Write Across Canada: Mapping the Country in 19 Chapters

In this book, 19 of Canada’s most acclaimed storytellers contribute the narrative pieces that together compose a humorously accurate national reflection. Each author was commissioned by the Ottawa International Writers Festival to write a chapter, set in their local community, in a serial story moving across the country from East to West. Started by Michael Winter in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the narrative–revolving around the ever-transforming everyday Canadians Bruce and Olivia–is developed, embellished, deconstructed and completely manipulated by the likes of Mark Anthony Jarman (Fredericton, NB), Alan Cumyn (Ottawa, ON), Helen Humphreys (Kingston, ON), Sheila Heti (Toronto, ON), Uma Parameswaran (Winnipeg, MB), Thomas Wharton (Edmonton, AB), Arthur Slade (Saskatoon, SK), Richard Van Camp (Fort Smith, NWT), Ivan E. Coyote (Whitehorse, YK), Steven Galloway (Vancouver, BC), Bill Gaston (Victoria, BC), Donna Morrissey (Halifax, NS), Lesley-Anne Bourne (Charlottetown, PEI), Hermenegilde Chiasson (Moncton, NB), Nalini Warriar (Quebec City, PQ), Tess Fragoulis (Montreal, PQ), Dianne Warren (Regina, SK) and paulo da costa (Calgary, AB). Together, the authors represent the astounding regional and cultural diversity of contemporary Canadian literature. Write Across Canada is designed to celebrate our country, our communities, our regional identities and our distinct voices through a literary project that is truly national in scope. The result is a constantly surprising and uproarious cross-country adventure that showcases an amazing diversity of voices and cultures.