Renée Harper
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reneeharper.bsky.social
Renée Harper
@reneeharper.bsky.social
920 followers 990 following 64 posts
Poet, Artist and College Professor | PhD in CanLit | Lives in Nelson, B.C., Canada, Sinixt territory | she/they | Author of Boundary Territory (2024) | reneeharper.ca | reneeharperart.com
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reneeharper.bsky.social
Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Nov 9
Hello from Nelson, B.C. Canada. I’m newish to Bluesky and enjoying the calmer energy in this sphere so far :) I’m a writer, teacher and artist and mostly post about, and follow, those worlds - when I’m not doomscrolling like everyone else 😬
Reposted by Renée Harper
readlocalbc.bsky.social
↪Swipe to find out how place impacts these Poets’ work

Join us tomorrow from 2-3:30 PM @wordvancouver.bsky.social in Robson Square to hear readings from our featured poets! followed by discussion and Q&A.

Read the full interviews here:
www.readlocalbc.ca/2025/09/17/p...
Poetry on the Bus: Spot These 10 BC Poets on Your Next Ride
Celebrating 29 years of Poetry in Transit with a conversation with this year's selected BC poets.
www.readlocalbc.ca
September 19, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Reposted by Renée Harper
readlocalbc.bsky.social
Join us THIS SATURDAY from 2-3:30 PM at @wordvancouver.bsky.social for readings from this year's Poets! Hosted by Vancouver's poet laureate @eleekg.bsky.social and followed by discussion and Q&A.

#ReadLocalBC #WordVancouver #PoetryInTransit
September 18, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Reposted by Renée Harper
booksbc.bsky.social
If you love arts and culture in Canada, please consider signing the @artscoalitionca.bsky.social letter before September 15th! 📣✒️ #DontCutTheArts @readlocalbc.bsky.social
September 2, 2025 at 8:03 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
I’m thrilled to be a part of this year’s Poetry in Transit roster and to be reading at the Word Vancouver Festival in a few weeks as part of the kick off 💚🚊💚

Here are some details on the launch (just in case you happen to be in Vancouver): www.wordvancouver.ca/poetry-tent/...
Poetry in Transit poster feature book covers. Poetry in Transit bus placard featuring a poem from my book Boundary Territory.
August 29, 2025 at 7:45 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
Fresh off the easel 💚🎨💚 Sunshine Bay is one of our favourite swimming spots in the Kootenays. I’m looking forward to getting back there soon ❤️

Sunshine Bay, 28” x 22”, acrylic on 1.5” gallery profile canvas, 2025. Contact to purchase.
Painting of mountains and Kootenay Lake in the summer. Painting of mountains and Kootenay Lake in the summer. Painting of mountains and Kootenay Lake in the summer.
May 5, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Reposted by Renée Harper
tylerharper.bsky.social
I interviewed B.C. Premier David Eby this morning after his visit to Nelson and Trail.

He said the province can't offer financial relief to post-secondary institutions making cuts due to drops in allowed international students. Instead he's lobbying the federal government for change.
'Scale is too high' to give financial relief to B.C. universities, colleges: Eby
British Columbia's universities and colleges making cuts to address federal immigration rules targeting international students are unlikely to receive financial relief from the provincial government.
www.nelsonstar.com
April 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
I’m so proud of @tylerharper.bsky.social and all the amazing work he does everyday. This nomination is SO well deserved.
cajournalists.bsky.social Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) @cajournalists.bsky.social · Apr 4
COMMUNITY WRITTEN FEATURE/REPORTAGE ÉCRIT COMMUNAUTAIRE:
⭐Liny Lamberink – CBC North
⭐Julien Green – CBC Yukon
⭐Loubna Chlaikhy, Melissa Haouari –La Converse
⭐Tyler Harper – Nelson Star
⭐Jeff Outhit – Waterloo Region Record
April 4, 2025 at 4:44 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
As someone who got their start at a rural community college and who now teaches at one, I stand behind everything our union leader, Takaia Larsen, says here. These places need protecting for students and their communities.
Selkirk College union leader criticizes provincial post-secondary funding
'The government must step up to prevent more cuts and layoffs on campuses'
www.nelsonstar.com
March 25, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Renée Harper
sarahsmellie.bsky.social
"The 'worst-case scenario' can be found in Newfoundland and Labrador, he said, where small towns in that province have lost three-quarters of their news outlets in the past 16 years."

