Letter from the editor my thoughts turn to community and language and the many ways words create a sense of belonging. For myself, and I think for many writers, words have carried us through the pandemic.
As the season transitions into fall in BC and Yukon and our conversations move indoors, into our homes and gathering places (such as we can gather),
I have had the pleasure to be part of several communities as this magazine came together. First, I had my local community in Smithers. I am grateful to live here. Next, within the Federation of BC Writers, I worked with staff and volunteers, including our recently retired Managing Editor, Ursula Vaira. Finally, I worked with a community of writers whose generous and compassionate words you will find in this magazine. Within each of these communities, language helped us deal with our challenges—not only in our
FBCW BOARD OF DIRECTORS: greg blee, Megan Cole, Barb Drozdowich, Wiley Ho, Ruth Lloyd, Kamal Parmar, Katherine Wagner. WordWorks is published by THE FEDERATION OF BC WRITERS PO Box 3503, Courtenay, BC V9N 6Z8 970 View Avenue, Courtenay, BC V9N 5R2 www.bcwriters.ca hello@bcwriters.ca wordworks@bcwriters.ca Copyrights remain with the copyright holders. All other work © 2021 The Federation of BC Writers. All Rights Reserved. ISSN: 0843-1329 WordWorks is provided free three times per year to FBCW members and to selected markets. It is available on our website and in BC libraries, schools, and historical societies. FBCW Annual Membership Rates: Regular: $80 | Senior: $45 | Youth: $25
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wordworks | 2021 Volume III September
FBCW ADVISORY COMMITTEE: JJ. Lee, Steven Price, Esi Edugyan, Alan Twigg, Gail Anderson-Dargatz, Anne Tenning, Betsy Warland, Darrel McLeod. FEDERATION OF BC WRITERS STAFF: Bryan Mortensen, Executive Director; Angela Douglas, Director of Communications; Jessica Cole, WordWorks Managing Editor; Diana Skrepnyk, Design Director; Amber Cowie, Fund Development Associate; Tara Borin, Membership Associate; Meaghan Hackinen, Contest Coordinator; Cristy Watson, WiseWords Committee Chair. EDITORIAL STAFF: Jessica Cole, Managing Editor; Dana J. Keller, Copy Editor. WRITE FOR WORDWORKS: Pitch article ideas to wordworks@bcwriters.ca.
own creative works but in our relationships with ourselves and each other. During the pandemic, when were unable to see our communities in person, we sent messages or engaged in video chats. We journaled, and when we could, we wrote. Words carried us when hugs could not. You may find yourself reflected in these pages as we talk about mental health and wellness and the writing life. As we deal with the effects of isolation, my hope is that we continue to rely on words to keep us going, to stay connected, and to remain inspired. Thank you for being part of the WordWorks community. Jessica Cole, Managing Editor
ADVERTISING: WordWorks advertises services and products of interest to writers. Contact amber@bcwriters.ca. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The Federation of BC Writers acknowledges that Indigenous writers have not been able to take their deserved place in the literary culture due to wounding by colonization, by racism, and by the failure of gatekeepers to recognize a rich culture of storytelling, to nurture Indigenous writers, and to share opportunities to be heard and honoured. WE WELCOME ALL WRITERS to tell their stories; we want to read, listen, include, support, and recommend. The FBCW gratefully acknowledges the support of the Province of BC, the BC Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, Access Copyright Foundation, and the Magazine Association of BC.
