Editor’s Notes

Greetings Dear Readers,

Happy? new year? I don't know what to say. A friend e-mailed me recently and wrote that we have to cling to the good. So here I am clinging hard to the good. All three of the poets published in the January issue are new to Bywords.ca. I'm always happy when we receive poetry from those we've published before, but it is also great when word gets out and those who've never sent us work before do so.

No matter how many times I repeat it, it seems that folks don't always realize we publish both current and former Ottawans, so if you used to live, work or study in the Ottawa area, you can send us poems. Please do so. Winter is always a wee bit quiet for submissions and, in this pandemic year 2, even more so. Yet we need poetry more than ever now, don't we?

The three poems in the first issue of 2021 remind us that we are tiny and finite in comparison to the stars, that it's ok to be afraid and uncomfortable, to yearn for a better time.

If you consult the calendar, you will see that there are many good things to cling to: CKCU FM's Asking for a Friend with Susan Johnson, a radio show that features recorded performances and conversations with local literary and culture creators, and John Akpata's Monday Night Scribes on CHUO.

We will also see the return of Curious and Kind's Iridescent Storytelling Club hosted by Danielle K.L. Grégoire. And soon there will be new readings at the Tree Reading Series, and new slams from Urban Legends Poetry Collective. Riverbed Reading Series returns on February 17 with an event curated by Bywords.ca selector, Helen Robertson. The Canadian Authors Association Ottawa chapter continues to have its meetings monthly online.

In the News, you will find two poetry workshop series offered by local poet, Pearl Pirie.

Arc Poetry Magazine and Canthius will have new issues soon. A reminder that the deadline for Arc's Poem-of-the-Year contest is the end of January. See the News under Calls for Submission for more information.

Black History Month takes place every February and this year once again includes a celebration by In Our Tongues Reading and Art Series. The event will take place virtually on February 9. Watch the calendar for additional celebrations throughout February.

And there will be a new issue of Bywords.ca on February 15 and every month this year, all being well.

Thanks to our selection committee this month:

Jesse Aubin
Wes Babcock
Ellen Chang-Richardson
Margo Lapierre
Kemisha Newman
Jade Riordan
Marjorie Silverman
Carol A. Stephen
JC Sulzenko

If you have comments, critique, advice or comfort to offer, please contact me at amanda@bywords.ca.

Amanda Earl
Managing Editor

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