Workshops
SELF-PUBLISHING WORKSHOP – Your book Published by Christmas
Presented by James Dewar
(Publisher of Piquant Press and Stone’s Throw Publications)
This workshop is presented in two Saturday installments, 5 weeks apart:
Saturday, September 27th and Saturday, November 1st, 2014.
10:00 am to 4:30 pm (45 minute lunch break)
COST:
$190 (+HST) for both full day workshops
$175 (+HST) for Library Members and members of WCDR, WCYR, WCSC.
Pre-registration is necessary. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER:
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How would you like to hold a copy of your book in your hands this year?
How would it feel to have a small print run of your own book available to sell, or give as gifts this holiday season?
One of the most satisfying moments for most authors is the first time you see your work published. But in today’s highly-commercialized market there are so few traditional opportunities for publication. If you want to see your book in print, self-publishing is not just considered acceptable–it is now the norm.
The most commonly recognized small book formats are chapbooks. They usually number between 36 and 160 pages and are commonly used to publish fiction (from short story collections to novellas), nonfiction (such as guidebooks, business books and article collections etc), and poetry. The fundamental skills can be learned quickly.
The Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library has partnered with micro press publisher, editor, and author James Dewar to present a two part workshop that will provide professional support through the process of designing and printing your book. The cost does not include the printing of your books, but James will provide low cost printing packages customized to the project that you bring to the workshop.
PLEASE NOTE: In order to prepare a publishable copy of your book by the end of the two part workshop, you MUST bring the following to the first workshop:
1. A laptop computer (PC or Apple). If you have never used a laptop before, no training on the basic skills will be provided during the workshop.
2. Your own power cord and extension cord to plug your device into a power outlet. Power bars will be provided.
3. Microsoft Word installed on your laptop. Both Apple and pc versions of Microsoft Word are acceptable. You must have a basic working knowledge of Word. If you have never used Word before, no training on the basic skills will be provided during the workshop.
4. The book templates that James provides are only guaranteed to work with Microsoft Word. If you bring any other word processors, such as Open Office, or other word processing software, no time will be available to help resolve conflicts between the template and the software.
5. All word and text files that you are considering for your book should already be loaded on your laptop when you arrive. If you intend to include photos in your book, have those loaded on the laptop in one file as well.
NOTE: Since a critical component of the layout process will be to convert your written material into TEXT FILES (to remove all formatting before inserting it into the book template) do not spend time formatting your text in the files that you bring to the workshop. James will demonstrate how to customize your book from plain text. This is a critical step in preventing book layout conflicts. Adding fancy fonts and other features comes AFTER the book is laid out.
6. Each participant should also bring a PRINTED COPY of their manuscript to make the process of choosing and ordering the content quicker and easier.
7. James will contact each participant by email in advance of the workshop to have a brief chat about these few technical requirements.
8. If you have any questions about this aspect of the course please contact James through the email address provided.
Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library, 2 Park Drive, Stouffville, Ontario.
Light refreshments and coffee will be provided. Bring your lunch or eat at a local coffee and bagel shop a short walk away. There will be an hour break at 12:30.
In the first of the two workshops, the instructor will lead the group through the work selection and book design process:
Workshop One, Part One:
Why do you want to publish? (A discussion about living “The Artist’s Way”)
What is your book about? (What authors care about and why it’s important.)
How do you know if you’re ready? (Overcoming fear and self-esteem issues.)
What ends up in your book? (Defining the locus and seeking/ignoring advice.)
Who will care? (Identifying an audience and learning how to get their attention.)
Workshop One, Part Two:
A copy of the Microsoft Word Chapbook template will be distributed on usb drives for participants to download onto their computers.
Using examples, the instructor will explain how text and images are placed into the Microsoft Word Chapbook template. The instructor will guide authors through the key elements of professional layout and design:
1. essential elements of aesthetic page design
2. layout fundamentals
3. inserting page numbers and excluding them from blank pages
4. headers and footer options
5. solving the problem of section breaks
6. obtaining ISBN numbers and pricing barcodes for the cover
Other aspects covered:
• The difference between perfect bound, stapled and other formats.
• How are the first, last, middle and other segments selected?
• How is the ideal title chosen?
• How important is the cover? (a template will be provided)
During the five weeks between the end of the first workshop and the beginning of the second workshop, participants will be required to perform four important functions. They will bring the results with them to the second workshop:
1. Choose an image for the cover and create a mock-up book cover using the template provided by the instructor.
2. Finalize the material to be included in the book. (Review and possibly edit work using the techniques covered in the first workshop.)
