In recent years, short fiction genres like Flash, Sudden, and Microfiction have gained considerable respect. BC author John Gould’s Kilter: 55 Fictions was short-listed for Canada’s prestigious Giller prize. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, this workshop will offer more ways in to crafting (very) short stories, including fun exercises to prime the pump. Participants will pen several short stories and at the end, those who wish to share a piece they’ve just written may read aloud to the group. This is a safe space to come with pen and paper or laptop and enjoy learning more about the craft of creative writing in a structured, supportive environment.

Who the heck is Barbara Stowe?
Barbara has a master’s degree in creative writing from UBC. Her short fiction and non-fiction have been published in anthologies, literary magazines, and newspapers including The Globe and Mail. One of her stories won the Vancouver International Writers Festival Short Story Contest; another was short-listed for Exile Quarterly’s Best Canadian Short Story prize; and she was mentored in short fiction by Zsuzsi Gartner through the Banff Wired Writing Studio. After moving to Pender in 2013 with her husband Joe Montague, she taught creative writing through Langara College’s continuing education program for several years. She now works from home.