Author\n\n\n\nDavid Homel is the author of ten novels and a memoir\, as well as a series of books for younger readers co-written with Marie-Louise Gay. A prize-winning writer and translator\, he has worked in documentary film\, print and radio journalism. He lives in Montreal. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRSVP on TICKETSOURCE
URL:https://qwf.org/event/book-launch-private-number-by-david-homel/
LOCATION:Argo Bookshop\, 1841A Ste-Catherine St. West\, Montreal\, Quebec\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Book Launch
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251113T220000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T150551Z
UID:10004527-1763064000-1763071200@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Building a Better Short Story Collection
DESCRIPTION:Eight Thursdays\, Oct 9-Nov 27\, 8-10pmOpen to allLimited to 12 participantsOnline Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis workshop takes as its premise that any writer can throw together a bunch of good or even great stories to publish as a collection\, but questions whether great stories alone make a great manuscript\, a great book.  \n\n\n\nIn looking at what binds a story collection\, we’ll consider: \n\n\n\n\na few writers (like Alice Munro\, Raymond Carver\, Edward P. Jones\, Amy Sands Brodoff\, Zalika Reid-Binta\, and Kaie Kellough)\n\n\n\ncritiques/reviews of their collections/books\n\n\n\nparticipants’ own work/stories.\n\n\n\n\nWe’ll also look at excerpts from a journal that participants will be asked to keep during the workshop (and hopefully beyond). The journal will contain thoughts\, such as story ideas\, outlines for their collections\, story order and contents\, frustrations\, and illuminations\, on the evolution of their manuscript. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place online via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants a week or so prior to the first session.  \n\n\n\nRobert Edison Sandiford is the author of several books\, among them the story cycle Fairfield\, the novel And Sometimes They Fly\, and graphic novels with NBM Publishing.  He has been shortlisted for The Frank Collymore Literary Award and is a recipient of Barbados’s Governor General’s Award of Excellence in Literary Arts.  In 2003\, he founded with the poet Linda M. Deane the Barbadian cultural resource ArtsEtc Inc.  He has worked as a publisher\, teacher\, and producer with Warm Water Productions.  His stories have appeared in journals\, magazines\, newspapers\, and anthologies.  Currently\, he’s busy with another novel\, this time about fathers\, sons\, and dementia. 
URL:https://qwf.org/event/building-a-better-short-story-collection/2025-11-13/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T150000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20251024T153134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T195934Z
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SUMMARY:Shut Up & Write! with QWF (*VIRTUAL due to STM Strike*)
DESCRIPTION:*NOTE: This session will be held online via Zoom due to the ongoing STM strike* \n\n\n\nFriday\, November 14\, 2025\, 12:30 pm–3:00 pmFree\, In Person (MOVED TO VIRTUAL DUE TO STM STRIKE) \n\n\n\nRegister for the session by filling out the RSVP form below. \n\n\n\nLooking for some dedicated\, quiet writing space? \n\n\n\nJoin us for an in-person Shut Up & Write session at the QWF office! \n\n\n\nDo all that writing you’ve been meaning to do\, and meet a few of your fellow QWF members. Using the Pomodoro technique\, participants write in 25-minute bursts\, with 5-minute breaks in between. \n\n\n\nThis event is for QWF members only. Not a member? Learn about becoming a member.  \n\n\n\nPlease note that these sessions are designed for silent writing\, rather than discussing or getting feedback on work. \n\n\n\n12:30–12:55: Writing 112:55–1:00: Break1:00–1:25: Writing 21:25–1:30: Break1:30–1:55: Writing 31:55–2:00: Break2:00–2:25: Writing 42:25–2:30: Break2:30–2:55: Writing 5 \n\n\n\nTo register\, RSVP below. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGetting to the QWF Office\n\n\n\nOur office is located on the top floor of the Atwater Library and Computer Centre\, in Room 3. \n\n\n\nAddress: 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3Westmount\, QC H3Z 1X4 \n\n\n\nClosest Metro: Atwater Station \n\n\n\nClosest Bus lines: 24\, 63\, 90\, 104\, 138\, 144\, 150 \n\n\n\nAccessibility:\n\n\n\nThe QWF Office is fully accessible by wheelchair from the side entrance on Tupper Street. Once inside\, there is an elevator to the second floor\, where the QWF office is. \n\n\n\nLearn more about the office location and accessibility. \n\n\n\n*NOTE: This session will be held online via Zoom due to the ongoing STM strike* \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you registered and can no longer attend\, please email john@qwf.org to notify us.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/shut-up-write-with-qwf-in-person-49/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Shut Up & Write!
