Basin writers unite for literary evening in Rossland
By Rosa Jordan
Way back in the spring of 2020, Valemount novelist Maureen Brownlee applied to the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance for a touring grant for a novel expected out in the fall of 2020. We all know how that went.
Fast forward to April 2022 and Brownlee’s novel, Cambium Blue, is now in bookstores and her CKCA-funded Columbia Basin tour is back on and arriving at the Rossland Public Library on Tuesday, May 3 where she will be reading and chatting with Rossland author Rosa Jordan.
Teaming with local writers is a key component of Brownlee’s tour.
“I built it into my application,” she explained, “because, honestly, I thought that meeting more of the funding criteria would improve my chances for a grant. I had no idea how much fun it was going to turn out to be. And, several basin authors also have new books either just out or anticipated so it’s a good opportunity for all of us.”
“I’m thrilled to have been invited to join Maureen to talk about her novel,” said Rosa Jordan. “Cambium Blue has received five-star reviews on amazon and Goodreads, and a great writeup in The British Columbia Review. Given that the story is set in a small, fiercely-independent BC town, I know Rosslanders will love hearing Maureen read from the book and talk about how she came to write it.”
Brownlee hopes local readers and writers will enjoy the format. “I always say that the only thing better than writing is talking about writing,” she quipped. “The format might vary but we will each read a bit, and chat about writing, and then open it up for questions about the book(s) or writing or publishing. I hope it will be an entertaining and interesting literary evening for everyone.”
In addition to the evening event (6:30 p.m. at the library) Brownlee is leading a mini-workshop for writers from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. (contact the library to register). Both events are free.
