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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241119T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241119T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
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SUMMARY:The Poet’s Toolbox
DESCRIPTION:Do you want to write poetry but have trouble getting started? Are you interested in stepping outside of your comfort zone to generate new pieces? This workshop will help you to develop your voice as a poet by kindling your creativity with the support of a variety of writing tools\, prompts\, poetic forms\, and other techniques. \n\n\n\nIn each session\, participants will be presented with some combination of readings\, writing constraints\, or guided prompts. These will include assignments to write new pieces using different poetic forms including ekphrastic poetry (verse inspired by visual art)\, erasure/blackout poetry\, OULIPO games\, centos\, prose poems\, and haiku. Participants will be encouraged to share their writing results and will have a chance to discuss each other’s poems.  \n\n\n\nBy the end of this 8-week generative poetry writing workshop\, participants will have a chance to produce a portfolio of approximately 8 new pieces of creative work. \n\n\n\nGreg Santos is a poet\, editor\, and educator. His most recent book is Ghost Face (2020) and he has published several other poetry collections. His writing has appeared in CBC First Person\, The Walrus\, Geist\, AGNI\, The Best American Poetry Blog\, and World Literature Today. He has worked with the QWF’s Writers in the Community Program\, Vallum Society for Education in Arts & Letters\, Poetry in Voice\, and the Thomas More Institute to spread the joy of verse and creative writing to diverse communities. He is the Editor in Chief of the QWF’s online literary journal carte blanche. He is an adoptee of Cambodian\, Portuguese\, and Spanish heritage. Greg lives in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal with his wife and two children.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/the-poets-toolbox/2024-11-19/
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:20241118T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241118T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240812T164840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240813T181001Z
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SUMMARY:The Vivid and Continuous Dream: A Short Story Workshop
DESCRIPTION:In March\, in 1918\, an Olympic swimmer accepts a job rehabilitating the Polio-ravaged legs of a rich young woman\, not knowing the mess of love and wreckage that await their future selves; in Western Australia\, a bullied adolescent watches his high school tormentor drown beneath the surface of an aquifer—he expects reprieve\, but all his life he will sense the boy\, resinous\, in the mist and the warm wet air; in Spokane\, a man embarks on a strange\, galvanizing quest to reclaim an heirloom headdress that once belonged to his grandmother\, and the journey leaves him wondering who he is\, or who he used to be\, or who he might yet become. \n\n\n\nThe best stories ask questions but don’t dare give all the answers; they take the reader on a journey and leave them with a brief sliver of enlightenment. Yes: love is worth the cost to body and soul\, in 1918 as much as now. No: there is no easy escape from regret\, and good people will suffer if they stoop to the level of their abusers. Perhaps what matters is not to complete the task or reclaim our past\, but to reassure ourselves that we tried. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is a guided discussion about the plot\, characters\, point of view\, structure\, and language (the mechanics or “craft”) of participants’ short stories\, as well as an investigation of each story’s aboutness\, patterns\, emotional plot\, and central question(s)—that is\, all those hard-to-define elements that make fiction what it is. \n\n\n\nAdditionally\, the workshop aims to foster community among the attendees\, to bring together writers of similar skill and drive\, and to encourage the kind of creative energy that crackles between new practitioners. \n\n\n\nSome Learning Objectives \n\n\n\n\nCritical reading\, and the ability to identify the roots of a story’s problems\, particularly with regard to dramatic structure and conflict. Conversely: the ability to identify the roots of a story’s successes\, especially when it seems intangible or difficult to pin down.\n\n\n\nClose reading\, even of your own work\, for strongest-possible sentences. (They are\, after all\, the building blocks of fiction.)\n\n\n\nTo immerse yourself in\, and engage with\, literature among a cohort of people who are similarly immersed and engaged in literature; to enjoy it.\n\n\n\n\nIn our first meeting\, we will establish a schedule\, review workshop etiquette\, spend some time meeting each other\, and do a few writing exercises. From then on\, each session will consist of detailed discussion and feedback on participants’ stories. The goal\, always\, is to offer the writer of each story constructive suggestions to help them improve the story and their craft. We are\, I always say\, in this together. \n\n\n\nIn preparation: Please bring a short story of no more than 2500 words to the first session. \n\n\n\nD. W. Wilson is the author of Once You Break a Knuckle\, a collection of short stories\, and Ballistics\, a novel. His work has appeared in lit mags across the globe\, and in 2011 he won the BBC National Short Story Award for “The Dead Roads.” Since then he has been shortlisted for numerous fiction prizes\, and has won the CBC Short Story Prize and the Manchester Fiction Prize. He taught creative writing at the University of Victoria and Brandon University and is currently a fiction mentor for the University of King’s College’s writing MFA.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/the-vivid-and-continuous-dream-a-short-story-workshop-2/2024-11-18/
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:20241118T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241118T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240729T174625Z
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SUMMARY:Writing the Personal Essay
DESCRIPTION:Have 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 course\, 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 course 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\nWeek 1: What is the personal essay? \n\n\n\nOverview of the genre and generating ideas. \n\n\n\nWeek 2: Structure \n\n\n\nDefining the elements of the personal essay and exploring structure. \n\n\n\nWeek 3: First Drafts\, Part I \n\n\n\nGetting words on the page. \n\n\n\nWeek 4: First Drafts\, Part II \n\n\n\nEmploying techniques from creative writing. \n\n\n\nWeek 5: Revision \n\n\n\nA step-by-step guide for revising your own work. \n\n\n\nWeek 6: Second Drafts \n\n\n\nHow to polish your essay and turn it into something publishable. \n\n\n\nWeek 7: Pitching and Publishing \n\n\n\nHow to find target outlets and write a great pitch. \n\n\n\nWeek 8: Ask-Me-Anything with a Working Editor \n\n\n\nGuest Editor (TBA) and wrap-up.Julie Matlin is a writer with pieces appearing in The New York Times\, The Washington Post\, Chatelaine\, The Globe and Mail\, Huffington Post\, CBC\, and other publications. She has one screenplay in development and is currently querying an essay collection\, Such a Nice Jewish Girl\, about the intersection of faith\, grief\, and identity\, which was supported by a Canada Council for the Arts grant. She has a weakness for puppies\, naps\, and the music of Jack White. You can follow her on twitter @jmatlin or Instagram and Threads @j.matlin. Portfolio:  www.juliematin.com
URL:https://qwf.org/event/writing-the-personal-essay/2024-11-18/
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:20241118T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241118T170000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20241118T165603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241118T165606Z
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SUMMARY:Event Chambers: A Listening Session and Performance
DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, November 21\, 2024Listening Session: 12:00-4:30 pm ETPerformance: 6:30 pm ET (doors 6:00 pm)\n\n\n\nWe are thrilled to invite you to a special and unique event around Oana Avasilichioaei and Klara du Plessis’s expansive projects\, Chambersonic and Post-Mortem of the Event. From noon to 4:30 pm\, stop by to listen and experience the sound installations. In the evening at 6:30 pm\, attend a live performance. Books will be available for purchase. Celebratory drinks will be served after the performance. \n\n\n\nVenue: OBORO4001 Rue BerriStudio 01 (porte 200\, 2nd floor)
URL:https://qwf.org/event/event-chambers-a-listening-session-and-performance/
LOCATION:OBORO\, 4001 Rue Berri\, Montreal\, Quebec\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Performance,Reading
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241116T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241116T133000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20241106T172152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241106T172219Z
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SUMMARY:Get Published! Writing Picture Books
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, November 16\, 202412:00-1:30 pm ETOnline\, $75 for CCBC Members\, $100 for Non-MembersRegister now\n\n\n\nLearn from the experts on how to take your picture book from a dream to a reality.  \n\n\n\nHosted by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now
URL:https://qwf.org/event/get-published-writing-picture-books/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Webinar,Workshops
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241115T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241115T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20241022T143515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241022T143519Z
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SUMMARY:Shut Up & Write! with QWF (In Person)
DESCRIPTION:Friday\, November 15\, 2024\, 12:30 pm–3:00 pmFree\, In PersonQWF Office (Room 3\, 1200 Atwater Ave.\, Westmount)\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.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/shut-up-write-with-qwf-in-person-27/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Shut Up & Write!
