40th Anniversary
Supporting writers in Ottawa since 1986
MAY
Guest Speaker (via ZOOM)
Alice Goldbloom
Everything You Wanted to Know About Substack
Tuesday, May 21 at 7 pm
Thinking about starting a Substack but not sure where to begin?
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Or are you already on the platform but wondering how to grow your audience? This session covers everything a writer needs to know — from what Substack actually is and why it has become such a powerful platform for authors, to the practical steps of getting started, building a loyal readership, and using it to serialize your book. Drawing on her own experience running two Substacks and serializing her debut memoir chapter by chapter on a third Substack, Alice Goldbloom offers a writer's-eye view of a platform that is changing how authors connect with readers.
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
In-Person Workshop
Writing Humour Workshop
Sunday, May 31
Join us for a lively, hands-on workshop on the art of writing humour with longtime humour columnist Mike Keenan. Mike has been writing an ongoing humour column for Metroland newspapers for twenty-six years and recently won second place in OIW’s humour writing contest for his piece suggesting seniors would make ideal CIA candidates.
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In this interactive workshop, participants will learn by doing—experimenting with exaggeration, understatement, wordplay, character humour, situational comedy, satire, and observation. Through prompts, solo exercises, and paired activities, writers will explore what makes humour work and how to bring more wit, surprise, and playfulness into their own writing.
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
JUNE
In-Person event
Celebrating 40 years of OIW!
Join us to celebrate this milestone anniversary.
Sunday, June 7
12:30 to 3:30 pm
Spend the afternoon in great company with:
Live readings from OIW members
A special members presentation
Prize draws and surprises
Plenty of time to connect and mingle with fellow writers
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Whether you've been part of the OIW fir years iof are newly discovering the community, thsi is a chance to gather, reflect, and look ahead.
bring a friend, bring your stories and join us in marking thsi moment!
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Note: This is a ticketed event.
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
Summer Short Story Competition
Keep Writing This Summer!
June to August
OIW’s summer short story competition is coming soon! While our regular events take a short seasonal pause, we invite writers to keep their creativity flowing, their pens moving, and their stories taking shape.
Themes, guidelines, and submission details will be announced shortly — so stay tuned, stay inspired, and get ready to write your summer story.
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
Not a member yet?
Visit our Membership Page to learn all about the benefits of being an OIW member, including the opportunity to get published!
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 BOARD
Meet some of the OIW Board Directors!
Bob Barclay
Member-at-Large
During my professional career I published a great many technical works, but on my retirement some 15 years ago I decided to turn my hand to fiction. With a nascent novel in hand, a quick search of resources led me to Ottawa Independent Writers, which proved to be a turning point. With the wide expertise available among the OIW membership, I was able to complete my novel, see to the formatting and cover design, and get it into print all in good order. I soon became a board member of the organization, and it is from that vantage point I can now help others who were in my situation 15 years ago. Board membership allows me to give back to the community, and I feel that many OIW members who have followed my path would find great satisfaction in membership on the board, sharing their expertise, and watching all aspects of the creative writing process from the first words on the screen to the completed published work.
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Lena Samson
Vice President
As an OIW board member, I engage with prolific writers and literary professionals whom I would never meet otherwise. My writing and editing have benefited greatly from their experience and expertise. The Board is a friendly, sage and collaborative group from which I've learned enormously and to to which I'm grateful to contribute. Every volunteer on the Board brings a new perspective, unique background and helps OIW continue to thrive.
Interested in joining the Board and giving your writing career a boost? Let us know!
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Email us at: members@ottawaindependentwriters.com