Registration for 2017 English Authors/Vendors

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AS OF FEBRUARY 26 AT 3:45 PM, ALL THE VENDOR SPOTS FOR ENGLISH AUTHORS HAVE BEEN SOLD. IF ANY SPOTS BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF CANCELLATIONS, WE WILL POST AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THIS WEBSITE.

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REGISTRATION FOR AUTHORS (English)

 

Registration for authors/vendors who write in English (or any other language except French) is open on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 10 a.m. onwards (registration will not be accepted before this time). Please note that an author/vendor is an author who wants to sell his/her own books at the fair. The fair is not open to vendors of other products. Registration for francophone authors/vendors will occur later, and will be managed by our partner L'Association des auteures et auteurs de l'Ontario Français.

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L'inscription pour les exposants francophones sera ouverte  plus tard. Elle sera organisée par notre partenaire, L'Association des auteures et auteurs de l'Ontario Français. 

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Registration for trade publishers, small presses, writers' collectives, bookstores and others will be announced later. (preference will be given to those in these categories who participated last year).

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NEW ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT - In registering as an author-vendor at Prose in the Park, all applicants must agree to the following Prose in the Park Conduct of Code:

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To respect all other participants in Prose in the Park and especially, the volunteers who organize the event for the benefit of Canada's literary community, and to refrain from any conduct which would undermine the community spirit and continued success of Prose in the Park. This code of conduct applies before, during and after the event.

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Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis for e-mails received with complete information. Please read the FAQs below before sending in your e-mail to register. Unfortunately, we won't be able to answer a lot of inquiries before the registration begins and during the registration period, and we therefore count on you to read the FAQs.

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English authors/vendors can choose their table space in the tents numbered 1-10 marked in light green on the map below. Sixty spots are available in these tents. Tents 11-14 marked in blue on the map are reserved for francophone authors. Twenty-four spots are available for francophone authors to be registered on a later date. The other tents in white are reserved for publishers, small presses, writers' collectives, bookstores, panelists, moderators and others.

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Each tent can accommodate six authors/vendors (half-table each - width of approximately three feet). This is not a lot of table space and authors/vendors should organize their displays in a space-efficient manner. The fee for a half-table is $20 (non-refundable). You can only register for a half-table space. This is in order to allow the maximum number of authors/vendors to participate in the book fair.

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Please send your registration by e-mail to proseintheparkottawa@gmail.com BUT NOT BEFORE 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017. You should include in your e-mail:

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- Your full name (and pen name if applicable)

- Your writing genre (e.g., literary fiction, general fiction, YA, crime fiction, etc.)

- The link to your writer's website and/or Facebook page

- Up to five preferred half-table spaces (if your 5 choices are already taken, we will arbitrarily assign you a spot)

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We will deal with the incoming registrations on a first-come, first-served basis, and then we will respond with an e-mail confirming your registration and informing you of your assigned table space and inviting you to proceed with payment. DO NOT SEND US YOUR PAYMENT BEFORE YOU RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION E-MAIL. Usually, you will receive the confirmation e-mail within 48 hours. After that, your payment must be received within five working days or your registration will be cancelled and the half-table space will be re-assigned. See below for payment information.

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PAYMENT INFORMATION

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You can pay by cheque made out to "OIW" or "Ottawa Independent Writers" (both are fine). Mail your cheque to Ottawa Independent Writers, P.O. Box 39016, Ottawa ON K1H 1A1. Don't forget to put a small note in the envelope to indicate what the payment is for. If you prefer, you may pay securely by credit card by clicking on the PayPal button below.  For all payment issues, contact Bill Horne by email at wghorne@rogers.com or by phone at (613) 837-2166. 

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CHOOSE YOUR VENDOR SPOT

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The half-table spaces are marked A, B, C, D, E and F. The half-table spaces occupy three sides of the tent and one side is left open. The distribution of half-table spaces for a tent is illustrated in the diagram in the bottom left of the map below. 

