Prairie Regional VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER June 2013

The PWAC Regional Volunteer Awards were born in 2005 and recognize the valuable contribution of members who volunteer for the organization in their regions. This year’s worthy recipient from the Prairie and the North Region was Calgary chapter president Andrea Tombrowski.

This was her nomination:

Andrea has been the president for the Calgary chapter of PWAC for the last two years. She has demonstrated, during this timeframe, responsibility, initiative and creativity in fulfilling this role. She organizes and chairs regular meetings for chapter members and has invited interesting guests to these working groups, such as editor Jennifer Hamilton of Avenue and editor Terry Bullick of Apple. Chapter membership has grown under her “reign” and has been more active than ever. She works well with other writers’ groups such as the Calgary Association of Freelance Editors (CAFE) and the Writers Guild of Alberta, passing along important information from said groups and encouraging joint meetings. She contributes to PWAC policy discussions and list-serve discussions, she has attended regional conferences and has facilitated action on the regional blog. Andrea juggles these daunting duties while trying to get a documentary produced and raising two young children with her husband, and all the while maintains a sense of humour. Chapter members could learn from her dedication to her craft and her community.

This was Andrea’s response to winning the award: 

"It's thrilling to have received this award. I am honoured that I was considered for this recognition and am humbled by what it represents. I'd like to say that there are numerous opportunities for members to be involved in PWAC. And I am inspired by those persons who contribute their time, energy, talents and passion to this invaluable organization. The rewards of getting involved are abundant and can be - as in the case of receiving this award - delightfully surprising."

Let’s give a “shout out” to the winners from all the regions. Giving buckets of time to PWAC this way is truly appreciated and makes the writing world a better place.

Colleen Biondi
PWAC Calgary Chapter

Looking for freelance writing work is not for sissies ...

by Colleen Biondi

PWAC Calgary Chapter

Looking for work is not for sissies.

It sounds pretty basic. Email editors to let them know you are available for projects and they will give you work. But what if we don’t hear back (and, in my experience, that is happening more and more – editors are busy apparently), then what should we do? As professional freelance writers, we can’t afford to sit back and wait for work to come our way. We could be waiting till the cows come home.

Do we call them by phone or do we send them a reminder email (as in, “I am following up on my email of last week.”) or another type of message (as in, “Since I haven’t heard back I will assume you are not in need of my services at this time.”)?

Freelance writing skills now include finessing the situation so that responsible follow up does not turn into quasi-stalking. My rule of thumb is to send a reminder email, followed finally and if necessary, by a message like that last one. I cannot tell you how many times, when I have said “Looks like you don’t need anything,” I have heard back from folks. Ironically, when I say something like, “I know you are busy, so no need to reply if you have nothing at this time. I will connect with you in a few months to see if anything has changed,” people tend to reply.

Follow up often bears fruit. The other day, an editor replied to say, “Thanks for getting back. I did get your follow up message and I apologize for not getting back to you faster.” Another said, “I was waiting to have my editorial meeting, so didn’t get back to you before now. I’d like to assign you a story and consider you for another in our fall issue.” Further to querying a national magazine, a follow-up phone call resulted in – nada. Well, you can’t win them all.

But when we follow up respectfully and in a timely fashion, at the very least we are, albeit briefly, front and centre in that editor’s mind. We have also demonstrated how we would approach a freelance assignment – with professionalism. And, of course, we might even get work out of it.

Would love to hear thoughts from my fellow writers. What do you do to keep that dialogue going? And if there are editors reading, do you have some comments about my approach or other viable suggestions about how to keep the work chugging along?

Guest Blog on Non-Fiction Conference in Banff ...

The Creative Non-Fiction Collective Annual Conference,

Banff, April 26 – 28, 2013

By Anne Gafiuk

PWAC, Calgary Chapter

The CNFC Annual Conference was held at the Banff Centre this past weekend.  Approximately fifty delegates came together to participate in workshops, readings, a plenary session, to hear a guest speaker, do some networking, learning, experience camaraderie and enjoy good food!  Some people came all the way from Halifax and Nanaimo, plus many places in-between, including numerous writers from Alberta.

Six months ago, I was invited to join the CNFC by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail, an author based in Edmonton I have gotten to know over the last eighteen months because of our common interest in the history of aviation. 

Not knowing what to expect, but filled with anticipation, I signed up for the conference.  Two workshops were offered simultaneously in the morning:  “Ownership:  Stories and Lies” given by Tyler Trafford and Kate Braid, moderated by Myrna Kostash, and “Writing History into Your Work” by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail. 

Attending Danielle’s session, I met other writers and people interested in pursuing writing and history.  We all shared what areas we were interested in and what tools we would need to accomplish our goals.  I came away with more ideas and was also able to contribute a few, too.  Before we knew it, our ninety minutes was over!  We were so engaged; we all agreed we could have stayed together until noon. 

The delegates had a break for refreshments then gathered for the plenary session featuring three people who discussed marketing, promotion and publicity of one’s work, the changes in the publishing ‘landscape’, technology, and readership trends.  A few new platforms were discovered, including Boulderpavement.ca.

