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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Two new books: A Shadow in the Past by Melanie Robertson-King and Moose Road by Audrey Austin

Hi, Brian.
My novel, A Shadow in the Past, (from 4RV Publishingis now available as an ebook. It can be purchased for the Kindle/Kindle apps through amazon, Barnes and Noble for their Nook, and will be available for the Kobo in the coming days, followed by Apple. To buy A Shadow in the Past online, check out my website for links.
Looking forward to attending another one of your workshops soon.
Melanie
Melanie Robertson-King
author of A Shadow in the Past
www.melanierobertson-king.com


Hello, Brian.
My new book Moose Road, A Canadian Tragedyis out! The cover was designed by Susan Ruby K. and I think she’s done a great job.
Best,
Audrey Austin

Audrey Austin’s fourth novel has arrived.   The first print run of  Moose Road – A Canadian Tragedy published by Wynterblue Publishing Canada is a numbered limited edition.  To reserve your favourite number email the author, audrey@persona.ca  

The five beautiful illustrations by local artist Susan Ruby K. are reproduced on parchment paper giving the book a touch of elegance.  Cover design is also by Susan Ruby K.

Moose Road – a Canadian Tragedy  is a story told by the residents of seven farms located on Moose Road, where a tragic accident between a school bus and a snow plow has touched them all.


See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Bracebridge, Orillia, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.



Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Two Haikus by Elizabeth Crocket

This haiku was previously published in Modern Haiku

selecting plots
for eternal rest
cloudburst


This one was published in Shamrock Haiku Journal:

Barbados heat
the police station windows
wide open


Elizabeth Crocket has also published haiku in Roadrunner Journal, The Heron's Nest, Lyrical Hitmaker and Quick Brown Fox.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.


Monday, July 29, 2013

How to Build Your Story workshop, Sunday, Nov 17, Ottawa

“How to Build Your Story”
Sunday, November 17
10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
St Laurent Complex, Aubrey Room, 525 Côté Street, Ottawa
Off St Laurent Blvd. Map here.

This workshop will show you how writers plot a novel. You’ll also get the best tips on writing short stories, where to get them published and how to win contests. Best yet, you’ll see how to apply the story-building techniques you’ve learned to your own writing.

Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing teacher for more than 25 years. He teaches at Ryerson University and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Moncton. But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get published.

Fee: $38.94 + 13% hst = $44 paid in advance by mail
or $42.48 + 13% hst = $48 if you wait to pay at the door

To reserve a spot now, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See Brian’s full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.


Sunday, July 28, 2013

Modern Haiku and Simply Haiku, paradise for lovers of Japanese short form poetry

by Gary LeBel, Modern Haiku, Summer 2007
Modern Haiku is a journal of haiku and haiku studies published three times a year out of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. For haiku lovers, Modern Haiku is pure paradise.
  
Before you submit, Modern Haiku urges you  to familiarize yourself with the journal, especially with regard to what constitutes a haiku (see below).

Material submitted to Modern Haiku is to be the author’s original work, previously unpublished and not under consideration by any other publication, including Web-based journals, personal Web sites, blogs, and social networking sites.

Editors read submissions year-round—but not continuously. Please do not be alarmed if 6–8 weeks pass before an editor makes a decision on your work. Please send 5–15 haiku, senryu, and/or up to 3 haibun per submission. No more than one submission per issue, please. So send your best work. (Note: If you’ve ever wondered what haiku is all about, see the definitions of haiku, senryu, and haibun below).

Email your submission to Paul Miller, Editor, Modern Haiku: modernhaiku@gmail.com
Work may either be pasted in the message text or included as an attachment in MS Word or PDF. Your message must be identified as “MH SUBMISSION” (this text only) in the Subject line. Be sure to include your full postal address and indicate how you wish your materials to be signed.

Juxtapositions is the section of the journal devoted to reader feedback and discussion of important issues in modern haiku. Postal or e-mail letters are avidly sought and will be printed (and edited for fit) at the editors’ discretion.

