Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society

READ SUNSHINE COAST BC 

Arts & Words  Workshop Registration

You can browse and register for events at Eventbrite.

Or you can print out the form below, fill it out, take a photo and send it to: sunshinecoastwritersandeditors@gmail.com.

A_W_2023_Workshop_Registration-1withprofiles.pdf
SCWES MARCH MEETING 2023.pdf

Oblate Paul Durieu

Did you know that Oblate Paul Durieu is one of the earliest published authors on the Sunshine Coast in 1899 with his "Chinook Bible History"? He was regarded as the foremost speaker of Chinook among missionaries. Find out about more about historical and current authors on the Sunshine Coast at the Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives on Saturday, February 25th, 2 pm. Just a few seats left. Pre-register at sunshinecoastwritersandeditors@gmail.com. 

SCWES Book Award Judge

We are pleased to introduce one of our judges for the SCWES Book Awards 2023, Christina Meyers, a writer, editor and former journalist. Her novel "The List of Last Chances" (2021) was longlisted for the 2022 Leacock Medal and shortlisted for the Fred Kerner Book Award. She was the editor of the award-winning anthology BIG (2020) and her work has appeared in almost a dozen prior or forthcoming anthologies, as well as in magazines, journals and online.

She is currently at work on an essay collection and her next novel, and teaches both fiction and creative non-fiction. Christina juggles her creative work and stay-at-home-parenthood from her home in Surrey, BC.


SCWES Book Awards.pdf
100 Years of Writers on the Sunshine Coast.pdf
A&W Pairs.pdf
A&W Workshops.pdf

What a turn out today at our magic hat match for the 2nd Annual Sunshine Coast Art & Words Festival! An article will be out on Feb. 10 in the Coast Reporter on our event Thanks, Steve for the photos this morning. 

100 Years of SC Authors Poster.pdf

RSVP for Gibsons Museum Event

Our event at the Gibsons Museum is listed on the Heritage BC website. Please RSVP at sunshinecoastwritersandeditors@gmail.com if you are coming as space is limited.

https://heritagebc.ca/event/100-years-of-sunshine-coast-writers-sunshine-coast-writers-editors-society/


North Shore Writers Association Annual Writing Contest


The North Shore Writers Association is holding their 27th Annual Writing Contest with cash prizes. It's open to all. Deadline: FEBRUARY 28, 2023


Prizes:

1st $100

2nd  $75

3rd  $50

Youth - $50

Categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry


Fees:

NSWA Adults - $20

Nonmembers Adults - $25

Youth - $15


https://nswriters.org/annual-contest/

Arts and Words 2023

It's time for writers and artists to put their names in for the 2nd Annual Art & Words Festival to be matched up by the "magic hat". This year we will be at the Gibsons Public Market. If you're new to the festival, or just want to put a smile on your face, check out the vibes from last year: 

Remembering Arthur Lightbourn

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our dear member Arthur Lightbourn, at 1:03 am, Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 at the Sechelt Hospital. On behalf of SCWES, I extend our condolences to his daughter, Laurel Lightbourn and her family at this difficult time. My heart breaks for her as Arthur doted on her, as he did all of his family. He shared with me in the short time we knew each other, late into the night, how much he adored her and all his family. It was a privilege to have known such a kind and lovely soul.

Arthur had a story published in our first issue of "Not An Island"  a year ago (https://www.scwes.ca/not-an.../not-an-island-winter-2021-22). He wrote a book, which was the biography of the fascinating Vita Simpson, a Sechelt resident, who turned one hundred years-old on March 21, 2021.  ("Our Vita" is available for loan at the Sechelt Public Library.)  A "Coast Reporter" article about Arthur's book can be found at: https://www.coastreporter.net/.../100-years-of-vita-3575592

Arthur Francis Lightbourn earned a BA in English with Honours from St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia (1956). He worked as a reporter for the Halifax Chronicle Herald and the Toronto Star.

As a freelancer in California, he wrote features and personality profiles for newspapers. His awards include several first place San Diego Press Club awards, National First Place IFPA Award (2002) for Original Writing about the first American military officer to enter a Nazi concentration camp to liberate its prisoners.

His daughter, Laurel was instrumental to Arthur becoming a member of SCWES, as he was living in a care home when he joined and not able to attend our meetings. Without Laurel's assistance, Arthur wouldn't have been able to join our community, and I would never have known him.

On his application form, Arthur wrote that his goal within the society was, "To encourage other writers to be the voice for those who need a voice, and to challenge the status quo." He also said that he was working on a save the cougars project.

