summer SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Member Exclusive
The Competition is now Closed.
Thank you to all our members who submitted!
Winners will be announced during our season opener on September 23, 7 pm, via zoom.
Guest Judge
We are delighted to welcome two-time Governor General Award winner and acclaimed storyteller, Tim Wynne-Jones as our guest judge.
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Tim brings a keen eye and deep literary insight to this year’s contest.
September
Guest Speaker- via ZOOM
Pamela Molloy
Tuesday, September 23, 7 PM
Grabbing the Editor's Attention
What Makes a Story Stand Out?
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A Conversation with Pamela Mulloy.
Join us for an illuminating evening with Pamela Mulloy, Editor-in-Chief of The New Quarterly, one of Canada’s most respected literary magazines. Recently nominated for the prestigious Editor Grand Prix award for her outstanding impact on the magazine world, Pamela brings a wealth of insight into what catches an editor’s eye. She’ll share what makes a submission stand out, what keeps her reading, and what causes a promising piece to fall flat. Whether you're preparing to submit your work or simply want to understand the editorial process, this is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices in Canadian publishing.
Details will be emailed to OIW members.
OIW Workshop In-person
Tamara Miller
Sunday, September 28th
Querying Agents: Tips & Tricks
You have a manuscript and a dream of publication. What comes next?
Back by very popular demand, Tamara returns to share with us the ins and outs of querying literary agents. In this lively and informative workshop, Tamara will offer hard-won insights from her own journey to publication. Drawing from her experience landing representation and publishing her first novel "Into the Fall", Tamara will demystify the querying process with practical tips, candid anecdotes, and a generous dose of humour. From crafting a compelling query letter to researching the right agents and staying resilient through rejection, this is a workshop not to be missed!
Details will be emailed to OIW members.
october
Guest Speaker- via ZOOM
Rick Mofina
Tuesday October 21, 7 pm, via ZOOM
From Crime Reporter to Crime Fiction
How does a career chasing real-life crimes around the globe transform into writing bestselling thrillers that keep readers up at night? Rick Mofina knows.
Before becoming a USA TODAY and internationally bestselling author of more than thirty novels, he reported from the front lines of some of the world’s most gripping stories — from interviewing murderers on death row to patrolling with the RCMP near the Arctic Circle.
In this talk, Rick will share how his years as a journalist shaped his fiction, offering a rare glimpse into the crossroads of fact and imagination. If you love thrillers, true crime, or just want to know how a writer turns real danger into page-turning suspense, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Details will be emailed to OIW members.
Not a member yet?
Visit our Membership Page to learn all about the benefits of being an OIW member, including the opportunity to get published!
OUR MEETINGS
MONTHLY MEETINGS
OIW holds nine monthly program meetings from September to June each year on a wide variety of writing related topics, normally with a speaker and plenty of opportunity for questions.
CURRENT MEETINGS
OIW gathers every third Tuesday of the month with presentations starting at 7 pm, lasting until 8:30 pm. The meetings currently take place on the Zoom virtual platform.
Visit our membership page to sign-up now!
OUR BOARD
Meet some of the OIW Board Directors!
Bob Barclay
Member-at-Large
During my professional career I published a great many technical works, but on my retirement some 15 years ago I decided to turn my hand to fiction. With a nascent novel in hand, a quick search of resources led me to Ottawa Independent Writers, which proved to be a turning point. With the wide expertise available among the OIW membership, I was able to complete my novel, see to the formatting and cover design, and get it into print all in good order. I soon became a board member of the organization, and it is from that vantage point I can now help others who were in my situation 15 years ago. Board membership allows me to give back to the community, and I feel that many OIW members who have followed my path would find great satisfaction in membership on the board, sharing their expertise, and watching all aspects of the creative writing process from the first words on the screen to the completed published work.
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Lena Samson
Vice President
As an OIW board member, I engage with prolific writers and literary professionals whom I would never meet otherwise. My writing and editing have benefited greatly from their experience and expertise. The Board is a friendly, sage and collaborative group from which I've learned enormously and to to which I'm grateful to contribute. Every volunteer on the Board brings a new perspective, unique background and helps OIW continue to thrive.
Interested in joining the Board and giving your writing career a boost? Let us know!
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Email us at: members@ottawaindependentwriters.com