Writer-in-Residence
Aqua Books is one of only two bookstores in Canada with a writer-in-residence program, the other being the U of A Bookstore.
But I bet the U of A Bookstore doesn't have two spacious studios dedicated for such a purpose, do they? I thought not. (We have a third
studio, the aptly-named Studio 1, which is rented out to a notable writer who has requested anonymity.)
David Robertson
Aqua Books W-i-R January - April 2010 Studio 3
 David Robertson is an Aboriginal writer who lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with
his wife and three children. As he was growing up, David became
acutely aware of the lack of accurate, comprehensive, Aboriginal
history being taught in schools. For this reason, he wrote The Life of
Helen Betty Osborne - to engage and educate youth about an integral
event in Canada's Aboriginal history. The first book in his upcoming series of graphic novels, 7 Generations, will be released in Spring 2010.
Kier-La Janisse
Aqua Books Film W-i-R November 2009-February 2010 Studio 2
Kier-La Janisse is a writer and film programmer who hosts music-related and cult film screenings under the moniker Big Smash! Productions. She was head programmer for the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas from 2003-2007, founded the CineMuerte Horror Film Festival and the Big Smash! Music-on-Film Festival (both in Vancouver). She's curated programs at the Blinding Light!! Cinema and the Criminal Cinema in Vancouver, as well as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. She has written for Filmmaker, Rue Morgue and Fangoria magazines, has contributed to The Scarecrow Movie Guide (Sasquatch Books, 2004) and Destroy All Movies!! (forthcoming from Fantagraphics), and is the author of A Violent Professional: The Films of Luciano Rossi, published by FAB Press in 2007. She is the Administrative Coordinator for Winnipeg's send + receive: a festival of sound and Special Events Coordinator for independent record store Into the Music. Currently, Ms. Janisse is co-producing a feature documentary called Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films that Ruled the 70s and working on a new book about female neurosis in horror and exploitation films entitled House of Psychotic Women.
Details for upcoming events are on the Events Page.
Past Writers-in-Residence
Carolyn Gray
Aqua Books W-i-R September-December 2009 Studio 3
 Carolyn Gray has worked in local theatre as a writer, actor, director, dramaturge, designer, educator,and puppeteer for over twenty years. Her play The Elmwood Visitation (Scirocco) was produced by Theatre Projects Manitoba in February 2007. The play won the Manitoba Day Award from the Association of Manitoba Archives, for excellence in archival research and being a creative work that celebrates Manitoba. She won the 2008 John Hirsch Most Promising Writer Award. Recently, her short story, The Stains, took first prize in the Marie Barton Postcard Fiction contest. She has written her first young adult novel, and is preparing her new play, North Main Gothic, for its world premiere with Theatre Projects in April 2010.
Kate Bitney
Prairie Fire W-i-R January-October 2009 Studio 2
Katherine Bitney is the author of three critically acclaimed books of poetry: While You Were Out (Turnstone Press, 1981), Heart and Stone (Turnstone Press, 1989) and Singing Bone (The Muses Company, 1997), and is currently working on a fourth collection of poems. With Andris Taskans, she co-edited A/Cross Sections (MWG, 2007). She has worked as an editor, mentor, and creative writing instructor, as well as arts juror and creative director for literary events for over 30 years in Manitoba.
Thursday, January 29/09 7pm WCCH
Boreality Launch
Katherine Bitney, Prairie Fire W-i-R January-October 2009
"Boreality" is a multi-year collaboration between Prairie Fire Press and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra which involves a writer (Katherine Bitney), composer (Sid Robinovitch), photographer (Mandy Malazdrewich), sound recording artist (Ken Gregory) and project coordinator (Janine Tschuncky) going out into the boreal forest in each season to listen to the forest and the people who live there. The purpose of this project is to celebrate the boreal forest of Manitoba through a multidisciplinary approach involving writing, music, soundscape and photography which will result in a musical performance, a writer-in-residence program at Aqua Books, and a special issue of boreal forest writing to be published by Prairie Fire Press. "Boreality" is made possible in part by the Winnipeg Arts Council¹s New Creations Fund.