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/loc...
Local news coverage in Canada in steep decline, inviting misinformation: report
The number of local news outlets has been in significant decline in Canada, leaving suburban residents in particular "starving" for local coverage, a new report found — and creating gaps
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
March 20, 2025 at 3:09 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
Spotted in the wild: one of my bestie's @leesadean.bsky.social
books, and my book just hanging out (as it should be).
Book shop window displaying copies of Waiting for the Cyclone by Leesa Dean and Boundary Territory by Renée Harper.
March 15, 2025 at 8:47 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
Our wonderful local arts association ndac.ca asked me a few questions about writing and making art in the Kootenays :) Big thanks to Sydney Black for including me in this series :)
BLANK CANVAS: Writer, visual artist and educator Renée Harper
Harper first studied at Kootenay School of the Arts and is now a Selkirk College instructor
www.nelsonstar.com
March 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
As someone who teaches first year composition courses, amen to this. Give me energetic, messy, human prose every time. AI “perfection” is the worst.
mcsweeneys.net McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · Mar 2
"Since people are looking for ways to tell whether writing was done by a human or not, do you know what one of those signs might be? That’s right; it’s a typo like me."
I’m a Typo, and in This Age of AI, I’m the Real Hero
Well, look who just spotted me and isn’t happy about it. You’ve got the same look as you did when that server told you to enjoy your tortellini, an...
buff.ly
March 2, 2025 at 2:13 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
Things that are keeping me feeling hopeful: taking an art class and being terrible at it; my dog just being; knitting a cardigan while drinking coffee out of my favourite mug; and dog dates. What’s keeping you going?
Sketch of a still life arrangement. A golden retriever sleeping. Mug with eyes on it and a golden yellow knitting project. Three dogs waiting for treats.
February 21, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Reposted by Renée Harper
ericwickham.ca
me: international competitions are dumb and I don't care
also me: I want canada to win 700-0
February 21, 2025 at 1:20 AM
reneeharper.bsky.social
A friend gave me this wonderful book by Richard Wagamese a while ago. I like to flip through it sometimes for the wisdom it offers. Today I landed on this section about Canada. It seems fitting to share.
THE SOUL OF A NATION is in its people and the spirit of Canada is variegated and sublimely diverse. What makes us strong is our diversity, our differences, but what pulls us together, ties us irrevocably into a common destiny, whole and complete and shining, are the strainings of our very human hearts— the secret wish for a common practical magic. It exists. It lives. It sails across the sky once a month as fat and round and free as a dream. You need to step out on the land to see it properly. You need to walk away from all that binds you to a city, to a desk, to a job, and stand where the wind can get at you. And when that moon comes up and begins to sail across the sky there will come a point, if you watch it close enough, that the earth will start to move, to race that moon, and you can feel it spin in the heavens. It doesn't matter who you stand with or where they're from. It happens for both of you. Universal magic inhabiting you, filling you, making you more, joining you, erasing differences. Blue Book Cover that reads: WHAT COMES FROM SPIRIT RICHARD WAGAMESE
February 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
I feel honoured to see my name on this list by @readlocalbc.bsky.social

My book is deeply dug into the soil here, so it feels extra special to see it recognized as regional literature ❤️

www.readlocalbc.ca/2025/01/29/1...

