BOOK NEWS
Rooted and Riveting Podcast
American writer and literary critic John Freeman moderated this event which featured Rabih Alameddine, Michael Crummey and Heather O'Neill. What does it mean to be from a place and write about it? Does a place "chose" a writer, or is he or she possessed by it? Find out here:
http://writersfest.bc.ca/audio-archives/rooted-and-riveting-rabih-alameddine-michael-crummey-and-heather-oneill
A Dram Come True
A whisky tasting fundraiser in support of the Vancouver Writers Fest.
Join us at Hycroft for an evening of tasty tipples. We'll be pouring two new whiskies this year, Hepburn's Choice and Blackadder, as well as selections from past favourites, Kavalan-the Taiwanese whisky-and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. More suprises to come, so stay tuned!
Tickets: $120
Preview Tasting Tickets (access to bars 45 minutes early): Add $40
7:30pm, June 5 at Hycroft
Details and to purchase tickets here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/dram-come-true.
Incite 2015
Three perspectives on Africa: Deni Béchard (The Last Bonobo), Lisa J. Shannon (Mama Koko and the Hundred Gunmen) and Michael Wuitchik (My Heart Is Not My Own). Details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite.
FREE!
7:30pm, April 8
Alice MacKay room, VPL Central Library
Click here for details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite
AWARDS & LISTS
Betty Keller, founder of the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts and the Writers in Residence Program, is the winner of 2015 Lieutenant Governor's Award for Literary Excellence.
http://www.bcbookprizes.ca/winners/2015#lieutenant
The finalists for the seven literary prizes to be awarded at the BC Book Prizes Gala on April 25 include 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest authors Caroline Adderson, Aislinn Hunter and Eve Joseph, and 2015 Incite authors Kayla Czaga, Patrick Lane, Kathy Page and Brian Payton.
http://www.bcbookprizes.ca/winners/2015
Amitav Ghosh is among ten authors nominated for the 2015 Man Booker International Prize.
http://www.themanbookerprize.com/man-booker-international-prize-2015
Akhil Sharma has won the Folio Prize for Fiction. The author's book, Family Life, was praised by the head judge as 'a masterful novel of distilled complexity.'
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/23/akhil-sharma-wins-folio-prize-fiction-family-life
Naomi Klein has been longlisted for the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Non-fiction for This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate. The award recognizes a work of non-fiction published in the U.S. that tackles a contemporary issue with "notable literary merit and critical perspective."
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/19/naomi-klein-longlisted-for-2015-pen-literary-award/
Kim Fu has been named as a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for her novel, For Today I Am a Boy. The award was founded by Mary Hemingway (wife of Ernest) in order to "draw attention to emerging U.S. authors and their first works of fiction (Fu now resides in Seattle)."
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/24/kim-fu-named-finalist-for-penhemingway-award/
YOUNG READERS
Here are three young adult books worth a read: Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard; Best Friends Through Eternity, by Sylvia McNicoll, and Shadow Scale, by Rachel Hartman. The first is a fantastical epic, the second a modern (but supernatural) tale of racism and integration into Canadian culture, and the last a sequel to Hartman's award-winning debut, Seraphina, about a girl who's half-human and half-dragon.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/three-young-adult-books-worth-a-read/article23552091/
NEWS & FEATURES
The first Canadian Authors for Indies Day will take place at close to 100 independent bookstores across the country on May 2.
http://www.authorsforindies.com/
Remains found in a Madrid convent have been confirmed as those of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. "During their search, researchers identified 33 alcoves where the bones could have been stored. Their quest began to look less quixotic earlier this year when part of a casket bearing the author's initials was found in the convent's crypt.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/17/don-quixote-author-cervantes-remains-identified
Has modern fiction turned its back on friendship? "Ever since Homer, writers have had trouble describing the bonds that exist between friends. But if film and TV can focus on friendship, why can't books?"
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/21/why-modern-fiction-has-turned-friendship
Sarah Polley is set to write a new film adaptation of Little Women. "Notably, at this point, the whole project seems to be led by women."
http://flavorwire.com/newswire/stories-we-tell-director-sarah-polley-is-writing-a-new-adaptation-of-little-women-with-amy-pascal-producing
What are the ten 10 steps to writing a bestselling dystopian YA novel? Remember: "love is a nightmare!"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/insurgent/divergent-hunger-games-how-to-write-dystopian-thriller/
American poet Kenneth Goldsmith has been met with outrage after performing Michael Brown's autopsy report as a poem. "Goldsmith is a conceptual poet known for what he calls uncreative writing."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/17/michael-brown-autopsy-report-poem-kenneth-goldsmith
"On a bad day in the office, I can feel as though my primary role as a children's book publisher is to keep books out of children's hands," says Sheila Barry in this piece on the trials and tribulations of children's publishing. Check out her literary manifesto here:
http://publishingperspectives.com/2015/03/sheila-barry-on-publishing-childrens-books-that-matter/
Did you know that Truman Capote had a sharp tongue? Here's an infographic that shines the spotlight on "Famous Writers' Insults!"
http://www.aussiewriter.com/blog/famous-writers-insults/
The Vancouver Public Library and CWILL BC have announced Reading Lights, a new initiative that will place books and reading onto Vancouver streets. If you live in BC, write for children, and would like to see your work featured, be sure to check out the submission criteria. Deadline is April 15, 2015.