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Please note that erotica authors cannot choose half-table spaces in tents 8, 9 or 10  because of the proximity to the children's playground.

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As a rule of thumb, we would encourage authors of the following genres to choose half-table spaces in the following tents. This is not, however, obligatory.

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Tents

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1,2           Fantasy and Science Fiction

3               Literary Fiction and General Fiction

4               Thrillers, Espionage, Horror

5               Romance, Erotica

6,7            Crime and Mystery

8                Non-fiction, Poetry

10             YA and Children's Literature

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You can download a PDF version of the map below by clicking here.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

1. What do I need to bring to Prose in the Park?

 

YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN FOLDING CHAIR AND YOUR BOOKS (CHAIRS AT THE PARK ARE RESERVED FOR THE AUDIENCES OF THE PANELS AND  THE ORGANIZERS. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THEM AS THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE CHAIRS IS LIMITED). YOU MAY ALSO WISH TO BRING A SMALL TABLE CLOTH AND A SHEET OF PLASTIC TO PROTECT YOUR BOOKS IN CASE THERE IS A LIGHT SHOWER.

 

2. What will Prose in the Park supply?

 

PROSE IN THE PARK WILL PROVIDE CANOPY TENTS AND  TABLES, WHICH OUR VOLUNTEERS WILL SET UP. YOU ARE WELCOME, INDEED ENCOURAGED, TO HELP IN THE SETTING UP THE TENTS AND TABLES. THIS IS A COMMUNITY EVENT AFTER ALL, AND IT IS COMPLETELY RUN BY VOLUNTEERS.

 

3. How do I find my table space?

 

REFER TO THE MAP AND THEN CHECK IT AGAINST THE NUMBERS ON THE TENTS AND THE A, B, C, D, E OR F MARKED ON THE TABLES. IF YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY IN FINDING YOUR SPOT, ASK FOR ASSISTANCE AT THE INFO TABLE NEAR THE PARK'S ENTRANCE.

 

4. Do I check in at the Info Table?

 

YES, YOU SHOULD CHECK IN AT THE INFO TABLE TO HAVE YOUR NAME CHECKED OFF, BUT YOU DO NOT NEED TO WAIT IF THERE IS A LINE-UP. YOU CAN PROCEED DIRECTLY TO YOUR TABLE AND SET UP YOUR BOOKS, AND THEN RETURN TO THE INFO TABLE WHEN THERE IS NOT A LINE-UP. WE SUGGEST THAT YOU DOWNLOAD AND PRINT OUT A COPY OF THE MAP ABOVE AND BRING IT WITH YOU TO THE PARK ALONG WITH YOUR ASSIGNED TABLE SPACE.

 

5. What time do I need to turn up?

 

PLEASE TURN UP AT 10 AM TO ORGANIZE YOUR HALF-TABLE  SPACE, UNLESS YOU WISH TO HELP IN THE SETTING-UP OF TENTS AND TABLES (WHICH WOULD BE MORE THAN WELCOME). THE SETTING-UP OF TENTS AND TABLES STARTS AT 8 AM.

 

6. What is the latest that I can set up my half-table space?

 

YOUR HALF-TABLE SPACE MUST BE COMPLETELY SET UP BY 11 AM WHEN THE FESTIVAL BEGINS IN ORDER NOT TO DISTURB THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL AND THE OTHER AUTHORS/VENDORS AT YOUR TENT.

 

7. Can I leave before the 6 pm end of Prose in the Park?

 

YES, IF YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST, BUT WE STRONGLY DISCOURAGE EARLY DEPARTURES BECAUSE THEY CAN DISTURB THE AUDIENCES LISTENING TO THE PANELS AND DETRACT FROM THE BOOK FAIR IN GENERAL.

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8. Can I switch half-table spaces with other authors?

