It was a challenge and an interesting experience to read nearly every book of poetry published in Canada this past year. I am delighted to announce my three award winners: Adèle Barclay, Chantal Gibson, and Nicola Vulpe. Their books are exceptional. Congratulations as well to the longlisted poets. It was a difficult decision indeed. I am grateful for each of these books.

Under the Gamma Camera  Madeline Bassnett  Gaspereau Press  
The Danger Model Madelaine Caritas Longman McGill-Queen's University Press
Fresh Pack of Smokes Cassandra Blanchard Nightwood Editions
What is Long Past Occurs in Full Light Marilyn Bowering Mother Tongue Publishing
Wild Madder Brenda Leifso Brick Books
How She Read Chantal Gibson Caitlin Press
Salt and Ashes    Adrienne Drobnies  Signature Editions  
Renaissance Normcore Adele Barclay Nightwood Editions
The Dark Set Tim Bowling Buckrider Books/Wolsak&Wynn
Insult to the Brain Nicola Vulpe  Guernica Editions  

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Thank you to the editors of The New Quarterly for inviting me to write this piece: https://tnq.ca/rachel-roses-writing-space/

Thank you to the editors of these journals for their support of my recent fiction. The Antioch Review published my story, "Buccal Swab," while AQR published "Porco Dio" : ​http://review.antiochcollege.org/winter-2019

https://aqreview.org/

It's been a week of writing, editing, singing, swimming and exploring. I'm grateful for the time and the light.

I crossed the Baltic Sea by boat and spent a day wandering the magical city streets of Tallinn, Estonia.

Apparently this writing obsession runs in the family. From great books to great bowls, this is a site worthy of investigation: ​https://www.jamesprierwriting.com/
 

So many memories of Toulouse--Toulouse, where I left a piece of my heart! Tant de souvenirs de Toulouse --Toulouse, où j'ai laissé un morceau de mon coeur.

I received an unexpected invitation to attend LAHTI INTERNATIONAL WRITERS' REUNION in Finland this June. What a great unexpected gift! I've always wanted to visit Finland, and am so looking forward to the other writers I'll meet there: https://www.liwre.fi/en/home/

​Les cheveux pleins de confettis et les coeurs pleins de joie--Toulouse nous vous aimons! Hair full of confetti and hearts full of joy--Toulouse we love you! What a beautiful night of Carnival fun in Toulouse. I think I've never loved this city more.