http://www.bcbookprizes.ca/news/article/reading-lights-initiative/
BOOKS & WRITERS
It's finally spring, which means that a whole new array of compelling titles have appeared on the shelves. Here's the Georgia Straight's take on the season's most interesting reads, which "range from zombies to raptors."
http://www.straight.com/life/413996/seasons-reads-range-zombies-raptors
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, author of the searing, political and personal books Infidel, Nomad and Heretic, read "a lot of romance novels and Jackie Collins growing up!" ""We didn't discriminate between good and bad," she states in this interview with the New York Times. "It is now difficult to imagine that we had so few books."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/books/review/ayaan-hirsi-ali-by-the-book.html
British poet Kate Tempest is "a wunderkind rapper and spoken word performer equally influenced by Wu-Tang Clan and Joyce, Bukowski and Blake; an English poet whose musical sense of language bridges the worlds of rap and traditional lyric verse." Her book, Brand New Ancients, is finally bringing her acclaim on this side of the Atlantic.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/19/books/review-kate-tempest-a-young-poet-conjuring-ancient-gods.html
The Education of Augie Merasty: A Residential School Memoir "might be one of the most important titles to be published this spring, written by one of the year's most unlikely authors: an 86-year-old Cree man who lives on the streets of Prince Albert, fighting not only the bottle, but also prostate cancer and dementia." Here's the story of how he came to writing.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/residential-school-survivors-memoir-details-decade-of-utter-cruelty/article23556082/
Connie Gault's second novel, A Beauty, "explores how communities are storehouses of meaning." Spanning decades, the novel focuses on the life of Elena Huhtala, an 18-year-old Finish woman living in 1930s small-town Saskatchewan.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/in-a-beauty-connie-gault-explores-how-communites-are-storehouses-of-meaning/article23551850/
Alberto Manguel's intensely personal new book Curiosity, tracks the author's own life (and the curiosity that has defined it) through the reading that has mapped his way. Here's an excerpt:
http://www.salon.com/2015/03/21/endless_life_is_not_worth_living_the_comfort_of_living_with_a_conclusion_in_mind/
Who was Sappho? Her legendary poems were in circulation for a millennium and now can only be read in fragments. This piece, which features translations from a new book entitled Sappho: A New Translation of the Complete Works, tackles the great Greek poetess.
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/hearing-sappho
Speaking of female poets, "to enter the world of Alice Fulton's poems is to step into a space where language becomes an instrument—at times musical, yes, but at other times a weapon, or a stick to prod open the underbelly of some dark dream." Her newest book of poetry is called Barely Composed.
http://therumpus.net/2015/03/barely-composed-by-alice-fulton/
Hanya Yanagihara's second novel, A Little Life, "follows four friends in New York as they come of age together over the course of three decades." She's interviewed by Slate, here:
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2015/03/hanya_yanagihara_author_of_a_little_life_and_her_editor_gerry_howard.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features George McWhirter and Tina Biello plus open mic. Thursday, March 26 at 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at
www.pandorascollective.com.
THE FLOUR PEDDLER
The Flour Peddler: A Global Journey Into Local Food From Canada To South Sudan with authors Chris Hergesheimer and Josh Hergesheimer. Book discussion and signing. Monday, March 30 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse Main Street, 4118 Main Street. For more information, please call 604-879-7737.
DARK SIDE II
Andrew Pyper (The Damned) and Nick Cutter (The Deep) present their latest books. Monday, March 30 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, Burnaby.
MEMOIR AND POETRY
Featuring readers Susan McCaslin (Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga) and Pam Galloway (Passing Stranger) with host Owen Lubbers. April 1 at 6:30pm. Books & Co., 1685 3rd Avenue, Prince George, BC. For more information, phone 1-250-563-6637 or email booksandcompanyevents@gmail.com or visit www.booksandcompany.ca.
BC BOOK PRIZES SOIREE 2015
Mix and mingle with the nominees, BC's vibrant literary community, and support the BC Book Prizes/On Tour/program. Thursday, April 2 at 6:00pm, free. Joe's Apartment, 919 Granville St., Vancouver. More information at bcbookprizes.ca.
TWS READING SERIES
The Writer's Studio of SFU presents Leah Horlick, 2012 Lambda Literary Fellow in Poetry and author of Riot Lung.
Thursday, April 2 at 8:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main St., Vancouver.
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Readings from Candice James, New Westminster's Poet Laureate and George Fetherling, author of many books of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library, New Westminster. More information and registration at 604-527-4667.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Chelene Knight and Ursula Vaira plus open mic. April 8 at 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7pm. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
POETRY WITHOUT BORDERS
Poets Patrick Friesen, Rhona McAdam, Inge Israel and Beth Kope present an evening of readings and conversation. Wednesday, April 8 at 7:30pm, free. Munro's Books, 1108 Government St., Victoria.
ZERO - 360 OPEN MIC
Meet other writers and share your work at this casual open mic series the second Thursday of the month. Readers are limited to 6 minutes; sign up begins at 7:05. In recognition of National Poetry Month, April 9 is poetry only. Pelican Rouge Coffee, 15142 North Bluff Rd., White Rock. Presented by Semiahmoo Arts.
AN EVOLVING CITY
Event featuring George Bowering and Wayde Compton. Thursday, April 9 at 7:30pm, free. Pulp Fiction, 2422 Main Street, Vancouver.
