FAQ
What is Coffee Shop Author?
Coffee Shop Author is a nation-wide writing contest for Canadian authors wanting to hone their craft and enjoy writing at the same time. The premise behind Coffee Shop Author is that authors register and receive the endorsement of their favourite coffee shop where they like to write.
What kind of work does Coffee Shop Author accept?
Coffee Shop Author accepts novels, novellas, creative non-fiction and collections of poetry or short-stories.
How long must my work be?
Coffee Shop Author accepts submissions that are not yet complete. Writing will be judged on its quality and potential. Part of the premise of Coffee Shop Author is to further refine the work through participation in the Fernie Writers Conference. Note of course that the more complete a manuscript is the better sense the judges will get of the potential of the writing.
Where do I register?
Registration is done online on our registration page. Registrants must make their own arrangements with their coffee shop of choice for the coffee shop to register. For the time being payment is by cheque or money order made out to "Coffee Shop Author" but we will have online payment available in the coming weeks.
How much does it cost to register?
The registration fee for Coffee Shop Author is $30.00, payable online, or by cheque or money order. Registration allows you entry into the contest, a vinyl sticker for your favorite coffee mug or car, space on the Coffee Shop Author blog and most importantly, a chance to win one of our fabulous prizes.
I live in a rural community and the nearest coffee shop is a long way away, is Coffee Shop Author for me?
Coffee Shop Author is about writers and writing. The Coffee Shop component of the contest is intended to generate interest in writing and writers as part of the contest rather than being the fundamental premise. If your physical location means that it is only practical to compose in a coffee shop intermittently then that is fine. We would like participants to register at coffee shop and spend some time writing there as is practical.
Just where exactly is Fernie?
Fernie is in the heart of the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia just West of the Alberta border and just North of the U.S. border. We are a community of about 5000 people and are best know for the 29 feet or so of snow that falls every year and the high quality metalurgical coal that is mined in our valley.
I represent a coffee shop - what are our obligations?
It is the intent of Coffee Shop Author that coffee shops to embrace the concept of the contest and benefit from the attention that it brings to their establishment. Writers are expected to be respectful of the coffee shops and their staff and to conduct themselves in a manner that supports the business.
Coffee shops are expected to allow the writer to work in their establishment in a manner that does not interfere with their business. Participating coffee shops will be provided with a sticker to put in their window, if they so choose, identifying their shop as a site that supports Coffee Shop Author. Additionally, the author or the coffee shop can mark the business on our interactive map (coming soon) and post a link to the coffee shop's website.
There is no financial obligation on the part of the coffee shop, although the business is welcome to provide whatever support they wish to participating authors.
