# WCDR

> The Writers' Community of Durham Region


## Posts

- [Harnessing resources to level up your writing game](https://www.wcdr.info/speaker/harnessing-resources-to-level-up-your-writing-game/): Join us on September 13 as award-winning author Sylv Chiang shares how she harnessed community, resources, and resilience to level up her writing career. Discover practical tools, insider tips, and a wealth of shared knowledge to spark your own writing journey forward.
- [Showcase Your Story](https://www.wcdr.info/blog/showcase-your-story/): Are you a WCDR member with a published book? Submit your book to be featured on our members' books page.  This opportunity is exclusive to WCDR members.
- [Save the Dates!](https://www.wcdr.info/speaker/save-the-dates/): We’re excited to share the dates for our 2025-2026 Monthly Networking Meetings! Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned writer, MNMs are a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and grow in your writing journey.  Each meeting features a new theme and a guest speaker—from industry pros to writing instructors to experts in related fields. These sessions are informative, interactive, and always inspiring.
- [Thursday Night Write In](https://www.wcdr.info/general/wcdr-write-in-2/): Exclusively for our valued members! Join us every Thursday night via Zoom for an engaging writing experience. 
- [Summer Writing Assignment](https://www.wcdr.info/blog/news/summer-writing-assignment/): If you're looking for a bit of summer writing motivation, let desire paths be your prompt. Interpret it literally or metaphorically. Use the phrase—or don’t. Let your imagination wander its own way.
- [His Majesty's Sailor and the Girl in the Blue Coat](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/his-majestys-sailor-and-the-girl-in-the-blue-coat/): It is 1942 and the second world war is in its 3rd year. Dominic "Bommy" King is a helmsman aboard HMS Tuna with the submarine and crew being sent on ever-demanding war patrols. Starting in November 1942, with the submarine and her crew delivering 12 Royal Marines to 10 miles off the coast of France and their ever more dangerous War Patrols that include the sinking of 3 German U-boats while protecting the Arctic Convoys. For his outstanding courage, enterprise and skill he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.
- [The Gem Exchange](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/the-gem-exchange/): A page-turning psychological thriller for readers who love a fast-paced, keep-you-up-at-night read.  Everything has a price!  After interviewing trafficked women for a non-profit organization, Jewels Precia thought she had heard the worst of their horrors. But when she travels to Panama to report her findings at a global conference, her night terrors become a chilling reality.
- [WCDR Board of Directors - Descriptions](https://www.wcdr.info/general/wcdr-board-of-directors-descriptions/): The Board of Directors is the backbone of the Writers' Community of Durham Region (WCDR), made up of dedicated volunteers who guide, support, and grow our vibrant writing community. Each board member plays a unique role in helping us deliver events, programs, and services that benefit writers at every stage of their journey
- [The New Era of Storytelling](https://www.wcdr.info/blog/the-new-era-of-storytelling/): The dream used to be that, if you could only find a publisher, your book could be printed and you would become a famous author. Time and effort was dumped into query letters and submissions to agents and publishers in the hopes that anyone would be willing to help you make your dreams of publishing come true.  But that was before. Things are different now.
- [Walking Away from Hate: Our journey through extremism](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/walking-away-from-hate-our-journey-through-extremism/): As a troubled teen, Lauren Manning sought refuge online in the angry world of black metal music. When she met a recruiter who offered her the acceptance she craved, the doctrine of white supremacy supplanted the values of her middle-class upbringing, and Lauren traded suburbia for a life of violence and criminality on the streets of Toronto.
- [Surviving Extremism: A Parent's Guide to Radicalization](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/surviving-extremism-a-parents-guide-to-radicalization/): When my seventeen-year-old daughter was recruited into white supremacy, I struggled to understand where, as a parent, I’d gone wrong
- [Empower Your Stories](https://www.wcdr.info/blog/empower-your-stories/): In the summer of 2004, I heard my name called as the next speaker. I walked up to face the semicircle of about 30 people. This was my first speech at Toastmasters, the first speech of my life. I was 43 years old.  Two days before my speech, I stumbled upon a statistic. People fear public speaking more than death itself. Yet, here I was, about to face my fears head-on.  Before the speech, I visited the loo. My hands and feet were cold, and the butterflies in my stomach were agitated.
- [Wife by the Hour](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/wife-by-the-hour/): "Julia" has been working as an escort to married men for ten years. She has loved the work, but knows it's time for a change.
