The new book called Okanagan Tapestry features short stories, poems, limericks and artwork from 50 artists across the Okanagan Valley, including short stories from three members from O’s Own Writers in Osoyoos. (Photo supplied)
The Okanagan Valley Has Talent.
That’s not the name of a local reality show, but the truth as shown by the recent publication of a new book featuring the written and artistic talents of dozens of Okanagan Valley authors and artists, including a few from Osoyoos.
Yasmine John-Thorpe, one of the founders of the Penticton Writers and Publishers, said the recently-published book An Okanagan Tapestry: Stories, Poems and Images from Okanagan Authors & Artists, is a tribute to the amazing artistic talent that exists across the entire Okanagan Valley.
A total of 51 writers, poets, photographers and artists contributed to the project.
The book was launched during a special ceremony at the Penticton Library Auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 12.
People living in Osoyoos, Oliver, Summerland, Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna and Vernon made contributions to the book, said John-Thorpe, who contributed one of her short stories to the project.
The Penticton Writers and Publishers invited artistic people to submit short stories, poems, limericks, photographs and paintings starting back in early June.
The finished product is very impressive and working on it was a complete labour of love over the past four months, said John-Thorpe.
“I’ve worked on many book projects over the years, but none has ever come together as quickly and as easily as it did working on this book project,” she said. “We started putting out the call to people I know in Penticton about the third week in June and we had great response from local writers and authors, but we also received limericks and some great photos and thought we would open it up to showcase all of the artistic talent we have across this region.
“When we extended the call for entries to various clubs we’re involved with across the Okanagan, we received the same kind of response. Within a week and a half, I had 20 entries. By the second week of July, I had 40 entries.”
The quality of writing and art submitted convinced her early on that putting the best entries into a book just made perfect sense, said John-Thorpe.
She hired a copy editor and then started inquiring about a name for the book.
Laura Thomas, a writer from Kelowna, suggested the name Okanagan Tapestry, but found out that Victoria pen and ink artist Lawrie Dignan had copyrighted that name in previous years.
They were given permission to use the name for the book and Dignan actually contributed the artwork that adorns the cover of the book, said John-Thorpe.
“Everything just sort of fell into place for us,” she said. “Everyone involved just felt Okanagan Tapestry was the perfect name for the book.”
Okanagan Tapestry is currently for sale in local Coles and Indigo bookstores as well as Hooked on Books in Penticton and John-Thorpe is currently working hard to try and get copies into all regional branches with the Okanagan Regional Library.
Maxine Boxall, Della Barrett and Eileen Hopkins, who are all members with the O’s Own Writers group from Osoyoos, have all contributed short stories to the book.
John-Thorpe has been working with the Penticton and Okanagan Valley artistic community for many years and said this book project clearly showcases just how much writing and artistic talent exists across the entire region.
“I’m very proud of the book and the level of talent involved here is just wonderful,” she said.
The Penticton Writers and Publishers were originally founded back in 1994. The organization previously published an anthology of writing by Penticton and area writers back in 2009.
Since then, the organization has officially become a non-profit organization and “we had some extra money and had to spend it” and that was the driving force behind putting this project together, she said.
The book is selling for $14.95 and can be purchased online by visiting www.redtuquebooks.com.
As mentioned, it is also available at Coles and Hooked on Books in Penticton and will hopefully be available at local branches of the Okanagan Regional Library within the next several weeks.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
