WRITE ● CRAFT ● READ

NEXT INKSLINGERS NIGHT: THURSDAY JULY 11th, 2013

A couple of years ago, Sue used to lead a free workshop for an hour or two before our Hot-Sauced Words Poetry Performances, (Third Thursday every month at the same location). But the timing was awkward – over the dinner hour – and for a variety of reasons she discontinued it.

But ever since then, people who attended it have been asking “When will you bring it back?”

Well, the stars have finally aligned.
 

INKSLINGERS will now offer a poetry evening (2nd Thursday every month) at the ever-gracious-to-poetry Black Swan Tavern – 2nd floor. This evening is designed to get everyone writing, revising, and performing.

WRITE

The first hour (beginning at 7:00) will consist of writing exercises facilitated by Sue Reynolds designed to give you an hour to write poetry then-and-there. Bum in chair. Engaged and present and productive. This event is open to anyone as long as they have come to write. Bring a pen and paper.

Sue Reynolds has been leading writing workshops in Canada and internationally for 15 years. Countless poems and short stories written in exercises with Sue have gone on to literary publication and to win prizes in competitions. (Most recently, a short story begun by a participant in Sue’s Sanctuary won the $1000 Amprosia prize). The costs of Sue’s workshops run between $80 to $300 per day, but she is leading these exercises gratis because she believes that much of the best poetry happens in that energy of writing community.

CRAFT

The second hour (from 8:10 to 9:10) consists of workshopping poems that writers have revised to the place where they now want input from fresh eyes. The Craft portion of the evening will be facilitated each month by a special guest facilitator.

To derive the best value from this segment, please bring 15 to 20 copies of a poem (no more than 30 lines) that you want to present for feedback.

Each participant will have a maximum of 8 minutes to both read the poem and receive feedback on their work from those in attendance who wish to make constructive comments. (Further feedback may be offered in writing on the submitted copies).

We normally review 7 or 8 poems during this hour.

For July 2013 we are honoured to have Allan Briesmaster as the guest facilitator. Allan is a freelance editor, micro publisher, and one of the partners in Quattro Books. He is the author of six full-length poetry collections and seven shorter books, and his poetry has appeared in many journals and anthologies. He has read his work, led workshops, organized literary events, and given talks on editing and publishing at venues from Victoria to St. John’s. His latest book of poetry is Against the Flight of Spring (April, 2013). Allan lives in Thornhill, Ontario, just north of Toronto.

You can read an interview with Allan about his new book in the Toronto Quarterly HERE.
 
 

READ

The final hour (from 9:20 to 10:20) is an open mic. Writers may read a poem they created in the first hour of the night, or may read something they bring with them for this purpose. Each writer will have 3 minutes to perform a poem. After each poem is read, the audience is asked to support each reader with kudos for aspects well handled, and any suggestions for ways to make reading the poem more effective. It’s all about learning the entire craft!

This portion of the evening will be facilitated by Creative James Dewar, host of Hot-Sauced Words Poetry Performances, Now in it’s sixth year (Third Thursday every month!) at the Black Swan Tavern.

In the event that we have more poets signed up than we have time available, the Craft and Open Mic slots will be allotted by draw.

154 Danforth Ave. (2nd floor) just east of Broadview)