Teresa Petrie photo
East End Writers' Group 10th Anniversary October 2010 roaring success
We read; we ate; we reconnected, and met some new people. But most of all we had fun,especially the eight of us who walked or drove to a nearby pub for more food, drinks and lots of stimulating conversation. Thanks to the 35 to 40 people who came out to our anniversary celebration at S. Walter Stewart Public Library branch in Toronto on October 27, 2010. And a special thanks to our 11 readers who shared their creative writing including novel and novella excerpts, short stories, opinion pieces, personal essays, memoir, and even an interview with a novelist's main character.
Our readers:
John Jansen in De Wal
Yvonne Blackwood
Gail Murray
Tom Taylor
Lai Ping Lee (Apple)
Steve Porter
Mehdi Rizv
John Lyon
Fran Lambert
Shane Joseph
Sharon Crawford
Maybe we'll do it again in five, instead of waiting for 10.
The East End Writers’ Group has met monthly in the east end of Toronto, Ontario, Canada since September 2000. The Group presents critique meetings, guest speakers, workshops, e-mail critiques and hard-copy critiques.
Writing Critique Evenings
Meets 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. usually the last Wednesday of the month from September to November and January to June, for constructive criticism of short stories, novels, plays, screenplays, poetry, personal essays, articles, etc. You get up to 10 minutes to read, but you can also just listen and give constructive criticism of others’ writing. Bring copies of your story so everyone can have a copy and bring pen and paper to take notes. We also discuss markets and writing techniques, and do “show and sell” for members who have recently published books. Break midway to snack and network. New members welcome. Free. Just bring a wheat-free snack.
Critique Gatherings Schedule for 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
(Please note: one week earlier because Sharon A. is reading from Beyond the Tripping Point April 24, 2013 at Albert Campbell Branch of the Toronto Public Library)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Guest speaker Jeanne VanBronkhorst reading from and talking about her recently published book Premonitions in Daily Life. Book copies for sale. After the networking snack break, will be the usual critique of works in progress.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Break for summer
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 (We will be celebrating our 13th anniversary at the S. Walter Stewart Library Branch. More details soon)
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Break for Christmas
We meet in the O'Connor Dr. and St. Clair Ave. E. area of Toronto. For location, e-mail words@samcraw.com
Guest Speakers General Information
Some Wednesday evening meetings feature guest speakers before the break. Recent guest speakers include: Michael Carroll, former Publisher with Dundurn Press; Nate Hendley, non-fiction articles and book author (Motivation for Non-Fiction Writers); Paul Sanderson, poet and photographer; Tina Tsallas, literary agent; Rosemary Aubert, mystery novelist and workshop instructor; Cynthia Gould, performance poet; Shane Joseph, novelist and short story author (Fringe Dwellers), Stacey May Fowles from Descant Magazine, Andrew Borkowsk -winner of the 2012 Toronto Book Award for Copernicus Avenue, and Steven Biggs - co-author of No Guff Vegetable Gardening.
One-day Saturday Workshops
Held in the spring and early fall and sometimes in the middle of winter. Workshops run between 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. We've had workshops on Writing Novels, Fictional Character Development, Interviewing Techniques, Finding Story Ideas and Querying Publication Editors, Creativity, Marketing, How to Get Published, Crafting the Short Story, Memoir Writing, and How to be Your Own Editor and Create a Better Story. Fee depends on instructor's fee.
The East End Writers’ Group presents...
Creating Plot and Characters with Heart, Soul and Principles
Saturday, April 13, 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What comes first – the plot or the characters and how do you incorporate them into your fiction? And if you have a social issue or a personal belief as part of your story, how do you include them without preaching? Will humour work or is it all seriousness? Whether you write thrillers or literary fiction, in this day-long workshop, Sharon A. Crawford will show you how the above (plot, character and the author’s voice) can work together to get your message across and keep your readers interested in your story and characters. Workshop will consist of some lecture and discussion using stories from Sharon A. Crawford’s collection Beyond the Tripping Point as well as writing exercises so participants can get practice with their own stories. Questions will be welcome.
There will be two short breaks plus an hour for lunch. Sharon A. will supply coffee, tea, juice and snacks, but participants can either bring their own lunch (refrigerator and microwave will be available) or go to the local Harvey’s, Pizza Pizza, etc. for lunch.
Fee: $75. including copy of Beyond the Tripping Point. If you have a copy already fee is $55. payable by cheque or cash to Sharon Crawford. Preregister by emailing Sharon A. Crawford at words@samcraw.com
No refunds unless the workshop is cancelled. More information, email words@samcraw.com
Location: St. Clair/O’Connor Drive area of Toronto. Parking available and TTC stops are close by. For exact location, email words@samcraw.com
For more information on the East End Writers' Group contact:
Sharon Crawford
Writer/Editor/Instructor
1-416-750-0860