Literary arts

ART/Work Professional Development Session: Help us, help you!
Developing Your EPK (Electronic Press Kit) with John Wort-Hannam
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 6:30 - 7:45 pm
In Person: Sisters' Pub Boardroom (814 2 Ave S, Lethbridge)
Online: Zoom link provided upon registration
FREE to attend

Calling all musicians and performing artists! Are you ready to take the business side of your art as seriously as the music? In this hands-on, straight-talking professional development session, we’ll walk you through exactly what venues, festivals, and media professionals need from your online presence and EPK (Electronic Press Kit). You'll leave with tools, checklists, and practical strategies to improve your chances of getting booked and promoted — with minimal stress.

This workshop was inspired by acclaimed Alberta folk artist John Wort-Hannam and his refreshingly honest breakdown of what promoters really need from musicians in 2025.

Limited space available in-person. Please REGISTER to reserve a spot or request a Zoom link. docs.google.com/.../1uqfmvVT4uceRryMz.../viewform...

Artist Bio:

John Wort Hannam has been on his folk and roots-fueled troubadour journey for two decades, spinning song writing gold from the chaff of the lives he has encountered and those within his fertile imagination. Twenty-two years in, he shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, he’s gaining both momentum and a wider audience, winning two 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Solo Artist of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year. Add to this a Juno Award nomination, a Kerrville New Folk Win, a previous Canadian Folk Music Award, and it’s easy to see why audiences and critics alike hear something special in his narrative and lyrically driven songs. Effortlessly mixing rich and clear timbered vocals with lyrics that tug at the heart, his sound is both unique and familiar.

Born on the island of Jersey in the UK, he immigrated to Canada at the age of nine. He discovered the guitar and his knack for writing songs in his early thirties while working as a teacher on the Kainai Nation in Blackfoot country. In 2001, John quit his teaching job and made himself a promise - he would try his hand at writing songs for 10 months or until his employment insurance ran out. When time was up, he had a handful of songs. They became his first recording, released in 2002. Twenty-two years later, John is recognized as one of the best folk roots songwriters in Alberta and has released 8 full length recordings.

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This hybrid session will take place in person at the Sisters’ Boardroom and online via Zoom. Space is limited for in-person attendance, so register today to take advantage of the best experience—networking with fellow artists and gaining insight into creating a professional marketing package.

Register here: docs.google.com/.../1uqfmvVT4uceRryMz.../viewform...

ART/Work is an ongoing series of free professional development sessions supported by the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge. These sessions are open to artists of all disciplines, at every stage of their career.

AAC Membership is free for artists in 2025, consider joining us to be the first to hear about future ART/Work sessions.

Learn more about the AAC by visiting artslethbridge.org/

Operations & Finance Manager

Gytha Cooperative

Location: Remote (within Canada) or Hybrid (Calgary, AB)

Job Type: Part-time (20 hours/week)

Salary Range: $24, 000 - $30,000 CAD / year

Gytha Cooperative is Canada’s leading cooperative publisher specializing in comics and graphic novels. Through our magazines Winter’s End and Perhaps, we reach a growing audience of avid readers in both YA and Adult categories.

We are currently seeking an Operations & Finance Manager to work alongside our Project Manager and Sales & Marketing Manager as part of our core administrative team. In this role, you’ll help guide our organization, manage employees, and keep all of our production pathways efficient and up-to-date.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experience, but please be aware that our selection will be made on the basis of expertise and competency. This includes industry / community experience, academic experience, and employment experience.

We aim to build roles around the expertise of our employees. If accepted, there will be some degree of co-designing of the position expected of the applicant. At Gytha Cooperative, we aim to build a functional community where everyone’s voice is valued.

Gytha Cooperative is a non-traditional organization, based on principles of strict economic democracy. All employees receive voting rights at our bimonthly general meetings, and major strategic or financial decisions concerning the welfare of the whole will require approval before they can be implemented. Applicants should be ready for a different style of workflow than they may have experienced in traditional firms. Some tasks which normally take less time, may take longer at Gytha Cooperative. Other tasks which would normally have long approval times, or be impossible to receive approval for, will be faster and more achievable. 

As a small organization, a greater degree of autonomy and self-guidance may be required than at other similar positions at larger firms. Employees will be expected to plan and strategize in concert with the interests of the cooperative, including regularly proposing initiatives and self-analyzing capacity.

An interest in, or experience with, cooperatives, non-profits, not-for-profits and other collaborative workplaces, will be considered an asset. We at Gytha believe in an economy run by and for its labourers, and we expect the same commitment to an egalitarian workplace from all of our employees and colleagues.

