Suspension of Operations
Posted by vswblog on November 19, 2008
Dear Friends:
With great regret we announce the suspension of operations of The Victoria School of Writing. Competition from other writing programs and persistent difficulty in filling positions for the all-volunteer board have necessitated this unfortunate move. We did not make the decision as a result of a crisis but with clear analysis and a bank account in the black. We ran a successful summer school program of courses and our reputation remains solid. Our exit will be graceful.
We deeply appreciate your support over the thirteen years since the school’s founding. The school has benefited from your gifts of time and money as well as your enthusiasm and participation in workshops, courses and literary events. We hope you have benefited as well from your association with the school.
If you have questions, please call one of the names on the sidebar, or below:
Tricia Dower: 250-383-9855
Lynne Van Luven: 250-721-7307
Bev. Cooke: 250-592-0342
Jody Collins: 250-380-9499.
Thank you for your understanding. We wish you much success with all your creative endeavors.
The Board of Directors
Victoria School of Writing
Kate said
Thank you for all the work of keeping the school running through the years and the commitment to developing writers.
Thank you. It’s a shame to see it end.
Mary Keane said
Such sad news. I am quite bereft, but I do understand the reasons. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has worked so hard. You have brought us encouragement and inspiration with your expertise and insights.
Fare well and thanks again
Mary
Joy Huebert said
I am very sad to hear of the closure. I had a wonderful happy week there this summer. Best wishes to all the board members.
Debra Henry said
Board of Directors,
Victoria School of Writing:
As Secretary of the Victoria Writers’ Society I would like to express the loss members in the society felt when we heard news of the suspension of operations of the VSW.
The Victoria Writers’ Society is dedicated to filling the needs of writers in Victoria. We meet once a month as a group and have guest speakers on various topics of interest to writers. We also have critique groups for writers of fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry. The society has an annual writing contest and publishes a literary magazine, Island Writer (accepting submissions from Island writers).
We will miss the services of the School of Writing and would like to express our appreciation for the work and dedication of both the board and volunteers over the past thirteen years.
On a personal level, I have benefitted enormously from events supported and sponsored by VSW. I attended your summer program and enjoyed every minute of the intense week. Pauline Holdstock was the instructor in my fiction session.
Our hope is that the suspension of programming is temporary and that the school will resurface in the future.
Should you have enquiries from writers wishing to connect with others in the writing community we would be happy to have you refer them to us. Our web site for information is http://www.victoriawriters.ca
Thank you again.
Sincerely
Debra Henry
Secretary,
Victoria Writers’ Society