Definitions—what we’re looking for

Haiku is a brief verse that epitomizes a single moment. It uses the juxtaposition of two concrete images, often a universal condition of nature and a particular aspect of human experience, in a way that prompts the reader to make an insightful connection between the two. The best haiku allude to the appropriate season of the year. Good haiku avoid subjectivity; intrusions of the poet’s ego, views, or values; and displays of intellect, wit, and facility with words.
The above is a normative definition, and haiku of various kinds not squaring with this definition can be easily found, even in the pages of our journal.

Senryu is a verse in the haiku form that focuses on human nature. Although Modern Haiku has a best-senryu-of-issue award, separate sections for haiku and senryu have been discontinued because we find it is impossible to draw a sharp line between the two in English-language verse.
The editors of Modern Haiku use the term "haiku" inclusively (and loosely) for both haiku and senyru and consider both for publication on an equal footing.

Haibun is a prose poem that uses embedded haiku to enhance the composition’s overall resonance and effect. Modern Haiku publishes several haibun in each issue. The following principles guide the editors in choosing among haibun submissions: (1) Each verse should be able to stand on it own as a haiku, without reference to the prose; (2) The prose should be composed in haikai style—that is, with an eye to brevity, objectivity, and non-intellectualization; (3) The haiku and the prose should stand in the same relationship to one another as do the two parts of the haiku—that is, one part should not repeat, explain, or continue the other, rather the juxtaposition of the two should lead the reader to experience added insight or resonance. Haibun are generally, but not necessarily, titled.

Simply Haiku, Summer 2007
Haiga is a work combining a graphic image (originally sumi-e, brush painting with black ink) with a haiku in the same relationship as the two parts of a haibun (see above); in particular, the graphic should not merely be an illustration of the haiku, nor the haiku a caption for the image. 

The best haiga use the same medium for the haiku and the graphic. Photo haiga are very popular these days, but not with our editors. Haiga generally do not need a title. Modern Haiku typically publishes four haiga in each issue in the Poetry Gallery section.
  
Modern Haiku publication policies 

Syllable and line count are not vital in contemporary English-language haiku—in particular in our journal. We find, in fact, that few poets are able to write effective haiku in the "traditional" 5–7–5–syllable format.

Titles, notes. English-language haiku generally do not need titles or head notes. If you wish to label your haiku, you should be sure there is a very good reason for doing so and that the title is more than merely a cheat, an extra "fourth line." The same is true of explanatory notes or footnotes: if your verse contains material that needs explanation, it is safe to assume that it is inadequately communicating to its intended audience—i.e., it is a failed haiku.

Dedications. Modern Haiku tries to avoid including a dedication with a haiku on the grounds that it tends to divert attention and sap energy from the haiku.

Locations & dates. Similarly, we try to avoid including a location or date (e.g., a line reading "Aunt Jenny’s backyard, May 1978") with haiku for the same reasons we are suspicious of titles, notes, and dedications.

Foreign languagesModern Haiku is keen to publish haiku in languages other than English provided that the work was originally composed in the foreign language and that it is accompanied by an English translation (our editors can often help with the translations). Back translations (that is, an author’s original English-language work translated into another language) and translations into third languages are generally not of interest.

Full submission guidelines here.


Poem: Janet L Davis. Image: Christine Klocek-Lim,
Simply Haiku, Winter 2006
Simply Haiku

Simply Haiku is a showcase for Japanese short form poetry written in the English language.

Simply Haiku publishes all forms of Japanese short form poetry, as well as all forms of traditional and modern haiga (works combining an image and a haiku. See definition above). In addition we publish essays, articles and reviews relating to haiku poetry and associated genres. Please read the introduction to each section for more detailed information.

Policy on Publication Elsewhere: Simply Haiku does not consider submissions of previously published works unless invited; however, we do not consider postings on Internet forums, personal webpages and the like as publications.

How to Submit Poetry: All poems must be submitted by email to the editor of the appropriate section: Haiku (10-25); Tanka (5-20); Senryu (any number); Haibun (1-3). Work may be submitted in any language, so long as it is accompanied by an English language translation. Any quoted work must be attributed both to the original author and to the translator(s), if any.

