The COLOUR of WORDS
NEWS:
2009
July 10-12, "Write On Bowen", Writers' Literary Festival, a reader on Sat. night, Blue Pencil editor & Sunday Host of the Picnic Reading at inspirational Leiben Lands.
July 25, "GENERATION", Black Moss Press, 64/10 edition of my 9th book of poems is released.
June 28, Bernice Lever, editor: "The Three Faces of Vancouver", by Douglas Cameron Aitken, launch at Chinese Cultural Centre, 50 E. Pender St., Vancouver, BC.
-May 31, talked/read, afternoon, for Richvale Writers, McConaghy Centre, Richmond Hill, Ontario.
May 23, talked at afternoon CAA - Kelowna Branch meeting, in Kelowna.
May 10, a poem, "Privates", p. 115, posted on The Toronto to Quarterly - worldwide.
May 1, read "Words on the Streets", part of special event at BC Federation of Writers' annual meeting at Listel Hotel, Vancouver.
April 25, gave workshop "Be Your Own First Editor", 938 Howe St., Vancouver, for World Poetry society.
April 21, read "Words on the Streets", at launch of "A Verse Map of Vancouver" at Vancouver Public Library, editor Poet Laureate - George McWhirter, Anvil Press.
April 26, read "This Lady" at Heather Haley's Salon for Al Purdy A-Frame fundraiser. Others read, including George Bowering, Canada's first national Poet Laureate.
March 30, 2 poems, "Snow Day", & "Best day" accepted for anthology, "Expressions", from the Spring pulse Festival , Cobalt, Ontario.
March 18, gave out Literary prizes I had judged for Celilia Lamont Contest for the White Rock and South Surrey Writers.
March 16, gave workshop, "Business of Being a Writer" for North Shore Writers, in Silk Purse Gallery, West Vancouver.
February 25, I was given the title -The Ontario Poetry Society - Life Member.
February 11, read prose piece, "I am a Sensitive" at CAA meeting in Vancouver.
February 12, read prose pieces at "Open Mic" Happy Isle Cafe, Bowen.
January - travel, snow and 'flu!
2008
December 11, read poems at "Open Mic" at Happy Isle Cafe on Bowen.
December, 2 poems given Honourable Mention: 'Dandy Ones" and "A Bird in the Hand" for Open Heart Poetry Competition, in chapbook by TOPS, Ontario.
November 5, read my poems at "Dare to Be Heard", Mollie Nye House, North Vancouver.
November 18, at 9 p.m., part of "World Poetry" program on C0-0P radio, Vancouver.
November 20, read poems for "Poets Around the World" at Chapters Books in Metro Town Mall, Burnaby.
November 22, gave workshop, "Business of Being a Writer", at 838 Howe St., Vancouver for the World Poetry Society.
November, "This Lady" poem accepted by Hidden Brook Press in Ontario for "Al Purdy - A Frame Collection" anthology, for 2009 publication, Ontario.
October 24- 26, at Surrey International Writers' Conference as a workshop presenter, panel member, blue pencil editor and annual poetry contest judge.
October 2, read my poems at "Telling Tales', at The Snug cafe, on Bowen.
September 27, Co-host with Diego Bastinutti of World Poetry Society workshop at Alliance for the Arts, 938 Howe St., Vancouver.
September 18, Read poems at "Word Storm" in Nanamio for Aspect Aspirations.
September 12, "Prayer", a poem displayed on PEACE Wall , Art Gallery, in New Westminster, then John Lennon Peace Tower, Iceland with World Poetry Society.
September 5, "Random", "No, Anti-Toxins, Please", poems in 'Cyclamens & Swords", Israel.
August 5, "I Want a Stud for A Week", poem for Erotica issue of 'Aspect Aspirations', Nanaimo, BC.
August 20, Poems:" Fat Rain", "Armour", "Heart By-Pass", for North Shore Writers 2008 anthology, 'Dandelions'.
July 26, read poems 3 times on stage at " Summer Dream Festival" by Pandora's Collective, at Lumberman's Arch, Stanley Park, Vancouver.
July 11 - 13, read poems Fri. & Sat., took part in panels, and Blue Pencil session, at "Write on Bowen", Writers and Readers Festival, Bowen Island.
July 3, read at annual CAA evening Cabaret, at Edmonton, Alberta.
June 30, "Words on Streets" poem accepted for "A Verse Map of Vancouver", editor Geo. McWhirter, Anvil Press.
June 15, read poems for West End 'Car Less Days' with World Poetry Society.
June 11, read poems at Chapters Bookstore, for 'Poets Around the World', Park Royal Mall, West Vancouver.
June 10, 3 poems from my 1979, "Contact", "Violating My TV Set",& "Falling" in Pens on Fire, California website.
June 2, read poems at Westmount Library and gave a talk "Get Your First Poetry Book Published" for the CAA , Montreal branch.
May 13, evening, reading poems, for Poetry Potpourri Society, Abbotsford, BC. Q&A about the Canadian Authors Association, other groups and publishing in general.
April 28, read poems from "Never a Straight Line" to Seniors Keeping Young on Bowen Island.
April 20, "Wish" a poem for "Tale Spinners", Ponoka, Alberta.
April 10, 2 poems, "Larks", "Transplant", and 3 Haiku accepted by PEN, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
April 3, "Fat Rain" 1st prize poem, "Gingerbread House" Honorable Mention poems in the Henry Drummond Poetry Contest at Cobalt, Ontario.
March 28, 7:30 pm, reading poems at Black Stilt Cafe, 1633 Hillside Ave., Victoria, BC.
March 27, 7 pm, interactive workshop, "Know What Rules to Break", Canadian Authors Association, Holiday Inn, 3020 Blanchard Street, Victoria, BC.
March 19, 2 poems," Amour" and " Spit & Polish" posted with a book review of my "Never a Straight Line" collection on " Ink-Sweat-and-Tears" in the U.K.
March 6, "Hiking the Rockies", poem in Delta Poets & Painters show, and will be in their 2009 book.
Readings on March 5, "Dare to be Heard" in North Vancouver and March 6, "Telling Tales", Bowen Island. These group events happen once a month.
Environmental poem, "Never a Straight Line", on display at Vancouver Public Library for the month of February.
February 29, LIFETIME Achievement Award from the World Poetry Society at their annual Gala at the Vancouver Public Library on Georgia St., Vancouver, BC. A reading and sale of my books took place. Bernice Lever is now a "Word Warrior" with a medal from the World Poetry Reading Series.
January, poem "Customary Standard" accepted by Aspect Aspirations Magazine, spring issue.
2007
November 21, reading with Burnaby Writers' Society winners and finalists, "High Middle Ages" contest, celebrating their 40 yrs., at Myles of Beans, Burnaby, B.C. My poem - "This is not my body".
November 8, "Mystery", a poem with Diamond Dust, USA, website.
October 27, featured speaker in Celebration of Dorothy Livesay's achievements for World Poetry Reading Series, at 938 Howe Street, Vancouver.
October 19-21, Chairing a panel, co-hosting a workshop, leading a workshop, poetry judge, and leading Blue Pencil sessions, Surrey International Writers' Conference, {www.siwc.ca}, Surrey, BC. Won a Special Achievement Award from the Surrey Board of Trade
October 14, 4-6 pm, my "Never a Sraight Line" book launch with music and refreshments, at The Gallery, Bowen Island, BC.
October 10, read poetry, Cornerstone Cafe, 2 pm, { Vancouver branch - CAA event of poetry and prose by published authors.} Coquitlam, BC.
October 5, read poems at Island Pacific School morning assembly, Bowen Island.
October 1-7, Random Acts of Poetry, "Tag-a-Long" series, shared outdoor readings with Lisa Shatzky, Jude Neal and Heather Haley, distributing free poetry pages, various sites, Bowen Island, { www.biac.ca}, BC.
Sept. 30, reading poems in Poet's Corner Tent at 'Word on the Street' with World Poetry Society, Library Square, Hamilton & Robson, Vancouver.
Sept. 15, taking part in "Reckoning '07", An Appraisal of BC Book Culture, at SFU campus at Robson Square, Vancouver.
Sept. 1, "This is not my body", a poem finallist with Burnaby Writers Society. Burbnaby, BC
Sept. 1 poem in 'Verse Afire' and 1 poem on The Ontario Poetry Society website.
Sept. 1, read poems, 2 pm , 6th Annual AfrikaDey Festival, Croatian Cultural Centre, Vancouver.
August 28, featured poet, World Poetry Cafe, Co-op Radio, 102.7 FM, Vancouver.
August 27, featured poet, World Poetry Reading Series, held at 938 Howe St., Vancouver.
July 23, NEVER a STRAIGHT LINE, Palm Poet Series #17, Black Moss Press, Ontario, 2007 - my 8th book of poems published. $15.00, 96 pp., ISBN 978-88753-438-6
July 5, poem, "Mr. Bellini" read at CAA's CanWrite 2007 conference in Ottawa.
July, 2 poems in "Butterfly Thunder" anthology, The Ontario Poetry Society.
June 9, Ottawa Public Library, afternoon reading with Q&A with PLR discussion.
June 7, Richvale Writers - 40th Anniversary Celebration Reading, evening, Richmond Hill, Ontario. (McConaghy Centre on Yonge Street)
June 3, Lit LIVE poetry reading series, Sunday evening, Hamilton, Ontario.
May 25 & 26, "Writing Memories & Memoirs" workshop, Shuswap Writers' Festival, Salmon Arm, BC. Also reading poems and leading Blue Pencil sessions.
May 5, "Writing - a Successful Business", CAA workshop co-leader, Accent Hotel, Victoria, BC.
April 22, poetry reading, North Shore Writers Festival, at Capilano District Library.
April 19, "Telling Tales" monthly series, reading poems, Bowen Island, BC.
March, "Hands Off", poem reprinted in "Verse Afire" by The Ontario Poetry Society.
February 23, read at 6th Annual Gala, World Poetry Society, Vancouver Public Library.
January, 4 poems, short listed, Cecilia Lamont Contest, White Rock, BC.
January, 2 poems in "Voices Israel" international anthology,
2006
December, poem, "Rain", in 'Poemata', Canadian Poetry Association, Moncton, NB.
November, 2 prose, "Adam" & "Same Sex Wives" amd poem, ""Red Dog Outhouse", in North Shore Writers's anthology.
October 20, Poetry Awards Judge at Surrey International Writers Conference.
October, poem, "Let's Go Home Now", CPA's anthology: "Harvesting Treasures".
September 24, read poems in "Poet's Corner Tent" at Word on the Street, Vancouver.
August, poem, "Walk Barefoot" for "Aqua Terra" anthology, Aspect Aspirations pub.
July 22, read at Pandora's Collective's "Summer Dream Festival" and won a prize for my poem, "Reunion".
July 6-9, "Harnessing Your Critics", workshop, CANWRITE 2006, Peterborough, ON.
July 1, started 4 year term as CAA rep. on Public Lending Right Commission, under Canada Council, Ottawa.
July 1, named Writer-in-Residence for Vancouver CAA branch.
July 9, part of Richvale Writers planning and reading for a 40th group anthology, Ontario.
June, Hon. Mention for poem, "Sagging", in Canadian Poetry Assoc. 2005 annual contest.
June, poem, "Peace" accepted for Sanburg/Livesay anthology, Mekler & Deahl, Ontario.
NOMINATED for National Poet Laureate of Canada by Vancouver CAA members.
May,"Golden", poem in Verse Alive, Vol. 2, #2, T.O.P.S., Ontario.
May, 3 poems in "Enchanted CrossRoads", T.O.P.S., Ontario.
March 20, workshop, "Voices in Poetry", North Shore Writers, West Vancouver, BC.
February, "Tips for Teachers", Canadian Teacher Magazine, winter issue, BC.
January, "Walk Barefoot" poem on Vancouver Public Library wall of Peace Poems, with World Poetry Society.
Read poems monthly in Bowen Island's series: "Telling Tales".
2005
October, 2 poems, "Larks", & "Primary Source" and prose,"Dear Edna" in North Shore Writers' 2005 anthology.
September 25, WOTS at Van. Public Library , workshop, "Harnessing the Critics", co-hosted with Ariadne Sawyer.
August 26, read poems at Van Dusen Gardens with Pandora's Collective.
September 8, finalist - Burnaby Writers Society poetry contest, "Time Is Timeless".
September 12, poem, "Bill Vacuums" in Aspect Aspirations, Vol.1.
July 23, poems at Summer Dream Festival by Pandora's Collective, at Robson Square, Vancouver, 11:30 am.
June 23, poems at CAA National meeting, Walper Terrace Hotel, Waterloo, Ont., 8 pm.
June 13, poems and interview on World Poetry Society on Co-op Radio, Vancouver, 9 pm.
June 8, poems at annual CAA dinner at O'Doul's in Vancouver, 7pm.
June 4, poetry reader with North Shore Writers at Seymour Gallery in Deep Cove, BC , 2 pm.
April 27, featured reader at World Poetry Society's "Behind the Scenes", 243 West Broadway, Books & Coffee Shop, 7:30pm.
April 21, read at "Telling Tales", 7:30 pm, Collins Hall, Bowen Island, for National Poetry Month in the English speaking world.
2004
Won Honourable Mention in The Ontario Poetry Society's Freedom contest.
Won 2 Honourable Mention Awards in Pandora's Box contests.
Take part often in "Telling Tales", evenings, 3rd Thursday of the month, Collins Hall, Bowen Island, for story tellers, poets and prose writers. This is a BIAC sponsored event.
Feb.7 - North Shore Arts Symposium, Saturday, Lucas Centre, North Vancouver, MC and read poems.
Feb.24 - John Newlove Memorial Evening, Vancouver Public Library, read my poems.
Apr. 25 - "Let Peace Begin with Me", Sunday afternoon of readings, Bowen Island Historical Museum, for Canada Poetry Month series.
May 16 - "Seeking Tranquility in Time of Turmoil", Burnaby Bahai Society, featured reader for Sunday afternoon, at Burnaby Heritage Museum.
June 24-27, Co-chair of "SAILING into New Markets", CAA national conference at UBC, Vancouver.
Won Alan Sangster Award, given to one CAA member each year.
Sept. 26 - read poems at "Word on the Street", Vancouver.
Oct. 28 - read poems at Tigers for BC Federation of Writers.
Nov. 8 - read poems for World Poetry Reading Series at Vancouver Public Library.
November - 4 poems in North Shore Writers' anthology, "Uncovered".
December - 3 poems in Prairie Journal, No. 43.
2003
November: 3 poems in "Northwords", North Shore Writers anthology.
November: 1 st prize for her poem "Much Left One" in Canadian Poetry Association's 2003 Annual National Contest.
October 18 to 21, took part in Surrey International Writers Conference, Surrey, BC
September 28, took part in "Word on the Street", Vancouver
September 20, gave "Polishing & Publishing Your Poetry" workshop in Kelowna, BC
August, Honourable Mention for Haiku in The Ontario Poetry Society contest.
August 14, accepted Co-Chair for "Sailing into new markets", CAA AGM in Vancouver in June, 2004.
July 3 to 8, Edmonton, CAA Annual General Meeting.
June 11, editor at CAA writing workshop in Vancouver.
Spring - re-designed my web site!
Highlights of 2002
January 2002 - Bernice Lever became Literary Chair of the Bowen Island Festival of the Arts which was held from July 1st to August 18th. Three theatre companies and others performed in a 150 seat tent near the beach in Snug Cove. Other artistic performances, displays and workshops took place in other halls and galleries around Snug Cove. Bowen Island Arts Council had a successful festival.
April 21, 2002, Earth Day - Bernice Lever was the MC for a trek up Mt. Gardner, 2,500 ft. centre of Bowen Island, for a poetry reading and singing event for the UN 2002 Year of the Mountains & Alpine Environments. A few dozen poets and singers performed words praising mountains, and the need for rescuing and reviving our earth's damaged environment. Pictures of some of our BC group were posted on the UN site: Dialogue Poetry.
Aug. 2001 to Dec. 2003 - Bernice Lever became Vancouver branch President of the Canadian Authors Association. www.canauthorsvancouver.org
September 2002 - Bernice Lever took part in the CAA exhibit table at Word on the Street in Vancouver and with her own display at the International Chinese Women Writers' Conference in Richmond, BC.
October & November 2002 - Bernice Lever gave writing workshops and tutoring to talented Bowen Island writers.