Join us this summer for “Intensive Creative Writing”

Intensive Creative Writing

Offered online at 2 different times:

Tuesday evenings 6:30 – 9:00
First readings emailed June 30.
Classes: July 7 – August 18 (or to Aug 25 if the class fills up)

Wednesday afternoons 12:30 – 3:00
First readings emailed July 2.
July 8 – August 19 (or Aug 26 if the class fills up)

Note: We also have an online “Writing Personal Stories” course this summer on Tuesday afternoons, July 7 – Aug 18. See all upcoming classes, workshops, and retreats here.

Intensive Creative Writing is not for beginners; it's for people who are working on their own writing projects. You’ll be asked to bring in several pieces of your writing for detailed feedback. All your pieces may be from the same work, such as a novel in progress, or they may be stand-alone pieces, such as short stories or essays. You bring whatever you want to work on. 

Besides critiquing pieces, the instructor will give short lectures addressing the needs of the group, and in addition to learning how to critique your own work and receiving constructive suggestions about your writing, you’ll discover that the greatest benefits come from seeing how your classmates approach and critique a piece of writing and how they write and re-write. This is a challenging course, but extremely rewarding.

Instructor Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada's most popular blog for writers, taught creative writing at Ryerson University (now called Toronto Metropolitan University) and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Saskatoon to Toronto to Saint John. But his proudest boast is that he’s has helped many of his students get published.  

Read pieces about ~ or inspired by ~ Brian's retreats, courses and workshops here (and scroll down).

Fee: $256.64 + hst = $290

To reserve your spot, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See all upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here.

Get new postings from Quick Brown Fox delivered to your In Box as they go up. Subscribe to my Substack here. ~Brian

Join us this summer for “Writing Personal Stories”

“Writing Personal Stories” 

 ~ A weekly class dedicated to the pleasures of writing your stories & thoughts

Online: Tuesday afternoons, 1 – 3 p.m.
July 7 – August 11 (or to Aug 18 if the class fills up)
Offered on Zoom and accessible from anywhere there's internet 

Note: We'll also have two online "Intensive Creative Writing" courses this summer, on Tuesday evenings, July 7 – August 18 (or to Aug 25 if the class fills up) and on Wednesday afternoons, July 8 – August 19 (or Aug 26 if the class fills up)

If you've ever considered writing your personal stories, this course is for you. We’ll look at memoirs, travel writing, personal essays, family history – personal stories of all kinds. Plus, of course, we’ll work on creativity and writing technique and have fun doing it. 

Whether you want to write a book or just get your thoughts down on paper, this weekly course will get you going. We'll reveal the tricks and conventions of telling true stories, and we’ll show you how to use the techniques of the novel to recount actual events. Weekly writing exercises and friendly feedback from the instructor will help you move forward on this writing adventure. Whether you want to write for your family and friends or for a wider public, don't miss this course.

We’ll also have a published author as a guest speaker for this course.

Instructor Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada's most popular blog for writers, taught creative writing at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Saskatoon to Toronto to Saint John.  But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get published.  

Read reviews and other pieces about or inspired by Brian's writing courses, workshops, and retreats here (and scroll down).

Fee: $257.52 plus 13% hst = $291

To reserve your spot, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here. 

The Algonquin Park Writers’ Retreat – How Perfect! by Barbara Baker

Arowhon Pines Resort resident fox, photo by Barbara Baker

The road was gravel. It twisted through tall, leafy, overhanging trees that created a tunnel-like effect. After the first kilometer, my cell phone binged. I checked. No Service. Really? I tucked it away.

The next eight kilometers took us farther into Algonquin Park and finally ended in a parking lot at the edge of the blue waters of Little Joe Lake. I got out of the car and followed the signs on the walking path through the woods to the lodge.

The initial shock of no cell phone reception was ... shocking. Add no tv, radio, wifi or even a clock. How will any of us writers survive in this archaic environment?

The reality of all that was not accessible wore off within minutes as the beauty and peacefulness of Arrowhon Pines Resort encapsulated me.

I was taken to one of the many log cabins tucked away in the forest. A giant bed with crisp white linens, private bathroom, a stone fireplace, veranda overlooking the water, roomies to share the beauty of the setting and the cabin (though certainly not my room), as well as the ups and downs of our writing projects – how perfect! I only checked my phone two more times to make sure it really had no reception.

