CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

13^th ANNUAL POSTCARD STORY COMPETITION

$750 PRIZE

The Writers’ Union of Canada is pleased to announce that submissions are being accepted until February 14, 2012, for the 13^th annual POSTCARD STORY COMPETITION. The winning entry will be the best Canadian work of 250 words or fewer in the English language, fiction or nonfiction. Are you up for the challenge? Can you create a dynamic, lean, and efficient piece in only 250 words? You can use humour, poetry, dialogue… anything goes!

 PRIZE

$750 for the winning entry. The winning entry will be published in Write, the magazine of The Writers’ Union of Canada. The winner agrees that The Writers’ Union of Canada will have non-exclusive publication rights to publish the winning entry in Write, for publicity purposes. Any publication of the author’s story by The Writers’ Union of Canada will include an authorship credit and a copyright notice in the name of the author. Copyright of the winning postcard story remains with the writer.

JURY

Clayton Bailey, John Lent, and Nerys Parry will serve as the jury.

ELIGIBILITY

This competition is open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants. Original and unpublished in any format (English language) fiction or nonfiction, no more than 250 words.

HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES

• ·         Entries should be typed, double-spaced, in a clear twelve-point font, and the pages numbered on 8.5 x 11 paper, not stapled.
• ·         Submissions will be accepted in hardcopy only.
• ·         Include a separate cover letter with title of story, full name, address, phone number, e-mail address, word count, and number of pages of entry.
• ·         The author’s name should not appear on the actual entry.
• ·         Make cheque or money order, $7.50 per submission, payable to The Writers’ Union of Canada. Multiple entries can be submitted together and fees can be added and paid with one cheque or money order.
• ·         Entries must be postmarked by February 14, 2012 to be eligible.
• ·         Mail entries to: PCS Competition, The Writers’ Union of Canada, 90 Richmond Street East, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5C 1P1.

Two hundred people from all over PEI descended on the Guild on Sunday afternoon for the festival’s crowning event. This event was hosted by Fraser McCallum, Erin Casey, and Lee Ellen Pottie, who brought a bi-lingual element to this celebration. This year’s ceremony marks a historical turning point for the annual awards: the Island Literary Awards were able to welcome French language submissions for the first time in the Student Categories. This initiative was made possible due to the City of Charlottetown’s 2011 Cultural Capitals of Canada designation, and the PEI Writers Guild is seeking sponsors to ensure that French categories become an annual and integral part of these Awards.

The PEI Writers’ Guild would like to extend appreciation to The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the City of Charlottetown, The Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty, and all private sponsors who make these awards possible year after year.

Award Winners:

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Young Writers’ Awards

Honourable Mention – Aily Sho

Third Place – Sharlene Cao

Second Place – Danny Wartman

First Place – Conor Dever

Prix «jeunes écrivains» du ministère de l’Éducation et du Développement de la petite enfance

Troisième Prix – Jodi McNeil

Deuxième Prix – Melanie McQuaid

Premier Prix – Emma Hughes

The Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty Young People’s Creative Writing Awards

Early Elementary Honourable Mentions – Hannah Doucette

Early Elementary Third Place – Jacob Doucette

Early Elementary Second Place – Katie Murphy

Early Elementary First Place – Cassidy MacNeill

Late Elementary Honourable Mention – Shelby Downe

Late Elementary Third Place – Brenna Howatt

Late Elementary Second Place – Marius Van Leeuwen

Late Elementary First Place – Abby Craswell

Junior High Honourable Mention – Victoria Huang

Junior High Honourable Mention – Annie Olivia Compton

Junior High Third Place – Matthew Milton

Junior High Second Place – Nick Scott

Junior High First Place – Jessica Walsh

Senior High Honourable Mentions – Catherine MacDonald

Senior High Third Place – Rachael Arsenault

Senior High Second Place – David Olson

Senior High First Place – Rachael Arsenault

Prix jeunesse de création littéraire du Club Rotary de Charlottetown pour jeunes Écrivains

