Word Vancouver in Conversation with Executive Director Bonnie Nish
Word Vancouver the past few years would not be the festival it is with out our amazing Volunteers, Board of Directors, Staff and our lovely Executive Director Bonnie Nish.
Let’s get to know her a little bit more!
What is your favourite part of the Vancouver literary community?
I love how everyone supports one another. We realize we are all in this together and one part helps the other to grow.
Some may not know that you are also an Art Therapist, why is it important for you to use writing and art as a therapeutic tool in your work as a counsellor and in your work with your literary organization Pandora’s Collective?
I have seen first-hand over and over again the power of the written word both in private and group settings. I have been witness to how writing gives individuals the freedom to move through something they were unable to let go of previously. I have seen how in finding their voice they regain a sense of self (sometimes for the first time) and are able to feel valued. There is also power in sharing our stories. We can help others to heal and that heals us at the same time. This is a huge gift.
What inspires you to write?
Everything inspires me to write. Mainly it is my way of staying connected to others but mostly it is my way of understanding the world around me and trying to make some sense of what is going on whether it is watching the world explode this past year or the moment my children were born.
Advice to aspiring poets and writers?
Keep doing it. If you don’t do it you won’t get better. Ask for advice from people you trust and who understand your voice. Send your work out into the world to be shared and then write something else. Just keep doing it. Try to find joy in writing and knowing it can make a difference.
Who are some of your favourite poets or books of poetry to celebrate National Poetry month this April?
There are so many poets. I love both Canadian and American. A few. Jonina Kirton, her words absolutely stick to me. Chantal Gibson who makes us all stop, all listen. Jen Currin who gives depth to everything. Anything by Evelyn Lau. Russell Thornton for his stories. Jordan Abel for his genius. Hasan Namir for all his work. Laura Apol for her bravery. Naomi Shihab Nye for her gift of finding beauty. Li-Young Lee for all the moments he offers. Christie Charles, Shane Koyczan. These are only a few I could go on and on and on there are so many talented poets out there. I am stunned each year by the new poets who are being published and the talent they all have.
What about this year’s Word Vancouver festival are you most excited for and to share with everyone?
I am in the middle of programming as are our guest curators. Right now we have some exciting panels that we will be offering. Not all poetry but still exciting, here are a few.
September Events:
Festival Opening - Reading and talk with our Indigenous Guest Curator Molly Cross-Blanchard, Exhibitionist (Coach House Press) and LGBTQ2S+ Guest Curator Hasan Namir, Umbilical Cord, (Book*hug Press)
Workshop – Queer Writing for Young Readers, Facilitated by Robin Stevenson. This will be a writing workshop for young writers that will focus on queer writing for young readers. It will focus on the challenges and the fun aspects of writing, with some writing prompts and Q&A.
Panel - Journey to Memory Passage with host LGBTQ2S+ Guest Curator Hasan Namirand panelists Kama La Mackarel (Zom Fam), Kirby (Poetry is Queer) and Mohamed Abdulkarim Ali (Angry Queer Somali Boy: A Complicated Memoir)
Panel - Good Ancestors: Who We Write For and From. Four talented writers at different stages of their careers will read their work and discuss their influences along with who they write to and for. Moderator: Jen Currin and Panelists: Jonina Kirton, (An Honest Woman, Talon Books) Marc Perez, Kit McKeown, Junie Desil (Eat Salt| Gaze At The Ocean, Talon Books)
In Conversation - Cult Films then and now with Heidi Greco: Glorious Birds: A Celebratory Homage to Harold and Maude (Anvil Press)
In Conversation - Diversity & Disability: building imaginary worlds in literature to confront issues of social justice with host Adelle Purdham and panelists Amanda Leduc and Jael Richardson
Bonnie Nish is Executive Director of Word Vancouver and Pandora’s Collective Outreach Society. Bonnie has a Masters in Arts Education from Simon Fraser University and a PhD in Language and Literacy Education from UBC. Bonnie’s first book of poetry ‘Love and Bones’ was released by Karma Press. Her next book “Concussion and Mild TBI: Not Just Another Headline” an anthology of concussion related stories, was published by Lash and Associates in 2016. Bonnie is an Expressive Arts Therapist with a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from the Vancouver Expressive Arts Therapy School where she is also a faculty member. Her latest book, Cantata in Two Voices, co-written with Jude Neal was released by Ekstasis Editions.
