Literature

Janis Harper will launch her debut novel ‘Jonas and the Mountain: A Metaphysical Love Story’ at the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library on July 23. (submitted photo)

Author holding book launch for debut novel at Nanaimo Harbourfront Library

Janis Harper’s ‘Jonas and the Mountain: A Metaphysical Love Story’ launches July 23

 

Emily Carrington at her desk at home on Gabriola Island, holding original inkings of her debut graphic novel memoir, ‘Our Little Secret’ which depicts teenage sexual abuse and the aftermath that follows. (Photo submitted)

Gabriola artist tackles trauma of childhood sexual abuse in graphic novel

Emily Carrington’s memoir ‘Our Little Secret’ aims to provide a voice for other survivors

 

A peacock pops in to the Oak Bay branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library. (GVPL/Twitter)

Peacock pops in to peruse Oak Bay library

Curious bird temporarily took up residence in public library stacks

 

Reading to a child image captured by Jill Hayward.

B.C.’s summer reading club helps children continue to work on literacy skills

Program available at public libraries and online

Reading to a child image captured by Jill Hayward.
Harrison Firefighter Fred Webber smiles as he holds copies of the two Chicken Soup for the Soul books that contain his story. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Harrison firefighter publishes story in 2 ‘Chicken Soup’ books

Fred Webber fulfilled his firefighting dream in his mid 50s

Harrison Firefighter Fred Webber smiles as he holds copies of the two Chicken Soup for the Soul books that contain his story. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Nanaimo’s Glenn Brucker, author and illustrator of ‘City Day,’ was nominated for a Chocolate Lily Book Award in May. (Photo by Alyson Brucker)

Nanaimo author and illustrator nominated for B.C. children’s book award

Glenn Brucker’s ‘City Day’ shortlisted for Chocolate Lily Book Award

Nanaimo’s Glenn Brucker, author and illustrator of ‘City Day,’ was nominated for a Chocolate Lily Book Award in May. (Photo by Alyson Brucker)
‘Lucy and Bonbon’ author Don LePan in his Nanaimo home as he flips through one of his last on-hand copies since the book was published this spring. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo author’s new book blurs boundaries between humans and animals

Don LePan’s ‘Lucy and Bonbon’ a speculative fiction work that explores theoretical inter-breeding

‘Lucy and Bonbon’ author Don LePan in his Nanaimo home as he flips through one of his last on-hand copies since the book was published this spring. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
A ‘Hidden Messages’ poem applied in hydrophobic material that only appears when wet. This haiku, written by Nanaimo’s poet laureate, Kamal Parmar, was installed along the Haliburton Road multi-use path in late May. (Submitted photo)

Nanaimo unveils ‘Hidden Messages’ public art project to encourage physical activity

Project showcases 10 haikus by city’s poet laureate that only appear when wet

A ‘Hidden Messages’ poem applied in hydrophobic material that only appears when wet. This haiku, written by Nanaimo’s poet laureate, Kamal Parmar, was installed along the Haliburton Road multi-use path in late May. (Submitted photo)
Vancouver-raised author Pik-Shuen Fung, shown in a handout photo, has won this year's Amazon Canada First Novel Award. Fung was awarded the $60,000 prize for "Ghost Forest" at a ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

B.C. author’s ‘Ghost Forest’ wins Amazon Canada First Novel Award

Pik-Shuen Fung awarded the $60,000 prize for story of woman grappling with the death of her father

Vancouver-raised author Pik-Shuen Fung, shown in a handout photo, has won this year's Amazon Canada First Novel Award. Fung was awarded the $60,000 prize for "Ghost Forest" at a ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
Tofino’s new Poet Laureate Heather Hendry puts pen to paper inside the Wickaninnish Community School library. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Tofino’s new Poet Laureate hopes to inspire youth

Heather Hendry has officially kicked off her two-year tenure as the town’s third literary leader

