Next Time There's a Pandemic

"During my first post-lockdown massage, I willingly engaged in the requisite chit chat about lockdown experiences with my therapist. He gushed behind his mask: 'Oh man. It was so great. Every day I woke up, drank coffee, read, rode my bike...'
My therapist's description did sound pretty great. But it was nothing like my own anxiety-ridden ordeal...
>In Next Time There's a Pandemic, artist Vivek Shraya reflects on how she might have approached 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic differently, and how challenging and changing pervasive expressions, attitudes, and behaviours might transform our experiences of life in--and after--the pandemic. What might happen if, rather than urging one another to "stay safe," we focused instead on being caring? What if, instead of striving to "make the best of it" by doing something, we sometimes chose to do nothing? With generosity, Shraya captures the dissonances of this moment, urging us to keep showing up for each other so we are better prepared for the next time...and for all times. Afterword by J.R. Carpenter.
About the Book:
- Artist and writer Vivek Shraya reflects on how she might have approached 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic differently, and what she wishes we, collectively, might have done differently.
- The book is based on the Kreisel Lecture presented by Shraya; hosted annually by the Canadian Literature Centre. The lecture is on YouTube: https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihR1VoCyjeQ.
- Why is the book relevant? It's topical, succinct, and is a mix of reflective and directive ideas.
- Shraya has authored seven other books in various genres: nonfiction, fiction, memoir, short stories, graphic novels, poetry, and even a children's book.
- She came out as a trans woman in 2016 and has been a Pride Toronto Grand Marshal.
- Shraya is a director on the board of The Tegan and Sara Foundation, which fights for health, economic justice, and representation for LGBTQ women.
- Her imprint, VS. Books, supports young writers of colour.
- Shraya is currently adapting her debut play, How To Fail As A Popstar for television with the support of CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
- As a musician, Shraya has toured extensively in North America.
- Shraya is a well-established figure in various communities and maintains a high profile. Her Twitter account has almost 15K followers (https: //twitter.com/vivekshraya) and her Instagram almost 30K followers (https: //www.instagram.com/vivekshraya/).
>Audience:
>About the Author:
>About J.R. Carpenter:
Writer of the afterword, J.R. Carpenter works across performance, print, and digital media. The Gathering Cloud won the New Media Writing Prize 2016. An Ocean of Static was highly commended by the Forward Prizes 2018. This is a Picture of Wind was one of The Guardian's best poetry books of 2020. J.R. Carpenter was the Writer-in-Residence at the University of Alberta in 2020-21. She lives in Plymouth, UK.