BC and Yukon Book Prizes

The BC and Yukon Book Prizes are bringing their author tour to Smithers! Join us for a reading and Q&A with two of this year's finalists: Emelia Symington-Fedy (author of Skid Dogs) and Wanda John-Kehewin (author of Hopeless in Hope). The BC and Yukon Book Prizes celebrate the achievements of British Columbia and Yukon writers, illustrators and publishers of various genres. Drop-ins are welcome, but you can also RSVP for this event on Facebook.

AUTHOR BIOS

Emelia Symington-Fedy

Emelia Symington-Fedy grew up in Armstrong, BC. She has worked as an essayist, storyteller and documentary producer for CBC Radio and is the co-artistic director of The Chop Theatre. She is the creator of the popular blog and radio show that became an audiobook, Trying to Be Good: The Healing Powers of Lying, Cheating, Stealing, and Drugs. After living an urban life for many years, Symington-Fedy and her family are now enjoying life back in Armstrong, on their rural property near a lake. Her book Skid Dogs, which has been described as the Stand by Me for girls that’s been far too long in coming, is a finalist for the Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize.

Wanda John-Kehewin

Wanda John-Kehewin writes to stand in her truth and share that truth openly. She is the mother of five children, two dogs, two cats, three tiger barbs (fish), and grandmother to one super-cute granddog. She calls Coquitlam home until the summertime, when she treks to the Alberta prairies to visit family and learn more about herself and Cree culture, as well as to continuously think and write about what it means to be Indigenous in today’s times. She has published poetry, fiction, writes screenplays, and has also authored the graphic novel series, Dreams. Hopeless in Hope, John-Kehewin's first novel for young adults, is a compelling story of family and forgiveness that has been described as both heartbreaking and humorous. This YA novel is a finalist for the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize.