Keith Maillard
Encyclopedia
Keith Maillard is a fiction
author and poet
.
Maillard has lived in various places in the United States
and Canada
.He attended West Virginia University
and was host of a Boston
campus radio programme.He moved to Canada in 1970, attaining citizenship in 1976.
In the early 1970s, Maillard worked as a freelancer for CBC radio
, contributing pieces to This Country in the Morning, Five Nights, and Our Native Land. He was active in the Writers' Union of Canada
, served on the National Council for two years, and co-founded the Federation of BC Writers
. Maillard studied music at Vancouver Community College
, played the Irish pipes, taught recorder and the rudiments of music for the Vancouver School Board and Vancouver Community College, and played bass in the first band formed by Vancouver singer-songwriter, Ferron
.
Maillard's first published novel, Two Strand River, appeared in 1976. Most reviewers didn't know what to make of this strange book with its cross-gendered protagonists and weird events, but Two Strand River soon acquired a cult following, came to be labeled "a classic of Canadian magic realism," and has been republished twice.
Maillard's second published novel was actually the first one he had begun; the book rejected by twenty-six publishers finally — after having passed through eight major rewrites — appeared in 1980 as Alex Driving South. In this gritty, naturalistic tale, Maillard first introduced the fictional town of Raysburg, West Virginia, where most of his novels have been set. The Knife in My Hands followed in 1981, and its sequel, Cutting Through, in 1982. Then, with a fifth book half completed, Maillard was afflicted with writer's block.
From 1985 through 1988 Maillard applied his writing skills to designing university and adult education courses for The Open Learning Institute. His fifth novel, Motet, was published in 1989 and won the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize
.
Having taught as a sessional lecturer at both the University of British Columbia
(UBC) and Simon Fraser University
, Maillard was appointed in 1989 to a regular teaching position in UBC's Creative Writing Department, where he has taught every genre except stage writing. He served as Advisory Editor of PRISM international
for ten years. He is currently a full professor, co-chair of the department, and specializes in fiction and poetry.
While at UBC, Maillard began what he considers his mature work – what has come to be known as the “Raysburg Series." Called "a small masterpiece" by the Georgia Straight, Light in the Company of Women was published in 1993 and was runner-up for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize
. It was followed in 1995 by Hazard Zones, which was included on the Toronto Star
s list of the best Canadian books for that year and was short-listed for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize
. Maillard also returned to his first love, poetry, and published Dementia Americana, which won the Gerald Lampert Award
for the best first book of poetry published in 1994. Gloria (May 1999) was short-listed for the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction. The Clarinet Polka, was included in Booklist’s Editors’ Choice ’03 and has been optioned by Los Angeles
filmmaker Liz Friedlander
.
In 2004, he returned to the raw material first published in The Knife in My Hands and Cutting Through and rewrote and reshaped it into the Difficulty at the Beginning quartet, which appeared in four volumes between September 2005 and September 2006. The Toronto
Globe and Mail selected Difficulty at the Beginning as one of the top books of 2006, calling it "a work of terrible beauty and grace, a masterpiece fit to contend with the best novels of the last century."
In 2011, Maillard published two excerpts from his unpublished memoir, Fatherless, in Numéro Cinq: "Kilroy, a Writer's Childhood" and "Richland."
Maillard currently lives in West Vancouver
, British Columbia
.
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
author and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
.
Maillard has lived in various places in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.He attended West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
and was host of a Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
campus radio programme.He moved to Canada in 1970, attaining citizenship in 1976.
In the early 1970s, Maillard worked as a freelancer for CBC radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
, contributing pieces to This Country in the Morning, Five Nights, and Our Native Land. He was active in the Writers' Union of Canada
Writers' Union of Canada
The Writers' Union of Canada , founded in 1973, describes itself as supporting "the country's authors by advocating for their rights, freedoms, and economic well-being." Its members are professional writers who must have published at least one book through a commercial publisher.The Union addresses...
