Generation 2005

Foreword

Generation! This publication features the next generation of emerging talent from Southwestern Ontario. Sponsored by the English department at the University of Windsor, this journal has seen generations of prize-winning authors contribute to the literary history of this region. Joyce Carol Oates wrote many of her famous works from the corner office in what is now called Chrysler Hall North at the University of Windsor. W.O. Mitchell offered salient advice to aspiring authors in his capacity as Writer in Residence on campus. Among the many other established writers at U Windsor were Eugene McNamara, Richard Hornsey, John Ditsky, and Ed Watson. More recently, Alistair MacLeod has received world-recognition for his remarkable novel, No Great Mischief, and poet Di Brandt has both been nominated for and has won a series of literary prizes. Some thirty years ago, the DH in old Sandwich was the writer’s hangout. It was there, too, in the basement of that crowded pub that many of these writers rose to pontificate and read and raise a glass or two to literature. The English department’s current Resident Writing Professional, Marty Gervais, was in first year then and, like other students, joined those who were asked to submit writiing to Generation. He soon saw a poem of his in print. Now, Marty is the editor of the Windsor Review, and the publishing house, Black Moss Press. So it is that out of small beginnings, great things happen. And now Karl Jirgens, editor of Rampike magazine and new chair of the English Department, has come on board in directing this undergraduate magazine. Generation extends an invitation to all you aspiring writers to submit fiction and poetry to Generation in your first steps toward fame (see: masthead inside front cover for details!).

In the spirit of encouraging new writers, this issue of Generation includes the current crop of emerging authors as well as the silver and gold medal winners for the Homer Plant Literary Prize, open to all High School students in the region! This year’s judge was the celebrated, prize-winning author Di Brandt who was duly impressed with the quality of so many of the entries. Alas, not all could win, and the decisions were difficult, but in the end the ones chosen included second place fiction winner, Justin Bondy for his short story “Where’s Grandpa?” which the judge found to be “very dense, and funny,” and second place poetry winner, Ellen Maceyovski whose poem “Interracial” was described by the judge as “dynamic, economic, and memorable!” Our first place Homer Plant Prize winners include Maurissa Hunter, whose poem “Wick wash bah balla ha” was found to be “surreal, mysterious and haunting,” and, Caitlin Margaret McNamara Donoghue who short story “Puss and Vegas” was found to be “wacky and wonderful” by our intrepid judge, Di Brandt. We remind our readers that applications are invited both to next year’s the Homer Plant competition (note extended deadline!) and the W.O. Mitchell Prize in English Composition worth $1000! (see; details elsewhere in this magazine).

In the meantime, Generation is still going strong, filled with a lot of hope and dedication. There are still those out there who believe in writing, believe there’s a point in doing it, and believe that good writing matters. We support that hope, and when we glance over the work in this collection, it is encouraging. The names you will find here are the future stars, the generation that will make their mark on writing in this country. Don’t forget those names. Jot them down somewhere. They’re the ones who will make the difference in what we read in the future. This is just a taste of what they can do. Savour it. And if you’ve got the inkling, then join them and join us, and send your writing to be part of the next Generation!

— Advising Editors, Marty Gervais & Karl Jirgens

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General Editors:
Misty Elliott
Jenny Sampirisi

Editors:
Matt Carrington
Todd Lukan
Natalie Walshotts
Lindsay McNiff
David Miller

Copy Editors:
Jenny Sampirisi
Lindsay McNiff
David Miller

Faculty Advisor:
Karl Jirgens
Marty Gervais

Layout, Design & Data Entry:
Lindsay McNiff
Jenny Sampirisi
Misty Elliott

Cover Art:
Tamara Jenson

Featuring work by:

• Justin Bondy
• Caitlin Margaret McNamara Donoghue
• Maurissa Hunter
• James LeBorgne
• Todd Lukan
• Ellen Maceyouski
• John Matias
• Sherri McGee
• David Miller
• Vladimir Miskovic
• Jessica Raffoul
• Christie Riberdy
• Jenny Sampirisi
• Neil Wood