William Gibson gets the Woodcock

“The ‘noir prophet’ of cyberpunk fiction, and the man who coined the term, ‘cyberspace,’ William Gibson (l.) will receive the 2024 George Woodcock Award for outstanding career in BC literature.FULL STORY

 

Who’s Who

Amy Mattes

A is for Amy
In the summer of 2000, grief-stricken skateboarder, Ines leaves her sheltered hometown for Montreal. Entranced by the city, she befriends goth-girl April and becomes a cam-girl. During a bar fight, Ines meets Max, another skateboarder, and a romance ensues. However, Ines has to confront the challenges of her past, Max’s mental health struggles and a threat from a regular at the cam studio. The novel, Late September (Nightwood $22.95), by Amy Mattes, unfolds Ines’ story of self-love, trauma and mental health. 9780889714564

Susan Blacklin

B is for Blacklin
Explore the legacy of the late Dr. Hans Peterson through the eyes of his ex-wife, Susan Blacklin, in her memoir Water Confidential (Caitlin Press $24.95). Peterson’s frustration with government-funded research in Saskatchewan led him to address the urgent need for safe drinking water in the Yellow Quill First Nation in 1996. Together with Blacklin, they founded the Safe Drinking Water Foundation, promoting education and advocacy. Despite 30 years of effort, many First Nations communities in Canada still lack access to safe water. Blacklin, now retired, highlights governmental indifference and corruption, urging the implementation of federal regulations and responsible science to address the ongoing crisis and prioritize reconciliation with Indigenous communities. 9781773861319

C.S. Cowan

C is for Cowan
When her fifteen-year-old niece, Jessica, goes missing, Criminologist Maeve Rosetti returns to her hometown while navigating a complicated relationship with her sister, Kathleen, who she yearns to reconnect with. As the mystery unravels in C.S. Cowan’s debut novel, She Thought I Knew: A West Coast Thriller (Self-published $17.64), Maeve becomes a target for cryptic forces that taunt her and threaten to harm her. When a girl’s body is found, she fears it’s too late. Will Maeve find Jessica? Who is her tormentor? And will this crisis heal or sever her relationship with Kathleen forever? 9798860549364

Linda DeMeulemeester

D is for DeMeulemeester
After being abandoned at birth by her father, Phineas, Effy finds a comfortable home with her great-aunt Ada, who is a women’s rights advocate. But when Ada dies, Effy’s relatives try to seize her trust fund. To prevent this, Effy seeks Phineas in the circus world, discovering a vibrant community of diverse talents. Her journey involves proving herself as a performer, saving an elephant and embracing equality. Linda DeMeulemeester’s latest novel, Ephemia Rimaldi: Circus Performer Extraordinaire (Red Deer Press $14.95), is a historical adventure set in the early 20th century, that vividly portrays Effy’s growth, highlighting issues of diversity and social justice in a lively narrative filled with eccentric characters. 9780889957299

Emily McGiffin

E is for Emily
“my body and ark, carrying successors like a chambered nautilus; what I was placed here to do, ferry the unborn across the inhospitable land…” writes Emily McGiffin, as she delves into the impact of imperial violence and colonialism, examining their pervasive influence in both South Africa and Canada. Through a multifaceted and multi-voiced approach, McGiffin explores the enduring consequences of colonialism and capitalist extraction, spanning across time and geographical locations. Her poetry book, Into the Continent (University of Regina Press $19.95), brings to life the ghosts of our collective past, emphasizing the profound impact of historical events on our present world. McGiffin’s words highlight the enduring power dynamics that concentrate wealth and underscore the persistence of violence, while acknowledging moments of generosity that exist in the shadows. 9780889779891

Meghan Fandrich

F is for Fandrich
In the aftermath of the Village of Lytton burning to the ground, Meghan Fandrich witnessed her community and business perish while her house survived. Burning Sage (Caitlin Press $20) recounts her personal journey through the trauma and ongoing natural disasters. This poetry collection explores shock, fear, anger and the challenges of single parenting in a ravaged town. Fandrich’s writing covers universal themes of loneliness, fragility and beauty, emphasizing the power of connection and understanding in the face of grief. She vividly depicts heartbreak, but ultimately conveys a narrative of healing. 9781773861289

