Annual General Meeting October 2nd, 3:00-4:30 pm at Beaconsfield Carriage House (2 Kent St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1M6)
It’s time again for the PEI Writers' Guild AGM, and you're invited! This year's AGM is happening Saturday, October 2nd at Beaconsfield Carriage House. Thank you to Battle Tales Winner and UPEI professor Don Dessurud for chairing our meeting this year in 2021.
Things certainly have changed this year, but behind the scenes, the PEIWG has been busy. Items on the agenda include the President’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, the Island Literary Awards, election of the new board of directors, and discussion of priorities and initiatives for the upcoming year. As well, this is the perfect opportunity for members to offer feedback on the year that was. In keeping with the CPHO's provincial guidance, we have booked the Carriage House, where we can safely social distance. Even though the meeting is free to attend, we ask you to reserve your spot in advance: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pei-writers-guild-annual-general-meeting-tickets-175508409377
Please take the time to review our attachments below:
Treasurer's Reports (Emma Fugate)
Volunteers Needed
Are you interested in volunteering with a dynamic literary arts organization? We are always in need of new board members with special skills. Here are a few positions open, or committees looking for help.
If you or someone you know is a good fit for our organization, shoot us an email at peiwritersguild@gmail.com, get in touch with us on Facebook, or come on down to the meeting and introduce yourself: Register for Meeting
All Welcome
Not a member? Don't worry. The AGM is open to everyone, and PEIWG memberships can be purchased on the spot. Come alone or come with friends and help us plan our next year. Interested in our new Writer-for-Hire stream or looking to renew your membership? Read more here: https://www.peiwritersguild.com/membership/
We can't wait to see you.
–The PEI Writers' Guild
Employment Opportunity with the Prince Edward Island Writers’ Guild | AUGUST 4, 2021 | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
THE ORGANIZATION
The mission of the Prince Edward Island Writers' Guild (PEIWG) is to inspire, support and encourage established, emerging, and potential writers to find their voice, improve their craft and experience success in their writing. Part of the PEIWG mandate is to provide mentorship, training and a safe space for writers and to facilitate opportunities for writers to share and promote their work. In addition, the PEIWG represents the interests of Island writers with government, key stakeholders and the general public.
HOURS AND TERM
This is a 20-hour/week position for one year, with the hope and possibility of growing into a full-time position. The PEIWG has been expanding its resources, and one of its key goals is to secure a full-time Executive Director. The ideal candidate will be someone willing to grow with the organization.
Most hours are flexible and the work can be done remotely. There will be some weekend and evening hours (events), as well as some meetings with key stakeholders where the hours will be set.
The Executive Director will be responsible to the Board of Directors and should be able to work with minimal supervision, taking initiative and leadership.
THE ROLE
The Executive Director (ED) has a passion for the arts and is responsible for supporting all PEIWG programs and coordinating logistics. This highly motivated and detail-oriented person will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of a non-profit.
Event Management
The Executive Director will assist with the organization and coordination of programs and events including (but not limited to) workshops and social events, conferences, webinars, and special events. Duties include tasks such as coordinating logistics (venue rental, facilitator contracts, etc.), leading promotional campaigns (press releases, media interviews, social media promotion), and being available to attend specific events (evenings, weekends) to assist with the running of the event.
Member Services
The Executive Director will be responsible for managing and maintaining the PEIWG membership database (including keeping organized recods of membership stats and financial records), recruitment and retention of new members, and being the liaison between members and the Board. The Executive Director will also report to the Treasurer of the Board on all financial matters, issue reports from the online store, and assist with the annual budget.
Communication
The Executive Director will be responsible for all internal and external communication, with assistance from Board Members where needed, including (but not limited to): newsletters, social media, blog posts, and media relations.
Funding
Part of the Executive Director’s duties will be to seek out funding sources for the PEIWG. The Board of Directors wishes for this position to become a full-time one, and securing grants will be vital in securing and expanding this position. The Executive Director should expect to spend some of their hours researching various grant opportunities and writing grant proposals for funding.
In addition to helping to secure funding for the Writers’ Guild, the Executive Director will be responsible for running online funding campaigns (e.g., Giving Tuesday) for the PEIWG bursary program.
QUALIFICATIONS
* The PEIWG can provide training on Wild Apricot
COMPENSATION
$20/hr for 20 hours/week, with the possibility of expansion and growth
This position has the ability to work for creative freelancers or as a part-time job.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your CV and cover letter to peiwritersguild@gmail.com by August 18, 2021. The PEIWG is committed to diverse representation in the community and we encourage applications from anyone who is qualified for the role. Although we thank all those who apply, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS AUGUST 18, 2021
SUMMARY—In Honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, June 21st, the PEI Writers’ Guild is hosting an #OwnVoices Virtual Open Mic: A Celebration of Diverse Storytelling
For Immediate Release.
