by Syeda Shanzay Eliya Shah-Birousk, guest interviewer

Summer Scribes, hosted by authors Ann Y.K. Choi and Adam Pottle, has been running every summer since 2019. What started as an event that focused on workshopping fiction submitted by aspiring and emerging writers, Summer Scribes has evolved into a Q & A on writing fiction. Prior to the event day, writers are invited to submit up to five questions. Last year’s focus was on the business of writing fiction. This year, it’s the craft of writing fiction. During the virtual meetup in August, Ann and Adam will take turns answering the questions with opportunities for participants to ask follow up questions.

I wrote about Summer Scribes III and followed up with the event hosts to ask them some questions.

Question: As authors and educators, what do you get out of organizing and running the event every year?

Adam: I love talking about the intricacies of writing, and Summer Scribes provides an opportunity to do that. Ann is also a wonderful person; I’m grateful to work with her and to call her a friend. We both have educational backgrounds and have that built-in impulse to reach out and share our experiences, and it’s immensely rewarding to do this with her. Lastly, as a Deaf author, I know how difficult it is to try and attract attention from publishers and to navigate the literary industry. If I can help emerging authors make their path a little easier, I will do that.

Ann: I met Adam through my students who were reading his books. Watching Adam interact with them and then meeting him in person at the FOLD made me want to work with him on some level. Summer Scribes is our way of serving a community of aspiring and emerging writers across Canada. It took me 21 long years to land my first publishing contract. I learned quite a bit along that journey. If possible, I’d like to help others bridge gaps in their learning or writing goals.

Question: What do you hope participants get out of attending?

Adam: I hope they come away confident and energized. I hope they feel their questions have been answered and that their love for the craft of writing is deepened. I hope they gain a sense of camaraderie with their peers and use that to build a network of support. I hope they feel more prepared to face whatever challenges come their way. I hope they feel optimism for the future, because it’s so easy to feel dispirited or alone, especially with how the industry is going.

Ann: Beyond getting their questions answered, I hope they feel comfortable connecting with each other or feel inspired to keep learning. Adam has his PhD in English and I have my MFA in Creative Writing yet we are constantly engaged in new learning and professional opportunities. We hope to see participants out at literary festivals, author readings, mentoring groups, book launches, and other events that support writing communities.

Question: Can you share some details about Summer Scribes V?

We’re thrilled to be back for year five! Besides answering participants’ questions, we’re excited to provide networking opportunities and to connect writers with each other. Visit our webpage to learn more and to register.

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Syeda Shanzay Eliya Shah-Birousk is a GTA-based emerging writer currently working on her debut novel and other creative projects.