The writer Kathryn Para discusses her first novel, Lucky (Mother Tongue Publishing, 2013), with Joseph Planta.

Lucky by Kathryn Para (Mother Tongue Publishing, 2013). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Lucky

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

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

The winner of the 2nd Search for the Great BC Novel Contest is the debut novel from the writer Kathryn Para. Her book Lucky is to be published shortly, and she joins me now to talk about it. Described as an unflinching novel set in the Middle East and Canada, we meet Ani Lund, a freelance photographer covering conflict in the Middle East. Her goal is to photograph an infamous terrorist, and she sets out to do so, with her friend Viva, a translator whose own husband disappeared in Syria. It’s the fall of 2004, and they’ve gained access to Fallujah. The setting in the book goes from there to Vancouver, and back, illuminating a story about war and the journalists who cover it, love, and all its attendant dilemmas. Kathryn Para has won many awards for her writing in various media. She’s written for the stage and screen, directed short films, as well she’s appeared in a number of publications. She is an MFA graduate of the UBC Creative Writing Program. Her website is at www.paracommunications.com. Ms. Para will be appearing on a panel at the Vancouver Writers Festival, Friday, 25 October 2013 at the Waterfront Theatre. It’s a discussion celebrating the 50th anniversary of the aforementioned UBC Creative Writing department. That’s at 6.00pm. Also, Lucky launches here in Vancouver, 15 November 2013. Lucky is from our friends over at Mother Tongue Publishing. So visit www.mothertonguepublishing.com for information on that. The final judge of the contest, Caroline Adderson said of this book: it’s ‘a beautiful, harsh novel, tension-filled, its language startling and fresh.’ Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, from Gibsons, BC this day, Kathy Para; Ms. Para, good morning.

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