“A Day in the Life” with Calgary writer Lori Hahnel

May 26, 2021 Admin Arts, Literature

Lori Hahnel writes fiction about love, loss, longing, music, history, and the lives of women, among other things. In her teen years she played in Calgary band The Virgins, in context of the male-dominated world of 1980’s punk music. Her first novel was loosely based on this formative experience, and music and musicians appear frequently in her work. She is fascinated by outsiders, misfits, the strange, and the forgotten.

She has published two novels, Love Minus Zero (Oberon 2008) and After You’ve Gone (Thistledown 2014); and two short story collections, Nothing Sacred (Thistledown 2009), which shortlisted for an Alberta Literary Award, and Vermin: Stories (Enfield & Wizenty 2020). Her work has aired on CBC Radio and has appeared in The Fiddlehead, Joyland, Prairie Fire, Room, The Antigonish Review, The Saturday Evening Post and many other publications in North America, Australia and the U.K. Lori was Author-in-Residence at Calgary Public Library in 2020.

This is a shot of the exterior of my studio at Calgary Public Library, where I served as author-in-residence from September – November 2020. It was a fantastic experience to serve in this position. I didn’t get to use my office as much as I would have hoped, due to the pandemic, but it was still a lovely space to work in.
This is a shot of the exterior of my studio at Calgary Public Library, where I served as author-in-residence from September – November 2020. It was a fantastic experience to serve in this position. I didn’t get to use my office as much as I would have hoped, due to the pandemic, but it was still a lovely space to work in.
This is a Siksikaitsitapi medicine wheel in Calgary’s Nose Hill park, which is near where I live. It’s one of the largest urban parks in North America, and it’s a great place to wander in.
This is a Siksikaitsitapi medicine wheel in Calgary’s Nose Hill park, which is near where I live. It’s one of the largest urban parks in North America, and it’s a great place to wander in.
My books: Love Minus Zero (novel, Oberon Pres, 2008); Nothing Sacred (short fiction, Thistledown Press, 2009); After You’ve Gone (novel, Thistledown Press, 2014) and Vermin: Stories (short fiction, Enfield & Wizenty, 2020)
My books: Love Minus Zero (novel, Oberon Pres, 2008); Nothing Sacred (short fiction, Thistledown Press, 2009); After You’ve Gone (novel, Thistledown Press, 2014) and Vermin: Stories (short fiction, Enfield & Wizenty, 2020)
This is my current very messy desk set up. I hope to move back into my home office as soon as my husband goes back to work at his office. For right now I’m sharing the family room with my older son, who’s working from home. My younger son is working / studying in the basement. These are the times we live in.
This is my current very messy desk set up. I hope to move back into my home office as soon as my husband goes back to work at his office. For right now I’m sharing the family room with my older son, who’s working from home. My younger son is working / studying in the basement. These are the times we live in.
My Remington Model 5 portable typewriter, ca. 1930.
My Remington Model 5 portable typewriter, ca. 1930.
In June 2010, my novel Love Minus Zero was the subject of the Alberta Acrostic puzzle in Alberta Views Magazine.
In June 2010, my novel Love Minus Zero was the subject of the Alberta Acrostic puzzle in Alberta Views Magazine.
I took this shot of the photogenic Banff Centre in 2018 when Lee Kvern and I were mentors for the Summer Writing Retreat. I was booked in for five nights to do some intense writing at the Banff Centre in March 2020, but then the pandemic came along. I can’t wait to get back there.
I took this shot of the photogenic Banff Centre in 2018 when Lee Kvern and I were mentors for the Summer Writing Retreat. I was booked in for five nights to do some intense writing at the Banff Centre in March 2020, but then the pandemic came along. I can’t wait to get back there.
Vermin in the wild at the Central Library
Vermin in the wild at the Central Library

Which ‘hood are you in?

I’m in Charleswood in NW Calgary.

What do you do?

I write mostly fiction, both long and short, although I’ve also published poetry, nonfiction and reviews. I have mentored writers at the Banff Centre and through the Writers’ Guild of Alberta and the Alexandra Writers’ Centre. I was 2020 Author-in-Residence at Calgary Public Library, and I have been writer-in-residence for Alexandra Writers and Canadian Authors Association. I have also taught creative writing at Mount Royal University and the Alexandra Writers Centre. I am currently on the board of directors of the Writers’ Guild of Alberta. As well, I am living the pandemic life at home with my husband, two sons, two cats and a dog.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on a novel based on the life of Clara Schumann, the 18th century German pianist and composer. She had a very interesting life: she was a child prodigy, the mother of eight children, the wife of composer Robert Schumann and likely the lover of Johannes Brahms.

Where can we find your work?

My books are available on Amazon and Indigo, and through independent bookstores. In Calgary, check Owl’s Nest Books, Shelf Life Books and Pages on Kensington. As well, there are links to some of my short works on my website, www.lorihahnel.ca.

 

 

 

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