Gurpreet Singh

G is for Gurpreet
Author, radio host and journalist, Gurpreet Singh’s booklet, 1984: When they came for the Sikhs (Radical Desi Publications $15.00) for young adults, converts German theologian, Niemöller’s experiences with the Nazi regime to an Indian context. The booklet delves into the harrowing developments of Operation Bluestar carried out by the Indian Army in the Golden Temple complex in Punjab, the assassination of then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, and the anti-Sikh pogrom that followed after. Singh also touches on other pogroms targeted at minority communities in India, with the hope of raising awareness and shaping young minds to have the courage to fight back in the face of adversity. 9781738132508

9781990773105

Yeji Y. Ham

H is for Ham
Everyday, Yewon grapples with the reality of her life. She is a young woman out of her job at a convenience store, trapped in the tiny South Korean village when she was born and raised. She watches her mom wash the bones of their ancestors in their old bathtub. Every house has them, these rotting, fragmented bones that never stops reminding them of what they have lost to war. Yeji Y. Ham’s novel, The Invisible Hotel (Bond Street Books $34.00) follows Yewon’s dreams of a mysterious hotel that leads her to uncover unsettling truths about her country’s collective heritage, as she faces one tragedy after the next. Ham’s story begs the vital question: How do we honor and care for our elders without reinforcing a cycle of generational trauma? 9780385698054

Guy Immega

I is for Immega
Guy Immega, a retired aerospace engineer and entrepreneur living in Vancouver, has published his debut sci-fi novel Super-Earth Mother, the AI that Engineered a Brave New World ( ‎ EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing $20.95). The story is a journey into the heart of humanity, artificial intelligence and the uncharted realms of life beyond our home planet. It shows how humans could colonize the 40 billion habitable planets in the Milky Way. Guy Immega’s company, Kinetic Sciences Inc., built experimental robots for the ISS space station, robots to clean up nuclear waste, and invented miniature fingerprint sensors for cell phones. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer and has a lifelong interest in sub-Saharan Africa. He continues his volunteer efforts as a founding member of the Solar Option Group, providing an engineering proposal to save Lake Chad in the Sahel.  9781770532274.

Jude Neale

J is for Jude
A collaboration between a poet and an artist, Water Forgets Its Own Name (Ekstasis Editions $36.95) is a celebration of the profound beauty of Bowen Island. With evocative poetry by Jude Neale complemented by Nicholas Jennings’ paintings, the book captures the essence of this small island. From Snug Cove to Crayola Beach, the verses resonate with tender memories, like gathering pebbles and summer paddles. Neale’s lyrical celebration re-enchants the island, inviting readers to become part of its beauty. The collaboration encapsulates a shared depth of gratitude within a small community, offering a delightful invitation to embrace the life of Bowen Island. 9781771711609

Gail Kirkpatrick

K is for Kirkpatrick
Museum curator Margaret gets an unexpected inheritance of eight million dollars from her late sister Shirley, along with a whimsical request to revive an abandoned railway line. Despite skepticism, Margaret undertakes the transformative adventure, facing challenges that extend beyond her role as executor. Margaret’s ensuing decisions impact her career, marriage, friendships and personal legacy. Gail Kirkpatrick’s novel, Sleepers and Ties (Now or Never Publishing $19.95) unravels Margaret’s journey, which forces her to confront not only her sister’s wishes but also her own future, creating a profound and lasting change in her life. 9781989689462

Liz Long

L is for Long
Author Liz Long recounts her 50-year struggle with “Victimtown,” a mental space shaped by her family member’s unsolved murder. She unveils the destructive voices controlling through fear, and urges readers to embrace their heart voice for guidance to “Freedomville.” Exploring Victimtown’s attractions like the “Guilt & Shame Café,” Liz Long highlights the pitfalls of prolonged stays. This groundbreaking framework in Navigating Shitstorms: How to Find Your True Path When Life Gets Rough (Greenleaf $18.99) equips readers with language for mental health discussions, promotes awareness to reframe negative inner dialogues, and guides the journey to self-love without conditions. Liz Long’s relatable narrative, sprinkled with humor, invites readers on a personal quest to understand and redirect their life course. 9798886450729

