BIOGRAPHY
Lorri Neilsen Glenn is the author and editor of fourteen books of poetry, creative nonfiction and scholarly work. Following the River: Traces of Red River Women, a mixed-genre historical memoir, was published late in 2017 with Wolsak and Wynn and is now in its third printing. The book explores Lorri’s Métis and Cree grandmothers’ lives and was short-listed for the Evelyn Richardson Nonfiction award and winner of the Miramichi Reader’s nonfiction award.

Untying the Apron: Daughters Remember Mothers of the 1950s (Guernica Editions, 2013) explores the lives of 1950s mothers (now in its third printing). Other works include Threading Light: Explorations in Loss and Poetry (2011), Lost Gospels (Brick Books, 2010), Combustion (Brick Books, 2007), Saved String (Rubicon Press, 2007), and All the Perfect Disguises (Broken Jaw Press, 2003). With Carsten Knox, Lorri edited Salt Lines, a collection of writers’ wisdom from Nova Scotian authors.

Since 2013, Lorri has served as a mentor in The University of King’s College MFA program in creative nonfiction. Dr. Neilsen is Professor Emerita at Mount Saint Vincent University.

Workshops: Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, Great Blue Heron workshop, St. Peter’s Writing Program, Los Parronales Writers’ Retreat, Creative Nonfiction Collective, MSVU, The University of Auckland, Edith Cowan, James Cook, Queensland, and Murdoch Universities, among other organizations and locations.

Lorri’s workshops on memoir/life writing grief and loss have been held across Canada, including Northern Canada, as well as in Ireland, Greece, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. She has worked with writers in Indigenous communities, government and social services, educators, engineers, lawyers, women’s groups, youth groups, and many other communities. Lorri works as a developmental editor for others’ memoir, creative nonfiction and poetry.

As Halifax’s first Métis Poet Laureate (2005-2009), Lorri worked with new Canadians, seniors, and launched the spoken word youth group Wordfishing. She has worked extensively with writers who are new Canadians.

A frequent reader/juror/judge for national and regional writing awards, Lorri is active in organizations such as the Creative Nonfiction Collective and Canadian Creative Writing and Writing Programs, among others. She is on the editorial board of UnderStorey Magazine. Lorri’s poetry and creative nonfiction appear in several anthologies. She was appointed President of the Wrirters’ Federation of Nova Scotia in 2020.

“Glenn explores questions about spirituality and place – places including the Prairies, where she was raised, and the East Coast, where she now works – in these stunning poems that show us how to pay attention and find the wonder in song and nature.” – Prairie Books Now

“Lorri Neilsen Glenn has done what all mid-career poets long to do: make themselves magnificently vulnerable.” – Winnipeg Free Press

“lyricism at its most brilliant” – The Malahat Review