Stories, Books & Publications at the Arts Incubator

With our weekly storytelling club, we believe storytelling is the cornerstone of literacy, culture, and community. Here in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario, we don’t just collect stories—we work together to transform them into something tangible and enduring. Our community publishing program is a shared, hands-on journey that teaches us how to preserve our own histories and narratives. Through this process, we honor our voices, highlight regional perspectives, and strengthen our communities, one page at a time.

It’s also something we do just for fun. It’s a simple, fun and easy way to encourage literacy, to share stories amongst ourselves and the communities. We learn to use new tools, technologies from word processing to Canvas, GIMP, AI and more. The group meets online and occasionally in person every Saturday.

Click here to learn more about the Storytelling Club program.

Supporting The Art of Storytelling

Our commitment is to ensure the stories we collect and publish through our digital storytelling workshops are accessible to everyone. We are thrilled to announce that our community-made publications will soon be available through major book distributors. This new phase of our program means that the voices and narratives we’ve worked to preserve will reach a wider audience than ever before.

We’re excited to announce that our community-made publications will soon be distributed through multiple channels and book distributors. This means that stories collected and published here in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario through our community writing programs will soon be available in bookstores and libraries across Canada and internationally — bringing regional voices to a wider audience than ever before.

Books and Short Stories: Available Now!

Book cover for Where Dignity Grows, a book of stories about kindness and dignity

The Art Borups Corners collective is excited to announce the release of a heartwarming new short story, "Thomas's Mismatched Magic," penned by talented young author Jamie Bell. This engaging tale centers on Thomas, a boy who finds joy in wearing mismatched socks, and his journey to embrace his unique choice even when faced with the differing opinions of others. It's a relatable story that gently touches on the dignity of the self, reminding readers young and old about the importance of being true to who you are.

"Graham and the Wacky Breakfasts" is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever faced an unexpected change in their routine or felt a little out of their element. It serves as a delightful and thoughtful reminder that personal growth often comes when we step just a little outside our comfort zones. We encourage everyone to discover Jamie Bell's story and support the valuable work of the Art Borups Corners collective in fostering the next generation of storytellers.

What if the truest version of yourself is the one you keep hidden? For Nathan, a quiet teenager, his vibrant digital art is a secret language, a raw expression of emotions he can’t speak aloud. Behind the anonymous handle 'Ghost_Pixel,' his intricate pixel worlds capture hearts, unexpectedly making his work go viral and earning him a devoted online following. Here, he is seen, understood, and truly valued.

The Art Borups Corners collective is pleased to announce the release of "The Weeds and The Walls," a new short story for youth and young adults by author Jamie Bell. This engaging narrative centers on the vital theme of dignity in community, offering readers a thoughtful look at how connections can be rekindled, even in unexpected places. The story brings a fresh perspective to what it means to belong and to care for one another.

A new short story, "Terry's Big Creek Clean Up" by Jamie Bell, is making waves in youth literature, bringing a vital message about environmental stewardship to young readers. The story centers on Terry, a boy who finds his beloved creek littered with trash and takes it upon himself to restore its natural beauty, inspiring others to respect the dignity of nature.

The Arts Incubator and Art Borups Corners collective is proud to announce the release of a new short dignity story for youth and young adults, “The Robot's Glitch and Daniel's Courage.” This engaging narrative shines a light on the often-hidden struggles young people face, particularly around self-worth and finding the strength to ask for help.

Published through the efforts of the Art Borups Corners collective, "Proxy Friend" centers on a teenager who finds his online friendships are being subtly influenced by an AI. The story's main character, Peter, grapples with a common modern challenge: how to find dignity in community when technology blurs the lines of genuine interaction. Bell's writing prompts readers to consider what true connection means when algorithms play a part in our social lives.

You can find our stories through a growing network of distributors, available to bookstores and libraries across the Canada and internationally.

The Skills We Develop

Active Listening – Learning how to listen with purpose is central to oral history, especially when preserving stories from Northern and Indigenous communities.
Narrative Structure – We shape raw stories into compelling written works that reflect the voices of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.
Editing & Curation – From clarity to authenticity, we learn to edit with respect for each storyteller’s voice.
Empathy & Perspective – By engaging with diverse stories, we develop deeper understanding of regional histories and identities.
Collaborative Project Management – Publishing is a team effort, building skills for community-led projects.
Critical Thinking – Stories are examined as cultural and historical artifacts that shape our understanding of the North.
Technical Proficiency – Participants gain hands-on experience in transcription, digital formatting, and design software.software. These are tangible, real-world skills that empower us to take creative control of our own work.

How to Get Involved

Our books are created by and for the community, and we’re always looking for new storytellers, writers, and collaborators across Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

Our books are created by and for the community, and we are always looking for new storytellers and collaborators. Whether you want to share a story, learn a new skill, or help with a future publication, we invite you to join us. To learn more about our upcoming workshops or to submit an idea for a future publication, please contact us at info@artsincubator.ca.