AMPA Goes to the Edge of Print

This past weekend I loaded up my wee Yaris with boxes of member magazines, and hit the road (literally, that poor bumper was weighed-down) for At the Edge of Print, the 2011 Get Publishing Conference at Grant MacEwan University.

This was my first time at the bi-annual conference, which this year reached a record 100-plus participants. It was also my chance to meet more of our Edmonton members, interact with the larger publishing community, and ultimately get the word out about Alberta's magazines.

The Friday night keynote address connected our Edmonton audience via live video-conference (a brave a/v feat that went off without a hitch) with Andrew Steeves in Nova Scotia, the founder, owner, publisher, printer, editor (you name it, he does it, and it's all self-taught) of Gaspereau Press.

I missed the Saturday keynote, Minister Faust, to set up AMPA's tradeshow booth, but I hear it was a hit. And so was our booth! Writers, editors, publishers and students crowded to get their hands on the free samples of Alberta magazines, and to pick up their colourful AMPA swag (many compliments on our branding, courtesy of Gillian Bishop):

I started off my professional developing for the day by attending the AMPA-sponsored "Tales from the Blogosphere: Passions, Politics, and Profit" with panelists Dave Cournoyer (daveberta.ca), Jennifer Cockrall-King (foodgirl.ca) and Kathryn Burke (LDExperience.ca). Each panelist shared their unique blogging stories, and you can read the highlights on twitter (through @albertamags and/or #GPEdge).

I was also keen to hear from Joyce Byrne (@joyce_byrne), associate publisher of Venture Publishing Inc. (think Alberta Oil and Alberta Venture, amongst many others) with her session "Shifting Gears: New Trends in Magazine Publishing." Here are a few of her many quotable tips for writers (with my own comments included, of course!):

• Many editors no longer read the resume with your pitch, they just Google you (LinkedIn and blogs are the new resume)
• As a writer, breadth can be as important as your ability to write in different styles (specialization is so 1990)
• No Dumping Online: take care with your online writing, ensure that it's well-groomed & edited

Never fear, however, you aren't dependent on me to glean the gems from this presentation, since Joyce has kindly posted her presentation for you to read in all it's glory: http://portal.sliderocket.com/ARCJX/My-Presentation-1

The evening ended with a banquet and entertainment, as all evenings should, to cap off a great event. Kudos to the Get Publishing Communications Society, and the many volunteers who helped pull off this year's conference!

--- Rebecca Lesser
AMPA Communications & Programs Coordinator

Next Friday, Stephen Osborne of Geist fame, will be in Calgary to run a seminar about publishing models for cultural magazines.  

Geist has long established itself as one of the most successful independent cultural mags in Canada with Stephen at its helm. No doubt he’ll impart sage advice for managing and circulating cultural mags, not to mention paying the bills and negotiating those ever-challenging grant applications. He always doles out good info (think Alberta Magazines Conference 2009; remember his lovely blog post about the event?), but how can Alberta cultural mags best apply this knowledge? 

Methinks the session is already full so for those lucky folks already registered, please share Stephen’s jewels of wisdom with the rest of us and tell us how you plan to employ Stephen’s tactics at your mag.

---Colleen Seto
AMPA Blogger-in-Residence

Symposium - Secure Footing in a Changing Literary Landscape

This full-day event, sponsored by the Writers’ Union of Canada and Canadian Heritage, is designed to address the creative and financial questions that arise as writers navigate print-based and digital literary landscapes. Writers – unpublished, emerging, or established – will gain an insight into their role in the digitalization of the literary industry. The symposium also explores the importance of community and the need for writers to develop their own writing community.

Authors Betsy Warland and Ross Laird will illuminate the new landscape of digital literature and publishing and will discuss its impact on traditional modes of creation and publishing. A particular emphasis will be placed on emerging modes of creativity, innovation, economics, and community. Kelly Duffin, the Union’s executive director, will discuss authors’ contracts in the digital age.

The Calgary symposium (events will be held across the country) is March 9, 2011 at the University of Calgary, Olympic Volunteer Center, 1833 Crowchild Trail NW.

