I love being involved in the community! If you are interested in contacting me to participate in an event or be a part of your reading, please send me an email – it’s the quickest way to connect!
Here you go: shieldsvanessa@gmail.com
SCROLL DOWN TO FIND DATES & EVENTS!
2022
JANUARY 2022
Saturday, January 8, 2022 – Poetry Circle, via Zoom, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 10am – 12pm
Thursday, January 13, 2022 – 7pm, Detroit Writing Room First Annual Writing Awards, Judge/Presenter, Via zoom
Monday, January 24, 2022 – Writing Workshop, St. Gabriel Elementary School, Virtual Visit
DECEMBER 2021
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 – By the River Reading Series, virtual event, 7pm EST featuring Vanessa Shields & Natalie Meisner. Facebook Event Page and Link.
Saturday, December 11, 2021 – 10am-12pm, Poetry Circle, Gertrude’s Writing Room. SOLD OUT!
Saturday, December 4, 2021 – 12pm – 4pm – Hand-made Gifts Extravaganza! $35/person or $50 for a pair. Family-friendly! To register, click here.
NOVEMBER 2021
Tuesday, November 30, 2021 – 6:30pm – 8pm EST, Virtual Poetry Reading w/ Margo Wheaton – Poetry & The Family, Thimbles Book Tour Event! Zoom registration info forthcoming!
Saturday, November 13, 2021 – 10am-12pm, Poetry Circle, Gertrude’s Writing Room. TO REGISTER & FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE!
Thursday, November 4, 2021 – 7pm – 8pm, Virtual NaNoWriMo Writing Workshop, Chatham-Kent Public Library, Via zoom, To register call 519-354-2940, text 519-401-7174, or email: cklibrary@chatham-kent.ca or send CKPL a message on Facebook.
OCTOBER 2021
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 – 6pm – 8:30pm, Virtual Writing Workshop ‘Harvesting Time’, via zoom, COST: $30.00 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Sunday, October 17, 2021 – 1pm – 4pm – Crafty Afts, Gertrude’s Writing Room. TO REGISTER & FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE!
Saturday, October 16, 2021 – 10am – 6pm, Mental Health Awareness Fair, Lanspeary Park, poetry on demand, gift sales
Thursday, October 14 – Sunday, October 17, 2021 – BookFest Windsor, PANEL: Saturday, October 17, 2021 2pm -3pm. More info forthcoming!
Saturday, October 9, 2021 – 10am-12pm, Poetry Circle, Gertrude’s Writing Room. TO REGISTER & FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE!
SEPTEMBER 2021
Tuesday, September 21, 2021 – FREE Virtual Workshop, 5:00pm – 6:30pm, Embracing Your Voice Part I, Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario.
To register:
Friday, September 17, 2021 – FREE Virtual Workshop, 5:00pm – 6:30pm, Embracing Your Voice Part I, Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario.
To register:
Saturday, September 11, 2021 – *SOLD OUT* 10am – 12pm, Poetry Circle, Gertrude’s Writing Room – FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE!
AUGUST 2021
Monday, August 2 – Friday, August 6, 2021 – Film Camp, Gertrude’s Writing Room
JUNE 2021
Monday, June 28, 2021 – 7:30PM EST – Method Writing – Poetry on Demand – Reading, Writing & Discussion
Via Instagram Live @dreampoetforhire – Marshall and/or @shieldsvanessa – Vanessa
Thursday, June 24, 2021 – 7pm – 9pm – The Pleasure of Poetry: The Joy of Reading, Writing & Critiquing Poetry. Via Zoom. For writers in the Niagara region only. To register, please contact: Richard West at nishisan@gmail.com.
POSTPONED! Thursday, June 10th, 2021 – 7:00PM – 8:30PM EST – The Business of Dreams, Discussion and reading featuring Vanessa Shields, Poet and Owner of Gertrude’s Writing Room, Stephanie Steinberg, Journalist and Owner of the Detroit Writing Room, Hosted by Journalist Jillian Berman – ZOOM REGISTRATION LINK HERE
Saturday, June 19, 2021 – 2pm – 3pm – Chatham-Kent Library – The Basics of Writing Fiction. This workshop is for writers in the Chatham-kent area only. Call to register. 519-354-2490. FREE!
Thursday, June 3, 2021 – 7PM – 8:30PM EST, THE JOY OF EDITING Reading & Discussion with Vanessa Shields and Editor/Poet Abigail Roelens about the writer/editor relationship and all its joys!
Topic: Thimbles: the Joy of Editing
Register in advance for this webinar:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ORzI_8mcTxyeaWHISQhbjA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
MAY 2021
POSTPONED!!Thursday, May 20, 2021 – 7pm EST (8pm ATL) – Poetry and the Family, Virtual Reading & Discussion with Margo Wheaton via Zoom.
Topic: Thimbles: Poetry and the Family
Register in advance for this webinar:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0jwxSVYiRK-rOoIfNo_6ww
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Friday, May 14, 2021 – 7:30pm PST (10:30pm EST) – Planet Earth Poetry Featured Reader Vanessa Shields. Please visit the Planet Earth Poetry website HERE for the Zoom link which becomes available at 7:15pm.
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 – HOWL Radio/CUIT – interview with Valentino Assenza, 89.5FM
APRIL 2021
Thursday, April 29, 2021 – thimbles Official Virtual Book Launch! 7:30pm EST – hosted by Charis Cotter. Zoom registration link *coming soon*. Pre-order a copy of thimbles HERE.
