Member Profile

J. Hugh MacDonald

Photo: Sandra MacDonald 1998

J. Hugh MacDonald was born in Charlottetown, PEI. He graduated from St. Dunstan's University in 1968. He retired after teaching more than thirty-one years in June of 1999. He and his wife Sandra live in Brudenell, PEI beside the Montague River. They enjoy travel, especially to visit their five boys and their daughter, and four grandchildren, exploring the countryside on foot, and choral music. He was presented with the award for Distinguished Contribution to the Literary Arts in Prince Edward Island. He is current poet laureate for Prince Edward Island appointed by the Provincial Legislature.

E-mail: hughmacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca
Phone number:
902-838-2505

Publications

Letting Go: An Anthology of Loss and Survival. editor. Windsor, ON: Black Moss Press, 2005.
Murder at Mussel Cove. Waterloo, ON: Loon in Balloon, 2005.
Cold Against the Heart. Windsor, ON: Black Moss Press, 2003.
A Bountiful Harvest: 15 Years of the Island Literary Awards. co-editor Alice Reese. Charlottetown PE: The Acorn Press, 2002.
Landmarks: An Anthology of New Atlantic Canadian Poetry of the Land. co-editor Brent MacLaine. Charlottetown, PE: The Acorn Press, 2001.
Crosby and Me. The Acorn Press, 2010
Chung Lee Loves lobsters. The Acorn Press, 2011
This is a Love Song. Black Moss Press, 2011
I is for Island: A Prince Edward Island Alphabet. Sleeping Bear Press, 2012
Tossed Like Weeds from the Garden. Black Moss Press, 1999
The Digging of Deep Wells. Black Moss Press, 1997
Looking for Mother. Black Moss Press, 1995
Chung Lee Loves lobsters. Annick Press, 1992

Awards

Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Literary Arts on PEI, 2004.
First prize, Atlantic Poetry Competition, 1994.
L.M. Montgomery Children's Literature Award for Chung Lee Loves Lobsters.
Island Literary Awards, 1990.
Poet Laureate of Prince Edward Island, 2009
Eligible for National Public Readings Program :
Yes

WITS

Presentation Description

I have 31 years of classroom experience and am the father of five boys and one girl. My readings are dynamic and filled with fun. I give background to the stories I read and love to answer questions and discuss process with the children and young people. For older students I like to see their work and to do writing exercises with them.

Presentation Length:
Flexible
Genre:
Poetry, Fiction, Childrens' Picture Books
Grades:
k-12
Audience size:
Flexible
Workshop Description:

I like to do a brief reading and discussion followed by time to create a poem or a story with them. This time is my favourite as children have an abundance of ideas and fresh new ways of expression just waiting to be tapped.

Northern OAC WITS:
Yes
One session:
$200
Two sessions:
$200
Three sessions:
$300
Four sessions:
$300
GST:
GST not applicable