unwanted symbols when keyboarding

Occasionally I accidentally hit a wrong key combination on my computer keyboard. As a result, I used to get inappropriate unwanted symbols instead of question marks,  apostrophes, @, etc. I think I fixed that [working in Microsoft Word 7]. I went to: 1 Control Panel, 2 Regions and Languages, 3 Keyboards and Languages, 4 Change Keyboards, 5 Advanced Key Settings. There I saw a chart of Actions and Key Sequences. I changed all the key sequences to NONE, then clicked OK.

 

 

Elma Schemenauer CONSIDER THE SUNFLOWERS: 1940s-era novel about love, Mennonites, faith, & family. Set in Vancouver & rural Saskatchewan. Order from Chapters online http://tinyurl.com/ny8smwk or Borealis Press http://tinyurl.com/lfdo9pf  . More info at http://elmams.wix.com/sflwrs  . Book trailer at https://youtu.be/sBRuhh1xX7Y .

 

poem & story opportunity: firstwriter

firstwriter.com – Thursday January 14, 2016

firstwriter.com has just announced the launch of the latest issue of its long-running literary journal, firstwriter.magazine.

firstwriter.magazine has been published twice a year since 2002, making it probably one of the longest-running online journals on the internet. This 28th issue features the usual mix of quality fiction and poetry from around the world, plus the first chance to see not just the winning story from the Eleventh International Short Story Contest, but also all ten Special Commendations. You can view the magazine by clicking here. If you'd like to enter your work in the Twelfth International Short Story Contest, click here.

If you submitted work for issue 28 you can check to see if your work has been included by viewing the magazine online (click here). If your work has not been included then, unfortunately, on this occasion your submission has not been successful. We'd love to see more of your work, though, and with the release of issue 28 we have now opened submissions for issue 30 of the magazine. We accept poems up to 30 lines and short stories up to 3,000 words. Submissions are accepted from anywhere in the world (as long as they are in English), and can be submitted online for free at https://www.firstwriter.com/Magazine/submit.shtml

 

 

Elma Schemenauer CONSIDER THE SUNFLOWERS: 1940s-era novel about love, Mennonites, faith, & family. Set in Vancouver & rural Saskatchewan. Order from Chapters online http://tinyurl.com/ny8smwk or Borealis Press http://tinyurl.com/lfdo9pf  . More info at http://elmams.wix.com/sflwrs  . Book trailer at https://youtu.be/sBRuhh1xX7Y .

 

women's fiction contest

Interesting women’s fiction contest, free to enter: http://tinyurl.com/z5njvsp .

 

 

Elma Schemenauer CONSIDER THE SUNFLOWERS: 1940s-era novel about love, Mennonites, faith, & family. Set in Vancouver & rural Saskatchewan. Order from Chapters online http://tinyurl.com/ny8smwk or Borealis Press http://tinyurl.com/lfdo9pf  . More info at http://elmams.wix.com/sflwrs  . Book trailer at https://youtu.be/sBRuhh1xX7Y .

 

snowy Valentine's vignette

A snowy Valentine's vignette from the 1940s Saskatchewan Mennonite novel CONSIDER THE SUNFLOWERS by Elma (Martens ) Schemenauer:

 

Frank stood at the top of the hill watching snow diamonds sparkle on his pasture. The air felt as brisk and cold as peppermints. What a great afternoon for sliding with his best girl!

 

He sat down on the toboggan, and three-year-old Klara plopped her solid little body into his lap. She turned her head, her red bonnet brushing his cheek. "Daddy?"

 

"Yeah?"

 

"When is Mommy getting the baby?"

 

"Soon. Grandma Janz says I'll have to go for Doc Muirhead any day now." Frank put his arm around his daughter and pushed with one foot to start the toboggan sliding.

 

It swooped down the hill, skidded to the left, twirled, and dumped them into a snowdrift. Klara jumped to her feet, whooping with delight. "Get up, Daddy!" She yanked at his arm. "I wanna slide down again."

 

"I'm too tired." He lolled back in the snow, grinning up at her. "We musta slid down twenty times already."

 

"Please, Daddy." She tilted her head, her smile digging dimples into her brown cheeks. Frank's mama had done that, the exact same way. It was a hard gesture to resist.

 

He hauled himself to his feet. "Okay, we'll take a couple more runs down the hill. Then we'll go in for supper. Mommy and Grandma are making cottage-cheese dumplings."

