Island Writers
Readers can choose from many local books
Local authors pile up books and awards
The Gulf Islands are home to many renowned poets, and authors of both fiction and non-fiction works. Several award winners are among that number, including Arthur Black, the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour winner, and poet Phyllis Webb, who has won the Governor General's Literary Award for Poetry. Both live on Salt Spring.
Five years ago, Salt Spring Island's public library association decided to celebrate its most literary citizens by creating a list of authors who had published books and hosting an "author's day" to honour them. Library volunteer Elma Rubright spearheaded the event, which first compiled 65 writers' names. "We have more authors and writers moving to the island and the writers are now feeding me addresses and names and it's up to 105," said Rubright before last year's celebration.
Well-known poet and fiction writer Brian Brett is another Salt Spring resident who organizes regularly held visits and public readings by Canadian writers. Local historian and hiker Charles Kahn, non-fiction award-winner Tom Koppel, archaeologist and historical philosopher Ron Wright, environmentalist Briony Penn, and novelists Kathy Page, Robert Hilles and Pearl Luke are some of the many Salt Spring writers of note.
Doctor/writer Kevin Patterson recently won the Rogers Writers' Trust and Butler Fiction prizes for his short-story collection called Country of Cold. Derek Lundy, author of bestsellers Godforsaken Sea and The Way of Ship, is another island resident. Environmental writer Terry Glavin lives on Mayne Island, along with novelist Robert Harlow and poet Cathy Ford.
Audrey Thomas, author of short stories and highly acclaimed novels, and recent recipient of the Matt Cohen Award, has been a long-time resident of Galiano Island. Jane Rule, celebrated nationally and internationally for her fiction and non-fiction, also lives on Galiano.
Some Pender Island writers include prolific crime novelist William Deverell, Cherie Thiessen, famous chef James Barber, and Andrea and Dave Spalding. Sheila Norgate and Sandy Francis Duncan are two of Gabriola's best-known authors.
Saturna Island's small population also boasts published writers such as Senator Pat Carney and fiction writer Bill Schermbrucker, a winner of the Ethel Wilson Prize for Fiction. Books by Gulf Islands authors are available at bookstores and other retail outlets on the islands. Some writers also sell their works at their islands' Saturday markets.