I met Arthur in-person at Lions Gate Hospital this summer when we were patients in the same hospital room across from each other. For my entire stay, Arthur told me fascinating stories that he wanted to write when he got out of the hospital. He was an inspiration.

He never complained while in the hospital. He was appreciative of everything that the nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, janitors and everyone did for him at Lions Gate and I believe he was the same while at Sechelt Hospital, because that's the kind of person he was.

After I left Lions Gate, I eventually got word from Laurel that he was transferred to Sechelt Hospital. I was at Sechelt Hospital visiting a friend, a founding member of SCWES, and Arthur was in the next room. Stephen and I popped in and saw Arthur. He was much recovered compared to Lions Gate Hospital days and was waiting for a placement in a care home.

Eventually, he found a spot, but unfortunately he ended up back at Sechelt Hospital again. Laurel let me know just before Christmas, that he would be leaving us. I wouldn't have a chance to see his dear face again.

He was in hospital in total for about four months, when Laurel let me know.

Goodbye, dear Arthur, as you write stories in whatever press room you are in now.

-30-

https://vimeo.com/784788399

January Meeting: In Conversation with Isabella Mori, Poet & Cathalynn (Cindy) Labonte-Smith, Nonfiction Author


On Sunday, January 29th, 2:00 pm, at Mission Point House, join us for  In Conversation with Isabella Mori, Poet about her recently published chapbook, "Not So Pretty Haiku", and nonfiction author, Cathalynn Cindy Labonte-Smith, and her third book, "Rescue Me: Behind the Scenes of Search and Rescue". Both authors will read from their books and book signings and sales will follow the presentation. 



January Writers Workshop: Learn to Write Haiku, Haibun & other Japanese Poetry with Isabella Mori


SCWES will hold its monthly free Writers Workshop after a social break after its January general meeting facilitated by Isabella Mori on writing Japanese Poetry. All levels are welcome from novice to seasoned professional writer. The event is free but please email sunshinecoastwritersandeditors@gmail.com in case there are further instructions from Isabella.

100 Writers in 100 Years on the Sunshine Coast Kickoff Event.pdf
SCWES November Meeting 2022.pdf

SCWES Has Weekly Write Ins for NanoWriMo

Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors is inviting the writers, and wanna-be-writers to join them at Wheatberries on Fridays, 1-3 pm at Wheatberries in Gibsons during the month of November, to participate  in write-ins for NanoWriMo, starting Friday, November 4th. What is NanoWriMo, you ask? It's a challenge to finish a 50,000-word novel in 30 days in the month of November. 

Write-ins will be held every Friday afternoon at Wheatberries in Gibsons at 1-3 pm during the month of November. Writers should bring their laptops, notebooks and pens, quills, inks and parchments, recording devices, or whatever they use to compose. Not everyone writes novels, but the idea is to complete writing 50,000 words in a month. 

Contact: Cindy Labonte-Smith - sunshinecoastwritersandeditors@gmail.com

New Logo

Thanks to Roger Handling for the Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society logo.

SCWES October Meeting.pdf
GoodStoriesLiveHere.pdf

Awards Given Out at the September Meeting

1st ANNUAL ART & WORDS FESTIVAL NEWSLETTER


We couldn't have done it without you, Coasters. It was such a success, there were masses of attendees from the ages of nine to ninety plus, who listened with appreciative attentiveness and absorbed the amazing artwork, and were moved by Maggie Guzzi's, Barb Dann's, and Gord Halloran's poignant short film, "Falling Down Slowly".

We had jaw-dropping views of the ocean on the cusp of Davis Bay, and the participants refused to be out-heckled by the occasional murder of crows and frequent float planes overhead.

There were so many highlights in this festival of all Sunshine Coast author and artist festival, it's hard to share just a few, starting with the stirring Welcoming Song by hiwus (Chief Calvin Craigon) on his shishlah home land, and the eagerly anticipated reading by award-winning author Marion Crook, but it was also the unscripted moments that stand out. For example, a nine year-old young man, wrote a poem on Saturday on the spot and asked to read it to us over the mic. He roared afterwards and struck a Hulk post. He was that pleased with himself, as we were with him. We were thrilled that we could foster a budding junior poet.

Also, we had a group of boys from the Cha'litch Salmon Hatchery day program stop by with their leader to paint whales, sunrises, sunsets and other glorious subjects on the canvases with the supplies we had waiting just in case someone came by and wanted to make some art. They even came up on stage and gave us an impromptu art show much to our delight.

