Out of the Woods: Voices from the Forest City

by Emma Donoghue (Editor), Heather Godden (Editor), Donna Costa

Out of the Voices from the Forest City – An Anthology from London Writers Society
Nestled amidst the lush forests of London, Ontario and its surrounding communities, a vibrant tapestry of voices emerges from the trees. Out of the Woods brings together an extraordinary collection of stories and poems—each one a testament to the power of storytelling and the diverse perspectives of writers in the London Writers Society.

Curated by acclaimed author Emma Donoghue (Room, The Pull of the Stars, The Wonder, The Paris Express) and featuring a foreword by award-winning Canadian author Terry Fallis, this anthology offers a rare glimpse into the minds of 35 established and emerging authors. From historical dramas and contemporary slices of life to lyrical poetry and gripping speculative fiction, the works within Out of the Woods reflect the breadth and depth of our shared human experience.

Featuring works
Nancy Abra, J.R. Boudreau, Charlotte H. Broadfoot, Laurie Browne, Krista Carson, Trudy Cloudt, Donna Costa, Emily De Angelis, Michael Ross Dolan, C.J. Frederick, Bess Hamilton, Stacie Hanson, Catherine Heighway, V. Gregory Houlton, Mackenzie Howson, Eleanor Huber, Barbara Johnson, Mari Johnson, Caroline Kaiser, Diane Kirby, Christine Langlois, Bruce Lord, Adam Love, Brenda Martin, Mary Lou McRae, Dominique Millette, Martha Morrison, J. Edward Orchard, Janice Phillips, Jayn Reed, Stephanie Reisler, Jan Sims, George Allan Tucker, Heather Vanderkam, and Laura Wythe.

Praise for Out of the Woods
“Out of the Woods is a harvested banquet—the impressively varied fruits of new writing from London. Whether telling stories that are historical, futuristic, or urgently contemporary, in fiction, poetry, or narrative non-fiction, these voices speak movingly about a wide range of lives.”
~ Emma Donoghue, award-winning author and screenwriter

“The London Writers Society deserves the thanks of every reader for creating its inaugural anthology, Out of the Woods. I enjoyed its variety.”
~ Douglas Gibson, Canadian publisher, editor, and author

Genres: Short Stories

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2025

About the author

Grew up in Ireland, 20s in England doing a PhD in eighteenth-century literature, since then in Canada. Best known for my novel, film and play ROOM, also other contemporary and historical novels and short stories, non-fiction, theatre and middle-grade novels.

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology made me chuckle, tear up, mutter to myself “oh this is SO good” and generally reflect on the local writing talent found in London, Ontario and the surrounding area. Emma Donoghue chose the perfect stories and poems to ensure that there’s something for everyone. I would especially recommend this anthology for anyone who has a connection to London or southwestern Ontario. And with the proceeds going back to the London Writers Society? Well, you get a quality book while supporting local authors.

[Donna Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with some short story collections this one has a wide range of styles and types, from personal essays, to poetry to fiction. As with most short story collections the quality varies, but there are enough top notch short stories in this collection that I highly recommend it. As a lover of the form, it was the fiction short stories that drew me in, but I was touched and surprised by the quality of the personal essays, and how they, even more than the fiction, stayed with me.

Of particular interest are a few that gave depth and meaning to the pandemic we all suffered through. It's too easy to forget that time. Maybe it's even human to want to. But the loneliness and tragedy, along side the heroism and tenderness of those months and years, shines though.

I recommend this collection.

I'll be back to highlight particular pieces that I enjoyed.

[Anne Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the Woods - a great read!

What could be better than a long afternoon spent with an excellent book? Out of the Woods, an anthology of poems and fiction and non-fiction short stories written by 35 authors from Southwestern Ontario, fits the bill!

The stories and poems in this fascinating book cover a broad range of genres sure to appeal to everyone. From the innocence of Grandpa's Garden, to the heart-pounding Out of the Blue, to the antics of Megatheria, each piece takes the reader on new reading experience.

I highly recommend this book!

[Rebecca Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the Woods was my first time diving into an anthology, and I’m so glad I did. This collection, written by a group of incredibly talented writers from London, showcases an inspiring range of voices and styles.

I loved the variety of writing, from personal essays to poetry to short fiction, it kept things fresh and engaging, and gave me a chance to experience so many different perspectives in one read. It’s clear this group poured their hearts into every word.

Highly recommend if you enjoy raw, authentic storytelling and want to support emerging local talent. This book reminds you just how powerful community and creativity can be.

[Bee Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring walk through the woods! This anthology of poems and short fiction/nonfiction has something for every reading taste. You can read it from cover to cover, or select titles at random that suit your mood. Out of the Woods offers a unique glimpse at the broad spectrum of talent that resides in and around London, Ontario. The prose provides a variety of genres — from historical fiction to sci-fi to contemporary issues — and the poems range from lighthearted to deep. Perfect for commuters and travellers, it can be enjoyed at whatever pace you desire. To me, this is a unique collection that can be revisited over and over; each time you read a piece, you discover a new nugget, or another beautifully crafted sentence. Emma Donoghue selected each piece well.

[Michael A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew that the "Forest City" had such an arboreal proliferation of talented writers. Some thirty-five shorts to take you through the wonders of the written word. Forget "Canada Reads." This anthology has something for everyone. You don't have to be a celebrity to pick this one as winner. Just grab yourself a nice refreshing drink, find a big shady tree to relax under and read.

[Sarah Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful varied poems and stories in this anthology - great to celebrate local talent!

[C.J. Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compilation has a story for everyone. An array of genres, covering past, present, and future. Very enjoyable collection.