Welcome to the
AWCS Youth Programs
Fostering creativity, community, and youth leadership in an accepting environment.
Need a place that understands you? Come and join the us. Youth led, adult mentored. Writing games, art, improv, friends, and creativity. Ages seventeen and under. Play with your words — all you need is a notebook and pen.
Next Meeting Is:
Welcome!
Register now for our classes, clubs, and educational programs today. Play with your words!
www.alexandrawriters.org
BLUE PENCIL
One of the best things you can do for yourself as a writer is to have your work reviewed throughout the creative process. Have a small portion of work reviewed or get advice on the process or the local writing community in general. More information HERE
Want a Workshop or Class? Check out our great offerings HERE.
CURRENT YOUTH PROGRAM SCHEDULE
October 15, Monday, Home School Classes! Morning classes 10:30-12:00. Afternoon classes 1:00-2:30. Supervised lunches available. Register here.
October 15, Monday, Youth Council meeting. Want to help direct the way our AWCS program is going, plan events, problem solve, and work on our big multi-group 10 year celebration anthology? Well, we need you. Come and join this meeting (must be a part of at least one of our youth programs and an AWCS Youth Member). 5:00-6:30 PM
October 16, Tuesday, Rogue Poets Poetry Club. Be prepared to have everything you think about poetry blown away by this unique and inspiring poetry club. Have fun experimenting with what poetry can be while you take it to the outer edges. 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
October 17, Wednesday, CPL Crowfoot Reality Is Optional Writing Club. Come on down to the program room at the Crowfoot Calgary Public Library for some writing games. Free, drop in! 7:00-8:30 PM
October 18, Thursday, Pen & Panel - Comic Creation Class. A class for kids looking to create comics on line and on paper. 5:00-6:30 PM. Register here.
October 20, Saturday, Hunger and Thirst – Why Characters Need to Want - Workshop - Characters need to want something. The object of their desire can be simple, but their desire must be strong enough to carry the story. Robert Olen Butler says that “yearning is always part of fictional characters,” and that “desire is the driving force behind plot.” Crafting want, hunger, need, even greed, can be the key to fully fleshed characters and rousing narrative. In this workshop, we’ll explore the dynamics of desire in character motivation and narrative momentum. All levels of writers welcome, (Adults and youth) Members $75, Non-members $100, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Register Here
October 20, Saturday, The Wickedest 500 Words – How to Write a Query and Synopsis – Workshop - You’ve written “The End” on your novel and the celebratory hangover has waned, leaving only one question… what now? This workshop will cover the ins and outs of writing your query letter, the dreaded synopsis, and where to go from there! Bring your editing pencil, in this workshop we will write, rewrite, and rewrite your query letter and synopsis again (and again… until it’s ready to go). Then we’ll talk about where to go from there! Level: Intermediate, Advanced (adults and youth), Members $75, Non-members $100, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Register
October 20, Saturday, Dungeons and Dragons club. Play the best fantasy game in town! Work with others to solve traps, find treasure, and battle monsters as fantasy creatures with awesome powers. Never played before? Not a problem, we'll get you set up and playing in no time. Have your own character? Great. Bring your third level / fifth edition character to the table and we'll set you up with a party. 6:00-9:00 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
October 21, Sunday, Poetry Cafe, Poetry Cafe combines poetry prompts or exercises to generate poems with workshopping and discussion. It’s great for both emerging and established poets, and it’s open to poets of all ages. Join us to write with prompts from 12:30-1:45 and workshopping from 1:45-2:30. Great for both emerging and established poets and it’s open to poets of all ages. Let’s have some fun and write together. $10.00 for members / $20.00 for non-members. *Adults and Youth View Course Details & Register
October 22, Monday, Home School Classes! Morning classes 10:30-12:00. Afternoon classes 1:00-2:30. Supervised lunches available. Register here.
October 22, Monday, Reality Is Optional Writing Club. Come and join us for writing games and friendship with others who love words. 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
Oct0ber 26, Friday, PD Days – Writing with Feeling - Learn how to tap into your own experiences, applying them to your fiction writing. We’ll learn journaling techniques, and apply them to writing fictional scenes. All grades welcome. AWCS Youth Members $60.00, Non-members $70.00, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Register here.