Responsibilities:

As our Operations & Finance Manager, you’ll form our Admin team’s foundation. You’ll be facilitating and coordinating what we do, and how we do it.

• Working with the rest of our admin team and our employee-members to develop long- and short-term strategy regarding business, finance, and infrastucture.
• Democratic consultation, bylaw management, and compliance. This includes ensuring that all actions undertaken by Gytha Cooperative meet our standards of employee consultation and democratic conduct. This is the foundation of our unique work culture, and should be your top concern.
• Managing and updating our Business-to-Client and B2B systems, including payment, subscription platforms, wholesale ordering, and managing metadata (via Bookmanager)
• Cashflow management and record-keeping, including reporting, accounting and compliance
• Financial strategy for small business, including managing accounts and banking relationships, planning and financial forecasting
• Maintaining B2B relations with manufacturers/printers, distributors & booksellers
• Managing our production pipeline, from production through distribution and fulfilment
• Grant writing and applications
• Payment and payroll services management
• Inventory management
• Arranging General Meetings, Annual Meetings and interim Votes of the Membership, in accordance with the articles and bylaws
• Employee onboarding and employment termination
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Bookmanager and Square are expected. Some experience with graphics software, including Adobe Suite, and basic Web Development (Weebly, Squarespace, etc.) will be an asset.

Please keep your cover letter brief, and only include relevant highlights from your experience. Form letters are discouraged.

Applicants from diverse and marginalized backgrounds are encouraged. Accommodations can be made for the application process, if requested. This position is adaptable to various differences of ability, and our team is committed to ensuring that no employee is excluded by difference. We are an LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse-led team. Please contact us at admin@gythapress.org if you require any accommodations or have any questions.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their resume / CV and a brief cover letter by July 15, 2025 to:

Email: admin@gythapress.org

Please include “Operations and Finance Manager” in your subject line.

We thank you for your interest in this opportunity. Please be aware that only those applicants selected for next stages will be contacted.

Marketing & Sales Manager

Gytha Cooperative

Location: Remote (within Canada) or Hybrid (Calgary, AB)

Job Type: Part-time (20 hours/week)

Salary Range: $24, 000 - $30,000 CAD / year

Gytha Cooperative is Canada’s leading cooperative publisher specializing in comics and graphic novels. Through our magazines Winter’s End and Perhaps, we reach a growing audience of avid readers in both YA and Adult categories.

We are currently seeking a Marketing & Sales Manager to work alongside our Project Manager and Operations & Finance Manager as part of our core administrative team. In this role, you’ll guide and manage our relationship with clients, community, and vendors. We’re a growing organization, so Marketing & Sales strategy are essential to our success!

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experience, but please be aware that our selection will be made on the basis of expertise and competency. This includes industry/community experience, academic experience, and employment experience.

We aim to build roles around the expertise of our employees. If accepted, there will be some degree of co-designing of the position expected of the applicant. At Gytha Cooperative, we aim to build a functional community where everyone’s voice is valued.

Gytha Cooperative is a non-traditional organization, based on principles of strict economic democracy. All employees receive voting rights at our bimonthly general meetings, and major strategic or financial decisions concerning the welfare of the whole will require approval before they can be implemented. Applicants should be ready for a different style of workflow than they may have experienced in traditional firms. Some tasks which normally take less time, may take longer at Gytha Cooperative. Other tasks which would normally have long approval times, or be impossible to receive approval for, will be faster and more achievable. 

As a small organization, a greater degree of autonomy and self-guidance may be required than at other similar positions at larger firms. Employees will be expected to plan and strategize in concert with the interests of the cooperative, including regularly proposing initiatives and self-analyzing capacity.

An interest in, or experience with, cooperatives, non-profits, not-for-profits and other collaborative workplaces, will be considered an asset. We at Gytha believe in an economy run by and for its labourers, and we expect the same commitment to an egalitarian workplace from all of our employees and colleagues.

Responsibilities:

As our Marketing & Sales Manager, you’ll be our voice in the community. You’ll seek out and connect with future readers and vendors, and deepen our relationships with our community and the public.