It was knowing that Roger Handling, Paddy Meade, and Paula O'Brien, would be letting the public watch them making en plein art during the breaks, that energized the days that zipped by too fast.

A woman burst into tears while she read Robin Lamarche's heart-breaking story, "Goodbye Jake", posted by Marilyn Sadik's horse portrait, "Gentle Beauty". We shared a few moments, that made the festival so special, unique and intimate.

It's powerful to put visual and literary artists together--they create a new dimension and depth to the interactive experience, that can overwhelm, enchant as well as enrich us.

The open mic on the last day was especially popular with lots of talented members of the audience making their literary debut after our comedic and hilarious award ceremony.

We packed in 65 performances of artists, authors, filmmakers and musicians over the three and a half days. The attendees commented on the vibrancy of the festival, the gorgeous flowers donated to us by Sunshine Coast Nursery and RainFlorist, the spectacular art and the moving literature, and greatly appreciated the door prizes and refreshments so generously provided.

Thanks for making our dream of having a festival showcasing the extraordinarily talented Sunshine Coast authors, artists, musicians and filmmakers come true.

Missed the festival or your friends? Come see us in September all month at the Gibsons Public Library, September 17th, 2-4 pm. (Open mic time-allowing.)

We are doing it again next year at the Gibsons Public Market Aug. 10-13 and it will be even better.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zQzZWjdfyaXZCPJG7

If you wish to attend the free Beachcombers 50th Anniversary Awards & Pat John Tribute at the Gibsons Heritage Playhouse on October 1st, 4-6 pm, contact sunshinecoastwritersandeditors@gmail.com for an invitation.

Seating is limited, but a waitlist will be kept.

Arts & Words Festival  Under Way at Mission Point House in Mission Point Park

The 1st Annual Art & Words Festival

Starts tomorrow, August 11th at 2 pm at Mission Point House, Davis Bay:

OPENING CEREMONIES

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm

4:30 - 6:00 pm

Presentations by Rosa Reid & Micah Reid, Robin Lamarche & Marilyn Sadik, Barb Dann, Maggie Guzzi & Gordon Halloran

6:00 pm

Prize Draw - Must be present to win.

Thank you to Davis Bay Tea Company for your support.

Davis Bay Tea Company has graciously donated a gift box of their specialty tea and tea things for a door prize for one of the days at the 1st Annual Sunshine Coast Art & Words Festival, Mission Point House, Davis Bay, August 11-14th, free admittance. Marla (left) presents the box to Cindy (right) at the Davis Bay display at the Mosaic Emporium, Davis Bay. We can't wait to see what exquisite goodies are inside that lovely white box. 

Thank you to Sunshine Coast Nursery for your support.

We're so excited and grateful that Sunshine Coast Nursery is providing the flowers for the 1st Annual Sunshine Coast Art & Words Festival, Mission Point House, Davis Bay, August 11-14. Here are Sharon (left) and Cheryl (right) in front of some of the beautiful flowers they will allow us to cut fresh for the show to brighten up the stage.

Express your love for WHALES, at the 1st Annual Art & Words Festival at Mission Point House, Davis Bay, Aug. 11-14, in words and paintings on small canvases as part of our public art project. Canvases, acrylic pens, paint, brushes, and whale stencils will be available at a picnic table for you to create your mini masterpieces. We will create a wall of whales mosaic on the outside of Mission Point House. On Sunday, August 14th, the pieces will be auctioned off to benefit next year's Art & Words festival at the Gibsons Public Market. (Remaining pieces will go into an online auction.) 

A&W poster TWUC.pdf
Schedule of Events.pdf
biosa&w.pdf

Deadline for Beachcomber's Contest Extended

Poster for BeachcomberscontestBC.pdf

Mayor Darnelda Siegers of Sechelt (left) presents Cathalynn Cindy Labonté-Smith (middle), President, SCWES, and member, Robin Lamarche (right), with a grant cheque for the 1st Annual Art & Words Festival to be held at the Mission Point House in Davis Bay, August 11-14th, 2022.  

14 Artists & 14 Authors paired together by a hat and magic invite you to:

 

1st Annual Art & Words Festival

Aug. 11-14, 2022 

@ Mission Point House,  4603 Sunshine Coast Highway, Davis Bay. 

 

- Art Show & Sale – Literary Readings – Book Sale - Plein Air Demos- Live Music – Face Painting – Public Art Project -  

 

Poets, novelists, children’s authors, nonfiction writers, scriptwriters perform original pieces inspired by artworks, in a charming venue by the beach. Located between Gibsons and Sechelt in quaint Davis Bay. 

