Susan Musgrave facts for kids

Susan Musgrave (born March 12, 1951) is a talented Canadian poet and children's writer. She was born in Santa Cruz, California, but her parents were Canadian. Today, she lives in British Columbia, splitting her time between Sidney and Haida Gwaii. She has been recognized many times for her writing, even being nominated for Canada's important Governor General literary awards.

Susan Musgrave: Early Life and Career

Susan Musgrave started her journey as a writer at a young age. She left school when she was 14 years old. By the time she was 16, her first works were already being published. This shows how dedicated she was to writing from early on.

In 1986, Susan Musgrave married Stephen Reid, who was also a writer. Their relationship became well-known and was even featured in 1999 on the CBC series The Fifth Estate.

Literary Achievements and Recognition

Susan Musgrave is known for her strong support of Canadian literature. In 2006, she took part in Canada Reads, a popular national radio competition where people defend their favorite books. Susan bravely defended Al Purdy's poetry collection, Rooms for Rent in the Outer Planets: Selected Poems, 1962–1996. This event helped more people discover great Canadian poetry.

Her book of poems, Exculpatory Lilies, was chosen as a finalist for the 2023 Griffin Poetry Prize. This is a very important award for poets around the world. Being shortlisted means her work is considered among the best in poetry.

Teaching and Preserving Her Work

Beyond writing, Susan Musgrave also shares her knowledge with others. She teaches creative writing at the University of British Columbia. She is part of their special Master of Fine Arts program, which helps new writers develop their skills.

All of Susan Musgrave's important papers, notes, and writings are kept safe. They are stored in the William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections at McMaster University. This collection helps students and researchers learn more about her life and her work.