 

"Oh." Klara plunked herself down on the toboggan. "I hope Mommy gets a baby girl."

 

"I hope it's a boy myself. I already have the nicest little girl in the world."

 

CONSIDER THE SUNFLOWERS is available in KAMLOOPS, BC in Chapters and the University Bookstore / ABBOTSFORD, BC in the Mennonite Heritage Museum and the House of James / SASKATOON, SK in The Whimsy Store / REGINA, SK in Chapters Southland Mall / CENTRAL BUTTE, SK in Galloway's Pharmacy / ELBOW, SK in Back Home Bakery / MONTREAL, QC in Chapters Place Montreal Trust. It can also be ordered from Chapters Indigo Online http://tinyurl.com/ny8smwk or the publisher, Borealis Press of Ottawa http://tinyurl.com/lfdo9pf .

 

 

 

 

Elma Schemenauer CONSIDER THE SUNFLOWERS: 1940s-era novel about love, Mennonites, faith, & family. Set in Vancouver & rural Saskatchewan. Order from Chapters online http://tinyurl.com/ny8smwk or Borealis Press http://tinyurl.com/lfdo9pf  . More info at http://elmams.wix.com/sflwrs  . Book trailer at https://youtu.be/sBRuhh1xX7Y .

 

playwriting opportunity: Western Canada Theatre

http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/western-canada-theatre-might-want-your-play/

 

 

Elma Schemenauer CONSIDER THE SUNFLOWERS: 1940s-era novel about love, Mennonites, faith, & family. Set in Vancouver & rural Saskatchewan. Order from Chapters online http://tinyurl.com/ny8smwk or Borealis Press http://tinyurl.com/lfdo9pf  . More info at http://elmams.wix.com/sflwrs  . Book trailer at https://youtu.be/sBRuhh1xX7Y .

 

good info from Federation of BC Writers

Lots of good stuff below including a notice about new writing awards for members of the Kamloops-based Interior Authors Group. (Scroll down and you'll see it.)

 

Elma Schemenauer CONSIDER THE SUNFLOWERS: 1940s-era novel about love, Mennonites, faith, & family. Set in Vancouver & rural Saskatchewan. Order from Chapters online http://tinyurl.com/ny8smwk or Borealis Press http://tinyurl.com/lfdo9pf  . More info at http://elmams.wix.com/sflwrs  . Book trailer at https://youtu.be/sBRuhh1xX7Y .

 

From: Federation of BC Writers [mailto:communications=bcwriters.ca@mail146.suw14.mcdlv.net] On Behalf Of Federation of BC Writers
Sent: January-18-16 8:01 PM
To: Elma
Subject: WriteOn! (Also, Important Note!) 

 

A publication for writers, about writing View this email in your browser   www.bcwriters.ca | communications@bcwriters.ca | Subscribe   Hello BC Writers!  First thing is an important note specifically to current members of the FBCW:  "In compliance with the BC Personal Information Protection Act, part 3, Consent, with this notice we advise members that a very limited number of partners in the literary field have been approached to jointly distribute our respective publications - for instance, BC Bookworld. We ask that you notify us at the email below if wish to be excluded from the list of addresses that goes to these partners. Please rest assured that our membership list does not go to 3rd parties for any other purpose except as part of this mutual offering of publications."  We know it's very technical language, but basically, we want to send you more excellent and informative writing literature! We're having conversations with some select organizations about providing new literature to you at no additional cost, and we really believe you'll love it. Please email me to ask to be off the list if you aren't interested in receiving anything further via snail mail, and we'll be sure you don't.  Secondly, a big welcome to our new regional representatives,  Caitlin Hicks and Lucia Terra! We're very glad you've joined the team.  Now, enjoy your mid-January read! I normally make notes throughout, but there's so much going on this spring, I think the events speak for themselves.     Federation of BC Writers MEMBERSHIP DRIVE January 24th-February 7th Join or renew your membership for a special low rate! Click HERE to go to the webpage, and to see the discounts we're offering. Your membership does not have to be expiring to take advantage of this great rate!   Okanagan Valley Writers' Festival, April 8, 9 and 10 Penticton, BC. Early-bird pricing ends January 31st! This is your opportunity to meet, engage with, learn from—and be inspired by!—publishers, agents, editors and fellow writers. Spaces are limited, making it easier to make the connections you need. With workshops and panel discussions on various aspects of writing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, songs, and screenplays—and on selling, publishing, and marketing your work—it's all aimed at helping you achieve your writing goals. Prepare to be inspired! More information at okanaganvalleywritersfestival.com. To register, contact the Shatford Centre/Okanagan School of the Arts at 250.770.7668     Chicken Soup for the Soul, Canada Edition   Is looking for submissions now, for a 2017 collection. They pay!  For full writers guidelines, sample stories and how to submit your story, visit  www.janetmatthews.ca  or www.canadiansoul.com.    Member Classifieds Ads in WordWorks Exclusively for members wanting to advertise their books, or related services. Right now an especially good deal – book one classified in our Spring issue and we'll run your ad in our Summer issue as well for FREE That's right, Buy One Get One Free $35 for a business card size (3.5" wide x 2" tall) $70 for a double business card size (7" wide x 2" tall or 3.5" wide by 4" tall) Contact Shaleeta Harper at communications@bcwriters.ca      Tri-City WordSmiths Writers Retreat March 21st-March 23rd Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre, Maple Ridge, BC Self-directed Writers' Retreat for writers who would like time away from their hectic lives to work on their own literary projects.  E-mail for more details.     The Goethe Glass: Climate Change Fiction Deadline February 15, 2016 The warnings have gone out from scientists, activists, concerned citizen, and those who care about the future of our planet: the  Earth's climate is changing at an alarming rate that will have serious repercussions on our future. In April of this year, Margaret Atwood addressed a packed auditorium in Barrie, Ontario, where she delivered an impassioned call to writers to respond to what is proving to be one of the great challenges of our time! Ms. Atwood said she was startled by the silence on the part of writers in that they are not responding to the challenge of climate change... Stories can be on any topic that is connected to climate change and its consequences. We are open to literary fiction, speculative fiction, science fiction: any kind of story that deals with the experience of climate change.   https://exilepublishing.submittable.com/submit     HOW TO RAISE YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE:   Building Visibility and Your Tribe Before Publication Most unpublished fiction and nonfiction authors need to raise their online presence as a professional writer and maintain it two to three years before publication. It's a conversation, not a hard sell, to encourage book buyers.   Join author, Julie H. Ferguson for a hands-on workshop to discover the best platforms for first-time authors. Find out how to approach social media without diluting your writing time. Learn how to join online conversations with editors and agents, potential readers, and the media.        When, where, how:  ·      Saturday March 5, 2016, 1:30-4:00pm $40.00. ·      Multi-purpose room #3, Port Moody Rec Centre, off Ioco Road in Port Moody. (Note: the new venue d/t the need for WiFi.) Bring your laptops. ·       Register in person, online at http://www.portmoody.ca/index.aspx?page=20 by clicking "Online Registration, and entering course #60152, or call 604.469.4556 and quote "Creative Writing Workshop"      Member (and notable) Book Launches & Readings   Reviews for Caitlin Hicks, "A Theory of Expanded Love"             CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST  Vancouver Public Library Writer in Residence Deadline January 22nd at 5pm   Do you write thriller or mystery novels and short stories? Vancouver, British Columbia, is the perfect setting for writing your next mystery or thriller. Spend the shortest days of the year surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and stormy dark waters while ensconced in a beautiful library full of surprises and opportunities guaranteed to spark your creativity. Enjoy four months writing in Vancouver, home to a remarkable natural environment and a lively cultural community.   