Thursday, April 15, 2021 – 7pm EST – Virtual Book Talk Reading & Q&A featuring Danielle Younge-Ullman, hosted by Emily Anderson (@emilykatereads), Introduction by Vanessa Shields, Literary Arts Windsor/Bookfest Windsor event. To register for the zoom link, CLICK HERE.
MARCH 2021
Wednesday, March 24, 2021 – 10am-12pm – Guest Panelist, University of Windsor Publishing Practicum Class, via Zoom
Friday, March 19, 2021 – 7:30pm, Open Mic, Planet Earth Poetry, Victoria, BC (Virtual reading) Visit www.planetearthpoetry.com for Zoom link info.
FEBRUARY 2021
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 – Beyond Dear Diary – Journal workshop – local law firm lunch workshop
Saturday, February 20, 2021 – *SOLD OUT* Intro to Poetry: The Past, The Present, The Power, Virtual workshop, 10am – 1pm, Canadian Authors Association – Niagara Branch; Registration link via Eventbrite: https://scplintrotopoetry.eventbrite.ca
Friday, February 12, 2021 – Writing Poetry & Process, Poetry in Voice, school workshop
JANUARY 2021
Wednesday, January 27th, 2020 – Winter Wellness Series, Workshop: Words in a Journal – The Art of Creative Self-Expression, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, The Allie Sunshine Project, registration details, please click HERE. *Please note: this is a four-week class – Wednesdays Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10. Participants must register for the whole class. Cost: $120.00.
DECEMBER 2020
Thursday, December 3, 10, 17, 2020 – The Poetry of Flowers, three-week class, 12pm -2pm, Via Google Meets
Sunday, December 6, 2020 – Detroit Writing Room Virtual Holiday Book Fair – 12pm – 5pm – Featuring a load of amazing authors! I’ll be doing Poetry on Demand from 2:45pm – 3pm.
NOVEMBER 2020
Wednesday, November 25, 2020 – Guest Speaker, Editing & Publishing Practicum, University of Windsor, 10am (for class only)
Saturday, November 21, 2020 – 10am – 1pm – Virtual Creative Writing Workshop w/ Canadian Authors Association Niagara Branch. Must register before Nov. 18. Spaces are limited! Free! REGISTER HERE: LINK
OCTOBER 2020
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 – 6:30pm EST, Virtual Book Launch – Host – for SCREECH! a collection of Newfoundland ghost stories by award-winning author Charis Cotter.
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 – Virtual Class – Being a Writer – 12:15pm, College Boreal
SEPTEMBER 2020
Thursday, August 3, 2020 – Book Launch Host, 7pm, Virtual Book Launch, Palimpsest Press, for Dorothy Mahoney’s new poetry collection, Ceaseless Rain
AUGUST 2020
Saturday, August 22, 2020 – All day! Korda Artistic Productions CHAOS virtual event. Two workshop videos on poetry streamed during the event.
JULY 2020
Friday, June 24th, 2020 – Haiku Battle via Facebook – 7pm
JUNE 2020
Friday, June 12, 2020 – Poetry reading Live on Instagram @aabeans, 8pm, Grown Lady Garments Nature & Environmentalism e-zine live event.
MARCH 2020
Friday, March 27, 2020 – Poetry In Voice EPIC Regional Championships – Judge
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 – Laughter Yoga & Writing, 6:30pm -8:30pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, $50.00. Click here to register.
Friday, March 20, 2020 – Poetry on Demand & Reading at Villains – 7pm – 10pm – ‘The Zoo Debut’ hosted by Melissa Carrey. Facebook event page here.
Monday, March 16-Friday, March 20, 2020 – Youth Writing Camp, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 9am-12pm. $200. Click here to register.
Thursday, March 5th, 2020 – International Women’s Day Event – 7pm – Biblioasis Bookstore, Host
FEBRUARY
Thursday, February 20 – Sunday February 23, 2020 – Writing Retreat, Toronto
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 – I Read Canada Day – special events – TBA
Saturday, February 8, 2020 – Erotic Writing Workshop, 12pm – 3pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, $45. Click here to register.
Friday, February 7, 2020 – Poetry in Voice Judge – Assumption High School
Saturday, February 1, 2020 – Poetry & The Body Writing Workshop with Samantha Badaoa, 1pm – 4pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, $50. Click here to register.
JANUARY 2020
Friday, January 31, 2020 – New Talk – AM800 Radio Guest spot – 11am -12noon
Wednesday, January 29, 2019 – Paint & Prompt Class, Gertrude’s Writing Room, Wednesdays January 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 2020, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, $200. Click here to register.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 – Poetry in Voice, Judge, Cardinal Carter High School, school-level competition
Saturday, January 11, 2020 – Vision Quest Writing Workshop, 11am-2pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, $60.00. Click here to register.
DECEMBER
Sunday, December 15, 2019 – Story Time Sunday, 10am – 11am – Gertrude’s Writing Room – Gather together for a holiday classic storytelling!
Sunday, December 8, 2019 – Book Launch! 12PM – 2PM Rogues Gallery Comics – Launching new collection of poetry – From A To Ziffery Zanks, $15.00!
Saturday, December 7th, 2019 – Bookish Gifts Workshop – SOLD OUT – Gertrude’s Writing Room
Thursday, December 5th, 2019 – St. Joseph’s High School, poetry workshop, Poetry In Voice, 8:30am-12:00pm.
Sunday, December 1st, 2019 – The Empowered Freelance Writer Workshop, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 12pm – 3pm.
NOVEMBER 2019 – National Novel Writing Month!
