Author | Lightnews

Renée Harper

@reneeharper.bsky.social

910 followers 990 following 64 posts

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Nov 9

Hello from Nelson, B.C. Canada. I’m newish to Bluesky and enjoying the calmer energy in this sphere so far :) I’m a writer, teacher and artist and mostly post about, and follow, those worlds - when I’m not doomscrolling like everyone else 😬

1 2 32

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · 20d

Nothing but appreciation from from me ❤️ Go, Jays!

fro.me

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · 20d

So nerdy

Reposted by Renée Harper

Read Local BC @readlocalbc.bsky.social · Sep 19

↪Swipe to find out how place impacts these Poets’ work

Join us tomorrow from 2-3:30 PM @wordvancouver.bsky.social in Robson Square to hear readings from our featured poets! followed by discussion and Q&A.

Read the full interviews here:
www.readlocalbc.ca/2025/09/17/p...

Poetry on the Bus: Spot These 10 BC Poets on Your Next Ride

Celebrating 29 years of Poetry in Transit with a conversation with this year's selected BC poets.

www.readlocalbc.ca

1 3

Reposted by Renée Harper

Read Local BC @readlocalbc.bsky.social · Sep 18

Join us THIS SATURDAY from 2-3:30 PM at @wordvancouver.bsky.social for readings from this year's Poets! Hosted by Vancouver's poet laureate @eleekg.bsky.social and followed by discussion and Q&A.

#ReadLocalBC #WordVancouver #PoetryInTransit

3 3

Reposted by Renée Harper

The Association of Book Publishers of BC @booksbc.bsky.social · Sep 2

If you love arts and culture in Canada, please consider signing the @artscoalitionca.bsky.social letter before September 15th! 📣✒️ #DontCutTheArts @readlocalbc.bsky.social

4 3

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Aug 29

I’m thrilled to be a part of this year’s Poetry in Transit roster and to be reading at the Word Vancouver Festival in a few weeks as part of the kick off 💚🚊💚

Here are some details on the launch (just in case you happen to be in Vancouver): www.wordvancouver.ca/poetry-tent/...

Poetry in Transit poster feature book covers.

Poetry in Transit bus placard featuring a poem from my book Boundary Territory.

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Aug 26

Aw. Thank you for sharing this.

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · May 5

Fresh off the easel 💚🎨💚 Sunshine Bay is one of our favourite swimming spots in the Kootenays. I’m looking forward to getting back there soon ❤️

Sunshine Bay, 28” x 22”, acrylic on 1.5” gallery profile canvas, 2025. Contact to purchase.

Painting of mountains and Kootenay Lake in the summer.

1 8

Reposted by Renée Harper

Tyler Harper @tylerharper.bsky.social · Apr 25

I interviewed B.C. Premier David Eby this morning after his visit to Nelson and Trail.

He said the province can't offer financial relief to post-secondary institutions making cuts due to drops in allowed international students. Instead he's lobbying the federal government for change.

'Scale is too high' to give financial relief to B.C. universities, colleges: Eby

British Columbia's universities and colleges making cuts to address federal immigration rules targeting international students are unlikely to receive financial relief from the provincial government.

www.nelsonstar.com

1 2 4

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Apr 4

I’m so proud of @tylerharper.bsky.social and all the amazing work he does everyday. This nomination is SO well deserved.

Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) @cajournalists.bsky.social · Apr 4

COMMUNITY WRITTEN FEATURE/REPORTAGE ÉCRIT COMMUNAUTAIRE:
⭐Liny Lamberink – CBC North
⭐Julien Green – CBC Yukon
⭐Loubna Chlaikhy, Melissa Haouari –La Converse
⭐Tyler Harper – Nelson Star
⭐Jeff Outhit – Waterloo Region Record

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Mar 25

As someone who got their start at a rural community college and who now teaches at one, I stand behind everything our union leader, Takaia Larsen, says here. These places need protecting for students and their communities.

Selkirk College union leader criticizes provincial post-secondary funding

'The government must step up to prevent more cuts and layoffs on campuses'

www.nelsonstar.com

Reposted by Renée Harper

Sarah Smellie @sarahsmellie.bsky.social · Mar 20

"The 'worst-case scenario' can be found in Newfoundland and Labrador, he said, where small towns in that province have lost three-quarters of their news outlets in the past 16 years."

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/loc...

Local news coverage in Canada in steep decline, inviting misinformation: report

The number of local news outlets has been in significant decline in Canada, leaving suburban residents in particular "starving" for local coverage, a new report found — and creating gaps

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca

3 2

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Mar 15

Spotted in the wild: one of my bestie's @leesadean.bsky.social
books, and my book just hanging out (as it should be).

Book shop window displaying copies of Waiting for the Cyclone by Leesa Dean and Boundary Territory by Renée Harper.

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Mar 5

Our wonderful local arts association ndac.ca asked me a few questions about writing and making art in the Kootenays :) Big thanks to Sydney Black for including me in this series :)

BLANK CANVAS: Writer, visual artist and educator Renée Harper

Harper first studied at Kootenay School of the Arts and is now a Selkirk College instructor

www.nelsonstar.com

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Mar 2

As someone who teaches first year composition courses, amen to this. Give me energetic, messy, human prose every time. AI “perfection” is the worst.

McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · Mar 2

"Since people are looking for ways to tell whether writing was done by a human or not, do you know what one of those signs might be? That’s right; it’s a typo like me."

I’m a Typo, and in This Age of AI, I’m the Real Hero

Well, look who just spotted me and isn’t happy about it. You’ve got the same look as you did when that server told you to enjoy your tortellini, an...

buff.ly

1 1 5

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Feb 27

Aw. Right back at you, friend.

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Feb 21

Things that are keeping me feeling hopeful: taking an art class and being terrible at it; my dog just being; knitting a cardigan while drinking coffee out of my favourite mug; and dog dates. What’s keeping you going?

Mug with eyes on it and a golden yellow knitting project.

1 6

Reposted by Renée Harper

Eric Wickham @ericwickham.ca · Feb 21

me: international competitions are dumb and I don't care
also me: I want canada to win 700-0

2 13 130

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Feb 17

Thank you for writing this.

Reposted by Renée Harper

Bill Metcalfe @williammetcalfe.bsky.social · Feb 16

I interviewed Christine Moore, the mother of Christopher Newton of Nelson who has been missing since August. He is homeless because of mental illness. This story is especially recommended for people who complain about and verbally abuse homeless people on social media.

'Tightrope between hope and loss': A mother's search for her missing son in Nelson

Christopher Newton of Nelson, suffering from schizophrenia, was last seen in August 2024

www.nelsonstar.com

1 3 7

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Feb 14

A friend gave me this wonderful book by Richard Wagamese a while ago. I like to flip through it sometimes for the wisdom it offers. Today I landed on this section about Canada. It seems fitting to share.

THE SOUL OF A NATION is in its people and the spirit of Canada is variegated and sublimely diverse. What makes us strong is our diversity, our differences, but what pulls us together, ties us irrevocably into a common destiny, whole and complete and shining, are the strainings of our very human hearts— the secret wish for a common practical magic.
It exists. It lives. It sails across the sky once a month as fat and round and free as a dream. You need to step out on the
land to see it properly. You need to walk away from all that binds you to a city, to a desk, to a job, and stand where the wind can get at you. And when that moon comes up and begins to sail across the sky there will come a point, if you watch it close enough, that the earth will start to move, to race that moon, and you can feel it spin in the heavens.
It doesn't matter who you stand with or where they're from. It happens for both of you. Universal magic inhabiting you, filling you, making you more, joining you, erasing differences.

Blue Book Cover that reads:
WHAT COMES FROM SPIRIT
RICHARD WAGAMESE

1 1 6

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Feb 1

I feel honoured to see my name on this list by @readlocalbc.bsky.social

My book is deeply dug into the soil here, so it feels extra special to see it recognized as regional literature ❤️

www.readlocalbc.ca/2025/01/29/1...

#readlocalbc #bcbooks #poetry

Screen shot of webpage: 14 BOOKS EVERY
BRITISH COLUMBIAN
SHOULD READ
FEATURED • JANUARY 29, 2025 •

Picture of book cover. Black and white picture of misty forest. Book title: Boundary Territory by Renée Harper

14 BOOKS EVERY
BRITISH COLUMBIAN
SHOULD READ
FEATURED • JANUARY 29, 2025 • RLBC
Any resident of British Columbia is familiar with the urge to explore the offerings of their province. But it can feel easier said than done— where should one start?
This list of books is curated to equip anyone from lifelong residents, BC-newcomers, and PNW adventurers in their journey to discover the history and natural beauty of the province. Consider this your toolkit to unlocking BC in all its glory!

Renée Harper @reneeharper.bsky.social · Feb 1

Thank you 🙏

Reposted by Renée Harper

Travis Earl 🇨🇦 @travisearl.bsky.social · Jan 31

Hello Fellow #Canadians, I've whipped together a starter pack of Canadian authors, indie publishers and bookstores. In light of the economic warfare we're about to endure, I wanted to create a starter pack so we can support each other. Let me know who to add! #Booksky #Canada go.bsky.app/51MFsXj

6 12 21

Reposted by Renée Harper

Peter Counter, Nightmare Host @peterbcounter.com · Jan 29

Writing advice that should be more popular than it is:
- Take workshops taught by writers in your community
- Go to book launches and readings in your community
- Proactively practice craft by reading about it, applying what you read, and discussing it in your community

4 57 330