Writing Workshop on Critique Groups

Join us this Wednesday, September 12 at 7 pm at City Hall in the Billings Boardroom (2nd floor, next to the Honeywell room) for our first meeting of the year.

Writing is a solitary job. The author spends hours, days and sometimes years creating characters that live and breath, commit crimes or solve them. Every scene is meticulously crafted and flows to an awe inspiring conclusion.

Is that what the reader sees? Or do they see two-dimensional characters and so many plot holes that they almost overshadow the predictable ending.

That’s where the invaluable advice of a critique group, with fresh eyes that aren’t emotionally invested, can help.

Join Madona Skaff in a discussion that covers: where to find a critique group in your area or on-line; starting a group yourself and the pros and cons of these groups.

Madona Skaff is a long time member of CCW. She has published several SF as well as mystery short stories and is the author of the mystery novel, Journey of a Thousand Steps.

2018 Short Story Contest Winners

The winners of the 2018 Audrey Jessup Short Story Contest were announced on Wednesday June 13, 2018. Members of Capital Crime Writers and several friends were at The Foolish Chicken Restaurant to hear the results.

1st Place – Carolyn Inch for “Three Sides to the Story”
2nd Place – Andrew Kohut for “Frank’s Wife”
3rd Place – Wynn Quon for “Bronwyn”
Honourable Mention – Adrienne Stevenson for “Naomi Wise”
Honourable Mention – Jennifer Jorgensen for “A King by Any Other Name”

 

Award Winners (L – R): Madona Skaff (Contest Co-ordinator), Andrew Kohut (2nd Place), Wynn Quon (3rd Place), Jennifer Jorgensen (Honourable Mention), Carolyn Inch (1st Place), Elizabeth Hosang (President CCW). Absent: Adrienne Stevenson (Honourable Mention).

The Winners of the 2018 Arthur Ellis Awards for Excellence in Canadian Crime Writing

BEST CRIME NOVEL
Sleeping in the Ground, by Peter Robinson, publisher McClelland & Stewart
 
BEST FIRST CRIME NOVEL
Full Curl, by Dave Butler, publisher Dundurn Press
 
BEST CRIME NOVELLA – The Lou Allin Memorial Award
How Lon Pruitt Was Found Murdered in an Open Field with No Footprints Around,by Mike Culpepper, published in “Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine”, by Dell
 
BEST CRIME SHORT STORY
The Outlier, by Catherine Astolfo, published in “13 Claws”, by Carrick Publishing
 
BEST NONFICTION CRIME BOOK
The Whisky King, by Trevor Cole, publisher HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
 
BEST JUVENILE/YOUNG ADULT CRIME BOOK
Chase – Get Ready to Run, by Linwood Barclay, publisher Penguin Random House Puffin Canada
 
BEST CRIME BOOK IN FRENCH
Les tricoteuses, by Marie Saur, publisher Héliotrope Noir
 
BEST UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT sponsored by Dundurn Press
Destruction in Paradise by Dianne Scott
 
For more information go to www.crimewriterscanada.com

CCW CONTEST FINALISTS & ARTHUR ELLIS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Emcee Mary Jane Maffini welcomes you to an evening with Barbara Fradkin,  Jim Napier, Linda Wiken,  Patricia Filteau,  Melissa Yi, Brenda Chapman,  Mike Martin,  Madona Skaff and Jim Napier.  The Arthur Ellis Awards shortlist will be announced.  In addition the shortlist for the Audrey Jessup Short Story Contest will be announced. 

The event is on  Wednesday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Chapters Rideau (47 Rideau St ).

APRIL MEETING

Speaker: Donald G. Mahar, author of SHATTERED ILLUSIONS: KGB COLD WAR ESPIONAGE IN CANADA

Where: Honeywell Room (second floor), Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West

Date: Wednesday April 11, 2018, 7:00 pm

Donald G. Mahar served 41 years in the RCMP Security Service, Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Communications Security Establishment both in Canada and abroad.  He currently serves as National President of the Pillar Society, the retirement/alumni organization for the Canadian Security  Intelligence Service and the former RCMP Security Service.