JennaButler

Dr. Jenna Butler is the author of three critically acclaimed books of poetry, Aphelion (NeWest Press, 2010), Wells (University of Alberta Press, 2012), and Seldom Seen Road (NeWest Press, 2013), a collection of ecological essays, A Profession of Hope: Farming on the Edge the of Grizzly Trail (Wolsak and Wynn, 2015), and a travelogue, Magnetic North: Sea Voyage to Svalbard (University of Alberta Press, 2018). Her newest work is Revery: A Year of Bees, essays about women, beekeeping, and community-building (Wolsak and Wynn, 2020). She is at work on two collections of essays scheduled for release in 2025, a book of poetry, and a novel.

Butler's research into endangered environments has taken her from Svalbard at the Arctic Circle onboard an ice-class masted sailing vessel to the Climate Forests of the Oregon coast as an environmental fellow and resident, exploring the ways in which we impact the landscapes we call home. A retired professor of creative writing and environmental writing at Red Deer College, Butler lives on an off-grid organic farm in northwestern Alberta.

Revery: A Year of Bees (Wolsak and Wynn, 2020)
Magnetic North: Sea Voyage to Svalbard (University of Alberta Press, 2018)
A Profession of Hope: Farming on the Edge of the Grizzly Trail (Wolsak and Wynn, 2015)
Seldom Seen Road (NeWest Press, 2013)
Wells (University of Alberta Press, 2012)
Aphelion (NeWest Press, 2010)

CBC Canada Reads Longlisted Title (2023)
Constance Rooke Essay Prize, finalist (2022)
High Plains Book Awards, Women Writer, finalist (2021)
Governor General's Literary Award for Nonfiction, finalist (2021)
Bronze Medal for Green Living, Living Now Book Awards (2021)
Banff Mountain Book Awards, finalist (2019)
High Plains Book Awards, Nonfiction, finalist (2018)
Gold Medal for Green Living, Living Now Book Awards (2016)
High Plains Book Awards, Nonfiction, finalist (2016)
Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award (2018/2015/2011)
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award (2014)
Stephen G. Stephansson Award, finalist (2013)
Raymond Souster Memorial Award, finalist (2013)
BPAA Poetry Book of the Year Award, finalist (2012)

Education

PhD Creative and Critical Writing (University of East Anglia, 2012)
MA Distinction, Creative Writing: Poetry (University of East Anglia, 2006)
BEd Distinction, Secondary Education (University of Alberta, 2004)
BA English/Drama (University of Alberta, 2002)

Selected Teaching Experience

The Alexandra Writers' Centre Society, Calgary (Teacher, Writer in Residence, 2023-onward)
The Metchosin International Summer School for the Arts (Teaching Faculty, 2023)
The Saskatchewan Writers' Guild (Virtual Writer/Teacher in Residence, Spring Retreat, 2023)
The Banff Centre (Spring Teaching Faculty, Virtual, 2022)
Red Deer College (English Faculty, 2014-2022, tenured)
The University of Alberta (English Faculty, 2013-2014)
MacEwan University (English Faculty, 2009-2014)
Arte Studio Ginestrelle, Italy (Teaching Faculty, 2012)
Planet Earth Poetry, Victoria, BC (Workshop Leader, 2012/2014/2023)
The University of Alberta Women's Words program (Teaching Faculty, 2011)

Selected Literary Residencies

The Spring Creek Project, the University of Oregon, and Oregon Wild (Environmental Writing Fellow, 2023-2024)
Writer in Residence, Cill Rialaig, Ireland (2019)
Hawthornden Fellow, Scotland (2017)
Writer in Residence, The Arctic Circle Expedition, Svalbard (2014)
Writer in Residence, Cill Rialaig, Ireland (2014)
Writer in Residence, CAA Alberta Branch (2013-14)
Djerassi Resident Artists Program, USA (2011)
Online Poet in Residence, The League of Canadian Poets (2007)

Selected Appointments

Co-Chair, Perspectives Canada in the World Lecture Series, Red Deer College (2015-2019)
CrowSaid Poetry Series Editor, NeWest Press (2017-present)
Executive Board, NeWest Press (2015-2021)
Board, NeWest Press (2012-present)
Director, MacEwan Writing Works Program (2012-2013)
Writing Programs Advisory Board, University of Alberta Faculty of Extension (2012)
Board Member, The Edmonton Poetry Festival (2006 and 2009)

The League of Canadian Poets
The Association for Literature, Environment, and Culture in Canada
NeWest Press Board
The Writers' Guild of Alberta
The Creative Nonfiction Society
The Saskatchewan Writers' Guild
The Writers' Union of Canada

• Academic / Scholarly
• Autobiography / Biography / Memoir
• Creative Nonfiction
• Essay
• General Fiction
• General Nonfiction
• Historical Fiction
• Literary Fiction
• Playwriting
• Poetry
• Travel Writing

• Book Reviews
• Copy Editing
• Developmental Editing
• Editing
• Freelance Writing
• Lectures / Public Speaking
• Manuscript Reading / Consultation
• Mentoring
• Proofreading
• Readings - Adult
• Substantive / Structural Editing
• Workshops - Adult