Books & Beer IV: Books, beer - and laughs!

Well, what did you expect? After all, we were pretty sure - speaking from experience (three appearances at our festival, just saying...!) - that we could count onTerry Fallis to bring his writerly wit and wisdom to our fourth annual Books & Beer evening in support of the Elora Writers Festival.

And yes, that's exactly what happened.

We gathered at The Red Door Restaurant in The Fountain Head Health Food Store in Fergus after a day of sunshine and breezes. No ice storms and scary driving this year (we see you, Books & Beer III), and that meant lots of book-lovers coming through the door to join us at the café's cozy tables for a decidedly party atmosphere.

Checking in pre-party: "What are you reading?" 

Thanks to our wonderful sponsor, Wellington Brewery, we had our bar set up, managed by our own Roxanne Beale, who doubled - or rather, tripled - as bookseller and raffle ticket seller as well!

Beer, raffle tickets and the prize - a collection of Terry's books

We kicked off with something new for our Books & Beer program: a slide show in which Terry explained the background of his latest novel, One Brother Shy. Secrets were revealed (about Terry, not about the plot), tales were told, names were dropped!

Does this guy know how to work a room or what??

The audience was enthralled! Er, when they weren't laughing out loud, that is...

One Brother Shy is a story of twins. Guess who knows ALL about being a twin? Yup, that's a classic school photo showing little Terry and his twin brother, Tim.

"Not the same colour, but those shirts were definitely bought together..."

One Brother Shy also delves into the hockey world. Guess who played hockey as a kid? And, guess who was on their minor hockey team in Toronto? Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, back row. (Audible gasps heard around the room!)

"Yes, it's really him."

"He played right wing," we were told. "Just imagine what the path of Canadian politics would have been if he'd played centre. Or..." (wait for it...) "LEFT WING!"

Intermission arrived, with a chance to schmooze, refill the beer glasses and enjoy some of the tasty treats supplied by Nathalie of The Red Door Café.

Lively conversations all over the room! 

We kicked off the second half with the drawing of the winning raffle ticket by Terry, assisted by MC Dave Beynon.

"Wow. Nice prize!"

 And the winner is - BRIAN!

We have a winner!

And then it was time for our favourite part of any Elora Writers Festival author event - being read to. We settled in for a session with One Brother Shy.

In which we hear about the boss from Hell....

Thanks, Terry! Thanks, Nathalie at the Red Door Restaurant! Thanks, Wellington Brewery! Thanks to all who came out to support books, authors, reading and creative writing in our Elora Writers Festival community and beyond. See you next year!

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And of course, let's not forget that our next big event is Festival 2018, on Sunday, May 6, 1-4 p.m., at Aboyne Hall, Wellington County Museum and Archives, with authors Linden MacIntyre, Michelle Winters, Kathy Stinson, Kate Blair and Drew Hayden Taylor. 

And one last thing: WRITING CONTEST DEADLINE IS MARCH 2 (for postmarked entries. Or local writers can drop submissions at Roxanne's Reflections in Fergus). Need more details? Check out the contest information here.

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Want to re-visit our past Books & Beer events? Dive in!

Books & Beer I: Brad Smith

Books & Beer II: J.M. Frey

Books & Beer III: Rio Youers

Announcing the 2017 Elora Writers’ Festival Writing Contest winners!

Since the deadline for our contest closed in April, our judges have been busy reading, considering, evaluating and making their selections.

Finally, the decisions have been made and here they are, the winners of the 2017 Elora Writers’ Festival Writing Contest:

In the YOUTH category (age 13 and under)

(Judges: Lisa Dalrymple, Lisa MacColl, Kira Vermond)

First Prize

Juliet Zimmerman, age 12, of Eden Mills for Timothy and Una

Second Prize

Becca Swan, age 13, of Fergus for The Forest

Third Prize

Maria O’Dwyer, age 13, of Wellington North for The Blue Caribou

Finalists in this category include:

