Discipline Category: Writing and Publishing

Steve Locke

In 2012, I graduated from The University of British Columbia with a BFA in Creative Writing. Since then, my written work has been published in Canadian anthologies and literary magazines such as onecoolword, CV2, Prairie Fire, Poetry is Dead, The Winnipeg Free Press, and Oratorealis.
While attending classes at UBC, I was introduced to spoken word and performance poetry through the Vancouver Poetry Slam community and my writing was forever changed. Since moving back home to Winnipeg in Treaty One Territory, I’ve built a presence in the local community as a fixture on stage at the Winnipeg Poetry Slam where I am also its co-artistic director.
As the former Winnipeg Individual Slam Champion, Grand Slam Champion, and Uniter 30 Favourite Writer, I’ve featured on stages at local writers, spoken word, improv and fringe festivals – the latter for which I’ve produced multiple engaging shows. I’ve also toured the nation, featuring on various community and festival stages like the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, The Victoria Spoken Word Festival, and The Saskatoon Poetic Arts Festival.
As a mentor I’ve facilitated various groups and workshops via programs with The Manitoba Council for International Cooperation, Creative Manitoba, The Manitoba Writers Guild, and Poetry in Voice, and have developed lesson plans for classroom residencies with the Manitoba Arts Council’s Artists in Schools Program, where I empower students to explore their self-expression and community building through spoken word poetry.

Beauhead Arts Festival

The BeauHead Arts Festival is a two day festival that celebrates and promotes visual, literary and performance arts. It is held annually on the 3rd Friday & Saturday of August in Beausejour Manitoba.

Manitoba - Southeast

Prairie books NOW!

Prairie books NOW is a widely read print and digital publication dedicated to promoting books by Prairie publishers and writers. It is available free-of-charge at many bookstores, libraries, and other locations throughout the Prairies, and at select locations in Canada and the US Midwest. PbN is sent to an extensive media and subscriber list. It is sent to many schools in Western Canada. We also insert copies of PbN in the Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba home-subscriber editions of The Globe and Mail and it is distributed to select home-subscribers of the Free Press.

All of Manitoba

Charles Adamu

I am Charles- a student leader, writer, and aspiring filmmaker who cares deeply about people, stories, and the impact we leave behind.
I currently serve as President of the Brandon University Students’ Union, where I’ve had the privilege of representing student voices and working to build a more inclusive and supportive campus community. I’m also in my third year studying Computer Science, with a growing interest in the intersection between technology and storytelling
I’m a poet and writer. My first poetry book, “How You Feel” is set to go live on Amazon on the 25th of August 2025 and set to have a book launch at Brandon University on September 25th 2025.
I’ve always believed that my calling is to bring people together and that is what I have set out to do in my first poetry collection. How You Feel’s purpose is to let its reader realize that someone out there- perhaps unknown to them- feels they way that they do.
I am really passionate about writing and acting and directing. Last year I served as a Script Supervisor, and Assistant Stage Manager in a live theatre play titled “Life is Wonderful” at Brandon University. This play was directed by a drama professor and it was a great experience for me. I also played a character named “Charlie” in the play (it was funny because I’m Charles)
I’m also working on a screenplay that explores the complexities of family dynamics. I am looking at the impact on a family whose mother is an alcoholic.
I am looking to be mentored as I believe I have so much to learn. I believe I have the potential to tell powerful stories through poetry, public speaking, film, and screenwriting. I also want to collaborate with others so I can learn more and contribute to their projects as well

Aug 11

Cori Jaye Ettienne and Anastassiya Polinkina

Being a visual artist can feel like a solitary experience, even as you're trying to develop your craft. Artists Anastassiya Polinkina and Cori Jaye Etienne recently participated in the Professional Mentorship Program and shared their experiences!

Sarah Flynn

Sarah Flynn is a performer and an award winning playwright and the Artistic Associate at Manitoba Theatre for Young People. Sarah studied Theatre Performance at the University of Winnipeg, is a self-taught puppeteer, became a Baby Clown at the Clown Farm, and trained in Suzuki technique with SITI Company. Sarah has performed in theatres, schools and community centers across Winnipeg, the Manitoba Interlake, and Italy. Sarah won the Harry Rintoul Award for Best New Manitoba Play at the 2022 Winnipeg Fringe Festival for her play Whatever Happens After?. Sarah enjoys frolicking in forests, lighting things on fire, and playing with her food.
Recent performance credits include; By The Spit of Your Tongue (Buried Seeds Prod.), How To Live Forever (Hypothetical Projects), Whatever Happens After? (Naked Theatre), Teatrino (Educo Italia), Romeo & Juliet (PocketFrock Prod.), Mary’s Wedding (Theatre Projects MB).
Recent playwriting credits include; By The Spit of Your Tongue (Wpg Fringe), Whatever Happens After? (Wpg Fringe), Deuce (Wpg Fringe Monologue Slam), Little Dead Lady (IbsenFest), Luna’s Suitcase (Wpg Fringe)

Jul 09

Anna Schaible-Schur and Rick Chafe

When exploring a new facet of one's creativity, it helps to have a seasoned professional along for the ride with good advice and encouragement. Scriptwriters Anna Schaible-Schur and Rick Chafe recently participated in the Professional Mentorship Program and shared their experience here!

Nora Decter

Nora Decter is a writer and educator who grew up on Treaty 1 Territory in the North End of Winnipeg. She is the author of two novels: How Far We Go and How Fast (Orca Book Publishers, 2018) and What's Not Mine (ECW Press, 2024). In 2019 she was the recipient of the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in literary fiction.
Nora has been teaching writing at post-secondary institutions in the U.S. and Canada for the last ten years. She was honoured to serve as the 2024-2025 writer-in-residence at the Winnipeg Public Library, where she worked with a record number of writers from across Manitoba.
She lives in Winnipeg, near the foot of Garbage Hill.

Roan Regan

Mar 08

The Business of Writing with Jessica Antony: How to Get Published

So, you’ve got the writing part down, now how do you get it out into the world? This workshop will help to uncover the path to publication – both traditional and self-publishing routes – and some ways to help you avoid the slush pile.