James Dewar

I am an enthusiastic participant in almost every area of the writing profession.

I love writing. Whether it’s short stories, a full-length novel, or poetry, web writing, blogs, reviews, freelance non-fiction pieces for newspapers and magazines, I can freefall with the best of them. I’ve been writing since I was a kid, but kept it to myself for most of my life.

But after twenty-two years in corporate jobs, I realized that writing was my passion. I turned to it full time and have never looked back. This gives me some unique perspectives on the life and craft of writing and I enjoy sharing them. Creating and crafting first drafts into second ones and applying substantive critiquing to the writing of new and experienced authors are skills that I first learned in the business world and continue to develop. I design and oversee the editing and publication of books and anthologies as a publisher (Piquant Press and Stones Throw Publications) and I was a contributing editor on several Metroland magazine sections for five years.

I am almost finished the second draft of my third novel. I am looking forward to finishing the first draft of my next novel in the company of the many other authors participating in the A Novel Approach workshops.

I am committed to helping writers develop their talent. I have taught advanced creative writing at Durham College and offer workshops on a variety of subjects from writing fiction, erotica, poetry, and memoir, to practicing the key elements of performing your work on a public stage. I often partner with the amazing Sue Reynolds in these workshops so participants benefit from our unique perspectives on each subject.

I successfully completed an Honours B.A. in English and History at YORK UNIVERSITY and a Bachelor of Education, Type A, at the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO.

For some testimonials about working with me as a facilitor and writing mentor, please visit this page on our Inkslingers website. Testimonials for James
 
I have performed my work live on CBC Radio, Rogers TV, at numerous poetry readings and on several university radio stations, particularly the HOWL Radio show on CIUT 89.5 FM in Toronto.
 
I produced and hosted the Hot-Sauced Words Poetry Performance Series in Toronto for a decade.
 
I have also judged several writing contests including The Canadian Authors Association.
 
My poetry collection, The Garden in the Machine, was published by Hidden Brook Press in 2007. My short story, Strychnine Blues, was featured in That Dammed Beaver, a 2018 collection of Canadian Humour from Exile Editions, edited by Bruce Meyer.

My poetry and short fiction have also been published in several anthologies and literary journals including Quills, Misunderstandings Magazine, The Renaissance Conspiracy Poetry Anthologies, The Word Weaver and Whispered Words.