The Castle by Joshua Doupe, 10, Belwood
One Cold Day by Jonah Doupe, 12, Belwood
Finding Home by Angela Pincivero, 12, Guelph
Fears, Maves, Tidal Waves by Miret Morgan, 11, Kitchener
The Letter Mistake by Makenna Law, 9, Fergus
Snowman Revolution by Ian David Gallagher, 10, Maryhill

In the TEEN category (age 15-19)

(Judges: Heather Wright, Heather Debling)

First Prize

Candice Rubie, age 17 of Waterloo for 7 Minutes

Second Prize

Eric Bernhardt, age 19 of Burlington for Big Game

Third Prize

Nora de Vos, age 14 of Guelph for The Chase

Finalists in this category include:

The One by Michael Fuchka, 15, Kitchener
The Crash by Hunter DeLay, 14, Kitchener
As Quiescent as Her by Sydney Lacroix, 15, Palmerston
In Sickness and In Health by Cate Newman, 16, Waterloo
Horrific Terrors: A 9/11 Story by Jiya Gangwani, 14, Kitchener
DIEt by Jiya Gangwani, 14, Kitchener
Trapped in the Future by Manuela Morgan, 14, Kitchener

In the OPEN category (any age; category for adults age 20 and older)

(Judges: Bieke Stengos, Lisa McLean, Michael Hale, Rio Youers)

First Prize

Tammy Gilbert, of London, for Late Spring

Second Prize

Anastasia McEwen, of Fergus, for A Chicken Says “Cluck”

Third Prize

Mary Steer, of Waterdown, for This is not a short story

Finalists in this category include:

Pain is the Beautiful Purpose by Delaine Smith, Barrie
A Cold Beer to Remember by Phil Andrews, Guelph
Goodbye Stranger by Kim Murray, Toronto
A Shared Moment by Jean-Pierre Forget, Mount Forest
Arrival of the Strange Men: A First Nations Oral Narrative by Manuela Morgan, Kitchener
Tiputini by Andrew Lee, Hamilton
One Last Time by Linda Wowk, Edmonton
Keepsakes by Katrine Raymond, Hamilton

Canada 150 Essay: My Canadian Moment

(Judges: Jean Mills, Terry Fallis)

In celebration of Canada’s 150 anniversary of Confederation, we asked writers to tell us about a memorable “Canadian moment” in their lives.

Winner:

Kathy Robertson, of Kitchener, for My Canadian Moment

Finalists in this category include:

I will remember by Marilyn Helmer, Belwood
Two Official Languages and One Gigantic Mud Puddle by Lynda Golletz, Elora
Up in the Air by Jockie Loomer-Kruger, Kitchener

Congratulations to the contest winners, and a special thank-you to our hard-working judges. We'd also like to send a big shout-out to all the writers who shared their stories and essays with us. Your enthusiastic response year after year proves that you agree with us whole-heartedly: Creative writing is important!

Thanks also to our two sponsors, The Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington (Youth category), and the Elora Arts Council (Teen category), two organizations which join us in recognizing the importance of supporting and encouraging young writers.

During the intermission of the 2017 Elora Writers’ Festival on Sunday, May 28 (1-4 p.m.), any winners in attendance will receive their prizes – along with a big round of applause from the Festival audience and authors.

And speaking of the Festival authors, here’s our fantastic line-up, in case you missed it:

Brad Smith – Hearts of Stone (another country-noir thriller featuring Carl Burns)

Mary Ann Mulhern – How We Fare (poems exploring today’s issues and challenges)

Andrew Westoll – The Jungle South of the Mountain (a scientist explores life and loss)

Adrienne Kress – The Explorers (for kids – suspense…and a pig in a teeny hat)

Rio Youers – The Forgotten Girl (But why can’t he remember her? Suspense!)

Please join us! You can reserve and pick up tickets at Roxanne's Reflections Book and Card Shop in Fergus (Phone 519-843-4391) or by ordering online through the Theatre on the Grand box office (find the link to their ticketing website here:  http://bit.ly/2nIAQK2)

Grab your pens, pencils and keyboards! Our 2017 EWF Writing Contest is launched!

Here's everything you need to know about Contest 2017:

DEADLINE: 

Postmarked on or before Monday, April 10, 2017 (no email or faxed entries).