- [Writing for… Delight](https://www.wcdr.info/blog/writing-for-delight-2/): When I first joined WCDR, I was looking to build some extra space for writing in my life. I hoped that being part of this community of like-minded writers would help, and I was right—mostly.
- [Is the pen mightier than the word?](https://www.wcdr.info/blog/articles/pen-mightier-than-the-word/): In the dance between The Man and The Pen words gushed and filled stacks of paper. Until one fine day when it stopped. The pen goes on a soul-searching journey within.
- [The Daffodils Soon Will Be Up](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/the-daffodils-soon-will-be-up/): Essie McNeill, a kind-hearted small-town girl, faces heartbreak and scandal in 1900 Ontario, forcing her to leave everything behind for a fresh start in Toronto. Just as she finds love again, a jealous employer threatens her future—has Essie put herself in danger by staying too long?
- [Ten of Diamonds](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/ten-of-diamonds/): A Chapbook of Constraint Poems.   A constraint can be anything: a new poetic form, inclusions or exclusions, or a poem written around another poet’s line. It can be as confining as writing without using the letter “e” or as simple as including the name of a flower or a season.
- [Everchild](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/everchild/): The poems in Everchild follow a lifelong search for connection and identity, portraying a woman's life fully lived, warts and all. 
- [The Lake Scugog Mysteries](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/the-lake-scugog-mysteries/): The Lake Scugog Mysteries are works of Visionary Fiction which offers an enchanting blend of imagination and real-life scenarios, inspiring readers to delve into spiritual realms and contemplate profound concepts.
- [Feather of Ma'at](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/feather-of-maat/): The recently murdered Queen Nefertiti of Egypt stands before the gods in the Underworld. To be granted eternal life, she must convince them her life has been worthy. Should she fail, she will be consigned to oblivion. 
- [Merlin's Relics](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/merlins-relics/): The evil wizard Drako has changed all of the people of Medallen into animals and stolen the strongest and fiercest to make his army. 
- [Unrest](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/unrest/): Bytown, 1836: The lawless cesspool that will become the city of Ottawa is beginning to reek of more than just swamp water
- [Jump in Time Series](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/jump-in-time-series/): 16 yr old Dan comes from a long line of time jumpers—secret heroes who fix glitches that threaten to alter history. 
- [Cape Breton Series](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/cape-breton-series/): Even peaceful Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada has its dark side. Detectives Gordie MacLean and Roxanne Albright risk their own lives to get to the truth.
- [TwentyTwo for 22](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/twentytwo-for-22/): A collection of short stories, poetry, travelogue and magical travel vignettes.
- [The Ghosts in Maple Leaf Gardens](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/the-ghosts-in-maple-leaf-gardens/): This fictional story follows a leaf team through the eyes of their young director of player personnel who discovers a curse placed on the team by a disgruntled fan. 
- [Rowing Across the North Atlantic (poetry)](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/rowing-across-the-north-atlantic-poetry/): There are many factors (including human lack of appetite for change) accelerating nature's changes and a myriad of evidence around the globe of the chaos of climate
- [The Blood Prince](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/the-blood-prince/): A mercenary with death following his every step… Leo has been evading Lady Death’s grip his entire life. 
- [Living Underground](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/living-underground/): The Allies won both World Wars and our history books make clear who were the bad guys and who were not. But “the enemy” is often just another ordinary person caught up in extraordinary events. And the effects of those two wars continue to echo to contemporary times.
- [The Camino Club](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/the-camino-club/): Kevin's young adult novels are suitable for all readers. With The Camino Club, you can take a hike to Spain on the Camino de Santiago with Kevin's homage to The Breakfast Club.
- [The Final Crossing](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/the-final-crossing/): Nenshi, an Egyptian house servant, raised in nobility, is well-schooled, a master huntsman and hungers to be free.
- [Southern Exposure](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/southern-exposure/): My memoir of life in Jamaican, thanks to Sue Reynolds and James Dewar of Stone's Throw Press. 
- [The Summer Triangle Trilogy](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/the-summer-triangle-trilogy/): A teen duo takes on formidable foes to rescue alien children light years from home, in The Summer Triangle Trilogy.
- [Memory Books](https://www.wcdr.info/blog/memory-books/): Why you should start building up your collection of memories.  In a world where life moves at a breakneck pace, it is easy to let your cherished memories slip through the sands of time. A memory book is an excellent gift for someone you love or cherish. 
