CBC Books launches new hub for writers
Canada Writes is “a new home for original writing,” according a press release the CBC issued today. It’s a place where “all kinds of writers” can “have their work read, published and recognized by the entire country.” The site includes writing challenges (the current one is autobiography-related), workshops, and resources (links to writers’ organizations), and the CBC is also promoting it as a place for writers to connect. For French-language readers and writers, there is an equivalent site called Zone d’écriture.
Three Literary Prizes (what used to be the Literary Awards) are the centrepieces of the hub. These include the Short Story Prize (opening September 1; submission deadline is November 1); the Creative Nonfiction Prize (deadline is Feb. 1, 2012); and the Poetry Prize (submissions accepted from March 1 to May 1, 2012). The cash prizes, provided by Canada Council for the Arts, total $60,000, with $6,000 going to the writers who place first in each of the three categories. The winners’ work will appear in enRoute magazine and online at Canada Writes and will air on CBC Radio One.
Canada Writes also publishes original writing by some big-name authors and other notable Canadians: a series on the relationship between writers and editors includes posts by Ken Sparling and Mark Kingwell. Another post features writing tips from singer-songwriter Feist, who has an album coming out in a month, the post notes… coincidentally.
Does this sound like a site you’d visit on a regular basis, or do you see it as a promotional tool for the CBC? Have you submitted work for the Literary Prizes/Awards in the past, and will you do so this year?
on November 4, 2011 at 2:20 pm
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Hi. Interesting site. Were do I find more info? ie. Length of short story, fiction etc,. Submission deadlines etc,. Thanks.
on November 4, 2011 at 2:50 pm
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There are different guidelines for each writing challenge, it seems. There are the guidelines for the current challenge: http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/challenges/rules-and-regulations—winter-tales.html. Hope that helps, Hal!
on December 20, 2011 at 8:22 pm
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I am trying to find out about the Creative Nonfiction competition and also the poetry competition. I looked at the website on 8/10/2011 and it said that updated rules and regulations would be released soon. One other thing. What is Creative Nonfiction? Your help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
on December 22, 2011 at 9:00 am
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Hi Lillian,
This is the page for the Creative Nonfiction prize, which is currently accepting submissions (deadline is Feb 1): http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/literaryprizes/nonfiction/
Here is the description of Creative Nonfiction from the FAQ section: “The Creative Nonfiction Prize includes memoir, biography, humour writing, essay (including personal essay), travel writing, and feature articles. While the events must be real and the facts true, creative nonfiction conveys your message through the use of literary techniques such as characterization, plot, setting, dialogue, narrative, and personal reflection. In works of creative nonfiction, the writer’s voice and opinion are evident. The work should be accessible to a general reading audience (i.e., not written for a specialized or academic audience). ”
The poetry competition is open from March 1 to May 1. Here is the page: http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/literaryprizes/poetry/.
Best of luck!
on December 29, 2011 at 8:27 pm
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Thank you so very much.
on December 29, 2011 at 8:40 pm
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I am confused. In the narrative it says the poetry prize (submissions accepted from December 1 to February 1, 2012); and the creative nonfiction prize (March 1 to May 1, 2012). This is the reverse of what I have been informed. Please help. Thanks Hal. Lillian Holowka
on January 2, 2012 at 8:51 pm
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Hi Lillian,
The deadlines must have changed since this post went up. I would go with the info that’s currently posted on the CBC site. If you have further questions, you can use their contact page to ask for clarification: http://www.cbc.ca/books/contactus.html.
I will update the post to match the info currently on the site.