The Newfoundland Writers' Guild
Who we are:
A. Members Information
The Newfoundland Writers’ Guild was established to help writers develop their writing skills in a workshop setting. It is open to writers at all levels. The Guild holds monthly workshops and two annual writing retreats. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the NWG may attend up to two workshops before joining. Only members may present their work to be critiqued at a workshop. Newcomers are encouraged to observe at first but may offer their critique of the works of others should they wish. Before attending or participating in further workshops guests are invited to pay the annual fee, which is at present $25.00. Thereafter, fees are payable at the time of the Annual General Meeting, usually held in October. If fees are not paid by the January workshop, one’s membership is no longer considered valid. Members of the Board of the Guild must be members in good standing.B. Workshops
The Guild has regular monthly workshops, either on a weekday evening at 7:30 or on a Sunday afternoon from 2 to 5. Members will be informed in advance of the time and place of workshops.
1. Regular Workshops
Writers bring work they would like to have critiqued. It is helpful if extra copies are provided for participants. The designated chairperson will make a list of the material being presented, decide the order of pieces to be read and maintain a schedule in which a reasonable number of pieces can be critiqued. The writer reads their work, after which participants are asked to comment and make suggestions. Only after this process is the writer given the opportunity to respond to comments and/or ask for clarification. Should it be impossible to critique all manuscripts, those remaining will be placed on the top of a list for the next workshop.Members are responsible for notifying the host of each workshop if they plan to attend. The host provides tea/coffee and cookies.
2. Designated Workshops
Twice each year, in November and May, designated workshops give members with longer work an opportunity to have their material critiqued. Usually, only two pieces are considered at a designated workshop.
Members who wish to submit material for a designated workshop should contact the workshop coordinator for instructions. You will need to provide ten hard copies, plus an electronic version to be distributed by e-mail. The maximum length of material is ten pages, double-spaced. Make sure your name and the date is on each copy of your material.
Alternatively, members may contact the communications coordinator to put out a call to the Guild, asking for volunteers to read and critique their work. Then you may forward an electronic copy to those who have volunteered.
Members participating in designated workshops are asked to do the following, prior to the workshop:
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On the submitted draft, mark punctuation errors, spelling mistakes, syntax errors and questions marks – if something in the text is not understood – and ticks for praiseworthy details.
- On another piece of paper, the reader should write the following:
- a. What the reader thinks the story or poem is about.
b. What the reader feels are the strengths and weaknesses with the piece regarding point of view, characterization, narrative voice, flow, tone and so on.
c. What the reader feels the author can do to resolve problems or to take the piece to another level.
- The manuscript itself is not read at a designated workshop; rather, participants give their views on the piece. After participants have expressed their views it is the author’s turn to respond and have doubts and questions clarified. Both the marked-up copies and the reader’s comments are passed back to the author when the discussion is finished.
C. Retreats
Twice each year, in June and September, the Guild has a writing retreat at the White Sails Inn and Cabins in Eastport. Dates for these retreats will be announced well in advance. Members work on their own during the day and in the evenings there is a potluck meal (everyone brings a dish for the weekend) and a workshop at the Inn. There is space for several people in the main building (the Inn) and cabins can also be rented. Accommodations at the Inn are booked through the treasurer. Cabins should be booked by the individuals who wish to rent them – call Julia Squires, White Sails Inn (709) 677-3400.
C. Other Events
• The Annual General Meeting of the Guild is held in October. Here the Guild’s business is conducted, changes in procedure are discussed and vacancies on the Board are filled by election – the usual term of office being two years.
• Each year an Honours and Awards Brunch is held, usually on Sunday. Members who have received an award for their writing or have had a book published are presented with a certificate and a free brunch. Others attending pay their own way.
• In December a Christmas Party is held, consisting of a meal, often a potluck, and an exchange of recycled gifts. There may be a minimal cost, around $5.00, and usually members have prepared some form of entertainment.
• The Guild has an annual Rejection Slip Contest, designed to encourage members to submit their work for publication. The member who has received the most rejection slips during the past year is taken out for brunch in the spring. The time period for this contest is from AGM to AGM.
• The Page is the Guild newsletter and is distributed three to four times a year. It is a very brief summary of members’ news and accomplishments and provides information concerning events. The present editors are Elizabeth Tobin and Lily Bursey.
NWG Board 2010-11:
President: Esther Brown
Vice President: Elizabeth Tobin
Treasurer: Lily Bursey
Secretary: Kathy Knowles
Publicity/External Communications: Jo Shawyer
Internal Communications: Sheila Sullivan
Workshop Coordinator: Cathy Daley
Membership
Membership is open to anyone interested in writing. Current fees are $25.00/year.
Contact Guild
Newfoundland Writers' Guild P.O. Box 1133 St. John's, NL A1C 5M3
