Michael Turner
The Department is pleased to announce that Michael Turner will be Writer-in-Residence from September 2009 to May 2010. Michael is an important Canadian writer and cultural figure who is well known for his novels, poetry, screen plays and art criticism. His first book of poetry, Company Town (1991) was nominated for the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize. With Hard Core Logo (1993) and American Whiskey Bar (1997) — both of which have been adapted to the screen — Turner moves into a mixed genre practice, creating fragmentary narratives that combine aspects of the novel, poetry and the film script. His 1999 novel The Pornographer’s Poem, published by Doubleday Canada, won the B.C. Book Prize’s Ethel Wilson Fiction Award; a screen adaptation is also once again in development. His new novel, 8 x 10, will be published by Doubleday Canada in the Fall of 2009. Currently, he is beginning work on a new novel, Else, and a new poetry collection, 9 x 11, which focuses on the changes in Turner’s Vancouver neighbourhood.
During his time at SFU, Michael will both focus on his own writing and engage in a series of activities and events. The Writer-in-Residence program provides the opportunity to interested creative writers to consult with a professional writer for manuscript consultation and advice.
To book a consultation with Michael, please call Elaine Tkaczuk in the Department of English at 778-782-3121. Appointments are 45 minutes each, on Fridays starting January 29th at the Harbour Centre (downtown Vancouver) campus. Appointments are for critical feedback and editorial advice on work that has been submitted at least one full week before by e-mail (as a Word attachment) to miketurner@shaw.ca.
Submissions are limited to 8 pages for poetry (one poem per page), 10 pages (double-spaced, 12 pt.) for fiction/non-fiction prose, or 15 pages for Drama (1st act screenplay).
Students and the general public are welcome.
(The Writer-in-Residence Program receives funding assistance from the Canada Council, the Office of the President, and the Dean of Arts and Social Sciences, Simon Fraser University.)
Writer-in-Residence Committee:
The Ad Hoc Writer-in-Residence Committee has been established by the English Department to work in consultation with the resident writer to design and coordinate his/her schedule of duties and activities. Committee members include Clint Burnham, David Chariandy, Steve Collis, Jeff Derksen, Carole Gerson (Chair, English), Christine Kim, Graham Lyons (Graduate Student Rep), and Sophie McCall.