Saturday, November 19, 2011

WCDR Events Ramping Up

'Tis the Season...to write and talk about writing.  There are so many events going on with WCDR, I hardly know where to start.  From Art of Transition on November 25 to Words of the Season on December 28, to a host of fabulous workshops for writers of all levels, it's going to be a busy and inspirational few months.  I am excited to announce that WCDR is presenting workshops and one-on-one sessions with an editor and an agent this year, starting in January with Sam Hiyate of The Rights Factory.  We also have Cynthia Good from Humber College, veteran of the publishing industry, conducting a workshop on the Business of Publishing on March 4; and Robyn Read will be back in May to run workshops on working with writing partners.  Other workshops are in the works, so stay tuned, and our December breakfast speaker is wonderful memoir writer and personal inspiration to many, Wayson Choy!

Check it all out at the WCDR web site!

Memories of My Father

Thanks to you all for your comments.  I miss my Dad terribly, more so every day. He continues to be an inspiration to me, and at this time of year especially remembering him and who he was reminds me of what is important in this world.  SAM

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Algonkian Conference is a win/win for publishers and agents!

I just came back from beautiful (and colourful!) Niagara Falls, Ontario, where I met with about 30 other writers for the experience of a lifetime!  The Algonkian Conference is held in several cities across North America, and for the first time, it landed in Canada.

This is a working conference.  Writers dive in immediately, pitching their books in a group setting and being critiqued, sometimes brutally.  But it's all for a good cause: getting published.  After three intensive days, you get to pitch agents and editors on your novel.  I have to say in the end, it was a lot of fun!

And yes, I did get a few requests for my manuscripts!  So it's worth the work, and whatever comes of the experience, you walk away with a realistic, inspiring and constructive view of the wonderful world of publishing.  And you meet some truly wonderful people on both sides of the desk!

Check out their site at:
Algonkian Conference

One other note: The Old Stone Inn, where we stayed is a lovely place.  The people were so friendly, and the place has such charm and character.  The library full of vintage books in the stone dining room was fully appreciated by a room full of writers!

Check out their site at:
Old Stone Inn

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Montreal International Poetry Prize

I am delighted to announce that one of my poems has been longlisted for the prestigious Montreal International Poetry Prize! 

The shortlist of 50 finalists will be announced in November, and the final prize announcement of $50,000 will be made in December.  It will be the biggest prize ever awarded for a single poem, and the first major global literary award based on a community funding model. 

I am excited and honoured to be included in a prestigious list such as this.  You can see the poems longlisted at MONTREAL Poetry Prize , but will have to wait to hear which poem is mine, as entrants have been asked to remain anonymous until the judging process is complete. 

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Richard James Moore: January 13, 1933-September 13, 2011

My father was a talented, intelligent, dedicated man with a love of family and an unwavering sense of ethics.  We thought him unstoppable, because he could fix anything: cars, lawn mowers, furnaces, washing machines . . . and of course the myriad of problems and messes we found ourselves in while growing up.  Dad was my compass, and an inspiration, both in my life and in my writing.  His values sustained me through a world that often demanded challenges and choices of me that tested my sense of fairness.  With his strength, I never waivered in my determination to do what is right.

While in the end, he did not prove absolutely unstoppable, my father's spirit and indominatable sense of values will prove unstoppable in those he left behind.  My brothers, my sister, and my Mom will remember him for his love and strength, and his dedication to family, for he was always there for us.

To those who joined the long line-up at the funeral home in Kingston to attend my dad's funeral, we thank you.  You gave heart to a greiving family, who understood fully on that difficult day, just how loved my father was in his lifetime, and how respected he is beyond. 

