Welcome to Vol XX, the March 2023 Issue, featuring craft essays, discussions and author interviews about the latest fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. As with previous issues, we are pleased to share with you a diverse array of voices, politics and sensibilities from across Canada and the globe.
In this issue, Vancouver-based comedian, theatre maker, writer, and mad activist JD Derbyshire, talks to Debbie Bateman about her debut novel Mercy Gene (Goose Lane Editions, March 2023); Winnipeg based writer Lauren Carter talks to Lucy Black about her newest story collection Places Like These (Book*hug Press, April 2023); Victoria, BC author Jane Cawthorne talks to Debbie Bateman about her debut novel, Patterson House (Inanna Publications, Sep 2022); featured author Becky Blake talks to Sabyasachi Nag about her novel Proof I was Here (Wolsak and Wynn, 2019) and also about her craft choices and artisanal habits.
During the past month again, we had the pleasure of reviewing an overwhelming number of submissions received in response to the open call for craft essays and book reviews from across the world. From the accepted submissions, we are excited to share Let Them Live One More Chapter, Jonathan Odell’s refreshing take on the questions one should ask off problematic fictional characters in order to shape satisfying story and character resolutions.
In this issue, we are proud to present the first installment of a monthly podcast series featuring the bravest and sassiest Canadian voices in fiction, poetry and non-fiction from around the country. In this premiere episode, hosted by Amelie Laura Francis, author Lauren Carter reads from her newest collection of short stories, Places Like These on AW Live Podcasts our YouTube channel.
Finally, we take the opportunity to thank Debbie Bateman (Fiction Reviews Editor) for her enormous contributions to AW and wish her all the best for her future endeavours.
We hope you will enjoy this issue and feed us back with your comments and ideas to make AW more effective in serving the community of writers and readers. Many thanks for being here!