• Marketing strategy and development. We need your expertise to help us shape our community growth strategy! Proposing and pitching development ideas will be an essential part of your work, which means self-guidance, research and planning autonomously will be highly important skills.
• B2B sales outreach with / to booksellers, stores, libraries, festivals, and opportunities for direct sales
• Direct to customer (subscriber) sales and outreach
• Community growth, including pursuing communications with reviewers, partners, and co-promotion opportunities
• Marketing budget development, including frequent proposals both to the admin team and voting members
• Social Media management and growth
• Community management (moderating comments, receiving feedback from the public relaying this to the appropriate admin team member(s))
• Analysis and reporting of results, analytics, and community response. Honesty and clarity are essential to our work, and you will be expected to report the most accurate version of results possible, without slanting or bias, within a non-judgemental environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Bookmanager, Instagram, and Square are expected. Some experience with graphics software, including Adobe Suite, and basic Web Development (Weebly, Squarespace, etc.) will be an asset. We contract a graphic designer, but low-impact day-to-day design tasks, such as planning social media posts, will be left to you.

Please keep your cover letter brief. Only include relevant highlights from your experience. Form letters are discouraged.

Applicants from diverse and marginalized backgrounds are encouraged. Accommodations can be made for the application process, if requested. This position is adaptable to various differences of ability, and our team is committed to ensuring that no employee is excluded by difference. We are an LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse-led team. Please contact us at admin@gythapress.org if you require any accommodations or have any questions.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their resume / CV and a brief cover letter by July 15, 2025 to:

Email: admin@gythapress.org 

Please include “Marketing and Sales Manager” in your subject line.

We thank you for your interest in this opportunity. Please be aware that only those applicants selected for next stages will be contacted.

Please join us for the launch of Terrie Shaw’s book on July 13th from 2-3:30 pm. Guests can expect a reading from Terrie Shaw, an opportunity to purchase the book, and light refreshments. 

Terrie Shaw is an Edmonton based artist whose new book, Garden Journey: Stories, Sketches, and Recipes, offers an intimate look at her creative process. Through delicate watercolour sketches, expressive pen-and-ink drawings, and heartfelt journal entries, Terrie’s book captures the ever-changing beauty of the seasons and the quiet magic they bring. Shaw then transforms her homegrown bounty into an array of delicious, garden-inspired recipes, each infused with personal stories and cherished memories. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

When: July 13, 2-3:30pm
Where: Audreys Books, 10702 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB

audreys.ca/events 

Workshop Fee: $215 Date & Time: Saturday, July 12, 10 am—1:30 pm MT

Location: Online (Google Meet link sent upon registration)

Join award-winning author, publisher, and creative entrepreneur Alexis Marie Chute for a deep dive into essential strategies every writer needs to thrive in today’s literary landscape. Whether you’re crafting short-form articles or building toward your first (or fifth) book, this session will give you the tools and insights to build a sustainable, income-generating writing career—on your terms.

Schedule:

10 – 11:30 am (1.5 hours)

• Short-form writing, articles, and pitching for publication
• Long-form writing—from book concepts to publication and beyond
• Publishing paths, including traditional, self, and hybrid models
• Building and leveraging your writing portfolio to open new opportunities
• Creative collaborations across genres, disciplines, and media

11:30 am-12 pm – Break for Lunch (30 min)

12 – 1:30 pm (1.5 hours)

• Building your writer platform (website, social media, newsletters)
• Managing your writing life with systems, automation & time management
• Long-game career strategies—becoming your own creative boss
• Financial planning and making money as a writer

This is your chance to invest in your creative future with practical, professional-level guidance tailored to writers who are serious about success.

Join us—and walk away empowered, organized, and ready to grow your writing into a thriving career.

Tickets:bit.ly/4dXMKq6 

Have a blast this summer with art camps at the Central Lions Recreation Centre. All supplies are provided, and no dance experience is required. 

Poetry Party (Ages 8-12) - 9am-12pm - July 7-11 - course # 756369

Need a break from too much screen time? Join Poetry Party's writing camp where there’s loads of fun & games to choose from: The Poetry Candy Jar, One Word Group Poem, Oulipian’s Choice, 100 Billion Link Sonnet, and much more. Let the fun begin!

Royal Castle Ballet Camp (Ages 4-6) - 9am-12pm - July 21-25 - course # 756368

In this royal themed dance camp, participants will learn ballet dance moves and work on their coordination, balance and flexibility. Campers will also have fun and get creative during games and/or crafts. At the end of the week, dancers will perform their new dance moves in a mini performance. 

Beneath the Waves Ballet Camp (Ages 7-10)  - 9am-12pm - Aug. 5-8 - course # 756367

Have you ever wanted to be a mermaid? In this underwater themed dance camp, participants will learn ballet dance moves and work on their coordination, balance and flexibility. Campers will also have fun and get creative during sea themed games and/or crafts. At the end of the week, dancers will perform their new dance moves in a mini performance. 

Register at movelearnplay.edmonton.ca