Managing Editors
As ACPA Editors, we wish to give you accurate, relevant, and strongly written information on Atlantic Canadian poets and their works. Whether we were poetry enthusiasts or not before working for the ACPA, the archive has stirred a passion in us for the work in our backyard.
Below you will be introduced to the current Managing Editor of the ACPA and learn what she has to offer towards the diversity of the archive. Please take a minute to read her story. We hope you appreciate her as much as we do.
Below you will be introduced to the current Managing Editor of the ACPA and learn what she has to offer towards the diversity of the archive. Please take a minute to read her story. We hope you appreciate her as much as we do.
Elizabeth Pellerin
1. What year were you Managing Editor of the ACPA?
I’m the current Managing Editor, having begun in 2022.
2. What did you study (are currently studying) at STU? Where did that take you (will take you)?
I’m currently at the mid-point in my English Language and Literature degree, hoping to aim for an Honors with a Concentration in Creative Writing. My minor is in Anthropology, and I’m currently looking into a second major in either Education or Journalism.
I’m still trying to figure out exactly where I want to go in life, but the ultimate goal has always been to publish my own creative works one day. I’m currently writing a few different projects, mainly a novel and a show script.
3. What intrigued you about the ACPA?
I originally discovered this website through the poetry unit of a creative writing class taught by Kathy Mac at STU. As a long-time writer, I’ve always respected poetry but haven’t understood it as well as prose or script. So when I saw that Kathy Mac had an Editorial Position open for the ACPA, I saw a chance to put my editing skills to good use and broaden my horizons.
4. What did you enjoy most about editing the ACPA?
It’s great to be working in a field that I’m passionate about. It’s hard for newer writers like myself to get jobs without a degree, so having a chance to practice my writing and editing skills, as well as indulge in my love for the arts, is a dream come true for me. I get to build my portfolio and share part of my home/culture with the world.
5. Why should people be interested in what the ACPA has to offer?
I find that the ACPA offers a rich education on both Poetry and Atlantic Canadian culture. Exploring this website will teach you about the past and present of many poets and the world they live(d) in. I hope anyone who visits this website comes out of it having learned something new; either about us, our region, or themselves.
I’m the current Managing Editor, having begun in 2022.
2. What did you study (are currently studying) at STU? Where did that take you (will take you)?
I’m currently at the mid-point in my English Language and Literature degree, hoping to aim for an Honors with a Concentration in Creative Writing. My minor is in Anthropology, and I’m currently looking into a second major in either Education or Journalism.
I’m still trying to figure out exactly where I want to go in life, but the ultimate goal has always been to publish my own creative works one day. I’m currently writing a few different projects, mainly a novel and a show script.
3. What intrigued you about the ACPA?
I originally discovered this website through the poetry unit of a creative writing class taught by Kathy Mac at STU. As a long-time writer, I’ve always respected poetry but haven’t understood it as well as prose or script. So when I saw that Kathy Mac had an Editorial Position open for the ACPA, I saw a chance to put my editing skills to good use and broaden my horizons.
4. What did you enjoy most about editing the ACPA?
It’s great to be working in a field that I’m passionate about. It’s hard for newer writers like myself to get jobs without a degree, so having a chance to practice my writing and editing skills, as well as indulge in my love for the arts, is a dream come true for me. I get to build my portfolio and share part of my home/culture with the world.
5. Why should people be interested in what the ACPA has to offer?
I find that the ACPA offers a rich education on both Poetry and Atlantic Canadian culture. Exploring this website will teach you about the past and present of many poets and the world they live(d) in. I hope anyone who visits this website comes out of it having learned something new; either about us, our region, or themselves.
Renelle Dion
1. What year were you Managing Editor of the ACPA?
I am the 2022 co-editor, alongside Liz!
2. What did you study (are currently studying) at STU? Where did that take you (will take you)?
I began my studies in 2017 with all the intentions of becoming a clinical psychologist. So naturally, I have a major in psychology. Along the course of my university journey though I was given the chance to explore a lifelong love of mine: literature. I took English classes here and there as electives, and when my psychology degree was just about over… I decided to also major in English. So, here I am, about to enter my fifth year!
