The editors of a Vancouver Island poetry journal are pleased with the variety of works they received for their inaugural contest.

The latest issue of Van Isle Poetry Collective, which has been in production since 2020, includes poems by not only the top three winners, but by writers who made the long and short lists, and honourable mentions as well.

Editors April Hilland and Derek R. Swallow first compiled the long list from more than 120 submissions and presented it to NanaimoB次元官网网址檚 poet laureate Kamal Parmar who then selected the short list and top three winners.

B次元官网网址淢e and Derek were absolutely blown away,B次元官网网址� Hilland said. B次元官网网址淎nd the quality was amazing B次元官网网址� It was really difficult because Derek and I look for different things, so it was interesting to put our lists up against one another.B次元官网网址�

The editor continue to say that she and her colleague were both drawn to the B次元官网网址渆arthyB次元官网网址� submissions that reminded them of Vancouver Island.

Hilland said Nanaimo, Parksville, Victoria and Gabriola Island had a great showing, but she would love to see the work of artists from more remote areas of the Island as well.

Although the journal normally operates as low barrier and doesnB次元官网网址檛 charge fees for submissions, the editor said a reading fee for the contest was implemented because she wasnB次元官网网址檛 sure how many entries they would receive at the get-go and felt the winning poets deserved a prize.

The three winning poems of the contest were Robert BowermanB次元官网网址檚 No Place To Call Home, Alexandra Norman-RossB次元官网网址檚 The Edge of Nowhere and Clare SharpeB次元官网网址檚 Ashes.

B次元官网网址淚t shows whatB次元官网网址檚 on the forefront of many of our minds through the region and itB次元官网网址檚 important to note,B次元官网网址� said Hilland of BowermanB次元官网网址檚 poem. B次元官网网址淰ancouver Island has a very unique feel about its region, but itB次元官网网址檚 important to note how pervasive the problems weB次元官网网址檙e having in society are B次元官网网址� Vancouver Island is not immune to the hardships that people are facing on the mainland or in other provinces.B次元官网网址�

Errington-based photographer Micki Findlay, who is also a regular poetry contributor to the journal, submitted her photography to separate the sections, as well as the poem These Hands.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 going through the images of driftwood, the old battered driftwood and the human connection to the ocean, and human connection to the land,B次元官网网址� said Hilland of FindlayB次元官网网址檚 poem.

Copies of Van Isle Poetry Collective: Special Edition can be purchased at .

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