                                                 

Books written by members of the CNFC were on tables against the wall, available for purchase.

Then it was time for a delicious lunch, involving more discussion and networking, finding out about other writers and their projects.  It seemed time had flown by; we had to return to our afternoon workshops.  Two more choices were offered:  “Stories from the Road:  Travel Writing”, by Marcello Di Cintio and Glenn Dixon, moderated by Cathy Ostlere, and “Perspiration Leads to Inspiration” by Lynne Bowen.  I chose the second session.  Again, sharing of ideas and how to organize research occurred. 

Another refreshment break....yum!  Then to the Keynote Address by Karen Connelly, entitled:  “New Instrument, Another Music:  Moving from Fiction and Poetry to CNF.”  I had heard of Karen’s work, but have not read it, so to hear this famous Canadian writer speak, then read some of her poetry and prose was very enlightening.

The CNFC conference was excellent.  And a great deal.  For $73.50, I attended two sessions, the two general sessions, including all refreshments, a very extensive buffet lunch, and parking, too!  It was an easy drive up and back from Calgary!

The CNFC will be celebrating their tenth anniversary in 2014.  I highly recommend their next conference.  I look forward to joining them again.

Guest Blog on upcoming Edmonton Event, Words in 3 Dimensions ...

by Rusti Lehay 

It might have been me with a book deal …

I well remember Cynthia Dusseault, head of Pitch Camp at the Get Publishing Communications Society (GPCS) “At the Edge of Print” 2011 conference, ask me, “Do you want to take a Pitch Camp slot with Rose Scollard from Frontenac House? I chose to set aside my poetic aspirations and instead pitched to Darren Boisvert, editor of community newspaper the Rat Creek Press. Deborah Lawson, a fellow PWAC member, took the slot with Rose Scollard and landed a contract with Frontenac House.

Although it may have been a missed opportunity, I also believe all things are meant to be. I now live in Darren Boisvert’s editorial community for the Rat Creek Press. He offers incredible mentoring, editorial guidance, thorough feedback and respectful editing for writers open to the process. He is super appreciative of professional writers and offers whatever he can to compensate for … yes … low pay. Generous with his praise, he says, “You have wicked interviewing skills. You spend six months with us, and I promise, you will be able to freelance to any newspaper in Canada.” Priceless. Best editor relationship I have ever enjoyed and I owe it to Pitch Camp at the GPCS conference.

I am having a blast writing a feature article a month and doing the monthly restaurant review. We call my reviews the Food Quest. The first quest was for great pub food and the best poutine. The second quest was to learn about Ethiopian food with Edmonton’s Habesha the unknowing teacher. More than fun, the quest is proving to be quite edible.

The best part? The Rat Creek Press and Boisvert gave me my first shot at an article that mattered and free reign to present the issue as I saw fit. It felt like the first time I wrote something of import. My article on Idle No More made the front page in March.

So while it might have been me signing a poetry book deal with Frontenac House, I am thrilled it is Deborah Lawson. I have long admired her poetry and will be first in line to buy her book when it comes out.

This year’s GPCS conference on May 24-26^th is a three-way collaboration, thus the “Words in 3D” theme. GPCS is partnering with the Writers’ Guild of Alberta and the Editors’ Association of Canada-Prairie Provinces Branch to host Words in 3 Dimensions. There are a number of PWAC members on the organizing committee including Deborah Lawson, Cynthia Dusseault and me.

What a conference it is going to be! Registration is rapidly filling up so register soon. We will see you there!

Volunteering Can be Great for Your Spirit ...

Volunteering Can be Great for Your Spirit, Your Resume, and for Our Association   by Doreen Pendgracs, PWAC Vice President

Greetings to all my PWAC friends from across the region. PWAC RD Prairies and the North, Michelle Greysen, has been kind enough to ask me to write a post for this blog for two reasons:

1) I have been a long-time volunteer for PWAC—in the Manitoba chapter as membership chair and on the national conference committee in both 1998 and in 2008, as regional director from 1999-2003, as PWAC’s rep on the Access Copyright from 2003-2009, and then as your national vice-president 2011-2013.

2) I wrote a book about volunteerism—“Before You Say Yes: A Guide to the Pleasure and Pitfalls of Volunteer Boards” and over the past 30 years, have served on a number of boards in various capacities.

I have chosen to step down from PWAC’s national board in June (and not run for president) as I have considerable demands on my time right now that will take the majority of my time and efforts. My new book, “Chocolatour: A Quest for theWorld’s Best Chocolate” has become a series of books that will take my time and focus from here to eternity.

All kidding aside, when I embarked on the research for this book in the fall of 2009, I had no idea it would morph into such a major project and would take over my life. It has taken me six months longer than anticipated to write the book (I’m almost finished the first edition) and then I must turn my efforts to the printing and promotion of the book to the world at large. I have already begun writing parts of the 2^nd edition and eventually, there will be a third. I believe it was PWAC member Ann Douglas who said she considers each of her books to be a deposit into her RRSP, and I can really relate to that. Chocolatour has taken a huge amount of my time and effort, but I am hopeful that will pay off in a positive response to the book and brisk sales to provide me with some financial security for the years to come.