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251116T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251116T170000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20251107T181826Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251107T181830Z
UID:10004642-1763280000-1763312400@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Accent Open Mic Vol. 126 "Glossolalia" with Emmanuel Deraps\, Robin Durnford\, and Josh Quirion
DESCRIPTION:Join us for another amazing evening of poetry and prose with featured readers Emmanuel Deraps\, Robin Durnford\, and Josh Quirion.\nWhere: Bar Le Record\n(7622 Rue St-Hubert\, Montréal\, QC H2R 2N6)\nWhen: 8pm\nCost: Free\nOpen Mic: 5 mins\nTheme: Glossalia\nSign up for the open mic at the door!
URL:https://qwf.org/event/accent-open-mic-vol-126-glossolalia-with-emmanuel-deraps-robin-durnford-and-josh-quirion/2025-11-16/1/
LOCATION:Bar Le Record\, 7622 Rue St-Hubert\, Montréal\, Quebec\, H2R 2N6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Open Mic,Performance,Reading,Series
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251116T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251116T230000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20251107T181826Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251107T181830Z
UID:10004643-1763323200-1763334000@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Accent Open Mic Vol. 126 "Glossolalia" with Emmanuel Deraps\, Robin Durnford\, and Josh Quirion
DESCRIPTION:Join us for another amazing evening of poetry and prose with featured readers Emmanuel Deraps\, Robin Durnford\, and Josh Quirion.\nWhere: Bar Le Record\n(7622 Rue St-Hubert\, Montréal\, QC H2R 2N6)\nWhen: 8pm\nCost: Free\nOpen Mic: 5 mins\nTheme: Glossalia\nSign up for the open mic at the door!
URL:https://qwf.org/event/accent-open-mic-vol-126-glossolalia-with-emmanuel-deraps-robin-durnford-and-josh-quirion/2025-11-16/2/
LOCATION:Bar Le Record\, 7622 Rue St-Hubert\, Montréal\, Quebec\, H2R 2N6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Open Mic,Performance,Reading,Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://qwf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Accentfacebook_BarLeRecord-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251117T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251117T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T170933Z
UID:10004479-1763401500-1763408700@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Deep Story Design: Story-Craft Essentials for Longer Form Narratives
DESCRIPTION:Ten Mondays\, Oct 6-Dec 15\, 5:45-7:45pm (No session on October 13)        Open to allLimited to 12 participantsOnline Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis workshop delves into the five fundamental elements of story-making—structure\, plot\, character\, theme\, and scene building. Whether you’re writing a novella\, novel\, screenplay\, or memoir\, the skillful use of these elements allows all writers to create powerful stories that are meaningful and satisfying. \n\n\n\nAfter introducing a basic three-act story structure that’s foundational for most stories\, the workshop will progress through aspects of character\, theme\, and plot so that you can feel confident about completing fiction or nonfiction of any kind or length. We also touch on scene construction so your stories feel dynamic and alive on the page. \n\n\n\nWeekly homework exercises help writers at different stages of your story-making process\, whether you’re gathering material for a new story\, drafting an existing work\, or revising a project that is nearly ready to share with others. (Completed homework will receive instructor feedback and some in-class discussion.) \n\n\n\nIn addition to the focus on craft essentials\, this workshop invites writers to make personal discoveries about what matters most deeply to them and how this connects with their writing. This connection between self and story is integral to Deep Story Design\, because writers who know who they are\, and what they care about most\, are better able to access their unique creative voice. \n\n\n\nWeekly meetings will look something like this: \n\n\n\n\na 90-minute lesson\, including 15-30 mins of in-class exercises\n\n\n\na 10-minute break\n\n\n\n20 minutes for Q&A/homework discussion\n\n\n\n\nCompleted homework assignments will be due 4 days after the meeting at which they are assigned. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place online via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants a week or so prior to the first session.  \n\n\n\nApril Bosshard is a respected workshop facilitator and story coach who’s helped hundreds of writers develop and complete their projects. Sometimes called a “story whisperer” or “story genie\,” she has a background in film and television and has written fiction and non-fiction for traditional and independent markets\, which include publications in the US\, UK\, and Canada. April teaches at conferences and leads workshops internationally and online\, while also working with individual clients as a story coach and developmental editor.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/deep-story-design-story-craft-essentials-for-longer-form-narratives/2025-11-17/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251118T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251118T130000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20251107T173645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251107T201840Z
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SUMMARY:Lunch and Learn with SODEP
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday\, November 18\, 202512:00–1:00 pm ETFree\, Online—Register for Zoom Link\n\n\n\nDiscover SODEP—Quebec’s association of cultural magazines—and learn about the history of magazines in the province. \n\n\n\nThe Société de développement des périodiques culturels québécois (SODEP) is an association dedicated to the defense and promotion of Quebec’s cultural magazines. Founded in 1978\, SODEP brings together nearly 50 rich\, diverse\, and unique magazines devoted to the arts\, literature\, social issues\, history\, and heritage. Its mandate is to make cultural magazines accessible to all and to offer its members a variety of services to support their professional development. \n\n\n\nCome attend the Quebec Writers’ Federation’s next Lunch and Learn where Léah Pitre-Gaspari\, SODEP’s business development coordinator\, will deliver a short presentation on the history of magazines in Quebec and about SODEP’s work in developing and supporting the industry. A Q&A period will follow. \n\n\n\nThis session is free and open to all. Register to get the Zoom link. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now
URL:https://qwf.org/event/lunch-and-learn-with-sodep/
LOCATION:Online – Please RSVP to receive a Zoom link
CATEGORIES:Lunch & Learn,Webinar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251118T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251118T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T171936Z
UID:10004491-1763487900-1763495100@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Poetry in Concert: Composition\, Voice\, Performance
DESCRIPTION:Eight Tuesdays\, Oct 7-Nov 25\, 5:45-7:45pm        Open to poets and writers with some writing experienceLimited to 12 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nThe workshop Poetry in Concert: Composition\, Voice\, Performance is intended for poets or writers with some writing experience who are interested in pushing their poetic imagination and expanding their vocal and performative abilities. No previous public performance experience is required\, but participants need to be willing to experiment and vocalize their work in front of each other. As everyone will be producing new writing\, no advance submission is necessary. \n\n\n\nIn this poetry workshop\, participants will focus on composing a poetic work or suite that draws inspiration from the oral and performing arts\, including forms such as theatrical dialogue\, prose monologue\, performance art\, sound poetry\, spoken word\, and vocal improvisation. In the first half of the workshop\, participants will engage in various writing and listening exercises in order to generate work\, listen to diverse poets and sound artists\, discuss and respond to each others’ writing\, and gradually compose a poetic work inspired by various aspects of performance that are not only translated onto the page but also imagined for the stage. Ideas related to composition\, movement\, pacing\, and embodiment will be explored. \n\n\n\nThe second part of the workshop will focus on the vocalization and performance of this work. Participants will learn about range\, volume\, dynamics\, timing; how to warm up their voices and prepare for a performative reading; how to properly use a microphone; and how to explore multiple ways that their unique voices can embody their work. Depending on interest\, the workshop could culminate in a performance event of the work produced. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Westmount\, Quebec) with up to 2 virtual spots for participants who are unable to attend in-person because of distance or disability. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to request a virtual slot\, contact Riley at riley@qwf.org stating the reason for which you would need the virtual spot\, then wait for a response before registering. Please do not register until you receive confirmation of a virtual spot for you. \n\n\n\nOana Avasilichioaei has created many performance/sound works that mix electronics\, ambient textures\, noise\, and vocal play\, published seven collections of poetry hybrids\, including Chambersonic (Talonbooks\, 2024) and award-nominated Eight Track (Talonbooks\, 2019)\, and written a libretto for the one-act opera Cells of Wind (FAWN Chamber Collective\, 2022–24). Based in Montreal\, she has been a writer- or artist-in-residence at Green College\, UBC (Vancouver\, 2009)\, University of Calgary (2010–11)\, Simon Fraser University (Vancouver\, 2018)\, OBORO (Montreal\, 2021)\, and Rhizome (Quebec City\, 2024)\, and is currently nominated for the Bernard Heidsieck Centre Pompidou International Literature Prize for her intermedia work.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/poetry-in-concert-composition-voice-performance/2025-11-18/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250818T183309Z
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SUMMARY:Stage-Worthy: How to Write a Play
DESCRIPTION:Seven Wednesdays\, Oct  8-Nov 26\,  5:45-7:45pm  (No session on October 29; double-session [5:45-9:45pm] on November 26)Open to allLimited to 12 participantsIn-Person Workshop* \n\n\n\nDialogue\, characters\, plot\, setting! This will be a learn-by-doing-as-you-go\, anecdotal (in a theatre history way)\, ease-you-into-it experience that’s not scary or overwhelming. If you have always wanted to write a play or already have a play idea in the works\, this is the workshop for you. I’m quite motivational\, coach-like\, and pushy in a good way. I will get that play out of you if you are willing to try. I am all for deadlines\, discipline\, and contests. Since I have more of a comic bent\, there could be more emphasis on comedy. The workshop will evolve as it goes\, based on what everyone hopes to accomplish. I am often surprised and quite happy to see what happens when I throw ideas and writing games at writers in a workshop. I am very careful about how feedback is given because everything is so new. This does not mean that there won’t be opportunities to share your work or prove that you are indeed writing. Participants will have something dramatic to show for it at the end of the workshop. A past QWF workshop resulted in Picturesque: Voices From Beaver Hall\, which saw productions at Redpath Museum\, Dawson Theatre\, as well as museums in Hamilton and Calgary. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place exclusively in-person at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Westmount\, Quebec). \n\n\n\nColleen Curran is an award-winning playwright\, novelist\, actor\, and teacher. Her comedy Cake-Walk premiered at the Blyth Festival in 1984 and has had more than 50 productions across North America. It was brought to the attention of Showtime Network by Whoopi Goldberg. Curran’s many plays include Villa Eden\, Sacred Hearts (winner of the International Gabriel Award and most recently done by Zeitgeist Stage in Boston) Maple Lodge (Winner Best Canadian Play\, Samuel French Inc. Competition)\, Another Labour Day (Best New Play\, QDF\, 1984)\, El Clavadista\, A Brave Girl\, Sibyl and Sylvia\, Casa de Mary\, Ceili House\, and Ireland’s Own Carmel O’Reilly Tonite! Her three novels about Montreal singing waitress Lenore Rutland are Something Drastic\, Overnight Sensation\, and Guests of Chance. Her stage adaptation of Something Drastic premiered in 2002 and has been seen in Winnipeg\, Toronto\, Athens\, and Melbourne. Her True Nature launched the 2011-2012 season at Centaur Theatre. Her latest novel\, Out for Stars\, made the long list for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/stage-worthy-how-to-write-a-play/2025-11-19/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250827T174338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250827T175103Z
UID:10004556-1763574300-1763581500@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Deep Story Design: Story-Craft Essentials for Longer Form Narratives (Wednesday Cohort)
