Past Events and Workshops
An Archive
This an archive listing of Branch events and workshops. Please see Upcoming Events and Workshops for the most recent information.
Note: Dates and information were accurate at the time of the original meeting, but may no longer be accurate or available.
July 18, 2010
Annual General Meeting / Author Readings / Anthology Launch
The launch of the CAA Toronto Branch anthology, Gathered Streams will take place Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. followed by author readings (up to 10 minutes per author) and our Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The meeting will be held at Bar Italia, 582 College Street, Toronto.
The event is FREE and EVERYONE is invited! Bring friends and family! It's a party!
Meeting Schedule
- Book launch, Gathered Streams: 3 p.m.
- Member readings: 3:30 to 5 p.m.
- Book sales: from 3:30 p.m. on…
- AGM: 5 p.m.
Nominations Invited
In the meantime the list of nominations for the new board is below. If you would like to nominate a candidate, second a nomination, or ask to be nominated, please contact . We look forward to new board members to help continue the good work of the CAA Toronto Branch and support the CAA motto — "Writers helping writers."
Nomination for 2010/2011:
- President: Jake Hogeterp
- Vice President/Secretary: Liisa Hypponen
- Vice President/Treasurer: Dominic Spano
- Past President: Bianca Lakoseljac
- Program Chair: Bianca Lakoseljac
- Special Project Chair: Mel Sarnese
- Board member: Stephen Feek
- Board member: Chriss Canniff
- If you would like to nominate a candidate, or if you would like to volunteer (and ask to be nominated), please email .
- To place your name on the reading list, please email .
- Time: 3:00 p.m.
- Place: Bar Italia, 582 College Street, Toronto.
- Cost: This session is free of charge to all, CAA members and non-members.
June 17, 2010
Meeting Postponed to July 18th
CAA Toronto Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM) is postponed until July 18th.
May 20, 2010
Beth Follett, publisher (Pedlar Press) and author (Tell It Slant, a novel)
- What is a novel of the 21st century? Six "memos."
- What are the components of a novel, and how does a commercial novel differ from a literary one?
- What do publishers expect now? What distinguishes a Pedlar Press title from others?
Pedlar Press is a Toronto-based Canadian literary publishing house, started in 1996 and operated single-handedly over its 14-year history by owner Beth Follett. How this tiny organization manages to produce beautiful books of poetry, fiction and essays of unfaltering quality and originality and still continue to exist, is difficult to answer. But it does. And that's a great achievement, particularly now, when the English literary market is collectively possessed by the Web.
It seems likely, however, that individual development continues to be the real goal of life, and to that end Pedlar Press acquires works by Canadian writers who are struggling with questions about what it means to be human at this time in history and about the function of the individual in society, and whose texts embody these questions in startlingly fresh ways.
- Pedlar Press
- PO Box 26 Station P
- Toronto ON M5S 2S6
- TEL 416.534.2011
- E
Beth Follett is a writer and editor. Her novel, Tell It Slant [2001, Coach House Books], borrows its characters from Djuna Barne's novel Nightwood. It was well received by readers and critics alike. Her poetry chapbook entitled Bone Hinged will be released by paperplates in June 2010.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
- Place: Above The World's Biggest Bookstore, 20 Edward Street, Toronto.
- Cost: CAA Members free; Non-members $10; Students (with student ID) $5
April 15, 2010
Poetry Panel — Inspiration, trends, and publishing tips
Audience participation: Bring a one-page poem or a prose passage to share with others — it could be your favourite poem, or a special passage — and tell us why it's your favourite, or what makes it outstanding.
A discussion by four Toronto authors, Sandra Kasturi, David Livingston Clink, Myna Wallin, and Catherine Graham. Moderator: Bianca Lakoseljac
Sandra Kasturi is a writer, editor and publisher. She is the author of The Animal Bridegroom (Tightrope Books) and co-creator of "Sinister Horde," an animated children's TV series. She is a past winner of ARC magazine's annual Poem of the Year award and also received a Bram Stoker Award for her editorial work at ChiZine.com. Sandra has written three poetry chapbooks and edited the poetry anthology, The Stars As Seen from this Particular Angle of Night. Her work has appeared in various venues, including Prairie Fire, Taddle Creek, Tales of the Unanticipated, On Spec, several of the Tesseracts volumes, 2001: A Science Fiction Poetry Anthology, and Northern Frights 4. Sandra is a founding member of the Algonquin Square Table poetry workshop and is co-publisher at ChiZine Publications.
David Livingstone Clink is the Artistic Director of the Rowers Pub Reading Series, and the webmaster of poetrymachine.com. David's poetry has appeared recently in All Rights Reserved, Chiaroscuro; Echolocation, The Literary Review of Canada, and in the anthologies I.V. Lounge Nights, The 2008 Rhysling Anthology, and Imagination in Action. He was co-publisher, along with Myna Wallin, of Believe Your Own Press, which published 20 quality chapbooks in its 5 year history. He is the author of 5 poetry chapbooks and the editor of 7 others. His poem, "Falling" was nominated for two awards: the Rhysling Award and the Aurora Award. His poem, "Copyright Notice 2525" placed second in the 2007 Asimov's Reader's Poll. His first book of poetry, Eating Fruit Out of Season was published by Tightrope Books in 2008.
Myna Wallin's first collection of poetry, A Thousand Profane Pieces, was published by Tightrope Books in 2006. She recently won Honourable Mention the 2009 Contemporary Verse 2-Day Poetry Contest and Honourary Mention in the 2010 Winston Collins/Descant Prize for Best Canadian poem. Her first book of fiction, Confessions of a Reluctant Cougar, comes out with Tightrope Books this spring!
Catherine Graham is the author of three poetry collections: The Watch (Abbey Press), Pupa (Insomniac Press) and The Red Element (Insomniac Press). She teaches creative writing at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, Haliburton School of the Arts and through Diaspora Dialogues. Her writing has appeared in The New Quarterly, The Fiddlehead, Taddle Creek, The Literary Review of Canada and Poetry Ireland Review. Vice President of Project Bookmark Canada and Marketing Coordinator for the Rowers Pub Reading Series, she designs and delivers workshops on creativity for the business and academic communities. Her forthcoming collection will be published with Insomniac Press. Visit www.catherinegraham.com
Bianca Lakoseljac holds a BA and MA in English Literature from York University; recipient of the Matthew Ahern Award in Literature; taught communication courses at Ryerson University and Humber College for over 10 years; president of the Canadian Authors Association, Toronto; member of Book and Periodical Council's Freedom of Expression committee; judge for the Short Story category for National Capital Writing Contest, 2009; served on the panel of judges for the Canadian Aid Literary Award Contest, 2008 (poetry, short story, novel). Memoirs of a Praying Mantis, a poetry collection, published in 2009 by Turtle Moons Press. Prose and poetry highly anthologized: Canadian Woman Studies, York University 2007; Canadian Voices, BookLand Press, 2009; Expressions, White Mountain Publication 2009, among others.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
- Place: Above The World's Biggest Bookstore, 20 Edward Street, Toronto.
