2024-2025 Season Events
december
Our annual holiday party was a delightful celebration, marked by an array of creative and engaging activities. The evening kicked off with lively icebreakers, including a round of "Never Have I Ever," where members shared amusing and surprising confessions. A game of "Guess the Meaning" added to the fun, with terms like "psephology" and "enshittification" stumping many, while "defenestration" humorously "threw everyone out the window."
The highlight of the night was the POETRY CONTEST where 11 talented poets vied for the top three spots. The competition showcased a range of beautiful and evocative poems, with the winners determined by peer vote.
Angelo Fulco took first place with his poignant piece, "Immigrant Boy." Sylvia Ralphs-Thibodeau captured second place with "Lost and Found Christmas," and Elise Weagant earned third with "Bye-Cycle." Click the button to read the winning poems.
Special thanks to Bob Barclay for presenting the poetry contest and expertly tallying the votes, ensuring a fair and enjoyable competition for all.
The "Guess the Novel" game was another crowd-pleaser, with members quickly guessing classics like "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" series, further demonstrating the group's literary acumen and quick wit.
Special thanks are due to Kim Ennis and Lucia Cavalcanti de Albuquerque for their exceptional efforts in organizing, emceeing, and hosting the games. Their contributions were key to making the evening both smooth and spirited. This year's holiday party not only provided a chance to celebrate the season but also to appreciate the creativity and camaraderie of our talented community.​​​
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See you in the new year!
1st place Winner Angelo Fulco
with Bob Barclay & Su Mardelli
2nd place Winner Sylvia Ralphs-Thibodeau
with Bob Barclay & Su Mardelli
3rd place Winner Elise Weagant
with Bob Barclay & Su Mardelli
November
In-Person Event
Anthology Book Launch
Saturday, November 9
On November 9th, OIW celebrated the launch of the 2024 anthology entitled "This Land."
This book features an inspiring collection of Canadian stories from 52 OIW authors, each sharing their unique experiences and connections to our great nation.
The event was held in the Glass Room at Villa Marconi and attended by over 80 OIW members and friends. It was our biggest launch so far. The event was not just a book release; it was a celebration of stories that weave together the fabric of Canada, from its majestic landscapes to its complex histories. Attendees enjoyed heartfelt readings, engaged in thought-provoking discussions, and left with a deeper appreciation for the land and its narratives. This gathering underscored our commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive literary community.
If you did not have a chance to pick up your free member copy, or you would like to purchase additional copies at $10 each, email us below. While stocks last.
Guest Speaker - via Zoom
Hugh Stephens
Tuesday, November 19th
Copyright for Writers: What You Need to Know
OIW was delighted to host Hugh Stevens, a Distinguished Fellow renowned for his expertise in Canadian copyright law. Hugh shared his invaluable insights on a variety of pressing copyright issues, including the evolving role of AI in copyright, the implications of the Online News Act (Bill C-18) for news media, educational copying practices, and how copyright law interacts with Indigenous Cultural Expression. His comprehensive advice enriched our understanding of these complex topics, offering clarity and foresight in navigating the ever-changing legal landscape.
In-person Workshop
Tim Wynne-Jones
Saturday, November 23rd
Scene and Summary
OIW was thrilled to welcome back Tim Wynne-Jones for his annual workshop, which this year focused on the crucial aspects of Scene and Summary in writing. Tim delved deep into the art of crafting scenes that bring characters to life in real time, allowing attendees to get up close and personal with the intricacies of character interaction. He also explored the importance of Summary, a technique that distills broader swathes of time into essential narrative elements, providing writers with tools to enhance narrative pacing and depth. This workshop once again proved invaluable for OIW members looking to refine their storytelling skills.
Details are emailed to OIW members
october
In-person Event
Movie Night
Saturday October 5
Free Trip to Egypt
The screening of "Free Trip to Egypt" at OIW was a resounding success, drawing a diverse audience eager to explore the transformative power of cross-cultural understanding.
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The highlight of the evening was the hour-long Q&A session with Tarek, where he delved into the extensive creative process behind the film. He shared insights into the daunting task of distilling 250 hours of raw footage into a compelling story, discussing the meticulous editing required to capture the essence of the participants' emotional journeys.
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Fantastic!
Guest Speaker-via Zoom
Barbara Leimsner
Tuesday October 15
10 Things I Learnt on my Memoir Journey
Barbara Leimsner's memoir, 'Quitting the Master Race: A Daughter's Journey to Break the Bonds of Hate', was six years in the making and was independently published by Friesen Press in September 2023. She will talk both about what she learned during the writing, editing, revision and publishing process, and about the advantages, drawbacks--and the joys!--of marketing an independently published book. Her book is a finalist in the juried Whistler Independent Writing Awards.
september
Guest Speaker - via Zoom
Caitlin Jans (née Thomson)
Tuesday September 17
Breaking Through Publishing Blocks in the Literary World
Caitlin Jans broke down the elements publishers and agents look for in aspiring writers and provided tips and ideas for writers to make themselves visible in this cluttered space. It was an incredibly informative and interesting session with questions asked up until the final minute. Thank you Caitlin! Caitlin Jans has an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. She is the co-founder of Authors Publish and The Poetry Marathon. Her work has appeared in numerous anthologies and literary journals including: The Literary Review of Canada, The Fiddlehead, Eleven, Eleven, The Adroit Journal, and Killer Verse. Her prose and poetry has been nominated for The Pushcart Prize, BILiNE, The Best Small Fictions Anthology, and The Best of the Net. You can learn more at www.caitlinthomson.com.
In-person Workshop
Neil Saravanamutto
Monday, September 23
Is it Time to Start a Substack?
For writers looking for an audience, Substack is probably the first platform that gets it. Substack makes three things really easy. Publishing. Monetization. Outreach. It lets writers focus on writing. Neil Saravanamuttoo is an Ottawa community organizer and former G20 chief economist for infrastructure with over 7,000 Substack subscribers. Learn what Neil has figured out about finding an audience and engaging with them through Substack.
Ottawa Independent Writers is the Capital's premier community for those looking to sharpen their writing skills and grow as successful independent writers.
Guest speakers, workshops, member events, and book launches are just some of the activities we organize to help both emerging and seasoned writers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry while also honing their craft in a supportive and collaborative environment.