2025-2026 Season Events
february
OIW Member exclusive- via ZOOM
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, February 24
OIW’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was a good opportunity for OIW members to listen to the Board share updates on the organization's activities over the past year. Current President Su Mardelli, and Treasurer Kelley Raab, presented key aspects of 2025’s initiatives.
OIW Member exclusive- via ZOOM
Reading Night
Tuesday, February 24
Immediately following the AGM, eight members read poems and excerpts from their recent projects. Its always a great way to end the AGM and to remind ourselves that OIW is the de-facto organization is Ottawa where writers support writers.
january
Special OIW Presentation - via ZOOM
In association with
Writer Beware®,
OIW presents:
Staying Safe in Today’s Publishing World
Wednesday, January 14
Michael Capobianco and Richard C. White covered 1. The rise of AI-driven scams—and how to avoid them 2. How to spot a reputable vs. predatory small press or contract 3. How self-publishers can find trustworthy editors, designers, and service providers (no AI-generated art) About Writer Beware® Founded in 1998 and sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA®), Writer Beware® tracks and exposes publishing scams, questionable practices, and emerging threats. Their mission: empower writers—of any genre, country, or career stage—to protect themselves. Writer Beware® does not use generative AI to create or edit content.
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
About the Speakers
• Michael Capobianco — Award-winning SF author; former SFWA President; Chair of SFWA’s Contracts Committee; member of Writer Beware.
• Richard C. White — Novelist and media tie-in writer (Star Trek, Doctor Who, Battletech); member of SFWA and Writer Beware.
Guest Speaker- via ZOOM
Howard Shrier
The Hero's Journey
Tuesday, January 20
7 pm
A two-time winner of the Arthur Ellis Award for excellence in crime fiction, Montreal native Howard Shrier is the author of seven historical crime novels. Now based in Toronto, he is working on a new novel, teaches creative writing and mentors aspiring authors.
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
In-Person workshop
Writers Collective of Canada (WCC) presents:
Art Inspiring Art: Ekphrastic Writing
Saturday January 31,
1 - 4pm
Ekphrastic writing is the use of art in non-written mediums as a launchpad for written pieces. Join WCC and learn how ekphrastic writing can help you write spontaneously, listen deeply, and respond to others. The workshop will help to generate new ideas and to advance existing stories and characters. It is suitable for both poetry and prose. No experience is required and everyone is welcome!
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
november
Guest Speaker- via ZOOM
Dennis James Sweeney
Tuesday, November 18
How to Submit: Getting Your Writing Published with Literary Magazines and Small Presses
Want to see your work in print?
Dennis gave an energizing talk on How to Submit—his groundbreaking guide to publishing with small presses and literary magazines.
With practical tips on cover letters, contests, and building connections—plus strategies for navigating rejection and finding joy in the process—Sweeney showed writers of all genres how to take charge of their publishing life and share their work with the world.
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Congrats to Sheila and Ruth for winning a free copy!
Details will be emailed to OIW members.
In-Person Event
Tim Wynne-Jones
workshop
Saturday, November 22
Writing Picture Books
A great time was had for all members who attended Tim's exclusive workshop.
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Tim focused on best practices to craft and tell stories to a younger audience, selecting the right visual to illustrate the story beat, and even gave tips on sourcing and vetting illustrators.
In-Person Event
Annual Holiday Party & Poetry Contest
Sunday, November 30
A fabulous time was had for all who attended this annual get-together. Congratulations are in order for Angelo Fulco, Richard Brzowzski and Peggy Lehmann for winning the Poetry Contest.
This year, we added an open mic to the event and several members pulled out poems to regale us with witty words from lyrical to the Olde English.
Thank you to Mill Street Pub for hosting the event. See you all next year!
october
In-Person Event
Anthology Launch
47 OIW members and authors contributed to this latest anthology about the World. Our inner world, outer world, imaginary world and memoirs.
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Contact us to find out more!
Guest Speaker- via ZOOM
Rick Mofina
Tuesday October 21st
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 shared how his years as a journalist shaped his fiction, offering a rare glimpse into the crossroads of fact and imagination.
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We are so grateful to Rick for sharing all his tips and advice!
September
Guest Speaker- via ZOOM
Pamela Molloy
Tuesday, September 23
Grabbing the Editor's Attention
What Makes a Story Stand Out?
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A Conversation with Pamela Mulloy.
Pamela Mulloy, Editor-in-Chief of The New Quarterly, one of Canada’s most respected literary magazines, shared her tips for the stories that get short-misted and make it into the publication. 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.
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!
Summer 2025contest
Congratulations to the Winners!
We are thrilled to share the contest results for the summer of 2025. Writers were invited to explore humour in all its forms. Guest judge Tim Wynne-Jones selected the final entries and you can read his short comment about each winning story.
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First Place: The Serious Business of Escape, by Elspeth Tory
"There is a wonderful balancing act here of humour and pathos that I found moving (and, from my own experience with my mother, all too sadly believable). While this is an elegantly crafted short story, I could easily imagine Jennifer being the central character of a larger work, a series of connected stories, say, or a novel. Her character is brought to vibrant life, in succinct fashion, through her actions and words, We feel such empathy, not just for those living on “the locked memory floor,” but for those who visit there, never knowing quite what they might find."
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Second Place: Why Seniors Should Work for the CIA, by Mike Keenan
​"This story is a delight. Maybe it’s not so much a story as a PSA, but, as such, perfectly targeting those of us lucky enough to have survived 'disco, polyester suits, and kids who think avocado toast is a personality trait.' Smart and witty — a winning combo."
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"There’s probably no better way to brighten up a dreary existence than to have a ghostly ancestor show up, intent on atoning his misspent past as a pirate by offloading his ill-gotten fortune upon you. Such is Miranda’s happy fate in this grown-up, urban fairytale. And Miranda does seem to have the sass and sexiness to fill any pirate’s thigh-high boots in style. She also seems to have a heart of gold which makes for a sweetly meaningful resolution."
Thank you to everyone who participated. It’s a pleasure to share these pieces with you, and we can’t wait to see what you create in the next contest!
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.