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NO, BECAUSE YOUR NAME AND TABLE SPACE WILL BE POSTED ON THE PROSE IN THE PARK WEBSITE BEFORE THE EVENT

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9. Can I move the tent that I am assigned to?

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YES, IF IT IS A MINOR ADJUSTMENT OF ONLY A COUPLE OF FEET, AND THE OTHER AUTHORS AT YOUR TENT ARE IN FULL AGREEMENT.

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10. What happens if it rains?

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PUT YOUR PLASTIC OVER YOUR BOOKS, AND WAIT IT OUT. RAIN IS ALWAYS A RISK AT AN OUTDOOR EVENT, BUT THE JUNE 10 DATE WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE HISTORICALLY IT HAS A LOW CHANCE OF HEAVY RAIN. THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE ON JUNE 10 IN OTTAWA IS 23 DEGREES CELSIUS.

 

11. Is there parking near the Parkdale Park?

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YES, THERE IS PARKING ON THE SIDE STREETS AND ON WELLINGTON STREET. THERE IS ALSO REASONABLY PRICED PAY PARKING,  CLICK HERE TO ACCESS A MAP OF NEARBY PARKING LOTS.

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12. Is the Parkdale Park accessible to wheelchairs and walkers?

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YES, BUT THERE ARE GRASSY PARTS OF THE PARK WHERE IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE WITH A WHEELCHAIR OR WALKER.

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13. Are there washrooms in the Parkdale Park?

 

YES, THERE ARE TWO, OF WHICH ONE IS WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE. THERE ARE ALSO WASHROOMS IN THE LOCAL BUSINESSES, INCLUDING THE CARLETON TAVERN ACROSS THE STREET.

 

14. What should I do if I have a medical emergency?

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IF YOU CAN GET TO THE INFORMATION TABLE, PLEASE INFORM THE ORGANIZERS THERE. WE WILL THEN CONTACT AN AMBULANCE IF NEEDED OR IF IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IS NEEDED, WE WILL ASK THROUGH THE SOUND SYSTEM FOR A DOCTOR TO STEP FORWARD. PLEASE NOTE THAT PROSE IN THE PARK IS NOT LIABLE FOR YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH, BUT OF COURSE, OUR VOLUNTEERS AS INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS, NOT AS REPRESENTATIVES OF PROSE IN THE PARK, WILL SURELY ATTEMPT ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS TO ASSIST YOU AS "GOOD SAMARITANS" (ref: Good Samaritan Act, S.O. 2001, CHAPTER 2).

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15. Can I get a refund if I don't sell any of my books?

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NO, WE DO NOT GUARANTEE YOUR BOOK SALES. YOUR TABLE FEE IS NOT REFUNDABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.  THE REVENUES FROM THE TABLE FEES ARE NEEDED TO COVER EXPENSES OF THE EVENT.

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16. Is Prose in the Park a not-for-profit event?

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YES, IT IS. ALL ORGANIZERS WORK ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS. IF THERE IS A SURPLUS OF REVENUES OVER EXPENSES, IT WILL BE ROLLED OVER TO NEXT YEAR'S FESTIVAL AND BOOK FAIR.

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17. What is expected of authors/vendors?

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WE  REQUIRE THAT ALL AUTHORS ABIDE FULLY BY THE PROSE IN THE PARK CODE OF CONDUCT (SEE ABOVE). WE ALSO HOPE THAT ALL AUTHORS/VENDORS WILL EMBRACE THE MISSION OF PROSE IN THE PARK TO REVIVE THE LOVE OF READING FOR THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE OTTAWA-GATINEAU AREA. OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO ATTRACT 2000 PEOPLE TO THE 2017 FESTIVAL AND BOOK FAIR. THIS IS AN AMBITIOUS GOAL, AND WE EXPECT ALL AUTHORS/VENDORS, PANELISTS, MODERATORS, ORGANIZERS AND VOLUNTEERS TO KINDLY HELP OUT BY SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT PROSE IN THE PARK, ESPECIALLY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

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WE ALSO EXPECT THAT YOU WILL HAVE A LOT OF FUN AT PROSE IN THE PARK.

