Marie Powell

Alison Lohans (by Shelley Banks)

This is going to be an exciting weekend at When Words Collide, the second annual Calgary Science Fiction Conference. One highlight will be the launch of Crossings, a new book by Alison Lohans.

Crossings is Book Two of the Passage Through Time series (Bundoran Press), carrying on the tale of 16-year-old Katie and her very special baby, Tyler. In Collapse of the Veil, Katie and Tyler fall through the branches of a willow into the future.

They discover a desolate time, without technology or the comforts of home. But the people welcome Tyler and his psychic abilities as their long-awaited savior — from an environmental disaster that begins now, in Katie’s time. In our time. Along with Katie’s friend Lorne, and a young Seer from the future named Iannik, Katie and Tyler must try to save our future, and our present.

One world, two very different times, three misfit teens and a baby. Alison Lohans’ spare and certain prose transports us into their journey, pitting love and hope against the coming apocalypse.

Crossings – Alison Lohans

And writing stories that involve the reader that deeply is her specialty. Alison grew up in Reedley, California, but she’s lived in Regina since 1976. I don’t often write reviews for writers I know, but I make an exception for Alison. After having more than 22 of her books published, as well as short fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, Alison’s biography still refers to her as a “determined writer.”

She has been the Writer-in-Residence at the Regina Public Library, and has taught several writing classes and workshops locally. I’m happy to say I’ve taken her children’s writing class twice, and I’m one of many local writers “making good” who call Alison a mentor and a colleague.

She’s also given hundreds of workshops and readings across the country. An Alison Lohans reading is well worth attending, as conference participants will discover in Calgary. Have you heard Alison, or read any of her books? What are you looking forward to at  When Words Collide this year? Please leave a comment and let’s share ideas.