News | Marilyn Letts

Virtual Launch - See you there!

Becoming - An Anthology of What-If Poems about Women and Womanhood contains three of my poems: A Life in Pap Smears Doilies May Deceive You Thorns I'm looking forward to reading a couple of them at the virtual launch Jan 31. Hope to see you there!

Jan 221 min read

Monstress at Vertigo Theatre

I'm looking forward to going to Monstress! ( On at Vertigo Theatre from January 17 to February 15.) The story asks, "Can saving another soul save your own?" As someone who used to think saving souls was her job, I have thoughts about this question already. There's an interview on CTV with our particular favourite star, Sydney Williams at the 3 minute mark. The Edmonton Journal praised the play's premiere last year as a "haunting, gothic thriller." Can't wait to see this new

Dec 15, 20251 min read

An image of a book cover that states: "Becoming: An Anthology of What-If Poems About Women and Womanhood; Edited by Katie Cowger, Terri Gower, & Lucía M. Polis, with poems from Katie Cowger, Glitch Dewis, Julie G. Fox, Terri Gower, Kath Healing, Marilyn Letts, Lucía M. Polis, and Nancy Takacs"

Becoming Anthology - is publishing my poems!

Becoming - an anthology, will be released on January 12, 2026. Right now I'm honored to have my poem Doilies May Deceive You on the JLRB press website advertising the anthology. Thanks so much Katie, Terri and Lucía! For my cohort in The Writer's Studio at SFU the other poem you will be excited to see in print - after all your wise workshopping - is A Life in Pap Smears. Look forward to attending a virtual book launch in January. Image courtesy of JLRB Press. Used with perm

Nov 30, 20251 min read

Verses of Transformation at VWF

October 25 I got to attend The Vancouver Writers Festival with my two sisters and poet Jessica Lee McMillan. We listened to a truly "awe-inspiring lineup of poets—Guest Curator Canisia Lubrin , Billy-Ray Belcourt , Junie Désil , Cecily Nicholson , Danez Smith , Karen Solie , and Paul Vermeersch —as they read and reflect on a secret question drawn from a bag on-stage and posed, one poet to the next, in a carousel-style reading and fireside-style chat." I already knew and

Oct 31, 20251 min read

long con publication!

My poem (De)Construction Instructions was published in long con magazine's issue 2.2 Thank you, Andy! As they say on their website - "long con’ s foundational philosophy is that all artworks exist in troubled & beautiful conversation with all other artworks ," (De)Construction Instructions started as a draft during NaPoWriMo as a response to the poem Improvisational Score by Sawako Nakayasu

Oct 14, 20251 min read

Unfolding Faith @ CIFF

Shorts: Real and True at The Calgary International Film Festival had an afternoon of documentaries September 21/25 which included Unfolding Faith by Calgary filmmaker Elyse Bouvier. A vulnerable exploration of one families' navigation of changing faith and relationships. Can we stay connected to people with differing views? I loved this gentle, hope-filled exploration. You missed the premiere, but you can still watch it through the National Film Board Unfolding Faith (2

Sep 30, 20251 min read

A good time had by all...

I hope. I had a great time. Thanks to Skylar Kay for hosting and Ashley Frerichs for all her work and organizing! Two poet friends, Vivian Marple and Sharon Christie, read with me at the Stroll of Poets Festival Sept 6. We enjoyed a number of other poet's readings and then stayed for supper at Madi's 1212 with some friends who graciously braved attending an open mic of poetry. I even got to surprise Ben with a new love poem, a genre I hope to explore more.

Sep 14, 20251 min read

Creativity and Connection at the Writers Guild of Alberta Retreat

Attending the Writers Guild of Alberta Retreat August 28-31 was exciting and more challenging than I expected. Meeting writers from across the province, listening to inspiring presentations by Jenna Butler and Premee Mohammed, and the open mics were highlights. Sanctum Retreat Centre provided a beautiful woods to walk through and wonderful meals. On one of my walks I took the opportunity to read some poems to the Virgin Mary (statue in the forest). I was surprised by her r

Sep 2, 20251 min read

Calgary Stroll of Poets 2025

Calgary Stroll of Poets Festival is happening again! I’ll be reading at an open mic scheduled for Sep 6 (Sat) from 4:15-5:15 at Madi’s...

Aug 15, 20251 min read

Bon Courage! Published

Queen's Quarterly has published my poem Bon Courage! in the summer issue Vol 132 No 2. They are a print only publication, so you can buy a copy, sign up for a subscription, or visit me and I'll proudly show you my copy. Currently I'm reading and loving the other writing in the issue.

Jul 31, 20251 min read