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November 2–3, 2012: Kamloops Writers Fair
Do you have a completed manuscript ready to pitch to a literary agent or a partially completed manuscript ready to be put through a Blue Pencil or tested at an open mike? Then check out the Kamloops Writers Fair, which “welcomes writers of all genres, as well as published and emerging writers.”
The keynote speaker will be Anthony Dalton, author and past president of the Canadian Authors Association.
- Time: 19h00–closing (November 2); 9h00–17h00 (November 3)
- Cost: $100 (full weekend registration: includes Open Mic Night/wine and cheese reception; keynote speech; 2 workshops; Blue Pencil session; Saturday lunch)
- Location: The Old Courthouse Cultural Centre, 7 Seymour Street West, Kamloops
- Tickets
- More information
November 7–11, 2012: Circle Craft Christmas Market
Want to get a head start on your holiday shopping? Reserve your tickets for this year’s Circle Craft Christmas Market. Browse the works of 280 Canadian artisans; create your own blown-glass tree ornament; see pottery and wood-turning demonstrations; watch performances by the Royal City Youth Ballet Company and the Anna Wyman School of Dance.
- Time: 10h00–21h00 (November 7–9); 10h00–19h00 (November 10); 10h00–17h00 (November 11)
- Cost: $12 at the door ($10 online) for adults; $10 at the door ($8 online) for seniors; $10 at the door ($8 online) for students with valid ID
- Location: Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
- Tickets
- More information
November 15–18, 2012: Christmas at Hycroft
Here’s an opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping while experiencing the “sights and sounds of Christmas in a traditional Edwardian mansion.”
Christmas at Hycroft is organized by The University Women’s Club of Vancouver. It is the club’s biggest single-event fundraiser of the year, with funds going to promote education, “rights and opportunities for women through advocacy locally, nationally and internationally, as well as ongoing stewardship of the grounds and buildings.”
- Time: 10h00–21h00 (November 15–16); 10h00–18h00 (November 17–18)
- Cost: $13 for adults ($10 on November 15); $5 for children age 5–11 (children <5 years of age: free); $30 for a Family Package (2 adults and 3 children)
- Location: 1489 McRae Avenue, Vancouver
- Tickets
- More information
November 18, 2012: EAC-BC seminar: Grammar Essentials for Writers and Editors (a Seminar for the Fainthearted and the Fearless)
Can you explain how a transitive verb differs from an intransitive one or how a phrase differs from a clause? Can you tell a client or your colleagues what is wrong with a sentence that “doesn’t sound right”? Note: this seminar will be held in Kelowna.
In this seminar, instructor Barbara Tomlin will guide you to a better understanding of sentence structure and grammar terminology through exercises, discussions, and group activities. You will learn about common errors that can mar otherwise good writing and leave the seminar feeling better about your grasp of the language that you use by instinct every day.
Whether you feel anxious when you hear the word “grammar” or are eager to address gaps in your knowledge, you will benefit from this review of how English works—and sometimes doesn’t.
Topics will include:
- How grammar differs from usage and style
- Parts of speech
- Sentence problems
- Subject-verb agreement
- Misplaced and dangling modifiers
- Grammar resources
About the instructor: Barbara Tomlin began working in the publishing industry more than 30 years ago, first for educational and trade book publishers, and then for magazine publishers. Since then she has edited, copy edited, and proofread a wide range of material for a variety of clients. She is certified as an editor in life sciences and is a past chair of the Editors’ Association of Canada Certification Steering Committee. She has also been an instructor for SFU’s Writing and Communications Program for more than 20 years and has developed writing and editing workshops for many organizations. She is a founding member of West Coast Editorial Associates.
- Time: 9h30–16h30
- Cost: $120 for EAC members who register by October 26, 2012 (after: $140); $180 for non-members who register by October 26, 2012 (after: $200)
- Location: Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Avenue, Kelowna
- Registration
November 21, 2012: EAC-BC meeting: Language Detectives
What do syntax and CSI have in common?
What do syntax and CSI have in common? Find out in this fascinating glimpse into the world of forensic linguistics. Did a series of text messages sent before a fatal car crash constitute legitimate suicide notes? Can we tell if a 911-call transcript has been altered? In a series of letters, where does the author go from creep to stalker? Dr. Lorna Fadden, linguistics professor and consultant in the field of forensic linguistics, will tell us about these and other cases she has worked on. She’ll also discuss what she and her colleagues look for in their work, and how she came to be a language detective.
About the speaker: Dr. Lorna Fadden is an assistant professor of linguistics at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Over the past decade, her research has focused on discourse analysis, mostly of police interviews, and the methods and ethics of dealing with language evidence. She has consulted on numerous cases in Canada and the United States. She’s also SFU’s First Nations languages coordinator and a regular moderator for SFU’s Philosophers’ Café.
- Time: 19h00–21h00
- Cost: free for EAC members; $10 for non-members; $5 for students with valid ID
- Location: YWCA on Hornby, 535 Hornby Street, Welch Room, 4th floor, Vancouver
- Registration: at the door
November 24, 2012: Canadian Authors Association workshop: Research—The Key to Writing Historical Fiction
In this workshop, instructors Robert Mackay and Margo Bates will teach you how to develop your ideas, characters, storyline, and story outcome based on research.
This workshop is hosted by the Canadian Authors Association (CAA).
- Time: 13h00–16h00
- Cost: $30 for CAA members; $60 for non-members; $35 for students with valid ID
- Location: Alliance for Arts and Culture, 100-938 Howe Street, Vancouver
- Registration
November 24–29, 2012: Jewish Book Festival
Each year, the Jewish Book Festival attracts a large and varied audience to the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver for lectures, workshops, film screenings, book launches, and more. This year, more than 20 established and emerging Jewish and non-Jewish writers will be speaking at the event about subject matter ranging from literature and philosophy to history and current events.
- Bookstore hours: 19h00–22h00 (November 24); 10h00–21h00 (November 25–29)
- Cost for each event: varies (admission is charged for most events; some are free)
- Location: Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, 950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
- Tickets for events
- Events program
November 24—December 24, 2012: Vancouver Christmas Market
Looking to experience an authentic German Christmas market while you shop for traditional German Christmas decorations, toys, pottery, food and drink, jewellery, and crafts? Fancy a stroll through “romantic rows of little wooden huts decorated in pine branches and illuminated with strings of little white lights”? This market is for you!
© Vancouver Christmas Market
- Time: 11h00–21h00 (November 24–December 23); 11h00–18h00 (December 24)
- Cost: $5 for adults (Monday–Friday: 16h00–21h00; Saturday–Sunday: 11h00–21h00); $2 for adults (Monday–Friday: 11h00–16h00); $2 for children age 7–12; no charge for children <7 years of age
- Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, 650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
- More information
West Coast Editor 