Gabrielle Prendergast Named VPL's New Writer in Residence

Acclaimed screenwriter, poet and young adult fiction author Gabrielle Prendergast has been named Vancouver Public Library's tenth writer in residence. 

During her four-month tenure, Prendergast will spend some of her time mentoring emerging writers, appearing at library and community events and conducting workshops that encourage participants to explore incorporating more cultural diversity into stories and writing verse novels for young adults. The majority of her time throughout the residency will be dedicated to developing her own work, including a new novel, The Boy Who Fell to Earth, inspired by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.

Pendergast is the author of five highly praised novels – Hildegarde (Harper Collins Australia, 2002);Wicket Season (Lorimer Books, 2012), Audacious (Orca Books, 2013), Capricious (Orca Books, 2014) and the soon to be released Frail Days (Orca Books, 2015). She has written numerous screenplays for television, including the animated series Gloria’s House and Fairy Tale Police Department. 

Emerging writers working in the genres of literary and genre fiction for both adults and young readers and narrative verse who would like a one-on-one consultation with Prendergast can visit vpl.ca/events/details/writer_in_residence for more information. 

The inaugural writer in residence reading takes place Wednesday, September 17 at 7 p.m. in the Central Library's Alice MacKay Room. Admission is free.