- Cost: CAA Members free; Non-members $10; Students (with student ID) $5
March 18, 2010
Writers' Circle — Moderator: Sharon Crawford, Toronto Branch Writer in Residence
Bring your experiences and your approaches to various aspects of creative writing and share them with other writers. Sharon Crawford, the Branch's Writer in Residence will keep the critiques moving and offer any editing and writing insights as needed.
Bring one page of text (10 copies to distribute), double spaced, for critiquing. If you do not wish to have your work critiqued, you are still welcome to join the circle and to critique others.
Open to CAA members and non-members.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
- Place: Above The World's Biggest Bookstore, 20 Edward Street.
- Cost: This session is FREE to CAA members and non-members.
Sharon Crawford has over 20 years' writing and editing experience, including editing short stories, fiction and nonfiction books. Her goal is to make words sparkle. She's taught Copyediting at George Brown College, belongs to the Editors' Association of Canada, and runs the East End Writers' Group.
The Writer in Residence and Editor in Residence program is a benefit of Canadian Authors Association membership.
February 18, 2010
Shirarose Wilensky, editor, and Halli Villegas, publisher, of Tightrope Books publishing house
Tightrope Books was established in January 2005 to bring a fresh take to the business of books, with emphasis on the urban and subversive. It's dedicated to finding young voices to bring the word off the street, encouraging established writers to experiment with other genres or different ways of looking at their art, using innovative marketing techniques and striking design to make their books stand out from the crowd. This publishing house is not just multi-cultural. It is also a multi-arts press bringing together Canadian artists from all disciplines and backgrounds to make each writer's book unique on the Canadian literary scene.
January 21, 2010
Al Moritz, winner of the 2009 Griffin Poetry Prize
“Everything you always wanted to know about poetry but were afraid to ask,” you just may have the chance to ask Al Moritz, who was awarded the $50,000 Griffin Poetry Prize for his collection The Sentinel. Moritz, who has lived in Toronto since 1974, teaches at the University of Toronto.
December 17, 2009
Antonio D'Alfonso, a multi-award winning author and publisher
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Antonio D'Alfonso, a multi-award winning author and the publisher at Guernica Editions (founded in 1978), will be our guest speaker.
Author of more than thirty titles, Antonio D'Alfonso is a Trillium Award winner, 1994 French - Un vendredi du mois d'aout, a publisher, an educator, a filmmaker, an editor, to name just a few of his many facets. Antonio will read from one of his works and will discuss the ins and outs of the publishing industry.
8:10 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. CAA member readings: 5 minutes per person, up to 10 readers.Please contact to place your name on the reading list.
November 19, 2009
Literary Agent Alisha Sevigny, from The Rights Factory literary agency
Alisha will discuss approaches in searching for a literary agent and what agents look for in writers, as well as current trends in writing and publishing.
October 15, 2009
A Writers' Circle — Moderator: Bianca Lakoseljac
Bring one page of text (10 copies to distribute), double spaced, for critiquing. If you do not wish to have your work critiqued, you are still welcome to join the circle and to critique others.
Bring your experiences and your approaches to various aspects of creative writing and share them with other writers.
Suggestions:
- Brainstorming
- How to critique poetry vs prose
- Plotting: Outline or not, what type
- Research for fiction vs. non fiction
- Writers Block: dos and don'ts
- POV — first, second, third, omniscient narrator
- Time transitions: Show, not Tell
- Critiquing approaches within a writers' group: What works and what doesn't
Please join us for an evening of sharing and discussing topics of interest.
September 17, 2009
Annual General Meeting & Panel Discussion
Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. followed by a panel discussion by two CAA Toronto Branch first-time authors, Jake Hogeterp, On Cloud Nine, published by Hidden Brook Press; and Trisha Smith, Holiday in Hell, published by Asteroid Publishing, Inc.
June 18, 2009
Readings by Toronto Branch Members
Please join us for an evening of literary readings by our members.
May 21, 2009
Publisher, Mike O'Connor: Insomniac Press
Mike O'Connor will speak on how to get published. He will also discuss the enormous technological changes the publishing industry is going through today. www.insomniacpress.com.
April 16, 2009
Paul Lima: How to Write a Non-fiction Book in 60 Days
Itching to write a non-fiction book? Successful freelance writer and trainer Paul Lima explains "How to Write a Non-Fiction Book in 60 Days." No matter what you want to write about, you'll learn how to take your book from inspiration to completion in days, not years.
Complete with practical writing exercises, Lima helps you define your purpose and spells out the process required to move from idea to a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline to a solid first draft—in 60 days. The seminar is based on Paul Lima's book How to Write a Non-fiction Book in 60 Days, available online at www.paullima.com/books.
Presenter:
Paul Lima is the author of 8 non-fictions books, each one written in under 60 days. Three of his books are now used as University text books. Paul is also a freelance writer and writing instructor. You can read more about him online at www.paullima.com.
March 19, 2009
Robert Ward, author, travel lover with a penchant for pilgrimages
Presenter:
Robert's first book, Virgin Trails (Key Porter, 2002), chronicles a non-believer's pursuit of the protean, ever-elusive figure of the Virgin Mary. In All the Good Pilgrims (Thomas Allen, 2007), Ward takes on Spain's Camino de Santiago, telling tales gathered over the course of five walks totalling some three thousand kilometres.
Ward holds degrees in English Lit and Religious Studies from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Toronto. His writing has appeared in Canadian journals, including Queen's Quarterly, and newspapers across North America. He lives in Toronto with his wife, Michiko. www.robertward.ca.
February 19, 2009
Sharon Crawford: Both Sides of the Fence—the author/editor relationship
You've polished up your manuscript and want it edited. In this seminar, freelance editor, Sharon Crawford will show you the bs (bizarre and serious) of the author/editor relationship. We'll look at: finding the right editor for your manuscript, the different types of editing and which one is best for your manuscript, pitfalls that can arise in the author/editor relationship, what the editor will and won't do, editing contracts and fees. We will also look at how to "editor-proof" your manuscript so that you submit your best rewrite. Bring pen and paper for related written exercises. There will also be handouts.
