John Lent joins UBC Okanagan as spring writer-in-residence

Photo: Contributed

Okanagan icon John Lent will be the spring writer-in-residence at UBC Okanagan.

Okanagan icon John Lent is joining UBC Okanagan this spring as the writer-in-residence. 

The Vernon-based fiction writer, editor, singer and songwriter will be on campus from Mar. 9-26 working with students, faculty and community members on various projects.

Lent taught at Okanagan College for more than 30 years in creative writing and literature. He has published 11 books and edited 35 volumes of poetry, fiction and non-fiction for publication. 

During his time in residence at UBCO, he will select the winner of the Okanagan Short Story Contest, read and offer feedback on manuscripts from local writers, and host the inaugural Sharon Thesen Lecture on Writing on Mar. 19. 

UBCO Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies professor Nancy Holmes says she's looking forward to seeing Lent provide emerging writers with an encouraging boost. 

“Our definition of a great writer-in-residence is someone who has writing expertise and who loves to talk to emerging writers about their work. John more than fits the bill.

“John is a terrific writer, a master teacher of fiction and poetry, an in-demand editor and someone who pretty single-handedly created the contemporary literary culture in the Okanagan. We are so looking forward to having John on campus again. People lucky enough to be involved will have a great experience.”

If you have a fiction or poetry manuscript you'd like to submit for Lent to review and provide feedback on, click here. The deadline for manuscripts is Friday, Feb. 21. 

The four winners of the Okanagan Short Story Contest will host readings of their submissions on Thursday, Mar. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Okanagan Regional Library, 1380 Ellis St.