Brian Henry, our writing mentor for the retreat, opened the session. Cheerful, quirky, enthusiastic, funny – the list goes on to describe his attributes but he’s probably already blushing so I’ll stop.

A cabin at Arowhon Pines, photo by Barbara Baker

After the “fortune cookie” warm-up exercise, the room was a hub of voices and chatter and excitement. What a variety of storytellers! The energy flowed intravenously through the group and followed me back to my writing corner.

Coming from Calgary, I thought I might get the prize for the furthest distance travelled but since I only had to fly for four hours maybe the people that drove seven hours would get it. But there was no Furthest Distance Travelled prize. We were all winners.

Breaks from the writing sessions and private writing times were spent kayaking, hiking to the 400-year-old medicine tree, early morning coffee on the deck watching the mist rise, following the resident fox for photo ops or just walking without a destination in mind. Pure bliss.

And then there was the food, the amazing food of Arowhon! Add the camaraderie of all those writers in one location and you encounter unstoppable laughter, encouragement, support, understanding, some very tall tales and so many new friendships.

Another highlight of the retreat was the one-on-one mentoring session with Brian to discuss individual projects. Intuitive, enlightening – Brian was full of suggestions and ideas, offered support and encouragement and dished it all out with honesty, in confidence and with sincerity. This man has a thing about helping writers improve their voices and write their stories. How great is that?

When it was over and time to go back to the binging of cell phones and our normal lives, it was very hard to leave the hugs and the companionship of like-minded souls and one of the prettiest places to visit. Thank you Brian Henry for making it all happen!

***

For information about upcoming writers’ retreats, see here (and scroll down). 

To reserve a spot, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Barbara at Arowhon Pines

Barbara Wackerle Baker grew up in Banff, Alberta, and spends her free time racing up and down the Rockies trying to keep up with an active family of outdoor enthusiasts. Her passions include writing, photography, exploring landscapes and time with her grandchildren (the most beautiful grandchildren ever). 

Three of her stories have found homes in Chicken Soup publications, a dozen others are in short story contest anthologies, one of her stories won the 2016 John Kenneth Galbraith Literary Award, and her short story "Life Support," initially published in the Globe and Mail, was made into a short film that premiered at the Totonnto International Film Festival (here). She's also published three YA novels: Summer of Lies, What About Me, and Jillian of Banff XO (see here).

See all upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here.

Congratulations to Barbara and Anne!

Note: If you’ve had a story (or a book!) published, if you’ve won or placed in a writing contest, if you’ve gotten yourself an agent, or if you have any other news, send me an email so I can share your success. As writers, we’re all in this together, and your good news gives us all a boost. 

Also, be sure to let know if you're looking for a writers' group or beta readers; a notice in Quick Brown Fox, will help you find them. 

Email me at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Hi, Brian! 

I'm excited to share the news that my book Death Scent is one of the five finalists in the Crime Writer's of Canada (CWOC) category for best Unpublished Crime Novel. 

As you know, when I joined the Thursday afternoon Intensive Writing group in Burlington, my characters Em and Doc were just twinkles in my mind's eye! Thank you for all your help in bringing them to life. A huge thanks as well to Thursday's writers, present and past, for your thoughtful suggestions and weekly encouragement.

Winners will be announced May 29th on the CWOC website. I can't believe what great company I'm in! Next step – get published!

Barbara Stokes

Note: A new season of weekly classes will begin in July. In the meanwhile, see all my upcoming  one-day writing workshops, and four-day retreats here. ~Brian

 

Hi, Brian.

I wanted to let you know that my novel Val's Story, which had its genesis in your courses, is on the Crime Writers of Canada shortlist, in the unpublished category.

Thank you for teaching me not only the art and craft of writing, but the importance of being part of a community of writers, from whom I draw strength when the going gets tough. And thank you also for your words of encouragement, which helped me see that my writing may be imperfect but that was no reason to give up.

Anne Burlakoff

 ***

And here’s the full list of finalists for Best Unpublished Crime Novel manuscript written by an unpublished author (Sponsored by ECW Press with a $500 prize):

 Anne Burlakoff, Val's Story

 William Hall, The Less You Know

 Francis K. Lalumière, Lens Flare

 Barbara Stokes, Death Scent

 Isabelle Zimmermann, Blistered

 Good luck to all the finalists (But especially to Barbara and Anne)! ~Brian

Note: For information about Crime Writers of Canada, see here, and for information about their annual Awards of Excellence and specifically about their award for Best Unpublished Crime Novel, see here.

