Congratulations to Geri, Connie, Lisa, and Michelle; plus Ghost Writer and Writer in Residence wanted

Good morning, Brian.

I sent one of my “babies” out to CommuterLit for the first time earlier this month. And it was accepted.

I’m thrilled!

Thanks for all your coaching these last few years.

Geri Lalach

Since sending me this email, Geri’s had a second story published on CommuterLit, as well – yay, Geri! Read “Hallelujah” here and “The Opening” here. See Geri’s author page on CommuterLit here.

For information about submitting to CommuterLit, see here.

Hi Brian:

I'm so excited! My third fifty-word story was published today. Thanks so much for letting us know about the 50-Word Stories website. 

You can read my new story, Assassin Retirement Plan” here.

Take care!

Connie Taylor

See all three stories Connie's published on 50-Word Stories here. For information about submitting to 50-Word Stories, see here.

Good morning, Brian.

I was just writing to say thank you for your help with the short story last night and also to let you know that my short story “A Perfect Place in Time” has been chosen as a short list finalist for the Elora Writers Festival.

I am very excited! This is the first contest I've ever entered and I was quite surprised to get the notification. I just had to do a little happy dance ;-)

It's thanks to your help and guidance over the years (and all of the courses you provide) that I even felt confident enough to send a manuscript in.

Thanks so much.

Lisa Washbrook

Yay, Lisa. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed.

The Elora Writers Festival Writing Contest rolls around every year, with the deadline usually early in March. See details of a previous year’s contest here.

Michelle with Chicken Soup for the Soul's
The Spirit of Canada
which included one of here pieces

Hi Brian!

I wanted to let you know that my short story, "Today is the Day" has been published on Feminine Collective. 

You can read it here.

I wrote this on the lunch break at one of your workshops for a Fiction War contest that I had signed up for that was the same weekend! I'm thrilled that it has found a home with Feminine Collective!

Thank you so much for your continued support and enthusiasm,

Michelle Dinnick

For information on submitting to Feminine Collective, see here.

Writer to Writer

Seeking Ghost Writer

… to complete a personal life story. It begins in the in the Prairies and moves to the depression era in Niagara.  It highlights the learn-by-doing Business Education provided by a rapid succession of four small firms, and a career with two divisions of the world largest automotive corporation It shares 7 Red Flare life situations that most of us are likely to encounter and the invaluable advice that helped change direction and avoid catastrophe. Finally, 3 significant failures that contributed to future success. One of which shaped a commitment to helping others through Training and Mentoring.

For consideration: send a brief resume and the first and last pages of three chapters of any book you have written to Irwin Schinkel at i_j.schinkel@sympatico.ca

Call for Writer in Residence 2018 – 2019

The Toronto Heliconian Club seeks to appoint a writer-in-residence for the 2018 – 2019 season. Eligible candidates are female authors of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama, as well as professional editors and journalists.

The successful candidate will have complimentary membership in the Club for the year. The non-paying position provides an opportunity for a writer to connect with members of the Literature Section on a regular basis and to interact occasionally with members in the Music, Drama, Dance, Art and Humanities sections.

The Toronto Heliconian Club is the oldest association of its kind in Canada. Founded in 1909 to give women in the arts and letters an opportunity to meet socially and intellectually, the Club holds to its original purpose while responding to the changes of contemporary life. Founded by professional women in music, writing, painting, and drama who later were joined by those in dance, sculpture, architecture, and other professions related to the humanities, the members range in age and experience from women who have earned great distinction to those in the early stages of their careers. The Club operates out of the historic Heliconian Hall in Yorkville. For more information about the Club visit  www.heliconianclub.org

The writer-in-residence is expected to attend several events over the year, and to present her work to an audience at one or more readings and/or workshops. In addition, the position lends itself to creative programming within the Literature section. The position lasts from September 2018 to June 2019.

An application package should include a letter of intent, a résumé, a list of published works and a writing sample. Short excerpts of longer works should not exceed 2000 words. In the letter of intent, the applicant should explain why she is interested in the position, of what benefit the post would be to her and how she, in turn, could benefit the Heliconian Club.

The deadline for applying is midnight Friday, May 11th, 2018 EST. Applications should be emailed to the Heliconian Club office: info@heliconianclub.org

See Brian’s complete current schedule here, including writing workshops, weekly writing classes, and weekend retreats in Algonquin Park, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Collingwood, Cambridge, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Midland, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Saint John, NB, Sudbury, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.