- [Why Read Historical Fiction?](https://www.wcdr.info/general/why-read-historical-fiction/): Encouraging a child to read is one of the best things you can do for them. It improves vocabulary, increases knowledge, and exercises the brain. 
- [So, you want to self publish](https://www.wcdr.info/blog/so-you-want-to-self-publish/): Below are 10 basic questions that will help get your started if your want to publish your book to a general audience.
- [MNMs](https://www.wcdr.info/benefits/monthly-network-meetings-mnms/): Our Monthly Network Meetings are open to anyone. Join us for a great opportunity to network with other writers while learning about writing. 
- [WCDR Write In](https://www.wcdr.info/benefits/wcdr-write-in/): Exclusively for our valued members! Join us every Thursday night via Zoom for an engaging writing experience. 
- [Masterclass](https://www.wcdr.info/benefits/masterclass/): From time to time, the WCDR invites a speaker to present on a topic in a more comprehensive, in-depth format. These Master Classes provide an opportunity to delve deeper into an area of writers’ craft and improve your own writing in the process. 
- [StoryStarters Art - Six](https://www.wcdr.info/story-starters/storystarters-art-six/): Sarah Fligel is a Durham Region artist and illustrator. She creates strange worlds and characters that relay personal emotions, dreams, and experiences with surrealistic narrative-based imagery.
- [Member Forum](https://www.wcdr.info/story-starters/blue-pencil-forum/): Sarah Fligel is a Durham Region artist and illustrator. She creates strange worlds and characters that relay personal emotions, dreams, and experiences with surrealistic narrative-based imagery.
- [StoryStarters Art - Five](https://www.wcdr.info/story-starters/storystarters-art-five/): Sarah Fligel is a Durham Region artist and illustrator. She creates strange worlds and characters that relay personal emotions, dreams, and experiences with surrealistic narrative-based imagery.
- [StoryStarters Art - Four](https://www.wcdr.info/story-starters/storystarters-art-four/): Sarah Fligel is a Durham Region artist and illustrator. She creates strange worlds and characters that relay personal emotions, dreams, and experiences with surrealistic narrative-based imagery.
- [StoryStarters Art - Three](https://www.wcdr.info/story-starters/storystarters-art-three/): Sarah Fligel is a Durham Region artist and illustrator. She creates strange worlds and characters that relay personal emotions, dreams, and experiences with surrealistic narrative-based imagery.
- [StoryStarters Art - Two](https://www.wcdr.info/story-starters/storystarters-art-two/): Sarah Fligel is a Durham Region artist and illustrator. She creates strange worlds and characters that relay personal emotions, dreams, and experiences with surrealistic narrative-based imagery.
- [Picking a Theme for Your Story](https://www.wcdr.info/general/picking-a-theme-for-your-story/): You might not consciously pick a theme for a story that you’ve written, but it’s still in there. That’s because a book’s theme is tied in with your basic story as well as from your characters. 
- [Pitching online](https://www.wcdr.info/general/pitching-online/): Pitching your MS to literary agents is 1) super scary 2) depressing and demoralising 3) taking waaaay too long 4) all of the above.
- [Why Writing Short Stories Can Set You Up For Success](https://www.wcdr.info/blog/lorem-ipsum-7/): It can take a long time to crank out an eighty thousand word novel. Your chosen path to publication can increase that time significantly. 

## Pages

- [Members Books](https://www.wcdr.info/members-books/): Our members are talented writers across a range of genres, and we’re proud to showcase their work here. Discover the books that define our dynamic writing community, from fiction and poetry to memoirs and beyond.