Presenter:
Sharon Crawford has over 20 years' writing and editing experience, including editing short stories, fiction and nonfiction books. Her goal is to make words sparkle. She's taught Copyediting at George Brown College, belongs to the Editors' Association of Canada, and runs the East End Writers' Group.
January 15, 2009
Shane Joseph: Crafting the Short Story Workshop
Shane will discuss his approach to crafting the short story using examples from his latest collection of short stories, Fringe Dwellers.
- Elements of the short story:
- Plot, Situation or Event
- Character—from quirky to realistic, how many, protagonists, antagonists, foils, cyphers etc. How detailed must characters be drawn in short fiction.
- POV—how to select what is most appropriate
- Narration vs. description—how much of the latter is required
- Style—does poetry play in short stories
- Setting—contemporary or historical
- The Arc—the beginning, middle and end - but where does one start?
- Resolution—is it needed?
- The length of the short story—from 1 500 to 12 000 words and what do you get for it?
- Editing the Short Story
- Is the short story dead or is it enjoying a renaissance?
Presenter:
Shane Joseph is a graduate of the Humber School for Writers. His first novel Redemption in Paradise was published in 2004. His short fiction has appeared in literary journals and anthologies in Canada, India and Sri Lanka. For details see www.shanejoseph.com.
December 18, 2008
Literary Reading & Holiday Cheer
Please join us for an evening of literary readings by our members. Please e-mail to place your name on the reading list. Each member may read for up to 10 minutes.
November 20, 2008
Ken McGoogan, Best-Selling Author & Creative Writing Instructor at U of T
Ken McGoogan's workshop will focus on the making of a nonfiction narrative—its genesis and development. Using his book, Race to the Polar Sea, he will talk about researching the book and then incorporating that research into the narrative.
Everyone should bring pen and paper and expect to do a bit of writing.
Presenter:
A best-selling Canadian author, Ken McGoogan has chased the ghost of Lady Franklin across Tasmania and lugged a memorial plaque to John Rae into the High Arctic. In September, while sailing in the Arctic with Adventure Canada, Ken celebrated the publication of his ninth book, Race to the Polar Sea.
Ken has won numerous awards for his work, among them the Writers'Trust of Canada Biography Prize, the Pierre Berton Award for History and the University of British Columbia Medal for Canadian Biography. His acclaimed works include Lady Franklin's Revenge, Ancient Mariner, and Fatal Passage. This last book has been turned into a docudrama that aired in Scotland on the BBC and in Toronto at HotDocs. Ken lives in Toronto.
October 18, 2008
Paul Butler: Novel Writing/Screenplays and Novels
Special One-Day Workshop
- Free to Toronto CAA members
- Non-members welcome (see the fee schedule, below)
An all-day workshop on Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 9:00 am. to 4:00 pm. comprised of two sessions.
1. Novel Writing Workshop
From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
This workshop will explore techniques for growing a novel-length story from single scenes or ideas, ways of seeing loose ends as dramatic possibilities capable of adding dimension to the narrative: scope, unifying theme, plot, and imagery as a single organic piece of art.
2. Screenplays and Novels: differences and similarities
From 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
How can screenwriting techniques enhance your novel project? How can a screenwriting tool such as the one-page synopsis enliven the novelist's imagination, and get him or her into a place of "no return" and too excited about a story idea to leave it? It will explore both the extent and the limits of screenwriting techniques (such as the "inciting incident") for the novelist.
Presenter:
Paul Butler is the author of the critically acclaimed novels, 1892, NaGeira, Easton's Gold and Stoker's Shadow. His writing has won numerous awards. Paul is an engaging writing seminar leader who challenges participants to find the best in themselves.
Fee Schedule:
- Complimentary with CAA Toronto membership;
- $50.00 for non-members ($40.00 with WOTS Special Coupon below);
- $40.00 for non-member students ($30.00 with WOTS Special Coupon in the flyer) Must show valid student's card.
- $40.00 to all other CAA members-belonging to other CAA branches and PWAC members.
To register, .
Download a Printable Poster
Download the Paul Butler Workshop Poster (PDF–23k) which includes the WOTS coupon.
October 16, 2008
Paul Butler, Novelist, Editor, Freelance Journalist
The presentation will focus on crafting the novel: weaving two stories and the process of plotting, time transitions, etc….
Presenter:
Paul Butler is the author of the critically acclaimed novels, 1892, NaGeira, Easton's Gold and Stoker's Shadow. His writing has won numerous awards. Paul is an engaging writing seminar leader who challenges participants to find the best in themselves.
Be sure to register for Paul's special one-day workshop, Novel Writing/Screenplays and Novels, on Saturday, October 18!
Please note the corrected date for this event! Paul Butler was originally scheduled to present in March and his flight was cancelled due to a snow storm.
September 28, 2008
Word on the Street
The CAA Toronto Branch will have a booth at the annual WOTS Toronto festival on Sunday, September 28. Please join us.
September 18, 2008
Richard Grove, Publisher, Hidden Brook Press
Richard Grove, man of 7 Ps—Publisher, Poet, Painter, Potter, Photographer, Public speaker, Person—Find out who the real man is at www.poetsencyclopedia.com/richardgrove.shtml.
June 19, 2008
Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 19 will take place from 8:15 to 9:00 p.m. at our usual location, Room 200, Northern District Library, 40 Orchard View Blvd.
From 7:00 to 8:15, our members are invited to read (up to ten minutes each) from their works. Please to place your name on the list of readers (if you have not done so already).
May 15, 2008
Robert Morgan, Publisher, BookLand Press, Toronto
Robert will focus on current publishing trends, approaches to publishers, and the steps to a successful submission process.
Several authors published by BookLand Press are members of CAA.
BookLand Press is sponsoring the Annual Canadian Aid Literary Award Contest. The contest runs from May to September and the winning author receives a Trade Book Publishing Contract with BookLand Press.
April 17, 2008
A Writer's Circle
Moderator: Jake Hogeterp
We would like to do something different for our April meeting. Instead of a speaker, we'll talk to each other-in the form of a Writers' Circle. Everyone will be asked to bring along one page of their own writing.
