Yukon College instructor releases first book of poetry

Yukon College instructor releases first book of poetry

Whitehorse –

Enjoying the moment of liftoff
As when the airplane of the soul leaves
The tarmac of the body.
—- Sleeper, Jamella Hagen

For Yukon College instructor Jamella Hagen, the whole experience of releasing her first book of poetry has been a little surreal.

"It’s a new thing for me, putting a book out," she says. "Up to now I’ve been writing quietly, on the side. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to share that work with readers."
Hagen’s book, Kerosene, is the end product of five years’ work, and a life spent travelling and working abroad.

"The book begins in Northern BC, where I grew up," she says. "It takes a journey to Vancouver, then overseas, then returns to the north- to the Yukon- in the end.

Hagen moved to Whitehorse in 2009, where she joined the staff at Yukon College that spring as an English as a Second Language instructor. She is currently a program developer with the Northern Institute of Social Justice as well as an instructor of English and Writing.

Working as an instructor keeps her inspired as a writer, she says. She continually explores new ideas, new avenues of thought in the world of literature. She credits the College for being supportive of her work.

"I’ve been able to achieve a balance, to arrange my teaching time and my writing time," she says. " And I was able to take some time when I received a grant to finish this book.
Hagen will celebrate the launch of Kerosene at the Old Fire Hall in downtown Whitehorse on Friday, October 14 at 7pm. The event is being co-sponsored by the College’s Division of Applied Arts.
 

This may be Hagen’s first book, but she is no stranger to the publishing world. Her work is recognized for its excellence. She has won The Fiddlehead’s Ralph Gustafson Poetry Prize, been short-listed for the CBC Literary Award and has had work appear in several major poetry journals and anthologies. She has received a Canada Council Grant for Professional Writers and a Yukon Advanced Artist Award.

She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from UBC, and is a former executive editor of PRISM international. She also co-ordinated the 2011 Whitehorse Poetry festival.
Hagen will be teaching a three-week course in poetry writing for Continuing Education at the College later this month. Classes start October 26.
 

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