Winter 2025: Editor's Note

The start of winter in Vancouver always surprises me. Even after five years, I am taken aback by the sudden shift of wet/cold that descends. The tree outside my house drops its last leaves in an almost petulant way, as if to say, "I've held on so long! Why no applause?"

Gathering Our Work: An Anthology Update

I am pleased to say that we have completed the first stage of the monumental task before us. Shiela Murray-Nellis, our incredible poetry editor and the editor of this anthology, has delivered a draft of the manuscript to my desk. We will confirm all the pieces in the next few weeks.

We are aiming for a Spring publication date. We intend to make the anthology available in both digital and print form. It's an exciting and daunting project, but reading over the works we've published over the years has been humbling. What a gift it is to be able to support these talented poets and writers. We're grateful!

Looking Ahead

We have some beautiful pieces scheduled for the next few months. Be sure to join our mailing list to get a notification when new posts drop! Our submissions will remain open throughout the holidays, but we may slow down a bit to catch our breath, so please be patient with response times.

Memory Eternal

On a sad note, I got word this week that one of our long-time favourite poets and frequent contributors, Luci Shaw, has passed away. She was a prolific poet and essayist, a deep well of beauty and reflection, and the kindest human. I had the privilege to meet and get to know Luci over the years at speaking engagements and writers' conferences. This is a deep loss for the literary community. I'm comforted knowing that we can continue to bless readers, new and existing, with her work on SKROnline and in our upcoming anthology. One of the poems we'll be including is Sun Shawl, and on cold Vancouver days, this gives warmth to my bones. I hope it brings you joy today:

Sun Shawl

I sit by the window to read and

the sun lays his bright shawl

across my shoulders. I need this warmth

as the nights lengthen. I can knit

all winter, but nothing as golden as this. 

Take care as we move into the holidays, and as always, we are thankful for your support!

Best,

Angela Doll

Editor-in-Chief