October 27, Saturday, The Suspense is Killing Me - Workshop - Thanks to authors like Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins, and SJ Watson, suspense is once again all the rage. But what is suspense as a genre, and how is it different from a mystery or thriller? Why is a suspenseful feeling different from fear or shock, and why does it make for a compulsive read? Regardless of which genre(s) you write, threading suspense into your plot helps hold reader attention until your very last word. We’ll discuss suspenseful hooks, micro-tension, end-of-chapter cliff-hangers, and other ways to whiten your reader’s knuckles. All Levels of writers (Adult and Youth), Members $75, Non-members $100, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Register
October 27, Saturday, Subtext In Stories - Workshop - As a writer, you’re always managing two stories: the one that appears quite literally on the page, and the one that is unspoken, implicit, and ephemeral. In this workshop, we will examine subtext in short stories, exploring techniques of withholding, pacing, and voice to craft layered and nuanced narratives. All levels of writers (Adults and Youth), Members $75, Non-members $100, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Register
October 27, Saturday, Volunteer Appreciation Cereal party. Open only to youth who have volunteered with our AWCS projects and camps over the summer and fall. Invitation only. 4:30-6:00 PM.
October 27, Saturday, Halloween Party - Dress in a cool and awesome costume (or just come as your cool and awesome self) and have fun.
Potluck – bring some candy or treats to share
Bring a decoration to help make the place spooky!
Dress up in your favourite costume and get ready for fun games, magic spells, and prizes!
.Free for AWCS Youth Members. $5.00 for non-members. 6:00-8:00 PM.
October 28, Sunday, Poetry Cafe, Poetry Cafe combines poetry prompts or exercises to generate poems with workshopping and discussion. It’s great for both emerging and established poets, and it’s open to poets of all ages. Join us to write with prompts from 12:30-1:45 and workshopping from 1:45-2:30. Great for both emerging and established poets and it’s open to poets of all ages. Let’s have some fun and write together. $10.00 for members / $20.00 for non-members. *Adults and Youth View Course Details & Register
October 29, Monday, Home School Classes! Morning classes 10:30-12:00. Afternoon classes 1:00-2:30. Supervised lunches available. Register here.
October 31, Wednesday, AWCS Presents: Halloween Open Mic! - Bring 5 min of reading or just come on down and haunt the Nest with us this Halloween! Costumes encouraged. Everyone welcome! Free! 7:00PM - 8:30PM (Owls Nest is located in Britannia Shopping Plaza just off Elbow Drive - 815A 49th Avenue SW)
November 1, Thursday, Pen & Panel - Comic Creation Class. A class for kids looking to create comics on line and on paper. 5:00-6:30 PM. Register here.
Register now for our classes, clubs, and educational programs today. Play with your words!
www.alexandrawriters.org
BLUE PENCIL
One of the best things you can do for yourself as a writer is to have your work reviewed throughout the creative process. Have a small portion of work reviewed or get advice on the process or the local writing community in general. More information HERE
Want a Workshop or Class? Check out our great offerings HERE.
CURRENT YOUTH PROGRAM SCHEDULE
October 15, Monday, Home School Classes! Morning classes 10:30-12:00. Afternoon classes 1:00-2:30. Supervised lunches available. Register here.
October 15, Monday, Youth Council meeting. Want to help direct the way our AWCS program is going, plan events, problem solve, and work on our big multi-group 10 year celebration anthology? Well, we need you. Come and join this meeting (must be a part of at least one of our youth programs and an AWCS Youth Member). 5:00-6:30 PM
October 16, Tuesday, Rogue Poets Poetry Club. Be prepared to have everything you think about poetry blown away by this unique and inspiring poetry club. Have fun experimenting with what poetry can be while you take it to the outer edges. 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
October 17, Wednesday, CPL Crowfoot Reality Is Optional Writing Club. Come on down to the program room at the Crowfoot Calgary Public Library for some writing games. Free, drop in! 7:00-8:30 PM
October 18, Thursday, Pen & Panel - Comic Creation Class. A class for kids looking to create comics on line and on paper. 5:00-6:30 PM. Register here.
