Lawrence to be library’s writer in residence
Award-winning poet and author deeply involved in local writing community
Katherine Lawrence will be the Saskatoon Public Library’s 37th Writer in Residence from Sept. 18 to May 31.
Lawrence has published three collections of poetry, a young adult novel-in-verse and two chapbooks. She has an MFA in creative writing from the University of Saskatchewan and is also a playwright.
Raised in Hamilton, Ont., she has lived in Saskatchewan since 1982. Her first collection of poetry, Ring Finger, Left Hand, won the Brenda Macdonald Riches Award for best first book at the Saskatchewan Book Awards (SBA). Subsequent works won the 2015 John V. Hicks Long Manuscript Award and the 2014 City of Regina Writing Award. Her book, Never Mind, received a 2016 SBA nomination for book of the year
“SPL is excited to welcome Katherine, who we’re confident will be an excellent and valued mentor for many local writers over the coming nine months,” Carol Cooley, director of libraries and CEO for Saskatoon Public Library, said in a release. “Katherine has a strong reputation nationally and is deeply involved in the local writing community.”
SPL’s writer in residence offers aspiring writers tips, encouragement and a critical eye as they strive to hone writing skills and to find their own literary voice. The writer in residence also works with established writers who desire a professional appraisal of their work, and participates in various other group workshops and special events during their residency.
“My message to the SPL is, ‘Thank you for making it possible for writers to gather with birds of the same feather,’ ” Lawrence said in a release. “My message to emerging and established writers is ‘Let’s fly.’ ”
Lawrence chairs the Access Copyright Foundation and is a former board president of the Sage Hill Writing Experience. A welcome reception for her will be held Thursday, Sept. 28, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Bassment.
More information on the writer in residence program can be found at saskatoonlibrary.ca/writerinresidence