RCLAS

RCLAS Royal City Literary Arts Society (RCLAS)
“Wordplay At Work”
www.rclas.com

RCLAS Mission Statement:

Our organization is Inclusive of ALL writers and all people connected with writing - including novelists, poets, songwriters, technical writers, memoir writers, essayists, article writers, editors, proofreaders, publishers, graphic artists, layout and design artists, etc. If you are involved in writing, you should be involved with us. The purpose of The Royal City Litera

ry Society is to increase and broaden the understanding and knowledge of written and spoken word as art forms; to provide readings, features, performances, open-mics, workshops and critiquing opportunities for literary artists; to provide support for touring and presentations in the schools; to stimulate, encourage and facilitate the development of written and spoken word arts and activities; and to encourage both emerging and established writers in all genres. RCLAS Board
President: Janet Kvammen
Vice-President: open position
Secretary: Deborah White
Treasurer: Angela Kenyon
Director: Carol Johnson
Director: Lisa Strong
Director: Sarah Wethered
Director: Iulia Sîncrăian

Founding Members
Candice James
Janet Kvammen
Ken Ader
Gavin Hainsworth
Renée Saklikar

05/19/2026
05/10/2026

Spread the word about our workshop for newcomer women and female identifying folx. May 28th at Wildfires Bookstore literary Lounge.

Your Story in Verse: Free Poetry Workshop for Newcomer Women
With Jessica Lee McMillan and Alan Hill

Your story in your own words –
a poetry workshop for newcomer women – no experience needed!

Meet new people, learn new skills, share your story.

Date: Thursday May 28, 2026
Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm
FREE to attend.
Drop in ok but registration helpful
– Email [email protected]

Location:
Wildfires Bookshop Literary Lounge
712 A 12th Street
New Westminster, BC
Canada V3M 4J6

Presented by the Royal City Literary Arts Society.

Spread the word about our workshop for newcomer women and female identifying folx. May 28th at Wildfires Bookstore liter...
05/07/2026

Spread the word about our workshop for newcomer women and female identifying folx. May 28th at Wildfires Bookstore literary Lounge.

Your Story in Verse: Free Poetry Workshop for Newcomer Women
With Jessica Lee McMillan and Alan Hill

Your story in your own words –
a poetry workshop for newcomer women – no experience needed!

Meet new people, learn new skills, share your story.

Date: Thursday May 28, 2026
Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm
FREE to attend.
Drop in ok but registration helpful
– Email [email protected]

Location:
Wildfires Bookshop Literary Lounge
712 A 12th Street
New Westminster, BC
Canada V3M 4J6

Presented by the Royal City Literary Arts Society.

Spread the word about our workshop for newcomer women and female identifying folx. May 28th at Wildfires Bookstore literary Lounge.

Your Story in Verse: Free Poetry Workshop for Newcomer Women
With Jessica Lee McMillan and Alan Hill

Your story in your own words –
a poetry workshop for newcomer women – no experience needed!

Meet new people, learn new skills, share your story.

Date: Thursday May 28, 2026
Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm
FREE to attend.
Drop in ok but registration helpful
– Email [email protected]

Location:
Wildfires Bookshop Literary Lounge
712 A 12th Street
New Westminster, BC
Canada V3M 4J6

Presented by the Royal City Literary Arts Society.

04/28/2026

Hope to see you at our New West Artists POP-UP
Opening Reception tonight Tuesday eve 6-9pm.
Loads of art to check out! We have 70 pieces of art installed in the Gallery in Queen’s Park, plus we will have an excellent assortment of additional art at an evening market at the Centennial Lodge.

Come by for a chat and a cookie! (And maybe a poem! I might even do an impromptu reading if you ask)

This will be a great chance to meet some of our members, and show your support for the arts in our beautiful city!

You can even try your hand at making a collage, we will have a fun make-and-take workshop with artist and NWA Prez Greg Goossens.