- [Articles / Blog / News](https://www.wcdr.info/news/): Articles / Blog / News
- [Home](https://www.wcdr.info/): Thursday Night Write In Exclusively for our valued members! Join us every Thursday night via Zoom for an engaging writing experience. Showcase Your Story Are you a WCDR member with a published book? Submit your book to be featured on our members’ books page. This opportunity is exclusive to WCDR members. Thursday Night Write In Showcase Your Story Writers’ Community Of Durham Region Opportunities to Grow, Learn and Connect. WCDR has been offering events and ways to connect for thirty years. Bringing people together to discuss and learn the craft of writing helps us to grow this amazing community. We […]
- [WCDR Story Starters Contest!](https://www.wcdr.info/wcdr-story-starters-contest/): Welcome to the WCDR Story Starters Contest! Each month, the WCDR will post a piece of visual art at our Story Starters blog. We invite you to write a short piece in the comments below the work, of no more than 100 words, inspired by the piece of the month. At the end of each month, each eligible piece will be reviewed by our esteemed judge(s). The previous month’s winner will be announced by the 15th of the following month (so December’s winner will be announced on January 15th , and so on). This season, the WCDR is very pleased […]
- [Resources](https://www.wcdr.info/resources/): Resources Southern Ontario Writers Association Haliburton Highlands Writers’ and Editors’ NetworkSpirit of the Hills (Brighton, Campbellford, Port Hope area)Writers’ Community of Durham Region (WCDR)Writers’ Community of Simcoe County (WCSC)Writers’ Community of York Region (WCYR)Writers and Editors Network (WEN) Writers’ groups Alberta Romance Writers’ AssociationAssociation of Personal HistoriansCalgary Association of the Romance Writers of AmericaCanadian Association of JournalistsCanadian Authors AssociationCanadian Authors Association Toronto BranchCanadian eAuthorsCanadian Farm Writers’ FederationCanadian Journalists for Free ExpressionCanadian Poetry AssociationCanadian Science Writers’ AssociationCrime Writers of CanadaEditorial Freelancers AssociationEditors’ Association of CanadaFilm Arts Media Entertainment of DurhamHaliburton Highlands Writers’ and Editors’ NetworkInScribe Christian Writers FellowshipPen WagProfessional Writers Association […]
- [History](https://www.wcdr.info/history/): History The beginning When Marjorie Green, first president and founding member of WCDR, decided to start up a writing workshop and seminar business in 1995, she knew there had to be hundreds of writers in Durham Region like her, who could benefit from workshops and training and from meeting with other writers. So she took her idea to create a writers’ organization to a friend and client, Esme Gotz, who owned the Oshawa and Pickering campuses of Toronto School of Business (TSB). At that time, the TSB was operating a Mentor Centre in Oshawa, and Esme told Marge to ask […]
- [Contact Us](https://www.wcdr.info/contact-us/): Contact Us Subscribe to the WCDR Newsletter * indicates required First Name *Last Name *Email Address *Phone Number Contact the WCDR Board Click the name for email address. Chair: Rob Pirie President: Whitney Collins-Wilson Vice-President: Rob Pirie Treasurer: Melina Lichacz Secretary: Janet Nichols Membership Coordinator: Maureen Curry Communications & Marketing Coordinator: Madhav Kochunni Speaker Co-Facilitator: Erin Thomas Speaker Co-Facilitator: Vacant Technical Co-Facilitator: Jennifer Racine Technical Co-Facilitator: Melanie Dorval Member-at-Large: Lisa Reynolds
- [Short codes](https://www.wcdr.info/short-codes/): This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password:
- [How to Register/Login](https://www.wcdr.info/register/)
- [Site map](https://www.wcdr.info/site-map/): Site Map
- [Monthly Network Meetings (MNMs)](https://www.wcdr.info/monthly-network-meetings/): Upcoming MNM Events [add_eventon_list event_type_2=”122″ hide_past=”yes” number_of_months=”6″ show_year=”yes” etc_override=”no” tiles=”no” tile_height=”250″ tile_count=”1″ ux_val=”1″ hide_empty_months=”yes” ]        
- [My account](https://www.wcdr.info/my-account/): My Account Dashboard Orders Downloads Addresses Account Details Logout Hello Madhav Kochunni (not Madhav Kochunni? Log out) From your account dashboard you can view your recent orders, manage your billing address, and edit your password and account details.
