Click here for the pdf brochure.
Next session: July 7 – July 13, 2012
The Humber School for Writers provides jet fuel for the literary mind and helps you develop a literary coterie to assist in take-off. The week-long experience is intense and exhilarating. And, it’s set in a campus that looks like something out of the ivy league set on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Since 1992, the Humber School for Writers has distinguished itself as a leading centre for the study of creative writing. Our track record speaks for itself: more than 290 of our graduates have been published, including Julie Booker (Up, Up, Up), Suzanne Desrochers (Bride of New France), Allison Baggio (Girl in Shades). Several have been nominated for literary awards, and a few have gone on to win. Angie Abdou's The Bone Cage was chosen as one of the five books on Canada Reads. Sarah Selecky’s This Cake is for the Party was shortlisted for the 2010 Scotiabank Giller Prize. Robert Rotenberg had bidding wars in New York, London, and Toronto for his first novel, Old City Hall, and Cathy Marie Buchanan’s The Day the Falls Stood Still sold in Italy, the USA, the UK, and made The New York Times Best Sellers list.
Our faculty is no less impressive. Esi Edugyan was shortlisted for the prestigious Man Booker Prize and won the 2011 Giller for Half Blood Blues. David Bezmozgis was nominated for the 2011 Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Award for his novel, The Free World. Johanna Skibsrud’s The Sentimenatilsts won the 2010 Giller, and Miriam Toews’ The Flying Troutmans was a Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize winner. M. G. Vassanji has won the Giller twice.
The week-long workshop consists of two full days and four afternoons of lectures, five mornings of classes, one evening reading,lunches, and a closing banquet.
"One of the best programs of its kind in North America."
The Globe and Mail
"A very good writing school."
David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas
Faculty for the 2012 (July 7- 13) session:
Please note: Instructors may be added or substituted.
David Bezmozgis is a writer and filmmaker. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper’s, Zoetrope, The Walrus, The NewYork Times Magazine, and various other publications. His first book, Natasha and Other Stories, won the Commonwealth Regional First Book Prize among other prizes, and was nominated for several others including the Governor General’s Award. His first novel, The Free World, was nominated for the 2011 Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Award for Fiction. It was also named a New York Times Notable Book for 2011. In 2010, he was included in The New Yorker's prestigious 20 Under 40 fiction issue.
Wayson Choy is the author of the critically acclaimed The Jade Peony, which shared the Trillium Book Award with Margaret Atwood, won the City of Vancouver Book Award, and was chosen to compete in the 2010 Canada Reads competition. His haunting memoir, Paper Shadows, was nominated for the Governor General’s Award and won the Edna Staebler Prize. The best-selling All That Matters was nominated for The Giller Prize, and won the Trillium Book Award. Wayson Choy is a member of the Order of Canada, and a winner of the Harbourfront Festival Prize. His memoir, Not Yet, is his most recent work.
Esi Edugyan is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the University of Victoria. She recently completed a fiction fellowship at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA. Her work has appeared in Best New American Voices 2003, edited by Joyce Carol Oates. Her debut novel, written when she was 25, The Second Life of Samuel Tyne, was published internationally. Her moving novel, Half Blood Blues, was shortlisted for this year’s Man Booker Prize, The Rogers Fiction Prize, The Governor General’s Award, and the 2011 Scotiabank Giller Prize which it won.
Bruce Jay Friedman is one of the most influential comic writers of our time. He has written for film and stage, but is best known for his fiction, which includes A Mother’s Kisses, Stern, and The Current Climate, The Collected Works of Bruce Jay Friedman, A Father’s Kisses, Even Rhinos Were Nymphos: Best Non-Fiction, and Violencia. Three Balconies was a New York Times Editor’s Choice pick, and Lonely Guy was adapted into a film starring Steve Martin. His latest work is his biography, Lucky Bruce, which was praised in the New York Times Book Review.
Alistair MacLeod is the author of three collections of short stories: The Lost Salt Gift of Blood, As Birds Bring Forth the Sun, and Island. His novel No Great Mischief won the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction, the Thomas Randall Atlantic Fiction Award, and the Trillium Book Award, among others. His most recent work is To Everything There is a Season, a young adult/children’s story and winner of the Booksellers’ Choice Award.
Tim O’Brien is one of America’s greatest authors. His writing career was launched in 1973 with If I Die in a Combat Zone, a memoir about his experiences in the Vietnam war. Since then, he has been published in numerous magazines and has written eight books. These include Northern Lights, Going After Cacciato which won the National Book Award, The Nuclear Age, The Things They Carried, In the Lake of the Woods, Tomcat in Love and, most recently, July, July.
Richard Scrimger is a writing and teaching phenomenon, a vastly prolific writer and beloved teacher who has published 15 books for adults and children, and dozens of articles for magazines and newspapers. His work has won awards in Canada and the United States among them the Mr. Christie Book Award, and has been translated into a dozen languages. His latest is Me & Death, a true-to-afterlife adventure.
Johanna Skibsrud’s debut novel, The Sentimentalists, won the 2010 Scotiabank Giller Prize. She has also published two books of poetry: Late Nights with Wild Cowboys and I Do Not Think That I Could Love a Human Being. Her most recent work, published this year, is This Will be Difficult to Explain, and Other Stories. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D at the Universite de Montreal.
Miriam Toews writes both fiction and non-fiction. She is the author of Swing Low: A Life, A Boy of Good Breeding, Summer of My Amazing Luck, and A Complicated Kindness, an outstanding Canadian bestseller. Among her many honours are a Governor General’s Award, National Magazine Award for humour, and a Margaret Laurence Award for fiction. She won the 2008 Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize for The Flying Troutmans. Her most recent work is the critically-accclaimed Irma Voth.
M. G. Vassanji’s extraordinary novel, The Book of Secrets, won the Giller Prize. This was followed by The Gunny Sack, which won the Commonwealth Prize. Another novel, No New Land, and a collection of short stories, Uhuru Street, were met with critical acclaim. Amriika, Wayward Spirits, and The In-Between World of Vikram Lall, are among his works. The latter won a second Giller Prize for the author. His most recent novel, The Assassin’s Song, was nominated for both The Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Award. He won the 2009 Governor General’s Award (Non-Fiction) for his travel memoir, A Place Within: Rediscovering India.
"...a course not only highly regarded in this town, but praised on the world literary stage." Toronto Life
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
Joe Kertes is Dean of Humber’s School of Creative & Performing Arts. His first novel, Winter Tulips, won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. His comic novel for adults, Boardwalk, and his books for children, The Gift and The Red Corduroy Shirt, were both published to great critical acclaim. Joe is the founder of the Humber School for Writers and the Humber School of Comedy, and is also winner of several teaching awards. His latest novel, Gratitude, won the National Jewish Book Award both in Canada and the U.S.
Antanas Sileika is Director of the Humber School for Writers. Each of his novels Dinner at the End of the World and Buying on Time (which was short-listed for the Stephen Leacock Medal and the Toronto Book Award) was received enthusiastically by critics and readers alike, as was Woman in Bronze, which was named a Globe and Mail Best Book. His most recent novel, Underground, was called 'a rare and compelling chronicle' in the Globe and Mail.
Margaret Hart is the principal agent with the HSW Literary Agency. For over ten years, Margaret has been an advocate for Humber School for Writers alumni, selling manuscripts domestically and abroad to publishers including Penguin, Knopf, and HarperCollins. Representation by the agency is open to students registered in the program whose work is recommended by an author.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship applicants will automatically be considered for all available scholarships. To apply for these, please state your wish to apply prominently in your cover letter. Because competition for scholarships is keen, applicants must provide a statement explaining their financial situation, some proof of need, and a credit card number. Please note that card numbers will not be processed until you have been notified of acceptance. The scholarship amount, if awarded, will be deducted from your payment. Scholarships include:
*The KOBZAR, Wayson Choy, and Jean-Marc Iammatteo scholarships are aimed at specific groups.
Scholarships are available only to those who apply by June 1.
For details, please see below:
Tuition includes classes, panel discussions, writing life sessions, lunches, and afternoon coffee breaks. Morning coffee can be purchased on-site.
HOW TO APPLY - BY EMAIL OR HARD COPY
You MUST include:
Please make sure that pages are numbered, double-spaced in 12-point font, and that your name appears on each page. Also, please keep in mind that manuscript substitutions or changes cannot be made after your submission.
Please choose one of the following options:
Hilary Higgins The Humber School for Writers Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning 3199 Lake Shore Blvd. West Toronto, Ontario M8V 1K8 Canada
ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENT
We will take into serious consideration your preference of instructor when deciding your placement. A committee will make all placement decisions and these decisions are final.
RESIDENCY OPTION
Should you wish to stay on campus during the workshop, modest suite-style accommodations are available in the student residence located in the main campus building on Lake Shore Blvd. West.
Bedroom suites offer two private bedrooms with a double bed in each room, three-piece washroom, kitchenette with a table and chairs, sink, full sized fridge, and microwave. Also included are bed linens, towels, soap, shampoo, light housekeeping daily, 24-hour front desk, and free parking with overnight accommodations. No fire appliances (toasters, stoves) are permitted, and cooking utensils and kitchen supplies are not included. TV lounges with cable are located on each floor for guests to use.
Suites are affordably priced as follows:
Two bedroom (single to quad occupancy)* $70 per night, plus tax *You must find your own roommate if you wish to share.
To reserve accommodations, call 1-888-548-6327 (toll free), press 2 for Lakeshore Campus, press 3 for reservations. Visa and MasterCard accepted.
The rate code is CreativeWriter.
For further details, please visit: www.conference.humber.ca
Participants who don’t think they’ll be comfortable in a modest college residence may want to consider local hotels such as the Four Points Sheraton, several kilometers east of the campus, or the Stay Inn, a few kilometers north. All arrangements for hotels and transportation between the hotel and the campus are the responsibility of the participants themselves.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
For further information, call 416-675-6622 ext. 3449, or send e-mail to hilary.higgins@humber.ca
REGISTRATION FORM
Note:Your work will not be assessed until a credit card number has been received. Payment will not be processed until you have been notified of your acceptance into the workshop. Click here to download and print the pdf registration form.
Check appropriate selection and payment: (All prices quoted are in Canadian dollars)
By June 1, 2012
| Course No: | Class Code: | Fee: |
| CRWR 101 | 50 | $949 (Canadian residents) |
| CRWR 101 | 51 | $1199(non Canadianresidents) |
Scholarship Applicant (full fee included)
After June 1, 2012
| Course No: | Class Code: | Fee: |
| CRWR 101 | 52 | $999 (Canadian residents) |
| CRWR 101 | 53 | $1249 (non-Canadian residents) |
Scholarship Applicant(full fee included)
Total Payment:
Please Note: A $200 penalty will be charged for withdrawal between June 29 and July 6, 2012. No refund will be issued for withdrawal after July 7, 2012.
Authors who have taught in the program:
Elizabeth Abbott, Edward Albee, Martin Amis, Margaret Atwood, Joan Barfoot, Richard Bausch, Ann Beattie, Jonathan Bennett, Constance Beresford-Howe, David Bergen, Michelle Berry, David Bezmozgis, Sandra Birdsell, Neil Bissoondath, H.S. Bhabra, Francesca Lia Block, Joseph Boyden, Dionne Brand, Bonnie Burnard, Catherine Bush, Barry Callaghan, Stevie Cameron, Peter Carey, Hayden Carruth, Wayson Choy, Eliza Clark, Karen Connelly, Douglas Cooper, Sally Cooper, Carole Corbeil, Michael Coren, Alan Cumyn, Robyn Davidson, Lauren B. Davis, Anthony De Sa, David Donnell, Roddy Doyle, Esi Edugyan, Howard Engel, Timothy Findley, Richard Ford, Cecil Foster, Bruce Jay Friedman, Mary Gaitskill, Mavis Gallant, Graeme Gibson, Julia Glass, Elisabeth Harvor, Michael Helm, Lawrence Hill, Nalo Hopkinson, Isabel Huggan, Ha Jin, Diane Keating, Joseph Kertes, Janice Kulyk Keefer, Rachel Kushner, Shaena Lambert, Carole Langille, Andrea Levy, Mark Leyner, Annabel Lyon, Jake MacDonald, Alistair MacLeod, Rabindranath Maharaj, John Bentley Mays, John Metcalf, Anne Michaels, David Mitchell, Christopher Moore, Lisa Moore, Kim Moritsugu, Donna Morrissey, Sylvia Mulholland, Howard Norman, Tim O’Brien, Caryl Phillips, Alison Pick, Bruce Powe, Francine Prose, Paul Quarrington, Michael Redhill, David Adams Richards, Nino Ricci, Daniel Richler, Mordecai Richler, Robert Rotenberg, Elizabeth Ruth, Robert J. Sawyer, Richard Scrimger, Olive Senior, Sarah Sheard, Carol Shields, Antanas Sileika, Joseph Skibell, Johanna Skibsrud, Marsha Skrypuch, Linda Spalding, Josef Skvorecky, Susan Swan, D. M. Thomas, Miriam Toews, Barry Unsworth, Jane Urquhart, Guy Vanderhaeghe, Erika de Vasconcelos, M. G. Vassanji, Marianne Wiggins, Frieda Wishinsky, Eric Wright, Richard B. Wright, Tim Wynne-Jones
Over the last 19 years, the HSW workshop has been taught by some of the most talented writers in English in the world. Our teachers have included Martin Amis, Peter Carey, two-time Booker Prize winner, Tim O'Brien, National Book Award Winner in the USA, Mavis Gallant, Francine Prose, Anne Beattie, Alistair MacLeod, winner of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, Edward Albee, and many, many others.
Prominence is not the only quality we look for in our instructors. All of our faculty have considerable knowledge about the craft of writing and will do their best to let you know how to make your work better.
We want you to succeed and will do the best we can to help you achieve your goals. If appropriate, we can help agent your completed work. If you are published in book form, we will add the cover of your work to our "wall of fame" and may ask you to read or speak for us. Some of our faculty are former students.
In the summer workshop, you will spend five mornings in a small class with your writing mentor and classmates, and five afternoons and two weekend days in lectures from first-rate agents, publishers, writers, and others who will help you to understand the context of writing and publishing and how to succeed in this context.
While all the above is potentially exciting, we also realize that the most important progress in writing is artistic progress. We aim to provide insight into the craft of writing and help you hone your skills.
What happens during the summer workshop?
You spend five mornings in class with a small group of students. In that time, each of you reads and comments on the work of the others under the guidance of your writing instructor. You will also have a short private meeting with your instructor. Each faculty member addresses the entire student group at least once, so you will hear from every faculty member on our roster that season. Former students who have published in the previous year tell how they went from aspiring to published. Top professionals in editing and agenting say what they are looking for and how to achieve success. Some technical talks are given to the group, and there is an optional reading by each student.
The large group meets on Saturday morning and spends the weekend hearing from former students and publishing professionals. On Saturday night, there is an optional streetcar ride and walking tour of literary Toronto. Weekday mornings are spent in small classes and afternoons in a larger group, listening to lecturers and panelists. The student readings take place on Wednesday night. The workshop ends with a farewell banquet on Friday afternoon.
Are there any other benefits?
Director, Antanas Sileika, calls the workshop "rocket fuel for the literary life." Participants can expect to be exhausted and exhilarated by the end of the workshop.
You may also find that your colleagues are a useful support group. Some years ago, four alumni formed a writing circle and vowed to stay together until all had been published. The last they were heard from, three had.
Humber has an in-house agent, Margaret Hart, who may be able to help you to place your manuscript with a publisher. Ask your writing instructor to recommend you to the agency or try to speak to Margaret directly. The agency cannot guarantee representation or placement.
How much of my text will the instructor look at?
Student work for consideration is limited to 15 pages. The insights provided on the pages you submit are intended to help you through the rest of your work. The manuscript you submit for participation in the workshop will be forwarded, if you are accepted, to your writing mentor. You must bring a class set of this same work with you (ten copies) so that the other students can read your work as well. Please do not make any changes to the manuscript between the time you submit it to us and the time you arrive with copies.
What writing level is expected?
We have had true beginners and those with published books. However, we do not always have suitable mentors for certain types of work. We usually do not work in romance, police procedurals, adult fantasy and science fiction, horror, rhyming poetry, and most mass-market work. We are especially good at literary fiction, contemporary poetry, and creative non-fiction. Other types of work that have proved problematic in the past consist of intense emotionscapes, often having to do with abuse or revenge. These are rough guidelines only. The easiest way for us to tell if a piece of writing is suitable is to see the writing itself.
Where is the campus and what is it like?
The Humber Lakeshore campus is at Kipling and Lakeshore in the West end of Toronto. The campus is on the site of an old psychiatric hospital and is made up on red brick "cottages" in a park-like setting. The lakefront is a ten-minute walk away and has a wonderful view of downtown Toronto. Streetcars stop in front of the campus on Lakeshore Blvd. West, and the Kipling subway stop is twenty minutes away by direct bus. Downtown Toronto is twenty minutes away by car outside of rush hours. Residence, gymnasium, and breakfast cafeteria can be found on the West side of the campus. We have computer labs on the campus. If you have a laptop, you can connect to the campus wireless for Internet access.
A map of the Lakeshore campus can be found at this site:
http://www.humber.ca/maps/lakemap.htm
Some photos from the last couple of years of summer workshops can be found at this site - they are not annotated, but will give you some idea of the "feel" of the summer at Humber:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31432551@N04/
As well, a photo study of the site can be found at the site of a talented photographer here:
http://flickr.com/photos/southeil
The site has an interesting history, which can be Googled through "Lakeshore psychiatric" which will give sites such as this one:
http://www.newtorontohistorical.com/Mimico%20Asylum.htm
How much does it cost?
The current fee is $949, which includes all lectures, in-class time, parking, computer access, welcome wine and cheese reception, 6 lunches, and coffee breaks as well as the farewell banquet. It does not include residence.
Some other workshops charge less, but they are shorter and do not provide any meals. We believe you get excellent value at Humber.
How much does the residence cost and what is it like?
See our brochure or web site for this year's costs. For a detailed picture of this modern residence, go to:
http://conference.humber.ca/accommodations_ls.html
The residence is a modest student residence, not a hotel, so participants who require a higher level of service should search out a number of available hotels in the area.
Can I bring along a spouse or friend?
See the residence web site for the fee for an extra person. Friends and spouses may attend only evening events. Daytime events are for workshop participants only.
How do I know who my writing instructor will be?
When you apply, you list your top four choices of instructor in order of preference. The placement committee tries to give you the instructor you choose, but reserves the right to make the best match possible. The placement committee takes into consideration availability, class size, writing style, and other concerns. You will be informed of instructor placement before arrival.
Can I change writing instructor once the week begins or have more than one instructor?
Unfortunately not.
How do I apply for scholarships and what are my chances?