UNHANGED AUTHOR
Free workshop for writers thinking of entering the 2015 Arthur Ellis Unhanged Author competition. Saturday, April 11 from 10am to 5pm. VPL Central branch, 350 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver. Complete details at crimewriterscanada.com.
NEIL MCKINNON
Author reads from his new book The Greatest Lover of Last Tuesday. Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm, free. VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Catriona Strang and Michael Turner are the featured poets. Wednesday, April 15 at 12:00 noon, free. SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery, 515 W Hastings St. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
Upcoming
MAGGIE DE VRIES
Author reads from her children's book, Fraser Bear. Thursday, April 16 at 1:30pm. Oakridge branch library, 191-650 41st Ave. W., Vancouver. Information at vpl.ca.
POETRY GABRIOLA SOCIETY READING SERIES
Featuring Susan McCaslin and Pam Galloway with host Lisa Webster-Gibson. Thursday, April 16 at 7:00pm, by donation. Old Crow Café, 575 N. Road, Gabriola Island. More information at poetrygabriola.com.
FEAST!
Jennica Harper and Kevin Spenst blend, spice and sauté measured words into poems that sizzle and satisfy. April 16 at 7:30 pm, free. Pelican Rouge Coffee, 15142 North Bluff Rd., White Rock. Presented by Semiahmoo Arts.
LILLIAN BORAKS-NEMETZ
Children's author reads from her Sheila A. Egoff Prize winning book, The Old Brown Suitcase. Friday, April 17 at 1:30pm. Kensington branch, 1428 Cedar Cottage Mews, Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
NORTH SHORE WRITERS FESTIVAL
Sixteenth annual festival featuring John Vaillant, Heather O'Neill, Zsuzsi Gartner, Grant Lawrence and others. April 17-18, 2015. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. Complete details at northshorewritersfestival.com.
ARTHUR ELLIS SHORTLIST EVENT
Cathy Ace will be grilling a panel of her fellow BC crime writers including Don Hauka, Owen Laukkanen, Kay Stewart and Sam Wiebe about their latest, and forthcoming, works, as well as their writing styles and habits. Thursday, April 23 at 7:00pm, free but registration required. Bob Prittie Metrotown branch, Burnaby Public Library. Information and registration at 604-436-5410.
LITFEST NEW WEST
The Arts council of New Westminster, in partnership with Douglas College, New Westminster Public Library and Royal City Literary Arts Society, presents the 5th Annual LitFest New West. April 24-25, 2015. Details at artscouncilnewwest.org/litfest.
A FEAST OF POETRY
Readings from five local poets, including Vancouver's Poet Laureate, Rachel Rose, Governor General's Award-winner David Zieroth, as well as Raoul Fernandes, Pam Galloway and Rob Taylor. Appetizers available; cash bar. Friday, April 24 at 7:00pm. North Vancouver City Library, 120 W. 14th St., West Vancouver. Details and registration at nvcl.ca.
JABBERING WITH BC
Canadian poets Kevin Spenst, Raoul Fernandes and Elena E. Johnson read from their recent works, discuss their writing processes, and take questions about poetry and writing. Saturday, April 25 at 3:00pm. Central branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Book News Vol. 9 No. 52
BOOK NEWS
A Dram Come True
A whisky tasting fundraiser in support of the Vancouver Writers Fest.
Join us at Hycroft, the perfect spot to share a dram with old pals or make new friends while enjoying uisce beatha (the water of life). Sample rare and distinguished single malts curated by Dave Mason, President of the West Coast Whisky Society.
Tickets: $120
Preview Tasting Tickets (access to bars 45 minutes early): Add $40
7:30pm, June 5 at Hycroft
Details and to purchase tickets here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/dram-come-true.
Incite 2015
An evening of memoir with Cathie Borrie (The Long Hello), Lynette Loeppky (Cease) and Kara Stanley (Fallen). Details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite.
FREE!
7:30pm, March 25
Alice MacKay room, VPL Central Library
Click here for details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite
AWARDS & LISTS
The nominees for the 2015 B.C. Book Prizes have been made public. The winners of all seven prizes will be announced on April 25th.
http://www.straight.com/life/410561/bc-book-prizes-shortlists-2015-unveiled
Marilyn Robinson has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction for her novel, Lila, the final book in her Gilead trilogy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/books/lila-by-marilynne-robinson-honored-as-top-fiction-by-national-book-critics-circle.html
The Carnegie medal and Kate Greenaway 2015 shortlists have been announced. "In its 78 year history, no author has ever won a hat-trick in the Carnegie or the Kate Greenaway medal–but this year it might happen."
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/mar/17/carnegie-medal-and-kate-greenaway-2015-shortlists-announced
YOUNG READERS
Which are the best owls in children's books? "From Harry Potter's loyal Hedwig to the very worried Sarah, Percy and Bill in Owl Babies, children's literature is full of owls despite–or maybe because of–the fact we so rarely see them in real life. The Book Doctor spots the very best."
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/mar/16/the-best-owls-in-childrens-books-hedwig-harry-potter-owl-babies
NEWS & FEATURES
The literary community is mourning the loss of science-fiction writer Sir Terry Pratchett. Numerous authors, including Margaret Atwood and Neil Gaiman, have begun to eulogize him online.
http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/the-literary-community-remembers-sir-terry-pratchett/100431
Have you seen the Canada Reads book trailers yet? If not, here's your chance to see them before the competition ends.