The winter trip was completed in December 2008 and the Boreality creative team members would love to share some of their adventures with you. Come and learn more about the manuscript evaluation service from Prairie Fire¹s first writer-in-residence at Aqua Books!
Click here for more details on The Boreality Project.
Julia Michaud
Aqua Books Designer-in-Residence August 2009 Studio 3
 Julia Michaud started off her fledgling design career in the 80s, drawing book report covers with smelly markers for her artistically-challenged classmates at St. Ignatius School. This made her very popular. Julia joined the illustrious ranks of highly talented illustrator and designer graduates from RRC in 1999. Her first full job in the industry, doing black and white car ads at the Auto Trader, gave her the motivation to go after a more colourful position.
Her first taste of design fame came via Brad Hughes at Fanfare Magazine Group, which produces publications with the highest hip factor anywhere – Ciao! and WHERE Magazines. Life was exciting and unpredictable. After five years creating glamorous retail and restaurant ads, art-directing photoshoots at Amici and eating chef-created cuisine, it was time for new opportunities.
Her company, Instant Noodles Design, serves clients like The Garden Room, the Folk Arts Council and the illustrious Aqua Books.
Marika Prokosh
Aqua Books Emerging Writer-in-Residence July 2009 Studio 3
 Marika Prokosh is a Winnipeg writer and English Literature undergraduate. Her poetry has appeared in juice, the University of Winnipeg's creative writing journal. She was an apprentice writer in the Sheldon Oberman Emerging Writers Mentorship Program (2004), and is currently a volunteer organizer for the Speaking Crow open mic poetry series.
Jaylene Johnson
Aqua Books Songwriter-in-Residence June 2009 Studio 3
 Jaylene Johnson has a deep passion for songwriting and the power of music and lyrics. Since releasing her first record (Not Forgotten) in 2000, she has worked and traveled all over North America. She has received nominations and awards and her music has used for notable television shows like Dawson’s Creek (CBS/Sony) and Being Ericka (CBC Television). Jaylene's latest project, Happiness, will be released this year, and is her first record to feature a majority of co-written songs.
Sharing knowledge and skills is important to Jaylene, and with over ten years in the performing, creative and administrative sides of the music industry, she has much to share. She currently resides in Winnipeg, teaching high school English and preparing to launch her new record.
Jaylene will be appearing on stage at Winnipeg's Cultural City Hall on May 16 as the featured performer for June's Soapbox Open Mic series. Check the left sidebar for details.
Tuesday, June 2, 9, 16/09 $25 per 30 min
Aqua Books presents: Coaching Sessions
with Aqua Books Songwriter-in-Residence Jaylene Johnson
Award-winning singer/songwriter Jaylene Johnson will be Aqua Books' Songwriter-in-Residence for the month of June.
As a part of her term as Songwriter-in-residence, Jaylene will be offering one-on-one coaching sessions during the first three Tuesdays in June.
Sessions can include everything from feedback on individual songs to advice on the music industry to voice lessons. Call 943-7555 to register.
Saturday, June 6/09 10:00am-3:30pm WCCH $60
Aqua Books presents: From Words to Music
A songwriting workshop by Aqua Books Songwriter-in-Residence Jaylene Johnson
Notes: Registration is limited to 20 people. Bring a notebook and pen (or laptop); the ability to play music is not required, but musicians may bring their instruments; recording devices are encouraged though not necessary.
Phone 943-7555 to register by May 29, 2009.
Are you a musician who wants to compose original material but you aren’t sure where to start? Do you have a poem or idea tucked away that you think could make a great song?
Join Jaylene Johnson, Aqua's Songwriter in Residence for the month of June, as she shares from her own experiences as a songwriter and acts as your guide through the process of co-writing songs.
Tim Higgins
Aqua Books W-i-R February-May 2009 Studio 3
 Tim Higgins was born into a Canadian Forces family during a posting to Washington, DC, and has lived in Winnipeg since 1952. His B.Sc. in zoology and graduate work in human genetics naturally led him to a thirty-year career in acting, directing and writing for television.
In addition to screenplays about the Northwest Rebellion, the Plains Cree and, most recently, the history of the Manitoba Telephone System, he was principal Canadian researcher for the nationally televised series, Empire of the Bay.
