Thank you to our first Writer-in-eResidence, Janet Marie Rogers, for taking on the role to meet with aspiring writers electronically over the past 11 months. The Mabel Pugh Taylor residency is a joint effort with McMaster University and HPL.

To celebrate Janet’s year, there are two events to participate in this month:

• Saturday April 24, 6pm — National Poetry Month Celebration
  Canada's Poet Laureate, Louise Bernice Halfe, chats with Janet. Poetry readings as well.
  Register for the event.
   
• Friday April 30, 6pm — Writer-in-eResidence Finale
  Hear the stories and works in progress written by participants of 2020-21 Mabel Pugh Taylor Writer-in-eResidence with author Janet Marie Rogers.
  Register for the event.

Janet consulted one-on-one with 30 local writers via email and phone throughout the pandemic.

She also gathered 50 submissions on themes of home and COVID-19 for the Writing Home podcast she produced in Summer 2020.

“It has been an absolute honour to serve the local authors. … I can confidently say, the McMaster University and Hamilton region's literary health is vibrant and growing. The diversity within the genres, expressions and voices I've had the pleasure to read, is rich and so very interesting. I regard being appointed to the Writer-in-Residence position as a true blessing to my career and I am sincerely grateful for this rewarding experience.” - Janet Rogers

Janet is a poet and author of Splitting the Heart, Red Erotic, Unearthed and Peace in Duress, among other titles.

This popular program welcomes the next Writer-in-Residence in Fall 2021. Stay tuned for details.