Category Archives: Vancouver

OTHERS’ EVENTS: The Reading Writer’s Tea Party

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Sure, The Shebeen Club meeting tonight is the most important thing in everyone’s life, but what do you do between that and the next one? Well, here’s a suggestion, thanks to Kathrin Lake.

REMINDER: The Reading Writer’s Tea Party is next Saturday!!!

To RSVP you are coming if you have not already, see buy now button below, or email me your assurances and how many are coming. We have to reserve you a tea cup and a seat.

ALSO: If you are reading get me your 5 minute manuscript (2 pages max – may be abridged) for the desktop booklet BY Wednesday the 25th.

I will also have a very exciting announcement at the Tea Party that you all may be very interested in…. keep you in suspense.

You are cordially invited to…

The Reading Writers Group

My only wish for organizing events at the recent Women & Words conference was that I had hoped we could include an open mike reading event, cabaret or café to read in-process, new or favorite works. But it was too busy. So, as Spring dawns on the Wet Coast and brings the urge to use my grandmother’s tea cups again, I thought Tea Party! Ohhh… what about inviting all those W&W participants and on Saturday, May 28th, 3pm having…

  • Tea and coffee out of my precious, inherited, elegant tea cup collection
  • Yummy goodies, both healthy and sinful
  • Gabbing
  • Brilliant Readings from Authors or Will-be Authors
  • PLUS: Your own take away free booklet at the event that may have your own words published in it (see below*)
  • AND: A shelf to display and sell your own books again (bring no more than 5 copies if you have them)
  • Other surprises….

◊ WHY NOT make sure that the writers who are volunteering to read are rewarded by being PUBLISHED in a little desktop “booklet”

That’s right, if you are a writer who is reading your work at the tea party, and can send us the text a week in advance by May 21st (2 pages max), then we will print all or part in the “booklet” that will go home with everyone!

Entrance is less than $9 with everything included.

CLICK THIS SECURE LINK and buy now to reserve your spot. Pass this on to guests who will be joining you

Date: Saturday, May 28th 3pm to 6pm

Time: 3pm to 6:30pm

Location: #401 – 1288 Broughton – BUZZ 401 – in the English Bay area!

This is my large downtown apartment unless there is huge demand, and I may move the event to another downtown location. Parking is on the street meter, pay parking garages, and some lucky free parking, and transit is a block away.

May Meeting: Help Us Help You Help Us All

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Mr. Grumpy Pants

Mr. Grumpy Pants

Why so serious, pookie?

Has your writing career got you down? Things not falling into your lap like those unicorn rainbows and lollipop dreams would have it? Wondering what to do and how to do that (short of offering to sleep with Jack McClelland)?

THEN YOU NEED TO COME TO THE MAY MEETING OF THE SHEBEEN CLUB!

What with raincoaster heading off to places to our north so as to discover new alcohol-based uses for ice, The Shebeen Club is being forced on a new sucker transferred to a new, bright, shining set of hands! Ian Alexander Martin (a guy comfortable with writing about himself in the 3rd person) wants to know what you — yes, you — want to see in the meetings!

Come on down to the Rebel Room, put him in a sleeper hold, and then calmly explain what you need to learn about and who should explain it to you as a presenter.

The best way to get what you want is to say what that is. No one is willing to admit they can read minds, so join us on Tuesday, May 24th at 7pm for a timely, lively discussion by you and other intelligent people who are writers, publishers, literary agents, PR and Media people, or just plain people involved in that Publishing Biz. Bring your questions, suggestions, and your brain!

As always, tickets are $20 in advance [Eventbrite Link; let us know you’re coming and we’ll give you the early bird price] (available till May 23rd) or $25 at the door, and that includes dinner and a drink. The venue is the upstairs lounge at Revel Room, 238 Abbott Street just south of Gastown.

  • Revel Room: 238 Abbott Street just south of Gastown [need a map? CLICK HERE]
  • JUST $20!! GET YOUR TICKETS HERE! [Eventbrite Link!] includes dinner!
  • …or, bring $25 cash on the evening
  • Tuesday, May 24th
    • 7:00 – 7:30 meet & mingle
    • 7:30 – 8:00-ish listen & learn

Fucking Writers’ Conferences: how do they work?

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This is our April topic. I can drop an F bomb in it because the speaker said it was okay, and that was because the speaker is me and I’m the one who puts the PRO in profanity, right? Damn straight.

