The Canadian Guide to Creative Writing and Publishing

Patricia Westerhof is the author of Catch Me When I Fall and The Dove in Bathurst Station and co-author of The Writer's Craft. She has taught writing for more than thirty years, working with writers of all ages, from teens to seniors. She lives in Toronto.

Introduction 1

Part One: Creative Thinking
1 Seeing the World with a Writer’s Eye
2 Reading as a Writer
3 Composing Your Draft: The Work of Invention
4 Fresh Ideas

Part Two: Sending Your Writing Out into the World : Publishing, Contests, and Grants in Canada
5 Preparing Your Manuscript for Submission
6 Submitting Work to Contests and Literary Magazines
7 Publishing on Social Media
8 Writing the Query Letter and Proposal
9 Finding an Agent
10 Publishing with an Independent Press
11 Publishing with a Large Press
12 Self-Publishing Your Book
13 Applying for a Writing Grant
Epilogue to Part Two

Part Three: Making Your Writing As Good As It Can Be
14 Revising Your Work
15 Using Critique Partners, Editing Groups, and Beta Readers
16 Choosing the Best Words
17 Improving Your Writing Voice
18 Quashing the Habits That Hinder Voice and Style

Part Four: Writing Prompts and Projects
19 Writing a Personal Narrative Essay
20 Writing Fictional Stories Based on Real Life
21 Writing a Suspense Story
22 Writing Flash Fiction
23 Writing a Podcast Script
24 Writing an Editorial or Opinion Piece
25 Writing a Prose Poem

Afterword: Liking Your Life as a Writer
Acknowledgements

Appendices
A Selected Canadian Literary Magazines
B Selected Canadian Independent Presses
C Canadian Literary Agencies
D Creation Grants for Writers
E Canadian Educational and Professional Development Programs for Writers

Notes
Index
About the Author