Canadian Poetry: September 2006 Canadian Federation of Poets & Poetry Canada Newsletter

First Prize: $100 (US Dollars).
Poems must relate to human rights. Familiarity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is recommended. Submissions may be sent in the body of an email, along with name, age, address, email address, and a brief bio. Send submissions to stazja@yahoo.com. Find out more at: www.poetsforhumanrights.org

Artists for a Better World
October 4-8th, 2006
Hollywood, California
Look for the launch of Spirit of Humanity and a full week of art expression and appreciation.
To find out more and plan your attendance check out Artists for a Better World Festival

FUNDRAISER

Special thanks to these people who answered the call so far:

$50 or more

Dave Repchuk - Toronto, ON

Sherry Broadbent - Toronto, ON
$10 or more

Margaret Broadbent - Burlington, ON

Stephen Gill - Cornwall, ON $5 or more

Lorna J Knox - UK

Cris Staubach - Niantic, CT

Amirali Mohamedali - North Vancouver, BC
$1 Pledge

Tony Tremblett - Vancouver, BC

Honey Novick -

Celeste Repchuk - Toronto, ON

Caleb Repchuk - Toronto, ON

Kennedy Repchuk - Toronto, ON

CPA - Toronto Conspiracy - Diane Mascherin

I am participating in

The CPAO No Limits Wheelchair Race I am participating in. I am hoping that if every subscriber pledged just $1

- we would make an enormous difference in getting them direct aid, rehab counselling, peer support, and transportation.

I have set up a paypal link for this, and thank everyone in advance for your support. The event is September 16th and I will let you know how it all went, and even post some pictures so you can see for yourself how big a difference, a small amount can make. All those who donate will receive a special thanks in this newsletter.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

This is a great opportunity to help the CFP, help yourself, gain a great skill for your CV/Bio, and in return I will offer promotional freebies of your skills, your work, your events and/or your products. See the volunteers section for complete details.

Membership Assistant:
This involves contacting expired members and reminding them it is time to renew. Usually no more than 10 calls per month. Great for people that like the phone, and enjoy talking to others. Needs to be someone with an unlimited phone plan. Usually doesn't take more than 20 minutes time on the phone in total, but I don't want anyone to incur extra expenses on our behalf.

Contact Tracy Repchuk to apply or find out more!

Check out all of the available volunteer positions and pick one that is just right for you.

CALENDAR COORDINATOR

Betty Dobson of Halifax, Nova Scotia who has taken on the position of Calendar Coordinator!

If you are a CFP member, this is a great way to promote your book launches, appearances, and check out contest calls and events.

If you are a CFP member, or a CFP Affiliate Organization feel free to submit your events to us. It is a great way to easily increase attendance. Send your information to: Calendar Coordinator: Betty Dobson

	I am so excited about this next year, as we have a fantastic team getting assembled to make great things happen. There are still a few more volunteer positions open, and more hands make light work. Once they are all filled I will announce the whole gang. It is the perfect time to get involved and volunteer and to join the CFP and became a member of this vibrant and growing organization. Check out the benefits and join. A free subscription to Poetry Canada magazine and over 20 other benefits, to help you really get your money's worth including a full year of exciting contests, events and publishing opportunities. Tracy Lynn Repchuk President and Founder of the Canadian Federation of Poets

THE BLOOKER PRIZE

Yes you read it right - that is The Blooker Prize. A blook is a book with content that was developed in a significant way from material originally presented on a blog, webcomic or other website. This material includes the website's characters, themes, ideas or outline that ends up getting published as a printed book.

I have been getting asked questions about what type of book should I write, how do I get an agent, a publisher, an editor, should I self-publish, and the answer to these questions can go on ad infinitum, and range from what you know, research, hard work, hard work, dash of luck, and/or go for it.

Back in November of 2005 I started to promote the world of Blogs - which was a daily journal type of personal website that you could instantly get up and running, and use to promote yourself, your books and display your work, until you got a conventional website. At least you were out there. Well in the creation of my own blog that I have had since July of 2005, I found the next step which I thought was really cool, and opened up the world of writing, publishing, promotion, and catharsis in many cases - and this is called a Blook.

Tons of blooks have already been published, both by traditional publishers and self-publishers. In fact, some traditional publishing houses in search of the next big name author, have begun to mine blogs and websites for new talent. In the world of self-publishing, more and more content is being developed first online.

Well now there is a prize for such websites, with prizes that total $15,000 USD, and no fee to enter.

The launch in 2005 of the original Lulu Blooker Prize for literary coincided with the 450th anniversary of Gutenberg's invention of movable type, and it offered fresh evidence that the oft-touted rumor of the death of books is greatly exaggerated.

This type of award and recognition opens up a whole new world for those who can write, and write, and write, but couldn't successfully get it to the promote stage.

I checked out the various winners of the 2006 Lulu Blooker Prize, and it was very interesting and simple for some. One winner for Non-Fiction named Julia Powell, had a blog site that took you on her journey of doing a full year of Julia Child's recipes. Kind of like a reality based TV show in print. She won for her conversion of that journey from Blog to a book called Julie & Julia (hardcover). You can read her original blog at: http://blogs.salon.com/0001399/

Other winners were:
Fiction - Cherie Priest for Four and Twenty Blackbirds. You can now find the book in print, and getting rave reviews
Webcomic - Zack Miller (www.joeandmonkey.com) for Totally Boned: A Joe and Monkey Collection

So if you are looking for motivation to write, create, and just do it, here is an interesting way to one day get recognized for it.

Happy writing, sharing, and best of luck on your journey.

For more details visit: Blooker Prize

BOOKS THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN

Are you ready to take your poetry to the next level? The Canadian Federation of Poets has put together a list of the top books out there, that will help you do this. How to get published, markets, contests, how to make a living as a poet, information that you can use to increase your exposure.


How to Publish Your Poetry: A Complete Guide... by Helene Ciaravino $10.85	Poet's Market 2007 (Poet's Market) $17.81	The Literary Press and Magazine Directory 2... by Council of Literary Press and Magazines $13.57

Check out our NEW Feature Store

FEATURE BOOK ANNOUNCE

Feel the Bright Light

Spiritualist and poet, Natalie Hartgers, a Netherland based writer, uses contemplative reflections in rhyme to awaken mankind in her quest for peace.

She takes her readers through a journey of experiences and provides wisdom and insight to achieve enlightenment.

Natalie gets her ideas and realizations from her spiritual guide, astral travel, dreams and her own intuition.

Price: $14.95 Canada, $9.95 USA ISBN: 0-97327624-7-4, 112 pages, 5 x 7

Get your copy today!

Advertise your book here for just $25 or $10 if you are a CFP member, or get a free book announce here with every 4 week Feature Book reservation.

NEW FEDERATION

Attention all Halifax members!

GRAND OPENING SEPT. 26th, 2006. See below for more details.

For more information see the Halifax Federation page.

CFP EVENTS

Thursday September 21st, 2006 - 7pm
Oakville Federation
Contact: George Arnold
Timothy's World Coffee
321 Lakeshore Rd. E, Oakville,

Open mic event where poets and performers can get together and share both poetry and short stories.

FEDERATION LAUNCH

Tuesday September 26th, 2006 - 7pm
CFP Halifax Nova Scotia
Contact: Betty Dobson or Donelda Kent
at: Mollyz Diner, 2104 Gottingen Street, Halifax. http://www.mollyzdiner.ca/

There could be print, radio and TV coverage, so be ready when this group gets out the gate, because they are ready to make poetry happen in Halifax!

Guest speakers, performers, raffles, door prizes and much more. Plus an open mic event where poets and performers can get together and share both poetry and short stories.

Check out all of our happenings or get complete details on the above events from our online calendar.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

CFP member, Sylvia McGrath has volunteered to be the CFP Membership Liaison. This is a great help to making sure that our members are serviced, and happy. So in the future, you will be seeing emails come from Sylvia, please answer them, and get her any feedback you can. Together, we will make sure the CFP is one of the strongest, most effective poetry organizations in helping poets to achieve their dreams and goals.

Jacquii Cooke of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, has volunteered to be the CFP Relationship Manager. Jacquii is responsible for seeking out appropriate places on the internet to get the CFP listed. My goal would be at least one new link per week for a total of 52 at the end of the year, and we wish her the best in her new position, and thank her profusely.

POETRY CANADA BLOWOUT SALE

There are still copies left. Place your order today!

Mar/Apr/May 2006 - 9 copies left

Dec/Jan/Feb 2006 - 10 copies left

Sept/Oct/Nov 2005 - SOLD OUT!

June/July/Aug 2005 - 16 copies left

Mar/Apr/May 2005 - 6 copies left

Dec/Jan/Feb 2005 - SOLD OUT!

Sept/Oct/Nov 2004 - 13 copies left

This is a great way to complete your set of this beautiful magazine that is sure to be a part of Canadian culture and literature, and a collectors item. Plus it will give you tips and tricks on ways to get published and the type of articles and interviews we accept.

PLUS - BONUS OFFER: BUY 3, GET 1 FREE
To see the complete content list of each issue visit the archives at: www.poetrycanada.com/contributors.htm

To order, send us an email with your address and the edition date. We will send you a paypal invoice that includes shipping ($1.50 for Canada, $2.25 for US, $8.00 for International)

Email: tracy@federationofpoets.com

web: http://www.federationofpoets.com