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2015/03/watch-the-canada-reads-book-trailers.html
The Tokyo Chuo Metropolitan Library is trying to restore books that were damaged in the 2011 tsunami. An exhibit is being shown in tandem, featuring photos of the restoration process and rescue of local archival material, as well as some of the actual books that have been worked upon.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/11/japan-tsunamy-library_n_6848994.html
Speaking of libraries, which are the world's most unusual? This list includes libraries with snow globe, glass eye and vintage Valentine collections.
http://flavorwire.com/509543/unusual-library-collections-around-the-world
Vancouver's literary history is being honoured on its streets. 26 plaques have been inaugurated so far, featuring information about each site, as well as links to additional information online (including an interactive map).
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-culture/2015/03/12/marking-vancouvers-literary-landmarks/
Are you a devotee of fanfiction? This comprehensive guide to the genre unpacks "the tense tug-of-war between artists and their creations' biggest admirers," and also includes a reading list.
http://www.vulture.com/2015/03/fanfiction-guide.html?mid=twitter_nymag#reads
Penguin Random House has launched a new website to help parents raise lifelong readers. The site provides parents with advice and tips, as well as popular books for different ages.
http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/penguin-random-house-helps-parents-raise-readers/100225
How do you succeed in the ebook market? According to author Fay Weldon, you must "‘abandon your dignity and write a racy page-turner!"
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/fay-weldon-interview-abandon-your-dignity-and-write-a-racy-pageturner-10086140.html
How does Google's new search algorithm affect publishers? "If you're a publisher whose online presence isn't up to the task of delivering content to a mobile device, and if your site looks the same regardless of the platform someone is using to view it—seamlessly—your search rankings are going to take a hit. I'm guessing a big hit."
http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2015/on-mobile-shift-publishers-must-follow-googles-lead/
BOOKS & WRITERS
Here are three small press books worth a read: Calbacor: An Extracted History, a "genre-bending work;" Cauchemar, a southern gothic tale; and To Dance the Beginning of the World, a collection of short stories.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/three-small-press-books-worth-a-read/article23451002/
Kim Echlin's new novel, Under the Visible Life, is the story of Katherine and Mahsa, "musicians from different walks of life who bond over their shared love of jazz." Echlin is interviewed here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/author-kim-echlin-on-why-she-wrote-her-new-novel-whose-sentences-are-her-favourite-and-more/article23451321/
Making Nice, by Matt Sumell, is a "boisterous, brutish and brilliantly funny" debut. It mixes "slapstick with goofy humanity" in order to tell the story of a thirty-something loser.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/11/making-nice-matt-sumell-review-sandra-newman
"Talking to Toni Morrison about failure is a bit like talking to Einstein about stupidity: it's incongruous, to say the least." In this interview, Morrison discusses creative failure, success and recognizing when something isn't working.
http://arts.gov/NEARTS/2014v4-art-failure-importance-risk-and-experimentation/toni-morrison
Chigozie Obioma's The Fishermen is a "promising debut," spinning a "simple, almost mythological conceit into a heartbreaking elegy to Nigeria's lost promise." The novel mixes forms of oral storytelling and the traditional English novel, telling the story of four middle-class Nigeria brothers who receive a dark prophecy.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/13/the-fishermen-chigozie-obioma-review
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA
Author reads from her debut novel Signal To Noise. Thursday, March 19 at 7:00pm. Storm Crow Tavern, 1305 Commercial Drive, Vancouver.
POETRY READING
Pam Galloway and Susan McCaslin at People's Co-op Bookstore. Both poets will be reading from their new works, Pam's volume of poetry (Passing Stranger) and Susan's memoir (Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga), both from Inanna Publications. People's Co-Op Bookstore, March 19, at 1391 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, 7-9 pm. Host, Nancy Tam:
PEN AND SWORD
Authors C.C. Humphreys, Sebastien de Castell and Kris Sayer will discuss their personal journeys studying swordplay to enrich their writing, characters and stories. Monday, March 23 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL. More information at 604-331-3603.
NOIR AT THE BAR
Drink, mingle and hear talented local authors read. Featuring Linda L. Richards, Robin Spano, Owen Laukkanen, Sam Weibe, Glynis Whiting, E.R. Brown, Charlotte Morganti, and Dietrich Kalteis. Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Shebeen Whisk(e)y House, 210 Carrall St., Vancouver.
BRANDON MULL
Author of the Five Kingdoms series reads from his latest book Crystal Keepers. Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, Burnaby.
WRITING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
Susan McCaslin will be offering a reading and short writing workshop based on her new spiritual autobiography Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga. Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books and Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at banyen.com.
NVCL LOCAL AUTHOR SERIES
Readings by Amir Ahmad Nasr and Pasha Parvaneh Hashemi. Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00pm, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 W. 14th Street, North Vancouver. More information and registration here, nvcl.ca/calendar.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features George McWhirter and Tina Biello plus open mic. Thursday, March 26 at 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at
www.pandorascollective.com.
DARK SIDE II
Andrew Pyper (The Damned) and Nick Cutter (The Deep) present their latest books. Monday, March 30 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, Burnaby.
Upcoming
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Readings from Candice James, New Westminster's Poet Laureate and George Fetherling, author of many books of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library, New Westminster. More information and registration at 604-527-4667.
