Shorewords: Selections by Bruce County Writers

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

This anthology of poetry, fictionalized tales, and essays is the work of
23 members of a writers’ club in Port Elgin, Ontario. The collection
is united by the theme of Lake Huron’s impact on the community, and
the contributing writers live in the small towns and villages along that
lake’s eastern shore—Port Elgin, Kincardine, Wiarton, Walkerton,
Sauble Beach, etc. Many of the contributors have been previously
published only in local newspapers; for others, it is a first
opportunity to see their words in print.

Approximately half the entries are poetry, most of it dreadful. The
prose entries are somewhat stronger overall, with a few very promising
fictionalized vignettes. The anthology is nicely produced, with an
introduction and a foreword by professional writers from the area, an
index of place names, a photo, and a biographical note for each
contributor. As a showcase for the work of new local writers, the book
is successful; undoubtedly, many of the contributors will be encouraged
by the publication of their efforts and will benefit from the resulting
recognition.