Nelson UBC Writer-in-Residency begins in September
By Contributor
The instructor for UBC’s creative writing weekend intensive course in Nelson this fall will be available to consult with anyone in the community wishing feedback on their own writing, and information on publishing or other literary matters.
Sonnet L’Abbe, an award-winning author, editor and teacher, will be in Nelson from Sept. 25 to Nov. 7 to offer UBC Okanagan’s Writing From the Ground Up, a weekend credit course open to all comers.
L’Abbe, winner of the 2000 Bronwen Wallace Award for emerging authors, has taught previously at UBC’s Kelowna campus.
She comes to Nelson direct from her stint as 2015 writer-in-residence at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. She also teaches an online creative writing course for Vancouver Island University.
Thanks to a $1,000 grant from Nelson Rotary, and support as well from Nelson’s Kootenay Literary Society, L’Abbe will offer Nelsonites and area residents a chance to obtain professional feedback and advice on manuscripts, as well as insider tips on how to succeed in the current Canadian literary world.
She will be available Mondays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2) and Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4).
People interested in making use of L’Abbe’s knowledge and experience should email the Education Committee of the Kootenay Literary Society at emlfestival@gmail.com
Please put “WIR appointment” in the subject line, and indicate which day bests suits you. Writers wanting feedback on a longer work, please attach to your email a synopsis and 10 pages maximum of material. Those seeking feedback on shorter pieces (less than 10 pages) should send their writing sample along as an attachment.
L’Abbe will consider fiction, nonfiction (memoir, travel writing, family history, etc.), poetry and scripts.
“I got my own start in writing with the support of a writer-in-residence,” L’Abbe said. “So while I’m in Nelson I’m happy to talk to anyone looking for that kind of support.”
Where L’Abbe will meet with prospective writers will be announced shortly. Her course, Writing from the Ground Up, will be held at the new UBC West Kootenay Teacher Education Program centre at 266 Baker St.
More UBC course details, including how to register, are available on the website of the Elephant Mountain Literary Festival, www.emlfestival.com, under the “Courses” tab.