Here's how it will work:
- One page only, double-spaced, 12 point font. Time constraints mean strict compliance will be observed;
- Bring 15 copies for circulation to the group;
- Each piece will be read aloud by the author or author's chosen delegate;
- Each member of the circle will have an opportunity to comment on each piece (1-2 minutes).
This is a chance for everyone to bring their talents (hidden or otherwise) to the open and to the scrutiny of fellow writers, all of whom are dedicated to the promotion of writing, in all styles and genres, at its best.
For more information please . Please don't miss this opportunity to critique and be critiqued.
March 20, 2008
Paul Butler, A Novelist, Editor, Freelance Journalist
The presentation will focus on crafting the novel: weaving two stories and the process of plotting, time transitions, etc….
Presenter:
Paul's most recent historical novels, NaGeira (2006), published by Pennywell Books (Flanker Press), Easton's Gold (2005), and Easton (2004) are set in seventeenth century Newfoundland, England, and the Caribbean. They explore aspects of the New World's "pre-history" and speculate on the influences that may have gone into creating a sense of destiny in nascent New World societies. Originally from the UK, Paul settled in St John's in 1994, via an 18-month spell teaching English as a second language in Greece. He is married to the writer, Maura Hanrahan.
February 21, 2008
Hilary McMahon, a Literary Agent at Westwood Creative Artists Agency
Presenter:
Westwood Creative Artists is Canada's largest literary agency, representing more than 300 writers including Yann Martel, Barbara Gowdy and Rohinton Mistry. Agent Hilary McMahon has more than 70 clients on her roster, including Booker-longlisted fiction writers John Bemrose and Lewis DeSoto, bestselling young-adult writer Susan Juby, and children's author and illustrator Eric Hill, creator of the Spot series. Her non-fiction clients include John Lawrence Reynolds, Lisa Rochon and Maggie Siggins. Please see www.wcaltd.com for more information.
January 17, 2008
Anthony Dalton, Author and Public Speaker
Presenter:
Anthony Dalton is an author and public speaker. He writes non-fiction books, about the sea and about exploration. His illustrated non-fiction articles have been published in magazines and newspapers in twenty countries and nine languages. As a public speaker he has appeared at conventions, conferences and meetings across Canada and the USA. See www.anthonydalton.com for more information.
December 20, 2007
Member Readings
Literary readings by our members, followed by a social gathering.
E-mail , president, if members wish to read from their published books or works in progress (about 10 minutes each).
No admission fee for this event. Everyone is welcome.
November 17, 2007
Special Workshop on Crafting the Novel
"Plotting with Spontaneity" by Leo Brent Robillard
Brent will discuss his methods for plotting and managing the novel while maintaining room for spontaneity and fresh ideas that arrive while writing.
Location and Fee:
- Room 224BC, Northern District Library
- 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Non-members: $40.00
- Free to CAA Toronto members
- Contact to register.
Presenter:
Leo Brent Robillard is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, Leaving Wyoming and Houdini's Shadow. His writing has appeared in literary journals abroad, including CV2, Grain, The Fiddlehead; across Canada in Prairie Fire, and Verandah.
November 15, 2007
Leo Brent Robillard: The Writing Life
Presentation:
Brent will talk frankly about his experience writing, editing, and publishing in Canada's literary press over the last fifteen years.
Presenter:
Leo Brent Robillard is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, Leaving Wyoming and Houdini's Shadow. His writing has appeared in literary journals abroad, including CV2, Grain, The Fiddlehead; across Canada in Prairie Fire, and Verandah.
October 18, 2007
Albert Dumont, a Storyteller, a Poet, a Community Activist: Aboriginal Narrative
Presentation:
Albert Dumont's workshop will discuss the differences between mainstream and native narrative from a "traditional" perspective, and the techniques he uses to place himself in the world before assimilation. He will explain how he attempts to connect with his ancestors, capture their words to describe an experience, an event, or a dream, and write as if he speaking directly to them.
Presenter:
Albert Dumont is a poet, a storyteller, and a community activist who has been walking the "red road" for all of his 17 years of sobriety. He has published a book of short stories and poetry and two books of poetry. A number of native and non-native organizations have featured his work in their promotions, including the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health and the Native Veterans Association. Albert has dedicated his life to promoting Aboriginal spirituality and protecting the rights of Aboriginal peoples particularly those that affect the young of our community.
September 30, 2007
Word on the Street
The CAA Toronto Branch will have a booth at the annual Word on the Street festival on Sunday, September 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Queens Park.
CAA Booth Location
The Canadian Authors Association booth will be in the Writers Block section ( just north of St. Joseph St on Queens Park East.) The map of WOTS will be published in the Toronto Star sometime before Sept. 30.
Please Stop By
Members of our executive will be on hand to answer questions about the CAA.
You are invited to visit and say hello.
Members Invited to Join Us
Members, please join us and bring your published and self-published books for sale and signing. Please note: You will be responsible for your own sales transactions.
September 20, 2007
Larry Hoffman, Literary Agent, Authors' Marketing Services: How to hook a literary agent, get published, and become a success, not necessarily in this order
Presentation:
Please join us for our first fall meeting and welcome Larry Hoffman, a literary agent and the founder of Authors' Marketing Services Ltd in Toronto.
Presenter:
Rick Blechta has been a musician all his life, and it shows in his writing. He brings a musician's viewpoint to the thriller genre in much the same way Dick Francis brought the expert horseman's eye. The results are "most entertaining" to quote the Regina Leader Post. All of his novels have been praised for the "insider's knowledge of the music world" (Canadian Book Review Annual) which he injects into his plots. The Calgary Herald said in a review of his most recent novel, When Hell Freezes Over, "If this is the future of crime writing in Canada, it's a bright one indeed." His previous novel, Cemetery of the Nameless, was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Best Novel Award in 2006.
Rick has been very active in CWC, holding every executive position, including president for two terms, from 2005 to 2007. He also twice edited the organization's directory of members’ works, In Cold Blood; handled all production and design duties for CWC's infamous cookbooks, Dishes to Die For and Dishes to Die for…Again; and was co-editor of the newsletter, Fingerprints. In 2000, the CWC presented him with the Derrick Murdoch Award in recognition of his contributions to the organization.
Selected Bibliography:
- Knock on Wood. Toronto: Castlefield Press, 1992
- The Lark Ascending. Toronto: Castlefield Press, 1993
- Shooting Straight in the Dark. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 2002
- Cemetery of the Nameless. Toronto: RendezVous Crime, 2005
- When Hell Freezes Over. Toronto: RendezVous Crime, 2006
- A Case of You. Toronto: RendezVous Crime, coming in spring of 2008
Awards:
- Winner, Crime Writers of Canada Derrick Murdoch Award, 2000
- Shortlisted, Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel, 2006, for Cemetery of the Nameless
Website:
Presenter: CANCELLED due to illness
Larry Hoffman, Literary Agent, Authors' Marketing Services.