Vancouver Public Library will host a resident thriller or mystery author between Aug. 29 and Dec. 16, 2016. The Writer in Residence program promotes Canadian writing and literature to Vancouver citizens. The aims of the residency are to foster greater public appreciation for Canadian writing, provide opportunities to interact with the resident author and to provide the space, time and resources for a Canadian author to write.   The Writer in Residence will develop exciting public programs and provide advice to emerging writers through one-to-one consultations and group workshops, as well as outreach to targeted communities. This full-time position (35 hours/week) requires 40 per cent of the author's time be spent on library programs or projects, leaving 60 per cent of the work week available for creative writing.   Applicants must identify in their cover letter the innovative ways their residency and programs would foster an appreciation for Canadian writing. Residencies that involve communities not typically exposed to Canadian literature are particularly encouraged.   Terms of employment are based on Canada Council guidelines, and the position and length of term are subject to Canada Council funding.   Requirements Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada Significant body of titles published professionally: fiction in the mystery or thriller genres Professional teaching and public speaking experience Enthusiastic about engaging the public in one-on-one and group settings In the early working stage of a new writing project intended for book-length publication Participates in media opportunities to promote the residency, the library and reading culture The Writer in Residence must reside in Vancouver or the lower mainland for the full term of the residency   Remuneration $4,000/month (contract position). Assistance available for travel expenses.   Please note: the successful candidate is responsible for finding his or her own accommodation in Vancouver for the term of the residency.   Expressions of interest must include: 1)     Cover letter and résumé, including literary publications, previous experience teaching and/or conducting public events, facilitating workshops and other forms of public presentation. 2)     A brief description of the writing project you intend to pursue – please explain how a residency at the Vancouver Public Library and access to its resources will benefit your project. 3)     A brief outline of the public events you will offer during your residency, including your plans for engaging aspiring local writers. 4)     Contact information for three references.  5)     A 20- to 30-page sample of recent writing along with reviews of earlier works.   Application process Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. (PST) on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 Applications may be emailed in PDF format to programs@vpl.ca The selection process will include an in-person or Skype interview for short-listed candidates     Self Publishing at the Nanaimo  Harbourfront Library        Self-publishing is now available at the Nanaimo Harbourfront branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library. At the "Second Storey Press," you can print your novel, personal memoir, genealogy history, or a personalized copy of a book in public domain.  We can help get you on track with formatting and setting up your colour cover.  Contact us by email at creativitycommons@virl.bc.ca or call us directly at 250.753.1154 x.238.  Visitvirl.bc.ca/creativity-commons for more information.      Getting It Into Print with Billeh Nickerson       Join Billeh Nickerson, celebrated author and editor, as he reveals the trade secrets of getting your work published in literary journals.  Learn valuable tips from an industry professional, including the key do's and don'ts of cover letters and what writers can learn from rejection letters (believe it!). This workshop is as fun as it is instructional.  Billeh Nickerson is the author of five books including the 2014 City of Vancouver Book Award nominated Artificial Cherry. He is a former editor of both PRISM International and Event, two of Canada's most respected literary journals, and a previous writer-in-residence at Queen's University and at the Berton House in Dawson City, Yukon. He lives in Vancouver, where he is permanent faculty at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Read his Geist work at geist.com, and visit him at billeh.com. Getting It Into Print Location: University of Victoria Legacy Gallery Date: Friday, January 29, 2015 Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Price: $50 (includes a one-year subscription to Geist for yourself or a friend.)   Annual Mission Writers and Readers Festival March 5th, 2016 Heritage Park Centre Cafeterium, 33700 Prentis Ave, Mission.  Heritage Park is a combined UFV Campus and High School.  The day runs from 10-4PM and we have 6 workshops in total, 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. Our price is $40 a day for adults after the early bird price of $35 a day expires on January 31st. Students are $20 a day. Our price includes a Subway lunch and refreshments.   