Editor’s Notes

Hi Readers,

This month's issue features the work of two poets: Cameron Anstee and Laura Clarke. Both Cameron and Laura are students at Carleton University, which seems fitting for the onset of the new school year. The Carleton English Literature Society is an active part of Carleton's creative community. Another organization within Carleton is In/words, which publishes poetry magazines, holds readings and writers circles. I have also recently learned that the amazing writer, Ivan E. Coyote is the writer-in-residence for Carleton and will be offering a course in memoir writing as well as visiting first year seminars.

Ivan will be part of Capital Xtra's Transgress reading this year at the Ottawa International Writers Festival in October, along with Francisco Ibanez-Carrasco and Joey Comeau on October 19.

Speaking of the Writers Festival, it's going to be another exciting line up this fall. Check out the schedule at www.writersfestival.org.

Bywords will be holding our annual John Newlove Poetry Award reading as part of the festival on October 15 at 8:30 pm. This is Bywords' fifth time at the Writers Festival and the fourth annual Newlove award. It should be an exciting evening with Roland Prevost, last year's award winner, launching his chapbook, Metafizz, the music of John Carroll and of course the announcement of the winner and honourable mentions who will also read. Hope to see you there.

It's September which also means another Bywords tradition: Bywords will be participating in AIDS WALK on September 22 as part of the "Ottawa Writers & Friends" team which we established last year to include more members of the literary community. If you want to participate in the walk or pledge money to help raise awareness and help people in the community with AIDS / HIV, please go to www.aidswalk.ottawa.com and register as a new walker or sponsor the team. We are fundraising for the AIDS Committee.

On a sad note, this summer has seen the loss of well-known members of Ottawa's literary community: Maureen Glaude, Jane Jordan and Alootook Ipellie. I am saddened at their loss and hope that Juan O'Neill is entertaining them with his stories and songs.

Thanks to this month's selection committee:

Marcus McCann, Kemisha Newman, Megan Rennie, Victoria Vernell, and Betty Warrington-Kearsley

Thank you also to you, Bywords readers and contributors. Your particpation helps to make Bywords and Ottawa's literary scene strong and vibrant. I hope to see you at upcoming events.

If you have questions, comments or fresh fall leaves, please e-mail me at editor@bywords.ca.

Amanda Earl