How to Submit Artwork: Simply Haiku has a continuous open submissions period for haiga. Submissions will be scheduled by the haiga editor to meet quarterly deadlines. Previously published work is by invitation only. You may submit up to a dozen works at one time. You may submit up to a dozen works at one time and no less than five. We may publish between 4 and 8 haiga for each presentation. Please be mindful of the season (a snow scene will not be chosen for a summer issue). We are interested in combined art and prose of high quality. Judgments will be made at the sole discretion of the editor. All haiku-related art forms (e.g., ink drawing, brush painting, woodblock painting, photo, digital) will be considered.


Also, check out Shamrock, an Irish haiku quarterly that accepts submissions from around the world. See here.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Emma Parry joins Janklow & Nesbit literary agency

Janklow & Nesbit Associates
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022-2606
http://www.janklowandnesbit.com/ 


Janklow & Nesbit are a powerhouse literary agency with offices in New York, LA, and London. Clients include Anne Rice (Interview with a Vampire), William Goldman (The Princess Bride), Bill O'Reilly (The O'Reilly FactorCulture Warrior), Malcolm Gladwell (The Tipping PointBlink), David McCullough (Truman), Michael Moore (Fahrenheit 9/11), and many other top authors

Total number of clients: about 1,000. "Some of them are deceased, but only a tiny fraction," says agent Luke Janklow. “We do look at everything,” he adds. “What gets invited in is a very small portion of that."

Emma Parry was formerly a founding partner of the Fletcher & Parry literary agency (now known as Fletcher & Company). In 2008, she sold her half of the business and spent five years working freelance and raising her daughters. Now she’s returned the agenting business as a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit.

“I’m on a scout for serious talent,” says Emma. She's calling for “the best storytellers, scientists, historians, journalists, wits, academics and experts wanting to reach the widest possible world.”

Query Emma at submissions@janklow.com or her personal email is: eparry@janklow.com 
Address your query to her by name. For fiction submissions, send an informative cover letter, a brief synopsis and the first ten pages, pasted into the body of your email. For non-fiction submissions, send an informative cover letter and a full outline by mail.

Full submission guidelines here.

Brian Henry will lead a “How to Get Published” workshop with guest speaker Carly Watters of P.S. Literary agency in Georgetown on October 5. Details here
To register, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Brian will also be leading a “Secrets of Writing a Page-turner” workshop in Bracebridge (in the heart of Muskoka) on August 10 (see here). Also, he’ll lead “How to Build Your Story” workshops in Barrie on Sept 21 (here), and in Sudbury on Sept 22 (here). 
To register, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

But before you submit, the best way to get your manuscript into shape is with a weekly course. In September, Brian will be leading “Welcome to Creative Writing” on Tuesday afternoons in Burlington (see here); “Writing your life & other true stories” on Tuesday evenings in Burlington (here); "Next Step" courses on Thursday afternoons in Mississauga (here) and Thursday evenings in Georgetown (here) and “Intensive” courses on  Wednesday afternoons in Burlington (here) and Wednesday evenings in Mississauga (here). 
To register, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.


Thursday, July 25, 2013

How to Make Your Writing Dramatic workshop, Saturday, Dec 7, Brampton

“How to Make Your Stories Dramatic”
Saturday, December 7, 2013
10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Four Corners Library, 65 Queen St E, Brampton, Ontario (Map here.)

This workshop is geared to both beginners and more experienced writers.  We’ll look at the most important part of all stories whether fictional or true: the fully dramatized scene.  You'll learn some of the most successful tricks of the trade to make sure that you'll never write a lifeless scene again.

We’ll look at both dialogue and action scenes. You’ll learn how to write great dialogue and how to mix it with your narrative so that the interaction between your characters comes alive. But the most difficult scenes of all are climactic action scenes; such as love scenes, chase scenes and fight scenes. Primarily using fight scenes as our examples, you’ll learn how to ramp up the tension you need for one of these high-octane performances. 

Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing teacher for more than 25 years. He teaches creative writing at Ryerson University and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Charlottetown. But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get their first book published and launch their careers as authors.

Fee: $38.94 + 13% hst = $44 paid in advance by mail
or $42.48 + 13% hst = $48 if you wait to pay at the door

To reserve a spot now, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca 

See Brian’s full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Online journal seeks prose and poetry; New historical fiction journal seeks stories; and the notorious 3-day Novel Contest is open for submissions

Biannual, digital publication Compose: A Journal of Simply Good Writing is seeking fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, book excerpts (up to 5,000 words) and artwork for their Fall 2013 issue.
Deadline: August 31, 2013. Guidelines here.


Circa is new biannual online journal dedicated to historical fiction.  The first issue came out in April, the second issue will be published in October 2013. “Join us!” says editor Jen Falkner.

Have you got a love story set during the Great Fire of London, a mystery among the Mayans, an homage to all things Victorian?  We’d love to read it! Circa loves anything that provides a fresh take on history and resists cliche.  We love genre-crossing, speculative and alternative history, too.  Be original, bold and striking!

Circa accepts fiction, creative non-fiction, book reviews and articles on an historical theme.   Short stories and creative non-fiction should not exceed 2,500 words, reviews and articles should not exceed 800 words.  As a Canadian journal, we have a special place in our heart for Canadian stories.  Novel excerpts are welcome, but only if they can stand alone.

Email submissions only.  All manuscripts must be formatted in 12pt font, double spaced, and sent as a .doc attachment to: circamag@gmail.com  

Full submission guidelines here.


The International 3-Day Novel Contest is now accepting registrations
It started as a bet in a beer hall in 1977.  Now you can join writers everywhere as you lock your door, grit your teeth and strive to produce a masterwork of fiction in a mere 72 hours. It’s a killer, a thrill, a trial by deadline and a fantastic creative kick-start. 

The annual International 3-Day Novel Contest is runs every Labour Day long weekend, and now attracts writers from all over the world. Read the Rules, About and FAQ pages to find out more, then sign up by Labour Day weekend (August 31 to September 2, 2013) to find out for yourself.

Grand Award: Publication by Anvil Press
Second Award: $500;  Third prize: $100
Entry fee: $50


The Canadian Writers' Contest Calendar on sale now. If you’re looking for places to send your work, you should put contests on your list. The Canadian Writers’ Contest Calendar is a book that provides gives a full listing of annual contests in Canada arranged by deadline date. Since these contests recur each year, your Contest Calendar lasts a long time. It lists contests for short stories, poetry, children’s writing, novels, and nonfiction – contests for just about everyone.
Regularly, the Calendar costs $20 at one of Brian Henry's workshops or classes or $23.50 by mail. It is now on sale for just $17 at a class or workshop or $20 by mail. (all taxes and shipping included). 
To order, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.



How to Make Your Writing Dramatic workshop, Saturday, Nov 16, Kingston

“How to Make Your Stories Dramatic”
Saturday, November 16
1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Lions Club
935 Sydenham Road, Kingston Ontario (Map here.)

This workshop is geared to both beginners and more experienced writers.  We’ll look at the most important part of all stories whether fictional or true: the fully dramatized scene.  You'll learn some of the most successful tricks of the trade to make sure that you'll never write a lifeless scene again.

We’ll look at both dialogue and action scenes. You’ll learn how to write great dialogue and how to mix it with your narrative so that the interaction between your characters comes alive. But the most difficult scenes of all are climactic action scenes; such as love scenes, chase scenes and fight scenes. Primarily using fight scenes as our examples, you’ll learn how to ramp up the tension you need for one of these high-octane performances. 

Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing teacher for more than 25 years. He teaches creative writing at Ryerson University and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Charlottetown. But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get their first book published and launch their careers as authors.

Fee: $32.74 + 13% hst = $37 paid in advance by mail
or $35.40 + 13% hst = $40 if you wait to pay at the door

To reserve a spot now, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca 

See Brian’s full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Bracebridge, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.