Some excellent upcoming literary events in the Lower Mainland area

Juan de Fuca you!
Sat. Sept. 29, 2 pm - free
Author launches his new book, Juan de Fuca's Strait, a sea adventure tied up with piracy, political loyalty, betrayal and international intrigue.  Vancouver Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden, Vanier Park, Vancouver. More info www.vanmaritime.com.

Q and A about the novel-writing process
Sat. Sept. 29, 1 pm - free
MFA alumni Wren Handman reads from her new book Last Cut and answers questions about the novel and the writing process.  Chapters Robson, 788 Robson. More info 604-682-4066.

Poetry with your feet 
Sat. Sept. 29, 10 am - free
Join Vancouver's 100,000 Poets for Change on an Earthwalk. Poets will read select poems calling for the preservation of our beautiful forests and shorelines. A guest speaker will also present a narrative tour of the cultural history and natural habitat of Stanley Park. More info and register:  http://earthwalks11poets.eventbrite.com/.

An evening with Steve
Mon. Oct 1, 7 pm - free
The Alcuin Society is pleased to announce an evening with Toronto writer Stephen Marche, author of Love and the Mess We're In, a new novel published by Nova Scotia's Gaspereau Press. Alma Van Dusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia.

That two-timer!
Oct 2, 6:30pm - free
M.G. Vassanji's new novel The Magic of Saida is a powerful saga, with a successful Canadian doctor returning to his East African homeland to fulfill the promise that he would return for his childhood sweetheart. Come meet the two-time Giller Prize winner in the CBC Studio One Book Club  Info: www.cbc.ca/bc/bookclub

Maybe not raging, but powerful 

Tues. Oct 2, 7pm – free
Photojournalist Paolo Gianturco, presents her latest book, Grandmother Power.  Guildford Library, 15105 105 Ave., Surrey. Info/register: 604-598-7366.

She’s dewin' it…

Wed. Oct 3, 8pm - $10 at the door
Poet Daniela Elza (The Heavy Weight of Dew) reads her richly evocative poetry improvisationally in collaboration with musicians Bill Clark (trumpet), Clyde Reed (bass) and Jared Burrows (guitar). At 333 Chesterfield Avenue (3rd St. one block west of Lonsdale) North Van. Tea and cookies provided.

The Writer’s Studio Reading Series presents….
Thurs. Oct 4., 7 pm - free
Featuring guest author poet Daniela Elza, with special guest readers Esmeralda Cabral and Jennifer Irvine. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street. Info: 778-782-8000.

Twisted Poets Literary Salon (Open mic)
Thurs. Oct. 4, 7 pm - $5 sugg. donation at door
Features Maxine Gadd+Ronna Bloom (from Toronto) + Open Mic.   (Sign up for open mic at 7, readings begin at 7:30). Our new location is @Cafe Montmartre, 4362 Main Street, Info:  www.pandorascollective.com.

Save the humans
Fri. Oct. 5, 7:30PM
Pacific Arbour Speaker Series presents award-winning filmmaker of Sharkwater, Rob Stewart. His new release Save the Humans turns his focus from animal activism to saving the planet. NSCU Centre at Capilano U/2055 Purcell Way, North Van. Info: 604.990.7810 - capilanou.ca/nscucentre.

Something fishy

Thurs Oct 11, 7 pm

Local author Norman Safarik and his son, Allan Safarik, read from their captivating memoir, Bluebacks & Silver Brights, set during the pinnacle of West Coast fishing. McGill Branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert St. Info/register: 604-299-8955.

Weddings and solitude    
Thurs Oct 11, 7 pm - free
Readings by Darren Bifford (Wedding in Fire Country) and Grant Lawrence (Adventures in Solitude), part of the Robson Reading Series. UBC Bookstore at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, plaza level. Info:  robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.

Cartoon drama  
Thurs Oct 11, 7 pm – cost
Meet Raina Telgemeir, the author/illustrator of Smile as she presents her newest graphic novel Drama.   Complete details, ticket purchase and other appearances in the Lower Mainland can be found here: www.kidsbooks.ca.

