Condolences to the family and friends of active WGA member and long-time Grande Prairie resident Linda Smith, who passed away suddenly over the weekend.  Linda was a beloved writer of youth fiction, the organizer of the Wordspinner Writer’s festival, a candidate for GP/Smoky, a tireless activist, and a wonderfully optimistic and charming woman.  She cared deeply about her world as an activist in Karios, 10,000 Villages, the United Church, and various social movements.  Linda was a central figure in the Grande Prairie literary community and will be very sadly missed. 

Linda’s novels include the Freyan Trilogy – Wind Shifter (1995), Sea Change (1999), and Turning Time (2001); children’s books Sir Cassie to the Rescue (2003) and Kelly’s Cabin (2006); and the popular The Tales of Three Lands Trilogy – The Minstrel’s Daughter (2004), Talisa’s Song (2005), and her most recent novel, Weathermage (2006).   

As many of you know, Linda was scheduled to participate in the WGA 2007 Conference in Grande Prairie from September 28-30.  We will of course be unable to replace Linda, but will be looking for another author to fill her shoes for the Blue Pencil Café. 

Linda was a friend to many writers in Alberta, and her passing is a very sad loss to the writing community.