Finding Home

Giller Prize Winning Novelist and co-host of CBC’s Fifth Estate Linden MacIntyre will be a headliner at the seventh annual NorthWords Writers Festival in Yellowknife, May 31 – June 3, 2012.

MacIntyre’s lastest novel Why Men Lie was released in March. The book is an extension of MacIntyre’s 2009 Giller Prize winning novel The Bishop’s Man. MacIntyre is the third Giller Prize winning novelist to take part in the NorthWords festival.

MacIntyre will be joined by James Bartleman, author of As Long as the Rivers Flow, the well-received novel about the intergenerational impact of the residential school experience in northern Ontario. Bartleman, a former lieutenant-governor of Ontario, has also published four works of non-fiction.

Other 2012 guest authors include:

• Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, a Haida artist who is best-known for his creation of the Haida Manga. Yahgulanaas has published numerous books which use graphic methods of storytelling.

• Dawn Dumont whose first novel Nobody Cries at Bingo was published in 2011. The book is the story of family life on the Okanese First Nation. When not writing books, Dumont is a host for APTN and a stand-up comedienne.

• Margaret Macpherson, an award-winning poet and author of both fiction and nonfiction, is originally from Yellowknife. Margaret’s latest novel Body Trade was released in 2011 and is partially set in Yellowknife.

Our guest authors will be joined by northern authors Richard Van Camp, Jamie Bastedo, Annelies Pool, Cathy Jewison and many more.

The theme of the 2012 festival is Finding Home.

The festival will feature same dynamic combination of readings, open mikes, panel discussions, workshops and mentorships that you’ve come to expect from NorthWords. Check this website often for more information on authors and programming. We’ll post it as soon as we can!

Writing to Kindle (not the ebook kind)

Join Victoria author Julie Lawson for an evening of writing activities guaranteed to kindle creativity and spark the flow of ideas. Bring pen, paper and a free-wheeling mind!

Workshop will be Wednesday April 19th at the Inuvik Centennial Library – Vicki Billingsley Community Room at 7 pm.

Help! I’m a writer, not a marketer! 

Author, editor, Yoga as MuseTM facilitator and certified yoga instructor Dawn Curtis

The fact is, these days as an author, you have to do your own promotion, whether you’re traditionally or self-published.

Learn strategies, tips and tools to help you build recognition as an author, and get your book into the hands of your readers.

March 31, 2012, 1-4:30 pm,  308-Aurora College, Yellowknife NT.

Registration at Yellowknife Book Cellar. Fee: $40

For more information go HERE.

Jamie Bastedo, award-winning author of 12 books celebrating the North.

“To write is human, to edit is divine.” - Stephen King

Are you seeking a higher level of freedom, confidence and creativity in your writing? Are you looking for a leg up to the publisher’s door? Then this workshop is for you. Learn how to:

• Strengthen your story
• Breathe life into your characters
• Add punch and realism to dialogue
• Know when to use a variety of editing tools
• Find the fire behind the smoke of your initial drafts
• Give your writing a professional edge.

Saturday, February 18^th, 2012 1- 4:30 p.m.; Aurora College, Room 308

Registration: Yellowknife Book Cellar.  Fee: $40. Discount of 10% with valid NorthWords Membership card.

Recommended workshop text available at Book Cellar: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers.

More info HERE

Jamie’s workshop is the second in our 3-part “Do It Yourself, Authors!” series. COMING MARCH 31, 2012: MAKE A NOISE! SELF-MARKETING FOR AUTHORS. MORE INFO POSTED SOON. 

Annelies Pool

In this workshop, well-known northern Author/Editor/Publisher Annelies Pool looks at all aspects of being an indie publisher. She’ll examine the pros and cons of traditional, POD and ebook publishing, the costs, the steps involved, what to watch out for, promotion and publicity and more.  Saturday, January 21, 1 – 4:30 pm; Room 308, Aurora College, Yellowkife; Fee: $40 (10% discount with NorthWords membership).  Registration at Yellowknife Book Cellar.  More info HERE.

COMING FEBRUARY 18, 2012: 

Self-Editing Workshop with Jamie Bastedo. More info HERE.