Stratford, Ont. poet wins international award
“Does your light shine brighter when I think of you,” reads Heidi Sander from her award-winning poem, “How They Live On.”
“It just means the world to me,” says Sander, “First of all, because it honours my mom. That’s where the entire poetry collection started."
Sander is the winner of this year’s International Prime Number Magazine Award for Poetry. The international contest comes with publication in the magazine, US$1,000 in prize money, and a coveted Pushcart nomination.
You could call it beginner’s luck. “So it was my first time submitting, and I won this award.”
The Stratford-native has written travel books and fiction before, but really only delved into poetry since her mother’s death.
“The last year-and-a-half there was a bit more time on my hands, so I actually got this poetry collection together and a lot of it is based on the passing of my mom. She passed away a few years ago, and I wrote a lot of poetry during that time. It was very cathartic,” she says.
There were submissions from 19 countries and all 50 states for the award, but Sander’s poem stood out for its authenticity and uniqueness.
She hopes the award helps her poetry collection, “The Forest of My Mind” get published, and allows her to help other poets establish themselves in the medium.
“I’m actually developing an online program for poets, to help them find their voices, and get their foot in the door of the publishing world. Just so that I can pass this on, and help other poets,” says Sander.
You can learn more about Sander by visiting: www.Heidisander.com
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.