For full details, and to register, visit www.writersunion.ca/ww_prodevelopment.asp

Get Publishing 2011: At the Edge of Print

May 6 and  7, 2011

Get Publishing 2011: At the Edge of Print connects writers with editors and publishers to explore the outer limits of the written word. Registration is now open for this essential conference to get your passions into print and beyond. This year, the Get Publishing Communications Society takes you to The Edge of Print so you can keep pace with the shifting landscape of publishing in Canada — from magazines to books, from page to screen.

Pitch your ideas to a publisher. Draw inspiration from our keynote speakers. Attend the panels, browse the marketplace, don your thinking caps at the writers' circus. Join Get Publishing May 6 and 7, 2011, at the Robbins Health Learning Centre, Grant MacEwan University—and go where no pen has gone before.

This year's presenters, panels, and workshops include:

• keynote speaker Minister Faust, the award-winning novelist and radio broadcaster
• Sarah Ivany, managing editor of Freehand Books (“The Big E Made Easy,” panel)
• co-writer of the comic book Cowboys and Aliens, Andrew Foley (“Pop Culture Confidential,” panel)
• Jennifer Cockrall-King, author, magazine features writer, and foodgirl blogger (“Tales From the Blogosphere,” panel)
• Rose Scollard, Frontenac House (“21st-Century Publishing,” panel)
• food, travel, and memoir writer Judy Schultz ("The Multi-Niche Writer," workshop)
• "Shifting Gears: New Trends in Magazine Publishing"

To register, visit www.getpublishing.ca/edge

City of Edmonton Book Prize Increased to $10,000!

It is a momentous day for Edmonton’s literary community as the Writers Guild of Alberta and the City of Edmonton proudly announce an award increase for the 2011 City of Edmonton Book Prize. With sponsorship from the Edmonton Arts Council and Audreys Books the $2000 prize has now been increased to $10,000, making it one of the largest city book prizes in Canada.

This marks a significant achievement in Edmonton’s 10-year cultural plan, The Art of Living, which aimed to increase the size and profile of the book prize, making it comparable with other major city book prizes. You can access the The Art of Living by visiting the publication section of the Edmonton Arts Council’s website (www.edmontonarts.ca).

For more details, visit:

http://www.albertamagazines.com/news_and_events/news.php#EdmPrize

Hope You Like Slammin’ Too

We knew that magazine editors were a diverse and talented bunch—but imagine trying to fit Associate Editor/Writer/Children’s Book Author/Champion Story Slammer on your business card. We recently discovered the many talents of Omar Mouallem, associate editor of Avenue Edmonton, and were particularly intrigued by this “slamming” thing (more on the children’s book and rapping later). You may have heard of it: brave souls test their five-minute stories in front of a lively crowd and a panel of judges.

 

The upcoming Edmonton Story Slam, December 15^th at the Haven Social Club, will be the last of the year leading up to the SLAM OFF! finals February 16, 2011. We asked Omar to enlighten us on the art of slamming, and how it relates to his career in the magazine industry:

MagaScene: How did you become involved in Story Slam?

Omar Mouallem: I just showed up at the Haven Social Club and signed up, put five dollars in a hat, told a story, walked away with a wad of cash. Sure beats the editorial process of pitching, revising and waiting until publication for payment.

MS: Could you offer further insight on what takes place at a Slam?

If you've ever listened to The Moth podcast or radio hour, it's quite similar. It honours traditional, oral storytelling. No props are allowed and the only other rules are it can't be plagiarized or previously published, and it has to be under 5 minutes or you'll lose points from the judges, who are selected randomly from the crowd. The stories can be fiction, non-fiction or a little bit of both. Sometimes there's a theme, like when the society partners with a festival or publication, but mostly it's a medley of genres and personalities.

There are two story slam clubs, Edmonton Story Slam, every third Wednesday of the month at the Haven Social Club, and Blue Chair Slam, every second Wednesday of the month at the Blue Chair Cafe.

MS: How has your writing/editing career benefited from slamming? In other words, do you find similarities between magazine writing/editing and slamming?

I think the strongest stories, not just on stage but in print, are the ones written for the ear. The ones with good rhythm and cadence, and only use pronounceable words. Story slam forces you to do that, if you want to get the best reaction from your audience. I've learned to love simple oral techniques like alliteration in my writing again. It's also taught me to be more relentlessly sacrificial with my writing in an attempt to get a story down to 5 minutes or less, which is about 800 words, depending on how fast you can tell a story.