Élémentaire 1re, 2e, 3e Mention Honorable – Samuel Harding

Élémentaire 1re, 2e, 3e  Troisième Prix – William Parent

Élémentaire 1re, 2e, 3e  Deuxième Prix – Madison Gagne

Élémentaire 1re, 2e, 3e  Premier Prix – Charles Parent

Élémentaire 4e, 5e, 6e Troisième Prix – Beatrice Masarabakiza

Élémentaire 4e, 5e, 6e Deuxième Prix – Stephanie Arsenault

Élémentaire 4e, 5e, 6e  Premier Prix – Alison Gagnon

Secondaire 7e, 8e, 9e Troisième Prix – Melanie McQuaid

Secondaire 7e, 8e, 9e Deuxième Prix – Alexandre Macdonald

Secondaire 7e, 8e, 9e   Premier Prix – Jacqueline Hughes

Secondaire 10e, 11e, 12e  Mention Honorable – Catherine Macdonald

Secondaire 10e, 11e, 12e Troisième Prix – Amanda Lowe

Secondaire 10e, 11e, 12e  Deuxième Prix – Catherine Macdonald

Secondaire 10e, 11e, 12e  Premier Prix – Lindsay Gillis

The School Participation Award

English: Gulf Shore Consolidated School

French: École Évangeline

THE MILTON ACORN POETRY AWARDS

Honourable Mention – Susan Buchanan

Honourable Mention – Marcia Gardiner

Acorn Press: Third Place – Marcia Gardiner

Gary & Judy MacDonald: Second Place – Susan Buchanan

Acorn Family: First Place – Patti Sinclair

Reading by Yvette Doucette

THE L.M. Montgomery PEI Literature for Children Awards

Heirs of L.M. Third Place – Margaret Weeks

Heirs of L.M. Montgomery Second Place – Susan Topping

First Place – Not Awarded

THE SHORT STORY AWARDS

Honourable Mention – Tom Marshall

Honourable Mention – Hannah Visser

Metro Credit Union: Third Place – Adelee MacNevin

Maritime Electric: Second Place – Shirley Limbert

The Investors Group: First Place – Susan Buchanan

Reading by Susan Buchanan

THE IMAC SCREENPLAY AND PLAYWRIGHTING AWARDS

Third Prize – Marlene Campbell

Cellar Door Productions: Second Place – Carol Little

First Prize – Melissa Heald

THE CREATIVE NON-FICTION AWARDS

The Buzz: Third Place – Roger Gordon

PEI Literacy Alliance: Second Place – Thien Tang

The Guardian: First Place – Bonnie Stewart

Reading by Bonnie Stewart

The Réshard Gool Award

Recipient – Dylan Riley

1^st Annual Young Writers Service Award

Yvette Doucette

Joseph Sherman Award

Matt Rainie

Award For Distinguished Contribution to the Literary Arts of PEI

Jane Ledwell

Charlottetown, September 15th, 2011 – A start-studded celebration of the literary arts will take place in

Charlottetown between September 27 and October 2, 2011. The festival will kick off with Wayne Johnston, author of *The Colony of Unrequited Dreams*, reading from his new book: *A World Elsewhere* at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery. Illustrious poet and musician Tanya Davis, as well as local celebrities Meaghan Blanchard, Fraser McCallum, Nudie, and Drea Macdonald will fill the Haviland Club with song on September 28th, for a songwriters circle that will reflect upon the art of writing poetry as lyrics.

Several workshops will strengthen the literary and artistic skills of the community; Ray Cronin of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia will do a valuable workshop on writing critically about the arts; Tanya Davis will offer a workshop on writing and performance; and Brent MacLaine will offer a workshop on character voice in poetry and prose.

Pre-registration is available by email: peiwritersguild@gmail.com.

