Muskoka Novel Marathon

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Muskoka Novel Marathon celebrates its winners and its fundraising:

Photo: Group photo from the Muskoka Novel Marathon 2022 wrap-up celebration. Holding the cheque, from left: Nancy West, KM Wehrstein. Behind, l to r: Catherine Neal, Lenore Butcher, Jenny Cressman, Kimberley Davies, Jennifer Britton, Ben Glatt, & Rosemary Herman. On Zoom: l to r starting on the top row: Atiya Hakeem, unknown, Shellie Westlake, Sharon Frayne French, Dale Margery Rutherford, Janet Nichols, Donna Curtin (driving), and Jane Burt. Also present but not in photo: Catherine’s son Daniel and Lenore’s daughter Audrey. (Photo: Audrey Butcher).

The usually cheery face of Nancy West, Team Leader for YMCA Simcoe-Muskoka’s Literacy program, grows sombre as she speaks at the Muskoka Novel Marathon’s final wrap-up gathering of 2022 at the Y office in Huntsville.

“There are so many foreign workers in this area, we are unable to serve everyone,” she says, adding that they’re from many countries including Pakistan, Chile, Mexico, the Philippines – and, of course, Ukraine. “Almost all of them want to get their permanent residency, want to become part of this great country. But they have to get a certain English level. They want to get drivers’ licenses here, but they have to pass the G1 written test. We are seeing people with zero English.”

There is no government or school-board-funded English as a Second Language program in Muskoka – only the YMCA’s free classes, which are funded by the Muskoka Novel Marathon. “Thank you for making this a better place to live for these people who are working, supporting employers who’d have to close if it weren’t for them,” West tells the writers.

Taya McLellan, the Y’s Coordinator of Events and Digital Campaigns, adds: “Increased literacy skills are strongly linked to economic growth, which is why we offer classes like computer skills, academic upgrading, ESL, GED prep, cash handling, and so much more. Funds generated through the Marathon greatly increase our ability to offer these life-changing programs.”

The final fundraising total for 2022 is $8,570.

This year’s award winners were lauded at the wrap-up:

Judged Awards:

Best Novel in the Adult category: Benjamin Glatt (for the second year in a row) (Etobicoke)

Honourable mention: Donna Curtin (Cargill, Ontario)

Best Novel in the Young Adult/Juvenile category: Sharon Frayne (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

Note: Best Novel winners are awarded not only a Muskoka chair, but a chance to have their winning manuscripts shown to a publisher or literary agent. This year it’s At Bay Press in Winnipeg.

Quantitative Awards:

Most Prolific Award: Lenore Butcher (Woodstock, Ontario) who wrote 278 pages and 53,935 words

Remington Award (for the writer who raises most funds): Donna Curtin, who raised $1,270 from 27 donors

Peer-Voted Awards:

Spirit Award: KM Wehrstein (Huntsville) & Donna Curtin (tied vote)

Bum-in-Chair Award: Lenore Butcher

Techie Award: Catherine Neal (Mississauga)

Rookie of the Year Award: Jane Burt (Titusville, Pennsylvania)

Award for Outstanding Marathon Volunteer:

Star Volunteer Award: Marlene Vettorel (Bracebridge – our long-time Treasurer)

www.muskokanovelmarathon.com

Post MNM2022 Press Release:

Busy Muskoka Novel Marathon 2022 writers take a break to smile for a group shot, Zoom-style.