3. Decide on the order of the work and prepare a Table of Contents.
4. Enter the text to be included in the book and email a copy of the draft to the instructor to double check for consistency and fix any small errors. The draft will be emailed back to each participant before the second workshop date.
WORKSHOP TWO: Preparing Your Book for Printing
Saturday, November 1st, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library, 2 Park Drive, Stouffville, Ontario.
Light refreshments and coffee will be provided. Bring your lunch or eat at a local coffee and bagel shop a short walk away. There will be an hour break at 12:30.
“The role of the writer is to attract the interest of someone who has no interest in being interested.”
Workshop Two, Part One:
Most participants will arrive at the second workshop with some aspect(s) of the design/layout unfinished. Or after seeing some of the ideas that their classmates have chosen, they may want to make some changes to their layouts. Consequently, the first half of the second workshop will involve reviewing the manuscripts as a group, and fixing/making alterations to fix any layout issues and apply the finishing touches to make each book print-ready.
Process:
1. Participants will work in small groups assigned by the facilitator to share ideas and discuss the elements of aesthetic page design that they selected for their books.
2. Inserting page numbers and excluding them from blank pages is often an issue in this process. The instructor will demonstrate fixes.
3. Participants will resolve variable header and footer issues that have arisen and amend them.
4. Any section break errors will also be investigated and repaired.
5. The correct placement of ISBN numbers and pricing barcodes on the cover will be checked.
6. Once everything else has been finalized, participants finalize the Table of Contents.
Workshop Two, Part Two:
1. Participants will share the cover images that they bring to the workshop. The facilitator will demonstrate total design concepts that involve both the front and back covers, the spine, the importance of the bleed, author photo and obtaining early book reviews.
2. Tips on how to sell books in person, online and through proxies.
3. Social media savvy and other methods of attracting readers.
4. Final thoughts on living The Artist Way and enjoying the writer’s journey.
At the conclusion of this second workshop, each author will have completed an interior file and book cover file READY TO TAKE TO A PRINTER. Participants will also take home a Microsoft Word template that they can use for future book publications and the skills needed to create additional print-ready manuscripts and book covers.
NOTE:
For an additional fee, authors will also have the option to order a proof of their books printed at a very low cost, and the presenter will also provide low-cost, low print run pricing options for authors who wish to have their books printed and in hand by late November/early December, just in time for the holiday season. Full details will be provided during Workshop One.
About the facilitator:
James Dewar is the publisher of Piquant Press (www.piquantpress.ca) and Stone’s Throw Publications (www.stonesthrowps). He has edited and published over ninety books including poetry, memoir, fiction, anthologies, cookbooks, coffee table books and business books. He has taught advanced creative writing at Durham College and now teaches poetry and fiction writing in Ontario, through his partnership with Sue Reynolds in Inkslingers (www.inkslingers.ca), and internationally as a member of Radical Restoration Retreats (http://radicalrestoration.ca).
KUDOS for James Dewar’s Previous Self-Publishing Workshops:
The League of Canadian Poets sponsored James Dewar to offer a poetry version of this workshop in Toronto in April, 2012. Here are kudos from the LOCP organizer and some of the participants:
Thank you James for an excellent presentation and well-planned workshop! The workshop was full with 15 participants that were both members and non-members of the League. I hope this type of workshop continues with more being planned throughout Ontario and spread to the rest of the Canadian provinces.
Sherrene Kevan, National Council Representative, The League of Canadian Poets
I was delighted to finally meet you and thanks so much for delivering the Chapbook Workshop and sharing your knowledge and expertise! I found the Workshop very helpful, especially in the way of helping me to begin tackling my organizational dilemma. Where once I was buried in stacks, now I am finding my way to the surface!
With many thanks.
Edith Baguinho
Thank you for yesterday’s workshop. It was informative and inspirational. I really enjoyed it. Could you please email me the link to the website that offers free barcodes for books?
Many thanks,
Dr. Dina Ripsman Eylon,
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Women in Judaism: A Multidisciplinary Journal
I had a great time. I believe you to be an excellent leader. You give your attention to each person without distraction and put your heart into your work. You facilitate an atmosphere of camaraderie. The book format was well put together and we got to interact with it with you coaching us during class.