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241115T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241115T120000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20241023T142326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241023T142330Z
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SUMMARY:Literary Lunch
DESCRIPTION:Friday\, November 15\, 2024\, 12:00 pm ET\n\n\n\nPlease join us for an impromptu writers lunch at Chez Delmo (275 Notre Dame\, west\, Montreal\, QC). All creatives welcome to discuss and share our work in a friendly\, relaxed setting. Each person pays their own food/drink; there is no other cost. Just good food/drink\, good company—share your work\, your dreams\, your aspirations\, your accomplishments with other writers. 12:00 noon Friday\, November 15th\, 2024. Organized by Lis McLoughlin/NatureCulture  www.nature-culture.net and www.writingtheland.org 
URL:https://qwf.org/event/literary-lunch-2/
LOCATION:Chez Delmo\, 275 Notre Dame West\, Montreal\, Quebec\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Networking
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241114T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241114T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240730T154254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171128Z
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SUMMARY:Pursuing the Erotic
DESCRIPTION:This is an expanded version of the three-hour workshop “Identifying (with) the Erotic” offered in July 2022. It progresses from initial references to erotica by old hands (Anaïs Nin)\, incidental practitioners (James Baldwin) and newer writers (Ruel Johnson) to consider other select works in prose\, poetry\, and comics. You do not have to have attended the 2022 workshop to enroll in this one. \n\n\n\nThe workshop continues the exploration of what makes the erotic not only a sensual genre but a life-affirming one with participants contributing their own writing as well as sourcing that of other practitioners. While creating sexy characters and scenes with stimulating language is part of the process\, and knowing your audience is crucial (there is a difference between romance\, erotica and pornography)\, the emphasis remains on craft and telling a story that engages readers’ imagination\, exciting not only the body but all of the senses. And this without apology. \n\n\n\nRobert Edison Sandiford is the author of several books\, among them the award-winning The Tree of Youth & Other Stories\, And Sometimes They Fly (a novel) and Sand for Snow (memoir).  He has also written graphic novels for NBM Publishing.  In 2003\, he and the poet Linda M. Deane founded the Barbadian cultural resource ArtsEtc Inc.  He has worked as a publisher\, teacher and\, with Warm Water Productions\, producer.  His fiction and non-fiction have appeared in journals\, magazines and anthologies.  Currently working on another novel\,his most recent titleis Fairfield from DC Books.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/pursuing-the-erotic/2024-11-14/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241114T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241114T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240730T151554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171206Z
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SUMMARY:Poetry and the Tiny Sea in the Ear
DESCRIPTION:The tiny sea in the earand the moth wing in the mind\, which wait.— Don McKay\, “Early Instruments” \n\n\n\nThis workshop invites participants to explore our “early instruments” of imagination and experience through the language of poetry. \n\n\n\n“The excitement of metaphor\,” writes Don McKay\, “stems from the injection of wilderness into language.” Add to this idea the excitement of any element of poetic making. \n\n\n\nDuring these eight weeks\, we will draft and develop poems that tap the surprise of tension and release\, tease out what’s wild in the everyday\, refresh expectation and sharpen expression. \n\n\n\nIn each session\, we will respond to each other’s poems and work with one or more prompts. In most sessions we will look briefly at a strong contemporary poem and consider what we might borrow from it as a springboard to our writing. \n\n\n\nAll levels of experience are welcome. \n\n\n\nSusan Gillis (she/her) has taught Creative Writing at Concordia University and John Abbott College\, and has led poetry workshops with QWF\, Los Parronales (Chile)\, Blue Met\, in schools and in the community. Her four books have been nominated for several awards; Volta (2002) was awarded the A.M. Klein Prize. She is a founding member of the collaborative poetry group Yoko’s Dogs (Whisk\, 2013; Rhinoceros\, 2016; Caution Tape\, 2021). Her most recent book is Yellow Crane (Brick 2018). She works as a freelance editor and mentor.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/poetry-and-the-tiny-sea-in-the-ear/2024-11-14/
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:20241113T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241113T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240730T150325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T203300Z
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SUMMARY:The Vivid and Continuous Dream: A Short Story Workshop
DESCRIPTION:In March\, in 1918\, an Olympic swimmer accepts a job rehabilitating the Polio-ravaged legs of a rich young woman\, not knowing the mess of love and wreckage that await their future selves; in Western Australia\, a bullied adolescent watches his high school tormentor drown beneath the surface of an aquifer—he expects reprieve\, but all his life he will sense the boy\, resinous\, in the mist and the warm wet air; in Spokane\, a man embarks on a strange\, galvanizing quest to reclaim an heirloom headdress that once belonged to his grandmother\, and the journey leaves him wondering who he is\, or who he used to be\, or who he might yet become. \n\n\n\nThe best stories ask questions but don’t dare give all the answers; they take the reader on a journey and leave them with a brief sliver of enlightenment. Yes: love is worth the cost to body and soul\, in 1918 as much as now. No: there is no easy escape from regret\, and good people will suffer if they stoop to the level of their abusers. Perhaps what matters is not to complete the task or reclaim our past\, but to reassure ourselves that we tried. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is a guided discussion about the plot\, characters\, point of view\, structure\, and language (the mechanics or “craft”) of participants’ short stories\, as well as an investigation of each story’s aboutness\, patterns\, emotional plot\, and central question(s)—that is\, all those hard-to-define elements that make fiction what it is. \n\n\n\nAdditionally\, the workshop aims to foster community among the attendees\, to bring together writers of similar skill and drive\, and to encourage the kind of creative energy that crackles between new practitioners. \n\n\n\nSome Learning Objectives \n\n\n\n\nCritical reading\, and the ability to identify the roots of a story’s problems\, particularly with regard to dramatic structure and conflict. Conversely: the ability to identify the roots of a story’s successes\, especially when it seems intangible or difficult to pin down.\n\n\n\nClose reading\, even of your own work\, for strongest-possible sentences. (They are\, after all\, the building blocks of fiction.)\n\n\n\nTo immerse yourself in\, and engage with\, literature among a cohort of people who are similarly immersed and engaged in literature; to enjoy it.\n\n\n\n\nIn our first meeting\, we will establish a schedule\, review workshop etiquette\, spend some time meeting each other\, and do a few writing exercises. From then on\, each session will consist of detailed discussion and feedback on participants’ stories. The goal\, always\, is to offer the writer of each story constructive suggestions to help them improve the story and their craft. We are\, I always say\, in this together. \n\n\n\nIn preparation: Please bring a short story of no more than 2500 words to the first session. \n\n\n\nD. W. Wilson is the author of Once You Break a Knuckle\, a collection of short stories\, and Ballistics\, a novel. His work has appeared in lit mags across the globe\, and in 2011 he won the BBC National Short Story Award for “The Dead Roads.” Since then he has been shortlisted for numerous fiction prizes\, and has won the CBC Short Story Prize and the Manchester Fiction Prize. He taught creative writing at the University of Victoria and Brandon University and is currently a fiction mentor for the University of King’s College’s writing MFA.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/the-vivid-and-continuous-dream-a-short-story-workshop/2024-11-13/
