loop Gallery presents:

Martha Eleen, ‘Tough Luck’, oil on wood, 30″ x 30″ (2011).

Martha Eleen

I, Huck

January 7 – 29, 2012

Reception: Saturday, January 7, 2012, 2-5 PM
Q&A Session: Sunday, January 15, 2-4 PM

loop Gallery is pleased to announce exhibitions by loop members Martha Eleen entitled I,Huck, and Mary Catherine Newcomb entitled Grassy.

I, Huck is the latest exhibition by Toronto-based artist Martha Eleen which maps the domestic space framing the artist’s relationship with her son Gabe, who is vulnerable and requires constant support. This is an inside view of a dynamic person whose natural gifts of sharp wit, emanating love, and disarming honesty are often obscured by disability bias. The titles used in the work are quotes from Gabe. Fascinated by analog audio technology, Gabe listens to several recorded versions of Huckleberry Finn and likes to call himself ‘Huck.’ He thinks the “n” word is “neighbour”.

Martha Eleen is an honours graduate of Emily Carr College of Art, Vancouver, Canada. Her artistic practice engages the ideas of cultural landscape, the construction of society, and the politics of space through painting. Her work has been exhibited in public galleries in Canada, the United States, Japan, and Mexico. Martha Eleen is represented by loop Gallery in Toronto. She teaches painting and drawing at the Toronto School of Art.

Since that time I’ve been basically around the world and back and have managed to completely avoid flying with Delta, but I always look for them in the news, when I need a distraction.

Here is a great story that should make everyone laugh: Pilot’s Bathroom Break: “The captain has disappeared!”

Enjoy!

Sometimes, it is difficult to know what to buy, which is why I was so excited to see that the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) has released a list of 100 Picture Books to Read Before Kindergarten.

The great thing is that not all of these books for young children are new. Many can be found in second hand stores or, if you prefer to just go through the list with your little ones, you can get them in your local library.

People love books, whether they are tots or adults or fall somewhere between. Make a pledge to yourself to buy a book for the people on your Christmas list this year.

One of Santa's helpers at the bookstore

My son gave me a Kindle Reader, just because he is such a great kid, and I think I will download a few of these titles to try it out. At first I was a little wary of the whole idea of reading on an e-reader, but my little den is overflowing with books, so I am looking at the reader as a space-saving device. So far, I have downloaded only one very small book, one I am using for research for the novel I am working on. I like that the reader is so light – easy to stick into my purse and carry with me wherever I go. It has a very long battery life, so, unlike my IPhone, I don’t have to remember to plug it in every night. I really like the search function, and the quick access to a dictionary. I think I am converted, although I still love traditional books and will continue to buy the ones I plan on keeping.

Our next book club book is The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival, by John Vaillant and I’ve got the hardcover edition because I’ve enjoyed and wanted to keep his other books. It costs more, almost double to buy a traditional book, but sometimes it’s worth it!

GG Fiction List:

David Bezmozgis, Toronto, The Free World
(HarperCollins Publishers; distributed by HarperCollins Canada)
(ISBN 978-1-44340-399-3)

Patrick deWitt, Portland (Oregon) [originally from Vancouver Island], The Sisters Brothers
(House of Anansi Press; distributed by HarperCollins Canada)
(ISBN 978-0-88784-289-4)

Esi Edugyan, Victoria (British Columbia), Half-Blood Blues: A Novel
(Thomas Allen Publishers; distributed by Thomas Allen & Son)
(ISBN 978-0-88762-741-5)

Marina Endicott, Edmonton (Alberta), The Little Shadows
(Doubleday Canada; distributed by Random House of Canada)
(ISBN 978-0-385-66891-0)

Alexi Zentner, Ithaca (New York) [originally from Kitchener, Ontario], Touch
(Alfred A. Knopf Canada; distributed by Random House of Canada)
(ISBN 978-0-307-39944-1)

This is a provincial PD day, so I hope to meet lots of teachers and have the opportunity to talk to them about Darkness Between the Stars, which addresses the issues of teen suicide in a direct and honest way.

As most of you know, this week, a bill calling for a National Suicide Prevention Strategy was passed in the House of Commons. Bob Rae said:

Lives lost, kids struggling with identity and bullying, young people suddenly feeling adrift and abandoned, veterans returning home from duty, older people struggling with health and uncertain of the way ahead. What we now realize is a simple truth: Suicide is not just a personal tragedy, a life cut short, an existential decision that leaves disbelief and devastation behind. It has become far more. Just as those who take their lives have no sense of the impact their decision will have on those who survive them, we can no longer turn away and pretend something is not very wrong.

It is so important that we shed, once and for all, the taboo around suicide and discuss it openly with our kids, friends and family. I know Darkness will help to get the conversation going, so I am very excited about the conference and the opportunity to introduce the book to teachers.

Also, I love graphic novels and looking forward to those presentations.

The other CWILL authors attending and their books are:

Dan Bar-El, Title: Pussycat, Pussycat, Where Have You Been?

Norma Charles, Title: Run Marco Run

Lee Edward Fodi, Title: Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah

Vi Hughes, Once Upon a Bathtime

Tanya Kyi, 50 Underwear Questions

Duane Laurence, Sammy Squirrel & Rodney Raccoon – To The Rescue

Jacqueline Pearce, Mystery of the Missing Luck

Pam Withers, Title: First Descent

She has seen and commented on the first draft of my next novel, and her insight was really helpful. I am currently working hard to get the second draft into her hands. With that as my goal, I plan to write for a minimum of four hours per day and am looking forward to some quiet time at Whistler in the next month.

I’m feeling excited about this next book which explores how the choices we make when we are young impact us for the rest of our lives. Well, that’s pretty general, but can’t say much more at the moment!

