Regional library launches writer-in-residence program

Creative and critical help is on the way for writers and aspiring writers in Yarmouth, Digby and Shelburne counties through a new writer-in-residence program. Western Counties Regional Library is launching the initiative and introducing the writer in residence, Sandra Phinney, on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Library in Yarmouth.

Anyone in the tri-counties who is interested in writing and getting published is welcome to take part in the free program starting in September. The program will be developed according to the skill level of, and interests determined by, the participants. Novices to seasoned writers of all genres (poetry, memoir, children’s stories, fiction or non-fiction) are encouraged to take part. The only criteria are that participants want to improve their writing and have their work published. “I'm excited about this program,” says Phinney. “The program will provide a springboard for all writers. Some writers may want to learn how to revise and edit their work or they may need to develop stronger characters, better scenes or more compelling narrative. Others may want to write a book but don’t know whether they should deal directly with a book publisher, seek an agent, or self publish. These are the kind of topics that will be included in the program. My role is to help people find their way through the writing and publishing maze, and to provide resources.”

Phinney will be based out of the Yarmouth library. From 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, she will present seminars on the craft of writing and tips on getting published. The third Wednesday of each month from 3 to 7 p.m. will be devoted to one-on-one mentoring with Phinney by appointment. Ongoing support will be provided by Phinney through e-mail in between meetings.

The writer-in-residence open house on Sept. 9 will feature a panel of four published writers who will share their writing journey and field questions from the audience. The panel includes Ginny Boudreau, poet; Andy Smith non-fiction book author; Darcy Rhyno, novelist, short story and children’s writer; and Judy Ferron, freelance writer and finalist in The Writers Union of Canada postcard story competition. Phinney will also give an overview of how the writer-in-residence program works and the benefits that people from the tri-counties can expect. “So often these opportunities are only available to residents in large urban centres. It’s heartening to see rural areas getting support,” Phinney adds. “We already have some wonderful writers from this region. We can easily double or triple the number of people who are successfully being published.”

This project is funded in part through the CommonWealth of Writers program and is administered through the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia. For more information, contact the Yarmouth library at 902-742-5040. The library is located at 405 Main St. in Yarmouth. -30-