Editor’s Notes

Greetings Dear Readers,

This month's issue stiches together six poems on memory, loss, bliss, crows, tea, Barbies and the endless sky. Also in the issue is Joseph Lebine's review of two of Phil Hall's most recent publications, one that was edited by local Ottawa publisher and writer rob mclennan and the other that was published by local publisher Apt. 9 Press. Phil Hall was writer-in-residence at the University of Ottawa a few years ago. I'm always pleased to see evidence of Ottawa's productive and active literary community. I hope you enjoy the issue.

I am excited about the upcoming John Newlove Poetry Award reading and ceremony to take place at the Ottawa International Writers Festival on October 20. This year, although I will not have the pleasure of hosting the event, it will be in the capable hands of Charles Earl, who is my necessary counterpart in the running of Bywords.ca. I will be in Toronto at the International Festival of Authors, wearing my writer hat. I send love to all the participants and congratulations to Andrew Lafleche on the launch of his chapbook, "Ashes" and to the winner and honourable mentions. For those of you who will not be able to attend the event, you will be able to find out the results by visiting Bywords.ca and clicking on Newlove at exactly midnight on October 21 and I shall be sending the information out on our social media accounts from Toronto.

Thanks to our selection committee this month:

Wes Babcock
Robert Martin Evans
Jason Lamantia
Tanya Mead
Fiona Mitchell
Kemisha Newman
Jade Riordan
Leslie Smith
Carol A. Stephen
Rob Thomas

I also welcome our new selection committee member, Jade Riordan, a University of Ottawa student who has been previously published by Bywords.

If you have comments, questions, suggestions, or a slice of pecan pie to offer, please e-mail me at amanda@bywords.ca

Amanda Earl

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