In December, I read with Ottawa-area authors at an Arts Court event called Salon of the Refused. The Courthouse was full! How wonderful to get to know local writers and celebrate one another’s work.
This special literary gathering was part of a larger, multiple-city reading series organized by University of Guelph librarian, Wayne Johnston:
“You are invited to attend a literary event that takes its inspiration from the 1863 Salon des Refusés. It is a celebration of writing that was initially rejected. It is also a celebration of marginalized communities who often feel rejected by mainstream society. The authors will present works of poetry or prose that went unrecognized when first submitted to either a literary journal or competition but whose power and beauty will be evident to those in attendance.”
For the first time, I read from my short story, “A Shock of Blue.” Initially rejected, that story went on to receive acceptances and now appears in three North American literary publications.
“A Shock of Blue” is a chapter from my forthcoming novel, River of Dreams.