Scholarships are awarded on a combination of writing ability, as demonstrated in the writing sample, and need. Many more students apply than funds can cover. Students must declare their request for a scholarship in their cover letter, and supply documentation of financial need. Documentation might include a photocopy of the last page of last year's tax return, a copy of receipt of social assistance, a copy showing student debt, or some equivalent. No late applicants will be considered for scholarships, as these are awarded first and the funds are allotted shortly after deadline.
Most general scholarships, such as the Dr. Robert Gordon, Timothy Findley / William Whitehead, Mary-Jo Morris and Ben Labovitch are open to all applicants. However, a certain number of specific scholarships apply only to particular groups. If you would like to apply for one of these, you should name it in your cover letter, using a sentence such as this: "Please consider me for all general scholarships, and the X scholarship, for which I qualify".
Kobzar Writer’s Scholarship ($949) is offered by the Shevchenko Foundation and awarded annually to a Canadian writer with an advanced manuscript on a Ukrainian Canadian theme. This full tuition scholarship is intended to assist the writer to complete his/her work for publication. The theme can be presented in one of several categories: poetry, young readers’ fiction, fiction, plays or non-fiction.
Jean-Marc Iammatteo Scholarship ($500) This scholarship is awarded by the family of the late Jean-Marc Iammatteo and is intended for a writer 30 years of age, or younger. Please declare yourself eligible in your cover letter if you intend to apply.
What should I bring?
Everything we send to you in the registration package, which should include map, agenda, parking pass, etc. The weather is often quite warm at that time of year, so dress lightly but bring along something to wear in case the air conditioning is too cool. Participants must walk between buildings, so an umbrella is useful. A laptop is convenient, but not required: pens and paper are. The days can be long, so dress casually and comfortably.
How big are the classes?
Classrooms are limited to twelve students, though they frequently contain five or six. Lectures and panels take place at the Assembly Hall in a large group, usually 90 - 130 people.
What time, exactly, does each day begin and end?
Weekend days begin at 10 AM and weekday classes begin at 9:30 AM. Most days should end by 5 PM, excluding optional Saturday and Wednesday evening activities. The Friday closing banquet should be over by 3:30 PM.
How far is the airport?
Both campus and airport are in the West end of Toronto. Taxi fare should run about $50. A city bus is available at the airport. This bus travels to the Kipling station where a southbound Kipling bus can be picked up. Total travel time is about 60 minutes outside rush hours. Be sure to have exact fare of $3.00, as buses do not give change.
Should I stay in the residence even though I live in Toronto or have friends who can put me up?
Some students choose to stay in residence with the idea of building networks and saving on travel time. This can be a good strategy, but nobody should feel obligated to stay in residence. Typically, about a third of our students do.
What is the food like?
Lunches are catered by the college and always provide a varied menu including vegetables. Meals are good, but participants with strict dietary requirements or gourmet tastes may find them too mainstream.
What is the neighbourhood like?
The area used to be working class, but is slowly being gentrified due to the proximity of the lake. Fine dining is not readily available in the area. In addition to fish and chips and diner (the Greek Texan just West of the residence) local restaurants include German and Polish delis, Lebanese, Thai, pizza, and Indian, all within a ten-minute walk. As lunches are provided, the restaurants are really only useful to those staying in residence and to those reading on Wednesday night.
How far apart are the various venues?
Everything takes place at the Lakeshore Campus and adjoining Assembly Hall. The classrooms are about 200 metres away from the cafeteria, which is several hundred metres away from the Assembly Hall. The residence is on the West side of the campus, about 500 metres away. All venues are wheelchair accessible.
What accommodation do you have for special needs?
The special needs office does not function during the summer. All sites are wheelchair accessible. For particular special needs, please enquire.
Should I read the work of my instructor?
The more familiar you are with your instructor's work, the better. Books by speakers and instructors will be available for sale in the bookstore.
Who should I call if I still have questions?
Either Antanas Sileika (Antanas.Sileika@Humber.ca - 416-675-6622 ext. 3448) or Hilary Higgins (Hilary.Higgins@Humber.ca - 416-675-6622 ext. 3449)
