Member Review
I joined the Writers' Union because it is a 'Union.' That is, it is an organization that responds to its membership and provides a forum for us to express and debate common concerns. It has been important to me, for example, to collectively consider issues such as the appropriation of voice, the representation of writers of colour, and the protection of the creative community.
Member Profile
Candas Jane Dorsey
Edmonton-born and based, a writer from an early age, and a freelance writer since 1980, Candas Jane Dorsey writes across genre boundaries: poetry, fiction (mainstream and speculative, short and long form), non-fiction and professional writing. Founding member and past publisher of The Books Collective, professional independent trade publisher 1992-2006, including past-publisher and editor-in-chief of: (1994-2003) Tesseract Books (Canadian speculative fiction) and (1992-2006) River Books (Canadian literary fiction, non-fiction and poetry). Active educator since
1983, teaching part-time in the Professional Writing program at Grant MacEwan College, as well as writing and writing-related courses, and workshops for: University of Alberta Faculty of Extension, Metro Continuing Education, and other school, college, university and continuing education venues. Extensive travel as a teacher, writer-in-residence lecturer and keynote speaker. Founding partner of Wooden Door and Associates, professional communications company since 1991. Since 1979 a freelance writer and editor, including: journalism; magazine/newspaper writing, editing and production; book, report, course and manual editing and production; educational documents, course design and editing, and educational media scripts; technical writing (software documentation and help file architecture); public information material; and consulting on communication needs. Has done much community development in the writing, arts, and cultural communities, and has served on the executive of the Writers' Guild of Alberta and SF Canada.
