The residency will contribute to the creation of an active writing community with the intent of adding to the cultural experience of residents, seasonal residents, and visitors. The Writer stimulates the writing culture already alive through creative new ideas and providing encouragement for the writing process. This type of initiative, under the guidance of the Writer in Residence, will provide an opportunity for writers to hone their craft and in turn help to preserve our cultural identity.
Now Seeking New Writer In-Residence for 2011
The Writer In Residence will assist the R.D. Lawrence Place Coordinator in providing programming that meets the mandate of:
- Fostering a love of reading, promoting the art of writing, and deepening respect for our natural heritage.
What does that mean?
This is an opportunity for a writer to practice their skills, gain valuable experience and most of all gain a deep satisfaction, therefore, we are looking for candidates to propose to us what they would like to do over the course of one calendar year. The position in 2010 will pay $1,000. It is co-sponsored by the Haliburton Highlands Writers and Editors Network.
How to put together a Writer-In-Residence Proposal
Step 1: There are many different types of Writer In Residence programs. When applicants are deciding what approach they would like to take and what they would like to offer, we encourage applicants to decide first how much time they are willing to commit to this program. This will provide the framework then for how much you are proposing to do. Please be realistic about how much time you can commit, we advertise programs and it is very bad public relations when events are cancelled.
Step 2: Decide what you would like to do as a Writer In Residence. The list below are some options drawn from other programs as well as what has been done here in the past. We encourage applicants to be creative in designing their own program, the list below is not exhaustive and we are open to considering other possibilities.
Do not hesitate to call Sheryl Loucks, R.D. Lawrence Place Coordinator to discuss ideas prior to submission if you have questions. There is not an expectation that the successful WIR will be working every week or even every month, but the residency is a year-long program and we need to see a proposal that covers January to December 2009.
- Do a public reading from your own published works.
- Last year, Michael Fay our Writer In Residence, worked with the Conjurors to have his play A River Needs To Run performed outdoors at the Cultural Centre.
- Host writing/reading related events at RDLP or the Cultural Centre. Last year, Michael was the host for a program of local author readings in the spring and a series of three staged readings of locally written plays in the fall. These events were very successful. In 2009, RDLP is hoping to partner with the Beaver Theatre in a literary festival where the WIR may be asked to speak. The WIR might also be involved in Sesqui-Centennial events.
- Lead or organize workshops about writing for adults/young writers. In previous years, guest authors have been brought in to hold workshops - which the WIR could organize.
- Attend the RDLP Writers' Circle and offer encouragement, support and critical feedback for writers looking to express and find their literary voice.
- Organize writing contests, do an internet blog, find means to provide writers with an opportunity to have their work published online or otherwise raise the exposure of established and budding local writers.
- Help to develop our resource centre for writers.
- Warning: Please ensure your proposal does not depend on extensive support by the coordinator, whose time is extremely limited. The coordinator's main responsibility is to promote the WIR events. Only propose using volunteers, if you as the applicant are confident in your ability to recruit the volunteers needed to meet your goals.
Step 3: After putting together your program of activities, please outline a budget. RDLP will provide a maximum of $250. This money can pay for materials needed to run workshops or pay for speaker fees. WIR in the past has succeeded with centre support in applying for grants to complete projects, this is not expected but we will work with the WIR should they wish to pursue a project requiring a grant. Please include estimations for what workshops will cost participants for the event to break even. The WIR is a volunteer position with the posibility of an honorarium.
Step 5: Depending on the number of applicants, we may have to go through an interview process. The successful applicant will be chosen by the sitting WIR and the RDLP coordinator. Then they will be asked to sign a letter of agreement outlining their responsibilities.
The Writer In-Residence represents R.D. Lawrence Place and by extension the Minden Hills Cultural Centre. The R.D. Lawrence Place Coordinator must approve all activities and the Cultural Centre Director all grant applications.
The Goal of the Writer In Residence Program
Laura Redman ProfileBack to Top
An award winning editor and newspaper journalist, Laura also has extensive experience delivering writing and media workshops to children. She is thrilled to be moving to Haliburton County where she cottaged as a child. She says after spending a childhood in rural areas, she is always being drawn back to "the farm" a pull that has shown up in themes in her fiction and non-fiction writing.
Laura has BA Communications courses from Royal Roads, Victoria and a print journalism diploma from Canadore College. More recently she has completed the expressive arts program at Haliburton's Fleming College. She has worked for daily and community newspapers.
Her experiences include founding the Cherry Valley Art School where she coordinated various programs for children including writing workshops. She has also since 1993 been working with various schoolboards at delivering to different grade levels writing and media workshops. Her most recent experience included working with Archie Stouffer Elementary School in Minden.
WIR 2010 EventsBack to Top
Giggles, Wriggles and Rhymes-click here
Dates: Saturdays in July – July 3, 10, 17, 24
Times: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Contact: Haliburton County Public Library
Minden Hills Branch
Phone: 286-2298
Email: rdlawrenceplace@mindenhills.ca
Address: 174-176 Bobcaygeon Rd, Minden, ON
Web: www.mindenculturalcentre.com
Description:
Singing for Sixpence!
Don’t Eat Spiders!
Til All The Stars Have Fallen
Don’t Be Silly!
Hey Kids, come and play with words, crafts, games and songs! Hey Parents, Laura Redman, R.D. Lawrence Place Writer In-Residence, will share some of her favourite children’s rhymes, poems and stories, and use them as a launching point for a program that is so much fun your kids won’t even recognize they are learning! The program is targeted to children ages 3-7. A parent must stay on the library premises for the duration of the program. Admission is by donation. The “Don’t Eat Spiders” program will also be at the Haliburton branch on Saturday, July 31. On Oct 16, Laura will host Giggles, Games and Ghosts at the Wilberforce Branch.
R.D. Lawrence Literary Festival August 13 and 14
Laura will present during the festival and will be joining our guest authors for a panel discussion during the Sunset Celebration Friday evening on August 13 and will be hosting the Open Mike afternoon on August 14 which she will open with readings from her own work.
Learning from Mitchell and Hemingway, November 25 – What Fiction Writers can Learn from Journalists Discussion Evening: Presentation of a Discussion Paper on the relationship between Journalism and Fiction Writing.
Creative Writing Contest: Laura will do some work in Archie Stouffer School with kids to prep for RDLP Creative Writing Contest: Fall, 2010. Contest entries are due November 19 and winners will be announced on December 11.
The Word Farm - Online: online monthly ‘seed’ blog – to help grow great writers online. Laura will also meet one-on-one by appointment to discuss individual writer’s projects and will deliver group workshops by request.
The Writer In-Residence represents R.D. Lawrence Place and by extension the Minden Hills Cultural Centre. The R.D. Lawrence Place Coordinator must approve all activities and the Cultural Centre Director will approve all grant applications.
The Writer In-Residence program has been made possible through funding provided by R.D. Lawrence Place, the Township of Minden Hills which owns and operates the Minden Hills Cultural Centre and the Haliburton Highlands Writers' and Editors' Network. It is supported by the Haliburton County Public Library.
