Canadian authors association – Alexis Marie Chute

Happy Canada Day!

July 1, 2015/0 Comments/in Blogging, Creative Writing Update, Quotes /by Alexis Marie Chute

Happy Canada Day fellow Canadian writers! I wish you all a great day of celebrating this wonderful country we live in. I hope everybody’s ready to pick up some mini Canadian flags and wear your Canada hats! We really do live in an amazing country, and it deserves to be celebrated.

“It is wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw, not because she is Canada but because she’s something sublime that you were born into, some great rugged power that you are a part of.”

– Emily Carr

I hope Canada Day brings on inspiration!

Happy Writing!

Have you Registered for the Words in 3D Conference?

April 15, 2015/0 Comments/in Conferences, Creative Writing Update, The Writing Life /by Alexis Marie Chute

Writing conferences are amazing. First, you get out of your lonely writing spot and meet other like-minded individuals. Second, it is a focused time to feed your creative soul. I am presenting two workshops at the Words in 3D Conference but I also registered for some sessions to fuel the hungry writer in me.

Here is the info about the conference:

Words in 3Dimensions Conference

Three conferences in one: Writing/Editing/Publishing

May 22-24, 2015

Chateau Lacombe Hotel

Edmonton, Alberta

Click here to visit the conference website, review the schedule and register.

Here are my sessions:

How to Take a Picture Worthy of Your Words

Saturday, May 23
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Covering the basics of good photography, including exposure, composition, and technical requirements for different publications, Alexis Marie Chute shares what writers need to know about taking great photos for their projects. This session includes a group brainstorm for attendees’ current projects and recommendations from Alexis Marie on making your photography a stronger statement to support your words.

Saturday, May 23, 2015 – 11:30

Memorable Memoir: Writing Personal Stories

Saturday, May 23
4:00 – 5:15 p.m.

Alexis Marie Chute offers tools and techniques for writing your personal story: removing sentimentality, finding alternatives to strict chronological structure, and building authenticity. Featuring memory recall exercises, this presentation is a must-see for anyone writing personal narratives.

Saturday, May 23, 2015 – 16:00

Blue Pencil Café

“At Blue Pencil Café, conference participants get the opportunity for one-on-one mentoring sessions with experienced writers or editors. Bring a writing sample to review, ask your questions, get advice — the Blue Pencil mentors are here as a resource for you!”

Each session will be 20 minutes long.

Some mentors require writing samples in advance (I do please!).

If you are interested in meeting me at the Blue Pencil Café, here is some info about me so we can go into our time together well acquainted:

Alexis Marie Chute

BFA, MFA Candidate, Artist & Writer

Alexis Marie Chute is an award winning artist, photographer and writer. She is an Avenue Magazine “Top 40 Under 40” and was named an “Emerging Canadian Photographer” by Photo Life Magazine. She was the 2012/2013 Artist in Residence at Harcourt House Artist Run Centre and her artwork is represented by Method Art Gallery in Scottsdale Arizona and by the AR&S Gallery at the Art Gallery of Alberta. Her writing has been published in the Three Minus One anthology and with the Women’s Art Museum Society of Canada, along with other credits including Today’s Parent, The Times Colonist and Flurt magazine. Her first book, a memoir about motherhood and loss, is forthcoming.

I look forward to seeing you at Words in 3D!

Publication Update

February 25, 2015/0 Comments/in Canadian Authors Association, Creative Writing Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

As I diligently work away at some of my big writing projects, it’s always nice to pause and celebrate the smaller works that have made their way out into the world. Here are some of my publications from the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015:

“The Quiet Rebuild” Portraits – Bellingham Review, Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
“Legacy of Love,” Perspectives Magazine, TSC Alliance

“Her Opinion: Art and the Canadian Landscape,” Women’s Art Museum Society of Canada, Anthology
“Her Threads: Spotlight on Current Artistic Practice,” Women’s Art Museum Society of Canada, Anthology
“How to Honour a Bereaved Mother on Mother’s Day,” Today’s Parent Magazine
“The Tiny Voice that Saved Me,” essay in the Three Minus One anthology, She Writes Press
“NaNoWriMo: An Exciting Challenge for Writers,” Branchline Magazine, Canadian Author’s Association, Alberta Branch

What have you been working on lately?

