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 snack.
The 2008 monthly gatherings for the East End Writers' Group are:
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Guest Speakers
Some Wednesday evening meetings feature guest speakers before the break. Recent guest speakers include: Michael Carroll, Publishers with Dundurn Press; Nate Hendley, non-fiction articles and book author (Motivation for Non-Fiction Writers); Paul Sanderson, poet and photographer; Bill Belfontaine, publisher end editor, White Knight Books; Tina Tsallas, literary agent; Rosemary Aubert, mystery novelist and workshop instructor; Cynthia Gould, performance poet, and Stacey May Fowles from Descant Magazine.
One-day Saturday Workshops
Held in the spring and early fall. Workshops run between 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. We've had workshops on Writing Novels, Fictional Character Development, Interviewing Techniques, Creativity and Marketing, and How to be Your Own Editor and Create a Better Story. Fee depends on instructor's fee.
Saturday Workshops Coming up in Spring 2008:
Double Workshop Coming up in April -
Ideas to Interviews: two-in-one workshop for Freelance Writers
Query Letters that Sell: How to develop and sell article ideas to newspaper and magazine editors. Before you can sell article ideas to editors, you have to develop them. Once you develop them, you have to write a picture-perfect Query Letter that demonstrates your ability to write and connects the idea with the publication you are pitching. This interactive workshop will help you develop interesting article ideas and then will focus on how to use electronic query letters to sell your ideas to the right editors at the right publications. Includes the “Yes Checklist” – what to do when an editor says “yes” to your Query letter.
Instructor: Paul Lima (www.paullima.com) has been a professional writer for over 25 years and has been freelancing for some of Canada’s major newspapers, magazines and online publications for over 15 years. He is also the author of Business of Freelance Writing: How to Develop Article Ideas and Sell Them to Newspapers and Magazines – www.paullima.com/books. He is a member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). Email: info@paullima.com.
Not the Inquisition: Interviewing Techniques 101: Do your interview subjects clam up when you ask them questions? Do they go off on tangents? Do they seem evasive? Or do they refuse to grant you an interview? This interactive workshop will cover finding interview subjects, nailing them for interviews, the techniques of interviewing in person, by phone and by e-mail, interview follow-ups and tips for pulling out your story’s lead from the interview. Workshop will also include interviewing dilemmas such as on/off the record and subjects manipulating interviews.
Instructor: Sharon Crawford (www.samcraw.com) has over 25 years experience freelancing stories for periodicals including the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Toronto Life, Optical Prism, Centre of the City, CheckUP magazine and CBC.ca. She specializes in people profiles and feature articles in healthcare, the arts, gardening, small business and the environment. She belongs to the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), is a freelance book editor and the founder of the East End Writers’ Group. Email: samcraw@interlog.com.Writers Association
Date: Saturday April 26, 2008
Time: 9:30 am – 4:15 pm
Place: O'Connor Drive and St. Clair Ave. E. area (east end of Toronto; address and directions will be provided with confirmation; free parking; TTC accessible)
Price: $125 (general public); $95 (PWAC, CAA and East End Writers’ Group members)
How to pay: Online using credit card (through PayPal, see http://www.paullima.com/workshops/) or by cheque (mail – email info@paullima.com for the mailing address)
Memoir Workshop Coming Up in May
Your Life, Your Stories: Memoir Writing – Personal experiences are often the starting point for powerful writing, whether your focus is memoirs (short or book-length), or creative nonfiction or fiction. We’ll explore reasons for writing memoir – for yourself, your family or a wider audience – as well as how to jog your memory, organize stories, energize writing, and (for longer works) develop a structure. And we’ll examine thorny issues such as “emotional truth” in memoir writing. Perhaps you’re wondering how to get started (you’re never too young to write about your life!), or have begun and are now struggling with where to go from here. Whatever your stage, you’ll benefit from this workshop’s handy tips, stimulating exercises and lively discussion. Also worthwhile if you’re helping someone else record their life stories, and for scrapbookers, photographers and genealogy buffs looking to add personal narrative to their creative projects.
Instructor: Allyson Latta (www.daysroadwriters.blogspot.com) has been a journalist, film reviewer, magazine editor, freelance writer, ESL instructor, and, for the past twelve years, an independent editor of award-winning fiction and nonfiction books. She has taught memoir writing online and through live workshops for Ryerson University’s Senior Centre, the Toronto Reference Library and other libraries in the GTA, and independent writers groups, as well as through Days Road Writers’ Workshops. Check out her interview with author Richard Scrimger at www.scrimger.ca/interviews.htm and for further info on workshop content e-mail Allyson at lattamemoirs@gmail.com
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: O’Connor Drive and St. Clair Avenue E. (east end of Toronto; address and directions will be provided with confirmation; free parking; TTC accessible)
Registration fee: $75 payable by cheque (pre-registraton required with payment in full; non-refundable). E-mail Sharon Crawford samcraw@interlog.com to register. Mailing address for cheque will be provided upon registration. Make cheque payable to Allyson Latta.
Other details: Bring or buy lunch (fast food places a few minutes’ walk away). Refreshments will be provided.
Crafting the Short Story Workshop in June
Crafting the Short Story: What makes a good short story? Plot? Character? Or both? Whose point of view do you use? Do you need dialogue or will narrative only work? What about setting? Style? Voice? Length? Beginning? Learn how to blend these ingredients to write a short story that sparkles. In this hands-on workshop, participants will take a story idea and follow it through with practical writing exercises. You won’t have a complete short story, but you will have the basic techniques and the inspiration to write one. We will also discuss writing contests and other markets.
Instructor: Sharon Crawford (www.samcraw.com) was Writer in Residence (2001-2003) for the Canadian Authors Association Toronto Branch and runs the East End Writers’ Group. She has 17 years experience as a freelance editor and over 25 years experience freelancing stories for periodicals including the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Toronto Life, Optical Prism, Centre of the City, CheckUP magazine and CBC.ca. Sharon also has had short stories published in the Wordscape anthologies, and edited many short stories. One of her editing clients came in third in the Toronto Short Story Contest in 2007. She belongs to the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), Crime Writers of Canada and the Editors’ Association of Canada and runs the East End Writers’ Group. Email: samcraw@interlog.com.
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2008
Time: 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: O’Connor Drive and St. Clair Avenue E. (east end of Toronto; address and directions will be provided with confirmation; free parking; TTC accessible)
Registration fee: $75 payable by cheque (pre-registraton required with payment in full; non-refundable). E-mail Sharon Crawford samcraw@interlog.com to register. Mailing address for cheque will be provided upon registration. Make cheque payable to Sharon Crawford.
Other details: Bring or buy lunch (fast food places a few minutes’ walk away). Refreshments will be provided.
We also run an E-mail Critique Group for evaluating longer pieces (not War and Peace, but a full short story, essay, article or book chapter). For information, e-mail samcraw@interlog.com
For more information on the East End Writers' Group contact:
Sharon Crawford
Writer/Editor/Instructor
1-416-750-0860