(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE)— When the PEI Writers’ Guild spearheaded a special Diversity, Inclusion & Equity committee to promote diversity and inclusion in the literary landscape last year, they knew they had a lot of work to do. Although the group has celebrated wins in 2021 like kickstarting two new Island Literary Awards (Scott Parsons Award, in partnership with the Black Cultural Society and the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada Award), running a journalling workshop for immigrants to Canada and creating an open membership and bursary program for underrepresented voices on PEI, the group now realizes that they are just getting started.
Mi’kmaq Poet Laureate and PEI Writers’ Guild D/I/E Committee member Julie Pellissier-Lush notes, “I am discovering so many indigenous writers in my community, although many of them are too shy to be labeled as such,” she says. The idea of an online open mic for Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour (IBPOC) participants reading their own work is a simple first step to introducing these creatives to each other, and invite participants together barrier-free.
“#OwnVoices is a term coined by writer Corrine Duyvis, and refers to an author from a marginalized or under-represented group writing about their own experiences from their own perspective—and there is much strength in that,” Executive Director and D/I/E Committee member, Mo Duffy Cobb, explains, “We want to encourage everyone even young writers to participate.”
On Wednesday, June 16th, from 7:00pm–8:30pm, Islanders will be joined by Julie Pellissier-Lush and fiction writer and PEI Writers’ Guild board member, Elizabeth Iwunwa as co-hosts. Ten BIPOC readers who register via our Google Form will have five minutes to read their work aloud, in any genre of their choosing: nonfiction, fiction, or poetry, and all are able to join the zoom to show their support. Let the PEI Writers’ Guild help you find your #OwnVoice.
To register for the event either as a participant or audience member, please visit our Google form:
https://forms.gle/kRZPTi5eHz1dgdAN9
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Contact InformationMo Duffy CobbExecutive Director, PEI Writers’ Guild
peiwritersguild@gmail.com
peiwritersguild.com
Christine Gordon Manley
President, PEI Writers’ Guild
About the PEI Writers’ Guild
The PEI Writers’ Guild exists to promote a thriving and inclusive writing community on PEI. Its mission is to inspire, support, and encourage established, emerging, and potential writers to find their voice, improve their craft, and experience success in their writing lives.
In the rapidly changing landscape of independent publishing, it is critical to understand the best routes to marketing, branding and advertising your work, and this can be a daunting experience! Join best-selling author Patti Larsen to sort through the multitude of information and distill it down into a format you can understand. Demystify the process with this one-hour "Introduction to Marketing" webinar where you will learn the the lingo around various platforms, and how to take advantage of different marketing opportunities. Clear a path to promoting your literary works as effectively as possible.
"Indie authors are famous for getting creative in their marketing and branding components," says PEI Writers' Guild President, Christine Gordon Manley, "and with over a hundred books published, the Island's own Patti Larsen is one of the best!"
The workshop will run on Wednesday, June 23rd as a Zoom webinar, from 6:30pm until 7:30pm. Cost is $30 for Non-members and $25 for PEIWG Members. After registration, participants will be emailed the links.
Patti Larsen is an international, multiple award-winning and best-selling author with a passion for the voices in her head. Now with over 150 titles in happy publication, she lives in beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada, where she plays with her improv troupe, Side Hustle and her plethora of pets. You can find her at https://pattilarsen.com/homeor on Facebook at https://facebook.com/pattilarsenauthor
Island Literary Awards & Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty Creative Writing Awards for Young People Shortlist Announcements
Charlottetown, PE – May 2, 2021 - The PEI Writers’ Guild is pleased to announce the shortlist for both the Island Literary Awards, as well as the Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty Creative Writing Awards for Young People. Island writers will be recognized during award galas, which will take place at the Trailside Music Hall on Sunday, May 30.
The Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty Creative Writing Awards for Young People will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (doors open at 9:30 a.m.) while the Island Literary Awards will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (doors open at 1 p.m.).