Tim has received two Manitoba Motion Picture Industry Blizzard nominations for screenwriting; one for an historical documentary, the other for drama. His first book, Dancing Backwards: A Social History of Canadian Women in Politics, co-authored with Senator Sharon Carstairs, was nominated for both the Margaret McWilliams and Alexander Isbister Awards for popular non-fiction.
His most recent book is the best selling Bears on Broadway: A Love Affair in Concrete. He has written and staged five Manitoba historical plays in the last decade and has taught a writing course on Creative Non-Fiction for the Manitoba Writer’s Guild.
Amy Karlinsky
Aqua Books Arts W-i-R October 2008-January 2009 Studio 3
 Amy Karlinsky
is a writer, curator and teacher. Her doctoral studies at the
University of British Columbia in Art History were supported by a four-year
SSHRC grant. She has taught Theory and Criticism, Canadian Art History,
Inuit Art, and Writing About Art for Capilano College, the University of
Regina, UBC Continuing Studies, and the School of Art, University of
Manitoba, where she was a Visiting Fellow at St John's College and an
Adjunct Professor in Native Studies. Her curatorial projects have included
exhibitions for the Nunatta Sunaqutangit Museum in Iqaluit and the Quiet
Room Gallery at St. John's College. She co-curated wintercount, a public art
project by contemporary Aboriginal artists with Colleen Cutschall for the
University of Manitoba, as well as figure ground: paintings and drawings of
Ivan Eyre; and Head Space: Five Decades of Bruce Head for The Winnipeg Art
Gallery. Her art criticism has appeared in BlackFlash, Border Crossings,
Canadian Art, Études Inuit Studies, Galleries West, Herizons, Inuit Art
Quarterly, Queen's Quarterly, and the Winnipeg Free Press. Karlinsky has
written essays on aspects of contemporary art on behalf of The Marion Scott
Gallery in Vancouver; Women Artists Resource Centre and Open Studio in
Toronto; Gallery One One One, and St. John's College,University of Manitoba;
Martha Street Studio, Mentoring Artists for Women's Art, St. Norbert Arts
Centre, Urban Shaman, The Winnipeg Art Gallery and Video Pool in Winnipeg.
Karlinsky currently teaches literacy in Winnipeg's inner city.
Friday, January 16/09 1:30-4:30pm WCCH
Arts Writer-in-Residence Series
Talking About Your Art
Amy Karlinsky, Aqua Books Arts W-i-R October 2008 - January 2009
Notes: Bring a work of art or a work in reproduction or send a jpeg to ariel@aquabooks.ca. Registration is limited to 17 people.
Cost: $6 (inc. coffee/tea/EAT! treat)
Are you looking for a dialogue about art? Join arts writer in residence Amy Karlinsky for a workshop devoted to “talking about your art.”
We will spend the afternoon looking, thinking and talking about art. Artist participants are asked to bring a work of art or a work in reproduction and to talk to the group about their interests and concerns...and we will talk back.
Be prepared for a lively discussion and we will enrich the viewing experience together.
Wednesday, December 3/08 6-9pm WCCH
Arts Writer-in-Residence Series
Writing the Photograph
Amy Karlinsky, Aqua Books Arts W-i-R October 2008 - January 2009
Cost: $20 (inc. dinner)
Do you have a family photograph that needs to be re-imagined? Is there a story that
needs to be told? Or, do you have a picture of a stranger that somehow haunts
you?
As a part of Amy Karlinsky's term as Aqua Books' Arts Writer-in-Residence, we are
offering a workshop on writing the photo. Using examples in poetry and fiction, Karlinsky
will demonstrate how to use literary writing to decode an image.
Come for the evening and be prepared to write your photograph. (Dinner is provided)
Friday, November 14/08 2-5pm VKF
Arts Writer-in-Residence Series
Writing About Your Art
Amy Karlinsky, Aqua Books Arts W-i-R October 2008 - January 2009
As a part of Amy Karlinsky's term as Aqua Books' Arts Writer-in-Residence, we are
offering a FREE workshop on writing artist's statements.
