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Media

About the Author

LATEST MEDIA FEATURES

October 14, 2025

"Podcast Episode: Bill Koch"

Podcast Interview on TheCommentary.ca​​​

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Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts below or visit the podcast's website here: https://thecommentary.ca/ontheline/2321-bill-koch/

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September 10, 2025

"'A Day in the Life' with: Vancouver Author Bill Koch"

Interview in Vancouver Guardian (by Margaret Kendrick)

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"My husband, Bill Koch, grew up in rural Montana. As a child, he was preoccupied with books and ball sports. He dreamed of a career in writing and edited his high school newspaper. However, working at a psychiatric hospital the summer after high school inspired a change in his career plans. He thoroughly enjoyed his undergraduate years in psychology, then crossed the border to pursue graduate training in Canada.

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In 1981, Bill landed at UBC Hospital, where he worked as a clinical psychologist, educator, and researcher for many years. Well-loved by his students and respected by colleagues, at his retirement from psychology, Bill was described as leaving “a legacy of generosity, mentorship, companionship and inspiration…” At our first date in 1984, there was uncertainty about the bill. Despite this, and the subsequent closure of the restaurant, we have been married for 38 years and have two adult daughters, Ainsley and Lindsey, a son-in-law, Dan, and two high-maintenance cats!

 

Anticipating retirement, Bill completed the SFU Writers Studio program in 2021. Inspired by his mentor and fellow classmates, he entered a second career as a writer. He spends his time writing and with his family and friends, including those from psychology, writing, track officiating, and the gym.

 

Which ’hood are you in?

We have lived in the Dundarave neighbourhood of West Vancouver since October 1986. We lived in the original 1943 cottage until rebuilding in 2003.

 

What do you do?

A psychologist for forty years, I have been a long-time volunteer in..."

(Read the full interview here: https://vancouverguardian.com/vancouver-artist-bill-koch/)

July 31, 2025

"Psychological Misconduct"

Interview in BC BookWorld's BC BookLook

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"Bill Koch’s debut novel Hired Gun: Uncovering Buried Secrets (FriesenPress $21.99) is steeped in insider knowledge of physician misconduct and the real-world dilemmas faced by experts called to testify in court. Hired Gun brings that career to bear in a psychological mystery set between Vancouver and Gabriola Island. The story follows forensic psychologist David Lipman, who becomes a suspect after two of his former patients die under suspicious circumstances. As he tries to clear his name, he’s forced to confront ethical boundaries he once wrote about and break them.

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Koch himself spent forty years working at the intersection of mental health, trauma and justice. He served as registrar and president of the College of Psychologists of British Columbia and is now clinical professor emeritus at UBC’s Faculty of Medicine. He has authored a textbook on trauma and forensic assessment and won several fiction awards after graduating from The Writer’s Studio at SFU. A longtime resident of West Vancouver and Gabriola Island, he now serves as president of the North Shore Writers Association.

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Question: Hired Gun is your first novel. Why did you write it?

Answer: I wrote Hired Gun to both entertain and provoke meaningful discussion. I wanted to explore the difficult topic of sexual misconduct by trusted professionals and educate readers about..."

(Read the full interview here: https://bcbooklook.com/buried-truths-and-ethical-lines/)

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