Canadian Authors Association Exporting AB Award

June 6, 2013/2 Comments/in Awards, Canadian Authors Association /by Alexis Marie Chute

I had the privilege of attending the Canadian Authors’ Association Gala last weekend. Not only was it my first day on the job as Secretary for the CAA board, taking minutes for the AGM, but I had the privilege of photographing the main event: readings by authors nominated for the Exporting Alberta Award and the award presentation. I have to say, the evening was immensely enjoyable! Even my hubby who is not a writer had a great time.

The Exporting Alberta Award is given to the CAA Alberta Branch member who has the best book published in the last year. The $1,000 prize money assists with out-of-province book promotion.

The event was MC’ed by one of the current Writers in Residence, Lee Kvern, at the tail end of her term. Boy, does Lee have a huge personality! Here are some photos of the event.

It was a full house at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, a part of the ArtSpirit Festival.

Margaret Macpherson, founder of the ArtSpirit Festival, welcoming all for the evening.

Lee Kvern, the magnificent MC for the gala.

President of the Canadian Authors’ Association, Jana Rieger.

Lisa Anderson showing off her book, “Mom! There’s a Lion in the Toilet” published by Dream Write Publishing Ltd

Jenna Butler talking about “Wells,” her book of poetry published by the University of Alberta Press

Joan Marie Galat showing off her children’s book, “The Discovery of Longitude” published by Pelican Press

Joan Marie Galat reading for Jacueline Guest, the book “Outcast of River Falls” published by Cocteau Books

Charmaine Hammond reading the book she co-wrote with Debra Kasowski, “GPS Your Best Life” published by Bettie Young Books

Debra Kasowski reading “GPS Your Best Life” which she co-wrote with Charmaine Hammond, published by Bettie Young Books.

All the authors received flowers.

Barb Howard reading her “Western Taxidermy” published by Newest Press

Fran Kimmel reading her “The Shore Girl” published by Newest Press

Katherine Koller with an enacted reading of her book, "Voices of the Land" published by AU Press

Katherine Koller with a vibrant reading of her book, “Voices of the Land” published by AU Press

Jana reading for Gail Sidonie Sobat, “Not With a Bang” published by Magpie Books

Leanne Myggland-Carter reading for Sheri-D Wilson, “Goddess: Gone Fishing for a Map of the Universe” published by Frontenac House

Lee Kvern has some fun with the authors.

Jana Rieger rips open the envelope… a hush falls over the crowd…

And the winner is… Barb Howard for “Western Taxidermy” published by Newest Press

Barb Howard receiving her crown as the winner of the Exporting Alberta Awards! Congrats Barb!

Poetry Reading Contest, Canadian Authors Association

March 15, 2013/0 Comments/in Awards, Creative Writing Inspirations, Creative Writing Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

The Canadian Authors Association held their Fourth Annual Let it Snow, Let it Grow Member Social at the beginning of March. The theme was a challenge to writers to pen a narrative poem or short story about what it means to grow. I entered the contest which entailed a public reading of my work at the event, held at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse.

Reading my poetry at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse for the Canadian Authors Association.

I was proud to be selected as a winner, along with fellow CAA board member Hendrik Slegtenhorst. The event was hosted by author Gail Sidonie Sobat.

Receiving the contest award from Gail Sidonie Sobat, with fellow winner Hendrik Slegtenhorst (and my daughter who ran up to be in the picture).

I am proud to be a board member of the Alberta Branch of the Canadian Authors Association. CAA is a wonderful organization with the mandate of “Writers Helping Writers.” It has been immensely encouraging for me to connect with other writers in an open environment of learning and support. If you are interested, please join us!