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“Hi, I’m ______ ”: Choosing My Author Name—By K.B. Thors
“What do we call you?” is a question I’ve gotten used to hearing, especially in the writing world. I write now as K.B. Thors, but up until the end of 2017 I was publishing poetry, translations, and essays under the name K.T. Billey. My legal name is Kara Billey Thordarson. If I meet you, I’ll… Continue reading
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Why You Should Apply for a Canada Council Grant Every Year until You Die.—By Sherwin Tjia
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a writer in possession of a good idea, must be in want of a grant. Last year I was on a Canada Council granting jury, and it not only enlightened me as to how the whole process works, it also renewed my faith in the Canada Council in… Continue reading
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The Honeymoon Phase—By Ann Cavlovic
Someone with two decades of experience getting critiques of their writing shouldn’t curl into a ball after an editor’s comments, right? Then why, after receiving a developmental edit on my first attempt at a novel, did I find myself in such a pit of despair? (Yes, that pit, that ball; I was every cliché imaginable.)… Continue reading
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The Art of Embarrassing Oneself at Public Readings—By Renée Cohen
Giving public readings is crucial to establishing oneself as an emerging writer. After attending a diverse array of Quebec Writers’ Federation (QWF) workshops—from food and travel writing to literary fiction—it became clear that regardless of the writing genre, workshop leaders often proffered those same words of advice. For years, I avoided ‘open mic’ nights. I… Continue reading
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Dear Everyone I’ve Ever Known: Thank You. This Book Is Dedicated to You.—By April Ford
I’m two seasons away from the release of my debut novel. This will actually be my third book publication, yet there are elements of the publishing process that still intimidate me. Two I believe I’ve mastered by now are how to dedicate a book, and how to thank people who’ve helped me along the way—“mastered,”… Continue reading
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Writers: The Truth Can Set You Free—By Tamara Jong
Ma was so many things; a Jehovah’s Witness preacher, an alcoholic with a troubled past, and an avid reader, poet, and writer. When she was sober she was engaged, a bright star in our neighborhood and religious community. But then she was also a yeller: when she kicked her sisters out of her life, she literally… Continue reading
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To Write Well, Learn from the Badminton Court—By Pascale Duguay
“Don’t rush your serve,” I called to an enthusiastic senior student during our badminton match. “But Miss, I can catch people off guard this way.” “Don’t rush your serve,” I insisted. “But Miss, I’m ready!” “No, you’re not. Your feet are still moving. You’re off balance. Your shot is off. You’re not focused.” A glare.… Continue reading
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Writing on the Edge—By Lise Weil
Odette DesOrmeaux and Martine Huysmans, two members of the l’essentielle collective which also included Ariane Brunet and Harriet Ellenberger, 1988. Just over thirty years ago, in June of 1988, I drove up to Montreal from my home in Montague, Massachusetts to attend the Third International Feminist Book Fair. At the time I was editor of the feminist literary… Continue reading
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A Connected World—By Christopher DiRaddo
Montreal’s gay, lesbian, and feminist bookstore, L’Androgyne, closed for good in 2002. At the time, I knew I was going to miss it, but even now, some seventeen years later, I still feel its loss. I don’t remember the first time I went inside, but I remember being nervous about it. Who would see me… Continue reading
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The Circle of Mentorship—By Shelagh Plunkett
Linda Kay—author, journalist and teacher—died last October. In 2006 she was assigned to mentor me by the Quebec Writers’ Federation, and in the twelve years that followed became a great friend as well as remaining a generous-hearted and gracious advisor. In the months since she died, during the hundreds of times I’ve missed being able… Continue reading