Muskoka Authors Association
MAA welcomes professional and aspiring writers (and everyone in between). Muskoka has a rich heritage in the arts and exceptional writers are a part of that. We pride ourselves on our mandate of authors helping authors. To that end, we bring in a great lineup up of acclaimed authors each month to give presentations and/or workshops on both the business and craft of writing.
Authors Helping Authors
As an organization created by writers, for writers, Muskoka Authors Association believes it should be our duty to help other writers flourish to their full potential. Not only do we bring in the best writers, publishers, and literary agents from across Canada, we also help each other. MAA takes pride in being a safe environment where both new and veteran writers can meet in a judgment-free zone. We take positive comments and light critiques from each other while encouraging each other to write to our best capabilities. MAA focuses on all writers as equals. Although we do celebrate when our writers become published, we also accept that some writers write for their friends, family, and future generations to read their stories. MAA encourages and welcomes anybody who feels a spark to write. Being able to see a community of writers grow while helping each other is our goal.
Events
We Attract High Profile Authors
At the Muskoka Authors Association we pride ourselves on our fabulous programming. We attract high profile authors, literary agents and publishers from across Canada to come speak to our group, share their journey and provide valuable workshops on both the business and craft of writing. Our regular meetings are the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Bracebridge Centre for Active Living, 54 Dominion Street, Bracebridge. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
We also offer regular weekend workshops and special events. For more information, please contact David Bruce Patterson at david.patterson@alumni.utoronto.ca or 705-801-8074.
Please check Upcoming Events by clicking on the link below and our Facebook page for further updates.
Contest
::In 1999, writer and journalist Melody Richardson started a writing group in Muskoka. Over the years she continued to share her expertise, encouraging both novice and experienced writers.
Many Muskoka Authors Association members, including Cindy Watson and Wendie Donabie, were part of Melody’s inspirational group and honed their craft under her unique brand of encouraging mentorship. Sadly, Melody passed away after a brave fight against cancer in 2014. To keep her memory and contribution alive, MAA created the Melody Richardson Memorial Contest in 2017.
2020 Contest
Closed: August 31, 2020 at Midnight
And the Winners are!
Short Fiction Contest (1500 words max)
- First Prize: Bruce Hanson – The Unknown Civilian
- Second Prize: Sharon McInnes – The Neighbour
- Honourable Mention: Marie Gage – Beatrice
Flash Fiction contest (500 words max)
- First prize: Jennifer Lemon – (M)other
- Second prize: Barb Bissonette – Shep
- Honourable Mentions: Pamela Medland – Online-Cremation and Barb Bissonette – A Parallel Universe
Join
Membership is $95 per year for adults and $50 for students. This includes attendance at all regular membership meetings (with acclaimed author and agent visits, etc.), deep discounts on all workshops, and discounts for other writing organization events.
To be added to OUR AUTHORS page, please mail a 250 word bio and a high quality, colour, head and shoulder photo of you taken against a blank, solid coloured background to info@muskokaauthors.ca.
You can apply and pay online, or you can download the form,
fill it out, and pay by cheque or cash.