For a month, longer, I’ve been wanting to write about my own experience in Ukraine, and my family’s history there. I keep holding off, waiting for the right time. Now isn’t that time.

There isn’t any right time for war, though there may be a “right time” to write about it, but it’s too painful now, too awful.

The last scene I wrote in my novel-in-progress took place in 2014, in Kyiv, during the Euromaidan protests. I was in the midst of writing of the violence and loss of human lives there when the invasion of Ukraine began. I haven’t been able to write since.

Maybe, I’ll be able to write again about Ukraine — and Ukrainian women immigrating to Canada at different points of history — but now isn’t that time for me.

It’s time to do what we can — to donate time or financial resources to humanitarian aid, or space in residential homes for refugees. It’s time to hope and pray that this war ends soon. It’s been far too long, already.

Here are a couple of ways you can help:

The Canada Ukraine Foundation Humanitarian Appeal: https://www.cufoundation.ca

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has updates on sponsoring refugees from Ukraine: https://www.ucc.ca

#StandWithUkraine

#SlavaUkraini

It’s been, quite literally, years since I’ve updated this section of my website. I know you understand. I was in the air on my flight to Toronto to the Kobzar Book Awards when the Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic. Since then…it’s been a ride, hasn’t it?

Part of my ride has been signing a contract on an option for the film adaptation of Little Fortress with the indpendent Canadian film production company, Serial Comma. I was so thrilled to receive the option that I broke out in sobs — and then spent three months going back and forth on the small print. This was not because of the small print, so much as my inability to get anything done in a timely fashion.

I was able to Keep on Keeping On (my motto of the last couple of years) in my role first as Program Coordinator, now as Curator, at the Vernon Museum & Archives. Able, somehow, to keep up with the maintenance of the Bishop Wild Bird Sanctuary with my family. Even able to begin a new novel. But, to get a contract sorted & signed? I did, eventually, and I wish said contract God Speed. May it go out & garner Little Fortress a film deal! For all the years that the ladies, Sveva, Ofelia & Miss Juul, were in seclusion, I imagine they’d want their stories to travel through time to more people.

On March 12, 2020, OUR FAMILIAR HUNGER was awarded the Kobzar Book Award. Presented biennially, the $25,000 KOBZAR Book Award recognizes outstanding contributions to Canadian literary arts by authors who write on a topic with a tangible connection to the Ukrainian Canadian experience. It was an absolutely honour to be on the short list with:

• The Bone Mother, by David Demchuk (ChiZine Publications, 2017) Purchase Book

• We All Need to Eat, by Alex Leslie (Book*hug Press, 2018)Purchase Book

• The North End Revisited, by John Paskievich (University of Manitoba Press, 2017) Purchase Book

• The Stories Were Not Told: Canada’s First World War Internment Camps, by Sandra Semchuk (University of Alberta Press, 2019) Purchase Book

Because of the specificity of the recognition for work that addresses the Ukrainian Canadian experience, it feels like the greatest honour of my literary life so far. I write that without hyperbole. I straight-up sobbed through my acceptance speech thinking of how happy my Baba & Gedo would be, how delighted they were with all their family's successes, small and large. As Ukrainian Canadian immigrants, they faced hardship and struggle, and yet they were so rich and so blessed with lives full of love, laughter, music, dancing, community, faith, and family. I dedicated the award to the memory of Joseph and Nelli (aka Nancy, aka Nastya!) Proch.

This is the story of nobility from across the Atlantic who gave up titles and riches to start a new life in British Columbia. Their names weren't Harry and Meghan — they were an Italian prince, Leone Caetani, his lover, Ofelia Fabiani, and their three-year-old daughter Sveva, who decamped to Vernon, B.C. a century ago. Jennifer Chrumka tells their story of hope, personal tragedy, isolation, and rebirth in her documentary, "The Riddle Is One's Life". This is also the story behind my novel, Little Fortress. It’s a beautifully produced radio documentary - click below to read AND listen:

Much to the chagrin of my children, who say, “You’re going away again! Without us again! Don’t go!” which is heartening and heart-warming, I have a few more fall dates left. First, to Toronto for the official Wolsak & Wynn Fall launch in the Ballroom of the Gladstone Hotel:

November 5, 7 PM: Wolsak & Wynn Fall Book Launch, Toronto
The Ballroom of the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

November 6, 7 PM: Hamilton Launch with special guest, novelist Krista Foss
Epic Books, 226 Locke Street South, Hamilton, ON

November 8, 7 PM: Unforgettable Women with Lisa di Nikolitis and Christine Fischer Guy
Queen Books, 914 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON

with the fabulous Dina Del Bucchia and Nancy Lee at Vancouver Writers’ Fest

Thursday, Oct 3, 7-9 PM: Official Book Launch at Caetani Cultural Centre, 3401 Pleasant Valley Road, Vernon, BC

With special guests, surprises, food and festive drinks!

