Literature

A peacock pops in to the Oak Bay branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library. (GVPL/Twitter)

Peacock pops in to peruse Oak Bay library

Curious bird temporarily took up residence in public library stacks

 

Reading to a child image captured by Jill Hayward.

B.C.’s summer reading club helps children continue to work on literacy skills

Program available at public libraries and online

 

Harrison Firefighter Fred Webber smiles as he holds copies of the two Chicken Soup for the Soul books that contain his story. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Harrison firefighter publishes story in 2 ‘Chicken Soup’ books

Fred Webber fulfilled his firefighting dream in his mid 50s

 

Vancouver-raised author Pik-Shuen Fung, shown in a handout photo, has won this year's Amazon Canada First Novel Award. Fung was awarded the $60,000 prize for "Ghost Forest" at a ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

B.C. author’s ‘Ghost Forest’ wins Amazon Canada First Novel Award

Pik-Shuen Fung awarded the $60,000 prize for story of woman grappling with the death of her father

Vancouver-raised author Pik-Shuen Fung, shown in a handout photo, has won this year's Amazon Canada First Novel Award. Fung was awarded the $60,000 prize for "Ghost Forest" at a ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
Award-winning CBC journalist Angela Sterritt (left) will be a mentor for the 2022 Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle program. Samantha Krilow (right) was a participant in the 2021 program. (Submitted photos)

Applications open for Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle mentorship program

21 participants will be matched with one of seven mentors in the six-month program

Award-winning CBC journalist Angela Sterritt (left) will be a mentor for the 2022 Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle program. Samantha Krilow (right) was a participant in the 2021 program. (Submitted photos)
There is a wide variety of reading material available, although efforts have been made to challenge, suppress or ban certain works. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about the freedom to read?

The week of Feb. 20 to 26 is Freedom to Read Week in Canada

There is a wide variety of reading material available, although efforts have been made to challenge, suppress or ban certain works. (Black Press file photo)
Family Literacy Week emphasizes the importance of reading through a variety of games and virtual events. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Literacy)

Family Literacy Week in Greater Victoria reminds of the importance of reading

Family friendly events and activities take place Jan. 23 to 30 around the region and online

Family Literacy Week emphasizes the importance of reading through a variety of games and virtual events. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Literacy)
Gabriola Island-based writer Libby Gunn has been long-listed for the CBC Non-fiction Prize for her short story ‘Whitefish.’ (Photo courtesy Diane Simpson)

Gabriola Island writer long-listed for CBC Non-fiction Prize for second time

Libby Gunn ponders connection to land and family in short story ‘Whitefish’

Gabriola Island-based writer Libby Gunn has been long-listed for the CBC Non-fiction Prize for her short story ‘Whitefish.’ (Photo courtesy Diane Simpson)
The winners of the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and Children’s Book Prize will be announced online Oct. 3. (Thorsten Frenzel/Pixabay)

Victoria Book Prize Society announces award finalists

Two local authors will win $5,000 for their work, winners announced online Oct. 3

The winners of the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and Children’s Book Prize will be announced online Oct. 3. (Thorsten Frenzel/Pixabay)
The poet and publisher Clare Winstanley. (Contributed – AMGray Studios)

Sooke poet publishes narrative poems – an investment in life’s third chapter

‘It’s time to go back now and complete the things you started when you were younger’

The poet and publisher Clare Winstanley. (Contributed – AMGray Studios)
Writers gather June 30 at the 5th Street Bar and Grill in Victoria to launch Shifting Landscapes: Wandering Words, Vol. II. (Photo by Laura Foubister)

Greater Victoria writers come together while working apart

15 local authors launch Shifting Landscapes: Wandering Words, Vol. II

Writers gather June 30 at the 5th Street Bar and Grill in Victoria to launch Shifting Landscapes: Wandering Words, Vol. II. (Photo by Laura Foubister)
Former education minister Rob Fleming and Premier John Horgan read to children at the James Bay Library during a previous summer visit. This year’s BC Summer Reading Club, staged by the Greater Vuctoria Public Library, is open to children under 13 and will feature artwork from Vancouver cartoonist and illustrator Zoe Si. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria Public Library gives kids incentive to read this summer