October 20, Saturday, Hunger and Thirst – Why Characters Need to Want - Workshop - Characters need to want something. The object of their desire can be simple, but their desire must be strong enough to carry the story. Robert Olen Butler says that “yearning is always part of fictional characters,” and that “desire is the driving force behind plot.” Crafting want, hunger, need, even greed, can be the key to fully fleshed characters and rousing narrative. In this workshop, we’ll explore the dynamics of desire in character motivation and narrative momentum. All levels of writers welcome, (Adults and youth) Members $75, Non-members $100, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Register Here
October 20, Saturday, The Wickedest 500 Words – How to Write a Query and Synopsis – Workshop - You’ve written “The End” on your novel and the celebratory hangover has waned, leaving only one question… what now? This workshop will cover the ins and outs of writing your query letter, the dreaded synopsis, and where to go from there! Bring your editing pencil, in this workshop we will write, rewrite, and rewrite your query letter and synopsis again (and again… until it’s ready to go). Then we’ll talk about where to go from there! Level: Intermediate, Advanced (adults and youth), Members $75, Non-members $100, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Register
October 20, Saturday, Dungeons and Dragons club. Play the best fantasy game in town! Work with others to solve traps, find treasure, and battle monsters as fantasy creatures with awesome powers. Never played before? Not a problem, we'll get you set up and playing in no time. Have your own character? Great. Bring your third level / fifth edition character to the table and we'll set you up with a party. 6:00-9:00 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
October 21, Sunday, Poetry Cafe, Poetry Cafe combines poetry prompts or exercises to generate poems with workshopping and discussion. It’s great for both emerging and established poets, and it’s open to poets of all ages. Join us to write with prompts from 12:30-1:45 and workshopping from 1:45-2:30. Great for both emerging and established poets and it’s open to poets of all ages. Let’s have some fun and write together. $10.00 for members / $20.00 for non-members. *Adults and Youth View Course Details & Register
October 22, Monday, Home School Classes! Morning classes 10:30-12:00. Afternoon classes 1:00-2:30. Supervised lunches available. Register here.
October 22, Monday, Reality Is Optional Writing Club. Come and join us for writing games and friendship with others who love words. 5:00-6:30 PM. Free for club pass holders. Register here
Oct0ber 26, Friday, PD Days – Writing with Feeling - Learn how to tap into your own experiences, applying them to your fiction writing. We’ll learn journaling techniques, and apply them to writing fictional scenes. All grades welcome. AWCS Youth Members $60.00, Non-members $70.00, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Register here.
October 27, Saturday, The Suspense is Killing Me - Workshop - Thanks to authors like Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins, and SJ Watson, suspense is once again all the rage. But what is suspense as a genre, and how is it different from a mystery or thriller? Why is a suspenseful feeling different from fear or shock, and why does it make for a compulsive read? Regardless of which genre(s) you write, threading suspense into your plot helps hold reader attention until your very last word. We’ll discuss suspenseful hooks, micro-tension, end-of-chapter cliff-hangers, and other ways to whiten your reader’s knuckles. All Levels of writers (Adult and Youth), Members $75, Non-members $100, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Register
October 27, Saturday, Subtext In Stories - Workshop - As a writer, you’re always managing two stories: the one that appears quite literally on the page, and the one that is unspoken, implicit, and ephemeral. In this workshop, we will examine subtext in short stories, exploring techniques of withholding, pacing, and voice to craft layered and nuanced narratives. All levels of writers (Adults and Youth), Members $75, Non-members $100, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Register
October 27, Saturday, Volunteer Appreciation Cereal party. Open only to youth who have volunteered with our AWCS projects and camps over the summer and fall. Invitation only. 4:30-6:00 PM.
October 27, Saturday, Halloween Party - Dress in a cool and awesome costume (or just come as your cool and awesome self) and have fun.
Potluck – bring some candy or treats to share
Bring a decoration to help make the place spooky!
Dress up in your favourite costume and get ready for fun games, magic spells, and prizes!
.Free for AWCS Youth Members. $5.00 for non-members. 6:00-8:00 PM.
October 28, Sunday, Poetry Cafe, Poetry Cafe combines poetry prompts or exercises to generate poems with workshopping and discussion. It’s great for both emerging and established poets, and it’s open to poets of all ages. Join us to write with prompts from 12:30-1:45 and workshopping from 1:45-2:30. Great for both emerging and established poets and it’s open to poets of all ages. Let’s have some fun and write together. $10.00 for members / $20.00 for non-members. *Adults and Youth View Course Details & Register
October 29, Monday, Home School Classes! Morning classes 10:30-12:00. Afternoon classes 1:00-2:30. Supervised lunches available. Register here.