LOCATION:QWF Office\, 1200 Atwater Avenue\, Room 3\, Westmount\, QC\, H3Z 1X4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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END:VEVENT
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241113T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241113T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240729T192931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171155Z
UID:10003921-1731520800-1731528000@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Hooked: Writing Compelling YA Fiction
DESCRIPTION:Get ready to unveil the gripping storyteller within you and keep readers turning those pages! Dive into an exciting eight-week workshop focused on techniques to captivate young adult readers. We’ll look at everything from crafting vibrant characters and heart-pounding conflicts to honing structure and pacing in YA fiction. \n\n\n\nFor our first session\, bring along a favorite YA novel to share with the group. By week two\, be sure to have the first chapter of your work-in-progress (up to 10 pages) for some feedback exchange. By the end of the workshop\, you’ll have a roadmap to your story\, completed scenes\, and an inciting hook for your novel-in-the-making. \n\n\n\nEach session will incorporate a mix of writing prompts\, critique sessions\, exploration of writing techniques\, sneak peeks into YA literature\, and lively group discussions. We’ll be reading various writing styles\, structuring vibrant dialogue\, and feeling all the YA vibes. We’ll even take a sneak peek into the Canadian publishing world. \n\n\n\nValuable feedback from both the workshop leader and your fellow writers on your opening chapter will keep you motivated and inspired. Together\, we’ll work at captivating readers. \n\n\n\nDon’t forget your writing tools for each session. All writers\, whether seasoned pros or fresh faces\, are welcome! Short story\, graphic novel and prose writers\, you’re invited too! \n\n\n\nThe following Suggested readings will sharpen your writing skills\, but are not necessary for the workshop: \n\n\n\nCorner-Bryant\, Helen\, and Kathryn Price. On Editing: How to Edit Your Novel the Professional Way. John Murray Learning\, 2018. \n\n\n\nProse\, Francine. Reading like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them. HarperCollins\, 2009. \n\n\n\nStrunk Jr\, William. The Elements of Style: Classic Edition. Spectrum Ink\, 2018. \n\n\n\nTruby\, John. The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller. Faber and Faber\, 2008. \n\n\n\nLea Beddia is the author of Take Off! (Rebel Mountain Press) and Outta Here (Lorimer). She is also a storyteller\, appearing regularly on stage with Confabulation. Born and raised in Montreal\, she now teaches in Joliette\, Quebec\, where she lives with her husband and three children. With a passion for supporting literacy among young adults\, especially for striving readers\, Lea is releasing two fresh YA novels set to hit bookshelves in 2025 and 2026. Find out more at www.leabeddia.com\, or say hi to Lea Beddia on Facebook or Instagram @BeddiaLea.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/hooked-writing-compelling-ya-fiction/2024-11-13/
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:20241112T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241112T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240729T185742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171223Z
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SUMMARY:Memoir: Turning Yourself into a Character
DESCRIPTION:The memoir used to be a large and weighty book\, often written by a man of power\, once he had stepped out of the limelight (or been cast out of it). Presidents and prime ministers wrote memoirs; the common people did not. \n\n\n\nFlash-forward to the present. People have discovered that they had and still have lives worth writing about. The classic memoir was about the exercise of power in times of crisis. The current memoir is often about a period of time during which the writer learned something about themselves. Which should make all of us potential memoirists. \n\n\n\nThe form contains a number of moral traps and rough spots. How much fiction can you put in a memoir? What happens when you forget something\, or misremember? How much can you reveal about yourself and others before you cross a line you might regret? \n\n\n\nWe’ll look at several examples of memoir\, from Harry Crews to Kyo Maclear and others. With Crews\, his story begins before his birth; is that still memoir? Mark Abley’s travel story is clearly designed to tell as little as possible about its author. In sociologist mode\, Daniel Allen Cox brings in a slew of outside sources to bolster his self-inquiry. Where do we want to situate ourselves? \n\n\n\nThat\, of course\, will depend on our inquiries. A memoir can be about someone else – how you did or did not live with that person. Memoirs can spring from a mystery – but not always. All of them involve the writer wanting to achieve greater self-understanding\, which means we have to turn ourselves into a character to do it. \n\n\n\nThe workshop will be a mixture of reading one another’s projects and proposals\, and considering excerpts from other books. Participants are free to submit material a week or two before the first workshop. This material will be part of class discussions. Please submit to David.Homel@concordia.ca. For the first submission\, please do not go beyond 5 or 10 standard pages. See you there! \n\n\n\nDavid Homel wrote 13 works of fiction – historical novels\, murder mysteries and domestic fiction – before his first memoir in 2020\, and he has gone on to work in that form since. The experience as a memoirist continues to bear upon his novel-writing\, enriching and expanding it. The moral aspects of the art of memory and disclosure continue to attract him\, along with the paradox of turning himself into a character in order to get at the truths of his past lives. He has also worked as a journalist and a documentary filmmaker\, both assets for memoir writing\,
URL:https://qwf.org/event/memoir-turning-yourself-into-a-character/2024-11-12/
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:20241112T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241112T183000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20241011T173500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241011T173504Z
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SUMMARY:The 2024 QWF Awards Gala