Summer Reading Club rewards participants for seven weeks of reading

Former education minister Rob Fleming and Premier John Horgan read to children at the James Bay Library during a previous summer visit. This year’s BC Summer Reading Club, staged by the Greater Vuctoria Public Library, is open to children under 13 and will feature artwork from Vancouver cartoonist and illustrator Zoe Si. (Black Press Media file photo)
Pencil ninja is just one of the many stories from the minds of local youth on display in Victoria shop windows now through July 2. (Drawing courtesy Story Studio)

Young storytellers lead readers on a hunt through Victoria

Story Path featuring Pencil Ninja and more promotes literacy and outdoor physical activity

Pencil ninja is just one of the many stories from the minds of local youth on display in Victoria shop windows now through July 2. (Drawing courtesy Story Studio)
The Greater Victoria Placemaking Network has launched Little Free Library Bingo – a pandemic-friendly game is complete with bingo cards encouraging players to check out the mini-libraries in the region, read and win prizes. (Photo submitted by Teale Phelps Bondaroff)

Greater Victoria book bingo game launched by Little Free Library operators

Placemaking group encourages players to explore region, fall in love with reading

The Greater Victoria Placemaking Network has launched Little Free Library Bingo – a pandemic-friendly game is complete with bingo cards encouraging players to check out the mini-libraries in the region, read and win prizes. (Photo submitted by Teale Phelps Bondaroff)
Colwood-based writer Esi Edugyan will speak about the deep research she did before writing <em>Washington Black</em>, her third novel. (Black Press Media file photo)

Colwood author Esi Edugyan giving talk May 6 about her research and writing process

Event is part of Royal Road’s Changemaker series celebrating its 25th anniversary

Colwood-based writer Esi Edugyan will speak about the deep research she did before writing <em>Washington Black</em>, her third novel. (Black Press Media file photo)
Former park warden George Mercer has turned to writing fiction since his retirement and move to Vancouver Island. Photograph by Lia Crowe

Into The Wild With Writer George Mercer

A passion for parks sets the backdrop for novel series

  • Jan 6, 2021
Former park warden George Mercer has turned to writing fiction since his retirement and move to Vancouver Island. Photograph by Lia Crowe
Kids can join an e-reading club with the Victoria Literacy Connection. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria Literacy Connection offers free e-reading club for kids

Kids with Grade 2-5 reading levels can join the club

Kids can join an e-reading club with the Victoria Literacy Connection. (Black Press Media file photo)
Yasuko Thanh, left, and Carla Funk are the opening speakers in the Sidney Literary Festival’s 2020 spring Authors Reading Series. They’ll appear and read from their published works on Feb. 7 at the Shoal Centre in Sidney. Photos courtesy Sidney Literary Festival

Spring author’s reading series kicks off early in Sidney

Sidney and Peninsula Literary Society hosts Yasuko Thanh and Carla Funk for Feb. 7 event

  • Jan 31, 2020
Yasuko Thanh, left, and Carla Funk are the opening speakers in the Sidney Literary Festival’s 2020 spring Authors Reading Series. They’ll appear and read from their published works on Feb. 7 at the Shoal Centre in Sidney. Photos courtesy Sidney Literary Festival
Award-winning Greater Victoria author Esi Edugyan and her book Washington Black head up a strong list of finalists for the 2019 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize. The finalists for this award and the Victoria Children’s Book Prize were announced Wednesday. (Black Press Media file photo)

Edugyan leads shortlist for 2019 Butler Book Prize

Finalists announced for Victoria top literary awards, winners to be announced at Oct. 9 gala

Award-winning Greater Victoria author Esi Edugyan and her book Washington Black head up a strong list of finalists for the 2019 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize. The finalists for this award and the Victoria Children’s Book Prize were announced Wednesday. (Black Press Media file photo)
Scaachi Koul presenting a talk at Sidney LitFest at a recent festival. (Sidney LitFest)

Sidney LitFest opens a new chapter

Festival seeking sponsors for event running April 12 to 14

Scaachi Koul presenting a talk at Sidney LitFest at a recent festival. (Sidney LitFest)