Where: Forth Coffee (177 McDermot Ave), Winnipeg, MB at 7 p.m.

I’ll be ending National Poetry Month with a bang during this night of fabulous readings alongside:

George Amabile
Joanne Epp
Grant Guy
Tabitha Martens
Jacqui Smyth

and Winnipeg’s Poet Laureate, Di Brandt!

This is a FREE event and all are welcome.

Sunday, May 5 – The Pas, Manitoba: 

Where: The Pas Regional Library

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Be A Poet!: A Writing Workshop

1 p.m.: A Reading from Following Sea (free, and all are welcome!)

About the workshop:

“Poem” orginates from the Greek word poems which means a “thing made.” In this workshop we’ll engage in writing prompts and exercises to make things with words that express our experiences, attitudes and emotions. Join me! Make some poems!

$20 registration fee for the workshop only. Contact the library at (204) 623-2023 or library@mymts.net to sign up.

Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25 – Kenora, Ontario: 

Friday, 7 p.m.: Reading from Following Sea at Bob’s Burger Bar, 152 Main Street South (free, and all are welcome!)

Saturday, 9 – 12 Noon; 1 – 4 p.m:

Workshops at the Kenora Public Library. Attend one session for $30 or both for $50. Space is limited, so book early.

9 am to 12 noon – The Power in Place: Bringing Depth to Setting

Setting isn’t just simple description. The imagined terrain – whether in memoir, poetry, or fiction – is, in fact, a character in itself. Done well, setting can reveal mood, our characters’ concerns and identities, and help form plot. In this workshop, Lauren will examine with us a few excerpts from other writers’ work to see what a fully realized setting can do. We’ll also practice skills to get beyond cliché or surface description and bring vibrancy and depth to our own written environments.

12pm – 1pm Lunch (not provided)

1 pm to 4 pm – Be a Poet!: A Writing Workshop

“Poem” originates from the Greek word poema which simply means a “thing made.” In this workshop, we’ll engage in a number of writing prompts and fun exercises to see how flexible poetry can be and make some things that express our unique life experiences and emotions. This session isn’t limited to poets. Both fiction and non-fiction writers will benefit.

I acknowledge the Prairie Fire Board of Directors (particularly Sue Sorenson, president), the Kenora Writers’ Group and Judy Major, and Lauren Wadelius and The Pas Regional Library for putting these events together, with support from the League of Canadian Poets and the Canada Council.