Kate Inglis's Blog, page 5
May 29, 2019
Shortlisted
Notes for the Everlost has been shortlisted for the Evelyn Richardson Award for Non-Fiction as a part of the Atlantic Book Awards! The ceremony is in St. John’s, Newfoundland in early June 2019, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to visit the rock for the first time.
It’s such a funny thing, the idea of awards—and even more so in the non-fiction category. Books are such a subjective experience, entering the atmosphere of our hearts and minds and bouncing around and making sparks with the myriad phenomenons already living there: an individual’s fears, joys, losses, dreams. Memories of family and friends and favourite places; of love affairs and ancestral history; pastry recipes and ghost stories and unwritten rules. That’s why every book lands differently for every person. How it bounces around in there. What it ignites.
In non-fiction, we traverse everything from historical texts to pop culture to memoir. There’s opinion, analysis, and instruction. What moves us depends on where we are. And so, hooray! I’m thrilled to go to St. John’s and —most of all—spend time with such an incredible posse of writers and poets from my Atlantic region. Many are long-standing friends and mentors, and others I’ve yet to know. Thanks, Atlantic Book Awards! I’m chuffed.
Several events are taking place around the Book Awards—readings, signings, and a fantastic panel discussion. Come join in, if you’re in Halifax or in St. John’s!
Thursday, June 6, 2019 from 7:00 - 11:00 PM
Mix and mingle with authors, publishers and book lovers at the 2019 Atlantic Book Awards Gala hosted by CBC's Angela Antle. This year's award show will see the presentation of fourteen literary awards honoring the best in Atlantic Canadian writing, illustration and publishing. Books will be for sale from Memorial University Bookstore. // Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland // 115 Cavendish Square, St. John's, Newfoundland
Tuesday, June 4, 2019 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Join nominated authors as they explore the challenge of turning a difficult subject into a compelling read. Featuring Kayla Hounsell (First Degree: From Medical School to Murder), Lorri Neilsen Glenn (Following the River: Traces of Red River Women) and Kate Inglis (Notes for the Everlost: A Field Guide to Grief). Hosted by Kim Pittaway, Executive Director of the MFA in Creative Nonfiction program, at the University of King’s College. Books will be for sale by King’s Co-op Bookstore. // Halifax Central Library // 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Monday, June 3, 2019 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Celebration of Non-Fiction Finalists hosted by Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Book Awards
University of King’s College President William Lahey and the King’s MFA in Creative Nonfiction program will host a celebration of the 2019 nonfiction finalists. Copies of the finalists’ books will be available for sale and signing. To enquire about joining us for this event contact festival coordinator Laura Carter at abafcoordinator@gmail.com. // University of King’s College Halifax
January 22, 2019
Podcast: Good Grief
In episode ten of FIND THE OUTSIDE: THE PODCAST, Tim Merry and Tuesday Ryan-Hart talk to author and collaborator Kate Inglis on the parallels of how we can be light-keepers despite impossible loss as human beings, and impossible odds as change leaders.
“Do you know that feeling when you really like someone, and then you turn a corner with them and realize that you love them SO MUCH it's ridiculous?! And how did you not realize they were SO amazing?! I mean, you knew they were great and you enjoyed them, but then they just sorta blew the top of your head off with their complete undercover wisdom combined with badassness?
That happened to me when we recorded this podcast with Kate Inglis. Our conversation is about how you begin to shape and share what you offer to the world, but this episode is about so much more than that. It's about unbearable loss and the exquisite courage of going about your life no matter what.
In episode ten, we have a fascinating conversation with Kate on the parallels of how we can be light-keepers despite impossible loss as human beings, and impossible odds as change leaders. As human beings who naturally bristle at uncertainty, how can we get past our own cynicism and despair at the state of the world and our effect in it? This episode is rejuvenating and full of heart, with the bonus of Kate's strategy for expression that brings more people on-side to movements and good work.” —Tuesday Ryan-Hart of FIND THE OUTSIDE: THE PODCAST
January 4, 2019
Clip: On Rage
More today from Penguin Random House Audio, the wonderful team releasing excerpts of the audiobook of Notes for the Everlost: A Field Guide to Grief as read by me in a three-day marathon inside a little black cave-room in Nova Scotia. This second clip—following up to the first, Phantasmagoria—is a permission slip. Although not everyone might feel that way, initially.
