CBC Books has just come up with a list of 100 Canadian novels they feel you should read. Take the simple quiz to see how many you’ve already read, and then add the rest to your TBR pile right away. We have amazing authors in Canada, and we should all be able to say we’ve read some from the list.
Not really into adult fiction? They also have a YA list for Canadian books for teens!
Make it your goal to expand your list this summer!
Calling all young writers in Grades 7 – 12….it’s the 2016 CBC Books Shakespeare Selfie Challenge!! No, they don’t want you to take a photo of yourself dressed like Shakespeare…they want you to do a modern take on one of Shakespeare’s best ideas….the soliloquy! After all, Shakespeare was doing his best to speak to his audience through them, just like young people do with their camera phones today.
Drop by the website, click on the link, and download the topic PDF. Then, write 200-400 words on the subject, and you’re on your way! There are great examples on the site, so you won’t be wondering just how to do this, and you’ll even get to know the judge a bit. Did I mention there is an iPad mini up for grabs for each age group? Why are you waiting? Go and do this now!
Find out everything at the CBC Books Shakespeare Selfie Challenge website.
Now, go forth, and write thee a soliloquy!
Many of our patrons tell us that they hear about books on the radio, on TV, or in the newspaper, and then they come in to request them. If you’re one of those people, CBC Books just put out a fun Bingo Card to help you feel like you’re accomplishing something with your reading. With the Canada Reads coming up in the early spring, this will also help.
This is a lot like the Book Buck Bingo cards we do each summer for our teens. Make your own rewards, if you like. One line could be a lunch out with a reading friend. Get all four corners, and maybe you can buy yourself something you’ve been looking at in that special store. Or be really creative and purchase a book for a friend or co-worker when you complete the card. Whatever you decide to do, have some fun!
The CBC is holding its annual CANADA WRITES contest for aspiring Canadian authors. If you have a short story, a creative non-fiction piece, or poetry that has been previously unpublished, you can enter and maybe even go on to win a great monetary prize! Each category is open to Canadian citizens who are permanent residents of Canada. All of the fine rules and regulations can be found on their website here.
The prizes are fantastic ($6000 for the main prize in each category, and $1000 for four runners up, courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts), but it’s the chance to be read and published which might start you on your way to becoming one of Canada’s most beloved authors. (There is also a two week residency at the Banff Center’s Leighton Artists’ Colony.) This is a wonderful opportunity for aspiring authors, and it only costs $25 to enter. You can find out all of the information on the site, if you’re not sure
The people at CBC Books have done a great job providing links for writing tips (each category has its own tips), links to past winning texts so that you can read the competition, and stories about past winners. All of this is invaluable information and shouldn’t be ignored. The deadline for entries is November 1, 2013, so get writing now! Who knows? Maybe we’ll be reading your story or poem soon!