Tofino’s new Poet Laureate Heather Hendry puts pen to paper inside the Wickaninnish Community School library. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Award-winning CBC journalist Angela Sterritt (left) will be a mentor for the 2022 Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle program. Samantha Krilow (right) was a participant in the 2021 program. (Submitted photos)

Applications open for Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle mentorship program

21 participants will be matched with one of seven mentors in the six-month program

Award-winning CBC journalist Angela Sterritt (left) will be a mentor for the 2022 Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle program. Samantha Krilow (right) was a participant in the 2021 program. (Submitted photos)
Jackie Elliott’s ‘Hell’s Half Acre’ is one of five finalists in a new category for the 2022 Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence. A winner will be announced on May 26. (Photos submitted)

Nanaimo author shortlisted for national crime writers’ award

South Wellington’s Jackie Elliott named a finalist in new category by Crime Writers of Canada

Jackie Elliott’s ‘Hell’s Half Acre’ is one of five finalists in a new category for the 2022 Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence. A winner will be announced on May 26. (Photos submitted)
A new anthology was launched at a public reading in Tofino on April 30 at an event that also served to introduce the town’s new Poet Laureate.

Anthology featuring love letters to trees set for launch in Tofino

Worth More Standing was edited and curated by Tofino’s Poet Laureate Christine Lowther

A new anthology was launched at a public reading in Tofino on April 30 at an event that also served to introduce the town’s new Poet Laureate.
There is a wide variety of reading material available, although efforts have been made to challenge, suppress or ban certain works. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about the freedom to read?

The week of Feb. 20 to 26 is Freedom to Read Week in Canada

There is a wide variety of reading material available, although efforts have been made to challenge, suppress or ban certain works. (Black Press file photo)
Family Literacy Week emphasizes the importance of reading through a variety of games and virtual events. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Literacy)

Family Literacy Week in Greater Victoria reminds of the importance of reading

Family friendly events and activities take place Jan. 23 to 30 around the region and online

Family Literacy Week emphasizes the importance of reading through a variety of games and virtual events. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Literacy)
The cover of Qualicum Beach author Sally de la Rue Browne’s second children’s book in The Fairy Hollow Chronicles series, ‘Foxglove Squirrel Saves The Day!’ (Submitted photo)

Qualicum Beach author releases second book in ‘The Fairy Hollow Chronicle’ series

Book available at the McMillan Arts Centre and Milner Gardens gift shops

The cover of Qualicum Beach author Sally de la Rue Browne’s second children’s book in The Fairy Hollow Chronicles series, ‘Foxglove Squirrel Saves The Day!’ (Submitted photo)
Gabriola Island-based writer Libby Gunn has been long-listed for the CBC Non-fiction Prize for her short story ‘Whitefish.’ (Photo courtesy Diane Simpson)

Gabriola Island writer long-listed for CBC Non-fiction Prize for second time

Libby Gunn ponders connection to land and family in short story ‘Whitefish’

Gabriola Island-based writer Libby Gunn has been long-listed for the CBC Non-fiction Prize for her short story ‘Whitefish.’ (Photo courtesy Diane Simpson)
The winners of the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and Children’s Book Prize will be announced online Oct. 3. (Thorsten Frenzel/Pixabay)

Victoria Book Prize Society announces award finalists

Two local authors will win $5,000 for their work, winners announced online Oct. 3

The winners of the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and Children’s Book Prize will be announced online Oct. 3. (Thorsten Frenzel/Pixabay)
Kamal Parmar is Nanaimo’s new poet laureate. (Photo courtesy HA Photography)

City of Nanaimo appoints new poet laureate

Kamal Parmar will serve in the role for a two-year term

Kamal Parmar is Nanaimo’s new poet laureate. (Photo courtesy HA Photography)
The poet and publisher Clare Winstanley. (Contributed – AMGray Studios)

Sooke poet publishes narrative poems – an investment in life’s third chapter

‘It’s time to go back now and complete the things you started when you were younger’

The poet and publisher Clare Winstanley. (Contributed – AMGray Studios)