WEN member Bill Galvin was featured in the Mississauga News for his contributions to Canadian Imprints Volume II.  The Ballad of Hank the Gyp is one of two poems included in the anthology by Bill who loved the racetrack and met “Gyp” while working as a horse groomer. Gyp was a downtrodden character who had little money and only one horse. He loved the track and slept in the stables beside his horse because he had no other place to go. Bill is pictured with his own horse and holding a copy of the anthology, Canadian Imprints Volume II. The book will be launched at Canadiana Restaurant on December 14th at the annual Writers and Editors Holiday Party. More info and registration details can be found on this website.

On October 24th, Jasmine Jackman, our VP, helped organize and host United Nations Day at Queen’s Park. Jasmine is the co-chair of the Toronto Chapter of the United Nations Association which sponsors this annual event. The venue was splendid and consisted of two meeting rooms in the West Wing of Queen’s Park adjacent to the office of the Lieutant Governor, David Onley. There was food, wine and a commemerative cake which was enjoyed by all. There was significant participation by members of WEN including President Maria Marchelletta and Treasurer Maurus Cappa who represented WEN at United Nations Day. In addition, Judie Oron, Zohra Zoberi, Baroness Tamara Von Schlegel and Thelma Wheatley gave presentations on the background and research involved in their publications. Later they also took part in a panel discussion. Jasmine acted as master of ceremonies and read a compelling memoir- like poem from Canadian Imprints Volume II which addressed the Holocaust. Everyone was moved by Michael Jackman, Jasmine’s son, who sang wonderful renditions of the Canadian anthem a capella in both official languages. It was truly a United Nations event with speeches by lawyers from the First Nations and the black community.

Baroness Von Schlegel’s speech was written up in the Caledon Citizen …     follow this link       Caledon Citizen  .

 

IOWI (In Our Words) will be launching a new anthology titled Courtneypark Connection at the Courtneypark Library on Saturday, August 24, 2013 from 1 pm to 4 pm.  WEN members John Ambury and Zohra Zoberi are contributors to this anthology.

 

WEN member Hans von Maltzahn has kindly made his e-Book presentation materials available for all to access on the website. Hans has given his presentation at two previous workshops. If there is general interest from the membership, we will arrange for a new workshop at Metro Hall in downtown Toronto.

 

 

 

Click below for links to the materials:

Power Point Presentation

Supporting Documentation

Michael Croucher has been selected as the winner of the Say WEN Fiction Contest announced in the October, 2012 newsletter. Congratulations Michael.

MICHAEL was born in England and has lived most of his adult life in Canada. He has been writing fiction for over thirty years.

He is a former Toronto police officer who served seven years investigating organized crime with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. An avid reader of crime, suspense, and historical novels, his first book, Bravo’s Veil was self- published in 2010. A second release through Friesen Press of Victoria is scheduled for January.

Michael and his wife live in a small town on the Niagara Peninsula. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren.

Here is the winning entry, titled   Night Wagon.

Broken glass was scattered over the shop’s floor. It lay in piles near the front door and in trails of smaller bits and shards that reached to the back wall. A cold draught washed in through jagged openings in the glass panel and carried a curling ribbon of snow that coated the door frame and the wall beside it.

A stream of cold air reached the small man in the second barber’s chair but it didn’t bother him. He felt warmer here than he had outside. He turned the chair towards the street and waited in the dark with a brick clutched in his hand. Both of his hands were speckled with blood from small cuts and with small pieces of glass.

“Seasons Greetings” banners draped from the top of the two huge shop mirrors beside him and a ‘Johnny Walker’ clock hung on the wall between the mirrors. Reflected street light caught the clock’s face; it was three fifteen. The man watched the steady movement of the red second hand and listened to its distinctive click.

His words were slurred and he spoke as if someone occupied the next chair. “If nothing happens by three thirty, I’ll give ‘em another tweak.”

A few moments later, he became drowsy in his new found comfort. His chin dropped to his chest and he dozed off.

When he came to it was three fifty-five. There had been no response. He clambered down from the chair, took the brick into his right hand, and moved towards the front of the shop.

He swayed on his feet, staring at the main window and the loops of plastic garland and tinsel that decorated it. “This oughta bring the god-damned boys.”

He wound up and hurled the brick. It crashed through the window and scuttled across the street, carrying huge wedges of disintegrating glass with it.

He grinned, nodded and climbed back onto the chair.

Within five minutes flashing red lights were reflecting around the shop and off of the mirrors. A flashlight beam probed through the circus of light and settled onto the man’s face. A Smith and Wesson revolver was trained on him through the broken window, another from the combative squat of an officer who was now inside.

“Don’t f…ing move,” said the closest officer. He sounded young.

A gun barrel was pressed behind the man’s ear and he felt the chair being turned away from the street.

The second cop was now inside; he was older.

His flashlight scanned the man’s face for a closer look. “So it’s you again, Freddy. I guess you’re thinking it’s time to get back inside, is that right?”

Freddy’s nose was flat and grotesquely twisted. One side of his face was covered in ancient scar tissue, the eye socket just a blackened crater.

