Happy New Year, Indeed

I am *still* slightly bewildered about the last month or so of 2014 (and yes, still writing about it). However, both my husband and I greet 2015 with optimism, rebuilding health, and new-found energy.

In fact, lots of fun stuff is on the horizon.

February 2 marks the official Toronto launch of Best Canadian Essays 2014. Go if you can; it's a joint launch with Priscilla Uppal's much-anticipated short story collection and will feature readings by lots of great people.

The unofficial Thunder Bay launch of BCE 2014 will occur the following evening, February 3, because I happen to be reading in Thunder Bay (Brodie Library, 7 p.m.) that evening and why not.

I'm reading as part of the kickoff event for the Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop's electronic- Writer in Residence program. Supported by the Ontario Arts Council's Northern Arts program, the event gives writers in the region a chance to attend workshops (in person or via livestreaming) with award-winning fiction writer and Thunder Bay resident Amy Jones (twitter: @amylaurajones).

The program also includes manuscript critiques conducted by email, and Amy will travel to a couple of regional locations to conduct in-person workshops there. She will also provide writing workshops to northern communities through K-Net and the Keewaytinook Internet High School. It's a wonderful program, previously supported by the Thunder Bay Community Foundation to bring Elizabeth Ruth and Marilyn Dumont to Thunder Bay.

I'm currently tossing around various ideas for what I'll read, other than an excerpt of the essay appearing in BCE 2014. One option is part of a short story that Elizabeth Ruth provided feedback on in a previous incarnation of the e-Writer in Residence. More news about that story later.

In any case, it's always fun to read. I'm happy to appear in support of the e-Writer in Residence, and completely humbled by the company in which my essay appears in BCE 2014. (As it makes its way into bookstores, I'll post links.)

Though this attention is nice, I'm mostly excited to be able to turn my attention toward writing again, and I'm looking forward to a productive, word-filled 2015. Here's hoping you are the same.