Bio:
In Larry's words, here is the background to his agency:
Over the last almost thirty years, I have been privileged to represent such writers as Margeret Gibson, Doug Fetherling, John S. Crosbie, Janet Rosenstock, Dennis Adair, Dennis Jones, Martin Kendrick, the honourable David Kilgour, Robert S. Lavers, Dr. Evelyn K. Sommers, Dr. Mark Nagler, Dr. Gideon Koren, the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Andy Higgins, Professor John Crispo, Vic Parsons, Victor Suthren, David Matas, Robert Matas and Dr. Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.
Since we began our agency in 1978, we have sold over 750 books to publishers around the world. At the same time, we have optioned the film rights to a number of the properties we represent. Most of our sales are in North America, where we have placed our authors with many of the biggest and best publishing houses. Among those houses are: Avon, Ballantine, Bantam, Berkley, Crown, Dell, Doubleday, Fawcett, Harlequin, Holt, Key-Porter, Lester Publishing, Little Brown, Macmillan, Morrow, New American Library, Penguin, Pocketbooks, Prentice-Hall, Random House, Simon & Schuster, St. Martin's, Zebra and many more. Through our network of international publishers and sub-agents, we have further enabled many of our authors to be published abroad. Among the countries in which they are published are: England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Greece, Turkey and Israel.
I have been in the book business since 1961, starting in a small chain of book stores in New York City, later picking up a Master's degree in history from the University of Toronto which enabled me to get a job at Coles, where I became Director of Marketing. In 1978, I formed Authors' Marketing Services, a literary agency, and have been hard at work (more or less) ever since.
June 21, 2007
AGM/Elections and Member readings
The third annual general meeting (AGM) and elections of the Toronto branch of the CAA will be held on June 21, 2007 in Room 200, Northern District Library, 40 Orchard View Blvd. between 7-9 p.m.
After the AGM, members will read from their stories, poems, novels or work in progress.
May 17, 2007
Memories into Story: An Introduction to Memoir Writing
Everyone’s life is made up of stories, and yours are really good ones—ones you believe deserve to be in print. But where do you begin? How do you shake your hidden memories loose, organize them, find a structure for your memoir, decide on your theme, voice and tone? Through exercises we'll explore easy and fun ways to tap into your mental attic full of treasures, as well as examine how fictional techniques function in literary memoir. We'll also discuss issues inherent to the genre, including the sticky one of truth, and how to write through the “hard stuff.”
Whether you're writing for family and friends, or to reach a wider audience, this workshop will inspire you. It's never too early to start your memoir.
Presenter:
Allyson Latta, a freelance editor of literary fiction and non-fiction, has contributed to hundreds of titles, including many memoirs and journals, written by award-winning authors both in Canada and abroad. She teaches a popular online memoir writing course for Ryerson University's Senior Centre, and has facilitated workshops for libraries, writing and editing classes, independent writing groups and elementary school students.
Allyson is a graduate of Carleton University's School of Journalism and has been a newspaper reporter, magazine features writer and film reviewer. Among her most recent editorial projects is A Memoir of Friendship, the letters between Carol Shields and Blanche Howard, and an upcoming memoir by the wife of former prime minister of Jamaica, Michael Manley.
April 19, 2007
Stuck in the Middle
What To Do When Your Novel Loses Steam in the Middle
Novels can start with a bang and you think you are off to the races – climax is riveting and even the ending may be working out – if you have managed to get that far. But what about the middle? Sometimes the middle stalls – the plot may be losing steam, the characters may want to curl up and take a nap and your creative juices seem to have left for Mars – permanently. What's a writer to do?
In this seminar we will look briefly at the components of a novel, then in more detail at the middle part and how to get over the stalled hump that can occur. In a combination of lecture and exercises, we will explore what can cause the mid-novel stall and some techniques to get over it. We will also do an exercise to help overcome writer's block – often at the root of this problem. Bring pens, pencils, writing paper, or laptop and questions about your novel stuck in the middle.
Presenter:
Sharon Crawford is a writer and editor who makes words sparkle. Her articles and book reviews have appeared in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Toronto Life, Quill & Quire, The Country Connection and CheckUP Magazine and her short stories in the Wordscape Anthologies. Sharon edits novels and short stories, was Writer in Residence for the CAA Toronto Branch (2001 to 2003), taught Copyediting at George Brown College, and runs the East End Writers' Group.
She is a member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada, Crime Writers of Canada and the Editors' Association of Canada. Currently, she is writing a creative non-fiction/memoir and short stories featuring fraternal twin private investigators.
March 15, 2007
The Nuts and Bolts of Fiction Writing
Presenter:
Richard Scarsbrook will discuss aspects of getting fiction into print, from editing and revising, to web and print resources, to submitting to the magazines and book publishers.
Bio:
Richard Scarsbrook is a Toronto-based author. His fiction and poetry have been widely published in magazines and journals, and have won several prizes and awards. His first novel, Cheeseburger Subversive (Thistledown Press, 2003), was short-listed for the CLA Book of the Year Award, the OLA White Pine Award, and the Stellar Book Award. His two new fiction releases are Featherless Bipeds (Thistledown Press, 2006), the eagerly anticipated sequel to Cheeseburger Subversive, and Destiny's Telescope (Turnstone Press, 2006), a collection of literary short stories. Richard teaches creative writing courses at George Brown College and Humber College, as well as singing and playing the drums in a couple of bands.
February 15, 2007
Workshop: Avoiding Agent Angst—The Dos and Don'ts of Getting–and Keeping–an Agent
Presenter:
Eve Silver, author of gothic historical novels.
The Workshop:
Her workshop will cover the following areas:
First contact:
- Research
- Communication: e-mail vs. snail mail
- Get the basics right: spelling, grammar, punctuation
- Formal first
- The reality of an agent's day—there really are fires to put out
- Personalized approach
- Pitch your book, and yourself
- Know your target market
- Know when to follow up
Signing with an agent:
- Written vs. verbal contract
- "in-perpetuity" clause
- how fast will the book sell?
- A question of trust
- Need to know basis—how much is too much?