Children are in for a treat on Thursday morning, September 29th. Island gem Deirdre Kessler will offer a sneak preview of her new book for young children: *DREAMTIME * at the Confederation Centre Public Library. *DREAMTIME *will be launched on October 29, 2011, by The Acorn Press at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery and is a picture book for very young children in the tradition of Margaret Wise Brown’s classic, *Goodnight, Moon.*

Celebrated Native playwright, filmmaker, comedian, and novelist Drew Hayden Taylor of Curve-Lake First Nations will be the festival’s guest of honour, and is not to be missed. He will deliver educational and laughter-filled presentations to schools, UPEI, and the general public on September 30th.Taylor’s recent novel *Motorcycles and Sweetgrass* was shortlisted for the 2010 Governor General’s Award.

On the weekend of October 1st and 2nd, the Pen & Inkling Festival will make its home at The Guild on Queen Street. The Guild will host workshops in the gallery and exciting events on the main stage. The public is invited to soak in the home grown talent of some of PEI’s best and brightest featured readers. Following this, the public is invited to step up and take part in the writers’ open mic. Early evening will see Island treasures, former PEI

poet laureates John Smith and David Helwig in conversation–a reprise of their sublime Fireside Chat during the first Pen & Inkling Festival.

The evening will end with the gala-dance, where Count & the Cuban Cocktail & the Blue Prints will keep us dancing into the night.

After this action-packed week of music, workshops, fiction writers, poets, and visiting guests, the Pen & Inkling Festival will culminate in the 24th annual Island Literary Awards Ceremony on Sunday afternoon, October 2nd. For almost a quarter century the Island Literary Awards have recognized the best in Island writing with cash awards sponsored from the community for winning entries in short story, poetry, children’s literature, and creative non-fiction categories from writers of all ages. This year, for the first time, the Island Literary Awards were able to accept submissions in French with the support of the City of Charlottetown, through its 2011 Cultural Capital of Canada designation. The PEI Writers’ Guild is pleased with the response, welcoming a total of 57 French submissions from students across the province.

Tickets for weekend events can be purchased at the Guild. A festival pass can be purchased for $25, and allows admission to all events, with the exception of workshops. More information can be found on the website: www.peiwritersguild.com and questions and workshop registration can be directed to peiwritersguild@gmail.com

These initiatives have been made possible through the 2011 Cultural Capital of Canada Designation through the City of Charlottetown, a program of the Department of Canadian Heritage with additional funds by the province of Prince Edward Island and the City of Charlottetown. The Island Literary Awards are also made possible year after year by countless private sponsors and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.  For information and the schedule of the Pen & Inkling Festival, visit www.PEIWritersGuild.com.

Drew Hayden Taylor sera à l’Î-P-É le 30 septembre pour trois événements. Ces événements seront présentés par la Guilde des Ecrivains de l’Î-P-É en collaboration avec le « Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI » et le « Native Council of PEI ». M. Taylor sera accueilli au territoire Mi’kmaq par des membres du « Native Council of PEI » et fera des présentations éducatives et humoristiques aux étudiants et membres de la communauté. M. Taylor fera une présentation dans la matinée aux lycéens de l’Île, suivie d’un déjeuner dans le Salon des professeurs de l’UPEI. Une lecture publique et une conférence auront lieu le soir au Théâtre Studio 1 du Centre des Arts de la Confédération à 19h00. L’entrée est gratuite.

L’œuvre récente de M. Taylor, Motorcycles and Sweetgrass (dont aucune version française n’est encore disponible) a été un des finalistes du Prix du Gouverneur général en 2010.  Fidèle au style de M. Taylor, le conte propose sagesse et l’humour.  C’est une histoire de magie, de familles, d’un mystérieux inconnu . . . et d’une bande de ratons laveurs en maraude. Ce livre est disponible en anglais à la bibliothèque publique du Centre des arts de la Confédération, et est en vente chez Bookmark, au 172 de la rue Queen à Charlottetown.