We have some wonderful gift ideas for the art lover in your life! Or maybe a treat for yourself.
PS Mother’s Day is also coming up soon for those special people in your world.

Art is the gift that keeps on giving!

We are delighted to partner with EFry on this free workshop happening next week on May 5th. Everyone is welcome. Registe...
04/28/2026

We are delighted to partner with EFry on this free workshop happening next week on May 5th. Everyone is welcome.

Register link on this page
https://efry.com/efry-week-2026/voices-and-visions/

Voices & Visions – Sensory Writing Workshop + Painting Exhibit
On Tuesday, May 5th, join poet Cynthia Sharp and Canadian artist Naureen Ali for Voices & Visions – Sensory Writing Workshop + Painting Exhibit.

In a guided creative process, Poet Cynthia Sharp takes writers through an interactive experience of taste, touch, smell, sight and sound, with each participant crafting a unique sensory experience into a poem or descriptive prose piece that she helps polish. Participants interact with elements from the rainforest and ocean to create imagery and rhythms, their personal blend of nature metaphors. By listening to the stories of pinecones, shells, sand dollars, flowers, moss, salt crystals and gems, along with sampling simple foods and inhaling the scents of essential oils, participants give voice to their inner wisdom through poetic imagery. Open to people at all levels of writing, whether you’re drafting your first poem or are already published.
This is a free event, taking place at New West Public Library.

Voices & Visions EFry Week 2026 is a sensory writing workshop and painting exhibit exploring reflection, creativity, and expression.

Join Janet Kvammen, Poet Laureate of New Westminster, for a free afternoon of poetry readings, art "Show & Tell" chats a...
11/14/2025

Join Janet Kvammen, Poet Laureate of New Westminster, for a free afternoon of poetry readings, art "Show & Tell" chats and more! Come listen, share, and connect. In partnership with Royal City Literary Arts Society.

This month's Salon will focus on the theme or Remembrance, grief and loss. Special guests will include, Allan Hill, Jerena Tobiasen, Alan Girling and more.

Sunday, November 16
Anvil Centre | Studio 417
2:00 - 4:00 pm
18 + years
Free, drop-in event

DETAILS: https://www.newwestcity.ca/calendar-of-events/events/8454.php

🚩DEADLINE is Looming! October 1.Hope you submit! Please pass the word on. Thanks!Full info here https://rclas.com/2025-f...
09/20/2025

🚩DEADLINE is Looming! October 1.

Hope you submit! Please pass the word on. Thanks!

Full info here https://rclas.com/2025-fred-cogswell-award/

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
• Book must be bound as a book, not a chapbook.
• Book length must be a minimum of 60 pages in length.
• Poetry must be written in English by a single author.
• No co-writes, anthologies or selected poetry collections.
• Book must be original work by an individual author (translations will not be considered at this time)
• Original date of publication falls between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
• Book must be published in Canada.
• Book must be written by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident alive in the submission year.
• Electronic books are not eligible.

Cecily Nicholson is the sole juror for our 2025 Fred Cogswell Award For Excellence In Poetry.

Reading Fee: $25 (Canadian Funds).
Payment can be made through PayPal here https://rclas.com/2025-fred-cogswell-award/
or by cheque payable to “Royal City Literary Arts Society”.

If you pay with PayPal, please include a copy of your receipt with the submission package.

Two copies* of the book must be submitted to the Royal City Literary Arts Society, along with the reading fee (or proof thereof), and must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2025.

The society’s mailing address is:
Royal City Literary Arts Society
Fred Cogswell Award
Box #308 - 720 6th Street
New Westminster, BC V3L 3C5

Winners Announcement: Date TBA
*Submitted books will not be returned; they become the property of the Royal City Literary Arts Society.
*In case of any dispute about the book’s eligibility, the Society’s decision will be final. If any conflict of interest is to be determined the book will be deemed ineligible.

Thank you!

Janet Kvammen

Address

Box #308/720 6th Street
New Westminster, BC
V3L3C5

Website

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