DESCRIPTION:Ten Wednesdays\, Oct 8-Dec 17\, 5:45-7:45pm (No session on October 15)        Open to allLimited to 12 participantsOnline Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis workshop delves into the five fundamental elements of story-making—structure\, plot\, character\, theme\, and scene building. Whether you’re writing a novella\, novel\, screenplay\, or memoir\, the skillful use of these elements allows all writers to create powerful stories that are meaningful and satisfying. \n\n\n\nAfter introducing a basic three-act story structure that’s foundational for most stories\, the workshop will progress through aspects of character\, theme\, and plot so that you can feel confident about completing fiction or nonfiction of any kind or length. We also touch on scene construction so your stories feel dynamic and alive on the page. \n\n\n\nWeekly homework exercises help writers at different stages of your story-making process\, whether you’re gathering material for a new story\, drafting an existing work\, or revising a project that is nearly ready to share with others. Completed homework will receive instructor feedback and some in-class discussion. \n\n\n\nIn addition to the focus on craft essentials\, this workshop invites writers to make personal discoveries about what matters most deeply to them and how this connects with their writing. This connection between self and story is integral to Deep Story Design\, because writers who know who they are\, and what they care about most\, are better able to access their unique creative voice. \n\n\n\nWeekly meetings will look something like this: \n\n\n\n\na 90-minute lesson\, including 15-30 mins of in-class exercises\n\n\n\na 10-minute break\n\n\n\n20 minutes for Q&A/homework discussion\n\n\n\n\nCompleted homework assignments will be due 4 days after the meeting at which they are assigned. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place online via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants a week or so prior to the first session. Please note that this is the Wednesday iteration of the workshop; there is also a group meeting on Mondays. The material covered will be the same\, but note that due to limited spots\, we cannot facilitate transfers between groups.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/deep-story-design-story-craft-essentials-for-longer-form-narratives-wednesday-cohort/2025-11-19/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T220000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T202248Z
UID:10004511-1763582400-1763589600@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Short Fiction: Plot and the Inner Life
DESCRIPTION:Eight Wednesdays\, Oct 8- Dec 3\, 8-10pm (No session on October 29)                 Open to allLimited to 12 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis eight-week workshop will explore how deepening a character’s inner life can generate new possibilities for a short story’s plot. One premise of this workshop is that fiction’s power lies in its capacity to depict with a high degree of detail an individual’s consciousness: the realm of perceptions\, feelings\, desires\, memories\, and thoughts. How one consciousness bumps up against another—and against the external world of norms\, things\, economic and cultural forces\, etc.—is what makes a story possible. We will investigate story as\, in George Saunders’s words\, “a system for the transfer of energy.” \n\n\n\nPlot and interiority are broad categories that encompass other topics such as point of view\, dialogue\, backstory\, and deepening the role of setting and/or of the body\, all of which can be studied and discussed\, depending on the group’s interest and the story drafts that are submitted for workshopping. Note that the workshop leader’s focus is realist literary fiction\, but all genres are welcome. The larger goal of the workshop is to support writers in uncovering the best possible versions of their stories. \n\n\n\nMost of the workshop will be devoted to reading and discussing participants’ stories (two per week over seven weeks\, up to 5000 words each). However\, for the first meeting\, participants will discuss Yiyun Li’s story\, “Prison\,” a jarring tale about surrogate birth. Please read the first 23 pages before the first session\, but do not read farther than that. We will read the final 5 pages together\, tracking how the plot ultimately unfolds. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 4023 Tupper Street\, Westmount\, Quebec) with up to 2 virtual spots for participants who are unable to attend in-person because of distance or disability. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to request a virtual slot\, contact Riley at riley@qwf.org stating the reason for which you would need the virtual spot\, then wait for a response before registering. Please do not register until you receive confirmation of a virtual spot for you. \n\n\n\nMichelle Syba is the author of the story collection End Times (Freehand Books\, 2023)\, a finalist for the QWF Concordia University First Book Prize. End Times explores the lives of people variously entangled with evangelical culture\, including immigrants\, the elderly\, the burned-out\, and the lonely\, examining our hidden anxieties and longings. Michelle’s shorter works have been published in The New Quarterly\, Cosmonauts Avenue\, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency\, and elsewhere. \n\n\n\nYou can find out more about her at www.michellesyba.com.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/short-fiction-plot-and-the-inner-life/2025-11-19/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T174500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T194500
