We had a very successful inaugural season in 2022 at Tennants Cove Writers, with writers from as far away as Toronto, Washington D.C, and New York. Our participants got fresh insights into their work as they met individually with our leaders, novelist Melissa Scholes Young and memoirist Peter von Ziegesar, and workshopped as a group. In addition to having quiet time to write, they ate home-cooked meals prepared by our staff, hiked in the fields on the 175-acre farm, swam and kayaked in Tennants Cove, and rode the jeep on back trails.

We were especially happy to have Alastair Woods of Toronto with us. “My experience at Tennants Cove Writers was nothing short of transformative,” he says. “I had been writing my novel during stolen moments before work, after dinner and between meetings, and suddenly, I had this incredible opportunity to dedicate myself to writing amidst stunning natural beauty and a supportive creative community.”

For the 2023 Summer season, TCWW is doubling the number of weeklong workshops to give more writers an opportunity to work with us and retreat in an inspiring natural setting. Also, on Saturday, August 5, we are excited to offer half-day workshops in screenwriting and publishing that we hope will attract members of the New Brunswick creative community.

Session 1: July 30-August 4 (six days, five nights)

Session 2: August 6-August 11 (six days, five nights)

We are accepting four to five students for each session.  Room and board are included. Travel to the retreat is at one’s own expense. 

Optional morning and afternoon workshops: Saturday, August 5

Publishing (9-12 pm) taught by Melissa Scholes Young  

Screenwriting (2-5 pm) taught by Peter von Ziegesar

Each half-day session comes with lunch and will also feature a Zoom session with a noted screenwriter or publishing professional.

Tennants Cove Writers is located in a century-old farm house on 175 acres of protected woods and fields on the Saint John River in New Brunswick, Canada. We can't wait to welcome you to the 2023 Tennants Cove Writers Workshop!

Contact us at tennantscovewriters@gmail.com

Check for updates on the 2023 season at tennantscovewriters.com.

Tuesday, November 29 is the Day of Action to push Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Champagne to keep his government’s promise to fix Canada’s Copyright Act.

It’s now been over seven months since the federal government made a commitment in the 2022 federal budget to restore fair compensation to creators and publishers as part of a sustainable educational publishing marketplace. No action has been taken to date.

On November 29, creators, publishers and concerned individuals will be asked to visit the I Value Canadian Stories website to send a letter to Minister Champagne urging him to take action to support Canadian writers, visual artists and publishers and amend the Copyright Act.

The more letters that are sent on November 29, the more inaction will no longer be an option. Access Copyright hopes that you will, as you have so many times before, encourage your membership to take part on November 29.

Below is a message that you are free to use and/or adapt as needed. To ensure maximum mobilization of our collective voice, we hope you will contact your membership by Thursday, November 24.

We will be back in touch on the morning of November 29 with a secondary message to send to your membership that will include a link to the letter-writing tool on the I Value Canadian Stories website.

SAMPLE MESSAGE:

Day of Action: Tuesday, November 29

On November 29, the I Value Canadian Stories coalition will be asking you to visit its website to send a letter to Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Champagne to urge him to keep his government’s promise to fix the Copyright Act.

For ten years and counting, Canadian creators and publishers have been waiting to be paid when their works are copied by educational institutions outside of Quebec.

For seven months and counting, Canadian creators and publishers have been waiting for the government to take action to fulfil a commitment in the 2022 federal budget to amend the Copyright Act to protect creators and copyright holders.

We can’t wait any longer.

The more letters sent on November 29, the louder the message will be that further delay is not an option.

Stay tuned for an email on November 29 with a link to a letter writing tool on the I Value Canadian Stories website.

If you do one thing on November 29, please be sure it is to send your letter to Minister Champagne.

Wintergreen Studios is a not-for-profit charity that focuses on sustainability and the arts. They recently launched a Virtual Learning Centre that offers free and affordable courses that help individuals pursue more creative, inspired, and sustainable ways of living.

One of their courses, THE CALL: POETRY OUT OF SILENCE with Lorna Crozier, explores the craft and process of poetry with one of Canada’s most beloved and accomplished poets. 

Here is the course link: https://wintergreen-studios.learnworlds.com/course/the-call-lorna-crozier 

Here is a link to the course trailer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hK34_o6Sy0&ab_channel=WintergreenStudios 

The 2022 Fiddlehead Poetry Contest is now open! Don't miss your chance to win the $2000 prize for best poem. The fantastic judges this year are Dominique Béchard, shalan joudry and Michael Prior. The deadline is December 1 2022. https://thefiddlehead.ca/contest

Date:    Wednesday, November 23, 1 - 3 pm

Venue:  Room 201, Brian Mulroney Hall, St. Thomas University

In this workshop Oddgeir Synnes will give an introduction to creative writing in later life based on his vast experience from giving courses in creative writing for older adults in various settings. Attention will be given to a presentation of texts written by participants and reflections on how the access to various literary forms and genres might open for aesthetic and existential meaning making that can involve affirmation and dignity. The workshop will also engage the participants through several exercises of creative writing that can give an increased understanding of what the method might have to offer.

