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rclas.bsky.social
Royal City Literary Arts Society
@rclas.bsky.social
87 followers 140 following 81 posts
www.rclas.com

RCLAS’s mission is to maintain and build a welcoming community of writers and readers, to support the goals of writers at all stages of their development, and to promote an appreciation of all forms of literary arts.
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rclas.bsky.social
December 14, 2025 at 11:28 PM
rclas.bsky.social
We are pleased to announce the longlist for the 12th Annual Fred Cogswell Award For Excellence in Poetry. Congratulations to the amazing poets on the list!
Poster with dark purple banner and band of book covers on longlist. Longlist honourees are listed below with book titles in red. Text: We are pleased to announce the longlist for the 12th Annual Fred Cogswell Award For Excellence In Poetry Royal City Literary Arts Society' 12th Annual Fred Cogswell Award For Excellence In Poetry 2025 Longlist alphabetical by author Midway by Kayla Czaga (House of Anansi Press) she falls again by Rosanna Deerchild (Coach House Books) The Flesh of Ice by Garry Gottfriedson (Caitlin Press) Aqueous by Nathanael Jones (The Porcupine's Quill) I Feel That Way Too by jaz papadopoulos (Nightwood Editions) Signal Infinities by Melanie Siebert (McClelland & Stewart | Penguin Random House) Weather by Rob Taylor (Gaspereau Press) Precedented Parroting by Barbara Tran (Anstruther Books | Palimpsest Press) Scientific Marvel by Chimwemwe Undi (House of Anansi Press) shima by sho yamagushiku (McClelland & Stewart | Penguin Random House)
December 14, 2025 at 11:05 PM
rclas.bsky.social
The beautiful RCLAS 2025 Special Winter Edition of Wordplay at Work is now available free for download. It features the winners and runners up of the 2025 Write On! Contest. Enjoy for some winter reading!

rclas.com/2025-write-o...
Magazine cover with pale blue watery background, bare trees and a crow. Magazine is the RCLAS Winter "Wordplay at Work" 2025 E-Zine Issue 103, Special Feature Write On! Contest 2025 Winners.
November 26, 2025 at 5:04 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Join our annual Christmas Mingle
Wed. December 10th
Drop in anytime between 6pm to 9pm
@ Centennial Lodge in Queens Park
Snacks/Door prizes/Music

More info on FB: www.facebook.com/events/14892...
Blue & white poster with a red strip on the left side with NWA and RCLAS logos across top. Text: New West Artists & Royal City Literary Arts Society Christmas Mingle Wed, December 10 6pm-9pm Centennial Lodge, Queen's Park
November 22, 2025 at 5:55 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Poetry and Art Salon - A Reflection on Remembrance, Grief and Loss
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16: 2:00-4:00 pm
Anvil Centre, Rm 417, 777 Columbia St, New Westminster

Free! Come listen, share, and connect.
Red, white and black poster with image of poppy field and Janet Kvammen's headshot in upper right corner. Info: Poetry and Art Salon - A Reflection on Remembrance, Grief and Loss SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16 from 2:00-4:00 pm Location: Anvil Centre, Rm 417, 777 Columbia St New Westminster Join Janet Kvammen, Poet Laureate of New Westminster, for free afternoon of poetry readings, art “Show & Tell” chats and more! Come listen, share, and connect. In partnership with Royal City Literary Arts Society. Special Guests Include: Alan Hill, Jerena Tobiasen, Alan Girling and more.
November 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Poetry+Art Salon with Janet Kvammen
SUNDAY OCT 19 from 2:00-4:00 pm
Location: Anvil Centre, Rm 417
777 Columbia St New Westminster
Featuring Cynthia Sharp & Laura Davis

These are free, informal sharing & chat sessions. Come join the conversation!
Multicolour event poster with photos of host and special guests and abstract painting of bridge arc in centre. Poetry+Art Salon with Janet Kvammen, Poet Laureate of New Westminster SUNDAY OCT 19 from 2:00-4:00 pm Location: Anvil Centre, Rm 417, 777 Columbia St New Westminster Featuring Cynthia Sharp & Laura Davis
October 11, 2025 at 4:26 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Poets Wanted: Dead or Alive, Open Mic & Tellers
of Short Tales feat. Gina Armstrong & Victoria Vancek of “Haunted History BC” & JG Chayko with a spooky short story.

Hosts: Chelsea Comeau & Janet Kvammen

CENTENNIAL LODGE, Queen’s Park
Wed, OCT 29, 7-9pm

Free! Costume Contest! Prizes!

rclas.com
Purple and Orange poster with pictures of living and death authors and horror movie font in places. Info: RCLAS Halloween Event – “Poets Wanted: Dead or Alive” with Open Mic and Tellers of Short Tales Featuring “Spooky Sisters” Gina Armstrong & Victoria Vancek of “Haunted History BC” Plus Bonus Featurette Author JG Chayko will share a spooky short story. Hosted by Chelsea “Mothwoman” Comeau & Janet “Lady Raven” Kvammen Read your own dark, eerie, mysterious poem on Open Mic OR a Dead Poet of your choice. Location: CENTENNIAL LODGE, Queen’s Park OCT 29 WED 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Doors 6:30 PM FREE TO ATTEND. Costume Contest! Win a prize!
October 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Join us for a free afternoon of poetry readings, art chats and more! Listen, share & connect

Poetry and Art Salon with @janetkvammen.bsky.social

SUNDAY SEPT 21 from 2:00-4:00 pm
Featuring Celeste Snowber & Julie Epp
Anvil Centre, Rm 417, 777 Columbia St New Westminster
rclas.com
Poetry and Art Salon with Janet Kvammen, Poet Laureate of New Westminster SUNDAY SEPT 21 from 2:00-4:00 pm Featuring Celeste Snowber & Julie Epp Location: Anvil Centre, Rm 417, 777 Columbia St New Westminster Join us for a free afternoon of poetry readings, art “Show & Tell” chats and more! Come listen, share, and connect. In partnership with the City of New Westminster & Royal City Literary Arts Society. Celeste Nazeli Snowber, PhD is dancer, poet/writer and award-winning educator who is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. She has written extensively and her books include Embodied inquiry: Writing living and being through the body, three collections of poetry and Dance, poetics and place: Site-specific performance as a portal to knowing. Her most recent book (2025) is Creating in dangerous times. She has performed and spoken internationally for concert venues, galleries, conferences, and in various outdoor spaces and is a frequent collaborator with other artists. Celeste can be found at www.celestesnowber.com or more ideally, dancing between land and sea. IG @celeste.snowber Julie Epp is a watercolour artists based in Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada whose intimate, dreamlike paintings explore hidden emotions and the shifting layers of identity. Through delicate, surreal imagery, she reflects on what is lost, buried, or unspoken within us. Her work invites stillness and self-examination, offering viewers a quiet space to reconnect with their inner world. Website https://www.julilyart.com/ IG @julilyart
September 4, 2025 at 9:21 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Famous Last Words is back thanks to RCLAS, SAPP zine, @artsnewwest.bsky.social , @eventmags.bsky.social @canadianpoets.bsky.social

•September 24th, 7 PM
•Centennial Lodge, Queen's Park, New Westminster
•Free but accepting donations
•Reserve tickets: famouslastwordsnewwestep2.eventbrite.ca
Famous Last Words New Westminster Wednesday September 24th A spoken word show like no other Poems like you've never heard before Featuring: Aaron Hunter, Babaloluwa "Lolu" Oyedele, Ever Roberts, Jenny Garcha, Marlo Browne, Uni the Unicorn and host Sean McGarragle FREE TO THE PUBLIC! Centennial Lodge Queens Park Doors 6:30 PM Show 7:00 PM There is no cover charge but donations are accepted. The tickets for this show are free (thank you @artsnewwest , @sappzine , @eventmags @canadianpoets and @royalcitylit ) but I encourage everyone who wants to attend to book your tickets through eventbrite to guarantee your seat. https://famouslastwordsnewwestep2.eventbrite.ca www.deathridesaunicorn.com https://www.tiktok.com/@deathridesaunicorn.com
September 4, 2025 at 2:32 PM
rclas.bsky.social
🍁Welcome to September🍁
Here are some writing prompts if you're feeling inspired: learn.utoronto.ca/curiousu-blo...
Photo of open, blank book on moist, yellow leaves with a yellow leaf on an open page.
September 1, 2025 at 3:28 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Ode to the Pattullo Bridge: Poetry Reading Salon
•Come read/listen to Pattullo Bridge poems
•Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. Room 417
•Sunday, October 5 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm

newwestculturalcrawl.com/event-type/s...
Ode to the Pattullo Bridge: Poetry Reading Salon (16+ years) Anvil Centre 417 Sunday, October 5 1:00 – 2:00 pm Presented in partnership with Janet Kvammen, City of New Westminster Poet Laureate, enjoy poetry readings on the theme of the Pattullo Bridge. A fun and casual get together to showcase local poets and their work alongside a literary farewell to the Pattullo Bridge. The visual art exhibition, Pattullo Perspectives: A Farewell in Art will also be on display on Anvil Centrel Centre’s 4th floor.
August 26, 2025 at 3:45 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Join Janet Kvammen, @janetkvammen.bsky.social 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 RCLAS.

ANVIL CENTRE | STUDIO 417
SEP 21, 2:00-4:00 pm
OCT 19, 2:00-4:00 pm
NOV 16, 2:00-4:00 pm
Poetry & Art Salon Join Janet Kvammen, Poet Laureate of New Westminster, for free afternoon of poetry readings, art “Show & Tell” chats and more! Come listen, share, and connect. In partnership with Royal City Literary Arts Society. ANVIL CENTRE (New Westminster)| STUDIO 417 SEP 21: 2:00-4:00 pm OCT 19: 2:00-4:00 pm NOV 16: 2:00-4:00 pm 18+ years Free drop-in
August 26, 2025 at 3:29 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Interested in connecting to the arts community in New Westminster & the Lower Mainland? Consider an RCLAS membership & help keep the arts alive. We have reading series, community events, networking opportunities, workshops & more!

info: rclas.com/membership/m...
sign up: rclas.com/membership/m...
Sepia-toned poster with maroon, gold, brown scrolls framing the following text: The Royal City Literary Arts Society’s mission is to maintain and build a welcoming community of writers and readers, to support the goals of writers at all stages of their development, and to promote an appreciation of all forms of literary arts. This mission is accomplished by: •Organizing interactive reading, writing and performance events for emerging and established writers • Facilitating regular workshops on the art and promotion of the written word • Running annual writing contests • Publishing a online member magazine • Collaborating with community groups and organizations • Maintaining a web presence that promotes society goals and activities • Providing various networking, opportunity and cost benefits to members • Raising needed funds through membership fees and grant applications
August 12, 2025 at 6:51 PM
rclas.bsky.social
We had 5 beautiful Poetry in the Park nights this July! Thanks to the fabulous features, hosts, open mic readers and all the wonderful attendees. Thank you to @newwestminster.bsky.social & @artsnewwest.bsky.social! Most of all, thanks to Janet Kvammen @janetkvammen.bsky.social for making it happen!
Janet Kvammen at the podium in Centennial Lodge reading into the mic and holding a page. Janet is decked our in a purple sweater and purple, sparkly cowboy hat.
July 31, 2025 at 5:46 AM
rclas.bsky.social
A beautiful night of poetry with amazing poets celebrating the winners of the #CogswellAward Dominique Bernier-Cormier and andrea bennett @akkabah.bsky.social with juror @roblucastaylor.bsky.social, host @jessicaleemcmillan.com and our champion @janetkvammen.bsky.social.
Poets hiding behind tall, vertical Poetry in the Park banner. From left to right: Rob Taylor, Dominique Bernier-Cormier, andrea bennett, Janey Kvammen, Jessica Lee McMillan.
July 25, 2025 at 3:37 PM
rclas.bsky.social
The final Poetry in the Park features Candice James and a special open mic celebrating the life of community member Fanci Louann. Find us in the Centennial Lodge behind the bandshell in Queen's park. July 30, 6:30 pm!
Green, white and purple poster featuring headshots of Candice James and Franci Louann. poetry in the park July 30 Wednesday 6:30 pm Centennial Lodge, Queen's Park New Westminster Featuring Candice James, Poet Laureate Emerita Special open mic segment "A Tribute to Franci Louann" Read one of Franci's poems OR dedicate a poem to Franci.
July 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Another pic! Thanks to Sara @artsnewwest.bsky.social for your very fine support!
Photo: Poets on stage to the left and right of a vertical Poetry in the Park banner. Janet Kvammen with Rita Wong on left and Cecily Nicholson with Jessica Lee McMillan and Sara of Arts New West.
July 18, 2025 at 11:42 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Join us for the Fred Cogswell Award Night featuring winner Dominique Bernier-Cormier, 2nd place winner andrea bennett @akkabah.bsky.social & judge Rob Taylor @roblucastaylor.bsky.social ky.social with host Alan Hill!
Followed by open mic.
6:30pm Queen's Park Bandshell.

