Flin Flon area writers of all ages and stages can now see their work in print on the pages of a Flin Flon Writers Guild publication called Words on the Rocks: Collected Prose and Poetry of Flin Flon Writers.
Last Saturday, Feb. 20, the Flin Flon Public Library hosted a book launch for the 2015 anthology, which features works of fiction and non-fiction written by local writers. Seven readers shared passages from the book.
Local author Alex McGilvery spearheaded Words on the Rocks with a support committee from the writers’ guild. The committee reached out to a wide network of novice and experienced writers to gather a varied collection of local work.
“I really felt it was important that we have some of our Flin Flon writers highlighted,” said McGilvery.
“We published a book about 20 years ago, and it was about time we did it again.”
The Flin Flon Writers Guild’s first publication, Between Beaver Lake and Athapap, was published in 1992.
After receiving submis-sions from over 20 writers, McGilvery got to work, editing, organizing and designing the manuscript, drawing on his experience as an editor and self-published author.
Last spring, the guild published the first edition of the book through Lulu, a self-publishing platform. After some revisions, a second edition was published in late 2015.
Former Flin Flon MLA Gerard Jennissen wrote the foreword for the anthology, commenting on the vibrant creative community in the local area.
“Directly, or indirectly, our authentic Northern voice is shaped by the harsh and rugged beauty of our region,” Jennissen writes.
“The elemental forces of sun and rock and pine and water are a reality in which we are embedded.”
A dedication in Words on the Rocks honours Harry Hobbs and Glenda Walker-Hobbs, “who have been the backbone of the writing community in Flin Flon for many years.”
Hobbs and Walker-Hobbs have both been involved with the guild since 1983, and currently serve as treasurer and secretary for the organization.
McGilvery said he felt it was important to acknowledge the couple for the time and effort they have invested in the writer’s guild.
“Without them keeping it going, we wouldn’t necessarily have it anymore,” said McGilvery.
Words on the Rocks is available for sale at a number of locations, including the library.
