Good Things Going On
This is not my cat but it looks cute and fiesty. Photo credit: Tucker Good.
Women Writers, Women’s Books
Check out this hub by women writers to share their literary works, advice, commentary, reflections, good news!
My short piece, “How to Not-Write: 5 ways to advance your literary career through means that aren’t normally considered writing” is now part of the Women Writers conversation and I’d love to hear your comments. Are you, too, not-writing?
“Witness” Guests Stars on the Eh Poetry Podcast
Delighted to have “Witness” read not only once but three times, for the August 9th episode of this very cool Canadian-content poetry podcast created by Jason Coombs. The Eh Poetry Podcast features “poetry from poets who call Canada home with the goal of exposing it to the world, while giving listeners a chance to dive deeper into each poem with a 2nd and 3rd reading.”
“Witness” Is One of the Fresh Voices 25
I am honoured for this fresh poem of mine to have a voice in the League of Canadian Poets’ Fresh Voices April 2022 publication, for emerging poets and new members.
“Witness” represents the first piece of writing I have had published about my family’s parental alienation syndrome—or more accurately, depicts one moment in my life, trying to grapple with it. I hope to have the courage and the opportunity to write and share more.
Thank you to Sherry and to Blaine for your help coaching and editing.
You can read my poem and the other fresh poems here.
The Parasol Flower Wins for Fiction!
In December, The Parasol Flower was awarded first prize for Fiction at the 28th Annual Hamilton Literary Awards!
Here is what the anonymous judges said about my novel:
"Reading The Parasol Flower, I thought of how many very talented writers we are lucky to have in our region, and that Karen Quevillon is certainly one of them. An historical fiction about a botanical painter living in Malay around the turn of the century is intertwined with the story of a present day meandering PhD student who is searching for the painter’s lost artwork, The Parasol Flower carries us to both Europe and Asia. The present-day narrative is pleasantly reminiscent of Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code as Quevillon takes the reader through libraries and archives and dusty storage lockers in search of missing documents and art, including one particularly sought-after painting called “The Parasol Flower”, a portrait of a rare botanical specimen suspected to be a local myth. In the historical narrative, the author paints luscious word portraits of jungle features, dead tigers, rattan furniture, and bright orchids. The dreary, grey-brown world of present day Europe she presents effectively contrasts the two locations and eras, each acting as a foil for the other in the way complementary shades of paint such as red and green will vibrate when dabbed side by side onto a canvas….Themes such as colonialism, feminism, classism, power, privilege, unrequited longing, and prejudice were also woven throughout the story, along with some horrific descriptions of cruelty and abuse which were as heartbreaking and grim as those found in Anne-Marie McDonald’s Fall On Your Knees. But it is the joy in the art, in the freedom, in the searching, in the botany, in the small victories, that keep a reader turning pages.”
"I found the Malaysia time and setting strong, and enjoyed learning more about it through the story. The connections between the present and past is believable and well-balanced, and the writing is good. The character's desire to create art came through loud and clear…”
“Strongly written. Delightfully human characters and an historical mystery that keeps us asking: who is Hannah Inglis?"
Thinking of travelling and want some literary inspiration? Introducing TripFiction!
Feel like getting away somewhere in the world? If you’re lucky enough to be planning an actual vacation, or if you’re just wanting to travel in your imagination, TripFiction offers you a curated list of novels set in different places around the world to satisfy your wanderlust. What a brilliant idea, right?
I’m even more pleased to say that I have a personal connection to the project. I’m honoured that my poem “In Search of Baghdad” won second prize in TripFiction’s recent Voyages by Verse poetry contest. As well, The Parasol Flower is now listed on TripFiction’s literary catalogue, receiving this glowing review from TripFiction’s founder, Tony Geary.
Guest Blogging with the amazing Elaine Cougler
I was so very pleased to be interviewed recently about my writing life and The Parasol Flower by Elaine Cougler, author of The Man Behind the Marathons and The Loyalist Trilogy. I’ve always been especially inspired the way Elaine manages her writing life and her author brand. She’s a whirlwind of activity!
Check out my guest interview here (along with Elaine’s warm and enthusiastic introduction) and have a look at all of Elaine’s website, which showcases her historical fiction trilogy and her new book, a work of nonfiction about Ron Calhoun, the organizer behind the Terry Fox fundraising movement.
Making Good Stories Great: a Conversation about Revision
My lovely Regal House editor Pam Van Dyk will be speaking about the writing and editing process along with her writing partner, author Heather Bell Adams. Pam will be featuring her work on my novel The Parasol Flower.
Host: Quail Ridge Books, in Raleigh, NC
Tuesday July 28, 7:00 - 8:00 pm EST
Sign up for this virtual event here. You can even submit a question for Pam and Heather!
I’m Podcasting with a Conspiracy of Lemurs
June 25: Historical Fiction Series: Historical Fiction or Historical Truth?
Karen Quevillon, author of The Parasol Flower, and Mitchell James Kaplan, author of Into the Unbounded Night, discuss the writing of history vs. the writing of “tales.” As a novelist, are you working with “official” history, working against the grain of it, or doing something else entirely…?
My (Small Press) Writing Day
Visit Rob’s blog to read creative writers’ and poets’ reflections on their writing process.
Poet Rob McLennan has been a prolific creator, friend and advocate for indie publishing and writers of all statures and experiences for many decades now. One of his ventures is the “My (Small Press) Writing Day”, inspired by The Guardian newspaper’s occasional Arts’ feature “My Writing Day”, in which well-known authors wrote about their typical writing day and shed some light on the complete inanity of the creative writing process.
The platform, Rob says, belongs to “those of us who might never appear in The Guardian.” I wouldn’t want to rule out the possibility of some day taking Guardian readers by storm, but I was more than happy to be invited to share my own writing day for the October 1st issue of Rob’s blog.
Among other things you will learn about my coffee habit, how walking can cure writer’s block, and why I need to set my oven alarm to stop myself from writing. Visit the blog and leave a comment!
The book recommendation exhibit at the Empathy Musuem.
Empathy Museum
Founded by public philosopher Roman Krznaric, the Empathy Museum is a travelling interactive, one-of-a-kind exhibit. I think it’s a fantastic effort to build empathy by having people imaginatively inhabit the perspectives of others. Check it out!
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Brain Pickings Newsletter
This e-newsletter, created by writer Maria Popova, is a labour of love that I think is truly edifying. It’s weekly, ad-free curated content that introduces readers to challenging, fascinating and soul-salving ideas proposed by people who have grappled with how to survive this life: philosophers, artists, scientists, poets, writers, musicians, and thinkers of all kinds. Links to books, illustrations, audio files, and projects worth diving into.