POETRY WITHOUT BORDERS
Poets Patrick Friesen, Rhona McAdam, Inge Israel and Beth Kope present an evening of readings and conversation. Wednesday, April 8 at 7:30pm, free. Munro's Books, 1108 Government St., Victoria.
AN EVOLVING CITY
Event featuring George Bowering and Wayde Compton. Thursday, April 9 at 7:30pm, free. Pulp Fiction, 2422 Main Street, Vancouver.
UNHANGED AUTHOR
Free workshop for writers thinking of entering the 2015 Arthur Ellis Unhanged Author competition. Saturday, April 11 from 10am to 5pm. VPL Central branch, 350 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver. Complete details at crimewriterscanada.com.
NEIL MCKINNON
Author reads from his new book The Greatest Lover of Last Tuesday. Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm, free. VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
A Dram Come True
A whisky tasting fundraiser in support of the Vancouver Writers Fest.
Join us at Hycroft, the perfect spot to share a dram with old pals or make new friends while enjoying uisce beatha (the water of life). Sample rare and distinguished single malts curated by Dave Mason, President of the West Coast Whisky Society.
Tickets: $120
Preview Tasting Tickets (access to bars 45 minutes early): Add $40
7:30pm, June 5 at Hycroft
Details and to purchase tickets here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/dram-come-true.
Incite 2015
An evening of memoir with Cathie Borrie (The Long Hello), Lynette Loeppky (Cease) and Kara Stanley (Fallen). Details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite.
FREE!
7:30pm, March 25
Alice MacKay room, VPL Central Library
Click here for details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite
AWARDS & LISTS
The nominees for the 2015 B.C. Book Prizes have been made public. The winners of all seven prizes will be announced on April 25th.
http://www.straight.com/life/410561/bc-book-prizes-shortlists-2015-unveiled
Marilyn Robinson has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction for her novel, Lila, the final book in her Gilead trilogy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/books/lila-by-marilynne-robinson-honored-as-top-fiction-by-national-book-critics-circle.html
The Carnegie medal and Kate Greenaway 2015 shortlists have been announced. "In its 78 year history, no author has ever won a hat-trick in the Carnegie or the Kate Greenaway medal–but this year it might happen."
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/mar/17/carnegie-medal-and-kate-greenaway-2015-shortlists-announced
YOUNG READERS
Which are the best owls in children's books? "From Harry Potter's loyal Hedwig to the very worried Sarah, Percy and Bill in Owl Babies, children's literature is full of owls despite–or maybe because of–the fact we so rarely see them in real life. The Book Doctor spots the very best."
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/mar/16/the-best-owls-in-childrens-books-hedwig-harry-potter-owl-babies
NEWS & FEATURES
The literary community is mourning the loss of science-fiction writer Sir Terry Pratchett. Numerous authors, including Margaret Atwood and Neil Gaiman, have begun to eulogize him online.
http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/the-literary-community-remembers-sir-terry-pratchett/100431
Have you seen the Canada Reads book trailers yet? If not, here's your chance to see them before the competition ends.
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2015/03/watch-the-canada-reads-book-trailers.html
The Tokyo Chuo Metropolitan Library is trying to restore books that were damaged in the 2011 tsunami. An exhibit is being shown in tandem, featuring photos of the restoration process and rescue of local archival material, as well as some of the actual books that have been worked upon.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/11/japan-tsunamy-library_n_6848994.html
Speaking of libraries, which are the world's most unusual? This list includes libraries with snow globe, glass eye and vintage Valentine collections.
http://flavorwire.com/509543/unusual-library-collections-around-the-world
Vancouver's literary history is being honoured on its streets. 26 plaques have been inaugurated so far, featuring information about each site, as well as links to additional information online (including an interactive map).
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-culture/2015/03/12/marking-vancouvers-literary-landmarks/
Are you a devotee of fanfiction? This comprehensive guide to the genre unpacks "the tense tug-of-war between artists and their creations' biggest admirers," and also includes a reading list.
http://www.vulture.com/2015/03/fanfiction-guide.html?mid=twitter_nymag#reads
Penguin Random House has launched a new website to help parents raise lifelong readers. The site provides parents with advice and tips, as well as popular books for different ages.
http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/penguin-random-house-helps-parents-raise-readers/100225
How do you succeed in the ebook market? According to author Fay Weldon, you must "‘abandon your dignity and write a racy page-turner!"
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/fay-weldon-interview-abandon-your-dignity-and-write-a-racy-pageturner-10086140.html
How does Google's new search algorithm affect publishers? "If you're a publisher whose online presence isn't up to the task of delivering content to a mobile device, and if your site looks the same regardless of the platform someone is using to view it—seamlessly—your search rankings are going to take a hit. I'm guessing a big hit."
http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2015/on-mobile-shift-publishers-must-follow-googles-lead/
BOOKS & WRITERS
Here are three small press books worth a read: Calbacor: An Extracted History, a "genre-bending work;" Cauchemar, a southern gothic tale; and To Dance the Beginning of the World, a collection of short stories.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/three-small-press-books-worth-a-read/article23451002/
Kim Echlin's new novel, Under the Visible Life, is the story of Katherine and Mahsa, "musicians from different walks of life who bond over their shared love of jazz." Echlin is interviewed here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/author-kim-echlin-on-why-she-wrote-her-new-novel-whose-sentences-are-her-favourite-and-more/article23451321/
Making Nice, by Matt Sumell, is a "boisterous, brutish and brilliantly funny" debut. It mixes "slapstick with goofy humanity" in order to tell the story of a thirty-something loser.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/11/making-nice-matt-sumell-review-sandra-newman
"Talking to Toni Morrison about failure is a bit like talking to Einstein about stupidity: it's incongruous, to say the least." In this interview, Morrison discusses creative failure, success and recognizing when something isn't working.
