Passion and persistence lead to payoff.

This will be the message of Winnipeg author Virginia McClain when she comes to Brandon University (BU) on Monday, March 11 to deliver a public talk on the art and craft of writing fantasy. All are welcome to this free event, which will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. in Room 104 of Clark Hall.

McClain is the author of five novels in print. Her debut novel, Blade’s Edge, was a finalist for the Wishing Shelf Book Awards. It was followed by a sequel, Traitor’s Hope, in 2017.

She calls her new Victoria Marmot series a “humourous urban fantasy romp” for the young adult audience. She has completed three books in the series with the fourth one coming out soon.

In addition to her novel writing, McClain has published short stories in various literary magazines, including The First Line and Adventures for the Average Woman.

Her first stories, she recalls, were written in crayon and featured “hedgehogs and dragons” and some “creative spelling choices.” Thirty years later, she says, “My stories still feature some dragons but lamentably fewer hedgehogs.” She says her spelling is also much improved.

McClain has appeared on creative writing panels in Canada and the United States, and has conducted interviews for blogs and writing sites. She loves sharing her passion for writing fiction with anyone interested in the craft, says McClain.

The talk is being presented as part of the English & Creative Writing Literary Exchange, a speaker series supported by the Dean of Arts Office at BU. McClain’s books will be on hand for purchase and signing.

For more information, or with any accessibility considerations, please contact Dale Lakevold at Lakevold@BrandonU.ca or 204-727-7413, or email Deanna Smid at SmidD@BrandonU.ca.