Why do writers sometimes stall out? I can’t speak for everybody, but here are my reasons:

1. Reading

I am currently reading Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami on my new Amazon Kindle and I can’t put it down. Past experience has taught me that when I am deep into my own manuscript, I have to discipline myself to put away all pleasure reading until I am tucked into bed and the day’s work is done. In fact, it’s not such a bad idea to put all reading aside while working on a manuscript. If imagination is finite, it’s better I give all of mine to my own creative process and sacrifice reading for pleasure, at least for a short period of time.

2. Sleep

I can’t write if I am sleep deprived and I’ve realized that I’ve going to bed late and getting up early. So it’s time to start refusing dinner invites, etc… and hitting the sack at a decent hour. This may seem obvious but it is not always easy to do.

3. Exercise

Well, this has gone completely by the wayside. No more excuses! Ski fit begins next week and taking a daily walk will help both my mind and body. My excuse over the last month has been that I just don’t have the time, but I realize I don’t have to go for a two-hour bike ride; half an hour is better than nothing.

4. Friends

I love my friends, but I need to be a lot firmer about my working hours. Just because I work at home, doesn’t mean I have time to talk on the phone, go shopping or visit between the hours of 8 -3pm. So, on that note, it’s time to return to cafe writing. I can get a lot done in three hours if I am just not available. It’s up to me to set the guidelines on this one, and I just have not been doing it.

5. Family

At this stage in a manuscript the house will be messy, dinner might not happen and those tomatoes outside may die on the vine. The cat will be fed because she is incapable of cooking her own meals. Everyone else is. I’m just saying…

6. Grant Writing

Thank God that is done! It takes almost as long to apply for a grant as it does to outline a new novel. Finger’s crossed that this time a little money comes my way…

7. Excuses

No more for me! I’ve got commitments which I will live up to, but starting now, I will be unavailable for four hours every single day until this manuscript is ready to send off to my agent.

This post might prove helpful to other writers, but it is also a strong reminder to me about how to organize my writing life and personal life so that both get the attention needed without sacrificing one for the other.

It’s important to have fun and not become too serious when in the thick of writing a novel. Explore other creative outlets, but don’t get too distracted.

The Writers’ Union of Canada is pleased to announce that submissions are being accepted until November 3, 2011 for the 19th Annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers. The winning entry will be the best Canadian work of up to 2,500 words in the English language, fiction or non-fiction, written by an unpublished author.

PRIZE

$2,500 for the winning entry, and the entries of the winner and finalists will be submitted to three Canadian magazines.

JURY

Writers Kevin Chong, Anne Emery, and Sylvia Fraser will serve as the jury.

ELIGIBILITY

This competition is open to all Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who have not had a book published by a commercial or university press in any genre and who do not currently have a contract with a book publisher. Original and unpublished (English language) fiction or non-fiction is eligible.

HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES:

· Entries should be typed, double-spaced, in a clear twelve-point font, and the pages numbered on 8.5 x 11 paper, not stapled.

· Submissions will be accepted in hardcopy only.

· Include a separate cover letter with title of story, full name, address, phone number, email address, word count, and number of pages of entry.

· Please type the name of entrant and the title of entry on each numbered page. This is not a blind competition.

· Make cheque or money order payable to The Writers’ Union of Canada. Multiple entries can be submitted together and fees can be added and paid with one cheque or money order, $29 per entry.

· Entries must be postmarked by November 3, 2011 to be eligible.

· Mail entries to: SPC Competition, The Writers’ Union of Canada, 90 Richmond Street East, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M5C 1P1.

Results will be posted at www.writersunion.ca in February 2012. Manuscripts will not be returned.

I have previously applied for grants from the BC Arts Council twice and not in consecutive years and both times I was, to my huge and massive disappointment turned down

It’s not easy to write a grant; sometimes I think it is actually easier to write a book and it is especially difficult to write a grant about a project that is barely in the beginning stages of development, but I got it done with much whining and snuffling…

I have a lot of confidence in my next book (although most of it is still in head), but it would make such a difference to have some financial support, especially since leaving my job last June. I am very happily unemployed, but miss the $$.

I know all of us who spent time and effort on grant writing are hoping for good news in the next few months and I wish us all luck!

And now it’s time to sink my teeth into the book. Good thing it’s a grey day and perfect to be inside typing not at the beach….

Deadline: August 31

NANO Fiction Prize: $500 and publication. NANO Fiction is now accepting entries for the 2nd Annual NANO Prize. Entries can be a flash fiction piece, prose poem, or micro essay of 300 words or less. All submitted pieces will be considered for publication. Previously published work will not be accepted and all entrants will be notified of the winner by Email in Oct. Email submissions only. Application Fee $$15 for the first 3 pieces, $2 for each additional piece. Send submissions to: nanofictionmag@gmail.com

Deadline: November 1 (2011) & February 1, May 1 (2012)

The Malahat Review University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 Stn CSC, Victoria BC V8W 2Y2 Open Season Awards: 3 categories – poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction. Novella Prize – a single work of long-form fiction betw. 10,000 & 20,000 words. Far Horizons Award for Poetry – emerging writers may enter up to 3 poems. Visit their website for details.

Deadline: August 31

Room (Canada’s oldest literary magazine by and about women) PO Box 46160 Stn D, Vancouver BC V6J 5G5
Room celebrates its 35th volume in 2012. The anniversary issue has the theme journey. Looking for quality writing and art images that reflect all aspects of journeying – the milestones and lessons, the vehicles and companions, the maps and misadventures. Pays $50 for 1-5 published pages $75 for 6+ pages and $100 for cover art.