I am writing to congratulate you on your amazing book The Fisher Queen. So well written I couldn’t put it down. I have always loved the working boats of British Columbia and your book gave me an inside look at life on a Pacific Troller. Seeing it through your eyes was actually like being there.
I have been a news cameraman for CBC National News since 1979 and covered some of the stories in your book including the demise of the trolling fleet which I consider to be one of the biggest blunders among many the DFO has committed. I am also a photo journalist and produced a coffee table photo book on BC’s tow boat industry. Skookum Tugs was published in 2003 by Harbour publishing and even though my career has taken me to seventeen countries I still consider it my favourite assignment.
Thank you again for such a wonderful read. You have a rare gift.
Robb Douglas March 2014
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“You ARE the Fisher Queen, fishing for literary souls … and you will turn every crazy sea-swept moment into the greatest catch ever read! Rupert Macnee, documentary film maker, jan 2012
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Spoken word performance at Twisted Poets event, National Poetry Month ~ featuring Sylvia Taylor doing a spoken word performance of an excerpt from her book, The Fisher Queen ~ “A fine show, particularly special guest Sylvia Taylor, who had us all gasping at her story-telling elegance” (Denis Bolen, author) “Sylvia Taylor was absolutely amazing. A very moving story.” (Warren Dean Fulton, author) “Sylvia, your story at the Prophouse last night was absolutely incredible!” (Sandy Shreve, author)” April, 2011
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I loved this book Sylvia. Your personality shines throughout the narrative. Interesting, humorous and tense..what a great read! Congratulations. Kay Johnston, Coordinator, Shuswap Writers Festival, November, 2014
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Great work! I really enjoyed it – and had forgotten how very relaxing it is to listen to someone read (and write) well. I’m sure no one can describe the dual personality of the wild coast and maritime life unless they have truly experienced it. How about going into broadcasting too? You have a lovely voice and diction for it. – Ursula Maxwell-Lewis – Cloverdale Reporter News, Surrey, BC July 2015
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The Fisher Queen is a wonderful read. I was captivated, and quickly turned the pages to keep reading and take my mind away into the watery world. It brings back a lot of memories of our family ocean adventures. The book is written beautifully, full of life and love, pain and sorrow, and the tales of the rough weather and boat trials and tribulations my family will able to relate to. Wow! I can’t believe you did all that! You are a trooper! And, congrats on your 52-pounder!
Penny McDonald, President, North Shore Writers Assoc 2013
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If there was a tab for ‘loved it’, I would have chosen that. You showed this city kid a world that I could only imagine. In awe of your experience and your skill at taking me there. Janice Lauria-Brown, author, 2015
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I am sitting in the BC Children’s Hospital with my 10 year old daughter who had surgery here last Thursday. I, just 2 minutes ago finished reading your book, The Fisher Queen and had already planned to email you when done. I have laughed, I have cried and felt like I was home again as I read your pages. I must tell you that the first time I had seen your book was in fact (as your colleague had said to you) standing in the gift shop on the ferry just this past Tuesday, when your book caught my eye and I just “knew” I had to buy it!
I too have that self same dream that you did whilst staring at the gift shop book shelf.
You see, I am in actuality, The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter. My parents, Ed and Pat Kidder were the longest servicing lighthouse keepers on the BC coast. (you may have seen the National Film Board documentary about them called Leaving The Lights.? It airs on TKN fairly often)
As I read your account of your friend Dan bidding a watery good-bye over the radio, I was transported back, with tears and chills down my spine, to a few nights and one in particular.
Thankfully I have my manuscript on my laptop here with me, so I now know what I will be doing to keep from going bonkers as I sit next to my daughter in hospital for the next week or more!
I remain on the coast, having lived the past 25 years in Kyuquot on a 3.5 acre island where I home-schooled me 2 older kids (now 23 and 20 years old). I still am a contact person for Rescue Coordination Centre and Tofino Coast Guard Radio for search and rescue operations in our area.
I just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed your book and to say thanks for the indirect encouragement to keep writing!
Nicalena Chidley, Kyuquot, Sept 2013
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I just finish reading your book The Fisher Queen.
I’m 66 years old and have fished the West Coast for almost 30 years. Most of that time out of my home port of Powell River. I now fish out of Prince Rupert, living beside Francois Lake on my horse ranch. I’ve owned three commercial trollers in my time.
Your book captured fishing on an ice boat exactly as it was in the early 80’s and encased that ugly period when interest rates and salmon abundance were going in opposite directions. You pulled many emotions from me as I read your book. At one point even tears from this old guy who still thinks he is young.
A job well done! You have captured a piece of history that I believe is well worth recording!
Thank you, J Hughes, 2014
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Just finished reading the Fisher Queen and trying to steady my sea legs. Laughed, cried, held my breath — can not wait to meet the tough gal who lived to tell the tale!
Denise Marcheaullt, author, White Rock, 2014
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I am nearly finished reading The Fisher King but am leaving on an extended journey next Tuesday, and I want to tell you before I leave how much I am enjoying the book. You were very kind and offered me a wonderful dedication: “May your compass always point to your True North,” which is one of the nicest things ever said to me. Well, I can barely stop reading it. I am a slow reader, but in a few days I have nearly finished it and find it wonderful. My friend Gladys Hindmarch back in the 1970s wrote The Watery Part of the World, which is all about her experience as the only woman on a mail packet/supply vessel that sailed around to the remote parts of upper Vancouver Island. It was the only book I had ever seen on the subject you two share.
I love your prose. It is spare and yet baroque, fleshed out with mythic reference and stated in the language of the sailor. It is an adventure all by itself, never mind the exciting world it describes. It is a great book.
Thanks for writing it. I am richer reading it.
Will Goede, Vancouver, 2014