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Elena Johnson is the author of Field Notes for the Alpine Tundra (Gaspereau, 2015), a collection of poetry written at a remote ecology research station in the Yukon. A finalist for the CBC Literary Awards and the Bailey Prize, she lives in Vancouver, where she works as an editor and writing mentor. Her poem Casa Museo Manuel de Falla was featured in the Winter 2020 issue of The Fiddlehead. 

Check out Elena's reading recommendation; a novel she describes as a restful, intriguing and escapist read.

Kevin Spenst is the author of Ignite, Jabbering with Bing Bong (both with Anvil Press), and over a dozen chapbooks including Pray Goodbye (the Alfred Gustav Press), Surrey Sonnets (JackPine Press), and most recently Upend (Frog Hollow Press: Dis/Ability series). Two of Spenst's poem were featured in The Fiddlehead issue 282 (Winter 2020). He lives on unceded Coast Salish territory with the love of his life Shauna Kaendo.  

Conor Kerr is a Metis writer living in Edmonton, Alberta. He was the winner of our 2019 poetry contest for his poem A Millenial Love Letter, which appeared in the Spring 2020 issue, and more of Conor's work will appear in our forthcoming summer poetry issue. 

Gordon Lonethunder's poem The Garden of the Pysbytery at Neunen appears in issue No. 281 (Autumn 2019). Click "Read More" to access his music recommendation!

One of the most eye-opening experiences I've had recently as a reader is the ability to share my books with my daughter.

Rebecca Givens Rolland’s creative nonfiction piece, “The Magnesium”, appears in The Fiddlehead No. 283 (Spring 2020). Editorial Assistant Taidgh Lynch conducted the following interview via email in May 2020.

The Fiddlehead recognizes the white supremacy at work in countries around the world, including Canada. We recognize its presence in literary culture, including our own organization, whose genre editors and staff are and have been predominantly white. We pledge to prioritize offering staff and editorial roles to Black, Indigenous and other equity-seeking people as these positions become available.

It is important to me to elevate the voices of female writers from my city. Voices that are rich, diverse and often lost in the shadows of larger cities like Vancouver and Toronto. In light of everything happening in the USA and around the world right now, it feels even more imperative to make sure I use this space to showcase a book from a Black author. This Is How We Disappear by Edmonton poet Titilope Sonuga is a book of raw beauty and fierce joy.

The most engaging musicians for me lately, are ones who have perfected the art of music as Trojan horse. Unleashing their rage from within a perfect overlay of pop, R&B, or Indigenous drumming, Janelle Monáe, King Princess, Eastern Owl, and U.S. Girls, create sublime melodies and catchy hooks that tackle an array of topics not often captured in song.

Let me make the case that the greatest TV show of all time is the German comedy, Der Tatortreiniger—that’s “Crime Scene Cleaner” in English. It’s an auteur comedy starring Berne Madel as our everyman-with-a-gross-but-interesting-job. Over the course of 31 episodes they explore every aspect of death, and more importantly, life.