Have you considered volunteering for PWAC? Whether you choose to serve on a national committee, run for the national board, or serve your own chapter … each role is extremely important and critical to the success of our association. A non-profit association—be it a professional association such as PWAC, a community, special interest, or religious group—none can be successful without the untiring efforts of its volunteers.

We at PWAC are fortunate to have volunteers who have and will step up to the plate to ensure that PWAC continues to serve us well. Congrats to Michelle Greysen, who has served us well as Prairies & the North RD and has now agreed to run for national president. I am pleased to be one of Michelle’s nominators and am confident that she will do an excellent job.

I’m also thrilled to see that Marie Powell has agreed to let her name stand for the position of RD. I have known Marie since she joined PWAC and have seen her dedication to our association grow and help form a strong Saskatchewan chapter for PWAC. I know that Marie will do an excellent job in serving as RD if she is elected by our region.

You will have received the bulletin from the national office today asking for nominations to the national board. If you feel you would like to run, let nothing stop you. It would be great to have an election for all positions versus having an individual acclaimed. We have so many talented and insightful members across the Prairies and the North.  Let PWAC help you shine your light and develop skills you may not otherwise have found.

But know that volunteering for your own chapter or serving on a committee is equally important. I hope that each chapter is beginning to think about electing a new executive to take the helm come June. New people bring new ideas and a renewed enthusiasm for our great association. Please help make PWAC strong by giving your time and energy to helping us move forward in achieving our collective goals.

Thanks for the opportunity to have served you over the past two years on the national board. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Toronto June (4-7) for PWAC@MagNet 2013 and look forward to leading a toast to our new president.

Most sincerely,

DoreenPendgracs           

Harnessing the Power of the Web: The Adventures in Parenthood Project

Guest Blog by Meghan J. Ward, PWAC Calgary / Banff

Living in the Canadian Rockies where outdoor enthusiasts abound, the subject of how to pursue adventures with small children is common. As an outdoor adventure writer I often find myself at the centre of these discussions. Many outdoor enthusiasts struggle to brave the changes that would result from starting a family, fearing it would negatively affect his or her adventure-filled lifestyle.

"We announced our transition to parenthood with a photo
at the top of the Bear's Hump,
Waterton Lakes National Park" (photographer Paul Zizka Photography). 

Being one such adventurer, I was eager to dig into the topic and dedicate a large writing project to it (which I hope will someday become material for my first book).
So, back in May 2012 I started The Adventures in Parenthood Project and launched a website to support my research.

My intention with the project was to cover the spectrum of adventurers – from professional risk-takers to the people who quietly go about their outdoor activities – in order to discover what it means for these kinds of people to transition to parenthood.

Since that time I have interviewed over a dozen outdoor adventurers, conducted a survey with 442 respondents and had the opportunity to write some memoir components – all of which I have begun unpacking somewhat on the project’s blog. In September I announced that my husband and I were expecting a baby in March, which has brought the project’s topic even closer to home.

I have been blogging for many years, but not about very personal issues. However, the challenge of writing memoir components for the project has allowed me to dig into the material through my own experience and leave a record that I will be able to look back on. The process of writing some of these posts, including How (Not) to Cross a Glacier in a Thunderstorm While You’re Pregnant and The Ultimate Alpine Start, has given me the opportunity to work through some of my own feelings on the topic, and in some cases has opened up a lot of discussion through the website’s comments feature. All of this material, including the interviews, survey results, blog posts and comments, will be invaluable to me when it comes time to write the book.

By putting The Adventures in Parenthood Project online I have opened it up to a much wider community. This has allowed me to benefit from new connections with other outdoorsy parents, and to network with new sources, ideas and websites, many of which I have now compiled in a list of Resources for readers. My ability to leverage all of my social media streams has been key to successful community building. 

I highly encourage other PWAC members to consider using the web as a platform for research ideas. You can never know what kinds of doors will open to you until you put your ideas out there. Finally, when it comes time to release your next book or publication, you will have already created a community that is eager to read and support your work.

I invite you to check out The Adventures in Parenthood and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter (@yaheweha), Google + and LinkedIn. My hub for all things freelance is meghanjoyward.com. 

Antigonish Review Writing CONTEST ...

Thanks to Sask Chapter member Marie Powell for sharing this message sent to her from ...

Bonnie McIsaac
Office Manager, The Antigonish Review

GREAT BLUE HERON POETRY CONTEST
&
SHELDON CURRIE FICTION PRIZE
$2,400 in Prizes!

Sheldon Currie Fiction Prize: Stories on any subject. Total entry not to
exceed 20 pages.

Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest: Poems on any subject. Total entry not to
exceed 4 pages. Maximum150 lines. Entries might be one longer poem, or
several shorter poems.

Deadlines: Fiction entries must be postmarked by May 31, 2013 and
Poetry must be postmarked by June 30, 2013

For complete submission guidelines, please go to
www.antigonishreview.com and click on contest.