The western world—especially that which considers itself stylish or proper or ‘enlightened’, whatever that means—teaches us to veer away from anger. Being angry, that is. We do a lot of pearl-clutching about anger. Anger makes people uncomfortable, and feels irreconcilable. It drives people apart, right? Kind of. You could say that, especially looking at today’s world.
But I see two kinds of anger. First, one rooted in a lack of understanding—on fear of the other, judgement, and tribalism. A rejection of differentness, or protectionism either on a mass or individual scale. We sense a threat to our identity or standing in society, and we come out punching. This kind of anger burns down our connection to one another, isolating us. It feels corrective, punitive, and spiteful.
Then there’s the other sort: still a fire, but the kind that burns like a furnace in the basement of the human experience. It is rooted in loss, trauma, and injustice. It’s justified and natural, but the training of our culture tells us to reject it. It doesn’t look good. It doesn’t feel good. And so, it must be bad.
To the grieving, some people say: You should be more positive! You should practice gratitude! Don’t be An Angry Person! They take it upon themselves to push grief away, thinking they’re reclaiming space for healing. What they’re actually doing? Pushing the grieving person away, and reclaiming space for the pusher’s own comfort.
It’s not just the outside world that bristles at the anger of trauma and loss, drawing a false equivalence between destructive anger and natural anger. We bristle at our own feelings, too, worrying they might become us. But they don’t. Listen to the clip to find out why. As I write in the book:
You’ll be more compassionate, alive, healthy, and open for having given it a voice. You’ll grow a deeper appreciation and sensitivity to things suddenly feeling peaceful. You’ll get there faster, and laugh louder when you do. Ask any punk.
December 30, 2018
NYE @ Modern Loss
I’m over at the amazing Modern Loss community today with a post on new resolve for a fresh year in a life after loss: “Bracing yourself for a brand new year without someone important? Kate Inglis offers four ways to grieve differently in 2019 (hint: before it ebbs, it has to rage). This is one to read and share the hell out of...”
Be where you are, darling. Start here, and try again tomorrow. That’s all.
Read the whole piece over at Modern Loss.
Every now and then, I come across a big tent that feels comfortable in its sass. There’s a certain rebellious streak I need to note, if it’s going to have the fortitude to include me, the mother of a dead baby. It’s got to be a reclamation of sorts, a straight-forward pride of a weird sort that flies in the face of the western world’s oppression of anything real or raw. It needs to echo what I’ve been feeling for years: that everyone owns their own private conversation with death, and that the peanut gallery that crops up around the grieving—around all grieving—can stick it. The fire of that sass is how we make our lives, which tumble along despite incomprehensible absence(s), warm and beautiful again.
That’s what Modern Loss is. You can feel the air moving around over there. Here’s to all the big tents.
December 20, 2018
Podcast: Spawned
“At some point in our lives, we’ll experience a loss, whether it’s an immediate family member of our own, or someone close to us who has lost a loved one. We all navigate the process of grief, from our own to supporting someone else who’s going through it, often times without a road map…” —Kristen Chase
Listen Now
Such a great conversation with Kristen Chase of Cool Mom Picks—I love how she turned our time together into an audio guidebook for all griefs, from all angles, in all circles. What to do no matter where you stand. How to stand for your friends. With sass and humour, even in the dark corners. This is the kind of companionship we all yearn for, in bereavement—to be included in the broader circle of parenthood even when you’re Medusa.
Thanks, Kristen. Shining little lights in the dark of winter. Have a listen and let me know what stands out for you—and wherever you are this festive season, stay cozy.
December 13, 2018
Clip: Phantasmagoria
Penguin Random House Audio is releasing excerpts of the audiobook of Notes for the Everlost: A Field Guide to Grief, as read by me in a three-day marathon inside a little black cave-room in Nova Scotia. It was such a gift, and such a deep dive—18 hours of reading aloud, re-living, time-travelling. And feeling very much with you, with us.
