Get ready! At 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2008, an eclectic group of writers from across Canada will put fingers to the keyboard or, as in the case the last two summers, pen to paper, to begin the 7th Annual Muskoka Novel Marathon in Huntsville. For the next 72 hours (or 48 hours for the 2-day event) save for a few breaks to eat and sleep, this committed group of writers will remain mostly sequestered until the closing bell rings at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 14 (or Sunday, July 13). Each writer is allowed only a one-page outline going in. What comes out is sometimes a manuscript well in excess of 100 pages.
What motivates writers to participate in such an ordeal? Is it the opportunity to write uninterrupted by the demands of daily life? To devote an entire weekend to what feeds their souls? To reap the benefits of quality time spent with like-minded individuals? To have their work critiqued by a panel of renowned judges? To win the opportunity to have their manuscript sent directly to a publisher? To support a program that will enable others to enrich their lives through the written word? All of the above plus some – probably as many reasons as there are participants.
Even though the event has been organized by the Muskoka Literacy Council for the past four years, it began as the brainchild of writers Martin Avery, Mel Malton, Christina Kilbourne and Ann Vaughn-Evans. It has been supported by the Huntsville Festival of the Arts as a “fringe event” of the summer festival for the past six summers and, when it began in the old National Bank building in 2002 it had just those four participants. Last year’s group of 26 was the largest to date, a group that swells in number each year.
As a result of these annual marathons, Canadians have been treated to several new published novels. Mel Malton’s The Drowned Violin, begun that first marathon, was released at the kick-off event to Muskoka Novel Marathon 2006. Christina Kilbourne released her novel The Roads to Go Home Lake at the same event. Kilbourne, a two-time winner of the MNM, has since had her winning YA manuscript, Dear Jo, published as well. Paula Boon, winner in 2005, has landed a New York agent who is currently looking for a home for her 2006 runner-up manuscript. Kim Russel-Brooks’ winning entry in 2006 is in the process of being reviewed by a publisher. Four-year veteran Peter Brandt has also had one of his works published, albeit from another writing marathon. The Mexican edition of the award winning novel written in Spanish at the MNM 2004 by Martha Batiz was recently published as well. The camaraderie of the group is infectious and any new recruit doesn’t feel that way for too long. Not often does a writer participate for just one year.
The students at the Muskoka Literacy Council are the beneficiaries of this event. For, even though it is all about writers and their craft, it is also about literacy-disadvantaged adults in Huntsville. As important as the writing is, so is the fundraising side of the event. Over the past six years, writers have gathered almost $25,000 in pledges to support the Muskoka Literacy Council. To date, the pledges have gone to improve computer learning opportunities through the purchase of hardware as well as software resources to support the many academic and employment-based programs offered at MLC. Our program is only partially funded by the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities and we rely on fundraising.
Although the agency has been in operation more than 20 years, it has only recently gained renown for its diverse programs. It was not widely known that adult students are able to access free upgrading in reading, writing, math and computers from very basic levels up to and including GED preparation and college entry programs. The new ACE program, a partnership with Georgian College but delivered at the Muskoka Literacy Council in Huntsville, began in January 2007 with Communications and Numeracy classes on Monday and Tuesday nights respectively. ACE classes expanded in January 2008 to include Wednesday evening and Friday morning classes in Chemistry, Communications and Numeracy. Students can conceivably arrive at the Muskoka Literacy with skills as low as Grade 1 and leave ready to enter Community College.
To find out more about the programs or volunteering opportunities at the Muskoka Literacy Council, please contact Pat Peat, Program Coordinator at 789-1850 or literacy@vianet.ca. Check out our website at www.mlch.org .
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to seeing you in July.
Sincerely,
Susan Lowe
Chair, Muskoka Novel Marathon 2008 Committee
President, Board of Directors Muskoka Literacy Council