During the Island Literary Awards, adults will be recognized for excellence in Poetry, Creative Non-Fiction, Literature for Children, Short Story, and Indigenous Writing. In addition, two brand new categories will be awarded (Prince Edward Island Association for Newcomers to Canada Award and The Scott Parsons Literary Award), as well as the Champion of Reading community award, the Distinguished Contribution to the Literary Arts of PEI award, and the Joseph Sherman award. Short-listed writers for adult categories are as follows: The Heirs of L.M. Montgomery Literature for Children Awards: Amanda Morrison, Joseph Simmonds, and Kara Griffin
Richard Lemm and Lee Ellen Pottie Poetry Awards: Alyssa Gillespie, Charity Becker, Emily N Cann, Rose Henbest, and Weiqi Tang
Maritime Electric Short Story Awards: Jordan Ramsay, Mary Hayden, Ryan Gallant, and Sharon Lucy Robson
Honibe Creative Non-Fiction Awards: Anne McCallum, Erin Evans, and Jenna Gaudet
Acorn Press Marie Coyoteblanc Indigenous Writing Award: Michael Sima and Novalea MacKinnon
Prince Edward Island Association for Newcomers to Canada Award: Peng Shen and Wei Chen
Black Cultural Society of PEI Scott Parsons Literary Award - Deborah Langston
Réshard Gool Award for Creative Writing – Carter Smith
Joseph Sherman Award – Frances Ann Squire
Distinguished Contribution to the Literary Arts of PEI – Mo Duffy Cobb
Youth in early elementary, late elementary, junior high, and senior high will be honoured for their excellence in literary arts during the Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty Creative Writing Awards for Young People. Short-listed writers for the youth categories are as follows:
Early Elementary – Ben Bowman, Danielle Manley, Irvin Rubirya, Marwa Basit, and Zoe Hernandez Balderas
Late Elementary: Isabella Hill, Mary Nishimura, Regina Zhang, Sam Bowman, and Tyson Wilson
Junior High: Adia Laureijs, Charlotte Macnutt-Lawson, Jordan Dingwell, Sadie MacNeill, and Sheamus Herlihy
Senior High: Arielle Dunn, Grace Lee, and Seth Dockendorff
For over 30 years, the Island Literary Awards have recognized talented Island writers of all ages. Cash prizes are awarded to individuals who place first, second, and third in both the adult and young people’s awards categories. Many past award winners are now published authors.
Please follow the Island Literary Awards on Facebook (@IslandLiteraryAwards), on Twitter (@IslandLiterary) or visit peiwritersguild.com for more information.
The PEI Writer's Guild exists to create a thriving, inclusive writing community, right here on PEI. Its mission is to promote writing on Prince Edward Island and to inspire, support, and encourage established, emerging, and potential writers to find their voice, improve their craft, and experience success in their writing.
Dear Friends,
The PEI Writers' Guild has resurrected the Open Mic! Sure, we may not be in front of the bricks at Receiver, the grace of the Haviland or with the sun on our faces like at Wild Threads, but we will be together again - safely - apart.
In partnership with the PEI Libraries and hosted by the incomparable Tanya Nicolle, ten readers have signed up to bring their voices possibly to a choral of spring, or perhaps some pandemic slush!
The Poetry Month Open Mic will take place on Tuesday, April 27th from 6-7 pm. For a free virtual ticket, please email Ray MacLeod from PEI Libraries at rmacleod@gov.pe.ca.
The Champion of Reading Award is back at the Island Literary Awards this season!
This Island Literary Award, sponsored by Bookmark PEI, recognizes an individual in the community who champions reading as being essential to the quality of our lives and to our ability to take our place on the world stage.
We put this award out annually to you - the community - to nominate the individuals that you feel are deserving of the award. You will be asked to submit your nomination via a short video (under 1 minute) indicating who you are nominating and why.
Nominations will be collected until April 30th. Our winner will be announced at our Island Literary Awards taking place in the upcoming weeks.
Previous winners of the Champion of Reading Award are:
Gillian Mahen (2020) Deirdre Kessler (2019) Barb Kissick (2018) Roseanne Gauthier (2017) Jinny Greaves (2016)
NOMINATE YOUR CHAMPION OF READING HERE https://forms.gle/8Q9ABLjbxqU1BXgu5
BATTLE TALES VI...THE PROMPTS ARE HERE!
This is it! The moment you have been waiting for. The runners have taken
their marks…the starter’s pistol is raised high and straight…AND we are off!
Your THREE prompts for Battle Tales VI: Pandemonium ARE:
1. An internet rabbit hole*
2. The panic of a pandemic style toilet paper shortage
3. A connection lost then found *where you end up somewhere unexpected in the online space
It’s been a long year folks. We’ve all suffered from Zoom fatigue, bared the brunt of homeschooling toddlers, worked from home, sleepwalked, sleeptalked, and seriously worried for each other’s safety. But there have also been a few laughs along the way— missed connections, your eighty year old father trying to work his way into a family thanksgiving Facetime, and the odd howl at the comments in Dr. M’s weekly daily briefings. And the river still rushed free after the winter, we had the beaches to ourselves all summer, and in a way, we began to make our own fun. Admittedly, there were low points, but there were also unexpected things, beautiful things, delightful things.
Steep the glory of your best pandemic moments into a 2,500 short story for us! Shine the light into the cracks of the places you wished you could have gone this year! Or if you’ve just come off of a week of binge-watching The Crown, compose your best short fiction and tell me what your private secretary was doing with my private secretary with the candlestick in the library.
