Editor’s Notes

Greetings dear readers,

Welcome to the July issue of Bywords.ca where we drink cream soda instead of alcohol, or perhaps holy water or melt water before paper wings take us into the flame and ruin our five-year plan, but there's a halo radiating to open the world. Thanks to the five contributors to this month's issue. Yes, five!

We found out toward the end of last month via e-mail that Bywords was going to receive its 2020 funding from the City of Ottawa and two-weeks later, the money arrived in the Bywords account like magic. We are grateful to the City and to the jurors and our cultural liaison officer, Marlène Barré. I remember taking the LRT and bus out to Constellation Drive to submit our proposal back in January, 2020, before Covid-times. It was cold, and I was bundled up in my long, red coat. Those were the days when we didn't have to wear masks, we'll tell the grandchildren.

How are you holding up? Are you out on a patio with a poetry book in hand and a pint? I'm still keeping my distance and doing everything online and can't see that changing any time soon.

We're already starting to plan for the autumn John Newlove Poetry Award celebration and reading that will happen via the Ottawa International Writers Festival. I shall host again. I may be a hologram. Stay tuned for the news about how and when the reading will happen. We will be launching David Groulx's chapbook and hearing from the recipient and honourable mentions of this year's award. And yes, there will be music. It wouldn't be a Bywords reading without it. Thanks to Sean Wilson and the fine folks at the Writers Festival for figuring out the logistics for the fall fest and for our event again this year. Thanks to all event organizers who are learning how to use Zoom and other platforms to ensure we can still go to readings and hear great poets.

Thanks to our selection committee this month:

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

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or fabulous masks to offer, feel free to e-mail me at amanda@bywords.ca.

Amanda Earl
Managing Editor

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