, served on the National Council for two years, and co-founded the Federation of BC Writers
Federation of BC Writers
The Federation of BC Writers is the largest writers organization in British Columbia, Canada. Its stated goals are to foster the art and profession of writing in British Columbia; to generate a sense of community among British Columbia writers; to provide support for writers at all stages of their...
. Maillard studied music at Vancouver Community College
Vancouver Community College
Vancouver Community College is a public post-secondary institution in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1965, it is the largest and oldest community college in British Columbia, with over 140 certificate and diploma programs...
, played the Irish pipes, taught recorder and the rudiments of music for the Vancouver School Board and Vancouver Community College, and played bass in the first band formed by Vancouver singer-songwriter, Ferron
Ferron
Ferron, born Debby Foisy on , is a Canadian folk singer/songwriter and poet. In addition to being one of Canada's most famous folk musicians, she is one of the most influential writers and performers of women's music, and an important influence on later musicians such as Ani DiFranco, Mary Gauthier...
.
Maillard's first published novel, Two Strand River, appeared in 1976. Most reviewers didn't know what to make of this strange book with its cross-gendered protagonists and weird events, but Two Strand River soon acquired a cult following, came to be labeled "a classic of Canadian magic realism," and has been republished twice.
Maillard's second published novel was actually the first one he had begun; the book rejected by twenty-six publishers finally — after having passed through eight major rewrites — appeared in 1980 as Alex Driving South. In this gritty, naturalistic tale, Maillard first introduced the fictional town of Raysburg, West Virginia, where most of his novels have been set. The Knife in My Hands followed in 1981, and its sequel, Cutting Through, in 1982. Then, with a fifth book half completed, Maillard was afflicted with writer's block.
From 1985 through 1988 Maillard applied his writing skills to designing university and adult education courses for The Open Learning Institute. His fifth novel, Motet, was published in 1989 and won the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize
Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize
The Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, established in 1985 as one of the BC Book Prizes, is awarded annually to the best work of fiction by a resident of British Columbia, Canada....
.
Having taught as a sessional lecturer at both the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
(UBC) and Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University is a Canadian public research university in British Columbia with its main campus on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. The main campus in Burnaby, located from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and has more than 34,000...
, Maillard was appointed in 1989 to a regular teaching position in UBC's Creative Writing Department, where he has taught every genre except stage writing. He served as Advisory Editor of PRISM international
PRISM international
PRISM international is a magazine published quarterly in Vancouver, British Columbia. Established in 1959, it is Western Canada's senior literary magazine...
for ten years. He is currently a full professor, co-chair of the department, and specializes in fiction and poetry.
While at UBC, Maillard began what he considers his mature work – what has come to be known as the “Raysburg Series." Called "a small masterpiece" by the Georgia Straight, Light in the Company of Women was published in 1993 and was runner-up for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize
Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize
The Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, established in 1985 as one of the BC Book Prizes, is awarded annually to the best work of fiction by a resident of British Columbia, Canada....
. It was followed in 1995 by Hazard Zones, which was included on the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
s list of the best Canadian books for that year and was short-listed for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize
Commonwealth Writers' Prize
Commonwealth Writers is an initiative by the Commonwealth Foundation to unearth, develop and promote the best new fiction from across the Commonwealth. It's flagship are two literary awards and a website...
. Maillard also returned to his first love, poetry, and published Dementia Americana, which won the Gerald Lampert Award
Gerald Lampert Award
The Gerald Lampert Memorial Award is made annually by the League of Canadian Poets to the best volume of poetry published by a first-time poet. It is presented in honour of poetry promoter Gerald Lampert...
for the best first book of poetry published in 1994. Gloria (May 1999) was short-listed for the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction. The Clarinet Polka, was included in Booklist’s Editors’ Choice ’03 and has been optioned by Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
filmmaker Liz Friedlander
Liz Friedlander
Liz Friedlander is an American film, music video and television director.Originally from New York, Friedlander moved to Pennsylvania to attend the Drama Conservatory school at Carnegie Mellon University...
.
