(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on July 1, 2009.)
By Laura MacLean
It’s been described as similar to a retreat for writers, but it has a competitive edge. The Muskoka Literacy Council (MLC) is getting into novel marathon mode as the date for the annual Muskoka Novel Marathon rapidly approaches.
And, if there’s one thing MLC president Susan Lowe knows for sure about the event, which kicks off on Friday, July 17, at 8 p.m., and runs until Monday, July 20, at 8 p.m., at the MLC building, it’s that it won’t take long before newcomers start to feel right at home.
“I think what’s so neat about it is the comraderie of the writers,” said Lowe. “They’re there to win but also support one and other. Newcomers don’t feel like newcomers for long. The veterans are welcoming. The writers share ideas and support each other and, at the same time, the writers are supporting readers.”
Over the course of the three days, participating writers attempt to hammer out as much of a novel as they can. Some opt to bring material they’ve been working on, and others, who wish to enter the contest, take a stab at starting something fresh and new. Many of the writers will head home to catch a couple of winks after spending the entire day writing, but the novel marathon has also seen many diehards who barely sleep during the three days.
After all the submitted work has been judged, the MLC organizes a celebration in late September to reconvene and share the news of marathon winners. Usually a team of five judges read all of the manuscripts. Winners are sent to publishers for review.
“We have 25 people signed up to participate so far,” said Lowe, adding that the novel marathon can accommodate 35 writers. “Last year, we had 27, so it’s grown again this year. I think the highlight of this marathon will be the story relay.”
SITE COMMANDER: Steve Taunton uses his creative flare to design the story relay website that will tie into the Muskoka Literacy Council’s upcoming Muskoka Novel Marathon. The public will have the opportunity to contribute to the story relay by visiting two websites that will be up and running from July 5 to 20. [Photo by Laura MacLean.]
Last year was the first time the MLC introduced the story relay and three writers contributed beginnings and endings for stories on the Huntsville Forester’s website. Celebrity writers – local author Mel Malton, Huntsville native and award-winning journalist Roy MacGregor and children’s author Robert Munsch – wrote the beginnings to three different stories. The public was also invited to participate by simply adding a word or a phrase to the stories.
This year, explained Lowe, the public will have the opportunity to contribute to the story relay by visiting two websites that will be up and running from July 5 to 20. Last year, participation was by donation only and, this year, there is the option of participating without donating as well.
Linda McLean, a local singer/songwriter who has garnered international acclaim, will be providing the beginning and ending for the Huntsville Online version (www.huntsvilleonline.com) and MacGregor has been invited back to contribute the beginning and ending of the MLC’s website version (www.simcoemediagroup.com/relay/).
“It gives those people who want to write the opportunity to do so without having to spend time actually at the marathon,” said Lowe.
Since the marathon’s inception seven years ago, writers have helped raise more than $30,000 for MLC through pledges they collect from friends, family and co-workers. (EDITOR'S NOTE: The Muskoka Novel Marathon was begun by Martin Avery and Mel Malton, originally as part of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts; it gradually evolved into a key annual fundraising endeavor for the MLC.)
The $45 registration fee goes toward the cost of organizing the event – snacks, beverages, copying charges, welcome packages, paper, postage, envelopes for the registration packages etc. All of the pledges collected go directly towards student resources – print and technology.
For more information, contact Susan Lowe at the Muskoka Literacy Council at 705-789-1850 or e-mail her at lowes.atthefarm@sympatico.ca.
