by Dawn Lyons
When members of the London Writers’ Society first tossed around the idea of creating an anthology, it felt more like a someday dream than a concrete project. But in 2023, with a growing membership, a renewed energy, and a core of volunteers ready to say yes, “someday” shifted into “now.” The result, Out of the Woods: Voices from the Forest City, has since become more than a book. It’s a celebration of London’s writers, its literary identity, and the collaborative spirit that fuels creative communities.
A vision years in the making
The goal for the anthology was simple but ambitious: to create a showcase of the Society’s members that reflected the full breadth of London’s talent. The committee envisioned a collection with creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry that allowed room for multiple genres and voices, all reviewed through a tiered judging process and curated by a local prominent literary figure.
While the vision stayed largely intact, one thing surprised them – the sheer amount of work involved. From funnelling anonymous submissions to first readers, to coordinating edits, to choosing the final layout, the process became a true community effort. Society members were invited to submit up to five pieces each, and the response was overwhelming. Most submitted at least one piece, with many sending in the maximum. The first-round judges produced a longlist; then came the question of who would choose the finalists.
Because the anthology was rooted in London, the team wanted a local literary presence. Someone suggested novelist Emma Donoghue. They assumed it was a long shot.
It wasn’t.
“She responded immediately with ‘Sure!’” recalls
“We were shocked and thrilled.”
(Pictured: Emma Donoghue. Photo Credit: Woodgate Photography.)
Donoghue selected a beautifully varied set of finalists that included stories of all tones, genres, and moods. Behind the scenes, editor Heather Godden played a crucial role, offering thoughtful feedback even to writers being edited for the first time. She also crafted the order of pieces, creating what the committee describes as a “gentle wave-like vibe, allowing emotions to ebb and flow throughout the book.”
A mix of writers, a mix of worlds
The anthology gathers work from writers at every stage: brand new voices, emerging writers building momentum, and established authors adding another credit to their growing list. Many were published for the first time; others were thrilled to contribute alongside peers they admire.
What stands out most is the depth of diversity, not only of the authors themselves but of the stories they tell. The membership of the London Writers’ Society spans ages, backgrounds, identities, and experiences, and the anthology reflects that richness. Within its pages, readers will find memoir, political reflection, gender-identity-focused nonfiction, supernatural tales, science fiction, romantasy, historical narratives, and poetry, both light and deeply moving. Like London itself, where one turn reveals affluence and another reveals hardship, the anthology refuses categorization.
(Pictured: Martha Morrison, London Writers Society Anthology Chair.)
“There is no ‘one’ London,” Morrison explains. “This city, like its authors, cannot be defined.”
Because the book is titled Out of the Woods, writers were encouraged to interpret the theme literally or figuratively. The result is a tapestry of forested settings, metaphors of struggle and emergence, stories of being “out of the woods” — or very much not.
Most Londoners will recognize that the title also plays with London’s nickname, the Forest City, which brings to mind the idea of voices emerging from woods, fields, and farmland to step into the light.
Beyond the theme, Morrison and the committee see the book as something that fills a much larger gap: recognition of London’s vibrant literary culture. “It is a hotbed of innovation and creativity,” she says. “We’d like to proclaim it ‘the City of the Arts.’”
Watch Martha Morrison and Donna Costa discuss Out of the Woods on a recent episode of Rogers TV’s show, What’s Up London: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17qacRK3Bq/
Lines that linger
Several pieces in the anthology stand out for their resonance. A few of the committee’s favourite lines (although Morrison indicates there are many) include:
From Discovery by Laurie Browne:
“…My heart lies among the discarded shells and stones and my edges have softened like blue beach glass…”
From Alignment by Laura Wythe:
“…They were peering into the windows of the van… dressed in hide or bark with woven stuff sticking out, and masks—or were they faces?… It was difficult to say if they were human, animal or, weirdly, tree?”
From Not Just Lonely by Bruce Lord:
“You were those petals, I those thorns / and when you held me for the very last time, I fear I made your fingers bleed.”
From Wear a Denim Shirt for Me by Diane Kirby:
“I have lived a life steeped in denim.”
From Dust – An Ode by E. Jeffrey Orchard:
“Dust is like laundry / there’s always more.”
If this book had a soundtrack…
Music lovers will appreciate the anthology’s unofficial playlist curated by the committee — a mix of Canadian, local, and Irish artists (a nod to the anthology’s curator):
- “Out of the Woods” – Nickel Creek
- “Nightingale” – Leonard Cohen
- “Everything I Call Home” – The Pairs
- “Lonely” – Lost in Japan
- “Redwood Tree” – Van Morrison
- “Lost Forest Medley” – Paul Mills
- “A Case of You” – Joni Mitchell
- “Take It on Home” – Genevieve Fisher
- “A Forest” – The Cure
- “Meet Me in the Woods” – Lord Huron
- “In the Woods Somewhere” – Hozier
- “Shadows and Tall Trees” – U2
- “Go Back to Your Woods” – Robbie Robertson
(And yes, for the Swifties: Taylor Swift’s Out of the Woods also fits!)
A community-powered national spotlight success story
One of the defining features of Out of the Woods is how many hands helped shape it. From grants and sponsorships to support from the wider publishing world, including Terry Fallis writing the foreword and Douglas Gibson providing a blurb, the team felt as if the whole literary community rallied behind them. Local independent bookstores embraced the anthology, as did surprising partners like Tuckey Home Hardware in Wortley Village, which now keeps shelves dedicated to local writers.
Reader response has also been overwhelmingly positive, with people praising its readability, emotional range, and resonance. Live readings have brought packed rooms, tears, laughter, and countless conversations.
Perhaps the biggest surprise came when the anthology was named one of The Globe and Mail’s “35 Hot New Reads” for August and September. Physical copies of the paper were immediately purchased for safekeeping when the committee heard about the recognition from a friend.
“It’s a stamp of approval that reminds many of our members they are indeed writers,” says Morrison.
What’s next?
The idea of a second anthology is already on the table, and the early signs are promising — volunteers are stepping forward, and energy is building.
In the meantime, the London Writers’ Society continues its year-round work: monthly craft workshops, critique groups, author spotlights, Book Fair booths, a developing podcast, and a growing presence across southwestern Ontario. With more than 150 members writing poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and scripts, the Society remains a cornerstone of London’s literary landscape.
Where to Buy Out of the Woods: Voices from the Forest City
Readers can find the anthology at independent booksellers across London and surrounding communities (Windsor, Port Stanley, St. Thomas, Strathroy, Sarnia, St Marys, Stratford), at Indigo, and online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. A full list of retailers is available under the “Anthology Project” tab at: https://www.londonwriterssociety.ca
Follow the London Writers Society on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LondonOntWriters
Follow the London Writers Society on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/londonwriterssocietyontario/
By Dawn Lyons.
(Pictured: The Beat Magazine Contributor, Dawn Lyons.)
The Beat Magazine 2025 