Saturday, Oct 5, 5-7 PM: Okanagan Words & Wine, Sandhill Wines, 1125 Richter Street, Kelowna, BC,

As part of the Okanagan Wine Festival, Shelley Wood, author of the bestselling novel, The Quintland Sisters, and I join a conversation about writing fiction based on true stories with CBC’s Marion Barschel at Sandhill Wines, Kelowna, BC.

Sunday Oct 6, 2-4 PM: Reading and Book Signing with Becky Blake and Nancy Jo Cullen at Shelf Life Books, 100 - 1302 4th Street SW, Calgary, AB 

Tuesday, Oct 8, 7 PM: Reading, Book Signing and Q&A at Audrey’s Books,  10702 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, Alberta

Wednesday, Oct 9, 7-9 PM: Olive Reading Series, Almanac on White Ave, 10351-82 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta

Vancouver Writers Festival

Wednesday, Oct 23, 8:30 PM: The Lives of Girls and Women - with Mona Awad, Nazanin Hozar, and Alix Ohlin, Performance Works 1218 Cartwright Street

Thursday, Oct 24, 6 PM: Prose Under Pressure - with Michael Crummey and Steven Price, Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright Street

It’s been more than a month and I haven’t updated yet, partly because I’m still a bit floored. Our Familiar Hunger went ahead and won the Dorothy Livesay Award. It was an incredible honour to be nominated alongside books by Eve Joseph, Shazia Hafiz Ramji, Fred Wah and Rita Wong, and Onjana Yawnghwe, which made it all the more a surprise when Our Familiar Hunger won. It was an absolute gift to be able to thank some of those who helped the book come to be. I ended in thanking my Baba, whose strength, resiliency, and humour were an inspiration for the book (& for how to live in the world, really). She loved polka dots, so it’s fitting I wore this dress. I continue to feel thrilled and humbled by it all.

As part of the BC Book Prize Finalist’s tour, I’ll be giving several workshops in elementary and secondary schools on the Sunshine Coast, as well as two public readings. I’m super chuffed and honour to be reading alongside Darrel J. McLeod, author of the memoir Mamaskatch, fellow finalist and also winter of the Governor General’s Award for Nonfiction.

We’ll be reading at the Strathcona Branch of the Vancouver Public Library, 730 East Hastings, on Monday, May 13th at 7 PM. Free and open to all!

And on Monday, May 15 at 7 PM at the Powell River Public Library - my first time in Pow Town!

Our Familiar Hunger has been shortlisted for the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize, alongside books by Eve Joseph, Shazia Hafiz Ramji, Fred Wah and Rita Wong, and Onjana Yawnghwe. I am incredibly honoured to be on a shortlist with these poets and their books. Floored, and thrilled, and humbled, having being behind the scenes on juries and knowing how much consideration goes into the shortlists, and how many other equally relevant, accomplished, stunning books didn’t make this particular shortlist, at this particular time.

I’m also so excited to read as many of these books as possible, in all the categories. Just look at these beauty books!

I’ll be at the gala in Vancouver on May 11th, 2019. I may need a new or new-to-me dress for the occasion. The possibilities to #dresslikeabook are great.

This fall, I’m fortunate to be part of the Victoria Festival of Authors, the Whistler Writers’ Festival, and a new series in Prince George called Inspiring Women. Writing of which, plans are also afoot for a Vernon reading with Alix Hawley and Ashley Little, inspiring women, indeed.