http://arts.gov/NEARTS/2014v4-art-failure-importance-risk-and-experimentation/toni-morrison
Chigozie Obioma's The Fishermen is a "promising debut," spinning a "simple, almost mythological conceit into a heartbreaking elegy to Nigeria's lost promise." The novel mixes forms of oral storytelling and the traditional English novel, telling the story of four middle-class Nigeria brothers who receive a dark prophecy.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/13/the-fishermen-chigozie-obioma-review
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA
Author reads from her debut novel Signal To Noise. Thursday, March 19 at 7:00pm. Storm Crow Tavern, 1305 Commercial Drive, Vancouver.
POETRY READING
Pam Galloway and Susan McCaslin at People's Co-op Bookstore. Both poets will be reading from their new works, Pam's volume of poetry (Passing Stranger) and Susan's memoir (Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga), both from Inanna Publications. People's Co-Op Bookstore, March 19, at 1391 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, 7-9 pm. Host, Nancy Tam:
PEN AND SWORD
Authors C.C. Humphreys, Sebastien de Castell and Kris Sayer will discuss their personal journeys studying swordplay to enrich their writing, characters and stories. Monday, March 23 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL. More information at 604-331-3603.
NOIR AT THE BAR
Drink, mingle and hear talented local authors read. Featuring Linda L. Richards, Robin Spano, Owen Laukkanen, Sam Weibe, Glynis Whiting, E.R. Brown, Charlotte Morganti, and Dietrich Kalteis. Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Shebeen Whisk(e)y House, 210 Carrall St., Vancouver.
BRANDON MULL
Author of the Five Kingdoms series reads from his latest book Crystal Keepers. Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, Burnaby.
WRITING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
Susan McCaslin will be offering a reading and short writing workshop based on her new spiritual autobiography Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga. Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books and Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at banyen.com.
NVCL LOCAL AUTHOR SERIES
Readings by Amir Ahmad Nasr and Pasha Parvaneh Hashemi. Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00pm, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 W. 14th Street, North Vancouver. More information and registration here, nvcl.ca/calendar.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features George McWhirter and Tina Biello plus open mic. Thursday, March 26 at 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at
www.pandorascollective.com.
DARK SIDE II
Andrew Pyper (The Damned) and Nick Cutter (The Deep) present their latest books. Monday, March 30 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, Burnaby.
Upcoming
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Readings from Candice James, New Westminster's Poet Laureate and George Fetherling, author of many books of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library, New Westminster. More information and registration at 604-527-4667.
POETRY WITHOUT BORDERS
Poets Patrick Friesen, Rhona McAdam, Inge Israel and Beth Kope present an evening of readings and conversation. Wednesday, April 8 at 7:30pm, free. Munro's Books, 1108 Government St., Victoria.
AN EVOLVING CITY
Event featuring George Bowering and Wayde Compton. Thursday, April 9 at 7:30pm, free. Pulp Fiction, 2422 Main Street, Vancouver.
UNHANGED AUTHOR
Free workshop for writers thinking of entering the 2015 Arthur Ellis Unhanged Author competition. Saturday, April 11 from 10am to 5pm. VPL Central branch, 350 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver. Complete details at crimewriterscanada.com.
NEIL MCKINNON
Author reads from his new book The Greatest Lover of Last Tuesday. Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm, free. VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Book News Vol. 9 No. 51
BOOK NEWS
My Way Podcast
Today's podcast release features three of the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest's most intriguing authors, on stage together in an event aptly titled My Way. Charles Foran, Karl Ove Knausgaard, and Eimear McBride are pioneers arriving triumphantly in new literary lands. Writing in the risk zone of the unconventional often comes with a personal cost-and sometimes results in great reward. Listen to a podcast here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/audio-archives/my-way.
A Dram Come True
A whisky tasting fundraiser in support of the Vancouver Writers Fest.
Join us at Hycroft, the perfect spot to share a dram with old pals or make new friends while enjoying uisce beatha (the water of life). Sample rare and distinguished single malts curated by Dave Mason, President of the West Coast Whisky Society. Just confirmed: Pemberton Distillery will be pouring their 2011 Pemberton Valley Organic Single Malt Whisky.
Tickets: $120
Preview Tasting Tickets (access to bars 45 minutes early): Add $40
7:30pm, June 5 at Hycroft
Details and to purchase tickets here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/dram-come-true.
Incite 2015
An evening of memoir with Cathie Borrie (The Long Hello), Lynette Loeppky (Cease) and Kara Stanley (Fallen). Details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite.
FREE!
7:30pm, March 25
Alice MacKay room, VPL Central Library
Click here for details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite
AWARDS & LISTS
Miriam Toews' novel, All My Puny Sorrows, has been nominated for the UK's Wellcome Book Prize. The £30,000 award highlights books that engage "with some aspect of medicine, health, or illness."
