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Dante Mottillo

Words of the New Year

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Workshop: Teen Writers’ Group

This is a great opportunity to get feedback on your own writing, especially a piece that you may be stuck on. You can share your work with other teens, and even bring copies of your work if you must. If you’re a bit timid the first time around, attend a meeting to get a feel of others’ work and style. The group reconvenes in the New Year, so get your pencils scribing. For ages 13-19.

When: Thursdays, starting January 5, 2012; from 4:30 pm—6:30 pm
Where: North York Central Library: Room 2/3, 5120 Yonge Street

No registration required. Just drop in.

Workshop: Teen Book Club

Avid reader? Then bring your favourite recommendations and discuss them with other teens. For ages 12+, you’ll never run out of new and intriguing novels.

When: Tuesdays, starting January 24, 2012; from 4:00pm—5:00pm
Where: Downsview TPL Branch, 2793 Keele Street

Registration is required: Call (416)-395-5720

Workshop: Colonel Mustard in the Library

If you’ve ever wanted to create and solve your own mystery, but don’t quite know how to begin your investigation, then this is a great time to learn. Detective Constable Wade Knapp from the Toronto Police will discuss real methods used to solve modern day crimes.

When: January 31, 2012; from 7:00 pm—8:00 pm
Where: Mount Pleasant TPL branch, 599 Mt. Pleasant Road

Discretion is advised, as there is some graphic content. Suitable for ages 15+

Workshop: Build Your Own World

Gather round as author Sarah Ellis leads a workshop for younger writers. Specifically geared for ages 9-13, this workshop will allow novice authors to key-in on how to begin their own writing. Sarah Ellis has written fiction, seasonal anthologies, and even books on how to write. It may be months away, but register to assure your spot.

When: February 18, 2012; from 2:00 pm—4:00 pm
Where: Lillian H. Smith TPL branch, 239 College Street.

Registration required: Call (416)-393-7753.

Every Monday Dante Mottillo will post his upcoming event picks of what’s happening in and around the city.

The Love of Literature Lives

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This past Sunday was another awe-inspiring gathering of Word on the Street. Throughout the day people in love with words came to Queen’s Park to listen to their favourite authors read, buy books at great prices, or simply just to have some of the trademark corn-on-the-cob.

However, buying books wasn’t the only reason to get excited. For all young authors out there, there are also great publishing opportunities that I was able to locate from isolated kiosks around the park.

The most prominent opportunity for youth I found was Wattpad, an online publishing site. It is well known for its mobility through mobile apps, and is free! It’s especially great if you just want to get your work noticed, discussed, and even have the opportunity to look at other creative works. From poetry, to short story, to even e-books, you can discover your next favourite story with a simple click and scroll.

Another really interesting idea I found was a way to publish your own work in a novelette format. It may take a little more work, but it looks appealing to the eye, and is a great way to express your creative side as well. It’s called the Chinese ‘Stab Bind’. By using it, you can literally string together your own personally anthology, requiring no glue whatsoever. I in fact bought one that was quite appealing, and although I’ve never heard of the author, I admired the ability of just being able to put one’s work out in the open. Here’s a link to start seeing how you can start your first novel or collection.

For anyone that didn’t go, it’s a great opportunity to expand your horizon for both reading and writing.

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