Events

Tapping the Stream open for registration

Last year’s writing retreat, Tapping the Stream, at the lush, restorative and deeply creative space Hollyhock, on Cortes Island, was a huge success. Here are some photos of the 7-day retreat, where writers write deeply into their works-in-progress — often making huge creative leaps — host a salon, talk deeply about craft, nurture their creativity and build community. All while letting their hair down, paddling in the bioluminescence, and spending time in the garden. Poets, memoirists, visual artists and musicians (if engaged in a writing project), and novelists. I co-host this annual retreat with renowned teacher and writer Betsy Warland, winner of the Vancouver City arts award and founding artistic director of SFU’s Writers’ Studio.

2024’s Tapping the Stream is now open for registration. It will take place June 21-28. See photos from last year’s edition below, then follow this link to find out more and/or to register.

Tapping the Stream open for registrationShaena Lambert2024-02-03T15:01:24-08:00

Interview on How I Wrote This

I’ll be interviewed February 8th on the podcast series, How I Wrote This, with writer and host Pamela Hensley. Other authors in the series include: Heather O’Neill, Anita Rau Badami, Mikhail Iossel, Sean Michaels, Baharan Baniahmadi, Kim Thúy, Neil Smith, H. Nigel Thomas, and Michelle Syba. Details at the How I Wrote This website.

Interview on How I Wrote ThisShaena Lambert2024-02-03T10:41:58-08:00

Looking forward to 2023…

Recently got word that The Walrus will publish my new short story, “Antonius Snorp” in 2023. “Antonius Snorp” was one of those stories that just landed one morning – and which I wrote quickly (for me), though the editing went on for months.

Editing 101. January 25^th, 7:00-8:30 pm PT. By Zoom. Danielle Geller, Cadence Mandybura and I will give mini-lectures and then have a rousing conversation on various aspects of editing. There will be a Q and A. We’ll explore substantive editing, line editing, copy editing, proofing.

Fernie Reading Series – BOOKED! So delighted to be part of Fernie, BC’s, reading series, where from 7:00 to 8:30 renowned author Angie Abdou and I will talk about writing, publishing, my most recent novel, Petra, and what is coming next from both her and me. Hope you can join us. I’ve read so much about Fernie in Angie’s fascinating memoirs.

Tapping the Stream – May 21-28 at Hollyhock on Cortes Island. This is a unique seven-day retreat that allows writers to work in a sustained way on their manuscript-in-progress, free from interruption, but meeting regularly with other writers by fireside, to discuss craft, publishing, and other key aspects of the writing life. I am co-facilitating with Betsy Warland, who created the Writers’ Studio at SFU and the Vancouver Manuscript Intensive, and won the mayor’s arts award for literary excellence.

Looking forward to 2023…Shaena Lambert2023-05-21T07:21:50-07:00

Tapping the Stream, May 2022

Amazing writers, rich conversations, bonfires, swims and hot tubs, and deep and passionate discussions about fiction and character. Old work got burnt and new plans got planned. What a cornucopia. Sign up for the 2023 event here.

Tapping the Stream, May 2022Shaena Lambert2023-05-21T07:21:51-07:00

Writer in Residence, Nelson’s Elephant Mountain Literary Festival, June 2022

So delighted to be Writer in Residence at Nelson’s Elephant Mountain Literary Festival. Blue pencil sessions with writers, a lecture on fiction, and hearing and appearing on stage with authors I deeply admire, including Suzanne Simard – who wrote Finding the Mother Tree – daring and thoughtful author Angie Abdou, iconic poet Tom Wayman, Magpie Ulysses, performer and playwright Lucas Myers, and others. Many thanks to Anne De Grace for inviting me to come to Nelson and be Writer in Res. This is a wonderful festival…

Photo of authors Shaena Lambert and Suzanne Simard standing together — Shaena Lambert and Suzanne Simard

Writer in Residence, Nelson’s Elephant Mountain Literary Festival, June 2022Shaena Lambert2023-05-21T07:21:51-07:00

Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, August 2022

2022 was Jane Davidson’s final year as Artistic Director for the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts. I was so delighted to be part of this event. Readings were held in the huge outdoor log amphitheatre. This is one of the best festivals in Canada, and I was very honoured to be there to salute Jane Davidson’s work.

Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, August 2022Shaena Lambert2023-05-21T07:21:51-07:00

Writer in Residence at Whistler, Sept-Oct 2022

September saw me and faithful dog Augie driving the Sea to Sky Highway for a two-month stint as Whistler’s Writer in Residence. I was given a small, quiet cabin on the south side of Alta Lake. I’d wake at 5 am and take a cup of coffee to the dock (only meeting the occasional bear), write all morning, then meet with six thoughtful and engaged writers – some working in fiction, some memoir.

Photo of Alta Lake, Whistler, with Shaena Lambert's dog Augie in the foreground

In October was the Whistler Writers’ Festival, organized by volunteers and overseen by Artistic Director Rebecca Wood Barnett. Taking over from Stella Harvey, whose work was honoured at the Fest. Thanks so much to Rebecca, Stella and to Stephen Vogler, who runs the Point Artists Centre, which supports the annual WIR program.

In the thick of this residency, I managed to write 60,000 words of my new novel.

Writer in Residence at Whistler, Sept-Oct 2022Shaena Lambert2023-05-21T07:21:51-07:00

Joy Kogawa House, October 2022

Photo of Katherine Lawrence reading from Black Umbrella at Joy Kogawa House with four other attendees sitting and listening — Katherine Lawrence reading from Black Umbrella

Award-winning Saskatchewan poet Katherine Lawrence was in Vancouver at Joy Kogawa House in October, releasing her new book of poetry, Black Umbrella. I interviewed her – and it was a heady and yet grounding experience. This book is so thoughtful and moving. To meet and discuss writing and art in Joy Kogawa’s childhood home is such an intimate pleasure.

Photo of authors Katherine Lawrence and Ethel Whitty at Joy Kogawa House — Authors Katherine Lawrence and Ethel Whitty

Joy Kogawa House, October 2022Shaena Lambert2023-01-22T14:05:37-08:00

Vancouver Writers Festival, October 2022

At the Vancouver Writers Festival in October, I had the pleasure of interviewing three American authors whose work has come blazing into the forefront of publishing in the US. Aamina Ahmad, Jonathan Escoffery and Soon Wiley. A stunning and thoughtful conversation about American publishing, bridging cultures, and creating unforgettable characters.

Vancouver Writers Festival, October 2022Shaena Lambert2023-01-22T13:04:16-08:00

Book launch for PETRA, August 25, 2020

Island Launch: Big thanks to Karen Mahon Carrington, Robert MacLeod Carrington, Marnie’s Books, and others on Cortes Island, who organized my Island Launch (socially isolating, and completely wonderful). Please lie back on a blanket, in one of our blanket pods, and enjoy the entertainment as the sun sets – see video below! Poetry courtesy of Erin Robinson, music by Lucy Lambert and Rick Bockner, and a reading from Petra, plus on-stage interview about the novel, moderated by Karen Mahon Carrington.

Book launch for PETRA, August 25, 2020Shaena Lambert2021-05-05T05:56:03-07:00