december
Our annual holiday party was a delightful celebration, marked by an array of creative and engaging activities. The evening kicked off with lively icebreakers, including a round of "Never Have I Ever," where members shared amusing and surprising confessions. A game of "Guess the Meaning" added to the fun, with terms like "psephology" and "enshittification" stumping many, while "defenestration" humorously "threw everyone out the window."
The highlight of the night was the POETRY CONTEST where 11 talented poets vied for the top three spots. The competition showcased a range of beautiful and evocative poems, with the winners determined by peer vote.
Angelo Fulco took first place with his poignant piece, "Immigrant Boy." Sylvia Ralphs-Thibodeau captured second place with "Lost and Found Christmas," and Elise Weagant earned third with "Bye-Cycle." Click the button to read the winning poems.
Special thanks to Bob Barclay for presenting the poetry contest and expertly tallying the votes, ensuring a fair and enjoyable competition for all.
The "Guess the Novel" game was another crowd-pleaser, with members quickly guessing classics like "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" series, further demonstrating the group's literary acumen and quick wit.
Special thanks are due to Kim Ennis and Lucia Cavalcanti de Albuquerque for their exceptional efforts in organizing, emceeing, and hosting the games. Their contributions were key to making the evening both smooth and spirited. This year's holiday party not only provided a chance to celebrate the season but also to appreciate the creativity and camaraderie of our talented community.​​​
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See you in the new year!
1st place Winner Angelo Fulco
with Bob Barclay & Su Mardelli
2nd place Winner Sylvia Ralphs-Thibodeau
with Bob Barclay & Su Mardelli
3rd place Winner Elise Weagant
with Bob Barclay & Su Mardelli
january
Guest Speaker - via zoom
Helen Humphreys
Tuesday, January 21st, 7 PM
Writing Fiction About Real People
How much can/should you make up about someone who actually existed? Helen Humphreys, the award-winning author of four books of poetry, six works of creative non-fiction, and ten novels, will explore this topic, as well as offer some strategies on how to proceed when fictionalizing real people. Her work has been optioned for film, television, theatre, and opera.
Details are emailed to OIW members
February
In-Person Event
WCC Workshop
Saturday February 8, 1 PM
OIW is thrilled to announce another exciting collaboration with the Writers Collective of Canada (WCC) for a dynamic and engaging workshop designed to delve deep into the artistry of writing!
Whether you're a seasoned scribe or just about to embark on your first major writing project, this workshop promises to enhance your understanding of both the form and function of writing. It's the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to refine their skills and expand their creative horizons.
Join us for an inspiring session that's tailor-made for writers at all stages of their journey, especially those gearing up to tackle their debut long piece. Don't miss out on the chance to unlock new levels of expression and discover the full potential of your literary talents!
Details are emailed to OIW members
OIW Member Exclusive - via Zoom
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday February 18, 7 PM
Join us for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) — a pivotal gathering where we chart the course for another exciting year of our literary endeavour! This is your chance to engage directly in the governance of OIW, as we elect our new board and review the achievements and challenges of the past year. We will present the financials and outline our activities for 2024, ensuring transparency and encouraging your feedback to help shape our future initiatives. Whether you're a longstanding member or new to our ranks, your voice matters in guiding OIW towards another successful year. Mark your calendars and be join us making 2025 an outstanding year for OIW!
Details are emailed to OIW members
OIW Member Exclusive - via Zoom
Reading Night
Tuesday February 18, 7:30 PM
Following the AGM, don't miss OIW's highly anticipated annual Reading Night!
This cherished event invites members to step into the spotlight and share excerpts from their latest projects, offering an inspiring glimpse into the diverse and vibrant creative journeys within our community.
It's a fantastic chance to connect, celebrate, and spark conversations around the written word.
Details are emailed to OIW members
OIW currently meets on Zoom and in-person depending on the event.
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For on-line meetings, a link is sent to paid members before the meeting.
Our in-person events are spread throughout the year with plenty of workshops, book launches, reading nights, and get-togethers that encourage members to meet, network, and share writing, and publishing experiences. Our Events page has all the details!
Interested in joining? Visit our Membership page to learn more.
OUR MEETINGS
MONTHLY MEETINGS
OIW holds nine monthly program meetings from September to June each year on a wide variety of writing related topics, normally with a speaker and plenty of opportunity for questions.
CURRENT MEETINGS
OIW gathers every third Tuesday of the month with presentations starting at 7 pm, lasting until 8:30 pm. The meetings currently take place on the Zoom virtual platform.
Visit our membership page to sign-up now!
OUR MEMBERS
Meet a few of our writers
Mike Young
Kirk's Landing
Mike was born and raised in Kirkland Lake, a small northern mining town with a nearby First Nations reserve. He grew up with a love of the north, even in the midst of winter, exploring the surrounding woods with his friends, and his grandfather. Kirk's Landing, a crime novel, was his first book. In 2016, he published a sequel, Return to Kirk's Landing.
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Patricia McCarthy
The Crimson Man
Author of the wildly imaginative Crimson vampire series, currently consisting of (6) novels: The Crimson Man, The Crimson Boy, The Crimson Woman, The Crimson Time, The Crimson Crimes, and her latest in the series The Crimson Dream. The Crimson vampire series takes place in Ottawa, Canada.
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Craig Munro
Bones of the Past
Craig has spent his life traveling and moving from one field of work to another. A voracious fan of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, it was only a matter of time before he turned his mind to creating a world of his own. The Bones of the Past is the first installment in the epic fantasy series - The Books of Dust and Bone.
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Melissa Yuan-Innes
Human Remains
Melissa Yuan-Innes (Melissa Yi) is an emergency room physician. Her newest Hope Sze crime novel is HUMAN REMAINS. THE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME, a previous Hope Sze novel, was selected by CBC Radio as a best crime novel of the season.