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NorthWord celebrates ten years

Last Updated Apr 22, 2019 at 3:17 pm MDT

(From left) NorthWord co-founder and PR director, Kiran Malik-Khan, President Dawn Booth, Guest Editor for Issue 19, Liana Wheeldon and Co-founder and Managing Editor Jane Jacques at the last launch event held at Points North Gallery. Photo provided by Kiran Malik-Khan, Public Relations Director, NorthWord.

What began as an idea a decade ago is now highlighting the poetry, prose and art of Wood Buffalo.

The Northern Canada Collective Society for Writers (NCCSW) celebrates ten years of “NorthWord: A Literary Journal of Canada’s North.”

On Friday, April 26, the NCCSW hosts a special event at the Avenue Coffee Station Event Center from 5-7 p.m.

Also, it’s free admission, but expect some surprises along with readings, refreshments courtesy of Avenue Coffee, and an open mic.

The magazine is the brainchild of Jennifer and Blair Hemstock, who now reside in B.C.

NorthWord managing editor, Jane Jacques, shared the magazine’s humble beginnings.

“Ten years ago in Fort McMurray, Jennifer and Blair Hemstock, along with a dozen other lovers of the written word, started a small literary magazine. We figured we’d publish one issue and see what happened next.”

Ten years and 20 issues later, Jacques said NorthWord will honour the milestone with their commemorative Issue 20.

Current president Dawn Booth looks forward to Friday’s event, and the next decade.

“Each edition reveals like a special gift for our community and to those who love the art of words. We invite NorthWord’s past guest editors, storytellers, poets and artists to join us for an evening of celebrating this literary milestone.”

You can pick up your free copy at Mac Island, Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts, Blue Mountain Bistro, Keyano College, Points North Gallery, and the Thickwood YMCA.

Facts and figures

  • NorthWord features an estimated 200 literary pieces, and over 100 writers and artists.
  • NorthWord regularly receives submissions from across Canada and the U.S.
  • Local artists featured on the covers of all 20 issues.
  • Local realist painter Sarah McKendry created the cover for Issue 20, which they will unveil during the event.