DESCRIPTION:Step into a world of literary magic at the 26th QWF Literary Awards Gala! On Tuesday\, November 12\, Cabaret Lion d’Or (1676 Ontario St. East) will transform into a dazzling celebration of Quebec’s finest wordsmiths. The event will be hosted by Ali Hassan—comedian\, author\, and the host of CBC’s beloved Canada Reads. Ali promises a night of both heartfelt celebrations and hearty laughs. \n\n\n\nThe theme of this year’s gala is “Reflecting on the Future.” Attendees are invited to get in the spirit of the theme by wearing futuristic attire or reflective materials. Come dressed in your silks\, your satins\, your metallics\, or your shiniest jewelry and accessories. Feeling bold? Don an aluminum-foil hat. Gala volunteers will choose their favourite futuristic ensemble\, and the lucky wearer will win a prize! \n\n\n\nJoin us for a cocktail reception with the finalists preceding the Gala from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the reception are $60 ($40 for full-time students) and include catered hors d’oeuvres; two glasses of wine\, beer or non-alcoholic drink; and admission to the awards ceremony\, which begins at 8:00 p.m. \n\n\n\nTickets for the ceremony alone are $25 ($10 for full-time students). Doors for the ceremony open at 7:30 p.m. \n\n\n\nReserve your ticket now and prepare for an unforgettable evening that bridges the present and the future of English literary arts in Quebec.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/the-2024-qwf-awards-gala/
LOCATION:Lion D’Or\, 1676 Ontario St E\, Montreal\, Quebec\, H2L 1S7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:QWF Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241112T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241112T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240729T181403Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171243Z
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SUMMARY:The Poet’s Toolbox
DESCRIPTION:Do you want to write poetry but have trouble getting started? Are you interested in stepping outside of your comfort zone to generate new pieces? This workshop will help you to develop your voice as a poet by kindling your creativity with the support of a variety of writing tools\, prompts\, poetic forms\, and other techniques. \n\n\n\nIn each session\, participants will be presented with some combination of readings\, writing constraints\, or guided prompts. These will include assignments to write new pieces using different poetic forms including ekphrastic poetry (verse inspired by visual art)\, erasure/blackout poetry\, OULIPO games\, centos\, prose poems\, and haiku. Participants will be encouraged to share their writing results and will have a chance to discuss each other’s poems.  \n\n\n\nBy the end of this 8-week generative poetry writing workshop\, participants will have a chance to produce a portfolio of approximately 8 new pieces of creative work. \n\n\n\nGreg Santos is a poet\, editor\, and educator. His most recent book is Ghost Face (2020) and he has published several other poetry collections. His writing has appeared in CBC First Person\, The Walrus\, Geist\, AGNI\, The Best American Poetry Blog\, and World Literature Today. He has worked with the QWF’s Writers in the Community Program\, Vallum Society for Education in Arts & Letters\, Poetry in Voice\, and the Thomas More Institute to spread the joy of verse and creative writing to diverse communities. He is the Editor in Chief of the QWF’s online literary journal carte blanche. He is an adoptee of Cambodian\, Portuguese\, and Spanish heritage. Greg lives in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal with his wife and two children.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/the-poets-toolbox/2024-11-12/
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:20241111T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241111T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240812T164840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240813T181001Z
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SUMMARY:The Vivid and Continuous Dream: A Short Story Workshop
DESCRIPTION:In March\, in 1918\, an Olympic swimmer accepts a job rehabilitating the Polio-ravaged legs of a rich young woman\, not knowing the mess of love and wreckage that await their future selves; in Western Australia\, a bullied adolescent watches his high school tormentor drown beneath the surface of an aquifer—he expects reprieve\, but all his life he will sense the boy\, resinous\, in the mist and the warm wet air; in Spokane\, a man embarks on a strange\, galvanizing quest to reclaim an heirloom headdress that once belonged to his grandmother\, and the journey leaves him wondering who he is\, or who he used to be\, or who he might yet become. \n\n\n\nThe best stories ask questions but don’t dare give all the answers; they take the reader on a journey and leave them with a brief sliver of enlightenment. Yes: love is worth the cost to body and soul\, in 1918 as much as now. No: there is no easy escape from regret\, and good people will suffer if they stoop to the level of their abusers. Perhaps what matters is not to complete the task or reclaim our past\, but to reassure ourselves that we tried. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is a guided discussion about the plot\, characters\, point of view\, structure\, and language (the mechanics or “craft”) of participants’ short stories\, as well as an investigation of each story’s aboutness\, patterns\, emotional plot\, and central question(s)—that is\, all those hard-to-define elements that make fiction what it is. \n\n\n\nAdditionally\, the workshop aims to foster community among the attendees\, to bring together writers of similar skill and drive\, and to encourage the kind of creative energy that crackles between new practitioners. \n\n\n\nSome Learning Objectives \n\n\n\n\nCritical reading\, and the ability to identify the roots of a story’s problems\, particularly with regard to dramatic structure and conflict. Conversely: the ability to identify the roots of a story’s successes\, especially when it seems intangible or difficult to pin down.\n\n\n\nClose reading\, even of your own work\, for strongest-possible sentences. (They are\, after all\, the building blocks of fiction.)\n\n\n\nTo immerse yourself in\, and engage with\, literature among a cohort of people who are similarly immersed and engaged in literature; to enjoy it.\n\n\n\n\nIn our first meeting\, we will establish a schedule\, review workshop etiquette\, spend some time meeting each other\, and do a few writing exercises. From then on\, each session will consist of detailed discussion and feedback on participants’ stories. The goal\, always\, is to offer the writer of each story constructive suggestions to help them improve the story and their craft. We are\, I always say\, in this together. \n\n\n\nIn preparation: Please bring a short story of no more than 2500 words to the first session. \n\n\n\nD. W. Wilson is the author of Once You Break a Knuckle\, a collection of short stories\, and Ballistics\, a novel. His work has appeared in lit mags across the globe\, and in 2011 he won the BBC National Short Story Award for “The Dead Roads.” Since then he has been shortlisted for numerous fiction prizes\, and has won the CBC Short Story Prize and the Manchester Fiction Prize. He taught creative writing at the University of Victoria and Brandon University and is currently a fiction mentor for the University of King’s College’s writing MFA.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/the-vivid-and-continuous-dream-a-short-story-workshop-2/2024-11-11/
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:20241111T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241111T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240729T174625Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171315Z
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SUMMARY:Writing the Personal Essay