Our web address is www.lifetimelearningcentre.org      Dr. Robert and Elma Schemenauer Announce:   2 WRITING AWARDS to support local authors and the Kamloops-based Interior Authors Group. AWARD 1     writing with a Kamloops theme AWARD 2     writing showing an appreciation of nature Submit a previously unpublished story, poem, or other work for a chance to win:  $200 CASH and a CERTIFICATE and PRESS RELEASE No charge to enter but contestants must be IAG members ($35 annual fee). More details: 250 852 1201, Awards Site http://elmams.wix.com/awards, IAG Blog https://interiorauthorsgroup.wordpress.com/about/ Deadline March 21, 2016     Thank you to the Burnaby Writers Society For Sharing These Events! Info on the Society: bwscafe@gmail.com The Association of Book Publishers of  BC has launched a new website, BC BOOKS ONLINE, to help bring attention to BC authors. Check it out at http://bcbooks.49thshelf.com/   The Shadbolt Centre Adult Literary Arts Reading Series 2016: a monthly open mic reading series in Studio 105, third Friday of each month, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.  22 January, 19 February, 18 March, 22 April,  20 May, 17 June. The Canadian speculative magazine  On Spec is open until February 15 for new fiction submissions.. There's no theme, so any work of the Fantastic will be considered.  For details:  https://onspecmag.wordpress.com/submissions/   THE SUNBURST AWARDS for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic are open to submissions until January 31, 2016. For complete eligibility and submission requirements go to  http://www.sunburstaward.org/submissions  Note that for the 2016 awards, short stories are also eligible.  The Writers' Union of Canada and the Gleed family are pleased to announce the jury for the $10,000 DANUTA GLEED LITERARY AWARD, Canada's pre-eminent award for the best first Canadian collection of short fiction in the English language, now celebrating its 19th year. A short list will be announced in early May 2016, with the winner and two finalists being named in June 2016, in conjunction with the Canadian Writers' Summit & The Writers' Union of Canada's Annual General Meeting. The winner receives $10,000 and each of the two finalists is awarded $500.  To be eligible, books must be first collections of short fiction written by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and published in Canada in the English language in the 2015 calendar year. The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2016. Eligible titles may be submitted by publishers according to submission guidelines available at www.writersunion.ca/danuta-gleed.   From Corey Redekop: Attention, all Canadian authors! There's just over one month left to submit your humour stories, poems, creative nonfictions, and scripts for the Exile Editions' NEW CANADIAN COMEDY anthology . Deadline: 7 February 2016.  Details at http://www.coreyredekop.ca/canlit-comedy/   Helpful (free) Resource: freedomwithwriting.com   This is a web magazine that sends you (through email) reviews of companies with freelance  writing jobs, paid publishing opportunities, and general interest articles regarding writing. I've been sharing some of the best articles from this newsletters over the past month or so . 1.) 22 Publishers of Children's and Young Adult Books  These publishers accept submissions directly from writers. No agent or previous publishing experience is required. 2.) 10 Magazines that Pay Writers $200 or More A diverse selection of magazines in need of quality submissions from freelance writers. 3.) Edible Communities: An International Network of Local Food Magazines 70+ local magazines that need freelance writers in the United States and Canada.  4.) 182 Publishers That Pay Writers $50+ A free eBook featuring 182 magazines, websites, and blogs that pay writers. 5.) Entangled Publishing: Now Seeking Book Manuscripts They create an individual marketing plan for every book they publish. 6.) Do We Have To Write Every Day? Answers for those who don't feel comfortable with conventional wisdom. 7.)10 Places to Submit Your Writing in 2016  Get published in 2016. Here are a few publishers seeking submissions. 8.)Samhain Publishing: Book Manuscript Submission Guidelines  An independent publisher of romance and horror with good distribution. 9.) Boxcar Poetry Review: Now Seeking Submissions of Poetry  An award winning literary journal publishing poetry from new and established poets. Thank you and Goodbye to Katherine Melnyk Before I leave you, I wanted to thank Katherine Melnyk, who has been such a great area rep in the Cowichan area, and a wonderful business manager for WordWorks.  Katherine has a new full job and cannot volunteer for us any more, but she has done so much for the Federation in her time with us..  Thanks Katherine, and best wishes.   Wow. And I couldn't even include everything I wanted to! See much much more in two weeks, when I'm back with another "WriteOn". -Shaleeta Harper,  Communications   See more events on our Literary Calendar!    Fed sponsors & advertisers We are grateful for the support of individuals, businesses, organizations and members participating in our Sponsorship and Advertising program, and pleased to bring you their information 'for and about writers.' ADVERTISERS Printorium | BC's Book Printing Experts First Choice Books | Beautiful Books FriesenPress | Tradition, Quality, and Trust The Writer Connection | Self-Publishing Resources Voices From the Valleys | Stories and Poems about life in BC's Interior Award Winning Editors Guides | Fire Up your Fiction/Captivate Your Readers Pacific Wordcrafters | Words Matter... Art Department Design  | Quality KATO | Design & Photo text Magazine | Poetry Everywhere Sally Jennings | Writing, Editing, Proofreading Cim MacDonald | The Unexpected Birder Mother Tongue Publishing | The Literary Storefront Island Blue Print | Save your Best Ideas for Us Zabel | Pearl Gray's Debut Novel Art House | Winter Writing Retreat Publishing Consultant and Book Coach | Notable Author Suzanne Anderson Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable | Supporting the Childrens Literature Community of Vancouver Copyright © 2015 The Federation of BC Writers, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Federation of BC Writers PO Box 3753 Vancouver Stn Main Vancouver, BC V6B 3Z1 Canada Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences