Blue Heron prides itself on bringing some of the best writing talent from all over Canada. Last month's Books and Authors night is a case in point - Annabel Lyon, CS Richardson, Miranda Hill and Vincent Lam. Donna Morrissey was here in September and Terrry Fallis will be returning in November. But once a year we are honoured to be included in the INTERNATIONAL Festival of Authors, one of only a handful of Literary Festivals in the world offered on this scale. We know that our community loves our visiting Canadian superstar authors but we encourage the reading community to embrace the opportunity to meet and hear from our cast of international authors coming for Books and Brunch in October.

So many of you have expressed interest and delight at the prospect of the Blue Heron Studio. The opening and Book <--> Art exhibition was spectacular. Our fall courses are running and we are in the midst of setting up the schedule for next season. Workshops are being offered that can be either a gift making session or just a time to spend with a friend, creating, learning, and exploring.

Events are definitely on our calendar -- are they on yours? Take a look, call for tickets, bring a friend -- there is so much to do, so much to read, so much fun to be had.

See you soon, in store or in the studio!

Shelley

Books and Brunch with Terry Fallis at WOODEN STICKS!

Terry Fallis is coming back to Uxbridge to introduce us to his new host of characters as his satirical turn of phrase takes aim at public relations within the Space Program.

Fallis returns to the popular Books and Brunch event for November which will be taking place at WOODEN STICKS on November 18th at 11:00am.

More Jewellery Making with Denny Corbett

Back by popular demand! Work with creative jewellery designer Denny Corbett to create an heirloom piece of jewellery out of personal bits & bobs of your own mismatched jewellery. The possibilities are endless! On site in the studio, on October 28th from 1 - 4 pm, turn those treasured but tucked away odds and sods into a work of wearable art.

Class Fee $35 +HST

Just in time for Christmas....More Platter Painting with Heather Everett

Back by popular demand! Create your own personalized platter – a great shower, wedding, birth or anniversary gift – or a wonderful keepsake for yourself! Personalize your Christmas table with a platter that speaks to your traditions or favourite story or Christmas carol. The option are endless.

Ceramic Artist Heather Everest will assist you in designing and painting an 11″ round serving plate, inspired by some of her sample designs, idea books and your own imagination.

She will demonstrate the techniques involved to achieve various effects and encourages you to bring any graphic images, fabric samples, etc. that are attractive or an inspiration to you for your design.

After painting, the pieces will be taken to her studio for glazing and firing and will be returned in 2 weeks – a fully functional platter – completely food-safe and dishwasher-safe.

Instructor: Heather Everest

Ages: 15+
Date/Time: November 4th 1 - 5 pm

Class Fee: $65+HST

A Selection of Exhibits from our First Ever Book to Art Exhibition

Do you have all the resources you need to write your novel in November....

National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing on November 1. The goal is to write a 50,000-word (approximately 175-page) novel by 11:59:59 PM on November 30.

Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.

As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants are going through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel. Wrimos meet throughout the month to offer encouragement, commiseration, and—when the thing is done—the kind of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten animals and small children.

Look out for the Writer in the Window at Blue Heron during the month of November and you might witness the writing of the next great Canadian novel.

Check out our writer's resource section.

Fifty Shades of Naughty: the Erotic Writing Continuum

In this workshop, James Dewar and Sue Reynolds will be leading the group through exercises designed to get you through the fear of putting those words out there for all to see. Fun and interactive, this workshop has participants laughing out loud and enjoying themselves immensely. The euphoric feeling is often inexplicably followed by a desire to light a cigarette…

Rendezvous One: Tuesday, October 30th
You don’t have to be a writer to enjoy this workshop! The most erotic sex organ is the brain. Bring your partner for two nights of arousing words and laughter, and take home the excitement!

Rendezvous Two: Tuesday, November 6th

Location: Blue Heron Studio, 62 Brock Street West, Uxbridge. (Studio entrance at rear of building)

Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Cost: 88.00 + HST (includes BOTH nights for that price) (If you come as a couple, or belong to a writing organization (WCDR, WCYR etc), a 10% discount applies)

Scotiabank Giller Prize Short List 2012

Man-Booker Prize Short List 2012

Rogers Writers' Trust Award for Fiction 2012 Short List

Hilary Weston Prize for Non-Fiction 2012 short list

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Non Fiction Short List 2012

Governor General's Prize for Fiction 2012 Short List

Governor General's Prize for Non Fiction 2012 Short List

Governor General's Children's Illustration 2012 Short List

Living Underground Launch

Durham region writer RUTH E. WALKER was on hand for the launch of her first novel Living Underground on Sunday October 14th from 2 - 4 in the studio. Guests were entertained by Jane Loewen's rendition of an opera Aria that plays prominently in the novel.