In 2004, he returned to the raw material first published in The Knife in My Hands and Cutting Through and rewrote and reshaped it into the Difficulty at the Beginning quartet, which appeared in four volumes between September 2005 and September 2006. The Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
Globe and Mail selected Difficulty at the Beginning as one of the top books of 2006, calling it "a work of terrible beauty and grace, a masterpiece fit to contend with the best novels of the last century."
In 2011, Maillard published two excerpts from his unpublished memoir, Fatherless, in Numéro Cinq: "Kilroy, a Writer's Childhood" and "Richland."
Maillard currently lives in West Vancouver
West Vancouver, British Columbia
West Vancouver is a district municipality in the province of British Columbia, Canada. A member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the municipality is northwest of the city of Vancouver on the northern side of English Bay and the...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
Popular culture
The Knife in My Hands can be seen in Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Harvest S01E02 in the school library bookshelf when Buffy, Giles, Xander and Willow are discussing where the Harvest will take place.Awards and recognition
- 1990: winner Ethel Wilson Fiction PrizeEthel Wilson Fiction PrizeThe Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, established in 1985 as one of the BC Book Prizes, is awarded annually to the best work of fiction by a resident of British Columbia, Canada....
, Motet - 1994: runner-up, Ethel Wilson Fiction PrizeEthel Wilson Fiction PrizeThe Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, established in 1985 as one of the BC Book Prizes, is awarded annually to the best work of fiction by a resident of British Columbia, Canada....
, Light in the Company of Women - 1995: winner Gerald Lampert AwardGerald Lampert AwardThe Gerald Lampert Memorial Award is made annually by the League of Canadian Poets to the best volume of poetry published by a first-time poet. It is presented in honour of poetry promoter Gerald Lampert...
, Dementia Americana - 1996: shortlisted, Commonwealth Writers' PrizeCommonwealth Writers' PrizeCommonwealth Writers is an initiative by the Commonwealth Foundation to unearth, develop and promote the best new fiction from across the Commonwealth. It's flagship are two literary awards and a website...
, Hazard Zones - 1999: fiction finalist, Governor General's Awards1999 Governor General's AwardsThe winners of the 1999 Canadian Governor General's Literary Awards were announced by Jean-Louis Roux, Chairman, and Shirley L. Thomson, Director of the Canada Council for the Arts, at a press conference held on November 16 at the National Library of Canada...
, Gloria - 2004: West Virginia Library Association Literary Merit Award
- 2005: winner, Polish American Historical Association Creative Arts Prize, The Clarinet Polka
- 2005: shortlisted, Weatherford Award, Running
- 2006: shortlisted, ReLit Awards, Looking Good
- 2006: shortlisted, Weatherford Award Morgantown
- 2006: shortlisted, Weatherford Award, Lyndon Johnston and the Majorettes
Anthologized
- 1985: Vancouver Fiction. David Watmough, ed., Winlaw, B.C., (Polestar Press) ISBN 978-0919591059
- 1986: Magic Realism and Canadian Literature: Essays and Stories, Proceedings of the Conference on Magic Realist Writing in Canada. University of Waterloo/Wilfrid Laurier University, May 1985; Peter and Ed Jewinski, eds. (University of Waterloo Press) ISBN 978-0888980656
- 1999: New Expansive Poetry. R.S. Gwynn, ed., Ashland, Oregon, (Story Line Press) ISBN 978-1885266699
- 2005: Wild Sweet Notes II: More Great Poetry From West Virginia. (Publishers Place) ISBN 978-0974478524
- 2008: The Best of Canadian Poetry in English, 2008. Stephanie Bolster and Molly Peacock, eds., (Tightrope Books) ISBN 978-0978335175
- 2008: Crossing Lines: Poets Who Came to Canada in the Vietnam War. Allan Briesmaster and Steven Michael Berzensky, eds., (Seraphim Editions) ISBN 978-0980887914
External links
- Vancouver International Writers Festival: Keith Maillard profile, accessed 10 July 2006
- BC Bookworld: Keith Maillard profile, accessed 10 July 2006
- West Virginia Wesleyan College / Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library: Keith Maillard profile, accessed 10 July 2006
- The Difficulty at the Beginning quartet, accessed 20 November 2006