DESCRIPTION:Have 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 course\, 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 course 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\nWeek 1: What is the personal essay? \n\n\n\nOverview of the genre and generating ideas. \n\n\n\nWeek 2: Structure \n\n\n\nDefining the elements of the personal essay and exploring structure. \n\n\n\nWeek 3: First Drafts\, Part I \n\n\n\nGetting words on the page. \n\n\n\nWeek 4: First Drafts\, Part II \n\n\n\nEmploying techniques from creative writing. \n\n\n\nWeek 5: Revision \n\n\n\nA step-by-step guide for revising your own work. \n\n\n\nWeek 6: Second Drafts \n\n\n\nHow to polish your essay and turn it into something publishable. \n\n\n\nWeek 7: Pitching and Publishing \n\n\n\nHow to find target outlets and write a great pitch. \n\n\n\nWeek 8: Ask-Me-Anything with a Working Editor \n\n\n\nGuest Editor (TBA) and wrap-up.Julie Matlin is a writer with pieces appearing in The New York Times\, The Washington Post\, Chatelaine\, The Globe and Mail\, Huffington Post\, CBC\, and other publications. She has one screenplay in development and is currently querying an essay collection\, Such a Nice Jewish Girl\, about the intersection of faith\, grief\, and identity\, which was supported by a Canada Council for the Arts grant. She has a weakness for puppies\, naps\, and the music of Jack White. You can follow her on twitter @jmatlin or Instagram and Threads @j.matlin. Portfolio:  www.juliematin.com
URL:https://qwf.org/event/writing-the-personal-essay/2024-11-11/
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:20241110T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241110T160000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20241008T004306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241008T004309Z
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SUMMARY:Triple Book Launch: Jim Johnstone\, Klara Du Plessis\, & Katherine Alexandra Harvey
DESCRIPTION:Sunday\, November 10\, 2024\, 2:00-4:00 pm ET\n\n\n\nLibrairie Paragraphe Books and Paimpsest Press present and afternoon of poetry featuring Jim Johnstone\, Klara Du Plessis\, and Katherine Alexandra Harvey. \n\n\n\nJoin poets Jim Johnstone\, Klara Du Plessis\, and Katherine Alexandra Harvey as they read from and sign from their latest respective works: The Anstruther Reader (editor)\, Post-Mortem of the Event\, and Let Me Evaporate. \n\n\n\nAlso scheduled to appear: Darren Bifford\, Sarah Burgoyne. \n\n\n\nAdmission is Free.Refreshments will be served. \n\n\n\nAbout the Books\n\n\n\nThe Anstruth Reader\n\n\n\nCompiled to celebrate ten years worth of limited edition chapbooks and broadsides\, The Anstruther Reader tracks the evolution of Anstruther Press\, one of Canada’s most prominent micropresses. Featuring notable authors such as Klara du Plessis\, Tolu Oloruntoba\, David Ly\, Rebecca Salazar\, David Barrick\, Fawn Parker\, and T. Liem\, The Anstruther Reader makes a case for the press’s reputation as a launching pad for emerging and established poets alike\, and spotlights its mandate to publish poetry that both pushes against and expands the boundaries of Canadian literature. \n\n\n\nPost-Mortem of the Event\n\n\n\nThe event represents the lyrical\, but an attempt at defining the event endlessly defers meaning—poetry readings\, death\, belonging\, the digital and— Post-Mortem of the Event is a cyclical archive that twists back to recorded readings of Klara du Plessis’s earlier Hell Light Flesh and leans forward to invoke a still unwritten manuscript. Here poetic composition encompasses audiovisual media\, transcription\, wave form visualization\, and digital humanities and interdisciplinary methods. With the maturity of three previous collections\, Du Plessis presents a brilliant expansion of her musical yet essayistic poetics. \n\n\n\nLet Me Evaporate\n\n\n\nInfo TBA \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRSVP on FAcebook
URL:https://qwf.org/event/triple-book-launch-jim-johnstone-klara-du-plessis-katherine-alexandra-harvey/
LOCATION:Librairie Paragraphe Bookstore\, 2220 McGill College Ave\, Montreal\, Quebec\, H3A 3P9\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Book Launch,Community Events,Reading
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241109T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241109T163000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240731T164306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171121Z
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SUMMARY:Mastering Book Marketing: An Intensive Workshop for Authors
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, Nov 9\, 10:30am-4:30pmOpen to all with a book to market (already published or upcoming)Limited to 12 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nIn a crowded field of over-flowing bookstores\, how can we possibly draw attention to a newly published manuscript\, and how can momentum be sustained after the release date? \n\n\n\nThis one-day seminar will be a participatory and interactive exercise in finding solutions and strategies to build an audience\, engage readers\, and keep readers for the duration of your writing career. \n\n\n\nPlease come to the workshop with: \n\n\n\n\na two-minute reading from a book you have published or are about to publish\n\n\n\na two- to three-sentence elevator pitch\n\n\n\na 50-word bio\n\n\n\nAn idea for a Booktok\n\n\n\n\nAnd be prepared to share your website if you have one. \n\n\n\nIn the workshop you will learn strategies for: \n\n\n\n\nIdentifying your target audience\n\n\n\nBuilding an author brand\n\n\n\nLeveraging two social media platforms:\n\n\n\nDeveloping community engagement through libraries\, book clubs\, and in-store book signings\n\n\n\nWriting a captivating book pitch that could be used for newspapers\, magazines\, radio or TV\n\n\n\nGathering early book reviews and testimonials to add to your website and create buzz\n\n\n\nDetermining ARC distribution and choosing your first readers\n\n\n\nApplying to the Public Lending Program\n\n\n\nFinding suitable book prizes\n\n\n\nPlanning your book launch\n\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. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to attend the workshop via Zoom\, first email Riley (riley@qwf.org) to see if online spots are still available for this workshop\, and then wait for confirmation. Virtual spots are limited and are reserved for people who either live outside Montreal or have a medical condition. \n\n\n\nSusan Doherty\, a Montreal author educated at Concordia University\, excels in both fiction and non-fiction. Her award-winning book\, The Ghost Garden\, received the QWF’s Mavis Gallant Prize for Non-Fiction. Doherty’s novels\, A Secret Music and Monday Rent Boy\, delve deeply into the themes of childhood trauma\, mentorship and resilience. She has been a long-time volunteer at the Douglas Institute teaching creative writing and art therapy.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/mastering-book-marketing-an-intensive-workshop-for-authors/
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:20241109T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241109T123000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20241015T173316Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241015T173320Z
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SUMMARY:Shut Up & Write! with QWF (Virtual)
DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, November 9\, 2024\, 10:00 am–12:30 pmOnline 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. If there is no option to RSVP\, RSVPs are closed.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/shut-up-write-with-qwf-virtual-23/
LOCATION:Online – Please RSVP to receive a Zoom link
CATEGORIES:Shut Up & Write!