This month we’re on the 4th Tuesday instead of the 3rd Monday, but oh well, a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, eh? And we’ll be starting at 6pm instead of 7, and it’s all cash, $20 a head for the set meal. Everybody gets the earlybird price this month.

There’s been a bit of chaos around Shebeen Global HQ this month, but we’re finally organized. We’ll be in the Revel Room upstairs again, from 6-8 or so. This way you don’t have to grab a snack before the meeting!

I’ll be speaking about how to get the most from a writer’s conference, and having been on the board of a couple and an attendee and speaker at more than I can count without taking off my shoes, I have a lot to share. If you do too, we want to hear from you.

And don’t forget the Women&Words conference this coming Friday and Saturday. Guess who’ll be speaking there as well? [insert smiley of your choice, as I am far too bloody dignified to use them myself]

By the way, if you have a favorite conference, please do drop a link to them in the comments. The more the merrier, and it’d be great to do one grand roundup post of all the conferences within reach of BC.

CBC Senior Communications Position

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A new job has come in over the transom: this one’s primarily marketing, so may the best Canadian Content pimp win!

(I am sure the CBC is horrified by that, but oh well!)

Communications, Community Outreach & Marketing Professional

CBC/Radio-Canada – Vancouver, Canada Area

Job Description

Pour lire cette offre d’emploi en français, SVP visitez notre site web: http://www.radio-canada.ca/emplois et cherchez sous l’offre: VAN00360

If you are interested in public broadcasting and strive to take pride in what you do, look no further. This is the place for you. The national public broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada will give you the opportunity to work on projects you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

CBC British Columbia is seeking a dynamic marketing communications professional with a passion for community development and public broadcasting. As a Senior Communications Officer you will be instrumental in raising the profile of CBC British Columbia across the Province. You bring an innovative spirit to your work, and thrive in fast paced environments. If you are a marketing pro with a community background then this is the job for you!

Desired Skills & Experience

We are looking for candidates with the following profile:

Develop and implement strategic, integrated marketing plans to promote local TV, radio, online and community programming in BC.

Create and execute innovative marketing strategies for online and social media platforms.

Diversify and manage CBC Vancouver’s community sponsorship and partnership program through the negotiation and coordination of strategic partnerships.

Superior negotiation skills and the ability to navigate complex issues to bring about agreement.

Write, edit and produce a range of marketing materials (print and broadcast); Write and produce television, radio and online promotions.

Conceptualize and develop publicity concepts and approaches, including developing and pitching story ideas to appropriate media, developing and producing supporting visual and print materials, organizing publicity activities, directing photo shoots and handling a wide variety of media inquiries and requests.

Imaginative, resourceful and always ready with a solution to a challenge or suggestion for a more effective/efficient way to do business.

Ability to work flexible hours often at short notice depending on activities and events.

Sense of humour.

Working knowledge of Vancouver’s diverse communities and an established network within those communities.

Demonstrated public speaking and networking skills. Success in crafting dynamic and persuasive presentations.

Graduation from University or Community College with a diploma or certificate in Public Relations or Communications, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Minimum of five years direct experience in promotion and marketing. Job also requires demonstrated superior writing skills, leadership, creativity, strategic thinking, planning, organizational ability and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of CBC radio and television broadcasting is required.

 

Shebeen Club Mixer Monday, March 21st

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The Auld Shebeen

The Auld Shebeen

Just a social night this month: no speaker, no pressure. Bring whatever you’re working on for boasting/comparison purposes! $25 at the door gets you dinner and a drink and the best literary cadre of companions in all of Vangroover! That’s the price for our special menu, or this once you can order off the regular menu and “pay as you go.”

Next month we’ll be back to our usual meet&greet/presentation/arguing and drinking schedule.

UPDATE: It’s apparently World Poetry Day on Monday.

Monday is World Poetry Day and, coincidentally, the anniversary of the first twitter tweet. Celebrate with a “twaiku” by Elizabeth Alexander:

Teeny tiny poem

Teeny tiny poem/just enuf 2hold/1 xllent big word/Impluvium/open-eyed courtyrd/collectng rain/as all poems do/ skylife, open/birds do:/ tweet

More on UN World Poetry Day here
NYTimes article here
Four New Twitter poems (including Alexander’s) here