Michael Clague

M is for Michael
Author of the memoir, So, How Have I Been Doing at Being Who I Am? (Self Published, 2023), Michael Clague, delves into the concept of social progress, tracing it back to ancient Greece and emphasizing its continuity in Western thought. His latest book, In Search of Progress: Questions from a Life in Community Work in a Time of Fear and Disillusionment in Democracy (Self Published $10.00) highlights community development from the 1950s, built on the belief that social progress involves enhancing people’s well-being through inclusive, just and participatory socio-economic and political structures. The book underscores community work as a catalyst for positive change, especially amid global challenges like climate collapse, asserting that it empowers citizens to collaboratively address crises and invokes hope in the human spirit. 9781999166533

Niloufar-Lily Soltani

N is for Niloufar-Lily
Set in 2007, during Zulaikha’s journey from Amsterdam to Tehran, she is approached by her long-lost family acquaintance, Kia, who may know information about her missing brother, Hessam, and their murdered friend, Abbass. When her flight is suddenly cancelled, Zulaikha is detained by both the European and Iranian authorities, who start questioning her relationship with Kia. Niloufar-Lily Soltani’s debut novel, Zulaikha (‎Inanna Publications $24.95), is a tale of war’s consequences that intertwines greed, power and international politics. The narrative also delves into themes of gender, class, race and interracial marriage while providing a unique perspective on Iran’s tumultuous history, particularly in Khuzestan, a region marked by tension between Iran and the U.S. 9781771339568

Onjana Yawnghwe

O is for Onjana
A family escapes from Myanmar’s military violence to Thailand, then Canada, carrying nothing but beat-up suitcases on a luggage cart. Onjana Yawnghwe’s third book of poetry, We Follow the River (Caitlin Press $20.00) explores growing up in a foreign land, sifting through family history and grief, and the experience of travelling across cultures and continents to find a home. Yawnghwe’s poetry collection spans two decades and the poems navigate quiet moments, unruly bursts of emotion and self-distillation. Her poems offer an intimate exploration of human complexity, inviting readers to contemplate the essence of identity and belonging. 9781773861388

Prudence Emery

P is for Prudence
Step into London’s Savoy Hotel in the 1960s with Princess of the Savoy (D&M $19.95), the third volume of a cheeky bestseller series written by Prudence Emery with Ron Base. The hotel may look perfect to outsiders, but the Savoy Press Office tells a different story. Miss Priscilla Tempest, a Canadian who works at the office, navigates challenges from her boss, an American gangster and a Tarzan movie star. Soon, a fascist plot emerges from an English estate, threatening British democracy. Reluctant crime-fighter Priscilla teams up with Fleet Street writer Percy Hoskins to unravel the deadly conspiracy. This installment promises readers an escape into a world of glamour, danger, treachery and a touch of romance. 9781771624053

Shahnaz Qayumi

Q is for Qayumi
“You are a man now, take care of your mother,” Zia’s father whispered to Zia just as he is arrested–never to return home. Kabul born author, Shahnaz Qayumi’s debut novel, Zia’s Story (Tradewind Books $14.95) due out in June, is set in the aftermath of the Russian withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, as the country descends into civil war. The Taliban’s rule brings restrictions to women working and girls attending school. This book reflects the author’s personal journey as a young mother fleeing war-torn Afghanistan with her son. Qayumi found refuge in Canada. She now lives in Vancouver and teaches at Langara University. This book is illustrated by Nahid Kazemi. 9781990598142

Robin Gregory

R is for Robin
Co-authored with Brooke Moore, Robin Gregory’s book, Sorting It Out: Supporting Teenage Decision Making (Cambridge University Press $29.99) is a guide aimed at parents, teachers and those working with teenagers, offering science-based insights to become effective “decision mentors.” It emphasizes decision-making as a crucial skill, presenting a six-step process called “Decision-Maker Moves.” Through stories, examples and practical tips, this book shows how decisions can turn challenges into opportunities, while advising on when and how to engage with teenagers, acknowledging the complexities of their choices. 9781009382205

Sheri-D Wilson

S is for Sheri
In Sheri-D Wilson’s The ONEIRONAUT ∅1 (Write Bloody North $20.00), the first volume of the Rain trilogy, a brilliant scientist escapes an oppressive society lacking dreams. The narrative poem unfolds humorously yet frighteningly, portraying a society stripped of dreams by a totalitarian regime. Rain, chosen by the Willows, leads a rebellion against The Bureau, the dystopian force enforcing a dream-inhibiting pill. The journey unveils Rain’s self-discovery and family secrets. As she confronts the chilling government and the Department of Dreams, the fate of The Oneironauts hangs in the balance, threatening their ability to hope, heal and envision a shared human existence. 9781778162626

