Editor’s Notes

Greetings Dear Readers,

This month we feature Jade Wallace's review of The Better Monsters by Puneet Dutt and poems by Christian McPherson, Kathleen Klassen and Nofel. I hope you enjoy the issue.

As the summer's volatile weather and heat settles in, many of you are getting a much-needed holiday, perhaps at a cottage somewhere by a lake with a book of poetry in hand.

Life's pace is slower in the summer in Ottawa which means that we aren't getting a lot of submissions and we'd like more. If you are a current or former Ottawa resident, student or worker who writes poetry, I encourage you, no I urge you, no I insist that you send us your poems. If you know of anyone who fits the requirements, please encourage, urge and insist they send us poems. We pay $30 for each poem we publish. See the guidelines on the site.

As part of the summer slowdown, there are fewer literary events taking place in the Nation's Capital, but fewer doesn't mean none. If you can get out to Almonte, check out Curious and Kind's "Message in a Bottle: Creative Community Process Nights" which happens on Tuesdays. Bring your poetry or whatever you're working on and enjoy a supportive group and whimsical environment to share your work. Then return later in the month for the Chair Raiser, a fundraiser to add chairs to the space. It will feature poetry, comedy, storytelling, spoken word and more. Comedian, spoken word artist, multi-talented human, Danielle K.L. Grégoire is working magic to create a marvelous and welcoming space.

Thanks to our selection committee this month:

Jesse Aubin
Wes Babcock
Robert Martin Evans
Kemisha Newman
Catina Noble
Jade Riordan
JC Sulzenko
Rob Thomas
Ben Toner

And thank you to the City of Ottawa for the funding we received this year and previous years.

If you have comments, questions, suggestions, or a syrupy berry-filled waffle to offer, please e-mail me at amanda@bywords.ca.

Amanda Earl
Managing Editor

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