I enjoyed all the talk about why and how to create a chapbook. I put one together as practice and will now put some real effort into making something really nice, which I will send to you for printing.
I don’t think anyone could have made us more comfortable with a more adaptable template than you did on Saturday.
Thanks,
Ron Potter (author of Mad Man)
The workshop was great and that was a sentiment shared with others during the lunch break and since. Apart from the new knowledge gained regarding the mechanics of chapbook publishing, the background information on other aspects of publishing gleaned at the same time is immeasurably useful. The tips and tricks of the trade that can only be gained by experience, that most of us don’t have, answered many questions, some of which we didn’t know needed asking, and I’m sure headed some of us off from taking a few wrong turns along this path.
Cheers,
Jim Scott (author of several travelogues and books of poetry)
July 10 – GG awardwinning poet Jacob Scheier returns as Inkslingers’ Part Two host!
WRITE ● CRAFT ● READ
NEXT INKSLINGERS NIGHT: THURSDAY July 10th, 2014
Please note that we start promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Inkslingers is delighted to announce that the July 10 guest host for our Workshopping segment will be Jacob Scheier. James and Sue had to miss the Inkslingers night that he facilitated in May, so they are thrilled he has agreed to come back in July.
Furthermore, Sue just finished Jacob’s 6 week poetry course, “Writing about Grief”, so she has had first-hand experience of Jacob’s insightful and skilled comments on new poems. For this reason as well, she is thrilled that he has agreed to facilitate again so soon.
Read more below.
INKSLINGERS offers a poetry evening the second Thursday of every month. This evening is designed to get poets and aspiring poets all 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. Many poems and short stories written in exercises with Sue have gone on to literary publication and to win prizes in competitions. (Recently, a short story begun by a participant in Sue’s Sanctuary won the $1000 Amprosia prize and one of the participants in the Novel Approach course she taught with James just signed a 2 book deal with Simon and Schuster for the project she wrote in that course). 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.
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 7 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 are normally able to review 7 or 8 poems during this hour.
The Craft portion of the evening is facilitated by a guest facilitator. We’re delighted to announce that Jacob Scheier is July’s Part Two Facilitator.
Jacob Scheier is a poet, essayist and journalist. He has lived in Toronto, Istanbul, New York City, Brandon, Manitoba and, currently, St. Thomas, Ontario as the writer-in-residence for Algoma University at St. Thomas. His debut poetry collection More to Keep us Warm (ECW Press) won a 2008 Governor General’s Award. He is also co-winner of a 2009 New York Independent Media Alliance award for best feature article: “The Anti-Bloomberg: Can I Get an Amen?: Co-written with John Tarelton: The Indypendent 14 August 2009. His poems have appeared in journals and magazines across North America, including Rattle, Geist and Descant. He has poems appearing in three anthologies this coming year, including one in the UK. His most recent poetry collection is Letter from Brooklyn (ECW Press 2013). Jacob is a regular contributor to Toronto’s NOW Magazine, and his first long form piece of literary journalism, “My Never-Ending Acid Trip” was published this past fall by the Toronto Star for their Star Dispatches ebook series.
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!).
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)
Location: The Black Swan Tavern, second floor, north side of Danforth Ave., just east of Broadview subway station. (across from The Danforth Music Hall)
June Inkslingers with Michael Fraser! Thursday June 12th, 2014
WRITE ● CRAFT ● READ
NEXT INKSLINGERS NIGHT: THURSDAY June 12th, 2014
Please note that we start promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Inkslingers is delighted to announce that this month’s guest host for our Workshopping segment will be Michael Fraser. Read more below.
INKSLINGERS offers a poetry evening the second Thursday of every month. This evening is designed to get poets and aspiring poets all 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. Many poems and short stories written in exercises with Sue have gone on to literary publication and to win prizes in competitions. (Recently, a short story begun by a participant in Sue’s Sanctuary won the $1000 Amprosia prize and one of the participants in the Novel Approach course she taught with James just signed a 2 book deal with Simon and Schuster for the project she wrote in that course). 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.
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 7 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 are normally able to review 7 or 8 poems during this hour.
The Craft portion of the evening is facilitated by a guest facilitator. We’re delighted to announce that Michael Fraser is June’s Part Two Facilitator.