Saturday, November 16, 2019 – Poetry & The Body Workshop, 1pm – 3pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room
Sunday, November 10, 2019 – Story Time Sundays @ Gertrude’s Writing Room, 10am – 11am *Free*
Tuesdays in November – 6th, 13, 20, 27 – Poetry of the Masters – Singer/Songwriter Class, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Friday, November 1, 2019 – 9:15am – 10:15am, Guest Reader, Giles Campus Elementary School
OCTOBER 2019
Friday, October 25, 2019 – Assumption College High School, Guest writer for workshops.
Sunday, October 20, 2019 – Story Time Sunday, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 10am – 11am
Saturday, October 19, 2019 – BookFest Windsor, Bookish Fun! Kids Writing Workshops, 1pm and 2:30pm
Thursday, October 17, 2019 – Glenwood Elementary Read-a-thon, 8:15am – 12:30pm
Thursday, October 3, 2019 – St. Gabriel Elementary School, Guest Writer.
SEPTEMBER 2019
Monday, September 30, 2019 – Unicom Poetry Group, guest poet, 10am – 12pm
Sunday, September 29, 2019 – Story Time Sundays, 10am-11am, Gertrude’s Writing Room, Free! Family fun!
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 – Writing with Dick & Jane, 7pm – 9pm, N42 Degrees Estate Winery, Cost $40.00. Register by September 20th. For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.
Saturday, September 21, 2019 – The Writing Parent Workshop, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 1pm – 4pm, Featuring Shelley Haggert-Divnich, $45.00. Register by Sept. 18, 2019. For more info and to register, please CLICK HERE.
Scattered Ecstasies 2019 – September (Thurs-Sat.) 12, 13, 14 at Sho Art, Spirit & Performance, the Roth Center, Tickets $25.00, 628 Monmouth Rd., Windsor, Ontario, N8Y 3L1.
Genre Mash Up – Tuesdays from 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Sept. 3, 10, 12, 24
Teachers: Science Fiction & Horror – Christian Laforet, Ben Van Dongen Poetry – Vanessa Shields
Fiction – Casey Plett
Screenwriting – Nick Shields
Cost: $140.00
REGISTER BY: Tues. Aug. 27th
To register, click HERE.
AUGUST 2019
Saturday, August 24, 2019 – 10:15am – Poets & Parks – Bike Windsor Essex, morning bike ride with a stop at Gertrude’s Writing Room for a poem reading.
POETRY SEMINAR Tuesdays from 6pm – 8pm
Four weeks seminar-style class. *Critiquing is an essential part of this class. Writers will submit work each week that will be critiqued.
August 6, 13, 20, 27
Teacher: Vanessa Shields
Cost: $160
No poetry-writing experience necessary. All writers welcome.
Register by: FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2019
JULY 2019
Thursday, July 25 and Friday, July 26, 2019 – Comic Book Writing for Kids – Two Part Workshop, Part One @ Rogues Gallery Comics, Part Two @ Gertrude’s Writing Room. Featuring Shawn Cousineau, Owner of Rogues Gallery Comics, Glen Hawkes, Illustrator, Vanessa Shields, writer. Cost:$50 for both sessions, $30.00 for one. For more info and registration, please click here!
JUNE 2019
Thursday, June 27, 2019 – Let’s Talk With Casey Plett, 7pm -9pm @ Biblioasis Bookstore. Facebook event page HERE.
Saturday, June 22, 2019 – Raise Your Voice Writing Workshop, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 1pm-3pm, Teacher: Alley Bianarz, Cost: $30.00. Must pre-register. Please click here to register.
Thursday, June 13, 2019 – Judge, Poetry In Voice, Cardinal Carter High School
Saturday, June 8, 2019 – Write Your Body Right Writing Workshop, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 12pm – 3pm, Co-teachers Vanessa Shields & Luciana Rosu, Executive Director of Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association, Cost: $50 (includes $10 donation to BANA). Must pre-register! Please click here to register.
Saturday, June 1, 2019 – The Writing Parent – Blogging, Books & More Writing Workshop, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 1pm – 4pm, Teacher: Shelley Haggert, Cost: $45.00. Must pre-register. Please click here to register.
MAY 2019
Wednesday, May 29 – Wednesday, June 19, 2019 – Ekphrastic Writing, Gertrude’s Writing Room, Cost: $120.00, featuring Alley Biniarz and Vanessa Shields teaching, Must pre-register. Please click here to pre-register.
Monday, May 27th, 2019 – Creative Process – Guest lecture, University of Windsor
Friday, May 24th, 2019 – Laughter Yoga & Writing, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 6pm-8:30pm. Cost: $40.00. Must pre-register! Please click here to register!
APRIL 2019 – National Poetry Month
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 – Poetry Reading @ St. Joe’s School
Saturday, April 27, 2019 – Indie Bookstore Day, Biblioasis, Reading poetry at 11am
Friday, April 26, 2019 – Professional Development Day Speaking Engagement for Secondary School teachers – 10:30am – 12pm
Monday, April 15, 2019 – Poet Laureate Welcome Event! Biblioasis Bookstore, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Hosted by Gertrude’s Writing Room, Free! Facebook Event Page Here
Saturday, April 13, 2019 – Small Press Book Fair, Green Bean Cafe, 11am – 4pm, Facebook Event Page HERE
Thursday, April 11, 2019 – Mouthpiece Storytelling Special Event w/ Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary – Celebrating National Wildlife Week, 7pm – 10pm, @ Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary – Facebook event page here!
Monday, April 8, 2019 – Writing Workshop, Crazy 8 Barn, Palmyra, ON, 10am – 3pm, PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT IS FOR WRITERS IN THE CHATHAM-KENT AREA ONLY.