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/09/miriam-toews-nominated-for-wellcome-book-prize/
The longlist for the Baileys Women's Prize has been released. Emily St. John Mandel and Heather O'Neill are among the nominees.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/10/baileys-womens-prize-for-fiction-longlist-in-pictures
British Columbia authors Kim Fu and Raziel Reid have both been named as finalists for the U.S. Triangle Awards. Fu is nominated for the Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction for her novel For Today I Am a Boy, and Reid for the Ferro-Grumley Award for LGBT Fiction for When Everything Feels Like the Movies.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/10/kim-fu-and-raziel-reid-finalists-for-u-s-triangle-awards/
The Canadian Library Association has announced two award shortlists: the Young Adult Book Award and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award. Former Writers Fest authors, including Maggie de Vries, Mariko Tamaki, Rémy Simard and Kyo Maclear are among the nominated.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/05/canadian-library-association-announces-two-award-shortlists/
Seventeen Canadian authors have been nominated for the Lambda Literary Awards. The awards recognize excellence in LGBT literature.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/04/sixteen-canadian-authors-nominated-for-lambda-literary-awards/
YOUNG READERS
Here are three new picture books worth a read: See You Next Year, by Andrew Larsen; Home, by Carson Ellis; and Dinosaurs from Head to Tail, by Stacey Roderick.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/three-new-picture-books-worth-a-read/article23328774/
NEWS & FEATURES
Sir Terry Pratchett, known for his Discworld series of fantasy novels, has died at age 66.
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31858156
Shakespeare & Company, one of the world's most famous bookstores, has launched a new international online presence. The new site has not only been redesigned, but "they've also introduced a place for news and updates called 'Le Blog,' started a Tumblr called 'Down the Rabbit Hole,' and created the capability to send physical books from Paris to customers worldwide."
http://www.mhpbooks.com/shakespeare-company-in-paris-launches-new-website-and-will-ship-books-worldwide/
Is an app that censors profanity in books a good or bad thing? "Execution hiccups aside, the app makes one thing very clear: Ebooks have a flexibility that could completely change the extent to which censorship or sanitization is possible–and the extent to which authors' copyrights give them control over their texts."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/09/clean-reader-app-ebooks_n_6831570.html
A new Guinness World Record has been set for longest book Domino chain! You can check out a video of all 5, 318 books tumbling here:
http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/03/06/new-guinness-world-record-set-for-longest-book-domino-chain-5-318-books-video/
What makes a book re-readable? "Going back to a book is a way of daring that past self to find new evidence for that old love."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/08/books/review/which-books-do-you-read-over-and-over-again.html
Harry Potter fans are crowdfunding to buy their own real-life Hogwarts Castle. The group is looking at a castle near Gdansk, Poland which "has been for sale 'for years,' but is secretive about their other options: 'we don't want to tip off the sales people and make them raise their prices!'"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/11434993/Harry-Potter-fans-1-million-plan-to-buy-Hogwarts-castle.html
What are the world's most translated books? Here's an infographic which lists the 50 most translated, including the Canadian classic Anne of Green Gables.
http://electricliterature.com/infographic-the-worlds-most-translated-books/
Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei has gone on a tweeting spree about his favourite authors. "In a series of tweets to his more than 100,000 followers, he proclaimed his admiration for Soviet authors Mikhail Sholokhov and Alexei Tolstoy."
http://www.mhpbooks.com/ayatollah-khamenei-isreading/
BOOKS & WRITERS
Kazuo Ishiguro has laid to rest rumours that he is a genre snob. "The author has taken criticism for his treatment of the fantasy genre in his new novel, The Buried Giant, but says 'I am on the side of the pixies and dragons.'"
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/08/kazuo-ishiguro-rebuffs-genre-snobbery
Umberto Eco is set to publish a new novel in English called Numero Zero. "The novel links two stories: one about the shooting of Mussolini and his mistress at Lake Como in 1945, and one about a hack writer named Colonna in 1992 Milan."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/10/umberto-eco-new-novel-numero-zero
Daniel Torday's novel, The Last Flight of Poxl West, is "both a touching, old-fashioned drama about war and love...and a more modern framing tale that makes us rethink the impulses behind storytelling." In it, a 15-year-old boy worships his uncle Poxl, a World War II bomber pilot, who turns out to be a little different from what he's claimed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/books/review-the-last-flight-of-poxl-west-by-daniel-torday.html
When Raziel Reid began writing Everything Feels Like the Movies, he found inspiration in Vancouver's Mountain View Cemetery. "I would sit by a tree and dream...it felt sort of spiritual, and I used to try to summon Larry Forbes King when I was writing." He discusses this, and more, here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/reflections-of-author-raziel-reid-in-when-everything-feels-like-the-movies/article23334167/
Kim Echlin's novel, Under the Visible Life, explores the bond between artist and instrument. "Any novel about a gifted musician must reckon with the love triangle that will eventually emerge. How can human love–messy, imperfect, bittersweet–compete with the pure and intense bond between musician and instrument?"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/exploring-the-bond-between-artist-and-instrument-in-under-the-visible-life/article23333894/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SOUTHBANKS WRITERS' PROGRAM READING SERIES
Featured poets Pam Galloway & Susan McCaslin will read from their new works. Thursday, March 12 at 6:30pm. Surrey City Centre Library, 10350 University Dr., Surrey. More information at surreylibraries.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Graham Good reads from and discusses Goethe's Poems, as well as his previous translation, Rilke's Late Poetry. Thursday, March 12 at 6:30pm. Banyen Books & Sound, 3608 4th AVe. W., Vancouver.