Oddgeir Synnes is visiting chair in gerontology at St. Thomas University Fredericton and associate professor at VID Specialized University in Oslo, Norway. Synnes is a literary scholar and has for many years worked in uses of literature and creative writing in later life and in health care contexts. He has led courses in creative among older adults, including at municipal libraries, in nursing homes and in dementia care. He has also worked with creative writing in mental health and in palliative care. His PhD comprises an analysis of poems and stories from creative writing in palliative care. Synnes has published extensiveley on various forms of storytelling and writing in the mentioned contexts. His latest book is A Poetic Language of Ageing (with Olga V. Lehmann – Bloomsbury Academic, forthcoming

Registration Fee: $5.00 for Third Age Centre members, $10.00 for non-TAC members

To Register:  Call Carol Alvarez at Third Age Centre   506-452-0526 ... or email 3rdage@stu.ca

Selling Your Expertise Series:
A Life in PJs: How to Sell Your Writing and Quit Your Day Job

Wendy Kitts

Do you dream of being a writer but don’t know how to start? Do you long for a career where you can skip the morning commute, work the hours you want, or work in your pajamas all day? Maybe you’re addicted to travel and looking for a way to feed your habit. Or maybe you just want to do something that makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning. A career as a freelance writer can provide the freedom you’re longing for and an income limited only by how much you want to work. And the best part—you can do it from anywhere in the world—all you need is a laptop and an Internet connection.

Learn how to find story ideas, create a niche, target and pitch the right market (print or online) and more, from Wendy Kitts, author and freelance writer of 20+ years. Wendy has written over 200 articles for publications such as the LA Times, the Globe & Mail, Readers’ Digest, and Saltscapes and does something most writers only dream of—supports herself with her writing.

This workshop is for anyone who wants to learn how to leverage their expertise — especially coaches, speakers, and workshop leaders looking to expand their reach, increase their credibility, and create another stream of income.

Saturday, October 29 / 10-4 Atlantic time, online

Limited enrollment to ensure maximum time for everyone to discuss their ideas.

$149 plus HST. Early bird price of $99 if registered by October 20^th.

Email Wendy at info@wendykitts.ca for details.

While the goal of capturing the government’s attention about the urgent need to fulfill their budget commitment remains their top priority, Access Copyright's Day of Action--that was planned for October 6th--has been postponed.  

They are grateful, as always, for your help and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this change of plans may cause.

In the meantime, Access Copyright will continue to work on ensuring that the federal government knows that creators and publishers cannot wait any longer for them to pass copyright legislation that will restore fair payment.

Robert Gilbert (he/him/his)
Communications Specialist and Affiliate Relations
Access Copyright, The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency

Join The Fiddlehead on October 27 at 7:00 pm ADT for the launch of the autumn issue! The event will take place at the Milham Room in UNB's Harriet Irving Library and on Zoom for those who can't attend in person. The event will feature readings by Corinna Chong, Jenny Hwang, Tolo Oloruntoba and Fawn Parker.

Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided, and the best part? Registration is Free! Just email thefiddlehead@gmail.com with your name and whether or not you require ASL services.

As per UNB policy face masks will be mandatory when not eating and drinking.

Event link: https://fb.me/e/6Jk7hWeCr

The Arts Atlantic Symposium is a three-day multidisciplinary arts conference and festival, taking place in Saint John, NB, October 21-23, 2022.
 
The theme of the symposium, developed by ArtsLink and the AAS keynote speaker Mireille Eagan, is FUTURE POSSIBLE. We recognize that the past few years have caused fundamental changes for many artists and art organizations. We would like the AAS to address questions like: How has this time given rise to new ways of seeing, thinking, and doing? What choices will we make now about reconnecting, about how we spend our time? How will we choose our creative partners and our audiences? How does the possibility of hybrid experiences in a digital era inform our creative approaches, breaking down barriers between physical location and artistic disciplines?
 

On behalf of ArtsLink NB, I would like to invite you to participate in the Symposium. Registration is now open and available here. We have a discounted rate available for organizations who would like to purchase three or more tickets. We also have a limited number of tickets available for professional artists or artists requiring financial assistance at a subsidized rate of $65. All details are on our registration page.