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241108T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241108T180000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20241021T194708Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241021T194711Z
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SUMMARY:Inside MadPoetix Studios: Open Mic with Featured Artist
DESCRIPTION:Friday\, November 8\, 2024\, 6:00 pm ET\n\n\n\nGet ready for an unforgettable night at Inside MadPoetix Studios!  We’re elevating our Soirées Intimes Series with a unique fusion of education and entertainment. Join us for an exclusive live interview featuring our star performer\, hosted by the amazing Kym Dominique Ferguson. \n\n\n\nDive deep into the artistry and inspiration behind their work—this is a one-of-a-kind experience in the spoken word community you won’t want to miss! \n\n\n\nBut that’s just the beginning! We’re kicking off the night with 8 dynamic Open Mic slots for all genres—spoke word\, poetry\, comedy\, singing\, and more! Each act gets a 5-minute spotlight\, showcasing a vibrant tapestry of talent! \n\n\n\nNovember Feature: Vero!\n\n\n\nFor Vero\, poetry is her peace\, rebellion\, and liberation. Her art reflects deep emotions and the power of transformation. Explore the journey of self-discovery\, healing\, and empowerment through her powerful words. Check out her heartfelt collection\, Untitled Emotions\, available on Amazon!Sign up for Open Mic. \n\n\n\nGet your tickets.Date: Friday\, November 08\, 2024Doors Open: 6 PMShow Starts: 7 PMAge Limit: 16+LIMITED SEATING! Don’t miss this enlightening and exhilarating evening of creativity and connection!  \n\n\n\nSee you there!
URL:https://qwf.org/event/inside-madpoetix-studios-open-mic-with-featured-artist/
LOCATION:QC
CATEGORIES:Performance,Reading
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241107T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241107T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240730T154254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171128Z
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SUMMARY:Pursuing the Erotic
DESCRIPTION:This is an expanded version of the three-hour workshop “Identifying (with) the Erotic” offered in July 2022. It progresses from initial references to erotica by old hands (Anaïs Nin)\, incidental practitioners (James Baldwin) and newer writers (Ruel Johnson) to consider other select works in prose\, poetry\, and comics. You do not have to have attended the 2022 workshop to enroll in this one. \n\n\n\nThe workshop continues the exploration of what makes the erotic not only a sensual genre but a life-affirming one with participants contributing their own writing as well as sourcing that of other practitioners. While creating sexy characters and scenes with stimulating language is part of the process\, and knowing your audience is crucial (there is a difference between romance\, erotica and pornography)\, the emphasis remains on craft and telling a story that engages readers’ imagination\, exciting not only the body but all of the senses. And this without apology. \n\n\n\nRobert Edison Sandiford is the author of several books\, among them the award-winning The Tree of Youth & Other Stories\, And Sometimes They Fly (a novel) and Sand for Snow (memoir).  He has also written graphic novels for NBM Publishing.  In 2003\, he and the poet Linda M. Deane founded the Barbadian cultural resource ArtsEtc Inc.  He has worked as a publisher\, teacher and\, with Warm Water Productions\, producer.  His fiction and non-fiction have appeared in journals\, magazines and anthologies.  Currently working on another novel\,his most recent titleis Fairfield from DC Books.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/pursuing-the-erotic/2024-11-07/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241107T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241107T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240730T151554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171206Z
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SUMMARY:Poetry and the Tiny Sea in the Ear
DESCRIPTION:The tiny sea in the earand the moth wing in the mind\, which wait.— Don McKay\, “Early Instruments” \n\n\n\nThis workshop invites participants to explore our “early instruments” of imagination and experience through the language of poetry. \n\n\n\n“The excitement of metaphor\,” writes Don McKay\, “stems from the injection of wilderness into language.” Add to this idea the excitement of any element of poetic making. \n\n\n\nDuring these eight weeks\, we will draft and develop poems that tap the surprise of tension and release\, tease out what’s wild in the everyday\, refresh expectation and sharpen expression. \n\n\n\nIn each session\, we will respond to each other’s poems and work with one or more prompts. In most sessions we will look briefly at a strong contemporary poem and consider what we might borrow from it as a springboard to our writing. \n\n\n\nAll levels of experience are welcome. \n\n\n\nSusan Gillis (she/her) has taught Creative Writing at Concordia University and John Abbott College\, and has led poetry workshops with QWF\, Los Parronales (Chile)\, Blue Met\, in schools and in the community. Her four books have been nominated for several awards; Volta (2002) was awarded the A.M. Klein Prize. She is a founding member of the collaborative poetry group Yoko’s Dogs (Whisk\, 2013; Rhinoceros\, 2016; Caution Tape\, 2021). Her most recent book is Yellow Crane (Brick 2018). She works as a freelance editor and mentor.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/poetry-and-the-tiny-sea-in-the-ear/2024-11-07/
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:20241105T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241105T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240729T185742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171223Z
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SUMMARY:Memoir: Turning Yourself into a Character
DESCRIPTION:The memoir used to be a large and weighty book\, often written by a man of power\, once he had stepped out of the limelight (or been cast out of it). Presidents and prime ministers wrote memoirs; the common people did not. \n\n\n\nFlash-forward to the present. People have discovered that they had and still have lives worth writing about. The classic memoir was about the exercise of power in times of crisis. The current memoir is often about a period of time during which the writer learned something about themselves. Which should make all of us potential memoirists. \n\n\n\nThe form contains a number of moral traps and rough spots. How much fiction can you put in a memoir? What happens when you forget something\, or misremember? How much can you reveal about yourself and others before you cross a line you might regret? \n\n\n\nWe’ll look at several examples of memoir\, from Harry Crews to Kyo Maclear and others. With Crews\, his story begins before his birth; is that still memoir? Mark Abley’s travel story is clearly designed to tell as little as possible about its author. In sociologist mode\, Daniel Allen Cox brings in a slew of outside sources to bolster his self-inquiry. Where do we want to situate ourselves? \n\n\n\nThat\, of course\, will depend on our inquiries. A memoir can be about someone else – how you did or did not live with that person. Memoirs can spring from a mystery – but not always. All of them involve the writer wanting to achieve greater self-understanding\, which means we have to turn ourselves into a character to do it. \n\n\n\nThe workshop will be a mixture of reading one another’s projects and proposals\, and considering excerpts from other books. Participants are free to submit material a week or two before the first workshop. This material will be part of class discussions. Please submit to David.Homel@concordia.ca. For the first submission\, please do not go beyond 5 or 10 standard pages. See you there! \n\n\n\nDavid Homel wrote 13 works of fiction – historical novels\, murder mysteries and domestic fiction – before his first memoir in 2020\, and he has gone on to work in that form since. The experience as a memoirist continues to bear upon his novel-writing\, enriching and expanding it. The moral aspects of the art of memory and disclosure continue to attract him\, along with the paradox of turning himself into a character in order to get at the truths of his past lives. He has also worked as a journalist and a documentary filmmaker\, both assets for memoir writing\,