Goal Setting:
- Set and revise—as your career progresses, your goals change
- Agents sell, publishing houses buy—have realistic expectations
- Get with the program—jump on opportunities that come your way
Communication is key:
- Telephone vs. email
- Agenting is a business
- Don't step on your agent's toes…you'll cut yourself off at the knees: let your agent negotiate with your editor
- Talk about concerns as they arise—a festering wound can be lethal
- Agent as intermediary
Bio:
Eve Silver writes gothic historicals for Kensington's Zebra imprint, dark paranormals for Warner Books, and futuristics for Dorchester Publishing. An instructor of human anatomy and microbiology, she holds two post-secondary degrees. Eve lives with her husband, two sons, an energetic Airedale terrier and an enormous rabbit.
Contact Eve through her Website at www.evesilver.net.
January 18, 2007
Coach House Books
Presenters:
Our January speakers will be Alana Wilcox, senior editor of Coach House Books and Luciana Ricciutelli, editor-in-chief at Inanna Publications and Education Inc. Luciana is one of the contributors to the anthology Mama Mia: Good Italian Girls Talk Back.
Bios:
Alana Wilcox is the Senior Editor of Coach House Books. She is currently the Chair of the Literary Press Group, an association of fifty literary presses across Canada. A former literary editor at This magazine, Alana has worked as a freelance writer and editor and served on many writing and publishing juries. She is also the author of a novel, A Grammar of Endings, published by The Mercury Press.
Luciana Ricciutelli has been editor-in-chief at Inanna Publications and Education Inc. since 1992, as well as the editor of Inanna's highly regarded feminist academic journal, Canadian Woman Studies/les cahiers de la femme. She is a co-editor of a collection of essays, Feminist Politics, Activism and Vision: Local and Global Challenges, which was co-published by Zed Books in the UK in 2004.
The Focus:
The focus of her talk will be on the kind of publishing they do and the submission process.
Dec. 21, 2006
Member Readings
Our member, Anand Mahadevan will read from his debut novel Strike that was launched on Nov. 5 by TSAR publisher.
E-mail the president, if members wish to read from their published books or works in progress (about 10 minutes each).
After the readings, the group will head down to the pub in the basement of the library building for some Christmas cheer.
No admission fee for this event. Everyone is welcome.
Nov. 25, 2006
Crafting the Short Story: Workshop with Sharon Crawford.
What makes a good short story? Plot? Character? Or both? Whose point of view do you use? Do you need dialogue or will narrative only work? What about setting? Style? Voice? Length? Beginning?
Learn how to blend these ingredients to write a short story that sparkles. In this hands-on workshop, participants will take a story idea and follow it through with practical writing exercises. You won't have a complete short story, but you will have the basic techniques and the inspiration to write one.
We will also discuss writing contests and other markets. November 25, 2006, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Room 200, Northern District Public Library, 40 Orchard View Blvd. (Yonge and Eglinton), Toronto, Ontario.
Registration and Fee:
Cost is $30 (free to CAA members). Contact Jake Hogeterp to register.
Presenter:
Sharon Crawford is a writer and editor who makes words sparkle. Her articles and book reviews have appeared in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Toronto Life, Quill & Quire, The Country Connection and CheckUP Magazine and her short stories in the Wordscape Anthologies. Sharon edits novels and short stories, was Writer in Residence for the CAA Toronto Branch (2001 to 2003), taught Copyediting at George Brown College, and runs the East End Writers' Group.
She is a member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada, Crime Writers of Canada and the Editors' Association of Canada. Currently, she is writing a creative non-fiction/memoir and short stories featuring fraternal twin private investigators.
Nov. 16, 2006
Launch of Anthology: Stumbling Through Darkness.
The anthology of the CAA-Toronto Branch will be launched at the Northern District Library, Room 200, at 7 p.m.. on Nov. 16, 2006. Contributors and their family and friends are invited to attend.
There is no admission fee.
Edeet Ravel, prize-winning novelist, will preside at the launch ceremony.
Published by the Wingate Press, the anthology contains works of poetry, short fiction and non-fiction by our branch members. Stacey Newman, the publisher, is now a member of our branch.
Details of the content are given in the anthology section of this website.
About Edeet Ravel:
Edeet Ravel was born on a kibbutz near the Lebanese border (Sasa, formerly Sa'asa, a Palestinian village) and lived there until she was seven. Her parents then left for Montreal, their place of birth, and she returned to Jerusalem at age 18 to do a BA and MA in English Literature.
After five years of studies Ravel moved back to Canada, where she completed an MA and PhD in Jewish Studies at McGill, in Biblical Exegesis, and an MA in Creative Writing at Concordia University. She taught for two decades (Holocaust Studies, Hebrew Literature and Biblical Exegesis at McGill, Creative Writing at Concordia University, and English Literature at John Abbott College).
Ravel has a daughter, Larissa, who is nineteen, and they now live in Guelph, Ontario.
Her Fiction:
Lovers A Midrash
Winner of the Norma Epstein National Fiction Award.
Ten Thousand Lovers
Finalist for Governor General's Award; finalist for Koret Jewish Book Award; finalist for Quebec Writers Federation Award; Quill and Quire, five best books of the year; Hadassah WZO, top five recommended novels of the year; Amazon.ca/Books in Canada First Novel Award Shortlist.
Look For Me
Winner of the Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction.
A Wall Of Light
Finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Canada/Caribbean Commonwealth Prize; Winner of the Canadian Jewish Book Award.
Oct. 19, 2006
Dundurn Press
Presenter:
Michael Carroll, editorial director at The Dundurn Group in Toronto, will address our October meeting.
Bio:
Michael was previously the publisher at Beach Holme Publishing in Vancouver from 1999 to 2005. Before that he was managing editor at Raincoast Books, Vancouver and senior editor at Stoddart Publishing and House of Anansi Press, Toronto. He has edited and acquired books in most genres, including business, politics, history, sociology, cultural studies, biographies/memoirs, environmentalism, nature and outdoors, adult and young adult fiction, children's picture books, poetry, travel literature and guides, music, art and architecture, environmentalism, cookery, fitness, health, self-help, and sports.