rclas.com/recurring/po...
Poetry in the Park poster (green on purple) with headshots (left to right) of features Rob Taylor, Dominique Bdernier-Cormier, andrea bennett and host Alan Hill.
July 17, 2025 at 10:36 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Such a lovely evening of Poetry in the Park tonight, July 16, 2025.
MAGIC! Thanks so much, to Rita, Cecily and Jessica for making it so special.
Photo: Poets on stage peeking from behind vertical Poetry in the Park banner. Janet Kvammen with Rita Wong on left and Cecily Nicholson with Jessica Lee McMillan on right.
July 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
rclas.bsky.social
It’ll be cooler under the conifers TONIGHT at Poetry in the Park. ✨✨Features Cecily Nicholson and Rita Wong✨✨
Host @jessicaleemcmillan.com
🌿Followed by open mic.
🌿6:30pm Queen's Park Bandshell.

See you there!
rclas.com/recurring/po...
Poetry in the Park poster (green on purple) with same details as host and headshots of features (Cecily Nicholson Left, Rita Wog, middle and Jessica Lee McMillan right.
July 16, 2025 at 2:51 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Join us for Poetry in the Park July 16th with features Cecily Nicholson and Rita Wong, followed by open mic and host @jessicaleemcmillan.com. 6:30pm Queen's Park Bandshell.

rclas.com/recurring/po...
poetry in the park July 16th Wednesday 6:30pm Queen's Park Bandshell Pictures of poets on green and purple ombre flyer with leaves on the left.
July 11, 2025 at 12:39 AM
rclas.bsky.social
Save the date! RCLAS is having our AGM on July 31, 2025 at 7pm via Zoom. Please RSVP (and get link) via email: [email protected]

rclas.com
July 11, 2025 at 12:33 AM
rclas.bsky.social
RCLAS presents Poetry in the Park 2025 July 9 Write on! Contest Winners.
(Left to right: Anna Eastland, Janet Kvammen, Jessica Lee McMillan, Chelsea Comeau (above), and KJ MacMillan).

In partnership with Arts New West & City of New Westminster. It was a special night with and an amazing open mic!
Poets posed behind Poetry in the Park Banner on bandshell stage: Anna Eastland, Janet Kvammen, Jessica Lee McMillan, Chelsea Comeau, and KJ MacMillan.
July 11, 2025 at 12:28 AM
rclas.bsky.social
The skies will clear tonight for Poetry in the Park featuring Susan McCaslin & Write on! Contest Winners with Judge Chelsea Comeau & host SheLa Nefertiti Morrison! Open mic afterwards. 6:30pm-8:30pm, Queen's Park bandshell!

rclas.com/recurring/po...
Poetry in the Park poster (green on purple) with headshots of winners and host.
July 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
rclas.bsky.social
Poetry in the Park continues this Wednesday, rain or shine! There is room for us all under cover of the bandshell. Featuring Susan McCaslin & Write on! Contest Winners with Judge Chelsea Comeau & host SheLa Nefertiti Morrison! Open mic after. 6:30pm-8:30pm, Queen's Park!
Poetry in the Park poster (green on purple) with headshots of winners and host.
July 8, 2025 at 12:56 AM