Richard James Moore

Friday, September 16, 2011

Richard James Moore: January 13, 1933-September 13, 2011

My father was a talented, intelligent, dedicated man with a love of family and an unwavering sense of ethics.  We thought him unstoppable, because he could fix anything: cars, lawn mowers, furnaces, washing machines . . . and of course the myriad of problems and messes we found ourselves in while growing up.  Dad was my compass, and an inspiration, both in my life and in my writing.  His values sustained me through a world that often demanded challenges and choices of me that tested my sense of fairness.  With his strength, I never waivered in my determination to do what is right.

While in the end, he did not prove absolutely unstoppable, my father's spirit and indominatable sense of values will prove unstoppable in those he left behind.  My brothers, my sister, and my Mom will remember him for his love and strength, and his dedication to family, for he was always there for us.

To those who joined the long line-up at the funeral home in Kingston to attend my dad's funeral, we thank you.  You gave heart to a greiving family, who understood fully on that difficult day, just how loved my father was in his lifetime, and how respected he is beyond. 

Richard James Moore

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Words of the Season is Wednesday!

The Fall Season is upon us and Words of the Season returns!  I will be reading at this special event, and looking forward to seeing the other 12 writers and musicians perform as well.  Come out and cheer us on!  Here are the details:


WORDS of the SEASON in Poetry, Prose and Song is a celebration of local writers and musicians!

Read, sing or come along to cheer and celebrate the season!

 
Words of the Season in Poetry, Prose and Song

Date & Time: Wednesday, September 7, 7:00 pm - 9:00pm.

Place:  Jimmy O’Toole’s, 121 Brock Street South, Whitby (South of Dundas St. & North of Colbourn St. on the east side)

Admission:      FREE!

Each reader/performer will be allowed 5 minutes. 

Please pre-register for readings at: michael@durhamtheatrefestival.com

Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Hope to see you there!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Polar Explorer Wins a Gemini

I am so pleased to announce that the Polar Explorer documentary, on which I was proud to be credited as an Associate Producer, has won the Gemini Humanitarian Award. This incredible film, which the UN has designated environmental film of the year for 2011, has made a significant difference in the way climate change is viewed by UN countries. Filmmaker and explorer Mark Terry has proven, with his footage and comparisons of the Arctic and Antarctic, that the rate of polar ice melting is indeed accelerating.

Check out Mark's web site at:

http://www.polarexplorerfilm.com/

And for those you who still have not seen this amazing film, there are two screenings upcoming in the Durham region in November, one at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and an intimate evening screening at Ezra Annes Inn. I will post details of these screenings in future posts, or you can contact Mike Khashmanian at the Durham Theatre Festival at micheal@durhamtheatrefestival.com.

Congratulations to Mark Terry, and fellow producers and supporters for this important film, Dianne Schwalm, Jeff Steiner, Jordana Aarons, Mark Romoff, Shirley J. Mein Cox, Holly Lee, John Kelly, Sarah Haney, Mike Khashmanian and Bill Humber.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Ian Brown at WCDR September Breakfast!

The WCDR Breakfast Series is starting up on September 10, and the line-up this year is impressive!  Ian Brown, renowned non-fiction writer and author of The Boy in the Moon will be speaking in September.  We also have authors Wayson Choy and Suzanne Desrocher lined up for later in the 2011/12 season.  Check it out at: http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/  Hope to see you there!  You don't have to be a member to come out and have fun, and you don't have to be a writer to enjoy these events.

WCDR also has been busy this year forming partnerships and holding workshops designed to help emerging writers connect with a publisher.  The sessions with Robyn Read of Freehand Books in August proved inspirational to many, and the upcoming Algonkian Novel Writing conference at http://www.algonkian-niagara.com/ offers a $100 discount to WCDR members! 

There's lots more to see at the WCDR link above, including writing events, workshops, speaking engagements and other fun stuff, including Words of the Season on September 7 in Whitby!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Words of the Season Is Back!

