[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Catherine-Bush.jpg” caption=”Catherine Bush”]This fall, the Department of English in the Faculty of Humanities welcomes guest Canadian novelist Catherine Bush as its writer-in-residence.

Bush first caught the literary world's attention with her 1993 debut novel, Minus Time, which was nominated for the SmithBooks/Books in Canada First Novel Award, the City of Toronto Book Award, and it is now being adapted for film. Bush is the author of critically acclaimed and internationally published novels, including The Rules of Engagement (2000), which was a New York Times Notable Book and a Best Book of the Year as chosen by the Globe and Mail and the Los Angeles Times. The book was also shortlisted for the City of Toronto Book Award. Her newest novel, Claire's Head, published by McClelland and Stewart this fall, is available at Titles Bookstore.

A Toronto native, Bush has also resided in Montreal, London, New York, and Provincetown, Massachusetts. She holds a degree in comparative literature from Yale University, and has taught creative writing at Concordia University, the University of Florida, and a number of other academic institutions. Her fiction, nonfiction and reviews have appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Times Magazine, and the Globe and Mail.

The Writer-In-Residence program is sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts through the generosity of the Taylor family in honour of their mother. The Mabel Pugh Taylor Writer-in-Residence program was officially named at the welcome reception for Bush earlier this month. Nancy Taylor (55) and James Taylor (50) were in attendance to receive recognition for their ongoing support of the program. Brother David Taylor, Q.C. (50) was unfortunately out of the country and unable to attend the event.

As Writer-in-Residence, Bush has been on campus since September and will continue to be here Tuesdays and Thursdays through the first term. This endeavour provides undergraduatess, graduate students, and literary scholars alike with the chance to bring creative work to her for consultation. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the Faculty of Humanities and the Department of English,” says dean of humanities Nasrin Rahimieh. “Catherine Bush is a truly gifted writer, who crafts the language into evocative pictures. We are fortunate to have this treasure with us for the fall.”

Those who are interested in making an appointment with Bush for consultation are encouraged to do so by calling John Silva at ext. 24491.