As a writer, he has written numerous features and reviews on jazz, rock, and folk music, as well as on film, art, theatre, sports, and books for publications such as the Georgia Straight, the Globe and Mail, the Vancouver Sun, and Vancouver magazine. He has also published short stories in literary journals such as The New Quarterly, the University of Windsor Review, and the University of Toronto Review. In 1984 he won First Prize in the University of Toronto's Hart House Short Fiction Competition. His mystery novel, Dead False, was published by Mercury Press in 1998, and in 2001 he published The Concise Encyclopedia of Hockey with Douglas & McIntyre (Greystone Books)
About Dundurn Press
The Dundurn Group was founded by J. Kirk Howard in Toronto in 1972 and next year will celebrate its thirty-fifth anniversary. Dundurn publishes a wide range of books under various imprints: Sandcastle (junior children's fiction), Boardwalk (teen fiction), Simon & Pierre (adult literary fiction), Castle Street Mysteries (adult mystery novels), and Hounslow (paranormal, true crime, regional history, trivia). Dundurn is also a noted publisher of Canadian general and military history and books about politics, currents affairs, art, architecture, biography, and travel.
Sept. 24, 2006
Word on the Street
The CAA Toronto Branch will have a booth at the annual Word on the Street festival on Sunday, September 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Queens Park Crescent.
CAA Booth Location
Our booth, Canadian Authors Association, will be in the Writers Block section, #WB-14, just north of Wellesley St. West and St. Joseph St. on Queens Park Crescent East.
Please Stop By
Members of our executive will be on hand to answer questions about the CAA. Books by members will be on sale as well as giveaways of past CAA anthologies.
You are invited to visit and say hello.
Sept. 21, 2006
Contracts, Copyright, Contempt and Calumny: Legal Dos and Don'ts of the Writing Life.
Presenter:
Jeffrey Miller, lawyer, writer, translator, and a musician. His current legal practice focuses on clients in the arts and entertainment communities.
Bio:
Jeffrey Miller is a writer, translator, lawyer, and musician. His most recent books include Murder's Out of Tune and Murder at Osgoode Hall (the first two novels in a comic courtroom mystery series narrated by Amicus the cat), as well as Ardor in the Court: Sex and the Law and the essay collection Where There's Life There's Lawsuits, a finalist for the Arthur Ellis non-fiction award, 2004. For 23 years, he has been a columnist with the Lawyers Weekly and acts as legal counsel to Crime Writers of Canada.
He originally practised law on Bay Street, specializing in media law, libel, and commercial litigation. During law school, he worked with the chief judge of the criminal division of the Ontario Provincial Court and for the Special Prosecutions and Criminal Appeals division of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. His current practice focuses on clients in the arts and entertainment communities.
His writing has been described as "Mark Twain meets Rumpole of the Bailey." He is also a passionate student and player of traditional music, especially Irish traditional and klezmer musics, and is the semi-official musical director for the band, Celtic Schmeltic.
June 15, 2006
AGM/Elections and Member Readings
The second annual general meeting (AGM) of the re-launched Toronto branch of the CAA Toronto Branch will be held on June 15, 2006 in Room 200, Northern District Library, 40 Orchard View Blvd. between 7-9 p.m. to transact the following business:
- To adopt the minutes of the AGM held on June 16, 2005.
- To consider matters arising from the said minutes.
- To present financial statements from June 1, 2005 to June 1, 2006.
- Discussion and adoption of the financial statements.
- Election of a new board of directors for 2006-2007.
- Any other business.
- Adjournment.
Members are encouraged to serve on the board and get acquainted with the work of the CAA, both at the branch and national levels. Nominations can be made from the floor on the day of the meeting, as well as sent in by email to the president.
After the meeting and elections, members who did not get a chance last December to read their stories from the anthology will be able to read this time. Please let Ben Antao know if you wish to read at this meeting. After the readings we shall head down to the Manchester Arms for celebration of another year of completion of our re-launched branch.
May 18, 2006
How to Write a Good Crime Novel? Learn from Crime Author Rick Blechta
Rick Blechta is a musician first, a writer second. When he combines the two, he produces magic with an intense, suspenseful story that will not let you go. His novel Cemetery of the Nameless is hard to put down, according to the Globe & Mail.
Rick has been very active in the CWC, holding virtually every executive position. He is currently the President of CWC. He also twice edited the organization's directory of members works, In Cold Blood, handled all production duties for the CWC's infamous cookbook Dishes to Die For, and was co-editor of the newsletter, Fingerprints. In 2000, the CWC presented him with the Derrick Murdoch Award in recognition of his contributions to the organization.
April 20, 2006
Humour Writing: Tips from Ian Darling, editorial writer for the Kitchener Record, and author of Go Ask Dad: Fathers are Nice Guys
Mr. Darling started writing this book because he had a little experience being an overworked, under-rated Dad. He has appeared on TV and radio programs, including Canada AM and Breakfast TV.
March 16, 2006
What makes a crime story successful? Learn from Crime Author, Dennis Richard Murphy.
Dennis Murphy is an award-winning film maker as well as a writer, director and producer. In addition, he has become Canada's pre-eminent crime fiction short story writer. His Dead in the Water, the deathbed confession of the man who killed artist Tom Thomson, won the Bloody Words crime writers' conference "Bony Pete" award and was shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award.
February 16, 2006
Get Writing Tips from Director of Humber School for Writers—Antanas Sileika
Antanas Sileika is a writer and artistic director of the Humber School for Writers. His Woman in Bronze (Random House, 2004) was listed as a Globe best book, and his Buying on Time (Porcupine's Quill, 1997) was shortlisted for the Leacock and City of Toronto awards. In addition to writing fiction, he writes for magazines and is a freelance broadcaster and winner of a National Magazine Award.
January 19, 2006
Experience Freefall Writing with Author Barbara Turner-Vesselago
Speaker Barbara's novel, No News but Kindness, was chosen as a finalist for the 2001 Chapters/Robertson Davies Book Prize. She is also the author of Freefall: Writing Without a Parachute (The Writing Space, 1996) and author/editor of Skelton at Sixty (The Porcupine's Quill, 1986). In 1995, she was chosen as one of six "Voices of the Nineties" to lecture on creativity at the University of Western Australia.
FREEFALL is a method some writers discover spontaneously, but many have to (re)learn: the technique of writing from the larger Self, beyond reach of the ego and its censors.
For more information on this speaker, visit her Website at www.freefallwriting.com.
June 16, 2005
Carolyn Weaver host of the hit television program, Fine Print and AGM/Election
Carolyn Weaver is the producer and host of four book television programs. She launched Fine Print, a book club format show, in 2001 and followed this up with BioLibrary and Tech Books. This Spring she launched her fourth series called Weaver which is an hour show that is subject driven but includes a book anchor. The shows air on the following channels: Book Television, Rogers, Biography Channel, Canadian Learning Television, Court TV, Tech TV, MSNBC and OMNI Television. She has also launched Fine Print magazine which is going to be Website-driven in its revised format.