Omar Mouallem is the special guest host at the upcoming story slam. You’ll also find for sale at the event copies of his new book Q Without U, a juxtaposition of children's literature with playful illustrations by Josh Holinaty and a storyline intended to improve kids' vocabularies. Oddly enough, inside the book you’ll find the unique code to Omar’s downloadable rap album of the same title, but not intended for kids at all. Intrigued? Learn more at http://vueweekly.com/music/story/do_it_for_love/. 

--- Rebecca Lesser
AMPA Communications & Programs Coordinator

November SLAM! Mavericks Celebration and B-House Launch

Thursday, November 25, 2010 -- 8:00 PM -- $5
Auburn Saloon, #163, 115-9^th Ave S, Calgary
Hosts: Kirk Ramdath & Jen Kunlire

In partnership with the Calgary Public Library, the Calgary Spoken Word Festival is pleased to celebrate the “Mavericks” (Aritha van Herk’s book Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta) and will present a Wild, Wild West Maverick-themed poetry SLAM!

The SLAM! will feature Paul Marshall as this month’s Sacrificial Poet. For those who do not wish to Slam!, there will also be an Open Mic. So come down, strut your stuff and showcase your work. All styles are welcome.

B-House Publications, Calgary’s “Maverick” publisher, will also launch their latest book of poetry, Lessons in Falling, by T. B. Perry. In his unflinching poems, Perry presents a no-holds barred glimpse at the working life of a contemporary teacher, based on his experiences as a teacher at a Calgary junior high school. He was also captain of the 2010 Calgary Slam! Team that competed in Ottawa in the 2010 Nationals. The launch aspect will be hosted by Eugene Stickland, B-House’s editor-in-chief and playwright. http://tbperry.com/

For more information about SLAM!, visit: http://www.calgaryspokenwordfestival.com/SLAM/slam.html

Calling All Grammar Lovers

Make sure you mark a big “G” on your calendar for the evening of November 3, 2010. The Editors’ Association of Canada and the Writers Guild of Alberta (WGA) present Grammar Gals Extravaganza, a night of linguistic information and fun with Edmonton’s Karen Virag and Virginia Durksen:

The WGA teamed up with the Editors’ Association of Canada (Prairie Provinces Branch) to present a Grammar Gals Extravaganza with Edmonton’s own Karen Virag and Virginia Durksen, who have been regular guests on CBC Radio’s Alberta at Noon and Blue Sky call-in shows. Karen dons the prescriptive hat; Virginia the descriptive. The result is a fun and informative discussion touching on everything from arcane grammar points to the annoyances of contemporary usage to linguistic pet peeves. Make a note of and bring along (take along?) your grammar questions, pet peeves, and language insights. What better way to spend an autumn evening than being entertained by the witty repartee and warm charm of these two language specialists as they use your questions, comments, and opinions as a springboard to informative and lively discussions that are sure to make you smile out loud!

Karen Virag is the supervising editor at the Alberta Teachers’ Association. She is also a freelance writer and editor, and teaches grammar at MacEwan University in Edmonton.

Virginia Durksen describes herself as a writer and word whisperer. She also develops customized workshops for workplace writers and editors. Through her company, Visible Ink, Virginia teaches business and technical writing to corporate clients across Canada.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Socializing and Light Refreshment: 7:00–7:30 pm – Session: 7:30–9:00 pm

Stanley A. Milner Library, Centennial Room (downstairs from the main floor)

7 Sir Winston Churchill Square

Cost: WGA & EAC members: free. Non-members: $5

Please RSVP to mail@writersguild.ab.ca or (780) 422-8174

For more information, visit:
http://www.writersguild.ab.ca/Edmonton-WGA-Events.asp#grammar

----Andrea Cubala

LITFEST MAGAZINE SESSIONS October 22nd & 23rd - register today!