Michael Fraser is a high school teacher, poet, and writer. He has been published in various anthologies and journals including: Literary Review of Canada, The Paris Atlantic, and Caribbean Writer. His manuscript, The Serenity of Stone, won the 2007 Canadian Aid Literary Award Contest and was published in 2008 by Bookland Press. He won Arc’s 2012 Readers’ Choice Poem of the Year. His poem “Going to Cape” is included in The Best Canadian Poetry in English 2013. He is the creator and director of the Plasticine Poetry Series.
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!).
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)
Location: The Black Swan Tavern, second floor, north side of Danforth Ave., just east of Broadview subway station. (across from The Danforth Music Hall)
May Inkslingers with Jacob Scheier! Thursday May 8th, 2014
WRITE ● CRAFT ● READ
NEXT INKSLINGERS NIGHT: THURSDAY May 8th, 2014
Please note that we start promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Inkslingers is delighted to announce that next month’s guest host for our Workshopping segment will be Jacob Scheier. Read more below.
INKSLINGERS offers a poetry evening the second Thursday of every month. This evening is designed to get poets and aspiring poets all 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. Many poems and short stories written in exercises with Sue have gone on to literary publication and to win prizes in competitions. (Recently, a short story begun by a participant in Sue’s Sanctuary won the $1000 Amprosia prize and one of the participants in the Novel Approach course she taught with James just signed a 2 book deal with Simon and Schuster for the project she wrote in that course). 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.
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 7 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 are normally able to review 7 or 8 poems during this hour.
The Craft portion of the evening is facilitated by a guest facilitator. We’re delighted to announce that Jacob Scheier is May’s Part Two Facilitator.
Jacob Scheier is a poet, essayist and journalist. He has lived in Toronto, Istanbul, New York City, Brandon, Manitoba and, currently, St. Thomas, Ontario as the writer-in-residence for Algoma University at St. Thomas. His debut poetry collection More to Keep us Warm (ECW Press) won a 2008 Governor General’s Award. He is also co-winner of a 2009 New York Independent Media Alliance award for best feature article: “The Anti-Bloomberg: Can I Get an Amen?: Co-written with John Tarelton: The Indypendent 14 August 2009. His poems have appeared in journals and magazines across North America, including Rattle, Geist and Descant. He has poems appearing in three anthologies this coming year, including one in the UK. His most recent poetry collection is Letter from Brooklyn (ECW Press 2013). Jacob is a regular contributor to Toronto’s NOW Magazine, and his first long form piece of literary journalism, “My Never-Ending Acid Trip” was published this past fall by the Toronto Star for their Star Dispatches ebook series.
Jacob also facilitates creative writing workshops. From May 7-June 11th he will be facilitating a 6-week poetry workshop on writing poetry about grief in downtown Toronto. Email griefwriting@gmail.com to register or for more info, Jacob will also be facilitating a personal writing retreat (nonfiction and poetry) in Dunedin, Ontario, June 15-18. Go to http://www.creativityartretreat.com for more info.
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!).
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)
Location: The Black Swan Tavern, second floor, north side of Danforth Ave., just east of Broadview subway station. (across from The Danforth Music Hall)
April Inkslingers with Catherine Graham! Thursday April 10th, 2014
WRITE ● CRAFT ● READ
NEXT INKSLINGERS NIGHT: THURSDAY April 10th, 2014
Please note that we start the writing-on-the-spot workshop portion promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Inkslingers is delighted to announce that this month’s guest host for our Workshopping segment will be Catherine Graham. Read more below.
INKSLINGERS offers a poetry evening the second Thursday of every month. This evening is designed to get poets and aspiring poets all 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. Many poems and short stories written in exercises with Sue have gone on to literary publication and to win prizes in competitions. (Recently, a short story begun by a participant in Sue’s Sanctuary won the $1000 Amprosia prize and one of the participants in the Novel Approach course she taught with James just signed a 2 book deal with Simon and Schuster for the project she wrote in that course). 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 and wants that to be available to everybody.
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.
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 7 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 are normally able to review 7 or 8 poems during this hour.
The Craft portion of the evening is facilitated by a guest facilitator. We’re delighted to announce that Catherine Graham is April’s Part Two Facilitator.
Catherine Graham is the author of five poetry collections including the recently published, Her Red Hair Rises with the Wings of Insects and the acclaimed trilogy, Pupa, The Red Element and Winterkill. Recent work has appeared in Poetry Daily, The Malahat Review, Crannóg Magazine (Ireland), Eyewear (UK), Descant Magazine, The Puritan, The Toronto Review of Books, Taddle Creek, The Rusty Toque and Room Magazine. Winner of an Excellence in Teaching Award, she teaches creative writing at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.