#readlocalbc #bcbooks #poetry
Screen shot of webpage: 14 BOOKS EVERY BRITISH COLUMBIAN SHOULD READ FEATURED • JANUARY 29, 2025 • Picture of book cover. Black and white picture of misty forest. Book title: Boundary Territory by Renée Harper 14 BOOKS EVERY BRITISH COLUMBIAN SHOULD READ FEATURED • JANUARY 29, 2025 • RLBC Any resident of British Columbia is familiar with the urge to explore the offerings of their province. But it can feel easier said than done— where should one start? This list of books is curated to equip anyone from lifelong residents, BC-newcomers, and PNW adventurers in their journey to discover the history and natural beauty of the province. Consider this your toolkit to unlocking BC in all its glory!
February 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Renée Harper
travisearl.bsky.social
Hello Fellow #Canadians, I've whipped together a starter pack of Canadian authors, indie publishers and bookstores. In light of the economic warfare we're about to endure, I wanted to create a starter pack so we can support each other. Let me know who to add! #Booksky #Canada go.bsky.app/51MFsXj
January 31, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by Renée Harper
peterbcounter.com
Writing advice that should be more popular than it is:
- Take workshops taught by writers in your community
- Go to book launches and readings in your community
- Proactively practice craft by reading about it, applying what you read, and discussing it in your community
January 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Renée Harper
thetransfemininereview.com
Even if you don’t have the spoons right now to read the article, I would URGE you to download it so you can have access later no matter what.

There is a PDF download link at the top of the article.

If you want a printed copy, there is a printable zine below:
Three Things You Can Do Right Now to Combat Anti-Trans Censorship (CW #9)
A printable zine of the Trans Literature Preservation Project, nationwide action on December 3rd, 2024, and more!
thetransfemininereview.com
January 30, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Reposted by Renée Harper
thetransfemininereview.com
Okay, here’s the deal: RIGHT NOW is the time for concrete, direct action.

If you’re following me, it’s probably because you care about trans art and trans literature. The article below lays out my suggestions for dozens of concrete actions you can take to preemptively combat literary censorship.
The Trans Literature Preservation Project: A Practical Guide to Resisting Censorship
Project 2025 wants to criminalize trans literature. Here’s a game plan for keeping our stories alive.
thetransfemininereview.com
January 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
reneeharper.bsky.social
I’m teaching Book 1 of Art Spiegelman’s Maus this week in my Comics and Graphic Novels class. It’s felt prescient for years now, but right now the parallels feel overwhelming :( I recommend it if you haven’t read it, but take care of yourself while you do 💔
January 26, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Reposted by Renée Harper
mcnees.bsky.social
No particular reason to bring this up, but Jack Kirby was inundated by complaints from Nazi sympathizers after publication of his famous cover that showed Captain America punching Hitler. It was drawn and published before the US officially entered WWII.

www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/20...
Jack Kirby's "Captain America" cover that shows Cap punching Hitler in the face.
January 24, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by Renée Harper
lacouvee.bsky.social
THREE starter packs of litmags -
#1 - bsky.app/starter-pack...
#2 - bsky.app/starter-pack...
#3 - bsky.app/starter-pack...
4 Lists
LitMags bsky.app/profile/laco...
Poets bsky.app/profile/laco...
Writers bsky.app/profile/laco...
Editors & Readers bsky.app/profile/laco... #WritingCommunity #Skypoets
November 21, 2024 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by Renée Harper
jayispainting.earthskyart.ca
#OnlyBeautifulThings was a big success and helped a lot of folks yesterday. The great thing about hashtag events is you can scroll through them anytime. Like today if you need to.

You might also enjoy scrolling #ArtAdventCalendar for literally thousands of pieces of art posted in December.
jayispainting.earthskyart.ca JayIsPainting 🍁 @jayispainting.earthskyart.ca · Jan 20
It's time to turn off your TV, mute all the keywords and post #OnlyBeautifulThings (with alt text of course)
Small white dog standing up next to deck chair looking over arm rest
January 21, 2025 at 3:23 PM