And now it’s up to you. Your story must incorporate all THREE prompts but after that, it’s all you. Use them as a jumping off point, use them as a conclusion, use them in passing or use them as your primary proposition. Use them creatively or use them passively, but be sure to use them in a way that blow our judge’s mind.
We exit the arena and leave it to you, THE WORTHY, to battle harder than ever. But it must be a fair fight, so the rules! Remember - no names on your entries (Judging is blind!) You MUST be a resident of Prince Edward Island to enter, and we’re looking for stories under 2,500 words. Anything received by 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 24th, 2021 will be accepted. GOOD LUCK, MIGHTY BATTLERS!!!
The PEI Writers' Guild is proud to present "Comedic Storytelling," a three part workshop on Tuesdays in February. Whether you're considering dipping your toe into stand up comedy, prepping for your next fringe show, or you just want to tell better stories at parties, Heather Jordan Ross (BBC Radio 4, OutTV) is here to help you talk funny.
Over the course of three online classes, you'll be introduced to joke structure, performance technique, and story-shaping. Along with field notes on best practise, you'll workshop your way from landing a joke to crafting a great story. Think you've got something funny to say? Ready to take your skills to the next level? Then what are you waiting for? Heather Jordan Ross is here to help.
To Register: https://peiwritersguild.wildapricot.org/event-4113101
The workshop will run on Tuesdays, Feb 2nd, 9th and 16th from 6:30-8:30pm. Cost is $40 for PEI Writers' Guild members and $50 for non-members. Once you are registered, you will receive an email link on how to join the workshop via Zoom.
About Heather Jordan Ross
Heather Jordan Ross is an Island writer and comedian whose personal, acerbic storytelling has been featured on OutTV, CBC's the Doc Project, and BBC Radio 4. Producing and performing comedy from coast to coast and throughout Scotland, the Stand has described her as “very refreshing” and “extremely relatable." Before COVID19 struck, she was meant to do her first Edinburgh Fringe run in 2020. She has a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from University of King's College and a Masters in Screenwriting (Distinction) from Screen Academy Scotland.
Submissions OPEN for the Island Literary Awards & Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty Creative Writing Awards for Young People 2021
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – January 5, 2021 –The PEI Writers’ Guild is pleased to announce that submissions are now OPEN for the Island Literary Awards. Adult writers will be recognized during the Island Literary Awards and youth writers will be recognized during the Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty Creative Writing Awards for Young People. Deadline for submissions is Friday, February 26 at 9 p.m. Both award galas will take place on May 29, 2021. Cash prizes are awarded to individuals who place first, second and third in both the adult and young people’s awards categories. To submit as well as review the submission guidelines, eligibility criteria and the different award categories for both the adult and youth awards, please visit - https://peiwritersguild.wildapricot.org. Individuals 18+ are able to submit works in the following categories for the Island Literary Awards:
Literature for Children
Poetry
Short Story
Creative Non-Fiction
Marie Coyoteblanc Award for Indigenous Writing
Prince Edward Island Association for Newcomers to Canada Award
The Scott Parsons Literary Award
NEW THIS YEAR Prince Edward Island Association for Newcomers to Canada Award
This award recognizes and acknowledged the contribution made to the PEI literary culture by a writer new to Canada. Newcomers help expand our culture awareness and share their unique experiences in a number of ways, including the written word.
This prize is open to anyone who has immigrated to Canada and made PEI their new home within the past five (5) years.
Submissions can be in any category (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, writing for children and young adults, plays and scriptwriting).
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The Scott Parsons Literary Award is presented in recognition and celebration of the outstanding literary merit of a Black, Island writer.
Scott Parsons, co-founder and first President of the Black Cultural Society of PEI, is a multi-disciplined Island singer/songwriter who has consistently used his voice, through a variety of mediums including music, theatre, film, radio, and television, to deepen and enrich our understanding of our Island's history, sparking a new generation of artistic creativity.
This prize is designed to recognize literary merit and promote works in all categories including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, writing for children and young adults, plays and scriptwriting.
This prize is open to PEI residents who identify as Black or of African descent.
Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty Creative Writing Awards for Young People
Students (1-12) are invited to write on the topic of their choice and can submit writing in one of four sub-categories in the Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty Creative Writing Awards for Young People:
Early Elementary (Grades 1-3)
Late Elementary (Grades 4-6)
Junior High (Grades 7-9)
Senior High (Grades 10-12)
School Participation Award The school with the highest number of student submissions will be recognized with a certificate at the awards ceremony and will receive a special gift.
The Prince Edward Island Writers’ Guild (PEIWG) is a dynamic organization dedicated to promoting the growth and quality of literary arts on PEI.
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For more information:
Christian Gallant
peiliteraryawards@gmail.com
Cell: (902) 439-0126
81 Prince St.| Charlottetown, PE| C1A-4R3 www.peiwritersguild.com