CATEGORIES: 

Original, unpublished fiction stories in the following categories/age groups:

Youth: Age 13 and under, 1,000 words maximum, open to residents of Wellington, Waterloo, Dufferin, Halton and Hamilton-Wentworth counties/regions, no entry fee.

Teen: Age 14-19, 2,000 words maximum, open to residents of Wellington, Waterloo, Dufferin, Halton and Hamilton-Wentworth counties/regions, no entry fee.

Open: Any age, up to and including adults, 2,000 words maximum, open to all Canadian

residents, $15 entry fee. Prizes of $200, $150 and $100. (Stories submitted to the Open category cannot also be submitted to Youth or Teen categories.)

NEW Canadian Essay Category for 2017

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, write a personal essay of 1,000

words maximum on the topic: “My Canadian moment.” Open to all age groups, residents of

Wellington, Waterloo, Dufferin, Halton and Hamilton-Wentworth counties/regions. Winners

will be judged on content and theme. No entry fee.

PRIZES will be awarded in all categories.

CONTEST ENTRY DETAILS:

• Entries must be double-spaced, typed or printed.
• The author’s name should not appear on the story itself.
• On a separate title page, include category, story title, writer’s name, address, email (Youth and Teen writers may use parent or teacher email for contact information).
• On the first page of the story include the title.
• Title and page number should be on following pages.
• Youth and Teen entries, please indicate author’s age on the title page.
• Adult category please include $15 entry fee (cheque payable to Elora Arts Council).

MAIL ENTRIES TO: 

EWF Writing Contest, c/o Elora Arts Council, Box 3084, Elora ON N0B 1S0.

AND JUST A FEW MORE DETAILS:

To qualify, entries must be postmarked by Monday, April 10, 2017.

Shortlisted authors will be contacted for an electronic copy of their story for final judging.

Winners will be announced at noon on Sunday, May 21 on the Elora Writers’ Festival blogsite:

http://elorawritersfestival.blogspot.ca.

For more information contact contest chair Francis Baker at EWFwritingcontest@gmail.com.

The 2016 EWF Short Story Contest is open for business!

Our annual writing contest is back! Need details? See below....

Come on! Get going! 

Category	Who/Word count	Prizes (1st, 2nd, 3rd)	Entry Fee
Adult*	Age 20+ 2000 words maximum	$200, $150, $100	$15/each entry
Teen**	Age 15-19 2000 words maximum	$200, $150, $100	None
Youth**	Age 14-under 1000 words maximum	$150, $100, $50	None

* Open to writers age 20+ who reside in Canada

**Open to young writers who reside in Wellington, Waterloo, Dufferin, Halton and

 Hamilton-Wentworth counties/regions

Here’s what you need to know about your entry:

·       Sorry, no emailed entries

·       Include your Title Page: category, story title, writer’s name, address, email (Youth/Teen writers may use parent or teacher email for contact information). 

·       Include your Story with title (writer’s name should not appear on any page of story). There's no theme, so anything goes.

·       Adult Category: Please include entry fee of $15 (Cheque to Elora Arts Council)

·       Teen and Youth Categories: Please indicate age on title page

·       Deadline: Postmarked by Wednesday, April 6, 2016

·       Shortlisted authors will be contacted for electronic copy

Send double-spaced, printed entries (with $15 entry fee for Adult category) to:

EWF Short Story Contest, c/o Elora Arts Council, Box 3084, Elora ON N0B 1S0

Winners will be announced 12 p.m. ET, Sunday, May 22, 2016 on the Elora Writers’ Festival blogsite http://elorawritersfestival.blogspot.com and will have the opportunity to have their winning stories published on our blogsite.

Winners will also be announced - and prizes presented to any winners present - during the intermission of Festival2016, Sunday, May 29, 2016. And no, you don't have to be present to receive your prize.

Get going! Get running! Get writing!

Questions? Contact:  Jean Mills, Contest Chair, at EWFwritingcontest@gmail.com

Guess what happened during the Intermission of Festival 2015...! (Hint: Think "writing contest")

Festival 2015 was a huge success - but so was our annual writing contest, and we had an opportunity to recognize and honour our winners during the Intermission (to great applause from audience and authors!)

