The storyteller and writer Ivan Coyote discusses their recent book Care Of: Letters, Connections, and Cures (McClelland & Stewart, 2021), a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-fiction, with Joseph Planta.

Care Of: Letters, Connections, and Cures by Ivan Coyote (McClelland & Stewart, 2021). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Care Of

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Ivan Coytote joins me again. The acclaimed writer and storyteller recently published a new book, Care Of: Letters, Connections, and Cures. It received good notices and is a finalist for this year’s Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-fiction. The winner will be revealed this Wednesday, 17 November 2021. Visit www.ggbooks.ca for the other shortlisted books in Ivan’s category as well as the other finalists in fiction, poetry, drama, and more. Ivan joined me a few days ago to reflect on Care Of, which is a collection of letters they’ve received over the years, some recently, all which Ivan has taken the time to reply to. You see the original letter from various fans, admirers, audience members, as well as friends, who’ve taken the time to write to Ivan after a performance, or on Facebook or email. The letters often share a story about the writer, or a question for Ivan, and Ivan’s responses are always heartfelt, intimate, gracious, generous, kind, and honest. Ivan shares a lot in this book, and if you’ve ever had a question about trans identity, being non-binary, family, Ivan’s work, life itself, you’ll find an answer, and often grace and sometimes wisdom. The connection that humans have with one another is throughout this book, and at a time when listening to one another is tough for a lot of us, this book is proof of the strength in listening and connecting. Ivan Coyote was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. They have authored thirteen books, four films, six stage shows, and three albums that combine storytelling and music. Ivan’s work has received the ReLit Award, a Stonewall Honor, as well as the Jim Deva Prize for Writing That Provokes, the inaugural award from the BC and Yukon Book Prizes. Ivan’s book Tomboy Survival Guide, which they were first on the program with in 2016, was a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Non-fiction. Visit www.ivancoyote.com for more. Care Of is published by McClelland & Stewart. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Ivan Coyote; Ivan, good morning.

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