Jan 18, 2008

Media contact: Anne Russell
Cell: 604-798-3709
Office: 604-795-2826
or 604-504-7441, local 2826
anne.russell@ucfv.ca

Fantasy writer Ann Ewan to visit UCFV Jan 24

	Ann Ewan

The Canadian Writers’ Series at UCFV continues this winter with four more author readings.

First up is fantasy writer Ann Ewan, who will be reading on Thurs, Jan 24, from 2:30 to 3:30 at University House on the Abbotsford campus.

Ann Ewan has written fantasy stories for as long as she can remember, especially for her younger brothers and sister when they were growing up. She has a degree in linguistics from the University of Toronto, specializing in Old English (Anglo-Saxon), Irish Gaelic, and Latin.

She is fascinated with computer languages, has been doing technical writing for more than a decade, and is currently working for IBM.

Her first book, the young adult fantasy Firedrake, was published in 2002. Her second fantasy book, Brondings' Honour, was published in 2006. She is now working on a sequel.

Her publisher’s website provides the following summary of Brondings’ Honour:

Following her dazzling debut young adult novel Firedrake, Ann Ewan once again creates a unique fantasy world with an indelible set of characters, but this time the achievement is marked by a darker quest. In Brondings’ Honour, there is intense conflict as the hero, Dayraven, clashes against the powerful forces of Alcuin.

Dayraven is the healer for her isolated and warlike clan, and although the role does not belong to a woman, it is she who is magically chosen to make the dangerous journey far from home, and she who must avenge the death of a clan leader and take his place. While self doubt and personal weakness challenge her will to go on, Dayraven learns that evil can be defeated if you are honest and courageous.

Ewan’s love of Old English and Irish Gaelic is clearly present in the dialogue, as is her fascination with the traditional black arts, wizardry, spells, charms, and enchantment.

Admission to Ann Ewan’s reading on Jan 24 at 2:30 pm is free and the public is welcome to attend. University House on the Abbotsford campus is best reached from the McKenzie Road entrance.

Other writers coming to UCFV this semester are poet Roy Miki (Feb 20), children’s author Martine Leavitt (March 12), and novelist Anita Rau Badami (March 31).

The series is sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts, the UCFV English and Continuing Studies departments, and the Office of the Dean of Arts and Applied Arts

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