Bruce Rice
BIO
Biography

Bruce Rice is a previous Saskatchewan Poet Laureate (2019-2021), an editor and essayist. Born in northern BC, he grew up in Prince Albert and returned to the province after ten years in the Maritimes. Bruce holds a B.A. from Saint Thomas and a MSW degree from Dalhousie University. Bruce writes about community, reclaiming the voices of those who live on the margins, and how we are transformed by landscape even as we leave our footprints on it. Bruce’s most recent collection, The Vivian Poems: Street Photographer Vivian Maier (Radiant Press 2020), is a response to the life and work of this Photographer Vivian Maier, gives a voice to the work of this complex artist who worked as a nanny for well-to-do families in Chicago. Bruce’s previous book, The Trouble With Beauty, received the 2015 Saskatchewan Book Award for Poetry, and Life in the Canopy (also Radiant Press), was nominated for Saskatchewan Book of the Year. Bruce has collaborated with artists on performances incorporating dance, music and film. Judges said Rice’s first book, Daniel, which won the Canadian Author’s Association Award, “...portrays life's hardships with and elegance and simplicity of language which is stunning.” His work ranges from social document and critique to meditations on art, landscape and wilderness.  He says, “I became a better poet when I surrendered to beauty.” Bruce lives in Regina, Saskatchewan on Treaty 4 Territory and the homeland of the Métis.

ADDRESS
City: Regina, Province/Territory: Saskatchewan
EMAIL
GENRE
Poetry, Creative Nonfiction
LANGUAGES
English
PUBLICATIONS
Publications
Title
The Vivian Poems: Street Photographer Vivian Maier
Publisher
Radiant Press
Year
2020
Title
The Trouble with Beauty
Publisher
Coteau Books
Year
2014
Title
Dorothy McMoogle With Kumquat and Bugle, with artist Wendy Winter
Publisher
Wild Sage Press
Year
2014
Title
Life in the Canopy
Publisher
Hagios Press
Year
2009
Title
The Illustrated Statue of Liberty
Publisher
Coteau Books
Year
2003
Title
Descent Into Lima
Publisher
Coteau Books
Year
1996
Title
Daniel
Publisher
Cormorant Books
Year
1988
AWARDS
Awards
Name
CBC Poetry Competition Longlist
Year
2022, 2018, 2008
Name
Saskatchewan Book Award for Poetry Shortlist
Publication
The Vivian Poems
Year
2021
Name
The Malahat Review Longpoem Competition shortlist
Publication
Walking with Norval
Year
2017
Name
LCP Collen Thibaudeau Award
Publication
Volunteer -- founding the Mayor's Poetry City Challenge
Year
2016
Name
Saskatchewan Book Award for Poetry
Publication
The Trouble With Beauty
Year
2015
Name
Writing in the Margins Creative Nonficton Award, Best Regina Entry
Publication
Briarpatch Magazine
Year
2014
Name
P. K. Page Founders Award (best poem of in Malahat Review that year )
Publication
The Malahat Review
Year
2013
Name
John V. Hicks Manuscript Award (Poetry, 2nd and 3rd place, repectively)
Publication
Saskatchewan Writers Guild
Year
2008, 2011
Name
Saskatchewan Book Award - Best book by a Regina Writer
Publication
The Illustrated Statue of Liberty
Year
2003
Name
Anne Szumigalski Award, best poem in Grain
Publication
Grain Magazine
Year
2002
Name
Canadian Author's Association Award for Poetry
Publication
Daniel
Year
1989
LINKS
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Presentation details
Audience Size
Audience size
Any
Presentation Genre
Poetry, Nonficton
Presentation Length
1 hr
Presentation Description
Presentation description

Finding your voice, subjects like writing from art, urban or natural landscapes, mental health, poetry as inclusion and giving voice.

Presentation Fee(s)
Standard TWUC or Sask Writers Guild.
Workshop details
Audience Size
Regular school class or 10-12 adults
Intended Audience
High school or adult
Workshop Length
Half or full day
Workshop Description
Workshop description

Poetry or combination of poetry and prose in the same session. focus on Voice and character, finding your voice, drive in language, imagination in language, ethics and practical issues. Writing from Art.

Workshop Fee(s)
Standard TWUC or Sask Writers Guild
School presentation details
Audience Size
1 Class room
Intended Audience
Grade 9 and up
Presentation Length
1-2 hours
Presentation Description
Presentation description

Combination of reading and workshop and students' own writing, group work and learning. 

Presentation Fee(s)
Standard TWUC or Sask Writers' Guild fees
Programs & Interests
Interested in participating Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program:
All members are eligible for the Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program. Are you interested in participating in this pro
Yes
Interested in participating in the Northern Ontario WITS program:
The Union’s Northern Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program funds in-person visits to northern Ontario schools when possible. Ar
Yes