October 31, Wednesday, AWCS Presents: Halloween Open Mic! - Bring 5 min of reading or just come on down and haunt the Nest with us this Halloween! Costumes encouraged. Everyone welcome! Free! 7:00PM - 8:30PM (Owls Nest is located in Britannia Shopping Plaza just off Elbow Drive - 815A 49th Avenue SW)
November 1, Thursday, Pen & Panel - Comic Creation Class. A class for kids looking to create comics on line and on paper. 5:00-6:30 PM. Register here.
Where the Heck Are We?
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We are located on the 4th floor, across from the elevator in the AWCS of the cSpace King Edward in Marda Loop.
1721, 29th Ave SW, Suite 460 Calgary, AB T2T 1P5 Or contact us by e-mailing firmstonwriting@gmail.com or using our Contact Us page. Reality Is Optional also has RIO Pod groups at the Calgary Public Library's Central and Crowfoot locations. Register through the CPL website. |
More Information
MEETING DAYS and TIMES:
CLUBS (September - June)
THE CLUBS
CLASSES
Have a need for more formal education in your chosen field? We have a class just for you! The class fees include a full year of classes from the time you sign up. Join in anytime.
Drop-In Fees – Not ready to commit? Have a crazy schedule? Want to check out Pen & Panel? Drop into a session and see what you think. Members $10.00, Non-members $15.00. (Exact change only please).
PD DAYS
Need a fun place to go when school isn’t in? Come and play with us. We have great topics, lots of writing, and a good time spent with new and old friends. The day runs from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. All grades welcome. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
SOCIAL STUFF
MEMBERS ONLY EVENTS – Created by the youth themselves, these fun Saturday nights may include anything from a party, movie night, board games, or something else. Become a member and find out what we have in store! You can even help plan them by joining the Event Planning Committee (contact Kim Firmston for more information kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org)
AWCS YOUTH STEERING COMMITTEE – Do you want to influence how the AWCS Youth programs are run? Do you want to help them continue to become a thing of greatness? Join us on the steering committee, not only does it look good on your resume/scholarship application, but it is also a wonderful way to support your youth writing community. (contact Kim Firmston for more information kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org)
AWCS YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY – A couple of times a year our youth are encouraged to join larger projects where we partner with other creative community groups. In the past, we have worked with Rocket House on the International Children’s Festival, Ramsay Robots on BeakerHead, and Calgary Reads for Reading Week, among others. It’s a great way to get some cool stuff on your resume! Contact Kim Firmston to find out what we have in store and how to get involved. kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org
TAKE PART IN WRITING AN E-ZINE (electronic magazine) – four times a year our youth programs come out with an electronic magazine on our website www.realityisoptional.com. Club members and students are encouraged to send in their art, writing, ads, photography, poetry, stories, novel excerpts, and whatever else they have created. We are always looking for new stuff! You can submit on line or in person at one of our club meetings.
WANT TO SEE OUR SCHEDULE? For a complete schedule of AWCS Youth Programs - see above.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, Need a subsidy? Go HERE
SEE ALL OUR PROGRAMS HERE!
- AWCS YOUTH MEMBERSHIP – $50.00 annually
Become an AWCS Youth Member today! Not only does your membership last a full year from the time you get it, but membership includes discounts on all our classes, clubs, camps, homework help, and more! As a bonus, membership includes five special, members only, events held throughout the year, and a (virtual) Frozen Frog Wand – which allows members to bring a friend to any club or members-only event for free up to three times (after which the frog thaws and hops away).
CLUBS (September - June)
- Whether you want to join one club or bounce through them all using your club pass, our clubs will open up the world of writing to you. Fees include a full year of club participation from the time you sign up. Jump in at any point of the year to start your journey.
- Club Pass – Go to all the clubs and save $100! Club passes are available for $175.00 for Youth Members or $230.00 for Non-members. The pass lasts a full year from the time you get it. GET ONE TODAY
- Drop-In Fees – Not ready to commit? Have a crazy schedule? Want to check out a club? Drop into a session and see what you think. Members $10.00, Non-members $15.00. (Exact change only please).