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!).
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)
Location: The Black Swan Tavern, second floor, north side of Danforth Ave., just east of Broadview subway station. (across from The Danforth Music Hall)
Poetry Sanctuary Orientation and Maps
James Dewar’s Poetry Sanctuary Outline
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Greet and settle in |
| 10:15 – 11:00 | Poetry Innovation Lesson |
| 11:00 – 11:40 | Silent Writing to prompts based on the lesson |
| 11:40 – 11:55 | Bio Break |
| 11:55 – 1:00 | Sharing the fresh poems together. Participants will indicate the form of feedback that they wish to receive, from reflections on the strengths of the poem, to analysis and suggestions for revision. |
| 1:00 – 1:45 | Delicious lunch (provided) |
| 1:45 – 2:00 | Additional prompts on the topic of the day |
| 2:00 – 4:00 | Silent writing and individual feedback sessions(All participants may send one poem in advance of the workshop to James for individual feedback. During the afternoon session, James will meet for 10 minutes with each participant who chooses this option, and discuss the strengths of the poem and make any recommendations that might make the poem stronger) |
| 4:00 – 5:00 – | Participants each share a one page poem with the group. This could be either a new poem written during the day of the retreat, or another poem further along in the revision process. |
If you want to google a map for instructions, the address they like is 13240 Mast Road, Scugog, Ontario L9L 1B5.
If you get lost, my cellphone number is 416-435-7372. Sue’s phone number is 905-985-8389 – but we’ve never lost anyone yet. At least, not for long!
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE 2 HOUSES ON THE DRIVEWAY.
OUR HOUSE IS THE SECOND HOUSE, ABOUT A HUNDRED YARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY FROM THE FIRST HOUSE.
Click here for a downloadable package of Uplands Directions and Local Maps
(Google map below the following instructions.)
For those coming from Uxbridge/Newmarket:
Get yourself to the intersection of Lakeridge Road (Durham Rd. 23) and Goodwood Sideroad (Line 21) and then continue east along the Goodwood SR as though going to Port Perry. A couple of hundred yards along, Mast Road turns off to the right (South). Follow Mast Road to the stop sign. Turn left. It’s the very first driveway on your right hand side, just past the bank of mailboxes. There are green gateposts and green lights on those gateposts. After about 50 yards the driveway curves to the left at the first house. Continue passed it for another 100 yards along our curving driveway until you see the large parking area around our house. Please park so you are not blocking the driveway.
For those coming from Port Perry & Places East:
Follow Hwy 7a out of Port Perry and when you get to Manchester continue straight along Goodwood Sideroad/Line 21 about 6 km. Turn left (south). Follow Mast Road to the stop sign. Turn left. It’s the very first driveway on your right hand side, just past the bank of mailboxes. There are green gateposts and green lights on those gateposts. After about 50 yards the driveway curves to the left at the first house. Continue passed it for another 100 yards along our curving driveway until you see the large parking area around our house. Please park so you are not blocking the driveway.
For those coming from Whitby/ Oshawa:
Up Highway 12 to Manchester (where 7a turns off east to go to Port Perry). You turn WEST and go approx. 6 km. to Mast Road (a small road on the left hand side running south off the Goodwood Sideroad). If you get to the lights at Lakeridge, you’ve gone too far). Follow Mast Road to the stop sign. Turn left. It’s the very first driveway on your right hand side, just past the bank of mailboxes. There are green gateposts and green lights on those gateposts. After about 50 yards the driveway curves to the left at the first house. Continue passed it for another 100 yards along our curving driveway until you see the large parking area around our house. Please park so you are not blocking the driveway.
Or, for those coming from Pickering/Ajax:
Up Lakeridge/23 to Line 21/Goodwood Sideroad. Turn right (east). Go about 500 meters to the bottom of the hill. Mast Road is on your right. Follow Mast Road to the stop sign. Turn left. It’s the very first driveway on your right hand side, just past the bank of mailboxes. There are green gateposts and green lights on those gateposts. After about 50 yards the driveway curves to the left at the first house. Continue passed it for another 100 yards along our curving driveway until you see the large parking area around our house. Please park so you are not blocking the driveway.