MARCH 2019
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 – Windsor Poetry Slam, Featured Poet before the slam, 8pm, Phog Lounge
Saturday, March 23, 2019 – The Prayer Box – Daily Writing for your Spirit, 12pm – 2pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, Click here to register!
Friday, March 15, 2019 – Comic Book Writing for Kids, 10am-1pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 628 Monmouth – SOLD OUT!
Thursday, March 7, 2019 – Writing Workshop Glenwood Elementary School – 8am – 2:30pm
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 – Girlfriend’s Glass House Storytelling Event, Detroit, MI, Hockeytown Restaurant – Upstairs, doors open 6:30pm, show starts 7pm-9pm. Fundraiser for literacy in Detroit.
FEBRUARY 2019
February 28 – March 3, 2019 – Writing retreat in Toronto with Charis Cotter (Personal retreat only!)
Thursday, February 21, 2019 – Writing Workshop – Cardinal Carter High School – 8am – 3pm
Saturday, February 16, 2019 – Powerful Prompts – For Teens, 12pm – 2pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, Click here to register!
Monday, February 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 2019 – Poetry of the Masters – Love Poetry, writing class, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, Click here to register!
Thursday, February 14, 2019 – Writing Workshop – St. Gabriel’s Elementary School – 8 am – 3pm
Saturday, February 9, 2019 – Erotic Writing Workshop – For Women Only!, 2pm-5pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, Click here to register!
JANUARY 2019
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 – Laughter Yoga & Writing, 6pm – 8:30pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, Click here to register!
Thursday, January 17, 2019 – Poetry in Voice, Judge, Cardinal Carter Secondary, Emeryville, ON
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 – By the River Reading Series, Reading, Mackenzie Hall, 7pm featuring Carlinda D’Alimonte and Greg Grisenthwaite.
Saturday, January 19, 2019 – Aliens, Monsters, Short Stories & Friends – writing workshop, 1pm – 4pm, Gertrude’s Writing Room, Click here to register!
DECEMBR 2018
Wednesday, December 5, 2019 – Guest Workshop – Full-day, Cardinal Carter Secondary.
NOVEMBER 2018
Friday, November 30, 2018 – Powerful Prompts, 6pm-8pm, @ Gertrude’s Writing Room. Registration is needed! Click here for all the details! Cost: $40.00.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018 – Poetry in Voice, Guest judge, St. Joe’s Secondary, morning session
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 – Guest Workshop, Cardinal Carter Secondary, 8am – 2:30pm
Friday, November 16, 2018 – Laughter Yoga & Writing, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, @ Gertrude’s Writing Room. Registration is needed! Click here for all the details! Cost: $40.00
Thursday, November 15, 2018 – Literacy Night, Tecumseh Vista Academy School, 4:30pm – 7:30pm
November 5, 12, 19, 26, Dec.4 – Poetry of the Masters – Living Canadian Poets, Poetry class, Gertrude’s Writing Room, 7pm – 8:30pm – Register here!
OCTOBER 2018
Friday, October 26, 2018 – Everything You Need to Know About NaNoWriMo Workshop, 7pm – 9pm, @ Gertrude’s Writing Room. Registration is needed! Click here for all the details! Cost: $30.00
Thursday, October 18 – Sunday, October 21, 2018 – BookFest Windsor – click HERE for the website.
Thursday, October 18, 2018 – Glenwood Public Elementary, Read-a-Thon, 8am – 12pm, Guest reader
SEPTEMBER 2018
Friday, September 28, 2018 – The Art of Journal Writing, 6:30pm -8:30pm, @ Gertrude’s Writing Room. Registration needed! Click here for all the details! This is a free workshop as part of Culture Days events.
Friday, September 21, 2018 – Master Mouth Off Event! 7pm -10pm, Villains Baestro, 258 Pelissier, FREE EVENT!
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 – How To Do A Poetry Reading, Budimir Library, 6pm-8pm. FREE EVENT!
AUGUST 2018
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, August 6, 7, 8, 2018 – Scattered Ecstasies, 8pm @ SHO Studios, 628 Monmouth Rd, $25.00. Visit: https://windsor.snapd.com/events/view/1179860 for tickets. 
JULY 2018
Saturday, July 28, 2018 – Grand Opening of Gertrude’s Writing Room – 10am – 5pm, 628 Monmouth Rd – around the back of the building. www.gertrudeswritingroom.com
Sunday, July 8 – Saturday, July 14 – Humber School of Creative Writing – Summer Workshop – I got accepted! Yahoo!!
JUNE 2018
Tuesday, June 26, 2018 – Windsor Poetry Slam Finals – Judge, Phog Lounge, Windsor, On, 8pm
Friday, June 8, 2018 – Guest lecture, Cardinal Carter High School, Topic: The Performance of Poetry
MAY 2018
Monday, May 28, 2018 – MY 40TH BIRTHDAY!
Monday, May 14, 2018 – Guest lecture – St. Joe’s High School
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 –POSTPONED Poetry Workshop – How To Do A Poetry Reading, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Budimir Library. *FREE*
APRIL 2018
Monday, April 30, 2018 – Guest Reading, Walkerville High School
MARCH 2018
Monday, March 26, 2018 – 10am, Guest Poet, Writers Group, Windsor,ON
DECEMBER 2017
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 – Urban Farmhouse Press ‘By The River’ Poetry Anthology Book Launch 6:30pm – 8:30pm – featuring local poets reading poetry! @ Central Public Library, Ouellette Avenue.
Friday, December 8, 2017 – Mouth Piece Storytelling – The Childhood Edition – Featuring Guest Storyteller Janice Smith and Guest Musician Allison Brown. @ Villains Baestro 7:30pm stories begin. Free as always. *Note: this is the final competition of the season! All Master Mouth Pieces will move on to our annual Master Mouth-Off! Date TBD!
