Editor’s Notes

Greetings readers,

Four great poems grace the September issue. I hope you enjoy. Have you taken a look at the Bywords.ca literary calendar? It's bursting with readings. You'll also notice that the full schedule for October's Ottawa International Writers Festival is up. Take a look, buy your passes and your tickets. The Bywords 2015 John Newlove Poetry Award is on the schedule. I know who the winner and honourable mentions are but I can't tell you. You'll have to wait for the ceremony and reading at Maxwell's on October 26. Take a look at the teaser from judge Matthew Rader. See if you can guess which poem won the award. Rob Thomas, our 2013 recipient is reading at the Writers Festival too, at the Al Purdy A-Frame event.

At this time, I'd also like to wish the Sawdust Reading Series a happy first year anniversary on behalf of Bywords.ca. Under the helm of Jennifer Pederson and her trusty assistant, Liam Burke, the series is sizzling at the Pour Boy on Somerset W. Sawdust is a welcome addition to the community.

In/Words welcomes two new editors this year, writers Sanita Fejzic and Jenny Greenberg. Take a look at the In/Words call for submission for the next issue, due September 30 over at the calls for submission section of the Bywords.ca news. And if you have a chance, stop by the weekly writers' circle at Black Squirrel Books some Wednesday evening to share your work or attend the In/Words reading series the last Wednesday of the month. If it's Wednesday, it must be In/Words.

Still need more information about all the great literary happenings in this city? Pearl Pirie has written a comprehensive overview of publishers, magazines, small presses and more on her blog.

Thanks to our selection committee this month:

Robert Martin Evans
Jason Lamantia
Anne LeDressay
Fiona Mitchell
Kemisha Newman
Leslie Smith
Carol A. Stephen

And thank you to all of you for your involvement in Ottawa's thriving literary scene, whether you're living here now or a former resident or just an admirer from afar.

If you have questions, comments, suggestions or a well-done steak to offer, please contact me at amanda@bywords.ca.

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Amanda Earl