AMPA proudly presents two magazine-themed sessions at this year's Litfest:

Making Your Opinion Matter: On Blogging and Op-Ed Columns - October 22
In today’s sea of ubiquitous self-publishing and universal social media, making your opinion matter can be challenging. Writer and blogger Andrew Potter discusses what it takes to make your blog or opinion column fresh, relevant, interesting, and able to stand out from the crowd.

Creating a Winning Magazine Feature - October 23

Lawrence Scanlan discusses what it takes to go from pitch to publication. As both former editor and award-winning writer, Scanlan examines the process from both sides of the divide: exploring the tensions, diplomacies and battles that often mark the writer-editor relationship.

To learn more, and for registration details, click here

filling Station's Alberta Arts Days Writing Contest

Deadline to apply September 19, 2010

This year for Alberta Arts Days, an annual celebration of culture happening this September 17-19 and comprising a number of special events, filling Station Magazine presents Inner Poet: an Alberta Arts Days Writing Contest.

Haven't been published before? No problem. First time writers are welcomed!

Winning poems will be published in filling Station Magazine. Winners will also receive a set of 3 Fall 2010 titles from Freehand Books, a Pages Books on Kensington gift certificate, a filling Station 1 year subscription, and the opportunity to read at Flywheel Reading Series.

A shortlist will be chosen using blind judging by the Collective that brings you filling Station Magazine, Canada’s Alternative Literary Magazine based in Calgary. The top 3 winning poems will be selected by Guest Judge, published Calgary poet Natalie Simpson.

Just write your poem anytime during Alberta Arts Days, September 17-19th. There is no specific theme - it can be about anything that inspires you to write it. Need a little help in the inspiration department? Check out one of the many Arts Days events happening across Alberta on the Government of Alberta's Culture and Community Spirit Culture Month Calendar. In Calgary, check out events on the Calgary Culture calendar.

For full entry guidelines, visit:
http://www.albertamagazines.com/news_and_events/contests.php#fSArtsDays

FreeFall Annual Prose and Poetry Contest 2010

FreeFall, “Canada’s Magazine of Exquisite Writing,” is currently accepting entries for their Annual Prose and Poetry Contest. Douglas Glover will be the guest editor/ judge for this contest issue. Douglas won the 2006 Writers’ Trust of Canada Timothy Findley Award and the 2003 Governor General’s Award for Fiction among other literary awards.

Mailed entries, of a maximum 3000 words prose or 5 poems, must be received on or before December 31st, 2010. There are over $1100.00 in prizes to be won, and winners will be published in FreeFall (Volume XXI Number 1). Shortlisted entries may be selected for publication to round out the issue and will be paid the standard page rate.

For full contest details and entry forms visit www.freefallmagazine.ca

Magazines Celebrate Alberta Arts Days

Alberta Arts Days is three exciting days - September 17-19, 2010 - to showcase Alberta artists of all types, and to encourage Albertans to discover, experience and celebrate the arts. the evnt offers a starring role for absolutely everyone: artists, art organizations, community groups, municipalities, libraries, schools and businesses.

Here are just a couple of the ways Alberta magazines are contributing to the celebration:

Since the inception of Alberta Arts Days, Prairie Journal has devoted their fall issue to Alberta writers and poets. This year, Issue 54 is dedicated to the memory of John Bishop Ballem (February 2 1925 - January 9, 2010) who was not only a generous supporter of the arts, but also a novelist (he published 12 novels), a poet and an attorney. The issue includes short stories by Alberta-based writers Aspen Gainer, Stephen Howard and Bonnie Ryan-Fisher, as well as the poetry of Joshua Learn. There are reviews of she walks for days inside a thousand eyes (a two-spirit story) by Sharron-Proulx-Turner, Behind the Man, John Laurie, Ruth Gorman, and the Indian Vote in Canada by Ruth Gorman and Garden Voices: Two Centuries of Canadian Garden Writing, edited by Edwinna von Baeyer and Pleasance Crawford.

Notebook Magazine is, sadly, releasing its last print issue, Issue #12, on September 18th at the ARTery in Edmonton. Notebook will continue in the spirit of promoting local art with web publishing (notebookmagazine.ca). This final release party features a retrospective art show of Notebook artists: Arina Baranova, Caitlin Boyce, Campbell Wallace, Corissa O'Donnell, Daniel Janzen, Erin Prout, Jenny Keith-Hughes, Larry Andreoff, Mariya Karpenko, Oksana Zhelisko, Paula Sommers and Tim Konrad. There will also be performances from singer/songwriters Tatam Reeves, Ky Babyn and the band 100 Mile House.

