Join three award-winning authors, a top literary agent, and fellow creative writers at the first annual SeaWords creative writing workshop this summer in beautiful Prince Edward Island. Supported by the Lucy Maud Montgomery Institute and the University of Prince Edward Island, SeaWords takes place the week of August 18-22 in Brackley Beach on the Island’s scenic north shore. Drawing from the energy of local celebrations commemorating the 100th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables, the theme of this year’s Institute is “Celebrating Canada’s Women Writers.” This theme is fitting as we honour a female author of the past while showcasing some of the best in modern Canadian writing and publishing. SeaWords will not disappoint.

The guest writers need little introduction to those familiar with the current Canadian literary scene. This year’s writing team includes Anne Simpson, an award-winning novelist and poet now residing in Antigonish, NS. In 2004 she won the Griffin Poetry Prize for Loop. Her latest novel is Falling, and her new poetry collection, Quick. Karen Connelly is an internationally acclaimed poet, novelist, and non-fiction writer whose latest novel, The Lizard Cage, won the 2007 Orange Broadband Prize for New Writers. Anne-Marie MacDonald, a multi-talented Canadian star of literature and the stage won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for her first novel, Fall on Your Knees, and the Governor General’s Award for her play, Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet). She was also the popular host of CBC TV’s Life and Times from 1996 to 2007. Workshop participants also have the opportunity to meet and learn from Jackie Kaiser, former editor at Penguin Books Canada and currently an agent with Westwood Creative Artists representing some of Canada’s hottest literary talent.

The week unfolds with workshops based on writing submitted in advance by the participants, and a variety of lectures exploring aspects of the publishing industry, including effective proposal-writing, “getting published” strategies, and insight into the agent-author relationship. These learning experiences will prove invaluable to all the participants, whether novice or established. The workshop also provides ample opportunity for discovery and relationship-building among participants and authors. To ensure this, each participant has one-on-one time with faculty members to network and discuss their work. Other opportunities for personal growth include private writing time, social activities to network with other authors, and the option to give or hear a short reading from their own work.

With the National Park and its sandy beaches just a short walk away, taking time to relax and reflect will undoubtedly be part of the experience. The quiet and gentle pace of Prince Edward Island will refresh the senses and give writers a much-desired creative atmosphere. This is an opportunity not to be missed!

Visit the SeaWords 2008 website (www.seawords.ca) to view further details and to register. Apply soon as space is limited. A special reduced “early bird’ price ($850) is available for those who apply before June 13. See you on the Island this summer!