Candice James
Candice James (1948) is a Canadian poet who became the poet laureate of New Westminster, British Columbia in June 2010. James has long been writing poems about New Westminster.[1] She is Founder and President of The Royal City Literary Arts Society [2] She is also Past President of The Federation of British Columbia Writers [3] a full member of The League of Canadian Poets, creator of the "Poetic Justice" poetry reading group, creator of Slam Central spoken word group and creator of Poetry In The Park.[4] The Spring 1980 Literary Press Group Catalogue published by the Association of Canadian Publishers described her book A Split In The Water as "a first book by a self-taught poet characterized by brilliant imagery drawn from all facets of modern life.".[5]
Re-appointed to a second term as the Royal City's poet laureate. New Westminster city council appointed James to a second term as the city's Poet Laureate, a post she's held since 2010. The Poet Laureate is responsible for creating and presenting poetry and spoken word works to mark special civic events and functions. During her first term as Poet Laureate, James wrote poems for various civic events, including May Day, Remembrance Day and Canada Day celebrations. She also wrote a poem in honour of the city's granting of Freedom of the City designation to HMCS Discovery.
As New Westminster's Poet Laureate, James has also highlighted the poetic literary scene in New Westminster helping to bring local poets to the forefront through poetry readings and poetry anthologies. She gathered works from local poets and facilitated the publishing of poetry books, Royal City Poets Anthologies (2011; 2012; 2013). The anthologies are available at the New Westminster Public Library and also distributed to libraries across Canada. James also features poems by various New Westminster poets in a monthly column she writes for a local publication. James said people need encouragement and recognition - and that's something she strives to provide local poets.
James was a professional musician-singer-songwriter for many years and is also a visual artist painting predominantly in the acrylic medium.
James' first book of poetry, A Split in the Water, was published by Fiddlehead Poetry Books in 1979. Since then, she's published seven more poetry collections: Inner Heart - A Journey (2010); Bridges and Clouds (2011); and Midnight Embers - A Book of Sonnets (2012) reviewed in the Quill & Quire Magazine (Toronto).;[6] Shorelines - A Book of Villanelles (2013); Ekphrasticism - Painted Words (2013); Purple Haze (2014); A Silence of Echoes (2014) James, a longtime New Westminster resident, is also a board advisor to: The International Muse, India; Poetry Life & Times; a past director of the board for SpoCan, the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and has been appointed an honorary professor of the International Academy of Arts, Greece.
In 2014 James founded the annual Royal City Literary Arts Society "Fred Cogswell Award For Excellence In Poetry". Fred Cogswell was James' mentor in the early years and she says "It is my privilege to found an award for such an icon on the Canadian poetry scene. Fred Cogswell (1917-2004)is a life member of The League of Canadian Poets and an Officer of The Order of Canada.
The City of New Westminster has had a Poet Laureate since the appointment of Edna Anderson in 1998. Don Benson served as the city's Poet Laureate from 1999 to 2006. Anderson was later named Poet Laureate Emerita and Benson was named Poet Laureate Emeritus. James has been reappointed as the city's Poet Laureate from 2013 to 2016.
- written by Theresa McManus - The Royal City Record © Copyright (c) New West Record Read more:[7]
Honours
- Bestowed Poet Laureate from the city of New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada in 2010.[8]
- Reappointed Poet Laureate to second term as Poet Laureate 2013-2016 [9]
Poetry Collections
- A Split In The Water (Fiddlehead Poetry Books,University Of New Brunswick Literary Press 1979) ISBN 0-920110-59-2[10]
- Inner Heart-A Journey (Silver Bow 2010)ISBN 978-0-9868097-0-5
- Bridges And Clouds "(Silver Bow 2011)ISBN 978-0-9868097-8-1
- Midnight Embers - A Book of Sonnets(Libros Libertad 2012)ISBN 978-1-926763-22-4
- Shorelines - A Book of Villanelles (Silver Bow 2013) ISBN 978-1-927616-01-7
- Ekphrasticism - Painted Words (Silver Bow 2013)ISBN 9788-1-927616-11-6
- Purple Haze - (Libros Libertad 2014) ISBN 978-1-926763-31-6
- A Silence Of Echoes - (Silver Bow 2014) ISBN 978-1-927616-13-0
References
- ↑ Richmond News
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ The League of Canadian Poets
- ↑ Poet Laureate Map of Canada
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ Poet Laureate of New Westminster
- ↑
- ↑ New Westcity News
External links
- Candice James Poet Laureate
- Candice James Poet
- Candice James Poet Laureate Facebook Page
- Writers Etc. Forum
- Candice James Songwriter Bass Player Facebook Page
- Candice James Video poems and Video readings