“Things We Might Have Done” by Debbie Okun Hill

Wentworth Corn Field, Steve Greaves

If we had more breath, more time

we might have taken art lessons

explored the Cadmium Yellows

in a vase of freshly cut daffodils

slid our feet in Prussian Blue seas

a sip of wave, so comforting

before your wild wheezing

windpipe storm arrived

Dying Rose, Sarah Kirk

We might have dipped our fingers

in Raw Umber, licked the Titanium

Whites in your cumulus cloud sky

but today your easel frame collapses

your skin, dehydrated

tissue thin like parchment

your mind clogged with squeezed oils

mixed media memories

the weight of paralysis

Can you still hear that murmur?

Your fading heart beat

erasing years of

creativity with each stroke--

today you no longer hold a brush

dab the pale paint that colors your

hospital canvas existence

your sheets twisted in frustration

Between each pause, each breath

your family spoon-feeding

nurturing your artistic palate

you whisper your last words

like pencil sketches, grey smeared

a half-breath we strain to absorb

lean close, closer to your lips

your loss of drawn-out conversations

and as you shrink inward,

drop Earth’s palette

are you still thinking

of kaleidoscopes

cut-up colors of life

collages of familial activities

we did and might have done together?

“Things We Might Have Done” was first published on the League of Canadian Poets National Poetry Month Blog 2011 and recently reprinted with the work of four other Canadian poets in the anthology EnCompass 1, a special project for members of The Ontario Poetry Society. For information about upcoming Ontario Poetry Society contests and events see here.

Debbie Okun Hill is the current President of The Ontario Poetry Society. To date, over 235 of her poems have been published in over 105 different publications/websites including Descant, Existere, Vallum, The Windsor Review, and Other Voices in Canada plus Mobius, The Binnacle, THEMA and Still Point Arts Quarterly in the United States. She has published two chapbooks with Beret Days Press. Her first full collection is expected to be launched by Black Moss Press later this year.

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.

New books: A Forever Kind of Love by KS Anderson and Double Deceit by Agnes Glen

Hi, Brian.

My third book, a sexy, contemporary romance titled A Forever Kind of Love is now available in e-book format from amazon.ca/com on. It will also be available through the publisher, Liquid Silver Books here. 

To launch this book, I developed a beautiful book trailer. Check it out on my website here. 

Thanks again, Brian. I hope I can attend another of your workshops in the near future. It’s a great way to brush up on specific skills and network with other writers.

Sincerely,

Karen Anderson
(writing as KS Anderson)
North Bay

A Forever Kind of Love by KS Anderson

After her mother left to “find herself,” eight-year-old Andrea Morgan had no choice but to step into the role of mother to her two younger brothers. Twenty years later, when a sexy-voiced fire inspector calls to say her mother is in the hospital, a victim of suspected arson, Dre’s first reaction is “Ask me if I give a damn!” 

But Dre finally confronts her mother – a foul-mouthed, beautiful woman with the morals of an alley cat – and ends up embroiled in a dangerous arson investigation with Aidan Kelly, a man she finds irritating, aggravating, and so smokin’ hot he’s damned near irresistible.

But marriage and kids – forget it! Burned by a failed marriage, Aidan wants more than just a night in Dre’s arms. He wants it all – or nothing. As their hunger for each other ignites, and the arsonist strikes again and again, Dre and Aidan end up fighting for their lives – and one last chance at a forever kind of love.

For information on submitting to Liquid Silver, see here.

Hi, Brian.

My self-published book Double Deceit, A True Story of a Nigerian Scam has just been released. 

On August 26 at 7:30 p.m., I'm having a Book Reading at McNally Robinson Booksellers. 1120 Grant Av in Winnipeg (map here) 

And on September 21 a Book Signing at Chapters on 2376 Princess in Kingston. (Email me for the time at: docglenn23@yahoo.ca)

Everyone's invited, so please drop by.

Books may be purchased at these events and in addition, you may order from Trafford here. 

Or directly from me at docglenn23@yahoo.ca

Sincerely,

Agnes Glenn

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.

Poetry and short stories wanted for upcoming contests; Haikus and Ninja novellas wanted for anthologies

The Puritan is accepting poetry and fiction entries for the Second Annual Thomas Morton Memorial Prize in Literary Excellence. Entry fee: $10. Prizes: $900 for fiction and $600 for poetry and a collection of books (approx. $600 worth for each winner). Winning entries will appear in issue XXIII be honoured at a launch party.