His tongue flickered across his dry and badly cracked lips. “Yeah, it’s getting cold officer; too f…ing cold.”

Freddy was pulled from the chair roughly by the young one. His arms were brought together behind him and the cuffs snapped on.

“Easy Bobby, loosen those cuffs, son. Old Freddy’s just going home for the Holidays, isn’t that right Freddy?

“Yeah, those stockyards are freezing man.”

“What a damned stench.” The young cop grimaced as he removed five small empty bottles from Freddy’s pockets and checked him for weapons. “He’s covered in shit. Jesus, what a mess.”

“I’ll call from here. If we use the radio, a wagon could take an hour.” The older cop picked up the shop’s phone and dialled the duty desk at his station. 

“Staff, it’s Sid O’Hara on 125, we’re on location; the barber shop at Keele and Mulock. We’re holding one for an entry. It’s old, one-eyed Freddy. Mother of God, he’s ripe. We can’t put him in the cruiser; it’ll stink for a bloody year. He’s covered in all kinds of slop… shit his pants. Looks like the old bugger drank about a quart of vanilla extract. Could you send the wagon down here for us?”

He hung up and looked at his prisoner.

Spray flew from Freddy’s mouth. “It’s Sunday, right Officer?”

“Yeah it’s Sunday, Freddy; Christmas Eve, old son.”

“Nice bean soup at The Don on Sundays.” Freddy grinned, three blackened stubs on his gums shined grotesquely in the flashes of red light.

The Paddy Wagon arrived and its rear door swung open. The cuffs were removed and Freddy climbed awkwardly up the wide steel step and into the hold. He was short enough that he could stand up straight in the aisle between the side benches. He looked back at the cops, drooling as he spoke. “You taking me to Twelve first?”

“Right, Freddy,” O’Hara replied. “You’ll be processed in no time; by noon you’ll be eating Christmas cake and wearing a nice little party hat at The Don.”

Freddy clapped his hands and laughed. “There you f…ing go, boys. And here comes ol’ Santa and his bag full of gifts.” He turned and slapped noisily at the seat of his soggy pants.

The young cop closed the heavy steel door and the wagon pulled away, grinding bits of glass as it went. Freddy’s gnarled face grinned back at them through the tiny barred window.

The two cops walked back towards the cruiser.

O’Hara got in the passenger seat and took off his cap. “Stop by The Queensbury on the way in, lad. I’ll pick us up a couple of special coffees.”

“Ah… alright… sure, Sid.”

“And I’ll get a stiff one for the Staff Sergeant for helping us out. After all, it is bloody Christmas… Will you have one shot of rye or two, Bobby?”

“Well, I don’t normally drink on…”

O’Hara gave him his best ‘come on now’ stare.

The young cop glanced back at his partner who was now loosening his Sam Brown belt. 

Bobby sighed, put the cruiser in gear, and headed up Keele Street. “Ah, just one… thanks, Sid.”

 

by Michael Croucher

 

 

Thelma Wheatley launched her new book And Neither Have I Wings To Fly at Women’s Art Association on April 18, 2013. It is a shocking true story of confinement and abuse in the infamous Ontario Hospital School in Orillia.

Our Writers and Editors Network meeting on January 19, 2013 with Joe Frankel was featured in SNAP Etobicoke. There were plenty of pictures taken. Check it out at  SNAP Photos .

“On January 19th, the Writers and Editors Network (WEN) welcomed freelance producer Joe Frankel to their monthly breakfast meeting at Canadiana Restaurant. Frankel has worked as a screenwriter and commercial director in Toronto, New York and Los Angeles. But first up at the podium was children’s author Didi LeMay, who talked about branding. This was followed by a roundtable discussion during which members shared their accomplishments. Then Frankel shared his knowledge and expertise with the members, emphasizing the importance of creating promotional videos as a way to stand out among other candidates. “I don’t believe in limits, but I do believe in branding,” he said, adding, “you have to be willing to pigeonhole yourself before you can stand out.” WEN’s monthly meetings offer an opportunity to refine your knowledge of the writing and editing business through guest speakers. To learn more, email communications@wenetwork.ca .”   SNAP Etobicoke

Darlene Madott’s book “Stations of the Heart” is now available at Ben McNally’s, on Bay Street and on-line.

For an excellent review of Darlene’s book click Book Review .

If you wish to have your website, bio and other information listed under the Membership tab, first of all you must be a paid-up member of WEN. Simply select Add Member Bio link under the Membership tab and fill out the form. You can enter as much or as little information as you like. Then hit send at the bottom of the form. The webmaster or the membership coordinator will enter your information within a few days or less. Please be advised, that if your membership lapses, your links will automatically be dropped from the Member Websites list.

The Author’s Symposium was held at the Shangri La banquet hall in Markham on Thursday, February 28th, 2013. WEN had two tables on display to promote WEN. Ronnie Swais should be thanked for hosting this networking event and for promoting WEN. Several WEN members were in attendance, Maurus Cappa, Dave Cook, Ben Antao, Maria Marchelletta, Didi Lemay, Marilyn Garshowitz, Andy Turnbull, Hans von Maltzahn (with his better half) and Elena Zolotka. I hope I did’nt miss anyone.