Writers of all genres welcome to join groups

Derek writes: In 2000, a writers group was formed and met in the Fort Erie Public Library. Known as the Fort Erie Writers Guild, the group boasted an eclectic group of authors, including journalists, poets and fiction writers. I was the lone horror author, unfortunately, but the group welcomed me with open arms. Members came and went, but spirited discussions were always on the agenda, and engaging material was frequently shared.

This group helped me understand two ideas: One was the need for public libraries to have writers groups. The second was that writers groups serve all sorts of writers.

Groups of writers with many different genres may seem like an odd mix, but the members influenced one another to a point at which they tried new things. Poets tried writing fiction and fiction writers experimented with poetry. A few years later, I tried my hand at it myself and published a poetry book with a small press. The book adhered to the darker side of literature, but I’d expanded my literary reach. It was a lot of fun and it probably wouldn’t have happened if not for that group.

Now there is a new writers group at the library. It meets monthly on the first Tuesday at the Centennial branch, at 6:30 p.m. This group also strives to help members expand their literary reach and explore new possibilities. Each month, we discuss a new writing topic and a challenge is given with the aim of applying the new knowledge. The members share their writing with the group the following month. This is a drop-in program with no requirement to attend each month. Writers who have been absent for a while often come back and easily pick up where they left off.

Amy writes: Every year in April, the library holds an open-mic poetry night. This year we will meet at the Crystal Ridge branch on April 5 at 7 p.m., and poets and listeners alike are welcome. Like writers group, poetry night offers a sense of creative community. If you have original poetry, either published or not (yet), and you’d like to share it, we’d love to welcome you. One guest poet will be Darrell Epp from Hamilton. Epp’s poetry has been published in magazines around the globe, including Poetry Ireland, Exile, Queen’s Quarterly and Dalhousie Review. He is the author of collections Imaginary Maps (2009) and After Hours (2016). There is no registration or fee for Open Mic Poetry Night.

Younger writers also have a place and time to learn their craft at the library. The Young Writers Club will meet on Monday, April 3 at 6:30 pm at the Centennial branch. Authors ages seven – 12 are guided in developing new writing skills, such as plot arcs, character development, and descriptive language, creating new pieces of work, and trying creative writing challenges with Children and Teen Librarian Karissa Fast. Participants need to register, and a $5 fee pays for supplies and snacks in this continuing program.

A famous author is visiting the library! Enjoy a reading, book signing, and question and answer session at noon on Wednesday, April 5 at the Centennial branch with author, journalist and screenwriter Shane Peacock. Peacock’s first book was a biography of the spectacular Canadian, The Great Farini; his documentaries include Team Spirit, aired on CTV, and among his novels are Last Message, a contribution to the groundbreaking Seven Series for young readers and Double You, its sequel. His best-selling series for Young Adults, The Boy Sherlock Holmes, has been published in 10 countries in 12 languages.

For more reading, find many of Shane Peacock’s books in the library collection. For poetry, try Billy Collins’ Poetry 180: a turning back to poetry. Place holds at any branch, or on the website www. fepl.ca.

Derek Clendening is an information services assistant, and Amy Roebuck is the community services coordinator at the Fort Erie Public Library.