The writings of seasoned women

Something Has Changed: An Anthology of Women’s Voices
by The Pen Pals Writers’ Collective

Nanaimo: Pen Pals Publishing (the book can also be ordered via penpalsbook@outlook.com), 2025
$20  /  97810694399505

Reviewed by Valerie Green

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“There is something profoundly magical about a community of like-minded people coming together to share their talents, passion, and skills.” These words appear in the introduction to this compelling collection of women’s voices. It’s the collective work of The Pen Pals, “a spirited group of seasoned women writers [who] came together, bonded not just by a love of words but by a soul-deep sisterhood.”

Five women have written stories, poems, haiku, and memorable quotes about their true-life experiences. It is impossible to select just one story or poem written by these women—Micki Findlay, Debra Kuzbik, Lynn McEwan, Jacqui Townsend, and Ramona Jones—because each one is rich in meaning and each one celebrates women as they tackle life. All the stories show confidence and hope because we are all on the same path through life.

The book is dedicated to Diane Ermacora, who passed away in 2024. Diane was a student in Debra Kuzbik’s writing class. After one class, Diane asked Debra if she would consider forming a writing group that she could join. Debra led the writing group for these five women and inspired them to “write, to share and sometimes, to cry together.” Diane’s own beautiful poem “Reflections” appears in the book and includes inspiring lines such as: “I have experienced Grace atop a Horse, unwavering devotion of a Dog, the mystic in a Raven’s call and the loneliness of a Loon’s lament. I know I have lived and I know this Life I have Felt.”

Initially, Micki Findlay, a freelance writer and poet, writes on her childhood experiences, some magical, some difficult. In “The Gift” she writes “I’d love to go back in time. Tell that lost little girl that she mattered….”

Findlay’s work in this book is a delightful mix of stories and poetry, all with meaning, from childhood to the golden years when pain and wisdom and the fact that “life is much too short to worry about whether my home is pristine…” ‘The Miracle is You’ will stay with me for a long time. “You’re not here by accident. You’re here by design. Your worth is immeasurable. Once you grasp this, you’ll have the power to change… not only your own life by maybe even someone else’s.”

Debra Kuzbik, an award-winning educator, author, and photographer, lives in retirement on Vancouver Island where she also creates art, enjoys gardening, and spending time with her grandson. All her poems are memorable. I particularly enjoyed “The Middle Child,” and “Cassidy,” a poem about a stillborn which brought me to tears. “Your love remains, your love sustains.” Kuzbik’s travel stories show readers a different world. Her final quote “Seek Beauty, Embrace Simplicity, Reveal Truth,” is impressive.

Lynn McEwan was born in the year of Hurricane Hazel and is a traveller, parent, artist, educator, and a proud Haudenosaunee woman who enjoys sharing her heritage. All her poems from “Totem” to “Cannister, Bear, Scissors,” give strong messages, some about her heritage. I liked ‘Old Moccasin,’ where she writes “as newly tanned leather, supple to the touch – trekked. . . futures to be imagined….” One of her final quotes is also memorable: “Love as much as all the stars in the heavens that are and have ever been.”

Jacqui Townsend now lives alone in French Creek, where “all her growing up moments work into her writings today.” Her short poem “Almost” is expressive. “He escorted, courted her. He gave her attention. His Heart, his care, little gifts. She was his everything. It was her, not him, she’d built a wall. She wanted to be a couple. But she couldn’t give, she couldn’t love. Was he happy to be her ‘almost’?” Her Haiku and stories will also be referenced by readers, and I particularly liked the style of ‘The Path’ as it meanders down page 149.

The final collection of work comes from Ramona Jones,who admits she doesn’t have many writing credits to her name but notes “I get my kicks and pressure release from writing. ”Nonetheless, her stories and poetry from “Oh God, It’s Otter!” to “Repurposed” bring readers joy and sadness and much needed humour in these troubled times. In addition, her quotes at the end “Never be too soft to think hard,” “Truth Over Love,” “I’m battling my descent to entropy,” and “While waiting to die, find something to do,” are worth remembering!

In conclusion, I know this collection of work by these women is something readers will refer to time and time again, knowing each time they do, they will find something new to inspire them at exactly the moment they need it.

I also admire the beautiful design of this book and how these stories and poems are presented, as well as all the cover artwork by Micki Findlay.

Perhaps the most profound message from this book comes from these words: “We are being stitched together strand by strand, story by story, until that final day when we’ll see it all in its glory.” And to add to that: “Her world is a canvas where time is eternal and dreams become reality.”

Well done Pen Pals Collective! This was a worthwhile project of hope. As you all have spoken from the heart, drawing readers into your lives full of heartache and happiness, you have created a tribute to women everywhere.

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Valerie Green was born and educated in England, where she studied journalism and law. Her passion was always for writing from the moment she first held a pen. After working at the world-famous Foyles Books in London (followed by a stint with MI5 and legal firms), she moved to Canada and embarked on a long career as a freelance writer, columnist, and author of over twenty nonfiction historical and true-crime books. Valerie’s latest book From Primitive Shack to Premier’s Wife is now available. It tells the story of Constance Skinner Davie the wife of the eighth Premier of British Columbia. Now semi-retired (although writers never really retire!), Green enjoys taking short road trips around BC with her husband, watching their two beloved grandsons grow up and, of course, writing. [Editor’s note: Valerie has reviewed recent books by Evelyn Kahn with Hodie Kahn, John D’Eathe, Tara Moss, Gerald Richardson Brown, Bill Koch, and Julie Wise for The British Columbia Review.]