Tamar Griggs

T is for Tamar
Tamar Griggs was a young woman in 1968 studying art and dance in New York City when she accepted an invitation for a short sailing holiday in the Mediterranean. Little did she know that this brief respite would lead to a year at sea. Carried by three different boats across thousands of nautical miles, her memoir, Tamar at Sea (Still Wild 4 Life Press $38.50), due out in May, narrates her experiences with a shipwreck on the coast of Spain, and hitchhiking across the Atlantic Ocean on her way back to America. 9781775211129

Ujjal Dosanjh

U is for Ujjal
Born in rural India, Ujjal Dosanjh emigrated to the UK at 18, where he worked various jobs while attending night school and learning English by listening to BBC Radio. He moved to Canada in 1968 and became a lawyer and advocate for the rights of BC farm and domestic workers. Eventually, Dosanjh rose to become the first person of Indian descent to serve as Attorney General and Premier of British Columbia. Dosanjh’s memoir, Journey After Midnight (Speaking Tiger Books $26.95) tells of that journey. 9789354471278

Roy Henry Vickers

V is for Vickers
Discover the world of the West Coast’s animal groups in A Flock of Gulls, a Chorus of Frogs (Harbour $14.95). This sturdy board book, authored by Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers and Lucky Budd, introduces fun names for animal gatherings. Through tactile embossed pages and bright colors, the wild West Coast comes to life. The rhythmic, rhyming text entertains both babies and toddlers, as well as adults. From orca pods to a bunch of sea lions called a bob, this book is a lively addition to the bestselling, award-winning First West Coast Book series, perfect for story time and supporting language development in young children. 9781990776502

Shaoli Wang

W is for Wang
Illustrated by Vancouver-based Shaoli Wang, The Three Sisters (Tradewind Books $24.95) due out in June, the narrative follows the story of three sisters in China and their quest to face a tyrannical emperor bent on war. The only way they can fend for themselves and their parents is through their musical gifts and the magic they create with their instruments. Wang brings this story to life through colourful illustrations that highlight the beauty and uniqueness of the Chinese culture and heritage. Can their musical powers change the emperor’s heart and restore peace? This book is written by Paul Yee. 9781990598265

Xiran Jay Zhao

X is for Xiran
They’ve got over 250,000 YouTube subscribers, 65,000 Twitter followers, 25,000 Instagram followers and a website that averages 5,000 unique visitors per month. Now, non-binary Xiran Jay Zhao of Vancouver is publishing their first sci-fi/fantasy novel Iron Widow (Penguin $21.99) for ages 14 and up. Using a blend of Chinese history and futuristic mecha (humanoid mobile robots) science fiction, the book features a heroine inspired by China’s only legitimate female sovereign, Wu Zetian (who is credited with reducing corruption and revitalizing the country’s culture and economy). Xiran is a first-generation Chinese immigrant who lives and works in Vancouver where they are training to become a biochemist. 9780735269934

Yolanda Ridge

Y is for Yolanda
“Poop can’t fight the climate crisis alone, of course. But the truth is that healthy ecosystems rely on poo-producing animals and the plants that benefit from their excrement,” writes Yolanda Ridge in her latest book for ages 9-12, What Poo Can Do: How Animals Are Fighting the Climate Crisis (Orca $21.95). From whales to dung beetles, Ridge educates children about animals fertilizing plants, storing carbon, preventing fires, reducing methane and much more – one poop at a time! 9781459835412

George Zukerman

Z is for Zukerman
In Have Bassoon, Will Travel: Memoir of an adventurous life in music (Ronsdale $24.95), George Zukerman, a concert bassoonist who played with the Vancouver Symphony, humorously recounts his worldwide tours that elevated the instrument’s profile and freed it from obscurity. Zuckerman describes his travels across Canada navigating diverse terrains, often with unconventional modes of transportation. As an impresario, Zukerman’s Overture Concerts left a lasting impact, inspiring new audiences and musicians. 9781553807131

 

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