THE CLUBS
- Reality Is Optional Writing Club (RIO) – Need a place that understands you? Come and join us. Youth-led, adult mentored. Guest speakers, writing games, art, improv, friends, and creativity. Play with your words — all you need is a notebook and pen. RIO meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month from 5:00 – 6:30. (Occasionally rescheduled due to holidays). All Ages. Sept-June. (Members $75.00, Non-Members $100.00) Free with Club Pass or register for RIO exclusively.
- Novelmancers Novel Writing Club – Heading out on a long project can be hard, but it’s made easier with friends. If you’re serious about writing and want to get that novel done, join us and lighten the load. We explore all aspects of novel writing from character to climax and everything in between. Novelmancers meet the second Thursday of every month. 5:00-6:30. All Ages. Sept-June. (Members $50.00, Non-Members $65.00) Free with Club Pass or register for Novemancers exclusively
- Rogue Poets Poetry Club – Explore what poetry can be, then take it past those limits. Join Em Williamson, on a journey to the outer edges of poetry. Rogue Poets regularly have the opportunity to perform on stage as a group or individually (optional). The Rogue Poets meet the third Tuesday of every month from 5:00 – 6:30. Grades 7-12. Sept-June. (Members $75.00, Non-Members $100.00) Free with Club Pass or register for Rogue Poets exclusively.
- Dungeons & Dragons Role Playing Game Club – Enjoy fantasy? Want to live it? Then join us for this epic and wildly creative game called Dungeons and Dragons. Battle monsters, solve puzzles, find treasure and learn to work in a team while telling and experiencing your story together. D&D club meets on the last Saturday every month from 6:00 – 9:00 PM (Occasionally rescheduled). Grades 5-12. Sept-May. (Members $75.00, Non-Members $100.00). Free with Club Pass or register for D&D Club exclusively
CLASSES
Have a need for more formal education in your chosen field? We have a class just for you! The class fees include a full year of classes from the time you sign up. Join in anytime.
- Pen & Panel Comic Creation Class (September - June) – Play drawing games, improve your art style, learn to make comics both online and on paper, and pitch ideas, plus lots more! Hang out with like-minded artists and comic writers. Work on individual projects or collaborate. Focus on topics that will help you expand your skill set. Pen & Panel classes are on the first and third Thursday of each month from 5:00 – 6:30. Ages 12 and up. (Members $175.00, Non-Members $230.00). – REGISTER
Drop-In Fees – Not ready to commit? Have a crazy schedule? Want to check out Pen & Panel? Drop into a session and see what you think. Members $10.00, Non-members $15.00. (Exact change only please).
PD DAYS
Need a fun place to go when school isn’t in? Come and play with us. We have great topics, lots of writing, and a good time spent with new and old friends. The day runs from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. All grades welcome. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
SOCIAL STUFF
MEMBERS ONLY EVENTS – Created by the youth themselves, these fun Saturday nights may include anything from a party, movie night, board games, or something else. Become a member and find out what we have in store! You can even help plan them by joining the Event Planning Committee (contact Kim Firmston for more information kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org)
AWCS YOUTH STEERING COMMITTEE – Do you want to influence how the AWCS Youth programs are run? Do you want to help them continue to become a thing of greatness? Join us on the steering committee, not only does it look good on your resume/scholarship application, but it is also a wonderful way to support your youth writing community. (contact Kim Firmston for more information kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org)
AWCS YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY – A couple of times a year our youth are encouraged to join larger projects where we partner with other creative community groups. In the past, we have worked with Rocket House on the International Children’s Festival, Ramsay Robots on BeakerHead, and Calgary Reads for Reading Week, among others. It’s a great way to get some cool stuff on your resume! Contact Kim Firmston to find out what we have in store and how to get involved. kfirmston@alexandrawriters.org
TAKE PART IN WRITING AN E-ZINE (electronic magazine) – four times a year our youth programs come out with an electronic magazine on our website www.realityisoptional.com. Club members and students are encouraged to send in their art, writing, ads, photography, poetry, stories, novel excerpts, and whatever else they have created. We are always looking for new stuff! You can submit on line or in person at one of our club meetings.
WANT TO SEE OUR SCHEDULE? For a complete schedule of AWCS Youth Programs - see above.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, Need a subsidy? Go HERE
SEE ALL OUR PROGRAMS HERE!
OUR SPONSORS
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