Here are some deets:

Victoria Festival of Authors

Pure Poetry
with David James Brock and Katherena Vermette
Friday, September 28, 7:30pm
Metro Theatre | 1411 Quadra St.
Tickets: $15 | Students 20% discount

Poetry is All Around Us
with Jonina Kirtin, Dan McIsaac, and Katherena Vermette
Saturday, September 29, 3:30 PM
Intrepid Theatre | 1609 Blanshard St.
Tickets: $15 | Students 20% discount

Whistler Writers Festival

Writers of Poetry - Thin Places
with Billy Ray Belcourt, Cornelia Hoogland, and Erin Nilson
Saturday, October 14, 11:30 AM
Fairmont Chateau Whistler | $20

On June 20, join us for the Okanagan Launch of GUSH: A Menstrual Manifesto. Natalie Appleton,  Ruth Daniell, Kerry Gilbert, Karen Klassen, & Erin Moure will read from this national anthology celebratory the bloody life force. Join us, join in with your own poems, and please bring a package of tampons or pads for donation to the Upper Room Mission. It's going to be a bloody good time!

7 PM, June 20, 2018. Caetani Cultural Centre, 3401 Pleasant Valley Road, Vernon, BC

In  April, Nightwood Editions will publish my latest collection of poetry, Our Familiar Hunger, and I'm taking my newest baby on the road. Come join me in one of these locations if you can! There will be snacks, festive drinks, even Ukrainian dancing in one location! And, there will be poetry.

April 19th, 7 PM, Book launch & reading, Paper Hound Books, 344 West Pender, Vancouver - with Ontario poet and playwright, David James Brock & host Dina Del Bucchia

April 24th, 7 PM, Book launch party, Caetani Cultural Centre, 3401 Pleasant Valley Road, Vernon - featuring special guests, Ukrainian dance and food

May 1st, 7 PM, Reading, Milk Crate Record Shop, 527, Lawrence Avenue, Kelowna - with Kelowna poet and playwright, Erin Scott

May 4th, 6-8 PM, Wine-o-Clock, Wine & Poetry Pairings, Metrovino Wines, 722 11 Ave SW, Calgary - with Wakefield Brewster, Cobra Collins, Kyle Flemmer and Stuart Ian McKay

May 5th, 10 AM - 3 PM, Brunch + Poetry Workshop, Rose & Crown Pub, 1503 4th St SW, Calgary - Poetry brunch & hang-out followed by workshop Picture This: Ideas & Imagery in Poetry. Please click below for more on workshop and registration:

Upcoming Fall Events include Victoria Festival of Authors and Whistler Writers and Readers Festival

I'll be leading a workshop on Narrative Therapy at this year's Spoke Literary Festival. What is Narrative Therapy, anyway? This is the blurb for Spoke Fest:

In this introduction to some of the foundational concepts of the practice of Narrative Therapy, we’ll explore how our own narrative and writing practices can positively affect health and resiliency. Learn how to apply the foundational concepts of Narrative Therapy to your own writing practice and your own work, whether it is fiction, memoir, poetry, or any other form of creative writing. Explore how your writing practice can help you move through challenges and blocks in your life, and in your creative work.

I've facilitated plenty of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction workshops -- and, to be honest, each of those workshops ends up being a bit of a therapy session -- but this will be my first workshop on Narrative Therapy, specifically, since I became certified from the Vancouver School of Narrative Therapy last September.

It will be followed by my favourite kind of therapy -- emerging out of my solitary writing life, shaking off the kids and the garden dirt from my hands and knees, to socialize with like-minded and Write-Minded peeps, share some laughs, appies, and festive drinks.

If you can be in the Okanagan Valley August 11-13, 2017, you should join us!

I'm thrilled that Nightwood Editions will be publishing my fourth collection of poetry, Our Familiar Hunger, in 2018.

Our Familiar Hunger explores the lives of Eastern European women, both contemporary and historical. Poems move from the Russian Revolution into holodomor, the massive state-imposed famine in Ukraine, to early twentieth century immigration to Canada and the subsequent interment of those of Eastern European descent into prisoner camps across Canada during the First World War. The collection moves into twenty-first century migration, the international sex trade, and internet-arranged marriage as a way to into "the West". Set against backdrops of historical and contemporary conflict zones, farmers' fields ravaged by the greed of government officials, and oil fields pumping crude resources out of northern Canada, the women each respond to different types of hunger - literal hunger for food and sustenance, sexual hunger and desire, hunger for love, respect, equality, acceptance, and peace.

In other words, some nice light reading!