Whitby is the site of the next Words of the Season, held by Mike Khashmanian of the Durham Theatre Festival, and sponsored by the Writers' Community of Durham Region.  I am delighted to be reading again on September 7, at Jimmy O'Toole's, 121 Brock Street South.  Hope to see you there!  Local writers and musicians will be offering you their words and entertainment, and if you wish to read yourself, contact Mike at DTF at michael@durhamtheatrefestival.com.  Looking forward to the event, and to seeing fellow writers and lovers of words and music!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

WCDR continues to rock!

I am proud to be part of the Writers' Community of Durham Region, serving as Vice President this year, as well as Workshop Coordinator.  What a fine group of artists and writers, and every meeting and event confirms this for me!  The WCDR Slam competition was a whole lot of fun, and I was so honoured to serve as a judge for the finalists' event at Brock House.  Congratulations to Connie Dipietro-Sparacino for taking the top prize with her beautifully delivered piece!  Take a look at her performance on the WCDR site:

http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/?p=7215

Also live is the discussion over Suzanne Desrochers' new book about seventeenth century Quebec, Bride of New France.  Join in the discussion on WCDR's Reading As Writers site.  I will be guest hosting one week of the discussion and have already started this acclaimed historical fiction novel.  The site is also full of great links and resources for writers:

http://readingaswriters.ca/readingaswriters/

WCDR's next meeting is in September, when Suzanne will be speaking about the novel.  Meanwhile, we have planned some workshops with Robyn Read, Acquiring editor of Freehand Books, through WCDR in August.  Check the WCDR site for that as well!

http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/?p=6720

Have a great summer, and keep reading and writing everyone!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Historical Novel Society and WCDR SLAM

A lot of excitement for the month of June, I must say!  I travelled to San Diego for the Historical Novel Society conference June 17-19 and had a wonderful time.  So many talented writers there, and a real book fest.  The conference is super well organized, the people friendly and helpful, and some very impressive and approachable editors and agents were present.  I came back with an armload of books, many signed by the authors, and have fond memories of the sessions, the people and the readings.  The historical costume night, the Friday night fight scene and Saturday night sex scene readings were fun and informative.  All in all a great conference, and San Diego was a perfect backdrop.  In 2012, the conference will be in London, England, and will include a cruise up the Thames to have a banquet at Hampton Court Palace!  Talk about a historical fiction writer's dream. Here's a link to the HNS site:

http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org/conference.htm

The WCDR SLAM competition auditions were held last night at Brock House, and what a turnout!  Our room was packed, and we had 14 contestants, all of whom delivered a stirring piece.  As judges for the event, Sue Reynolds, Dorothea Helms, Piers Walker and myself had a hard time choosing the seven finalists, but congratulations to:

·         Phil Dwyer

·         Connie DiPietro-Sparacino

·         Michael Khashmanian

·         Vilma Blenman

·         Gwynn Scheltema

·         Ruth Walker

·         Helene Paquin

A job well done!  We look forward to seeing you at the July 9th breakfast, and hearing your pieces again.  The audience will have a hard time choosing, I'm sure.  For registration go to:


Saturday, June 4, 2011

Writing Circle Wins!

It's been a very productive and successful week for fellow WCDR and writing circle members! 

Tom Taylor has just published his wonderful book, Brock's Agent, which is available at Chapters.  He has been touring historic sites, giving presentations and signings, and has some book signings at Chapters coming up.   Thanks for the credit in your forward, Tom!  It was my pleasure reading early drafts of the novel.  Brock's Agent was also reviewed in the Globe and Mail on Saturday, June 4, 2011.

Check out my links page for Tom's book, or go to http://www.tomtaylor.ca/

Susan Croft and Mike Khashmanian are winners of the Scugog Arts Council's Literary Awards. For Alec's Girl and Switch, respectively. 

http://www.scugogarts.ca/events.php#literary-arts

It's a great time to be a writer in Durham Region!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Coffee, Tea and Words

It's remarkable how many wonderful literary and artistic events there are in Durham Region.  We truly are blessed.  I have had the pleasure of attending and participating in a number of them recently, including the Durham Theatre Festival (what a talented group of players, and Mike Khashmanian's plays are always full of fun!), Susanna Kearsley's Rose Garden book launch at Centennial Building in Whitby (I am up to Chapter 5 of Susanna's new book and it's intriguing, plus the Cornwall, England, setting makes me long to return there), and the Coffee, Tea and Words event in support of Literacy in Durham.

