Novelist Ashley Little Named Vancouver Public Library's Writer in Residence

Ashley Little | Photo via Vancouver Public Library

Award-winning novelist Ashley Little will mentor and support emerging writers at Vancouver Public Library this fall as part of the writer in residence program.

Little's first novel, PRICK: Confessions of a Tattoo Artist, was a finalist for Canada’s ReLit Award in 2012 and optioned for film. Her second book, The New Normal, won the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize in 2014. Her third novel, Anatomy of a Girl Gang, won the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and was a finalist for the City of Vancouver Book Award in 2014. It went on to be long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2015 and has been optioned for television.

As the library's writer in residence, Little will spend 25 per cent of her time facilitating workshops and mentoring and supporting emerging writers. The rest of her time will be focused on researching and writing a historical fiction novel about BC’s leper colony, D’Arcy Island, which operated between 1891 and 1924.

Little’s readings as the library’s writer in residence take place on Sunday, Sept. 20, starting at the central branch downtown (1 p.m.), then at Joe Fortes branch (2 p.m.), Firehall branch (3 p.m.) and Mount Pleasant branch (4 p.m.); she’ll read from her novels and give a preview of her upcoming sessions for writers throughout the fall.

Emerging writers who would like a one-on-one consultation with VPL’s writer in residence must apply to be considered. Details on sessions and submission requirements are at bit.ly/vplwriter2015.