It was late in my third year when I decided that a career in mental health services was not for me. I soon began teaching English literacy, and that is when I knew that I would pursue education instead. Although I’m currently working with mostly middle schoolers now, I’d love to find a position as a high school English teacher when the time comes.
And further down the line, I imagine I’ll go back to university to study some more!
3. What intrigued you about the ACPA?
Initially, it was the idea of a network. The ACPA website is a small community of writers, and as someone who likes to write poetry for fun, it’s nice to have this stock of local inspiration always at your fingertips.
In our publishing class, Kathy would remind us writers the importance of community (the introvert in me struggled with this information). So when she offered me the chance of engaging myself with the ACPA, I thought this was the perfect way to find that.
4. What did you enjoy most about editing the ACPA?
The first and most obvious thing I enjoy about the ACPA is the opportunity to work with local poetry and poets. I love reading and writing poetry, and being able to experience various styles and purposes of poetry within the Maritimes has been culturally enriching and inspiring.
I have always had a love for editing as well. Where most people dread this step of their writing process, this is one I thoroughly enjoy. Being able to pair two of my biggest interests into one job is impossible to say no to!
5. Why should people be interested in what the ACPA has to offer?
I understand that the ACPA can’t appeal to everybody – not everyone is a poet, and not everyone enjoys poetry. However, the ACPA is a great resource for any writer, I think. I often find myself stuck in ruts, or writer’s blocks, and resources such as the ACPA are great for getting through those ruts/blocks.
Like I’ve mentioned previously, there’s also the aspect of community. For anyone like me, who is intimidated by the large groups of people that is usually implied in “community”, the ACPA is a great place to start. It’s a chance to dip your toes into the network of writers already surrounding you.
I am the 2022 co-editor, alongside Liz!
2. What did you study (are currently studying) at STU? Where did that take you (will take you)?
I began my studies in 2017 with all the intentions of becoming a clinical psychologist. So naturally, I have a major in psychology. Along the course of my university journey though I was given the chance to explore a lifelong love of mine: literature. I took English classes here and there as electives, and when my psychology degree was just about over… I decided to also major in English. So, here I am, about to enter my fifth year!
It was late in my third year when I decided that a career in mental health services was not for me. I soon began teaching English literacy, and that is when I knew that I would pursue education instead. Although I’m currently working with mostly middle schoolers now, I’d love to find a position as a high school English teacher when the time comes.
And further down the line, I imagine I’ll go back to university to study some more!
3. What intrigued you about the ACPA?
Initially, it was the idea of a network. The ACPA website is a small community of writers, and as someone who likes to write poetry for fun, it’s nice to have this stock of local inspiration always at your fingertips.
In our publishing class, Kathy would remind us writers the importance of community (the introvert in me struggled with this information). So when she offered me the chance of engaging myself with the ACPA, I thought this was the perfect way to find that.
4. What did you enjoy most about editing the ACPA?
The first and most obvious thing I enjoy about the ACPA is the opportunity to work with local poetry and poets. I love reading and writing poetry, and being able to experience various styles and purposes of poetry within the Maritimes has been culturally enriching and inspiring.
I have always had a love for editing as well. Where most people dread this step of their writing process, this is one I thoroughly enjoy. Being able to pair two of my biggest interests into one job is impossible to say no to!
5. Why should people be interested in what the ACPA has to offer?
I understand that the ACPA can’t appeal to everybody – not everyone is a poet, and not everyone enjoys poetry. However, the ACPA is a great resource for any writer, I think. I often find myself stuck in ruts, or writer’s blocks, and resources such as the ACPA are great for getting through those ruts/blocks.
Like I’ve mentioned previously, there’s also the aspect of community. For anyone like me, who is intimidated by the large groups of people that is usually implied in “community”, the ACPA is a great place to start. It’s a chance to dip your toes into the network of writers already surrounding you.
The ACPA wouldn't be what it is today without our past managing editors. Take a minute to appreciate their work by reading their stories here.
