| | | |

New trail signs to honour value of old-growth forest and shíshálh heritage

I am delighted to have worked as an editor on a new series of interpretive signs for the Community Health Trail on Mt. Elphinstone on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. As part of an initiative by Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF), the signs highlight the importance of old-growth forests and their flora and fauna. With himus (Calvin…

| |

Port Moody in-person writing classes resume Sept. 27

Want to join a supportive group of committed writers in a class that focuses on content feedback? Still spaces left in my Mon. night program at Kyle Centre, Port Moody. Sept. 27-Dec. 6, 5:30 to 8 pm. Many students have published books and/or contribute regularly to publications. All genres and levels welcome. Participants find in-class…

|

Young Writers’ Festival, Gibsons, Feb. 26

I’m one of five authors who will be doing a reading and presentation to kindergarten and grade one students at Gibsons Elementary School in Gibsons, BC on Wednesday, Feb. 26. I’ll be sharing my new picture book Six Stinky Feet and a Sasquatch and talking about “Picture Books: Fact and Fiction.” I look forward to…

| |

Picture book launch Dec. 7: Six Stinky Feet and a Sasquatch

It was fun presenting my new picture book, Six Stinky Feet and a Sasquatch, to an audience of young and old Dec. 7 at Sechelt Public Library. Andy Johnson, storyteller for the shishalh Nation, shared a sasquatch song he composed and told a sasquatch story. I’m honoured to know that he plans to read my…

| | |

Métis, Indigenous, and Inuit lives profiled

Did you know that some residents of Churchill, Manitoba consider Thanadelthur, an early 1700s Chipewyan guide and peace negotiator, the founder of their town? That is one of the many fascinating historical facts I learned while writing profiles of accomplished Métis, Indigenous, and Inuit people for Canadian Encyclopedia. I discovered the many achievements of politicians…

| | |

My essay “A slow goodbye” part of new anthology

As my late husband Frank McElroy was dying at home through 2018-19, it was tough to write about my challenges as a caregiver. Although I couldn’t distance myself from the ongoing experience, I wanted to describe both my conflicting emotions and the overwhelming support and generosity of my local community. The result became the essay…

| | | |

Heather Conn profile: hospice volunteer

Some people could never imagine offering comfort as a bedside companion to a stranger who is dying. Or sitting in an all-night vigil for someone’s final hours. In hospice training, we learn that compassion, deep listening, acceptance, and non-judgment are core traits needed to remain truly present with those who are dying or grieving a…

Halfmoon Bay craftsman produces spectacular boat models for global clients

Tugboats with tiny propellers. Sailboats with miniature rigging. Two-foot ships yachts with teensy bar stools, sinks and other features. I was fascinated to see the intricate, painstaking work of Brian Klassen, who custom-makes replicas of yachts and commercial ships for clients around the world. I visited his small shop in Halfmoon Bay, on British Columbia’s…

|

Three literary nonfiction authors, including Heather Conn, to read March 30

Want to hear compelling personal stories and learn more about what literary nonfiction is? Come out to Sechelt Public Library on Thursday, March 30 and hear three Sunshine Coast, BC authors, including Heather Conn, read from their book manuscripts. Heather, Sheila Cameron, and Claire Finlayson will each present excerpts from their respective works-in-progress. Sheila will present heartwarming…

| |

Heather to teach screenwriting Feb/March in Powell River

I’ll be teaching “Writing Short Documentaries” and helping students brainstorm a group documentary project from Feb. 27 to March 2 in Powell River. This is an annual appearance I make as an instructor at Powell River Digital Film School. Every year, the content varies, depending on the wishes of school founder and director Tony Papa….

| |

Job placement students gain insights with SoulCollage®

I enjoyed introducing SoulCollage® Jan. 27 to a group of job placement students at M. Magas and Associates, an employment agency in Sechelt, BC. We did a guided visualization, identified their respective dream job, and discussed accountability, victimhood and what archetypal influences might resonate with them. I appreciated their openness and willingness to share what…

|

A Gucci dress dyed with lichens?

Italians and other Europeans have used plants and lichens for centuries to die fabric and fibres. More recently, they have begun to use mushrooms as natural dyes. In the fall of 2016, I attended the 17th International Fungi & Fibre Symposium on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. It was fascinating to meet spinners, knitters, and weavers…

| |

Heather Conn reveals two favourite cards from her SoulCollage deck

The following article, which I wrote, appeared in the Sept. 26, 2016 issue of the global e-newsletter Soul Treasures, published by KaleidoSoul in Massachusetts. Reader Kas Sobey-Knabb responded: “Heather, just wanted to reach out to you after reading your upbeat and lovely piece in Kaleidosoul Soul Songs.Enjoyed it and meeting your 2 Neters [symbolic guides]! Quite colorful…

| |

Screening of “Salam Neighbor” prompts $887 in donations

I was honoured to organize and host an April 15 screening of the documentary Salam Neighbor in Sechelt, BC. This by-donation event, held at St. Hilda’s Church, raised $887, which will go to the Syrian Refugee Sponsorship Committee and two other groups on the Lower Sunshine Coast working to bring Syrian refugee families to this…

| |

Author to host Banff workshop April 23: The Power and Pitfalls of Creative Nonfiction Onscreen

What can happen to a nonfiction story when you add a fictional narrator? Discover the pitfalls and benefits of this approach while viewing the 20-minute documentary A New Way: An Organic Garden Changes Lives. I’ll be hosting a 1.5-hour seminar April 23 at the Banff Centre in Banff, Alta. It’s part of the 2016 conference…

|

My mixed-media collage from Joni Mitchell exhibition sells in early December

I am thrilled that my mixed-media collage, entitled “No regrets, Coyote,” has sold to Gibsons, BC resident Del Lobo. The collage appeared in the recent juried exhibition Both Sides Now, which ran from Nov. 12 to Dec. 6 at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery. The show, inspired by the musical repertoire of Joni Mitchell, featured…

|

My collage No Regrets, Coyote in juried show

I’m delighted to have my mixed-media collage No Regrets, Coyote in the current Joni-Mitchell-themed art exhibition in Gibsons. The juried show called Both Sides Now runs Nov. 12 to Dec. 6 at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery. Joni Mitchell, who lives half the year on the Sunshine Coast, had planned to attend the event but…

|

Word Vancouver contest winner announced

The winner of my free two-hour editorial consultation is Tanja Scott. She wants to write about father-daughter relationships in the Balkans. I look forward to working with Tanja and helping her make her writing and publishing dreams come true. Many thanks to all who entered my contest at this year’s Word Vancouver event outside the…

|

Meet the Author Sept. 27 at Word Vancouver

Look for me outside the downtown Vancouver Public Library on Sunday, Sept. 27 at the annual Word Vancouver event. I’ll have a Meet the Author banner and a display table with all of my books for sale, including anthologies that feature my writing, such as Emails from India and Raincoast Chronicles 22. Win a chance…