For information about submitting to ECW Press, see here.

See where else your fellow writers are winning accolades and getting short pieces published here (and scroll down).

See new books by your fellow writers here (and scroll down).

See all my upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day  retreats here. ~Brian

Second Story Press wants your manuscripts - whether for kids or adults

Second Story Press

120 Carlton Street
Suite 412
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5A 4K2

https://secondstorypress.ca/

Second Story Press is a Canadian feminist press.  It was founded in 1988 by Margie Wolfe, but in 2025, Phuong Truong became the new owner. Second Story’s list spans adult fiction and nonfiction; children’s fiction and nonfiction, board books and picture books to young adult books. They continue to look for stories that feature strong female and queer characters and that explore themes of social justice, human rights, equality, and ability issues.

Second Story is committed to finding authentic voices, and like everyone else, they seek to publish creators from communities who have been traditionally underrepresented in books. “These include (but are not limited to) works by creators who are Indigenous, Black, people of colour, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.”

Second Story focusses on Canadian authors (either citizens or permanent residents of Canada who are currently living in Canada), and almost all their authors are women. They do not publish poetry, short story collections, traditional romance novels, rhyming picture books, or books with anthropomorphized animals. Second Story Press does not accept any submissions that have been created using artificial intelligence.

Note: If you’re interested in meeting an agent and in getting published, don’t miss our online How to Get Published workshops, with literary agents as guest speakers. See what's coming up here. 

In addition to your query letter, include a brief biography, a brief summary of your book, and why you’re the best person to write it. For all juvenile work, identify the intended audience or age range for your book. 

Consider how your book fits into Second Story’s list, how it’s different from similar or competing titles published by Second Story or any other press, and how your book fits into the marker; i.e., who is it written for? Include a C.V. with information about any relevant work, previous publishing credits, and academic history (where applicable) particularly for nonfiction. 

If you don’t have any publishing credits, don’t worry. Second Story happily publishes new authors.

Include a synopsis of your work (500 words maximum).

For adult fiction and nonfiction and for books for children and teens send the first three chapters.

For children's picture books, please send the entire manuscript. You do not need to include illustrations if you are not a professional illustrator.

Note: Second Story publishes a lot of picture books for the 6–8-year-old age group, in addition to some picture books for the more usual 3– -year-old age group, which is the more usual target for picture books.

Email your submission to: submissions@secondstorypress.ca

Format the subject line thus: ADULT/JUVENILE FICTION/NONFICTION, AUTHOR NAME, PROJECT NAME; e.g.: Juvenile nonfiction, Erin Silver, What the Kids Did

Books for teens are classified as juvenile. For all juvenile books, specify the intended age range in your query letter.

Your query letter may be in the body of your email, but attach your C.V., synopsis, and sample chapters as a Word document or a PDF.

Please note that it can take a period of 7–10 months to receive a response.

Illustrators:

Second Story accepts portfolios only from Canadian illustrators. Send samples of your work and a C.V. either by mail or by e-mail to: illustrators@secondstorypress.ca

Please put Attn: Illustrator’s Portfolio on the package or in the subject line.

See full submission guidelines for writers and illustrators here.

See all of Brian Henry’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.

Navigation tips: Always check out the Labels underneath a post; they’ll lead you to various distinct collections of postings. For more publishers of children's and young adult books, see here {and scroll down}. For book publishers in general, see here {and scroll down}.

We've go the trailer for Tres's forthcoming picture book!

Hi, Brian.

Thank you so much for arranging such a lovely reading event. I loved hearing so many great pieces.

[Our Author Reading Day was this past Saturday – what a wonderful afternoon! If anyone has a nice party room at their condo or other suggestion of where we might have our next reading day, please let me know ~Brian]

As promised, here’s the book trailer Plumleaf Press recently released for my upcoming picture book  Nahliya and the Lady.

Please share :-)

Thank you for all that you continue to do.

Treslyn

Note: You can read more about Nahliya and the Lady and pre-order your copy here.

For information about submitting to Plumleaf Press, see here.

See more new books by your fellow writers  here (and scroll down).

If you’ve had a story (or a book!) published, if you’ve won or placed in a writing contest, if you’ve gotten yourself an agent, or if you have any other news, send me an email so I can share your success. As writers, we’re all in this together, and your good news gives us all a boost. Email me at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here.