To see pictures of these events, including a shot of me reading an excerpt from my new novel, In Service of the Queen, go to Snap Magazine, or follow this link:


Thursday, April 14, 2011

The Writing Life

Hey everyone!  I am thrilled to announce that I won the Len Cullen Writing Scholarship!  There is a world of talent in this region, and I am so honoured to be recognized by my writing peers.  I can't tell you how delighted I am. 

Accordingly, I plan to attend the Ontario Writers' Conference on April 30.  I hear there is a picture of me with Wayson Choy at last year's event on their web site, but I was not able to get into his session this year, so kudos to those who did.  Still, there is plenty going on there, so I am excited to be attending.

I also read at this year's Literary Council Festival, and those who attended heard an excerpt from my new novel, 'In Service of the Queen'.  This is a worthwhile and important event, and I was pleased to contribute by making a donation. I also had the pleasure of hearing Susanna Kearsley read from her new novel, Rose Garden, and I loved it!  I attended Susanna's book launch last night, to a room full of over a hundred fans, and bought her new book.  As always, Susanna was gracious, funny and articulate.  I really enjoyed seeing her again!

My next writing event is the Robyn Read workshops!  As you know, I am the Workshop Coordinator for WCDR, and we have organized a series of workshops with the Acquiring Editor of Freehand Books.  These sessions are a rare opportunity to meet an established publisher and discuss your work.  I am looking forward to discussing Wings of a Fly with Robyn.

After that, there is the Historical Novel Society conference in San Diego, which I am attending in June!  That promises to be a wonderful experience, and I cannot wait to get there.  And yes, I am attending the Saturday night session . . . but will not be reading . . . look it up, people!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Paying Tribute

While Words of the Season has been postponed until spring, the March Readathon is coming up for The Literacy Council (Isabella's Chocolate Shop, Oshawa, March 26); and the WCDR breakfast on March 12 (check it out: http://www.wcdr.org/).

In other news, Sunnybrook Hospital is publishing my poem, At Vimy Ridge, in their Veterans Centre newsletter next month.  I am honoured to have this tribute delivered to the men and women who served this country. 

In June, I will be at the Historical Novel Society conference in San Diego.  I am looking forward to the costumes, the Saturday night 'romance' reading (think of a three letter word to describe this) and no doubt all the quaffing that goes along with such an event.  Mostly, I look forward to interacting with fellow historical fiction writers, editors and publishers.  So much to learn and so much fun to be had!  Is this a cool  business or what?

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Writing Life

Hi Everyone!
Cold blustery winter, but writers like to hibernate, so that's okay!  I have a few writing projects on the go:

Words of the Season continues! - I will be reading at the Durham Theatre Festival's event on February 23 at Murphy's Pub in Oshawa.  The fun starts at 7 pm.

As Workshop Coordinator for WCDR (http://www.wcdr.org/), I am holding a writing workshop on February 6 with the fabulous editor Cynthia Good, of Penguin Publishing and Humber School for Writers fame.

The WCDR monthly breakfast meeting is February 12 at Ajax Conventiona Centre.  Check the link above and come on out if you like.  We have a fabulous speaker, journalist Sandy Naiman.

Historical Novel Society - I will be attending the conference in San Diego in June, and have already lined up some meetings and interest in my historical fiction novel, The Legend of the Triple Crown.

Other than that, I am still sending out my work, spending long hours at Starbuck's on the weekends, writing, writing, writing; and I'm working on a new piece of fiction that I hope to share with some of you shortly.

Happy Winter, and happy reading to you all!

Sally