For more information on Carolyn, visit www.fineprintonline.com.
May 19, 2005
Deep Genre: Taking the Thriller Beyond Cheap Thrills with author Barbara Kyle
Barbara Kyle is the best selling author of five thriller novels published by Penguin USA and Warner Books, New York. She writes under her own name and also under the pen name "Stephen Kyle."
Her Stephen Kyle novel, Beyond Recall, has sold over 110,000 copies in paperback so Barbara knows about writing thrillers that sell. In her books, the thriller is more than high stakes and countdowns, it's a means to carry serious issues to the widest possible audience. In Beyond Recall, environmental degradation exacerbated by overpopulation. In After Shock, it's the abuse of science by the American military-industrial complex. In The Experiment, it's our god-like powers of biotechnology. And always, Barbara's characters, confronting moral conflicts, are people to care deeply about.
Do readers want high message mixed with thrills? Do publishers "get it?" Hear Barbara talk about the challenges and rewards of writing the Thriller. For more information on this speaker, visit her Website, www.barbarakyle.com.
April 21 , 2005
Thinking about Thinking Workshop with David Hardy
Writers reply more on thinking than most people, yet how much do you know about how you about how you think. This "heads-on" workshop covers creativity, the seven levels of change, and dealing with negativity.
David Hardy has ten years experience in Creativity/Innovation within the corporate environment and currently runs a Business Creativity and Employee Involvement department within BMO. He has a BA in psychology and sociology.
March 17, 2005
Writing Memoirs with author Edward Payne and Publisher's Visit
Come and listen to memoir writer Edward Payne as he shares his secrets to memoir writing, stories from his travels, and tips on getting published. Payne's humorous speaking style and interesting storytelling is sure to make this a night to remember. His memoir, entitled The Apricot Blooms in the Desert, was released December 2004.
Also visiting on March 17 is Stephen Newman of Wingate Press. Located in Stratford, Wingate Press publishes poetry, short stories, novels and memoirs. They pride themselves in finding writers who have produced extraordinary works, or even just ordinary works done very very well. Publishing seven books annually, they are in business to keep Canadian writers in business. Many of you want to know what it takes to be noticed in the 'slush' pile. This is your opportunity to ask a publisher directly.
February 17, 2005
The Editorial Process with author Wendy Thomas
This month, Wendy Thomas, published author of The Ontario Gardener's Resource Guide, three of the six books in the President's Choice Garden Guide Series (Care, Containers, and Bulbs) and co-author of Plantings will discuss the editorial process. Whether you have questions about how much control you have when your book is edited or whether you are considering working as a freelance editor, Wendy is the person to ask. In addition to being a published author, she also works as a freelance editor and has edited novels by Farley Mowat amongst others.
Mini Seminar: Self Editing presented by Ben Antao
Writing the first draft is the easy part. The next step is polishing your work until it is ready to go out to the publisher. But how do you know what to cut? Where do you start? What questions should you ask yourself? How do you know when your work is ready?
Ben Antao, author of Goa: A Rediscovery and president of the CAA Toronto Branch will discuss these questions in a mini-seminar.
January 20, 2005
Breaking the Logjam (an Interactive Seminar) with author Anne Toner Fung
Even the most prolific writers hit a block sometimes. Attend this workshop and participate in a variety of activities and exercises designed to activate your creative right brain, breaking through the logjam so your ideas and words can flow to paper. Join Anne Toner Fung, author of Choose Well, in this interactive seminar and get your creative juices going.
December 16, 2004
Member Open Mike
Our December 16 meeting features readings by members for the first two hours. Members will read for 10 minutes from their work (poetry, short story, article, memoir, or a scene from a novel or play). This will be done on a first-come first-served basis.
November 18, 2004
The Art of Storytelling with author David Silverberg
David Silverberg is founder and director of Suburban Spoken Word, a monthly reading series in north Toronto. He is also a performance poet and has read at the Art Bar Reading Series, Cryptic Chatters, We Still Got Words, Nik Beat's Words and Music and the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts. He is a full-time freelance journalist and has been published in Descant, Toronto Star, Quill & Quire, eye Weekly, Digital Journal, Saturday Night and Canadian Jewish News.
Mini Seminar: Writing Tips: What makes Writing Interesting presented by Ben Antao
Ben Antao is a veteran journalist and writer, having worked for major newspapers in India, U.S., and Canada, including The Globe and Mail in Toronto. He switched to a teaching career in 1976 and retired from teaching in 1998, after teaching English literature and creative writing in a Toronto high school. In 1990 he published Images of Goa, a memoir of his growing up in Goa, India. Recently, his second book, Goa a Rediscovery, an illustrated travelogue, was published in Goa. He's written short stories, novels, a play, and poetry.
October 21, 2004
Panel Discussion: Self Publishing
Richard Grove of Hidden Brook Press will discuss "Who should self-publish?"
Richard M. Grove, otherwise known to friends by his nickname, Tai, born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1953, is now a Toronto artist, writer, photographer and publisher, father of two daughters and married to Kim. He edits and publishes poetry through his company Hidden Brook Press). Richard is the President of the Canada Cuba Literary Alliance as well as the President of the Brighton Quinte and Area Writers Group.
Gilbert Khoury will address the pros and cons of self-publishing.
Gilbert Khoury, CTM, is a professional management consultant. He has assisted major Fortune 500 firms in launching products and services successfully within a full range of industries—from finance to telecommunications. He is also a speaker, author, and a consultant. His book Bring It On! An Entrepreneur's Approach to Implementing New Products or Services Effectively is available both in book and in digital format as an e-book.
For more information, visit his Website, www.gilbertk.com.
Tracy Repchuk will discuss the marketing side of self-publishing.
Tracy is the president and founder of the Canadian Federation of Poets, Editor of Poetry Canada magazine, and author of The Poetry of Business, a book which she has toured and promoted in Canada and the US at Chapters, Indigo and Barnes and Noble. She is also the president of InnerSurf Publishing, a publishing company which represents her, as well as four other authors and growing. An entrepreneur for almost 20 years, she provides guidance, advice and serves as a role model for following your dreams.
Upcoming Meetings and Workshops
Go to the upcoming meetings and workshops listing of events for the current year.
www.canauthorstoronto.org/previous.html
Updated: August 20, 2010