YOUNG ADULTING

First Page Feature champions emerging authors out of UBC, both current students and alumni.

Cath Ayres

Cath completed their B.Ed and M.Ed in Australia, and worked as an early childhood teacher for several years before moving to Vancouver to study a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature. Cath is a big fan of beautiful illustrations, rich language, and authentic queer representation. When not studying, reading or writing about kids’ books, you can find Cath working in a book shop recommending the best book you’ve never heard of.

CLICK HERE to read the first page of Fathoms by Cath Ayres, followed by an interview with the author.

Shiren Djorgee

Shiren Djorgee is a Ghanaian-Canadian writer going into her second year of Psychology at UBC. Her current work-in-progress is a post-apocalyptic literary novel documenting a journey across Canada through video transcripts. When she’s not writing, she’s going down YouTube rabbit holes, lamenting the current state of the world, and romancing vampires in Baldur’s Gate 3.

CLICK HERE to read the first page of A Mayfly Caught in Amber by Shiren Djorgee, followed by an interview with the author

Braden Eguia

Braden Eguia is a UBC alumni with a degree in Piano Performance. He specializes in writing fantasy, inspired by the novels and TV shows he consumed as a child. His most recently completed novel, Threadings, is a revenge/found family story that takes place in an early 20th century Hong Kong-esque setting, with a magic system inspired by the works of Brandon Sanderson. Aside from reading and writing, he enjoys arranging music for piano, being very critical of poor book-to-screen adaptations, and taking midnight walks around the neighbourhood with his dog.

CLICK HERE to read the first page of Threadings by Braden Eguia, followed by an interview with the author.

Vanessa Bedford Gill

Vanessa Bedford Gill is both a writer and librarian. Her interest in picture books led her to pursue a degree in children’s literature at UBC. She enjoys writing YA contemporary fiction and picture books, which often tackle sensitive topics, but open up important conversations. She was recently a juror for the Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook Award.

CLICK HERE to read The Earth Has Bubbles by Vanessa Bedford Gill, followed by an interview with the author.

Russell F. Hirsch

Russell F. Hirsch is a fantasy writer, oral storyteller, and public speaking tutor based in Vancouver. He obtained his BFA in Creative Writing and MA in Children’s Literature from UBC. His short fiction and poetry have appeared in Geist, Mirror Dance, and Gingerbread House, among other venues, but his true literary love is middle grade fiction.

Vern Green and the Season Thieves is an upper middle grade fantasy adventure full of nature magic, sibling bonds, and lost goddesses.

CLICK HERE to read the first page of Vern Green and the Season Thieves by Russell F. Hirsch, followed by an interview with the author.

Allie Wynne and the Playground of Peril is a middle grade fantasy adventure about a girl transported to a land of enchanted playground games that she must win in order to survive.

CLICK HERE to read the first page of Allie Wynne and the Playground of Peril by Russell F. Hirsch, followed by an interview with the author.

Paul Sasges

Paul was a marine officer, technologist and energy conservation manager. He is perhaps the oldest Creative Writing BFA student at the University of British Columbia. A member of the Métis Nation BC, he resides on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil Waututh Nations. His poems have been published in the SFU Lyre, and his stories in the Laurentian University Sulfur and UK online journal Porridge.

CLICK HERE to read the first page of Free School by Paul Sasges (CW: Swearing), followed by an interview with the author

Deb Vail

Deb Vail’s writing has been published in several Canadian journals such as The New Quarterly, Prism, and Grain to name a few. She lives in Mission BC.

CLICK HERE to read the first page of Raised on Lies by Deb Vail, followed by an interview with the author.

Galadriel Watson

Galadriel Watson is dedicated to writing fascinating stories that engage readers while they learn more about themselves, the world and their connections within it. She has published 24 non-fiction books for children, plus articles for children in outlets like The New York Times for Kids and The Washington Post’s KidsPost. She also writes for adults, with credits in outlets like The Globe and Mail, Time and Discover. She has penned several novel manuscripts and is waiting for the right publisher to come along. Learn more at www.galadrielwatson.com.

CLICK HERE to read the first page of Unfortunate Stars by Galadriel Watson, followed by an interview with the author.