The results of this year's contest can be found here: 2015 EWF Short Story Contest Winners

Contest Chair Jean Mills with Anna Armstrong, who won an
Honourable Mentionin the Adult category for her story "To the Island and Back"
(Photo Dale Mills)

Melanie Scott is presented with Second Prize in the Adult category
for her story "The Surrogate"
(Photo Dale Mills)

But that list doesn't begin to describe the excitement - and sometimes astonishment! - of the accomplished writers whose stories were selected by our panels of judges.

And speaking of judges, let's take a moment to acknowledge their efforts in reading, considering and selecting the winners. They told me judging was a real challenge because of the many excellent stories to choose from.

The incredible line-up of judges this year included Kitchener-Waterloo writers Sharon Blomfield, whose travel articles have appeared in many Canadian and international publications, Lisa MacColl, a busy freelancer and blogger, and Heather Wright, author of a series of fantasy novels for kids as well as three writing guidebooks, including Writing Fiction: A Hands-On Guide for Teens. Also among the judges were Guelph’s Kira Vermond, whose books for young readers, The Secret Life of Money and Growing up Inside and Out were nominated for the OLA’s Red Maple award; short story author LisaMcLean; Guelph poet and author Bieke Stengos; playwright and author Heather Debling; Wellington Advertiser award-winning columnist Kelly Waterhouse; and Fergus’s Lisa Dalrymple, author of the children’s picture book Skink on the Brink. 

Oh yes - and let's not forget another valuable member of our judging panel: 2015 Elora Writers' Festival author Barbara Kyle!

Our sponsors also deserve a round of applause. The Elora Arts Council has sponsored our Teen writing category for many years, an indication of how much creative writing matters to our local arts community and its leaders. And every year, the Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington shows its support for youth literacy and creativity by sponsoring our Youth category. We are grateful for the generosity and support from these two organizations.

In the week before the Festival, I had the opportunity to visit a school in Waterloo Region to meet three young writers who had won prizes in the Youth category. Yes, three writers from one school, all in the top five!

And in the week after the Festival, a teacher at another school contacted me to ask if her class could read the winning entries - so that they could have a better idea of what to work on for next year's contest. (After receiving approval from some of the winning writers, I sent those stories along. One teacher who helped facilitate the process said: "The girls were beaming with pride!")

Creative writing is important. That's what our little contest is all about. Thanks to everyone who contributed in some way - writers, teachers, parents, judges and those of you who applauded so enthusiastically while the winners were announced and prizes presented. 

Stay tuned for news of our 2016 contest!

Short Story Contest 2015: Tell us a story...

EWF Short Story Contest 2015

Tell us a story…

  

Category	Who/Word count	Prizes (1st, 2nd, 3rd)	Entry Fee
Adult	Age 20+ 2000 words maximum	$200, $150, $100	$15/each entry
Teen*	Age 15-19 2000 words maximum	$200, $150, $100	None
Youth*	Age 14-under 1000 words maximum	$150, $100, $50	None

*Open to young writers in Wellington, Waterloo, Dufferin, Grey-Bruce, Halton

 and Hamilton-Wentworth counties/regions

Here’s what you need to know about your entry:

·       Sorry, no emailed entries

·       Include your Title Page: category, story title, writer’s name, address, email

·       Include your Story with title (writer’s name should not appear on any page of story)

·       Adult Category: include entry fee of $15 (Cheque to Elora Arts Council)

·       Teen and Youth Categories: Please indicate age on title page

·       Deadline: Postmarked by Friday, April 3, 2015

·       Shortlisted authors will be contacted for electronic copy

Send double-spaced, printed entries (with $15 entry fee for Adult category) to:

EWF Short Story Contest, c/o Elora Arts Council, Box 3084, Elora ON N0B 1S0

Winners will be announced 12 p.m. ET, Sunday, May 17, 2015 on the Elora Writers’ Festival blogsite http://elorawritersfestival.blogspot.com

Questions? Contact:  Jean Mills, Contest Chair, at EWFwritingcontest@gmail.com