Mag Sessions at Wordfest and Litfest

'Tis that time of year when literary enthusiasts can finally begin marking-up their October calendar pages: the announcement of Wordfest (Calgary) and Litfest (Edmonton) event line-ups.
I just wanted to highlighted the mag sessions that you won't want to miss:

• October 13th: Freefall Literary Magazine marks their 20th anniversary at Wordfest
  http://www.albertamagazines.com/news_and_events/events.php#FreefallWordfest
  
  
• October 17th: Legacy Magazine marks the launch of their commemorative book Alberta Encore with a session at Litfest
  http://www.albertamagazines.com/news_and_events/events.php#LegacyatLitfest
  
  
• October 22nd: Andrew Potter discusses "Making Your Opinion Matter: On Blogging and Op-Ed Columns"
  http://www.albertamagazines.com/news_and_events/events.php#Litfest
  
  
• October 23rd: Lawrence Scanlan discusses "Creating a Winning Magazine Feature"
  http://www.albertamagazines.com/news_and_events/events.php#Litfest

Lunch with Three Notorious Poets

Here's another great literary event in Calgary, to go along with your Earth Day celebrations!

Central Library, 616 McLeod Trail S.E., Calgary

Thursday, April 22, 2010

12:00 PM (noon)

“Lunch with Three Notorious Poets”: Join Robert Kroetsch, rob mclennan, and Alice Major, who are each launching new works.

U of C's Creative Writing Program End of the Year Gala 2010

What?
The End of Year Gala! Come see the University's of Calgary's Creative
Writing Students read some of their best work!

When?
The Gala begins on Wednesday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Where?
In the John Dutton Theatre at Central Library (616 MacLeod Trail SE)
downtown.

Who?
Anyone and everyone who enjoys poetry, prose and all things literary
to spring from the U of C's Creative Writing Program.

Why?
If you have to ask, you'll never know.

--
spanc: small press action network calgary. www.blogspot.com/spancalgary
also on facebook, twitter, & listserv. send your literary events to spanclist@gmail.com

Read Alberta Magazines Month Launch Events!!

Come mix and mingle as AB magazines come to life, taking vivid content from the page and presenting it up close and personal as well as in an interactive and fun way for all of you to come experience.

This year we're kicking off Read Alberta Magazines Month with TWO launch events. The events are FREE and open to the public. Looking foward to seeing you there.

October is Read Alberta Magazines Month. Hurray!

Calgary Launch Event

Art Central, Calgary

100 - 7th Ave. SW

Thursday October 4, 2007
5 pm to 9pm

Featuring:
Reader Felicia Pacentrelli from Freefall magazine; Potter Greg McRitchie with a pottery wheel (remember the movie 'Ghost' anyone?) from Airdrie Life; Scott Henderson on piano and vocals, The Lonely Hunters, and scrumptious h'ors douvres. Check back here for more updates on performers.

Edmonton Launch Event

Audrey's Books, Edmonton
10702 Jasper Ave
Tuesday October 16, 2007
7 pm to 9 pm

Featuring:
Reader Paula Simons (Legacy magazine and Edmonton Journal columnist, journalist, writer, broadcaster)
Musical performance by: Maria Dunn

Hope to see you there!!

Word on the Street!

September 30, 2007

If you like reading, read this: September 30th is Word on the Street. Be one of 30,000 Calgarians to celebrate words with the rest of Canada. With events in Vancouver, Calgary, Kitchener, Toronto and Halifax, you should book it to the Calgary Farmer's Market from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm for the 10th Annual Word on the Street book and magazine fair.
There will be readings, discussions, sing-a-longs and workshops to satiate the book-lover in you, while promoting literacy and increasing awareness of Canadian authors (nationally, regionally and locally), publishers, literacy organizations and their resources.

Come visit the Magazines Canada/ AMPA booth at The Word on the Street in Calgary for free magazine samples and special subscription offers.

Find out more at www.thewordonthestreet.ca