URL:https://qwf.org/event/memoir-turning-yourself-into-a-character/2024-11-05/
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:20241105T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241105T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240729T181403Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171243Z
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SUMMARY:The Poet’s Toolbox
DESCRIPTION:Do you want to write poetry but have trouble getting started? Are you interested in stepping outside of your comfort zone to generate new pieces? This workshop will help you to develop your voice as a poet by kindling your creativity with the support of a variety of writing tools\, prompts\, poetic forms\, and other techniques. \n\n\n\nIn each session\, participants will be presented with some combination of readings\, writing constraints\, or guided prompts. These will include assignments to write new pieces using different poetic forms including ekphrastic poetry (verse inspired by visual art)\, erasure/blackout poetry\, OULIPO games\, centos\, prose poems\, and haiku. Participants will be encouraged to share their writing results and will have a chance to discuss each other’s poems.  \n\n\n\nBy the end of this 8-week generative poetry writing workshop\, participants will have a chance to produce a portfolio of approximately 8 new pieces of creative work. \n\n\n\nGreg Santos is a poet\, editor\, and educator. His most recent book is Ghost Face (2020) and he has published several other poetry collections. His writing has appeared in CBC First Person\, The Walrus\, Geist\, AGNI\, The Best American Poetry Blog\, and World Literature Today. He has worked with the QWF’s Writers in the Community Program\, Vallum Society for Education in Arts & Letters\, Poetry in Voice\, and the Thomas More Institute to spread the joy of verse and creative writing to diverse communities. He is the Editor in Chief of the QWF’s online literary journal carte blanche. He is an adoptee of Cambodian\, Portuguese\, and Spanish heritage. Greg lives in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal with his wife and two children.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/the-poets-toolbox/2024-11-05/
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:20241104T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241104T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240812T164840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240813T181001Z
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SUMMARY:The Vivid and Continuous Dream: A Short Story Workshop
DESCRIPTION:In March\, in 1918\, an Olympic swimmer accepts a job rehabilitating the Polio-ravaged legs of a rich young woman\, not knowing the mess of love and wreckage that await their future selves; in Western Australia\, a bullied adolescent watches his high school tormentor drown beneath the surface of an aquifer—he expects reprieve\, but all his life he will sense the boy\, resinous\, in the mist and the warm wet air; in Spokane\, a man embarks on a strange\, galvanizing quest to reclaim an heirloom headdress that once belonged to his grandmother\, and the journey leaves him wondering who he is\, or who he used to be\, or who he might yet become. \n\n\n\nThe best stories ask questions but don’t dare give all the answers; they take the reader on a journey and leave them with a brief sliver of enlightenment. Yes: love is worth the cost to body and soul\, in 1918 as much as now. No: there is no easy escape from regret\, and good people will suffer if they stoop to the level of their abusers. Perhaps what matters is not to complete the task or reclaim our past\, but to reassure ourselves that we tried. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is a guided discussion about the plot\, characters\, point of view\, structure\, and language (the mechanics or “craft”) of participants’ short stories\, as well as an investigation of each story’s aboutness\, patterns\, emotional plot\, and central question(s)—that is\, all those hard-to-define elements that make fiction what it is. \n\n\n\nAdditionally\, the workshop aims to foster community among the attendees\, to bring together writers of similar skill and drive\, and to encourage the kind of creative energy that crackles between new practitioners. \n\n\n\nSome Learning Objectives \n\n\n\n\nCritical reading\, and the ability to identify the roots of a story’s problems\, particularly with regard to dramatic structure and conflict. Conversely: the ability to identify the roots of a story’s successes\, especially when it seems intangible or difficult to pin down.\n\n\n\nClose reading\, even of your own work\, for strongest-possible sentences. (They are\, after all\, the building blocks of fiction.)\n\n\n\nTo immerse yourself in\, and engage with\, literature among a cohort of people who are similarly immersed and engaged in literature; to enjoy it.\n\n\n\n\nIn our first meeting\, we will establish a schedule\, review workshop etiquette\, spend some time meeting each other\, and do a few writing exercises. From then on\, each session will consist of detailed discussion and feedback on participants’ stories. The goal\, always\, is to offer the writer of each story constructive suggestions to help them improve the story and their craft. We are\, I always say\, in this together. \n\n\n\nIn preparation: Please bring a short story of no more than 2500 words to the first session. \n\n\n\nD. W. Wilson is the author of Once You Break a Knuckle\, a collection of short stories\, and Ballistics\, a novel. His work has appeared in lit mags across the globe\, and in 2011 he won the BBC National Short Story Award for “The Dead Roads.” Since then he has been shortlisted for numerous fiction prizes\, and has won the CBC Short Story Prize and the Manchester Fiction Prize. He taught creative writing at the University of Victoria and Brandon University and is currently a fiction mentor for the University of King’s College’s writing MFA.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/the-vivid-and-continuous-dream-a-short-story-workshop-2/2024-11-04/
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:20241104T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241104T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240729T174625Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171315Z
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SUMMARY:Writing the Personal Essay
DESCRIPTION:Have 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 course\, 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 course 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\nWeek 1: What is the personal essay? \n\n\n\nOverview of the genre and generating ideas. \n\n\n\nWeek 2: Structure \n\n\n\nDefining the elements of the personal essay and exploring structure. \n\n\n\nWeek 3: First Drafts\, Part I \n\n\n\nGetting words on the page. \n\n\n\nWeek 4: First Drafts\, Part II \n\n\n\nEmploying techniques from creative writing. \n\n\n\nWeek 5: Revision \n\n\n\nA step-by-step guide for revising your own work. \n\n\n\nWeek 6: Second Drafts \n\n\n\nHow to polish your essay and turn it into something publishable. \n\n\n\nWeek 7: Pitching and Publishing \n\n\n\nHow to find target outlets and write a great pitch. \n\n\n\nWeek 8: Ask-Me-Anything with a Working Editor \n\n\n\nGuest Editor (TBA) and wrap-up.Julie Matlin is a writer with pieces appearing in The New York Times\, The Washington Post\, Chatelaine\, The Globe and Mail\, Huffington Post\, CBC\, and other publications. She has one screenplay in development and is currently querying an essay collection\, Such a Nice Jewish Girl\, about the intersection of faith\, grief\, and identity\, which was supported by a Canada Council for the Arts grant. She has a weakness for puppies\, naps\, and the music of Jack White. You can follow her on twitter @jmatlin or Instagram and Threads @j.matlin. Portfolio:  www.juliematin.com
URL:https://qwf.org/event/writing-the-personal-essay/2024-11-04/
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:20241104T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241104T183000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20241007T153334Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241007T154450Z
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SUMMARY:Morris House Reading Series: Liana Cusmano