Deadline: September 30, 2013. Guidelines here. 

The Canadian Authors Association, Niagara, is holding its “Ten Stories High” fourteenth annual short story competition, open to all Ontario writers.

Stories can be of any genre but must be previously unpublished, and between 1,000 and 3,000 words in length. No personal essays, memoirs, children’s literature or non-fiction please. 

For first Canadian rights, the top ten finalists will have their stories published in our anthology in February or March of 2014.

First prize: $300

Second Prize: $200

Third Prize: $100

Due to the volume of entries, story evaluations will only be offered to the winning entries. Entries must be typed and double-spaced with the title appearing on each numbered page. Please include a separate sheet with your name, address, phone number, email address, precise word count and title. Also, please indicate where you heard about our contest. The entrant's name must not appear on the manuscript itself.

The entry fee is $15 per story, non-refundable. Multiple entries are welcome. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Authors Association – Niagara and mailed with your submission to Canadian Authors Association – Niagara Branch, “Ten Stories High.” The mailing address is:

Canadian Authors Association
PO Box 1512
4 Queen Street
St. Catharines, ON L2R 3B0 

CAA-Niagara reserves the right to reject excessive profanity and explicit sexual or violent content. Submissions will not be returned. However, entrants without internet access may include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive contest results.

The deadline for submissions: September 30, 2013.

Haiku for Lovers
from Buttontapper Press

Buttontapper Press (US) seeks submissions for several forthcoming collections and for Ninja novellas. 

For the Montreal Haiku anthology to be release in January 2014, Buttontapper seeks city-centric submissions with an edge. Submit your original haiku (traditional or modern) for consideration. You may submit up to 5 poems; please include them all in one file when submitting (rather than submitting multiple times), and title each piece.

Note: Although we will publish this title in English, if you are fluent and would like to submit a French translation of your poem along with your English version, we would love to include them as side-by-side renderings. Simply note "French translation of [Your Title]" when including these with your originals so that we can keep everything organized.

Send us your best work. Please be sure to include a brief (100-word) bio in your cover letter. Deadline: September 30, 2013.

For London Haiku and Paris Haiku, submit up to 5 poems for consideration. Haiku should convey a strong sense of place, with an emphasis on what makes London or Paris different from other major cities. Deadline: September 30, 2013.

For Timbuktu Haiku, submit up to 5 poems for consideration. Haiku should convey a strong sense of place or riff on the idea of Timbuktu as “the middle of nowhere.” Prefers humorous submissions. Deadline: September 30, 2013.

Buttontapper also seeks ninja novellas for its 2014 publication cycle. Looking for creative and humorous takes on the ninja genre, along the lines of their satirical “Ninjas of the 512″ title. Submissions are for completed, full-length novella manuscripts only. Send a 10-page partial for review. Deadline: Ongoing.

Guidelines for all Buttontapper publications 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.

Literary agents Julie Just and Elena Mechlin at Pippin Properties seeks new authors, especially kids books

Julie Just

Pippin Properties 

110 West 40th Street
Suite 1704
New York, NY 10018
http://www.pippinproperties.com/

Pippin Properties is a small agency devoted primarily to representing authors of picture books, middle-grade, and young adult novels, but they also represent adult projects on occasion. Pippin is an integrated publishing and entertainment agency and represents its clients to a wide range of publishing, animation, motion picture, television, and licensing companies.

Pippin represents publishing greats such as Kate DiCamillo, David Small, Peter H. Reynolds, Kathi Appelt, and Doreen Cronin, among many more. Pippin is always on the lookout for writers and illustrators who take the challenge of creating books seriously and are willing to give the publishing world nothing less than their very best. 

Julie Just is the newest member of the team at Pippin and she’s actively looking for authors. Julie began her careet at The New Yorker magazine reading the slush pile (author names A through K) and to this day loves finding unexpected gold in her in-box. She went on to spend more than 20 years at magazines and newspapers, most recently at the New York Times Book Review. She became a literary agent in 2010 and this spring joined Pippin Properties.

“I’ll be representing both kids’ books and some adult projects,” says Julie. “Right now I’m especially interested in YA and middle-grade fiction, but I have a very wide range. From picture books and graphics to adult narrative nonfiction, what I go for is strong sentence-to-sentence writing and original, hard to put down stories. I spent many years working as an editor, and am very hands on – if I believe in your book or proposal, I will go through as many drafts as we need until it’s ready.

