Catherine Austen
Creative Writing
Virtual Writing Workshop
Next Saturday, I’ll be leading a writing workshop for adults, “Feeling your Way into Fiction,” hosted by the Regina Public Library.
This is a real treat for me because I rarely work with adult writers — and even more rarely with Saskatchewan-based adult writers. Gotta love Zoom.
This will be a prompt-based workshop where we start with reality — real emotions, real settings, real yearnings for characters a bit like ourselves — and leap away from reality into fiction. I’m so looking forward to it. Who doesn’t love a leap away from reality?
I’ve been blessed this spring to lead many creative writing workshops with kids and teens, and to read hundreds of student stories as a judge of the Ottawa Public Library’s Awesome Authors contest. But sometimes it’s nice to work with adults.
I read some great stories by emerging adult writers this spring, as a second reader for The Writers’ Union of Canada’s annual Short Prose Competition. But there’s nothing like reading works fresh out of a writer’s mind in a prompt-based workshop. Something brilliant inevitably materializes out of nowhere, or at least a diamond in the rough, and it’s always magical to see that happen.
If you are a writer living in Regina who’d like to leap away from reality with me, there are still spots available in the workshop — 10am your time on May 11th; register on the RPL website.
If you live elsewhere, check out your own local library for other writing workshops — libraries are the best places in the world for writers looking to connect.
Happy Spring!
It’s on! Awesome Authors 2024
The Ottawa Public Library’s Awesome Authors Youth Writing Contest is open for entries! Young writers of the nation’s capital, we want to read your stories, poems, and comics. Send them in before midnight on February 23rd for a chance to win prizes and publication.
The contest is open to Ottawa students writing in English or French, in two age groups: 9-12 and 13-18. There are seven submission categories: short story; nouvelle; poetry; poésie; comic; bande dessinée; and book cover. Ambitious writers and artists can submit one of everything!
I’ll be judging English fiction in the 9-12 age category again this year — and I want to read your story!
Read MoreShort Story Markets
I was thrilled to receive a grant from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec this fall to compile my short story collection, “Alone in the World.” (The title sounds depressing, but there will be a lonely laugh or two in there amongst the tears.) I’ll be spending the next few months finishing the book while sending out individual stories for publication in literary journals.
To that end, I’ve again updated my Canadian LitMag List, which I’ve linked to below. It has 55 journals listed with their submissions openings, word count limits, payment offerings, and notes on where to read sample copies. Check it out.
I’m pleased to announce that my latest short story, “Welcome to the Margins,” will be featured in The Humber Literary Review this fall. I’ll post and boast more here when it’s out.
And while I’m on the topic of short stories… I’m honoured to be asked to return as a judge of the Ottawa Public Library’s Awesome Authors youth writing contest this year, and I look forward to reading short stories by local talent in the months to come. The contest launches in December, when I’ll post more about it here.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for a litmag to publish your latest story, check out my list, linked below. Good luck!
Gatineau Book Festival
Come out this weekend to a free bilingual celebration of literacy in Aylmer (Gatineau) featuring authors for all ages.
Join me and a dozen other local authors in the Librairie Michabou Bookstore this weekend for the first annual Gatineau Book Festival to celebrate reading and writing for all ages. This 2-day event will take place on Friday, September 8th from 10:00 am-6:00 pm and Saturday, September 9th from 10:00 am-7:00 pm at the Galeries Aylmer Mall.
Bring your family and your literary aspirations and meet local authors who’ll inspire you to write your own books. Speakers include authors of children’s books, YA novels, historical non-fiction, murder mysteries, sci-fi, political thrillers, and more.
Find the author line-up and event information here.
Learn about other upcoming events at the Michabou Bookstore here.
I’ll be speaking on Saturday at 10am about writing for all ages. Come hear my tips and try a prompt.
I hope to see you there!
Awesome Authors 2023 (Update)
The Ottawa Public Library’s Awesome Authors Youth Writing Contest was a huge success this year, with more entries than ever. Over 700 young writers of poetry, comics, and short stories submitted pieces this winter, leaving judges like me with many difficult decisions (but many hours of delightful reading!).
Check out the library’s post of all the winners and honourable mentions in this year’s contest.
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Catherine Austen writes books for kids and teens, short stories for adults, and reports for corporate clients. She lives in Gatineau, Quebec.
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