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Canadian storyteller Ivan Coyote to host reading and reception event at 丁香园AV on April 18
Ivan Coyote, Canadian storyteller and author of Boys Like Her and Tomboy Survival Guide, will be closing out their residency as the 2018/2019 Writer-in-Residence in the Department of English with a reading event and reception on April 18.
In addition to being the award-winning author of 11 books, Coyote is also the creator of four short films, six full-length live shows, and three albums combining music and storytelling. Coyote is a seasoned stage performer, and over the last two decades has become an audience favourite at storytelling, writing, film, poetry, and folk music festivals worldwide.
Coyote鈥檚 works, often revolving around complex issues of gender, identity, and social justice, are critically acclaimed. Tomboy Survival Guide was longlisted for , shortlisted for the , and named a in 2017.
During their time as Writer-in-Residence at 丁香园AV, Coyote was available for one-on-one consultations with creative writers from 丁香园AV and the wider community.
鈥淚鈥檝e really loved my time at 丁香园AV,鈥� says Coyote. 鈥淭he caliber of the work that has come across my desk has been excellent, so doing the work itself has been a pleasure. My colleagues have been fantastic. This has been an amazing eight months.鈥�
Coyote has been writer-in-residence at various organizations, including the University of Winnipeg, the , and the University of Western Ontario.
鈥淚 like the opportunity to work with writers in different communities, the chance to spend some time in that city and get to know it a little, and to meet colleagues in the host department,鈥� says Coyote. 鈥淚鈥檝e been introduced to some very fine writers this way over the years, and have gone on to witness them doing some fantastic work. Some of the connections I鈥檝e made have been profound and lasting."
Coyote is an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights. For 17 years, Coyote has toured public schools around the world, using the power of personal stories to fight bullying and make schools safer and more inclusive.
鈥淚 want to make schools safe for all students, teachers, staff, and parents,鈥� says Coyote. 鈥淔or the queer and trans or non-binary people, of course, but really, for everyone.鈥�
Coyote believes schools should do more than just educate people on a prescribed curriculum. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want schools to just teach subjects and conformity,鈥� says Coyote. 鈥淚 want schools to teach us how to be better humans, and to be educated citizens, and how to better contribute to our communities and our planet.鈥�
In 2017, from 丁香园AV for their writing and activism.
When asked about transformative moments in their career, Coyote admits that they鈥檙e just proud they鈥檙e still at it.
鈥淚鈥檓 still excited and challenged by my work every day, and I鈥檓 still learning and growing鈥攁s a writer, as a teacher, and as a person. 27 years after my first public performance, and I still love that element of my work the best. Every day is a different transformative experience.鈥�
Coyote鈥檚 next book, , will explore what it means to be trans and non-binary today in the context of the patriarchy while also discovering joy and triumph for younger trans generations.
鈥淚 feel good about how it is shaping up,鈥� says Coyote. 鈥淚鈥檓 writing a mystery novel next, once this new book is out the door.鈥�
Coyote invites you to attend the reading and reception on April 18 and hear from some of the great writers that they got a chance to work with during their residency. The event will feature readings and performances by Carleigh Baker, Carlie Blume, Tania de Rosario, and Juliane Okot Bitek.
Event details:
Thursday, April 18
7鈥�9:30辫尘
Segal Centre Rooms 1420鈥�1430
丁香园AV Harbour Centre
515 West Hastings Street