Next Inkslingers – December 12th! Kate Marshall-Flaherty is our 2nd part Host!
WRITE ● CRAFT ● READ
NEXT INKSLINGERS NIGHT: THURSDAY December 12, 2013
THIS WORKSHOP IS A FREE FORUM FOR WRITERS WHO WANT TO CREATE AND WORK ON POETRY IN A SUPPORTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE SETTING.
INKSLINGERS WRITE ● CRAFT ● READ is offered on the 2nd Thursday every month at the ever-gracious-to-poetry Black Swan Tavern – 2nd floor (on the Danforth near the Broadview subway station) in Toronto.
Inkslingers is delighted to announce December’s guest host for our Workshopping segment will be KATE MARSHALL FLAHERTY
Read more below.
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. Many poems and short stories written in exercises with Sue have gone on to literary publication and to win prizes in competitions. (Recently, a short story begun by a participant in Sue’s Sanctuary won the $1000 Amprosia prize and one of the participants in the Novel Approach course she taught with James just signed a 2 book deal with Simon and Schuster for the project she wrote in that course). 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.
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 7 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 are normally able to review 7 or 8 poems during this hour.
The Craft portion of the evening is facilitated by a guest facilitator. We’re delighted to announce that KATE MARSHALL FLAHERTY has agreed to come back and facilitate as our guest host for December.
Kate Marshall Flaherty says she has been one of InkSlingers biggest fans since way back! In fact, Piquant Press published her book “where we are going” in 2010. Her next book of poetry is coming out with Guernica Editions in spring of 2014. Katie’s poetry has been published in journals such as Descant, Grain, CV2, Freefall, and Vallum. She was short-listed for the Malahat Review Long Poem and Descant’s Best Canadian Poem, has been a Poet-in-the-schools as far away as Cobalt, and has “poemed” people in unsuspecting places for three years as part of National Random Acts of Poetry.
She is the mother of three spirited young adults, and lives in Toronto with her husband John, where she guides yoga/retreats/writing workshops. Poetry is her lifeline.
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)
Poetry Sanctuary Days with James Dewar
James Dewar is pleased to announce that starting in January, 2014, he will be leading a monthly poetry writing sanctuary at the Uplands Writing Retreat. This full day retreat will include a lesson on a specific aspect of the craft of poetry, provide writing prompts to inspire participants to explore these aspects, and provide lots of silent time for writing and/or revision.
Participants will also have the opportunity to share their work in group readings, and receive private feedback from James if they choose that option. The objectives are to learn something new about the craft of writing poetry, write new poems, work on revision and share poetry together in a welcoming and inclusive group setting.
Uplands is located in a beautiful, secluded valley on the Oak Ridges Moraine only twenty minutes north of Whitby, and less than an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto.
James Dewar is the publisher of Piquant Press and Stone’s Throw Publications. He has edited and published several books of poetry for both established and emerging talents, and co-edited many poetry anthologies. He has taught advanced creative writing at Durham College, and has been leading workshops on poetry writing and performance for several years. His poetry was published in The Garden in the Machine and many anthologies and literary journals. He has performed his poetry on CBC radio, Rogers TV and several university radio stations. He enjoys organizing and hosting his monthly poetry reading series in Toronto, Hot-Sauced Words, now in its eighth year, and co-leads, with Sue Reynolds, the Inkslingers monthly poetry workshop, also in Toronto.
He is a past president of the Writers’ Community of Durham Region.
James Dewar’s Poetry Sanctuary Outline
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Greet and settle in |
| 10:15 – 11:00 | Poetry Innovation Lesson |
| 11:00 – 11:40 | Silent Writing to prompts based on the lesson |
| 11:40 – 11:55 | Bio Break |
| 11:55 – 1:00 | Sharing the fresh poems together. Participants will indicate the form of feedback that they wish to receive, from reflections on the strengths of the poem, to analysis and suggestions for revision. |
| 1:00 – 1:45 | Delicious lunch (provided) |
| 1:45 – 2:00 | Additional prompts on the topic of the day |
| 2:00 – 4:00 | Silent writing and individual feedback sessions(All participants may send one poem in advance of the workshop to James for individual feedback. During the afternoon session, James will meet for 10 minutes with each participant who chooses this option, and discuss the strengths of the poem and make any recommendations that might make the poem stronger) |
| 4:00 – 5:00 – | Participants each share a one page poem with the group. This could be either a new poem written during the day of the retreat, or another poem further along in the revision process. Sharing work is never mandatory. Participants may pass on this aspect if they wish. |
COST: $80 per retreat (all taxes included)
Each retreat is limited to 9 participants
RETREAT DATES
Saturday, January 4th… FULLY BOOKED
Sunday, February 16th… FULLY BOOKED
Sunday, March 30th… FULLY BOOKED
Saturday, May 24th… FULLY BOOKED
Saturday, July 26th… FULLY BOOKED
Sunday, August 24th… FULLY BOOKED
Saturday, September 20th… FULLY BOOKED
Sunday, October 19th… ONE SPOT LEFT
Saturday, November 15th… THREE SPOTS LEFT
Sunday, December 14th
Click here to register.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
If I receive your cancellation notice up to five days in advance of the retreat, (for instance, if the retreat is on a Saturday, I must here from you by midnight on the previous Sunday) you may choose to apply your deposit to a future retreat or receive a refund (minus a $20 administration fee).If you cancel with less than five days notice, (in the example above, for instance, it would be anytime Monday or later) and your spot cannot be filled from a waiting list, no refund will be made. However, you are permitted to sell or gift your spot for that date to another poet, but I must be notified that you are doing this and given the contact information so I can contact the person and ask about any dietary restrictions etc.
NOTE: *If severe winter weather creates dangerous driving conditions, I will call all registered participants by telephone to advise that the workshop will not be held that day. I will also advise the rescheduled date.
INKSLINGERS – October 10th – Get Your Poetry On!
WRITE ● CRAFT ● READ
NEXT INKSLINGERS NIGHT: THURSDAY October 10th, 2013
Inkslingers is delighted to announce that this month’s guest host for our Workshopping segment will be Valentino Assenza! Read more below.
INKSLINGERS offers a poetry evening (2nd Thursday every month) at the ever-gracious-to-poetry Black Swan Tavern – 2nd floor. This evening is designed to get poets and aspiring poets all 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. Many poems and short stories written in exercises with Sue have gone on to literary publication and to win prizes in competitions. (Recently, a short story begun by a participant in Sue’s Sanctuary won the $1000 Amprosia prize and one of the participants in the Novel Approach course she taught with James just signed a 2 book deal with Simon and Schuster for the project she wrote in that course). 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.
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 7 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.
The Craft portion of the evening is facilitated by a guest facilitator. We’re delighted to announce that Valentino Assenza is our guest host for October.
Valentino Assenza has been writing and performing his poetry in Toronto for nearly two decades. He has four chapbooks of poetry, his latest entitled Make Our Peace With Rattlesnakes from LyricalMyrical Press. His individual pieces have appeared in various journals and literary magazines such as Descant, Mic Check: An Anthology Of Canadian Spoken Word Artists (Quattro Books), and Labour Of Love Magazine.
Valentino was a member of the Toronto Poetry Slam team in 2009 and 2010, performing in both the Canadian Festival Of Spoken Word, and the National Poetry Slam in the US. For six years Valentino ran his own poetry reading series Cryptic Chatter at the Renaissance Cafe on the Danforth. Valentino sits on the committees for both the Toronto Poetry Project, and the Art Bar Poetry reading series.
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)
INKSLINGERS – September 12th – Get Your Poetry On!
WRITE ● CRAFT ● READ
NEXT INKSLINGERS NIGHT: THURSDAY September 12th, 2013
Inkslingers is delighted to announce that this month’s guest host for our Workshopping segment will be Nichola (Nicki) Ward Read more below.
INKSLINGERS offers a poetry evening (2nd Thursday every month) at the ever-gracious-to-poetry Black Swan Tavern – 2nd floor. This evening is designed to get poets and aspiring poets all 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. Many poems and short stories written in exercises with Sue have gone on to literary publication and to win prizes in competitions. (Recently, a short story begun by a participant in Sue’s Sanctuary won the $1000 Amprosia prize and one of the participants in the Novel Approach course she taught with James just signed a 2 book deal with Simon and Schuster for the project she wrote in that course). 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.
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 7 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 are normally able to review 7 or 8 poems during this hour.
The Craft portion of the evening is facilitated by a guest facilitator. We’re delighted to announce that Nicki Ward has agreed to come back and facilitate as our guest host for September. Nicki is just fresh from the new mounting of her astonishing one-woman performance of Jackie’s Not A Real Girl.
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)