Wednesday, December 6, 2017 – Reading & Workshop – ‘The Gift of Poetry’ w/ Dorothy Mahoney and I! Budimir Library, 6:30-8:30pm. Free! Bring something to write on and with.
NOVEMBER 2017
Thursday, November 30, 2017 – Poetry Reading with Group of Seven poets – ‘Because We Have All Lived Here’ (Black Moss Press, 2017) @ Biblioasis. Time 7pm.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 – An Evening with Author Karen Dionne – Interview & Reading, 6:45pm, Biblioasis, 1520 Wyandotte St. E, Free refreshment, Book sales & Signing, http://www.karen-dionne.com.
Thursday, November 16, 2017 – Guest Lecture, 11am-1pm, University of Windsor, School of Education
Wednesday, November 1, 2017 – Creative Living – The Power of Journal Writing, 7pm-9pm, $25/workshop or $100 for full 5-week Creative Living Course, Atelier Virgianne, 1078 Drouillard Rd. – Contact: Ruth Ann Wilhelm at 519-919-7874 for more details. 
OCTOBER 2017
Monday, October 30, 2017 – Guest lesson for Grade 7/8s, St. Gabriel Elementary
Thursday, October 26, 2017 – Nature Poetry All-Day Workshop with Massey Secondary School students, Ojibway Nature Centre and Park
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 – Harvest Pie Poetry Reading! With Philip Crymble, Peter Hrastovec, Deb Okun Hill and me! 6:45pm – 9pm @ The Riverside Pie Shop. Facebook Event Page Here
Thursday, October 19, 2017 – TedX Talk, Chatham Capitol Theatre, Chatham, ON. Tickets go on sale September 5th! I will be speaking at 3:50pm. Topic: The Original Stories.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 – Poetry at the Manor, Willistead Manor, Windsor, ON, 7pm – First come, first serve seating!
Monday, October 16, 2017 – Special Event for ‘Because We Have All Lived Here‘ *Top Secret* – TBA
Thursday, October 12, 2017 – Read-A-Thon, Glenwood Public School, 11am – 12:30pm
SEPTEMBER 2017
Thursday, September 21, 2017 – Mouth Piece Storytelling – Special FLOOD Edition, 7pm @ Villains Baestro, 256 Pelissier, Featuring Musical Guest Dominic Carlone – Free event!
Sunday, September 10, 2017 – Scattered Ecstasies, Willistead Manor, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, by Sho Art Experience.
JULY – AUGUST 2017
WRITE. WRITE. WRITE. WRITE. WRITE.
I will not be booking any events during this time.
JUNE 2017
- June 9 -11, 2017 – League of Canadian Poets AGM, Toronto, ON – Chair of Feminist Caucus Panel – Feminism: Revisit, Revise, Revolutionize
- Thursday, June 1, 2017 – Mouth Piece Storytelling – The Secrets Event – Villains Baestro, Downtown Windsor, Featuring Jennifer De La O & Crissi Cochrane
MAY 2017
- Sunday, May 28, 2017 – Shout Out! Storytelling Event – Canada 150 Event- 2pm – 4pm, Windsor Jewish Community Centre
- Saturday, May 20, 2017 – Windsor’s 125 Birthday Party! Poetry on Demand, 12pm – 4pm, Adventure Bay/WFCU Aquatic Centre
- Thursday, May 18, 2017 – Guest lecturer, The Creative Process, University of Windsor
- Wednesday, May 10, 2017 – Keynote Speaker, United Way – Women Leading the Way Luncheon, Fogolar Furlan Club of Windsor, 12noon
APRIL 2017 – National Poetry Month!
- Sunday, April 30, 2017 – Literary Cafe, Oakville, ON
- Saturday, April 29, 2017 – 7pm – 8:30pm – Reading at The Steady Cafe with Adebe DeRango-Adem, Samantha Bernstein, and musical guest Carmel Liburdi
- Tuesday, April 25, 2017 – Guest speaking, Glenwood Public School, Windsor, ON
- Monday, April 24, 2017 – Guest speaking, Marlborough Elementary School, w/ Ben Van Dongen, Windsor, ON
- Thursday, April 20, 2017 – Mouth Piece Storytelling – The Danger Edition, Villains Baestro, Windsor, On – 7:30pm Start!
- Tuesday, April 18, 2017 – Celebrating Canadian Poetry Workshop – 6:30pm- 8:30pm, Budimir Library
- Tuesday, April 18, 2017 – Guest speaking Cathcart Elementary, Sarnia, ON
- Wednesday, April 12, 2017 – Poetry & Wine – Workshop, Reading and Open Mic at Oxley Winery
MARCH 2017
- Friday, March 10, 2017 – Women of Word Unite – Panel Discussion @ The Green Bean Cafe – 6pm – 10pm
FEBRUARY 2017
- Monday, February 27, 2017 – Guest Speaking, St. Joe’s High School
- Wednesday, February 22, 2017 – Hardcover Radio, Interview for Podcast
- Wednesday, February 15, 2017 – By The River Poetry & Prose Series, Riverside Public Library, Windsor, ON, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
- Saturday, February 11, 2017 – All Four Love – Poetry Reading w/ Dinner! 7pm -10pm, Thames Art Gallery, Chatham, ON
- Tuesday, February 7, 2016 – Rowers Reading Series, 6:30pm, Rowers Pub, Toronto
JANUARY 2017
- Friday, Janaury 27, 2017, School Visit, Marlborough Public School, 1-3pm
- Tuesday, January 17, 2017, Art Bar Reading Series, 8pm, Free Times Cafe, 320 College Street, Toronto, ON w/ Claudio Duran & Diana Manole
- Saturday, January 14, 2017, Book Signing @Chapters Devonshire Mall – 1pm -4pm
DECEMBER 2016
- Friday, December 16, 2016 – Merry Christmas Baby, Glass Monkey Studios. 1378 Ottawa St, Windsor, 8pm, 19+ – $20 tickets! I’ll be reading poetry!
- Thursday, December 15, 2016 – Poetry In Voice – judge, St. Joe’s High School
- Tuesday, December 13, 2016 – Yoga Recess Holiday Party, Poetry On Demand, 5pm -7pm, 4050 Walker Road, Windsor
- Sunday, December 4, 2016, 7pm @ The Rondo, 633 Park St., Windsor, Mouthpiece Storytelling Master Mouth-Off Event!
NOVEMBER 2016
- Friday, November 25, 2016, 7pm – 9pm, The Steady, Toronto, ON – LAST STOP ON THE BOOK TOUR!!
- Saturday, November 19, 2016 – Bookapalooza, 10am – 3pm, Whitby, ON
- Sunday, November 13, 2016 – Junction Reads
- Thursday, November 3 – Sunday, November 6, 2016 – BookFest Windsor
OCTOBER 2016
- Sunday, October 30, 2016, Junction Reads, Toronto, ON
- Thursday, October 27, 2016, Poetry At The Manor, 7pm, Poetry On Demand
- Monday, October 24, 2016, Writing Workshop/Book signing, 7pm – 8:30pm, Budimir Library, Windsor, ON Facebook Event page click here!
- Tuesday, October 18, 2016, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Reading & Book Signing with Liz Worth and Jessica Popeski, Ben McNally Bookstore 366 Bay Street, Toronto, ON Facebook Event Page here!
- Tuesday, October 18, 2016, HOWL Radio Show, 10pm – 11pm, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
- Friday, October 14, 2016, Poetry Reading, 7pm – 9pm, Black Water Coffee Company, Sarnia, ON – Facebook Event page here!
- Tuesday, October 11, 2016, Tree Reading Series, Ottawa, ON Profile here! Location: Gallery 101
- Monday, October 3, 2016, Poetry Reading, 7pm, The Phoenix Cafe, Hazel Park, Michigan Facebook Event page here!
- Sunday, October 2, 2016, Black Moss Press Poetry Reading, 5pm – 7pm, Storytellers Book Store, 1473 Ottawa St., Windsor, ON Facebook Event Page here!
SEPTEMBER 2016
- Thursday, September 22, 2016 – Look At Her, Book Launch, Studio Theatre, University of Windsor Drama Building, 7m – 9pm, Windsor, ON Facebook Event Page here!
- Saturday, September 10, 2016 – ‘How-To’ Festival, Windsor Public Library, 11am- 2pm, Windsor, ON
- Thursday, September 8 – Saturday, September 10, 2016 – Scattered Ecstasies, SHO Art, Spirit & Performance, Windsor, ON
JULY 2016
- Sunday, July 17, 2016 – Open Streets, City of Windsor, 9am – 1pm, Pelissier – Poetry on Demand (With Windsor Poetry Slam
JUNE 2016
- Thursday, June 30, 2016 – Mouth Piece – The Music Edition @ Phog Lounge, 7:30pm – 1opm
- Sunday, June 24, 2016 – 6:30pm – Guest Poet – Windsor Poetry Slam Finals – Phog Lounge – $5.oo admission
- Thursday, June 15th-19th, 2016 – Canadian Writers Summit, Toronto, ON, Panel – Making Our Own Solutions: The Writer as Cultural Agent (Fri. June 17th – 4pm – 6pm, Harbourfront)
MAY 2016
- Thursday, May 17th, 2016 – Slam-A-Phobia – poetry reading and Windsor Pride Event – 7pm @Walkerville Brewery
- Thursday, May 12, 2016 – Creative Process, Guest Lecture, University of Windsor, 5:30pm – 7pm
APRIL 2016 -National Poetry Month
- Monday, April 1, 2016 – Guest Speaking All-day workshop – Colchester North Public School (Writers-In-The-School Program, Writers’ Union of Canada)
- Monday, April 11, 2016 – Mouth Piece Storytelling – ‘The Road’, The Foundry Pub, 7:3opm, Free Admission
- Saturday, April 16, 2016 – Phog Lounge – Poetry Reading – 6:30pm – with Christian Laforest, Ben Van Dongen, Melanie Janisse-Barlow, and Joey Ouellette
MARCH 2016
- Wednesday, March 30, 2016 – Battle of Bards (IFOA/Poetry NOW) – 7:30pm, Harborfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto M5J 2G8
Cost: $10/FREE supporters, students & youth 25 and under Link: http://ifoa.org/events/poetry-now-8th-annual-battle-of-the-bards
- Friday, March 11, 2016 – 5pm – 9pm – Write On Rural (Poetry On Demand, Workshop/Dinner), Crazy 8 Barn, 14222 Talbot Rd, Palmyra – panel discussion with Ray Robertson, Dan Wells, Marty Gervais and Kara Smith.
- Saturday, March 5th, 2016, 8pm – Windsor/St.Clair Rotary StorySlam – Guest Storyteller, Judge
FEBRUARY 2016
- Tuesday, February 23, 2016 – 7:30pm @ The Foundry Pub, Downtown Windsor, Mouth Piece Storytelling – Host – With Special Guest Storyteller John Wing Jr. – visit www.mouthpiecestories.com for all details. *Free Event*
- Saturday, February 20, 2016 – Poetry On Demand at The Art Gallery of Windsor – 12noon – 2pm
- Writing & Parenting Blog – Starts at the League of Canadian Poetry website! Yay! More details to follow!
- Chair, Pat Lowther Memorial Award Jury, League of Canadian Poetry – continued
JANUARY 2016
- Thursday, January 21, 2016 – Eastwood Public School – All-day workshop – Writers-in-the-School Program, Writers’ Union of Canada
- Chair, Pat Lowther Memorial Award Jury, League of Canadian Poetry – continued
DECEMBER 2015
- Tuesday, December 29, 2015 – Mouth Piece – ‘Home for the Holidaze’ – 7:30pm, Vesta Pizzeria, 770 Erie Street, Windsor, ON
- Thursday, December 10, 2015 – Poetry In Voice Judge, St. Joe’s High School, 12:30pm – 2:45pm
- Tuesday, December 8, 2015 – Jean Foster Award Ceremony, Literary Arts Windsor, 7pm
NOVEMBER 2015
- From the Page to the Stage – Tuesday, November 10, 2015, Performance of ‘Momifesto’, 8pm, Atelier Virginianne, 1078 Drouillard Rd, $10 tix
- Poetry At The Manor – Thursday, November 12, 2015 – Willistead Manor, 7pm-9pm – Poetry On Demand
OCTOBER 2015
- Thursday, October 1, 2015 – 7pm – Atelier Virginianne, 1078 Drouillard, Black Moss Press reading
- Friday, October 16, 2015 – Scattered Ecstasies, Sho Gallery, 628 Monmouth
- Thursday, October 15 – Sunday, October 18, 2015 – BookFest Windsor! Various events. www.bookfestwindsor.com
- Thursday, October 22, 2015 – Ojibway Park – Guest Lecture for Massey Secondary (Students) (Poets in the School)
- Friday, October 23, 2015 – Marlborough Elementary School – Guest Speaking – Gr. 7/8s (Poets in the School)
- Thursday, October 29, 2015 – Glenwood Elementary School – Guest Speaking – Gr. 7/8s (Poets in the School)
SEPTEMBER 2015
- Thursday, September 10, 2015 – Hosting Mouth Piece Mouth Off #2 – Food! @ Rino’s Kitchen. 7:30pm. Windsor, On See website for details! http://www.mouthpiecestories.com
- Sunday, September 27, 2015 – 100,00 Poets for Change, 2pm, Mackenzie Hall, Windsor, ON
- Saturday, September 26, 2015 @ 1-3pm- Word Up! at Maclaren Art Centre for Carnegie Days (and Culture Days) Festival, Barrie, ON Poetry reading with Anna Yin and Nalini Warrier – Focus on life stories – personal exploration on culture, history and memory – LINK HERE: http://maclarenart.com/events/talks-tours-and-film-screenings/word-up
AUGUST 2015
- Rest and relaxation with family and friends…oh, and finish that darn novel!
JULY 2015
- Sunday, July 12, 2015 – Pelee Island, Pelee Island Music Series – Workshop: The Writer’s Process, followed by reading. Music by Trevor Malcolm.
JUNE 2015
- Friday, June 12, 2o15 – Mouth Piece Storytelling – Event Kick-off – Villains – 7pm – Facebook Event Page!
- Sunday, June 21, 2015, Art Fundraiser for Save Ojibway Group – 7pm -10pm, Poetry On Demand, Milk Coffee Bar 68 University W
MAY 2015
- Tuesday, May 12, 2015 – Ring Weavers – From the Page to the Stage – Short Story ‘Prell’ to be performed. Atelier Virgianne, 1078 Drouillard Rd. Windsor, ON 8pm
- Wednesday, May 13, 2015 – Poetry On Demand, Teen Zone, Windsor Public Library – 3:14-4:45pm
- Thursday, May 14, 2015 – Interview with Nancy Duffy at The Nancy Duffy Show! Podcast to post!
- Tuesday, May 19, 2015, The Creative Process, Guest lecture, University of Windsor
- Friday, May 22, 2015 – Glenwood Elementary School, Guest lecture
- Thursday, May 28 – Sunday, May 31, 2015 – The Writers’ Union of Canada and League of Canadian Poets joint AGM and Conference, Winnipeg
APRIL 2015 – National Poetry Month!
- Wednesday, April 8, 2015, Poetry on Demand, 7pm, Caboto Club of Windsor, Made In Windsor Book Launch, (University of Windsor students)
- Sunday, April 12, 2015 – Poetry Reading, Art Gallery of Windsor
- Sunday, April 19, 2015 – Junction Writes Reading Series, Toronto, ON, 4pm-7pm, 3030 Dundas
MARCH 2015
- Thursday, March 5, 2015 – Rotary Breakfast Club – Windsor Yacht Club – ‘Literacy Talk’
- Friday, March 6, 2015 – Breaking Barriers Sponsored by Art-Indeed Wellness Through Creativity, 7-9pm, Leamington Art Centre
- Saturday, March 14, 2015 – Book Club Event – Vito’s Pizzeria
- Sunday, March 15, 2015 – Pillette Village Reading Series – 2pm – 4pm
- Wednesday, March 25, 2015 – Battle of the Bards!
FEBRUARY 2015
- Monday, February 9, 2015 – Glenwood Elementary School – Gr 7/8s
- Friday, February 27 – 28th, 2015 – Poetry Reading in Highgate, ON
JANUARY 2015
- Wednesday, January 14, 2015 – Judge – Poetry In Voice Competition – St. Joe’s High School
- Sunday, January 18, 2015 – 11am – 2pm – CREW Winery – Bagels, Bards & Chards Poetry Reading
- Wednesday, December 10th, 2014 – Biblioasis Holiday Salon & Shmoozer, 6pm -9pm – 1520 Wyandotte St. E.
- Sunday, December 28th, 2014, Phog Lounge, 8pm, Grown Ups Read Things They Wrote As Kids WINDSOR EDITION! Facebook Event Page Here
NOVEMBER
- Thursday, November 6, Friday, November 7th, and Monday, November 9th, 2014 – Guest Lecture, Massey Secondary School, English Class
- Saturday, November 8th, 2014 – Bluewater Reading Series, Sarnia, ON, 3pm-5pm
- Thursday, November 13, 204 – 1-2:3opm – Guest Lecture, Glenwood Elementary School
- Thursday, November 20th, 2014 – Odyssey Award Dinner – Recipient – University of Windsor Alumni Association
OCTOBER
- Thursday, October 2nd – Writing for Digital Media – University of Windsor, Guest lecture
- POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE! Wednesday, October 8, 2014 – 7pm – Poetry At The Manor, Willistead Manor, Windsor, ON w/ Poets Laureates and Other Special Guests
-
The Art of Business and the Business of ArtDate: Thursday, October 16, 2014Time: 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. (approx.)Venue: Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator (DWBA)Address: 720 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9A 1C2 (click for map)
- Saturday, October 18th, 2014 – Interview with Chris Hadfield! Windsor Symphony Orchestra event
- Thursday, October 23rd, 2014, BookFest Windsor – Small Press Showcase – Panel Member, Walkerville Theatre
- Saturday, October 25th, 2014, BookFest Windsor – Student Writers Awards – Moderating, The Capitol Theatre
SEPTEMBER
- Monday, September 8, 2014 – Interview with Kurt Sasso – on Podcast – Two Geeks Talking
- Tuesday, September 16, 2014 – Art Bar Reading Series – Toronto
Friday, September 19th and Saturday, September 20th – 8pm – Scattered Ecstasies, SHO Gallery – Poetry On Demand
- Saturday, September 27th, 2014 – 100 Thousand Poets for Change Windsor/Essex, Windsor, ON, Mackenzie Hall, 7pm-10pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1450494778560923/
AUGUST
- Thursday, August 21, 2014 – Port Dover – The Beatles Festival & Poetry Reading
- Sunday, August 10th – 6pm – Pelee Island Winery, Pelee Island- Poetry Reading
JULY
- Hmmmm….
JUNE
- Friday, June 6, 2104
Guest lecture at Massey Secondary School – English Students – ‘On Editing’
MAY
- Monday, May 5th, 2014
Guest lecture with Massey Secondary School English students @ Ojibway Nature Centre
- Tuesday, May 13, 2014 – 5:30pm
- Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Reading at The Art Bar in Toronto!!! 8pm! *POSTPONED TO TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16!
- Wednesday, May 28th, 2014
- Thursday, May 29 – Sunday, June 1st, 2014
The Writers’ Union of Canada AGM ‘OnWords’ Conference
- Friday, May 30th, 2014
Workshop Panelist: The Art of Presenting: Reading & Performance (with Charis Cotter, moderator Amy House)
APRIL
IT’S NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!
- Monday, April 7th
Glenwood Elementary – Speaking to grade 8s about poetry.
- Tuesday, April 15th
St.Clair College MediaPlex – ‘Live’ Interview on cable show!
- Thursday, April 24th – Friday, April 25th
Reading in Port Dover, ON
- Monday, April 28th
Guest Speaker St. Joe’s High School
MARCH
- Saturday, March 22nd, 2014
Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre Workshop “The Business of Art: How to Make Money Doing What You Love”. Guest Speaker 2:45pm – 3:30pm.
- Thursday, March 13th, 2014
Guest lecturer – Oakland University, Oakland, MI
FEBRUARY
- Friday, February 21, 2014
- Wednesday, February 19th, 2014
Guiding student winners of the Poetry in Voice Recitation contest on performance and presentation at St. Joe’s High School.
- Monday, February 3, 2014
Publishing Practicum class – University of Windsor – Judging the debate between English majors and business majors on the “usefulness” of poetry.
JANUARY
- Monday, January 13, 2014
University of Windsor, Editing & Publishing Class – Guest Speaker
- Tuesday, January 14, 2014
St. Joseph’s High School – Judge for Poetry In Voice poetry recitation contest
- Thursday, January 16, 2014
Cranberry Tress Press ‘Happenstance’ Anthology Launch @ The Caged Squirrel
- Monday, January 20th, 2014
Poetry On Demand for Windsor Regional Hospital ‘Spa Day’
1/2 day at Metropolitan Campus, 1/2 day at Ouellette Campus
- Tuesday, January 21, 2014
University of Windsor, Creative Writing Class – Guest Speaker
- Thursday, January 23, 2014
Official Book Launch for ‘I Am That Woman’
- Saturday, January 25, 2014
MudPuppy Gallery ‘Beat Night’: An evening of original poetry, music and storytelling. Held at the Dowtown Espresso Cafe in Amhersburg, 264 Dalhousie. Admission $3.00 per person.
2013
- Monday, December 9, 2013
Glenwood Elementary School – Visit Grade 8 students. Conversation about ‘The First 250 Words’.
- Saturday, December 14th, 2013
Cost: $17.00 – BUT ON SALE FOR $15.00
CASH ONLY PLEASE!
VANESSA SHIELDS, writer 
