Ron Smith is the author and editor of numerous books, including four books of poetry, the award-winning Elf the Eagle and The Defiant Mind: Living Inside a Stroke. An excerpt from the latter book was translated into eighteen languages by Reader’s Digest and published in over twenty-two countries. Ron has read from his work in the States, the U.K., Italy (where he also taught), Albania, and across Canada. In 2002 he received an honorary doctorate from U.B.C. and in 2005 he was the inaugural Fulbright Chair in Creative Writing at Arizona State University. In 2011 he was awarded the Gray Campbell Award for distinguished service to the BC publishing industry, primarily as the founder and publisher of Oolichan Books from 1974 to 2009. His latest title, Elf’s Family Tree (2023) is a sequel to his earlier illustrated children’s book. He lives with his wife, Patricia Jean Smith, also a writer, in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island.
Reading plus question period.
I taught creative writing for over thirty years and feel comfortable speaking to people interested in writing poetry, fiction and non fiction. I love speaking to young people and anyone interested in writing for them.