 

Authors

- Heather Conn - Jan DeGrass - Atma Frans - Maggie Guzzie - Caitlin Hicks - Cathalynn Cindy Labonté-Smith - Victor Labonté-Smith - 

- Robin Lamarche - Anne Miles - Isabella J Mori - Bobbie Ogletree - Rosa Reid - Elspeth Richmond - Jennie Tschoban -

 

Artists

- Olga Chnara- Barb Dann - Julia Dodge - Cecile Fortier - Greta Guzek - Gordon Halloran - Roger Handling - Gigi Hoeller - RoseAnn Janzen - 

- Kasia Krolikowska - Paddy Meade - Paula O’Brien - Allan O’Meara - Marilyn Sadik -

 

Hosted by Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society (Scwes.ca) 

Refreshments provided by Davis Bay Tea Company

Sponsorships gratefully received

Admission by donation


Presentation on Kindle Direct Publishing

scweskde.pptx

Presentation on Kindle Direct Publishing


Co-Author Wanted

Co-Author wanted for a memoir for a Sechelt senior’s memoir. For details email to: sunshinecoastwritersandeditors@gmail.com.

Job Bank position access is just one ore of the benefits of your SCWES membership.

Thank you Heritage House Publishing for your Support

Shout out to Heritage House Publishing for providing book prizes for the Beachcombers 50th Anniversary Literary and Art Contest.  https://www.heritagehouse.ca/

Thank you New Star Books for your Support

A shout out goes to New Star Books for donating book prizes to winners of the Beachcombers 50th Anniversary Literary and Art Contest. Get your entries in now!  https://www.newstarbooks.com/

Thank you Sa Boothroyd Artist & Tea Towel Maker for your Support

A shout out through the blizzard to Sa Boothroyd Artist & Tea Towel Maker on the Gibsons dock for sponsoring prizes for the Beachcombers 50th Anniversary Literary and Art Contest.  https://www.saboothroyd.com/

Thank you Davis Bay Tea Company for your Support

Mega shout out to Davis Bay Tea Company for sponsoring a prize of a selection of their delicious teas to a lucky winner of our Beachcombers contest. Their amazing teas can be found at: 

https://davisbaytea.ca/

Thank you The Painted Lady Art Supplies for your Support

A shout out on this snowy day to The Painted Lady Art Supplies for sponsoring prizes for the Beachcombers 50th Anniversary Literary and Art Contest. Thank you! https://www.paintedlady.art

Thank you Peggy Sue's Kids for your Support

Huge shout out to Peggy Sue's Kids for providing prizes for the Beachcombers Contest for the Youth category winners. https://peggysueskids.com/

Thank you Sunshine Olive Oil Company for your Support

Lucky us, a shout out to Sunshine Coast Olive Oil Company for joining the growing number of sponsors for the Beachcombers Contest. I'm totally addicted to their peach flavoured oil and vinegar. https://sunshinecoastoliveoil.com/ 

Thank you Mike's Place for your Support

Shout out to our new sponsor and beloved purveyor of in-house made gelato and other goodies, Mike’s Place. https://mikesgelato.ca/index.html

Thank you Barrington Brolly Umbrellas for your Support

Shout out to a new sponsor for our Beachcombers 50th Anniversary Literary and Art Contest, Joan Barrington of Barrington Brolly Umbrellas of Gibsons. https://www.barringtonbrolly.com/.

Thank you Sunshine Coast Credit Union for your Support

Big shout out to Sunshine Coast Credit Union for their generous grant of $3000 to the our Beachcombers 50th Anniversary Literary and Art Contest next year. Their largess will make it possible for us to have hard-copies of our anthology available as awards to the winners and outstanding entrants!

Thank you Harbour Publising for your Support

Shout out to Harbour Publishing for providing book prizes to the Beachcombers 50th Anniversary Literary and Art Contest. Also, to Nevermore Toys and Games for providing prizes for the kids. Thank you so much. 

Purpose

There’s an influx of new authors to serve on the Coast as well as our solid base. There’s a new generation of young authors and publishers to pass on the blue pencil to and retirees, who are ready to lay their astonishing memoirs at our feet if they can just get going on it.

We are a magnet for creative souls on the Coast. We may not know exactly why, but it’s almost mandatory that you’re a potter, painter or writer to live here. We have our ensemble of diverse voices, and within it there are cozy groups organically and beautifully forming. 

 Need more information? Send an email to sunshinecoastwritersandeditors@gmail.com

Ready to sign up? Fill out the attached membership form.


APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP SCWES.docx