ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Julie Wilkins. Julie is the author of We're Happy You're Here. We're Happy You're Here is a finalist for the 2025 Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize. In this conversation, Julie talks about the story that inspired her book, and how books create opportunities to gather and build community.

To find out more about We're Happy You're Here visit: https://bcyukonbookprizes.com/project/were-happy-youre-here/

To view the 2025 BC and Yukon Book Prizes shortlists: bcyukonbookprizes.com/2025/04/10/bc-…sts-announced/

ABOUT JULIE WILKINS:

Julie Wilkins is a storyteller and entrepreneur. The owner of Gather Bookshop, an independent bookstore where her passion for inclusive and diverse literature comes alive on the shelves, Julie is excited to be finding her own voice as an author. We’re Happy You’re Here is her first book. Julie lives in Squamish, British Columbia.

ABOUT MEGAN COLE:
Megan Cole the Interim Executive Director for the BC and Yukon Book Prizes. She is also a writer based on the territory of the Tla'amin Nation. Megan writes creative nonfiction and has had essays published in Chatelaine, This Magazine, The Puritan, Untethered, and more. She has her MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of King's College and is working her first book. Find out more about Megan at megancolewriter.com

ABOUT THE PODCAST:
Writing the Coast is recorded and produced on the traditional territory of the Tla'amin Nation. As a settler on these lands, Megan Cole finds opportunities to learn and listen to the stories from those whose land was stolen.

Writing the Coast is a recorded series of conversations, readings, and insights into the work of the writers, illustrators, and creators whose books are nominated for the annual BC and Yukon Book Prizes. We'll also check in on people in the writing community who are supporting books, writers and readers every day. The podcast is produced and hosted by Megan Cole.

S7 E3: Julie Wilkins on how books and bookstores build community

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
In this episode, Megan Cole talks to Roy Henry Vickers and Lucky Budd about their book Voices from the Skeena: An Illustrated Oral History, nominated for the Bill Duthie Booksellers' Choice Award. In this conversation Roy and Lucky talk about how they began collaborating, the impact these stories have had on those around them and the power of storytelling in preserving knowledge and history.

To find out more about Voices of the Skeena and to here more recordings by Imbert Orchard visit: https://memoriestomemoirs.ca/portfolio/voices-from-the-skeena/?portorder=menu

ABOUT LUCKY BUDD AND ROY HENRY VICKERS:

Robert (Lucky) Budd is the co-author of the Northwest Coast Legends series and the author of Voices of British Columbia (Douglas & McIntyre, 2010), which was shortlisted for the 2011 Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award, and its sequel, Echoes of British Columbia (Harbour Publishing, 2014), which won second prize in the BC Historical Federation’s writing competition in 2014. He lives in Victoria, BC.

Roy Henry Vickers is a Canadian Master Artist best known around the world for his limited edition prints. He is also an accomplished carver, design advisor of prestigious public spaces, a sought-after keynote speaker, and publisher and author of several successful books.In addition, he is a recognized leader in the First Nations community, and a tireless spokesperson for recovery from addictions and abuse.

ABOUT MEGAN COLE:
Megan Cole the Director of Audience Development for the BC and Yukon Book Prizes. She is also a writer based in Powell River, British Columbia. She also works at the Powell River Public Library as the teen services coordinator where she gets to combine her love for books and writing with a love for her community. Megan has worked as a freelance journalist and is working on a memoir which tackles themes of gender and mental health. Find out more about Megan at megancolewriter.com

ABOUT THE PODCAST:
Writing the Coast is recorded and produced on the traditional territory of the Tla'amin Nation. As a settler on these lands, Megan Cole finds opportunities to learn and listen to the stories from those whose land was stolen.

The BC and Yukon Podcast, tentatively titled *Writing the Coast*, is a recorded series of conversations, readings, and insights into the work of the writers, illustrators, and creators whose books are nominated for the annual BC and Yukon Book Prizes. We'll also check in on people in the writing community who are supporting books, writers and readers every day. The podcast is produced and hosted by Megan Cole.

S2 Episode 12: Roy Henry Vickers & Lucky Budd talk about the power of storytelling and oral history

Welcome to Writing the Coast! This is the weekly podcast where we chat with the authors and illustrators of the books who make up the shortlist of the annual BC and Yukon Book Prizes. On the episodes you'll hear host and podcast coordinator Megan Cole chat with the folks who are creating some of BC and Yukon's best books. We'll also check in with the literary community in our region. For more information about the BC and Yukon Book Prizes visit: https://bcyukonbookprizes.com/

S7 E3: Julie Wilkins on how books and bookstores build community

Writing the Coast: BC & Yukon Book Prizes podcast

Related tracks