This first clip is about like-minded company and why we (in grief or trauma) are strangely, wonderfully ravenous for each others’ stories and specifics. Shared dreams, nightmares, exhales. It’s a funny thing, isn’t it? How we reach for one another, new to loss or twelve years reconciled. I’ve spent years marvelling at the safety of this kind of company, the license and freedom of it. Like at Glow in the Woods, formed one year to the day that Liam and Ben were born. How is it that these kinds of moments, conversations, and spaces both require strength of me while also generating strength in me?
I don’t know. I could theorize, but I’d only be touching on one angle of the kaleidoscope. You might turn it and see something the same, but completely different.
Clip: phantasmagoria
Penguin Random House Audio is releasing excerpts of the audiobook of Notes for the Everlost: A Field Guide to Grief, as read by me in a three-day marathon inside a little black cave-room in Nova Scotia. It was such a gift, and such a deep dive—18 hours of reading aloud, re-living, time-travelling. And feeling very much with you, with us.
This first clip is about like-minded company and why we (in grief or trauma) are strangely, wonderfully ravenous for each others’ stories and specifics. Shared dreams, nightmares, exhales. It’s a funny thing, isn’t it? How we reach for one another, new to loss or twelve years reconciled. I’ve spent years marvelling at the safety of this kind of company, the license and freedom of it. Like at Glow in the Woods, formed one year to the day that Liam and Ben were born. How is it that these kinds of moments, conversations, and spaces both require strength of me while also generating strength in me?
I don’t know. I could theorize, but I’d only be touching on one angle of the kaleidoscope. You might turn it and see something the same, but completely different.
November 22, 2018
Fresh book deal!
We’ve just inked a fresh book deal with Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press for A GREAT BIG NIGHT, a picture book for 4-8 year olds, with the truly amazing Josée Bisaillon on the art. I am all aflutter to start working on this book! As reported by Quill & Quire:
“The book is described as a rhythmic, playful story about three frogs who ride bicycles through the woods, singing and playing instruments for the other animals until a huge storm wins them an unexpected fan…”
Picture books move slow, especially when you’re in line for a talent like Josée. It’s worth the wait! We’ll draw and edit in 2019, with A Great Big Night hitting shelves in fall 2020. As an author, the art of a fated collaborator lands on you in such a delicious way. The match for this story couldn’t be more beautiful. I can’t wait to get started.
November 18, 2018
My heart on CTV
Author Kate Inglis on dealing with grief and mourning with an open heart. —CTV Morning Live Atlantic
“In the beginning, (loss) is such an impossible scenario. Whether you’ve lost a baby or any other loved one or friend, that first year or two is a state of shock. Most people wonder: how do I keep getting up in the morning, and breathing, and toasting bagels? It feels ridiculous to think that life has to keep going on, but of course, it does. Your whole context becomes amended.”
It’s what the salon tomorrow night is all about: learning how to absorb impossible scenarios into a joyful life. Time doesn’t heal all, but it sure does soften the edges. Tomorrow night marks my very first life-after-death salon—the testing ground for what I hope will be a travelling series. ‘Cause the more we share in the work—and the waiting—the better we can live.
The first salon
ViewPoint Gallery and Bookmark II present an evening with NOTES FOR THE EVERLOST author Kate Inglis—an intimate salon with stimulating conversation, shared creative work, and a reading that explores the riddle and illumination of living healthfully with loss.
This will be my first exploration of a new kind of literary event, for me: more conversation than presentation. A circle of people coming together to reflect and connect. It’s the first, I hope, in a series—with plans already underway to take it to Toronto, New York, and Boston. Got hosting or location recommendations in those cities? Bereavement groups to patch in? Please get in touch and let’s make it happen.
For this first night in my hometown of Halifax, bereaved people of all sorts are welcome, as well as curious seekers who enjoy good books, big questions, and contemplating the human experience. Admission is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP here to help us prep. BookMark will be on-hand to sell books, and I’ll sign ‘em. Hope to see you there!