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T212138Z
UID:10004519-1763660700-1763667900@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Writing the Personal Essay
DESCRIPTION:Eight Thursdays\, Oct 9-Dec 4\, 5:45-7:45pm (No session on October 30)        Open to allLimited to 12 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nHave you ever wanted to see your words on the pages of your favourite newspaper\, magazine\, or website? The personal essay is a subgenre of creative nonfiction that focuses on unique stories with universal appeal told from a first-person perspective. In this 8-week workshop\, you’ll learn everything from how to generate ideas to how to structure your first and second drafts to how to pitch your completed piece. \n\n\n\nThe workshop will consist of teacher-led instruction\, at-home readings\, generative in-class writing exercises\, and guided peer feedback. You will also be expected to work on your essay at home\, between classes. By the end of this session\, you will have one completed personal essay. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place at the QWF Office (Room 3\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Westmount\, Quebec) with up to 2 virtual spots for participants who are unable to attend in-person because of distance or disability. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to request a virtual slot\, contact Riley at riley@qwf.org stating the reason for which you would need the virtual spot\, then wait for a response before registering. Please do not register until you receive confirmation of a virtual spot for you. \n\n\n\nJulie Matlin is a writer with several areas of concentration\, including screenwriting\, personal essays\, novels\, and reported articles. Previously\, Julie worked at the National Film Board of Canada as a writer and social media strategist. Prior to that\, she spent 15 years as a producer’s assistant and production coordinator in feature film.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/writing-the-personal-essay-2/2025-11-20/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251120T220000
DTSTAMP:20260401T123318
CREATED:20250819T160000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T150551Z
UID:10004528-1763668800-1763676000@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Building a Better Short Story Collection
DESCRIPTION:Eight Thursdays\, Oct 9-Nov 27\, 8-10pmOpen to allLimited to 12 participantsOnline Workshop* \n\n\n\nThis workshop takes as its premise that any writer can throw together a bunch of good or even great stories to publish as a collection\, but questions whether great stories alone make a great manuscript\, a great book.  \n\n\n\nIn looking at what binds a story collection\, we’ll consider: \n\n\n\n\na few writers (like Alice Munro\, Raymond Carver\, Edward P. Jones\, Amy Sands Brodoff\, Zalika Reid-Binta\, and Kaie Kellough)\n\n\n\ncritiques/reviews of their collections/books\n\n\n\nparticipants’ own work/stories.\n\n\n\n\nWe’ll also look at excerpts from a journal that participants will be asked to keep during the workshop (and hopefully beyond). The journal will contain thoughts\, such as story ideas\, outlines for their collections\, story order and contents\, frustrations\, and illuminations\, on the evolution of their manuscript. \n\n\n\n*This workshop will take place online via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants a week or so prior to the first session.  \n\n\n\nRobert Edison Sandiford is the author of several books\, among them the story cycle Fairfield\, the novel And Sometimes They Fly\, and graphic novels with NBM Publishing.  He has been shortlisted for The Frank Collymore Literary Award and is a recipient of Barbados’s Governor General’s Award of Excellence in Literary Arts.  In 2003\, he founded with the poet Linda M. Deane the Barbadian cultural resource ArtsEtc Inc.  He has worked as a publisher\, teacher\, and producer with Warm Water Productions.  His stories have appeared in journals\, magazines\, newspapers\, and anthologies.  Currently\, he’s busy with another novel\, this time about fathers\, sons\, and dementia. 
URL:https://qwf.org/event/building-a-better-short-story-collection/2025-11-20/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR