Alumni Book Nook: Don Gaitens (BA’93, BEd’04) and Amy Gerein (BSc’19)
Don Gaitens and Amy Gerein are two of the co-authors of "Debut: An Anthology of Emerging Canadian Writers and Artists"
University of Saskatchewan alumni Don Gaitens (BA’93, BEd’04) and Amy Gerein (BSc’19) are co-authors of the new book Debut: An Anthology of Emerging Canadian Writers and Artists, along with Chenise Puchailo, Rachel Sikorski, and Irish Williams. The book, a collection of short stories edited by Diane Fickeria, was released in January 2024 by Spud Publishing. It also features the work of five artists, including USask graduate Romy Poisson (BSA’11), as well as Gerein, Williams, Jenny Kong, and Shaan Khan.
Gaitens earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the College of Arts and Science in 1993 and a Bachelor of Education degree from the College of Education in 2004. He now lives in Regina, Sask., where he works as a training designer and corporate educator at Mosaic Potash. He also enjoys acting, dancing, writing, learning new languages, and working toward his black belt in Hapkido.
Gerein earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal bioscience from the College of Agriculture and Bioresources in 2019. She lives in Saskatoon and works on the USask campus as an office coordinator in the School for the Arts (drama) in the College of Arts and Science.
The Green&White asked Gerein and Gaitens about Debut.
What is the focus of your new book?
Gerein: It’s an anthology with stories from Canadian writers focusing on fantasy and speculative fiction. Each of the five stories has two accompanying illustrations, also from Canadian talent.
Gaitens: (My story is an) urban fantasy about a combat medic who falls into a world of twisted magic when his world blows up.
What inspired you to write this book?
Gerein: Well, the project as a whole started as a fun collaboration to make a book, so that was the inspiration to start writing a story and actually finish it—unlike multiple others that I have started. That project spurred the creation of the publishing house and the final product. For my story in general, I’ve been trying to come up with an idea that fit into urban fantasy, our world with some magical twists, with the main character inspired by one of my sisters. She is frequently up to shenanigans, and I like to think she would approve of how my main character handles the mess she’s found herself in.
Gaitens: Dreams, nightmares, and loss inspired me. I took imagery from my moments of grief and my own dark humour and used them to process.
What are five adjectives that you would use to describe your book?
Gerein: Fantasy, fiction, emerging, feel-good, and illustrated.
Gaitens: Weird, queer, funny, heartbreaking, and poetic.
Why would you recommend your book to USask alumni?
Gerein: It’s a fun, fresh read, with fantastical stories that draw you in and wonderful illustrations that help bring the words to life. And it showcases Canadian talent, which is another treat, including the work of USask alumni.
Gaitens: I’d recommend this as a reminder that it’s never too late to try something new and succeed at it.