Novel Marathon writers Zoom it from grabby start to climactic ending
The writers of Muskoka Novel Marathon (MNM) didn’t want it to be this way, but 2022’s edition was the third Marathon to be conducted entirely online, due to the lingering threat of Covid-19.
The annual event, a combination intense writer’s retreat, literary contest and fundraiser for literacy programs in Muskoka, usually takes place at the beautiful Active Living Centre in the Canada Summit Centre in Huntsville. But the writers gathered again on Zoom to write as much and as well as they could between the starting bell at 8 p.m. on July 15 and the ending bell exactly 72 hours later – and enjoyed the camaraderie.
“This was an interesting online Marathon in that we had Zoom on the whole time except for short breaks between 3 and 4 a.m., because Zoom has a 30-hour meeting limit,” says MNM 2022 convenor KM Wehrstein, known best in Muskoka for writing the Cottage Country Cuisine column in Unique Muskoka magazine. “So there’d be writers on, both on mute and with their video off, but still there, for hours, together via the internet. I came to realize it’s the equivalent of us pounding away in the writer’s room at the Active Living Centre for hours without a word to each other – but together.”
As well as the enthusiasm of writers and sponsors, the remarkable support from the Huntsville community and the work of MNM’s volunteers are instrumental in the event’s continued success. Founded in 2002, it has never missed a year, and has raised more than $237,000 since it began in 2002. The funds are used to directly support literacy programs in Muskoka, including basic reading and writing, English as a Second Language, numeracy and Digital Technology Training. The preliminary fundraising total for 2022 was $6,950, no small feat for the 32 participating writers, and is expected to rise somewhat before the event’s wrap-up celebration, at which winners will be announced, in late September.
“Once again, I am so humbled by the writer’s enthusiastic support of our literacy programs!” says Nancy West, Team Leader, Literacy and Special Projects for the YMCA’s Huntsville branch. “We will be starting ESL classes in Huntsville again with the funds raised this year. This is timely support, as we are seeing a greater number of local employers hiring foreign workers.”

www.muskokanovelmarathon.com

Post MNM2021 Press Release:

MNM2021 writers participating in a themed lunch social on ZOOM during the Muskoka Novel Marathon.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The words were flowing during this year’s Muskoka Novel Marathon, and not simply on the pages as the event celebrated its 20th Anniversary this past weekend.

[Read more…]

2020 Muskoka Novel Marathon Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Muskoka Novel Marathon winners and ongoing fundraising total announced

 In a year where most other events were forced to cancel, the Muskoka Novel Marathon forged ahead, pivoting from an in-person experience to an online weekend of fundraising, networking, fun and of course…writing. This past weekend saw the writers come together on Zoom again to celebrate their accomplishments, reveal the award winners and to discover the result of their fundraising efforts to date. [Read more…]

Nothing Stops the Muskoka Novel Marathon!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 3, 2020 – In a year that has seen the majority of events cancelled due to a global pandemic, the committee of Muskoka Novel Marathon has been actively working to ensure their event doesn’t have to follow suit.

[Read more…]

Muskoka Novel Marathon Smashes Goal and Record Again

The Muskoka Novel Marathon, which raises funds for the YMCA’s literacy programs in Huntsville, has had a second spectacular year, blowing away its previous record and goal of $15,000 by raising more than $18,000.“Last year we jumped more than $6,000 from the year before, and we figured that was mostly because we added online donation,” says Karen Wehrstein, who shared convening duties with fellow writer Dawn Huddlestone.  “This year I thought we’d go up to maybe $16,000.  That we’d jump another $3,000 just blows me away.  It’s the writers—their enthusiasm, their passion, their inspiration, their love for this cause.  We have superhero cape parties and they’re only half kidding—these people do leap tall buildings in a single bound!  I’m saying this with tears in my eyes.  I don’t even want to try to predict what they’re going to do next year.”

Huddlestone notes that literacy challenges in adults are accompanied by an unfortunate stigma. “The Muskoka Novel Marathon writers are highly literate lovers of words and they get it,” she says. “They get how important literacy is: how much it drives community and economic success, how much it contributes to feelings of self-worth, and how much it adds to quality of life. Their passion has been and always will be what makes this event so successful. We also receive tremendous support from Muskoka’s business community and a raft of volunteers who help us pull this event together. To all of our writers, sponsors and volunteers—thank you for helping us change lives.”