- [Checkout](https://www.wcdr.info/checkout/): Checkout Billing Details First Name * Last Name * Country / Region *Select a country / region…AfghanistanÅland IslandsAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelauBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Saint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongo (Brazzaville)Congo (Kinshasa)Cook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyIvory CoastJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinian TerritoryPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunionRomaniaRussiaRwandaSão Tomé and PríncipeSaint BarthélemySaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (Dutch part)Saint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia/Sandwich IslandsSouth KoreaSouth […]
- [Cart](https://www.wcdr.info/cart/): My Cart Your cart is currently empty. Return to shop
- [Testimonials](https://www.wcdr.info/testimonials/): Testimonials
- [Master classes](https://www.wcdr.info/master-classes/)
- [Calendar of Events](https://www.wcdr.info/calendar/): Calendar Of Events Monthly Network Meetings Our Monthly Network Meetings (MNMs) are open to anyone. Join us for a great opportunity to network with other writers while learning about writing. Each month we welcome speakers who can expand our horizons as writers. We invite presenters from varied backgrounds from industry professionals, to writing instructors, to experts in a related field. Meetings aim to be instructive and interactive, so bring your questions, your notebook and prepare to be inspired! [add_eventon_list event_type_2=”122″ hide_past=”yes” number_of_months=”6″ show_year=”yes” etc_override=”no” tiles=”no” tile_height=”250″ tile_count=”1″ ux_val=”1″ hide_empty_months=”yes” ] MasterClasses From time to time, the WCDR invites a speaker […]
- [Terms of Service](https://www.wcdr.info/terms-of-service/): Terms Of Service
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.wcdr.info/privacy-policy/): Privacy Policy Who we are Our website address is: https://wcdr.info. The Writers’ Community of Durham Region (the “WCDR”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is a not-for-profit network of writers from all genres and all levels of writing, from creative to technical to business and journalistic writing, who support each other through in-person meetings and a strong online community. Though we began as an organization centred around Durham Region, the municipality located in the eastern Greater Toronto Area, our membership extends across Canada, and to Canadian citizens living abroad. The WCDR welcomes all writing voices dedicated to the improvement of writing craft.  […]

## Products

- [Sept 13 - Sylv Chiang](https://www.wcdr.info/product/sept-13-2025-mnm/): Time: 9:30am-12:30pm  Date: September 13  Guest Speaker: Sylv Chiang  In-person location: 201 Centre Street South, Whitby    Events are available online and in-person.  Attendees will receive the Zoom link and any necessary materials the evening before the meeting  Select Your Pricing Option:  Choose your pricing from the drop-down menu below. Please note that tickets must be purchased in advance; no tickets will be available at the door.     	Members: $10.00   	Non-Members: $20.00  
- [2024-01-13: Savannah Gilbo - Scenes vs. Chapters](https://www.wcdr.info/product/2024-01-13-savannah-gilbo-scenes-vs-chapters/): Select the pricing level from the drop down.    Pricing (Admission must be purchased in advance, tickets will not be available at the door)  Members:       	Online – $15.00   	In-Person - $15.00    Non-Members:       	Online - $20.00   	In-Person - $20.00    Student Members:     	Online - $10.00   	In-Person - $10.00    The Zoom link and any materials will be sent out the evening before the meeting.    NOTE: Due to inclement weather, this workshop has be moved to virtual only.      If you are not a member yet, become a member to avail of the special member prices and much, much more! 
- [Donation Page](https://www.wcdr.info/product/donation-page/): This is a private page for the process of donating specific amounts. If you have ended up here, in error, please click HERE to return to the Home page.
- [Sponsorship plans](https://www.wcdr.info/product/sponsorship-plans/): Sponsorship plans and pricing     	Select one of the options from the dropdown below.   	Click the 'Add to cart' button.   	If you had added any other item to the cart all of them will appear on the 'Cart' page.   	Click 'Proceed to checkout' button.   	Monthly Network Meeting [MNM] sponsorship: Sponsorship for every MNM is available at $100.   	Please indicate the month/name of the MNM for which you are sponsoring during the checkout process under 'Order notes'.   	The payment option [under 'Your order'] will be defaulted to 'PayPal'. Click on 'Continue to PayPal' button to complete the process.    MNM Sponsorship: $100               
- [Membership plans](https://www.wcdr.info/product/membership-plans/): Membership plans and pricing*     	Select one of the options from the dropdown below.   	Click the 'Add to cart' button.   	If you had added any other item to the cart all of them will appear on the 'Cart' page.   	Click 'Proceed to checkout' button.   	New members: You can pay as a 'Guest' or register for new membership on this page.   	Returning/Renewing membership: You can register or login [if you are already registered] on the new site.   	Students: Include the name of your school during the checkout process under 'Order notes'. Membership will be granted after verification.   	The payment option [under 'Your order'] will be defaulted to 'PayPal'. Click on 'Continue to PayPal' button to complete the process.    New membership: $75  Membership renewal: $65  Student Membership: $25    * All membership plans will kick in after the payment is received. Paypal payments will be automatically updated within one business day.


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