DESCRIPTION:Monday\, November 4\, 2024\, 5:30-6:30 pm ET\n\n\n\nWriter\, poet\, and filmmaker\, Liana Cusmano (aka Luca/BiCurious George) is a three-time Montreal Slam Champion and runner-up in the 2019 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship. Their first novel\, Catch & Release (2022)\, was published by Guernica Editions. They were a 2022 finalist for the QWF Spoken Word Prize and winner of the 2024 Society Pages Poetry Contest. \n\n\n\nBooks will be for sale after the talk\, which is being supported by Academic Enrichment and the Dean’s Office. \n\n\n\nAbout the Morris House Reading Series\n\n\n\nThe Morris House Reading Series is in its twentieth year of hosting both established and up-and-coming authors at Bishop’s University. Prestigious Canadian writers such as Alistair MacLeod\, Jeffrey Moore\, Anne Michaels\, Heather O’Neill\, M. NourbeSe Philip\, and Donna Morrissey have come to present their work\, answer questions\, and meet with the audience during the informal reception that follows the reading. \n\n\n\nAdditional Information: Further information about past readings or updates about our events can be viewed at the Morris House Reading Series website. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRoom: Cleghorn Faculty Lounge
URL:https://qwf.org/event/morris-house-reading-series-liana-cusmano/
LOCATION:Bishop’s University\, 2600 College Street\, Sherbrooke\, Quebec\, J1M 1Z7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Reading
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241102T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241102T123000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240731T163956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T193709Z
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SUMMARY:Pitch\, Plan\, and Lead: How to Get and Give a Workshop for Writers
DESCRIPTION:Two Saturdays Oct 26-Nov 2\, 10:30am-12:30pm Open to professional writers or other literary professionals. If you are not sure whether your workshop idea is appropriate for QWF\, send us a note.Limited to 10 participantsHybrid Workshop* \n\n\n\nAre you ready to share your knowledge of your chosen literary field? Need a hand getting started on your pitch\, or polishing your workshop-leading skills? Together with other emerging and established literary folk\, we’ll talk about how to conceive\, plan\, and lead a successful QWF workshop\, whether on an aspect of craft\, a literary genre\, or an angle on the business of writing –in plenty of time for QWF’s spring call for workshop proposals. \n\n\n\nOver two Sunday mornings\, we’ll explore possibilities for bringing as much creativity to your workshop design as you do to your art. You’ll develop and refine your workshop idea and transform it into a solid pitch. We’ll talk about how to plan a workshop that’s fun and effective for you and the participants\, whether it lasts one afternoon or ten weeks\, including how to manage a diverse group of participants with differing goals\, skill levels\, and workshop experience. \n\n\n\nIn the first session we’ll talk about: \n\n\n\n\nchoosing your topic \n\n\n\nhow to design a format (one day\, four afternoons\, two hours a week for eight weeks?) and plan your activities across that time frame\n\n\n\nwhether and how to add readings\, videos\, or reference materials \n\n\n\nhow to describe your teaching experience and approach to leading a workshop – what will you lead participants to accomplish\, and how?\n\n\n\nwhat to include in a “more detailed workshop description (up to two pages)”\n\n\n\n\nBetween sessions you’ll create a clean draft of your pitch using this form and share it with the group by email. In the second session\, we’ll consider the drafts and help each other make them even clearer\, more powerful\, more engaging.  \n\n\n\nWe will also discuss: \n\n\n\n\nhow to manage workshop time to strike a good balance between the various elements\, such as in-class writing\, group discussion\, and homework tasks \n\n\n\nmaking sure everyone in a diverse group gets what they need (even the difficult ones)\n\n\n\naccounting for – and celebrating – each participant’s distinct individuality\n\n\n\ncultivating a sense of community \n\n\n\nsharing information about the writing life – how to get published\, how to get paid\, do you need an agent\, doing public readings/open mics\, etc.\n\n\n\nmodeling and fostering respect\, warmth\, honesty and generosity in your workshop\n\n\n\n\nIn this context we’ll discuss the Guidelines for QWF Workshop Participants and Workshop Leaders. Please have a look at them before we meet.  \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. By default\, all workshop registrations are for in-person spots. If you would like to attend the workshop via Zoom\, first email Riley (riley@qwf.org) to see if online spots are still available for this workshop\, and then wait for confirmation. Virtual spots are limited and are reserved for people who either live outside Montreal or have a medical condition. \n\n\n\nElise Moser has published short stories\, a novel for adults\, a YA novel\, and a nonfiction book for kids. She has edited anthologies\, been literary editor of online arts and culture magazine Rover\, and sat on the boards of Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal\, PEN Canada\, the QWF\, and the English-language Arts Network. She coordinates the Atwater Writers Exhibition\, co-organizes the Read Quebec Book Fair\, and is a co-coordinator of the National Juries and Awards Working Group. She has been a QWF mentor four times\, and has led workshops on the short story\, on having a successful writing group\, and on combining the practices of writing and walking\, as well as a previous iteration of this workshop. At least two of her workshop groups became writing groups\, and continue to meet and write together.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/pitch-plan-and-lead-how-to-get-and-give-a-workshop-for-writers-2/2024-11-02/
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:20241101T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241101T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
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LAST-MODIFIED:20241004T205002Z
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SUMMARY:Shut Up & Write! with QWF (In Person)
DESCRIPTION:Friday\, November 1\, 2024\, 12:30 pm–3:00 pmFree\, In PersonQWF Office (Room 3\, 1200 Atwater Ave.\, Westmount)\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.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/shut-up-write-with-qwf-in-person-26/
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:20241031T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241031T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T025305
CREATED:20240730T154254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240801T171128Z
UID:10003944-1730404800-1730412000@qwf.org
SUMMARY:Pursuing the Erotic
DESCRIPTION:This is an expanded version of the three-hour workshop “Identifying (with) the Erotic” offered in July 2022. It progresses from initial references to erotica by old hands (Anaïs Nin)\, incidental practitioners (James Baldwin) and newer writers (Ruel Johnson) to consider other select works in prose\, poetry\, and comics. You do not have to have attended the 2022 workshop to enroll in this one. \n\n\n\nThe workshop continues the exploration of what makes the erotic not only a sensual genre but a life-affirming one with participants contributing their own writing as well as sourcing that of other practitioners. While creating sexy characters and scenes with stimulating language is part of the process\, and knowing your audience is crucial (there is a difference between romance\, erotica and pornography)\, the emphasis remains on craft and telling a story that engages readers’ imagination\, exciting not only the body but all of the senses. And this without apology. \n\n\n\nRobert Edison Sandiford is the author of several books\, among them the award-winning The Tree of Youth & Other Stories\, And Sometimes They Fly (a novel) and Sand for Snow (memoir).  He has also written graphic novels for NBM Publishing.  In 2003\, he and the poet Linda M. Deane founded the Barbadian cultural resource ArtsEtc Inc.  He has worked as a publisher\, teacher and\, with Warm Water Productions\, producer.  His fiction and non-fiction have appeared in journals\, magazines and anthologies.  Currently working on another novel\,his most recent titleis Fairfield from DC Books.
URL:https://qwf.org/event/pursuing-the-erotic/2024-10-31/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom
CATEGORIES:QWF Workshops,Workshops
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