“My recent projects include a debut YA historical fantasy series, Chantress, by Amy Butler Greenfield (S&S); I Represent Sean Rosen, a comic novel by Jeff Baron (HarperCollins); and George and the Big Bang (S&S), by Lucy and Stephen Hawking, the latest book in their science fiction adventure series. In 2014 I’m very excited about The Islands at the End of the Earth, a tense, realistic novel with a sci fi twist set in Hawaii, by debut writer Austin Aslan (coming from Wendy Lamb Books, Random House).

 “In YA fiction I love smart, funny writing and complicated emotions (check Peter Cameron’sSomeday This Pain Will Be Useful to You: for me, a perfect novel), and stories that are so extraordinary they cross genres and audiences (“The Golden Compass”). In both YA and middle grade I love adventure, fantasy, friendship, romance, mystery, and the occasional fast-paced thriller.”

Query Julie at jjust@pippinproperties.com

Include a short synopsis and the first chapter in the body of the email. No attachments.

Elena Mechlin began her publishing career in subsidiary rights, moved on to children’s book marketing and then a stint in audio. She joined Pippin Properties in June of 2009 and handled foreign and audio rights. In February  she was promoted to full agent.  Like all new agents, she needs authors.  

She represents authors of all types of children's books, from picture books through young adult. Her current clients include 2013 Newbery Medal-winning author Katherine Applegate, debut young-adult author Jason Reynolds, picture-book author Beth Ferry and illustrator Rob Dunlavey. 

“In terms of fiction,” says Elena, “my tastes run more to literary, contemporary, or historical rather than sci fi or fantasy. I find myself most attracted to stories with a timeless quality to them. In regard to picture books, I most like things that make me laugh or are clever in some new way.”

Query Elena at: info@pippinproperties.com
Include a synopsis of the work(s), your background and/or publishing history, and anything else you think is relevant. Pippin only responds to queries that interest them. Picture book manuscripts may be included in the body of the email. No attachments.

Illustrators interested in submitting their work should send an initial query letter detailing your background in publishing or illustration and any other pertinent information. Links to websites with examples of your work are extremely helpful.

Complete submission guidelines here.

Carly Watters

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 (see here), and will lead a “Writing for Children & for Young Adults” workshop in Mississauga on Sat, Oct 26. (see here.) 

To register, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Brian will also lead “How to Write Great Dialogue"workshops in Burlington on Sept 7 (see here) and in Toronto on Sept 28 (see here). And he’ll be leading “How to Build Your Story” workshops in Barrie on Sept 21 (here), in Sudbury on Sept 22 (here) and in Ottawa on Nov 17 (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.

Love letters – Where your fellow writers are getting published

Hi, Brian.

I have some exciting news.  Nancy Clark emailed me today asking if she could include my story “Speak Softly” in an anthology she is putting together of the Best of Commuterlit. There will be 20 pieces in volume 1 and the same in volume 2.  Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.  I'm thrilled!

Thanks,
Cathy Hendrix

You can read Cathy’s story, “Speak Softly,” here. For information about submitting to CommuterLit, see here.

Hi, Brian.

Hope all is well. I am delighted to inform you that once more Commuterlit will be publishing one of my stories, “A Cup of Tea.”

Sincerely,
Ali Lawati

Read Ali’s story here. For information about submitting to CommuterLit, see here.

Dear Brian:

We have at least seven more plan to drive down from Elliot Lake for the “How to Build Your Story” workshop in Sudbury on Sept 22 (see here).

Also, I wanted to let you to know that Chicken Soup for the Soul has accepted two of my short stories for publication on October 8^th  and 15^th  I can thank your workshops, your blogs and our creative writing group (and possibly the onset of old age and wisdom) for this new success in writing.

Thank you again for being our writing guru.

Gloria Hansen

To read one of Gloria’s short stories, see here. For information about submitting to Chicken Soup, see here.

Hi, Brian!

I had an acceptance last week from that Passion: Poetry new listing you posted on QBF around July 10th or so. Sent five, one was accepted!  Keeps me going, that feeling of "wuhoo"!  This is really nice, since it is their first issue (Sep2013) and it is a print magazine - my first!

Happies atcha,
Francine Lee

For information about submitting to Passion: Poetry, see here.