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PROSE IN THE PARK IS A VOLUNTEER-RUN EVENT, WHICH RELIES PRIMARILY ON IN-KIND LOANS OF MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT. WE DO NOT BENEFIT FROM LARGE GOVERNMENT GRANTS. THEREFORE, WE EXPECT ALL AUTHORS/VENDORS TO RESPECT THE CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EFFORT PUT IN BY THE ORGANIZERS AND VOLUNTEERS IN MAKING PROSE IN THE PARK HAPPEN FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTTAWA'S LITERARY COMMUNITY AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WHILE WE HOPE THAT EVERYTHING WILL GO SMOOTHLY, WE KNOW THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE GLITCHES FOR LARGE EVENTS LIKE PROSE IN THE PARK. THEREFORE, WE WOULD REQUEST EVERYONE TO REFRAIN FROM PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF DISSATISFACTION OR UNREASONABLE DEMANDS ON THE TIME OF THE ORGANIZERS AND VOLUNTEERS. WE WILL OF COURSE BE HAPPY TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK, BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE, AFTER THE EVENT IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE EVENT FOR FUTURE YEARS.

 

18. Why is 29% of the table space reserved for authors/vendors writing primarily in French?

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THE OTTAWA-GATINEAU AREA IS THE MOST BILINGUAL REGION IN ALL OF CANADA, WITH 58.8% OF THE POPULATION SPEAKING ONLY ENGLISH MOST OFTEN AT HOME, 28.3% SPEAKING ONLY FRENCH AT HOME AND 8.6% SPEAKING ONLY ANOTHER LANGUAGE AT HOME. WE HAVE ROUNDED UP TO 29% FOR THE FRENCH REPRESENTATION AT PROSE IN THE PARK.

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19. If I am a francophone author but I write in both English and French, can I register on February 25, 2017 with the primarily-English authors/vendors?

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YES, YOU CAN IF MOST OR ALL OF YOUR PUBLICATIONS ARE BEING SOLD IN ENGLISH AND YOU CAN CONVERSE COMFORTABLY IN ENGLISH WITH BOOK BUYERS.

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20. If I am an anglophone author, but I write in both English and French, can I register later with the primarily-French authors/vendors?

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YES, YOU CAN IF MOST OR ALL OF YOUR PUBLICATIONS ARE BEING SOLD IN FRENCH AND YOU CAN CONVERSE COMFORTABLY IN FRENCH WITH BOOK BUYERS.

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21. When will the registration open for primarily French authors/vendors?

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THE OPENING REGISTRATION HAS YET TO BE DECIDED. PLEASE CHECK BACK ON THIS WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.

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22. EST-CE QUE LA DOCUMENTATION POUR L'INSCRIPTION DES EXPOSANTS FRANCOPHONES SERA EN FRANÇAIS ?

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OUI.

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23. I write in neither English or French. Can I register for Prose in the Park?

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OF COURSE, YOU CAN! WE WOULD ASK YOU TO REGISTER WITH THE ENGLISH AUTHORS/VENDORS IN THIS CASE.

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24. Can I see what the tents and tables look like?

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YES. JUST CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS OF LAST YEAR'S PROSE IN THE PARK.

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25. Will there be food vendors at Prose in the Park?

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NO, THERE ARE MANY EATERIES WITHIN A FIVE-MINUTE WALK OF THE PARKDALE PARK, WHICH WE WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO PATRONIZE, ESPECIALLY AS THE LOCAL HINTONBURG/WELLINGTON BUSINESSES GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED PROSE IN THE PARK IN 2015. CLICK HERE FOR A LIST AND MAP OF LOCAL EATERIES.

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P.S. DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR FOLDING CHAIR!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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