Lucky Lake Effect

Ten years ago, I was lucky enough to find myself in one of Carolyn Smart's creative writing courses at Queen's University. I remember commenting to a fellow classmate near the end of term, "I don't think I've ever met a teacher who so *believes* in her students." (What Carolyn taught me about being a teacher is fodder for another blog entry).

One of the ways Carolyn demonstrates her belief in her students is by publishing them. Every two years, she compiles and edits Lake Effect: An Anthology of Work by the Creative Writing Students at Queen's University.

I was lucky to be in Carolyn's course. I made lifelong friends there, including Laurie Lewis, the original publisher of Lake Effect. (Laurie is one of those astonishingly cool people that make you say, Oh my god. I can't believe I *know* her!)

I was lucky to be in the first volume of Lake Effect. (I even got to name it!)

And I am lucky now to have the privilege of publishing Lake Effect, Volume 6.

Darryl designed it; that's why it's so gorgeous.

The launch is Wednesday, April 3, 7 pm, at the Renaissance. (Click through. It's gorgeous.)