Le festival  « Pen & Inkling » aura lieu à Charlottetown entre le 27 septembre et le 2 octobre. Ce festival célèbrera les arts littéraires et se composera d’une semaine remplie de musique, d’ateliers, d’écrivains, de poètes, et d’invités.  La semaine aboutira avec la cérémonie de Gala des 24e Récompenses Littéraires de l’Île qui aura lieu le 2 Octobre 2011. Pour de plus amples informations et pour connaitre le calendrier du festival « Pen & Inkling », veuillez visiter le site de la Guilde d’écrivains de l’ÎPÉ à www.peiwritersguild.com   ou écrivez à peiwritersguild@gmail.com.

Ces initiatives sont possibles grâce à la désignation de Capitale culturelle du Canada 2011 pour la Ville de Charlottetown, un programme du ministère du Patrimoine canadien avec des contributions additionnelles de la part de la province de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard et de la Ville de Charlottetown. Les conférences de Drew Hayden Taylor ont été parrainées en partie par le Playwrights Guild of Canada et le Conseil des Arts du Canada.

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Louise will illustrate that at the core of every amazing film is a great story being told visually. Topics that will be covered during the workshop are approaches to writing a film treatment, developing a story arc, creating characters, building conflict and tension, the rules of format and structure, and tips on accessing your creativity. During the three-hour workshop held in Summerside at the Lefurgey Cultural Centre between 1:00 – 4:00pm, participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions regarding any projects that they may have in development.  Come prepared for a stimulating and informative time learning how to get your story straight for film!

Workshop Fees are: PEI Writers’ Guild members and Storytelling Festival attendees: $20.00, Non-members: $30.00, Students: $10.00

Please email peiwritersguild@gmail.com to register. Spaces are limited. Call Yvette at 892-9788 if you don’t have access to email.

The PEIWG Workshop Series is made possible with funding from the PEI Department of Tourism and Culture through the Community Cultural Partnership Program.

The Pen & Inkling Festival will celebrate the literary arts on Prince Edward Island, between September 28 and October 2, 2011, in Charlottetown. The festival will kickoff with a songwriters circle featuring illustrious poet and musician Tanya Davis. She was recently named the Mayor’s Poet Laureate of Halifax, and has recently launched a new book of poetry, At First, Lonely, with PEI’s Acorn Press.

Celebrated Native playwright, film maker, comedian, and novelist Drew Hayden Taylor of Curve-Lake First Nations will be the festival’s guest of honour. He will deliver entertaining, educational, and laughter-filled presentations to schools, UPEI, and the general public on September 30th. Taylor’s recent novel Motorcycles and Sweetgrass was shortlisted for the 2010 Governor General’s Award.

Following an action-packed week of music, workshops, fiction writers, poets, and visiting guests, the Pen & Inkling Festival will culminate in the 24th annual Island Literary Awards Ceremony on October 2nd. For almost a quarter century the Island Literary Awards have recognized the best in Island writing with cash awards sponsored from the community, for winning entries in short story, poetry, children’s literature, and creative non-fiction categories from writers of all ages. This year, for the first time, the Island Literary Awards were able to accept submissions in French with the support of the City of Charlottetown, through its 2011 Cultural Capital of Canada designation. The PEI Writers’ Guild is pleased with the response, welcoming a total of 57 French submissions from students across the province.

“The City of Charlottetown has always supported literacy through our annual literary awards,” Mayor Lee said. “These important initiatives — in both of Canada’s official languages — will help us improve our cultural literacy and leave a creative record of the Cultural Capital of Canada designation we are so proud to have earned.”

In October and November, the PEI Writers’ Guild will promote the craft of writing in Charlottetown schools. The Writers in Schools Program matches qualified Island writers with teachers and their students to offer visits in which the writers will discuss their craft, read from their books, and work with students on ways to improve their writing. The PEI Writers’ Guild is currently seeking qualified writers interested in participating.

These initiatives have been made possible through the 2011 Cultural Capital of Canada Designation for the City of Charlottetown, a program of the Department of Canadian Heritage with additional funds by the province of Prince Edward Island and the City of Charlottetown. For information and the schedule of the Pen & Inkling Festival, visit www.PEIWritersGuild.com.

