Inkshedders: I'm looking for a lot of young writers from all regions of
Ontario for this project. This is an excellent opportunity for young
people to get themselves published. Could you pass this on to your
students? Thanks a lot.
Michael Hoechsmann
Director of Education
Young People's Press
_______________________________________________________________
Publishing Opportunity
for Ontario College and University students,
24 and under!!
The Responsible Drinker E-zine (Electronic Magazine)
The consumption of alcohol in our society is a contradictory and complex
issue. Many Canadians use alcohol very responsibly in recreational and
social settings, in the home and during work-related functions. However,
the abuse of alcohol can be devastating: from drinking and driving to
domestic abuse, and from health complications to career and relationship
breakdowns, alcohol has the potential to ruin lives.
The nature of alcohol consumption on college and university campuses has
its own characteristics which differ from, but ultimately mirror, the
broader question of alcohol consumption in society at large.
Clearly, responsible drinking by young people who have reached legal age is
a laudable goal. The mission of The Responsible Drinker E-zine will be to
explore issues relating to the consumption of alcohol and to promote
responsible drinking.
The E-zine will be developed by Young People's Press (YPP) with the
sponsorship of The Brewers of Ontario. It will provide an opportunity for
college and university students to share their views on responsible
drinking and to receive cash stipends of $100 for their efforts. (Two
writers whose articles are judged to be the best by YPP editors will
receive $250).
Articles developed by students and YPP's professional staff will be sent to
Canadian newspapers in the YPP network and many of them will be published
in the Responsible Drinker E-zine. The E-zine will be registered with all
major Internet search engines to ensure as many "hits" as possible. It
will also be posted on SchoolNet, which links more than half of Canadian
schools. The E-zine will be professionally designed and will be visually
and intellectually stimulating.
The Responsible Drinker E-zine will contain fifteen to twenty five articles
of between 750-2000 words on a range of topics. Young writers may choose
from the following subject areas:
1. Alcohol cultures: The nature of how, when and why alcohol is consumed
varies among different cultures. Learning from one another about what
works and what doesn't will help us to develop broader perspectives on
alternative practices. Feel free to discuss issues relevant to your own
cultural group or derived from encounters you have had in travels or
through friends. (3-6 submissions required).
2. Gendered beverages: Women and men may have different attitudes and
face different challenges in relation to the consumption of alcohol. These
different attitudes and challenges surface in the social interactions of
university and college life. Often early sexual experiences are related to
the consumption of alcohol. Tell it like it is! We can only learn from
each others experiences. (2-4 submissions required).
3. From town to city: The role of alcohol can differ between rural and
urban contexts. Is rural or urban life more conducive to problem or
responsible drinking? Are there problems unique to either context that we
should begin to take under consideration? (1-3 submissions required).
4. The dinner table: Alcohol can be a powerful force in families, which
can produce tensions which spill over into other aspects of domestic life.
Patterns of consumption can be reproduced or positively transformed across
generations. What are the stories of your family? What can we learn from
the past in order to live in a harmonious future? (2-4 submissions required).
5. The campus pub: Going to university or college often corresponds with
being of legal age to consume alcohol. In this context, a new found
freedom can run up against youthful inexperience. Describe the challenges
and problems facing university and colleges students in relation to alcohol
consumption. (1-3 submissions required).
6. It's in the mix: There are lots of myths out there. It wasn't the
alcohol that made me sick, but "I mixed my drinks." When people
over-indulge, they often look for excuses. What are some of the most
outrageous ones you've heard? How do they mesh with the facts? (1-3
submissions required).
7. Gimme a smoke: Smoking and the use of alcohol often go hand in hand.
Some "non-smokers" indulge in smoking only when drinking. Does smoking
accelerate drinking? Should bars and clubs be non-smoking environments?
(1-3 submissions required).
8. The responsible drinker: Medical studies have shown that drinking in
moderation can actually be good for you. Certainly, many people use
alcohol in moderation to enhance their social lives. What's the difference
between drinking in moderation and over-indulging? What are the facts? Is
the word getting out? (1-3 submissions required).
9. Last call: This is an open category. Give us your opinions about
alcohol consumption or recount your personal experiences.
The articles will be commissioned by Young People's Press. To be included
in this project, a one paragraph abstract will be required by October 3,
1997. The deadline for the submission of the completed articles is October
31, 1997.
This project is limited to Ontario university and college students, 24 and
under. We are looking for contributors from every region of Ontario.
Submissions must be typed. E-mail submissions are preferred.
Please send your abstract, along with your name, address, phone number, age
and the name of your educational institution, to:
Young People's Press
200-110 Eglington Ave. W.
Toronto ON
M4R-1A3
Tel: (416) 484-4570
FAX: (416) 484-8173
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Please feel free to contact Michael Hoechsmann at YPP to express your
interest, discuss your proposal or to ask any related questions.
