I was thrilled to learn I was winner of The Malahat Review's 2018 Open Season Award for fiction. In addition to publication, I was interviewed by Rose Morris, one of the journal's volunteers. "Blue Runaways" will be published in April 2018.



Open Season Awards: Winners for 2018

Jann Everard (fiction), "Blue Runaways"

What does winning the Open Season contest mean to you?
I’ve rarely won anything, much less a literary contest, so learning I’d won the Open Season award was quite a thrill! Judge Carleigh Baker’s comments also meant a great deal to me as they acknowledged that the story had worked—had touched someone emotionally.  
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Read the rest of the interview here.

The Spring issue of The Antigonish Review landed on my doorstep a few months ago. My name is listed on the front cover -- see, there it is with the name of my story, "Incessant Egg Layers," underneath. I've never been listed on the front cover of a journal before. It's a small thing, but it made me happy in a way that was totally out of proportion to the event.

As short fiction writers, we can receive a lot of rejection. Or silence. When our stories are published there is sometimes recognition, but usually ... nothing. That's why I was so surprised when a writer from BC -- a total stranger -- sent me a note through the contact page on this site to tell me why he liked this story. Again, I was absurdly pleased. It doesn't take much to make me happy.

I suspect I am not unlike many writers who toil away, trying to create a short story that will resonate with a reader. Even one reader.

So here is what I ask: If you are a reader that has been touched by a story, who nodded and silently proclaimed "yes" when you finished a piece of short fiction in one of Canada's great literary journals, reach out to the writer of that story. These days, chances are they're on Twitter, or they have a website with a contact page. The fact is, they can usually be reached. So drop them an appreciative line. Do it. You'll make someone happy. And maybe kick start their writing day!

The Spring 2014 issue of Still Point Arts Quarterly isn't out until March 1st. But here's a sneak peak at the cover and an excerpt from my story:

As Seen
by Jann Everard

Her voice had a musical quality that made it easy to listen to—compelling in fact—and she articulated every vowel and consonant. My sister had once told me about a yoga teacher she’d had with a voice so resonant that her students would be lulled to a perfect, restful sleep. This voice also had beauty, caught me up, entangled me like a benevolent spider. I pulled a small backless bench from the wall and pushed it up behind her. The cushion touched the back of her knees and she sat heavily. I sat beside her and she continued.

Order your copy at: http://www.stillpointartgallery.com/uploads/files/SPAQ13_SPR14_PURCHASE.html

So be teased and buy yourself a copy of the latest issue of The Fiddlehead. This story features a tepee, Mutton Bustin' at the rodeo, and the beauty of the Canadian Rockies.