Alan Twigg introduces, celebrates
Thurs Oct 11, 8 pm (door 7:30)
Celebrate the 5 five years in trade publishing with the launch of 111 West Coast Literary Portraits-Photographs  by Barry Peterson and Blaise Enright, text by BC authors, introduction by Alan Twigg. Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Van.

Frankenstein’s learning curve
Wed Oct 17, 2 pm – free
Kenneth Oppell presents his most recent novel This Dark Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. 3rd floor, G. Paul Singh room, North Van Public Library, 120 14th Street West.  More info www.cnv.org.

An excellent event
Thurs Oct 18 – check time
The Alcuin Society presents the 30^th Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada – The {New/Old} Book - as a part of a special one-day symposium dedicated to the history and future of the printed and electronic book. Headlining the evening portion of our event is celebrated book cover designer Chip Kidd. Central Branch, VPL, 350 W. Georgia. Info and register: http://blog.alcuinsociety.com.

Blinded by science
Nov 3 - free
The 3^rd annual Celebrate Science, a Festival of Science Writers for Children and Youth (and Canada's only science writer's festival). At UBC's Beaty Biodiversity Museum, in conjunction with Family Science Day. Events include a panel discussion with top science writers for children, a keynote speech and introduction by the Dean of Education, and storytelling for younger children as well as hands-on science activities. Open to the public and includes admission to the Beaty Museum. Info: http://blogs.ubc.ca/celebratescience

thanks to the VIF's excellent e-news for the info above.

Contests and Calls for Submissions

Submit.
you know you want to

Calls for submissions

Best of the Net – Call for submissions

Deadline: September 30, 2012
Submissions must come from the editor of the publication (journal, chapbook, online press, etc), or, if the work is self-published, it must be sent by the author. All info here.

Vancouver Writers Festival
14th Annual Poetry &  Short Story Contest

Deadline: October 21, 2012

Invites you to submit your finest prose and poetry.
The Rules: there’s more – much more – read it all here.

Open Season Awards
Deadline: every Nov 1 (postmarked)
Read full guidelines for the 2012 Open Season Awards.

The Search for the Great BC Novel
Deadline: November 1, 2012

Your   BIG chance. Get that manuscript out of the bottom

drawer. Dust it off.  Polish it up: All the details here.

Prose and Poetry Prizes 2012 from The New Writer magazine

Deadline:  November 30, 2012
Now in its 16^th year, one of the major annual international competitions for short stories, micro-fiction, single poems, poetry collections, essays and articles; offers cash prizes as well as publication for the prize-winning writers in The Collection, special edition of The New Writer magazine each July.  Further info, including guidelines and entry fees.

Newborn anthology  Guidelines
Deadline:  January 13, 2013 

Briarpatch (Regina) magazine 2^nd annual Creative Writing Contest
Deadline:  December, 2012

Briarpatch wants original, unpublished writing – categories  short fiction and creative nonfiction. Award-winning writers Zoe Whittall and Carmen Aguirre judging. $750 in cash prizes. Read all the rules here.

Leaf Press is gathering poems for an anthology to, for, about or by newborn humans. We are interested in thresholds and liminal states; in moments that transcend global cultures.

PRIMASCRIPTOR wants new and emerging writers.
A new Fraser Valley-based online literary magazine and forum. Guidelines.

Silver Bow Publishing (New Westminster) International Poetry Anthology 3: 
Submission guidelines: (1) Use Georgia font 14 point; (2) Submit up to 10 poems max.; (3) Closes when we have enough great poems. No submission fees. Royalties will be paid on % basis to poets who may buy the books at 50% off. Submit to silverbowpublishing@gmail.com.

Geist Emerging Writer-of-the-Month
Emerging writers are invited to submit short written works online.  FAQ.

The Quotable
This online magazine wants writer-readers to submit stories based on their monthly prompts. Info here.

Roundup of poetry contests here

Know a teen who writes? S/he can apply to become a regular writer for Youthink here.