Win Tix to September Retreat in Whistler

VICIOUS CIRCLE OFFERS CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS TO SEPTEMBER RETREAT
For Immediate Release

August 4, 2005

Get Cozy in Whistler this Fall at BC's Most Intimate Writing Festival
Retreat and Competition Details at www.theviciouscircle.ca

Whistler, BC: A murder of crows. A pride of lions. A fuss of mothers.

What is the collective noun for a group of writers? A scrabble? A babel?

In the lead-up to its September 8-13 Writers Retreat, host group The Vicious Circle invite suggestions as to the most appropriate moniker for a gathering of writers, to tag its event with.

Event organizer Stella Harvey says, "The Retreat is attracting writers from all across British Columbia. And many of our events, from the evening readings to the morning lectures are open to the public, so there will be a critical mass of people gathering to talk about word-craft, writing and creativity. So, we're looking for creative suggestions as to the perfect word for what that gathering should be called."

Competitors can enter their suggestions before August 18 via email to stella25@telus.net, with entries posted on the group's recently launched website www.theviciouscircle.ca.

Up for grabs are tickets to the Opening Session of the Retreat on Thursday September 8, with the funny and irreverent Susan Musgrave and adventure travel writer Charles Montgomery. Also included in the prize pack are tickets the Closing Reading on Tuesday 13 with history buff, publisher and storyteller Howard White.

The Retreat caters to writers at all levels of development wherever they might be based, and offers insight into how to grow a literary culture and community, as well as how to hone your own skills. "The program will be very practical and geared to someone who wants to take their writing practice to the next level," says Harvey, who has four years experience organizing writing workshops in Whistler, and is also a graduate of the Simon Fraser University Writers Studio program.

Registration for the entire 5 day writing retreat in the emerging fiction, established fiction, or non-fiction stream, is priced at $500 (discounted to $375 if participants arrange their own accommodation.) Morning lectures, also available on a drop-in basis, will be presented by Ross Laird on ethical issues related to craft and tapping into your creativity, Mary Schendlinger on the how to get work published, Patti Osborne on self publishing and Rebecca Wood Barrett on pitching stories to publishers.

Sunday September 11 offers a not-to-be-missed opportunity for all aspiring writers. Wood Barrett's session on how to pitch will be followed by an opportunity to pitch your ideas to various magazine and book publishers and editors who have come to that festival for that purpose. Those brave enough to pitch will receive feedback on their idea, and who knows where that might lead. New Star Books, Harbour Publishing, Arsenal Press, Ekstasis Editions, Geist, the Georgia Straight and Subterrain have all confirmed. Tickets for the pitching event are available at $50, with a limited number available.

Writers and creative types interested in registering for the entire 5 day retreat, which includes access to the readings, workshops, lectures and activities can still email stella25@telus.net to secure one of the last remaining spaces.


For more information, contact:

Stella Harvey

604 932 4518

stella25@telus.net