Come and polish up your portfolio. Using examples of art and the accompanying artist's
statement, Karlinsky will offer tips on writing effectively and evocatively in the service of
your work.
Michael Van Rooy
Aqua Books W-i-R September-December 2008 Studio 2
 Michael Van Rooy writes for documentaries, magazines, newspapers, and the Internet, and is the winner of the 2009 John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer. His first book, An Ordinary Decent Criminal, won the 2006 Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book by a Manitoba Writer, was a finalist for the Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction and has been recently optioned by Big Mind Films to make a full-length feature film.
Recently Michael released his second novel in the Monty Haaviko series, Your Friendly Neighbourhood Criminal. He is currently writing the third instalment in the series (upstairs at 274 Garry Street).
Before settling on a writing career, Michael studied history at the University of Manitoba and was a restaurant manager, bartender, fishing guide, card dealer, news editor, cheesemaker, and federal prisoner. He uses all this experience to inform his writing. Michael was born in Kamloops, BC, and grew up in Winnipeg, MB, where he lives with his wife and three children.
Saturday, November 29/08 9am-9pm WCCH
A Murder of Crows
A Crime/Mystery Writing Workshop
Michael Van Rooy, Aqua Books W-i-R September-December 2008
Cost: $75 (inc. dinner)
A Murder of Crows is a one-day workshop that allows crime and mystery writers to
develop and make significant progress on their novel.
Michael will touch on plot, character, research, dialogue, pacing, setting and voice. Not
to mention murder weapons, means and motives, it's all here. Plus a bit on submission
letters and the different types of mystery and crime novels. Your day of crime, murder
and mayhem ends with a public reading of the first chapter to invited guests. Michael
will also read from his next novel, tentatively titled Criminals Are Forever.
Fee includes coffee, baked goods, a delicious dinner from EAT! Bistro, mini-workshop
and feedback sessions throughout the day, plus one-on-one time with Michael as you
need it. (While dinner is provided, lunch isn't, so bring a bag lunch or come downstairs
to EAT!, or go to Subway or the Kraut King, etc., etc.)
Wednesday, November 19/08 7pm WCCH
Writer-in-Residence Reading
Michael Van Rooy, Aqua Books W-i-R September-December 2008
Anita Daher
Aqua Books W-i-R May-August 2008 Studio 2
 Award-winning young adult writer Anita Daher was Aqua Books' inaugural writer-in-residence. Anita wrote,
reviewed manuscripts, taught and spread joy for four glorious months this summer. A truly delightful person.
Anita Daher has been writing and publishing in Canada for well over a decade, often drawing inspiration from the many places she's been fortunate to spend time in. After being named recipient of the 2007 John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer, she buckled down and wrote three more novels for juveniles and young adults. Two of them, Racing for Diamonds (Orca) and Spider's Song (Penguin/Puffin) were finalists for the 2008 Arthur Ellis Award for best juvenile crime novel. Racing for Diamonds has also been named a finalist for the 2009 Hackmatack East Coast Reader's Choice Award. Anita lives in Winnipeg, and will always accept invitations for dim sum.
There is a nice interview with Anita on our Articles page (7.19.08).
Saturday, September 6/08 9am-9pm
(reading starts at 7pm)
Sweat it Out
A juvenile/teen novel writing sweatshop
with Anita Daher
Cost $120 (Includes a catered dinner from EAT! bistro)
Registration deadline: August 30, 2008. Registration is limited to 12 people.
Course Description
Sweat it Out will allow young adult writers to develop and make significant progress on a young adult novel. Your day of plotting and planning your juvenile or teen novel ends with a public reading of first chapters to invited guests. Anita will also read from her forthcoming novel, Poachers in the Pingos. Fee includes coffee, muffins, a delicious dinner from EAT! bistro, mini-workshop and feedback
sessions throughout the day, plus one-one-one time with Anita as you need it.
(While dinner is provided, lunch isn't, so bring a bag lunch [or come downstairs to EAT!, or go to Subway or the Paddlewheel, etc., etc.])
Wednesday, June 18/08 7:30pm
Inaugural Writer-in-Residence Reception and Reading
Anita Daher, Aqua Books Writer in Residence May-August 2008
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