Dear Brian,

 It happened again! I entered my short story, "Grandfather's Magnifying Glass," in The Writers' Union of Canada short story contest, and it was one of 102 that went to a second reading. This was out of 505 entries, so I'm pleased. The readers' comments are more comprehensive than they were with "Butterflies," which achieved a second reading last year. Maybe next year I'll actually place! I'll certainly keep trying.

The winner this year is 19, believe it or not, and very smug and full of herself. Channeling Anne Lamott, I only wish her a little bad luck, like maybe that her head explodes.

I would never have written "Grandfather's Magnifying Glass" if it hadn't been for you. That story arose out of your advice about opening a novel to a random page, taking the first full sentence on the right-hand side, and letting it inspire, then writing for 20 minutes.

Cheers,

Mary  

P.S. The nicest comment I got from the Writers’ Union on "Grandfather's Magnifying Glass," said, "I loved this tender sombre story with its final glimpse of happiness."

Hmmm, maybe that's a better than saying I hope the winner's head explodes.... :o)

To read a short story by Mary Steer, 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.

A wealth of writing contests (some free) and literary magazines (some paying) looking for your prose and poetry

Louise Grace Publishing (US) seeks true nature stories of insight, inspiration, and exploration for an anthology, Women in Nature. Story length: 750-2000 words. From wilderness living to urban gardening, stories should reflect a transforming or transcending connection to nature. Looking for narratives “about living with the earth, not on her.” Open to women 18-plus.

Deadline: September 1, 2013. Guidelines here.

In My Bed, a sexy and sensual literary arts magazine  based in Toronto is seeking submissions for an upcoming print issue. Looking for poetry, fiction, novel excerpts, painting, photography, and art. Theme: Sex and Magic. Prefers work that transcends traditional erotica and uses art and writing to explore, observe, and exhibit themes in an experimental and abstract manner.

Deadline: September 1, 2013. Guidelines here.

Online journal Tendril Literary Magazine is published with the seasons. Now accepting submissions for Issue 2|Fall. Looking for poetry, prose poetry, short fiction, and “anything in between.” Length: 1500 words max. Artwork also welcome. Prefers experimental and unusual pieces.

Deadline: September 1, 2013. Guidelines here. 

Carousel a literary & arts print magazine based out of Guelph University is looking for poetry, fiction, comics, pageworks, visual poems, and hybrid literary works. Payment ranges from $15-80 plus a 2-issue subscription. “Interested in representing both new and established artists, with a specific focus on positioning Canadian talent within an international context.”

Deadline: September 4, 2013. Guidelines here. 

Cordite Poetry Review, magazine of Australian poetry and poetics, invites submissions for Issue 44. Theme: Gondwanaland. Send up to three poems. Also accept scholarly essays. Open to international writers (see comment on FAQ page); payment for Australian contributors.

Deadline: September 13, 2013. Guidelines here. 

Cha: An Asian Literary Journal (UK and China) is accepting entries for the Cha “Void” Poetry Contest. First prize: £50; additional prizes available. Winning poems published in a special section in the 6th anniversary issue (November 2013). Submit up to two poems (80 lines max). Theme: Void. No entry fee. Free contest.

Deadline: September 15, 2013. Guidelines here. 

The Puritan | Frontiers of New English an on-line quarterly based in Toronto seeks fiction, poetry, essays, reviews, and interviews for Issue XXIII: Fall 2013. “Submissions may push toward the symbolic frontier, challenging limitations and forging into previously unexplored aesthetic territory.” Pays $50 for prose and $20 poetry

Deadline:September 15, 2013. Guidelines here

Hi, Brian.

Seven times a year I publish Gam on Yachting, North America's longest continually published sailing focused magazine.

We publish two or three subscriber written articles or short stories each issue and for fifty-plus years we have never had a problem finding editorial.

There now seems to be a drought. I suspect that many of our traditional authors are aging. Stories are not being written as they once were, which is a shame.

So I ask, do you know of any budding short story writers who would like to be published?

If so how do I get into contact with them? Any ideas?

John F. Grainger
editor@gamonyachting.com 

Hi, John.

Yes, I have an idea. I’ll post your letter in Quick Brown Fox. I’m sure there are writers out there who also sail, and I'll suggest they check out Gam on Yachting, then send their pieces to you at: editor@gamonyachting.com

- Brian 

Just a couple copies left

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.