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Contact:
Josie Baker, ILA Coordinator
Phone: (902) 367-6607
Email: peiwritersguild@gmail.com
Website: www.peiwritersguild.com

La Guilde d’écrivains de l’Î.-P.-É. annonce le festival «Pen & Inkling»

Dans le cadre de la programmation de Capitale culturelle du Canada 2011 pour la Ville de Charlottetown

Charlottetown, le 20 juillet 2011 – Dans le cadre de sa désignation de Capitale culturelle du Canada 2011, la Ville de Charlottetown et la Guilde d’écrivains de l’Î.-P.-É., dévoilent plusieurs nouveaux événements littéraires pour l’automne 2011.

Du 28 septembre au 2 octobre à Charlottetown, Le festival « Pen & Inkling » célébrera les arts littéraires à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Le festival débutera par un cercle de paroliers auquel participera Tanya Davis, poétesse et écrivaine illustre. Récemment nommée « Mayor’s Poet Laureate of Halifax » (lauréate du prix poète du maire de Halifax), elle vient également de lancer un nouveau livre de poésies, « At First, Lonely », aux éditions Acorn Press de l’Î.-P.-É.

L’invité d’honneur du festival sera Drew Hayden Taylor des Premières Nations de Curve-Lake, scénariste, producteur, comédien et écrivain de théâtre et de nouvelles. Le 30 septembre, il fera des présentations divertissantes, éducatives et remplies d’humour dans des écoles, à l’Université et auprès du grand public de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard.

Le Gala des 24e Récompenses littéraires de l’Île viendra clôturer le festival, le 2 Octobre, après une semaine remplie de musique, d’ateliers, et de littérature en tous genres. Depuis près d’un quart de siècle, les Récompenses littéraires de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard reconnaissent les meilleurs écrits de l’Île avec des prix monétaires commandités par des membres de la collectivité, dans les catégories suivantes : nouvelle, poésie, littérature jeunesse et création non-fictives, pour auteurs de tous les âges. Cette année, et pour la première fois, les Récompenses littéraires de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard ont été en mesure d’accepter des soumissions en français, dans le cadre de la désignation de Capitale culturelle du Canada pour la Ville de Charlottetown. La Guilde est très satisfaite des résultats, avec 57 soumissions d’élèves des quatre coins de la province.

“La Ville de Charlottetown a toujours soutenu l’écriture et l’alphabétisation par ces prix littéraires annuels” a dit le Maire Clifford Lee. « Ces importantes initiatives – proposées dans les deux langues officielles – nous aident à développer notre littératie culturelle et proposent un legs important pour cette désignation de Capitale culturelle du Canada, dont nous sommes si fiers. »

Durant les mois d’octobre et de novembre, la Guilde d’écrivains de l’Î.-P.-É. relancera le programme des « Écrivains dans les écoles » en jumelant des écrivains insulaires qualifiés avec des enseignants et leurs élèves pour offrir des visites au cours desquelles les écrivains discuteront de leurs œuvres, liront des passages de leurs livres et travailleront avec les étudiants sur des moyens d’améliorer leurs écrits. La Guilde d’écrivains de l’Î.-P.-É. est actuellement à la recherche d’écrivaines et d’écrivains qualifié(e)s intéressé(e)s à participer à ces ateliers.

Ces initiatives sont rendus possibles grâce à la désignation de Capitale culturelle du Canada 2011 pour la Ville de Charlottetown, un programme du ministère du Patrimoine canadien bénéficiant de contributions financières additionnelles de la province de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard et de la Ville de Charlottetown. Pour de plus amples informations et pour connaitre le calendrier du festival « Pen & Inkling », veuillez visiter le site www.PEIWritersGuild.com.

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Contact:
Josie Baker, Coordonatrice des RLÎ
Téléphone : (902) 367-6607
Courriel : peiwritersguild@gmail.com
Site : www.peiwritersguild.com