Zoë Landale is an award-winning Canadian writer whose work has appeared in more than fifty anthologies. She has a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from UBC. As well as literary journals, her work has appeared in mainstream magazines such as Chatelaine, Saturday Night, Harrowsmith, and Reader’s Digest. Landale taught Creative Writing at Kwantlen Polytechnic University for fifteen years.
Reading, and a fundamental belief that this world is really bigger, more wonderful and mysterious that circumstances would have us believe, has kepther going. Most recently, free of academic constraints and marking, Landale has been writing magic Young Adult books, alternate realities that reflect Norse mythology, West Coast life and a dash of steampunk mischief. She gets an illegal amount of fun from writing. Taking classes in indie publishing and listening to podcasts about it are also high on her list as well as kayaking and gardening.
Current list of projects on the go is:
Jorrie and the Mysteries , the 2nd book in the Five Gates series, Young Adult Magic. Almost complete. When civil war breaks out and Jorrie’s beloved uncle is taken prisoner, she’s told her uncle will be shot—unless, within three days, with no weapons and no description, she can track down and capture a dangerous monster to exchange for her uncle.
Sigrene’s Bargain With Odin , accepted by Inanna Press. The first murder ever in Asgard, city of the Norse gods, leaves Sigrene with an uncomfortable choice, uncover the murderer of her best friend, or wait to for the killer to take her out. Poetry, a novel, lots of magic.
Also underway is a discussion with a publisher an updated release of Harvest of Salmon: Adventures Fishing the BC Coast.
Landale is available as a speaker, a presenter on craft, and to do readings. She is a proud member of The Writers’ Union of Canada.
Recognition & background
Award-winning work
Zoë Landale’s work has been awarded first prize in poetry, CBC Literary Competition; first prize in poetry, Room of One’s Own Competition; first prize in poetry, the Canadian Church Press; second place in the Leacock International Award for poetry, as well as being shortlisted for the Leacock Award on another two occasions.
Her nonfiction has won National Magazine Gold for creative documentary; won the Event Magazine nonfiction competition, as well as being shortlisted for the CBC Nonfiction Award on three occasions.
Her fiction has won first prize in the International Stony Brook University Short Fiction Competition; been shortlisted for the prestigious International Sheffield Thursday Award; and been awarded Best Narrative, Canadian Church Press.
Landale has worked as a free-lance writer, an editor, and taught writing in small classes and at Kwantlen Polytechnic University for many years. Earlier in her life she worked as a commercial fisher and ran a gardening business. When she graduated from university teaching, she worked for three years as a volunteer Search and Rescue crew member on a high speed rescue boat. Currently she is writing up a storm on a beautiful southern Gulf Island accompanied by her canine companion.