The marathon, which took place July 12-15 in the Huntsville Civic Centre, has raised close to $83,000 since it began in 2002. These funds have enabled the Y to initiate new programs including its Computer Savvy Seniors classes, according to Nancy West, who is team leader for the Y’s Employment and Literacy Services in Huntsville. When she found out this year’s take was more than $18,000, she was, in her own words, “floored. I thought that the goal of $15,000 was very ambitious – I never thought that they would surpass it by such a definite margin!”\

Now, West says, it’s time for the Y to roll up their sleeves. “The YMCA is discussing where the money will be best spent so we can meet the literacy gaps in our local community,” she says. “So many people don’t know that literacy is even an issue in Canada – we need to get the word out that the need is there, the people are real, and that this is a safe and welcoming place to come.”

Contacts:
Karen Wehrstein – Co-Convenor, Muskoka Novel Marathon: 705 789-7497
Dawn Huddlestone – Co-Convenor, Muskoka Novel Marathon: 705 380-2537
 ~ www.muskokanovelmarathon.com

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On Instagram

muskoka_novel_marathon

A huge thank you to our writers, fundraisers and s A huge thank you to our writers, fundraisers and supporters! So far, we’ve raised over $8,500! Did you know you can still make a donation until September 15 to help support @ymcasm Literacy Programs in Huntsville? Visit the link in our bio!
1 more day of #writemnm2022! Did you see KM won o 1 more day of #writemnm2022! 
Did you see KM won our raffle for the beautiful quilt!? 
So much fun still to be had! Don’t miss out on tonight’s midnight reading!
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Check it out! 
  #muskokanovelmarathon #writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novel. 
Photo Credit unsplash Hannah Grace
We are so excited to sit down and write with you!! We are so excited to sit down and write with you!! If you haven’t signed up yet, there is still time :)
Everyone is welcome!
Sign up at muskokanovelmarathon.com or click the link in our bio
July 15-18
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Kyle Glenn
Brooke Cagle
The #muskokanovelmarathon is coming up! We know th The #muskokanovelmarathon is coming up! We know that you are busy getting ready just like us!  We would love to see where you are going to spend your time writing. Post a pic of your space and Tag us!

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Joyful
Come join us for the Muskoka Novel Marathon on Jul Come join us for the Muskoka Novel Marathon on July 15-18 

It doesn’t matter what you use to write, we are just so excited to get writing!!

Everyone is welcome!
Sign up at muskokanovelmarathon.com or click the link in our bio.  #muskokanovelmarathon #writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novel #writingtogether #handwrittennovel #typewritter

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alejandro escamilla
christin Hume
Do you love getting cozy with a cup of coffee? We Do you love getting cozy with a cup of coffee? We do! You could win this beautiful quilt made by one of our lovely writers by visiting the Shop section on our website! Proceeds from this quilt go directly to YMCA Literacy Services! Link in bio!
What is the Muskoka Novel Marathon? It’s an oppo What is the Muskoka Novel Marathon? It’s an opportunity to give yourself the gift of time and space…
To create your story
To write your heart out
To explore!

Everyone is welcome!
Sign up at muskokanovelmarathon.com or click the link in our bio
July 15-18  #muskokanovelmarathon #writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novel
Looking for a space to write? Check out the #Musko Looking for a space to write? Check out the #MuskokaNovelMarathon for an amazing space to write with others from July 15-18!
Sign up using the link in our bio!

#writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novels
It’s coming soon!! The #muskokanovelmarathon is It’s coming soon!! The #muskokanovelmarathon is less than 2 weeks away!!

Join us July 15-18 and use the time to write your heart out!

Everyone is welcome!
Sign up at muskokanovelmarathon.com or click the link in our bio!

#muskokanovelmarathon #writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novel

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John Jennings
IMG_5487 #MuskokaNovelMarathon2019 #MNMFlashback20 IMG_5487	#MuskokaNovelMarathon2019 #MNMFlashback2019 #MuskokaNovelMarathon #MNM2019
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Everyone's back at it with full tummies. It's very Everyone's back at it with full tummies. It's very quiet in here. The only sound is of keyboards clacking.

#MuskokaNovelMarathon2012 #MNMFlashback2012 #MuskokaNovelMarathon #MNM2012 (Photo Credit: Dawn Huddlestone)
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