Julija Sukys – Creative Nonfiction Collective

CNF Round-up #4

October 30, 2015

Links to news, information, stories, and other things of interest to creative nonfiction writers Compiled by Julija Sukys Wondering where to submit your work or read the newest texts of our genre? Canadian journals that publish CNF include Malahat Review, Prairie Fire, Room, Antigonish Review, Brick, and carte blanche. There are many others, I’m sure, that I’ve forgotten, so do send more Canadian titles this way as they come to mind. Still, if you’re reading this roundup, chances are that…

Books to use when teaching CNF

October 28, 2015

Resources

Here’s a list of books to use when teaching CNF. It’s not exhaustive, but it’s a good start. This list originally grew out of a discussion by members of the CNFC. Members of “Essaying the 21st Century” (on Facebook) have added to it as well. Feel free to leave further suggestions in the comments field!

CNF Round-up #3

October 23, 2015

General News

Links to news, information, stories, and other things of interest to creative nonfiction writers The Nobel Prize for literature has gone to a nonfictionist! Here’s an essay by laureate Svetlana Alexievich. The brilliant Patrick Madden on found-form essays. Essayist Dinty Moore on CNF and humour. Julija Šukys talks to William Bradley about his new essay collection, Fractals. Debra Monroe on the memoir of discover rather than of recovery. If you don’t know the journal Assay, do check it out. Here’s…

CNFC/carte blanche contest winner

June 25, 2015

Contests, Members

“Nana Technology” by Kirsten Fogg is the winner of the 2015 carte blanche/CNFC competition for creative nonfiction. You can read it here.

Members Blog: The Life of an Award-Winning Writer

May 29, 2015

General News

By Kirsten Fogg “So what do you do?’’ the plastic surgeon asks, pulling a trolley of scalpels and scissors and suture material to the operating daybed. “I’m a writer,’’ I say. “Actually, I just became an award-winning essayist.’’ As I talk, I wonder how I can turn this into an essay. How can I excavate this surgical experience in the same way the doctor is slicing through layers of my skin and subcutaneous fat. I stare at the ceiling, away from…

Poetry: Pure Fiction, or Nonfiction in Its Purest Form?

April 26, 2015

Conferences, General News, Members, Members Blog, Poetry, Workshops

CNFC workshop at Loft 112 in Calgary on Sunday, April 19, 2015 Photos & blog by Dale Lee Kwong Can poetry constitute creative nonfiction? The question is one I had never considered. When I did, I discovered I’ve unconsciously never given my poetry the same respect as my essays. For me, nonfiction held more interest than fiction and I categorized poetry as less valid. After attending a workshop featuring South African author and editor, Helen Moffett, I now feel excitement…

Announcing the Winner of the CNFC/carte-blanche Competition

April 26, 2015

Conferences, Contests, General News, winners

Congratulations to Kirsten Fogg for her essay “Nana Technology”! Kirsten Fogg is an essayist and wanderer who is currently working on a collection of essays, interviews, and book reviews on belonging at www.thebelongingblog.com. She is the writer in residence at Milpera State School for refugee and migrant children. Her articles have been published in The Chicago Tribune, The Globe and Mail, The International Herald Tribune and many other world newspapers. She lives in Brisbane, Australia. Congratulations to everyone on the…

Updated Conference Schedule: Writing True

April 22, 2015

Conferences, General News

We look forward to seeing you in beautiful Victoria. You can access an updated conference schedule here! [Photo: the waving cat]

News from the World of CNF

April 13, 2015

Contests, Members Blog

As we gear up to our annual CNFC Conference (this time in Victoria), only a couple of weeks away, the world of CNF is fluttering with activity. So, here’s our news: carte blanche has announced our CNF contest shortlist! You can find the shortlist here. Second, our members continue to write and update their blogs: Dennis Malone writes in “What I Learned from Cancer”: Nurses are like sound men at rock concerts: there they are to ensure that all…

Members Blog: What’s So Scary about Words Like “Religion,” “Spirituality” and “Mysticism”?

March 30, 2015

Dante, General News, Members Blog, Poetry, Rumi, Spirituality

Reflections on Writing my Memoir, Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga (Inanna Publications, 2014) Susan McCaslin The word “religion” can sometimes generate hostility or fear. People mistrustful of religion notice how many of the major religions have been and continue to be tied to empire-building, rigid belief systems, gender inequalities, corporate capitalism, wars, and the exploitation of the “have nots.” The word “spirituality” seems a gentler, more inclusive term, less indicative of rigid belief systems. Yet it too remains…