An espresso with Kelsey Attard

What are you reading at the minute?

I just finished reading Lightning Strikes the Silence, the latest in Iona Whishaw’s Lane Winslow mystery series, published by TouchWood Editions. They are completely charming books set in a rural British Columbia community in post-World War II Canada, and I always eagerly await the latest book in the series!

What is the best thing about going to international book fairs?

The people! It is so great to meet publishing colleagues from all over the world, and learn from each other.

What was your first job in the book world?

I worked as an administrative assistant for the Writers’ Guild of Alberta, which was where I started to realize how many wonderful local writers there were!

Is your reading preference for physical books, audio, ebooks, and why?

Physical books, of course! But I actually enjoy all the formats, and find that I read different books in different ways at different times. It’s handy to bring my ereader when I’m travelling, and I love listening to an audiobook when I’m driving or on the bus.

What has been your favourite book in translation, and who was the translator?

I loved Songs for the Cold of Heart – it’s written by a French-Canadian writer named Eric Dupont, translated by Peter McCambridge, and published in English by QC Fiction. I first heard about it when it was shortlisted for the Giller Prize in 2018, and I ended up just loving it and falling under its spell.

What one thing would make your job significantly easier?

How about a magical ability to keep up with all the email in my inbox?

Biography

Kelsey Attard, one of BolognaBookPlus’ exhibitors is the Managing Editor Freehand Books in Canada. Freehand Books was founded in 2007, with the goal of publishing excellent writing by Canadian authors.