Writing the Coast: BC and Yukon Book Prizes Podcast

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Linda Bailey, author of Princesses versus. Dinosaurs, which is a finalist for the 2021 Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize. In their conversation Linda talks about how the book began and how picture books help give young readers permission to be themselves. ABOUT LINDA BAILEY: Linda Bailey is the author of more than...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Michelle Good, author of Five Little Indians which is a finalist for the 2021 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and the 2021 Jim Deva Prize for Writing that Provokes. Michelle talks about what it means to be an emerging writer and how she developed the characters in her novel. ABOUT MICHELLE GOOD: Michelle Good is a writer of Cree ancestry and...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Claudia Cornwall, author of British Columbia in Flames: Stories from a Blazing Summer, which is a finalist for the 2021 Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize. In this conversation Claudia talks about the importance of BC's old growth and shares some of the amazing stories she collected while writing her book. ABOUT CLAUDIA CORNWALL: Claudi...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Robert Amos, author of The E.J. Hughes Book of Boats, which is a finalist for the 2021 Bill Duthie Bookseller's Choice Award. Robert Amos talks about how E.J. Hughes captured the changing landscape of British Columbia and it's industrialization through his paintings of boats. ABOUT ROBERT AMOS: Robert Amos has published eight books on a...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Junie Désil, author of eat salt | gaze at the ocean, which is a finalist for the 2021 Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize. Junie discusses how she ended up writing about zombies, how the source material impacted the writing and why she's not sure she wants her family to read her book. For a transcript of this episode visit:https://bcyukonbookp...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Gail Anderson-Dargatz about her book Ride Home, which is a finalist for the 2021 Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize. Gail also discusses the dangers of writing an earnest book and the impact her high-low titles have on those working on their literacy skills. For a transcript of this episode visit: https://bcyukonbookprizes.com/...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Aislinn Hunter, author of The Certainties, which is a finalist for the 2021 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. In their conversation Aislinn talks about the influences for her novel, the research she did for the story, and how limbo played out in the lives of her two characters. For a transcript of this episode visit: https://bcyukonbookprizes...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Danny Ramadan, author of Salma the Syrian Chef, which is a finalist for the 2021 Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize. Danny discusses how food memories shape ideas of home in his writing and identity, and diversity in children's literature. For a transcript of this episode visit: https://bcyukonbookprizes.com/wp-cont...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Angie Abdou, author of 8 books who writes from and about Fernie, B.C. and the Kootenays. In their conversation Angie talks about how Fernie influences her work and her writing process. ABOUT ANGIE ABDOU: Angie Abdou is a Canadian author who has published seven books, including The Bone Cage (a CBC Canada Reads finalist in 2011, defended...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Greg Bechtel, the Berton House Writer-in-Residence, who arrived in Dawson City on in December 2019 and has been there ever since. In their conversation Greg talks about how being at the Berton House has impacted his writing and how he's feeling about leaving Yukon after a year. ABOUT GREG BECHTEL: Greg Bechtel’s debut story collection,...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Joanna Lilley, a Yukon author and board member of the society Yukon Words. In their conversation Joanna talks about why the society started and what some of their goals are. Joanna also talks about how Yukon inspires her writing. ABOUT JOANNA LILLEY: Joanna Lilley's fifth book and third poetry collection, Endlings, was published by Turn...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Terri Potratz, the founder of Paper Covers Rock Festival. In their conversation Terri talks about the inspiration for the festival, the literary community on Salt Spring Island and how the festival is adapting to the pandemic. ABOUT TERRI POTRATZ: Terri is a writer, event producer and the organizer behind Paper Covers Rock, a new annual...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Leslie Hurtig, the artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Fest. In their conversation Leslie talks about the challenges of organizing a literary festival during a pandemic, the importance of finding the right moderator and some of her favourite memories from past years of the Vancouver Writers Fest. ABOUT LESLIE HURTIG: Leslie was b...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Jonathan Manthorpe about his book Claws of the Panda: Beijing's Campaign of Influence and Intimidation in Canada. Claws of the Panda was a finalist for the 2020 Hubert Evans Nonfiction Prize. In their conversation Jonathan talks about using the public record as primary source material for the book and the chapters he'd add to the book a...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Ann-Marie Metten, Executive Director of the Historic Joy Kogawa House. In 2020, Joy Kogawa and Julie Flett were awarded the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Literary Excellence. Megan and Ann-Marie talk about the history and legacy of the Historic Joy Kogawa House as well as Joy winning the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Literary Excell...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Alix Ohlin, author of Dual Citizens, which was a finalist for the 2020 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. In their conversation Alix talks about how the love story of two siblings formed the backbone of the book as well as how she paid tribute to Neko Case in the novel. ABOUT ALIX OHLIN: Alix Ohlin is the author of five books. Her novel Dual C...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Alex Van Tol, who co-wrote Great Bear Rainforest: A Giant-Screen Adventure in the Land of the Spirit Bear with Ian McAllister. Great Bear Rainforest was a finalist for the 2020 Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize. In their conversation Alex talks about writing the book from a truck stop in Ontario, the importance of writing about wild pl...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Jennifer Croll, author of Bad Boys of Fashion: Style Rebels and Renegades Through the Ages, which was a finalist for the 2020 Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize. Jennifer talks about the way masculinity has been reflected in fashion, how clothing was used not only as a way to express yourself, but also as a way to l...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Wendy Wickwire, author of At the Bridge: James Teit and an Anthropology of Belonging. At the Bridge was a finalist for the Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize. In their conversation Wendy will talk about how she ended up spending many decades researching James Teit as well as how her exploration took her to Shetland. ABOUT WENDY WICKWIRE...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode Megan Cole talks to Julia Nobel, author of The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane, which was a finalist for the 2020 Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize. Julia discusses how her love of the Babysitter's Club inspired her debut novel and other writing projects, and why writing the outsider is important to her stories. ABOUT JULIA NOBEL: Julia Nobel is a teacher...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this holiday episode Megan Cole talks to Bill Richardson about his book I Saw Three Ships, which was a finalist for the 2020 Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice Awards. In their conversation Bill reflects on the plagues he's witnessed while living in Vancouver and on the neighbourhood, Vancouver's West End, which is the setting for many of the stories in I Saw Three Ships. ABOUT...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode host Megan Cole talks to Rhea Tregebov, author of Rue Des Rosiers, which was a finalist for the 2020 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. In their conversation Megan and Rhea talk about the themes of trauma, home and identity. Rhea also talks about how her own life and experiences influenced the story. ABOUT RHEA TREGEBOV: Rhea Tregebov was born in Saskatoon and raised i...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode host Megan Cole talks to Rachel Wada, who illustrated The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden (written by Heather Smith). The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden was a finalist for the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize. In their conversation Rachel talks about why she was drawn to this project and how she developed an artistic style that refl...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode host Megan Cole talks to Joseph Dandurand, whose book Sh:lam (The Doctor) was a finalist for the 2020 Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize. In their conversation they talk about who sh:lam the doctor, how Joesph started writing poetry and whether or not he's run into a sasquatch. ABOUT JOSEPH DANDURAND: Joseph Dandurand is a Kwantlen Aboriginal from Kwantlen First Natio...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode host Megan Cole talks to Sara Cassidy about her novel Nevers, which was nominated for the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize. Sara discusses the complicated relationship between Odette and her mom Annalise, and how writing Nevers helped Sara develop a sense of belonging. ABOUT SARA CASSIDY: Sara Cassidy’s books have been short-listed for many awards, in...