Award-winning author Marion Quednau will be the fourth writer in residence at Powell River Public Library (PRPL), beginning in September.
According to a recent media release, while it is usual for larger public libraries to offer writer in residence programs, it’s an unusual offering for a small library.
"PRPL is just that, a small, single-branch library located in the City of Powell River serving a population of 20,000, encompassing the city, Tla’amin Nation and qathet Regional District, including Lund, Texada Island and Savary Island,” stated PRPL teen services coordinator Mel Edgar. "The library invited applications from emerging and established authors working in any genre from across Canada for its six-week community engagement residency, ultimately selecting Marion Quednau."
Quednau writes in any genre open to her curiosity. Her poetry, fiction and nonfiction, writing for children and recent zany accounts of “real life,” including nonsensical closed captioning and travellers’ remarks on Trip Advisor, have won numerous awards.
"Marion has long worked with youth and children, both in writing and riding, as an equestrian coach in the show ring and in therapeutic riding with neurodivergent/physically challenged
horse fans," added Edgar. "She has great empathy for both horses and riders staying brave and kind, and for those of us who might even write about the experience."
Her poems have been short-listed for CBC Writes Poetry, selected for the Best Canadian Poetry anthology, and recently appeared in the Fish Anthology in Ireland, winning kudos from former American poet laureate Billy Collins. Her fiction won the Smithbooks-Books in Canada First Novel Award.
Quednau has been a mentor and editor for writers of all ages, and will be at PRPL between September 19 and October 3, with a launch event scheduled for September 20.
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