WORDS ON THE WATER
Featuring David Carpenter, Ivan Coyote, Steven Galloway, Sarah Leavitt, Bernice Lever, Derek Lundy, Richard Wagamese, and Kathleen Winter. March 13-14, 2015. Maritime Heritage Centre, 621 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC. Details at wordsonthewater.ca.
A CELEBRATION OF GAIA AS A MUSE
North Vancouver based poet, librettist and non-fiction writer Elaine Woo reads from her debut poetry collection Cycling With The Dragon. Saturday, March 14 at 1:00pm. Brittania branch, VPL, 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver. More information at nightwoodeditions.com.
GERALD LASALLE
Author of Widow Walk presents his latest book Isthmus. Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30pm. Newton branch, Surrey Public Library. More information and to register, phone 604-598-7406.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Erin Mouré and Andrew McEwan are the featured poets. Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 12:00 noon, free. SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery, 515 W Hastings St. For more information, visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
MARILYN DUMONT
Reading by critically acclaimed Indigenous author and poet. Wednesday, March 18 at 12:00pm, free. Liu Multi-Purpose Room, Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver. More information at cwila.com.
MARY NOVIK
Author in discussion of her novel Muse. Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse Main Street. More information at 604-879-7737.
SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA
Author reads from her debut novel Signal To Noise. Thursday, March 19 at 7:00pm. Storm Crow Tavern, 1305 Commercial Drive, Vancouver.
POETRY READING
Pam Galloway and Susan McCaslin at People's Co-op Bookstore. Both poets will be reading from their new works, Pam's volume of poetry (Passing Stranger) and Susan's memoir (Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga), both from Inanna Publications. People's Co-Op Bookstore, March 19, at 1391 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, 7-9 pm. Host, Nancy Tam:
Upcoming
PEN AND SWORD
Authors C.C. Humphreys, Sebastien de Castell and Kris Sayer will discuss their personal journeys studying swordplay to enrich their writing, characters and stories. Monday, March 23 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL. More information at 604-331-3603.
NOIR AT THE BAR
Drink, mingle and hear talented local authors read. Featuring Linda L. Richards, Robin Spano, Owen Laukkanen, Sam Weibe, Glynis Whiting, E.R. Brown, Charlotte Morganti, and Dietrich Kalteis. Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Shebeen Whisk(e)y House, 210 Carrall St., Vancouver.
BRANDON MULL
Author of the Five Kingdoms series reads from his latest book Crystal Keepers. Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, Burnaby.
WRITING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
Susan McCaslin will be offering a reading and short writing workshop based on her new spiritual autobiography Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga. Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books and Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at banyen.com.
NVCL LOCAL AUTHOR SERIES
Readings by Amir Ahmad Nasr and Pasha Parvaneh Hashemi. Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00pm, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 W. 14th Street, North Vancouver. More information and registration here, nvcl.ca/calendar.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features George McWhirter and Tina Biello plus open mic. Thursday, March 26 at 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at
www.pandorascollective.com.
DARK SIDE II
Andrew Pyper (The Damned) and Nick Cutter (The Deep) present their latest books. Monday, March 30 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, Burnaby.
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Readings from Candice James, New Westminster's Poet Laureate and George Fetherling, author of many books of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library, New Westminster. More information and registration at 604-527-4667.
AN EVOLVING CITY
Event featuring George Bowering and Wayde Compton. Thursday, April 9 at 7:30pm, free. Pulp Fiction, 2422 Main Street, Vancouver.
UNHANGED AUTHOR
Free workshop for writers thinking of entering the 2015 Arthur Ellis Unhanged Author competition. Saturday, April 11 from 10am to 5pm. VPL Central branch, 350 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver. Complete details at crimewriterscanada.com.
NEIL MCKINNON
Author reads from his new book The Greatest Lover of Last Tuesday. Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm, free. VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
NORTH SHORE WRITERS FESTIVAL
Sixteenth annual festival featuring John Vaillant, Heather O'Neill, Zsuzsi Gartner, Grant Lawrence and others. April 17-18, 2015. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. Complete details at northshorewritersfestival.com.
ARTHUR ELLIS SHORTLIST EVENT
Cathy Ace will be grilling a panel of her fellow BC crime writers including Don Hauka, Owen Laukkanen, Kay Stewart and Sam Wiebe about their latest, and forthcoming, works, as well as their writing styles and habits. Thursday, April 23 at 7:00pm, free but registration required. Bob Prittie Metrotown branch, Burnaby Public Library. Information and registration at 604-436-5410.
RACHEL HARTMAN
Author of Seraphina reads from her latest book, Shadow Scale. Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00pm, free but registration required. McGill branch, Burnaby Public Library. Information and registration at 604-299-8955.
CASCADIA POETRY FESTIVAL
Features more than forty poets from across Cascadia, a bioregion that stretches from California to Alaska, including Sam Hamill, Brenda Hillman, Robert Bringhurst, Susan Musgrave, Sharon Thesen, Joanne Arnott, and Stephen Collis. April 30-May 3, 2015 in Nanaimo, BC. Complete details at cascadiapoetryfestival.org.
PAUL YEE
Meet the author of Dead Man's Gold and Ghost Train. April 30 at 10:00am. Newton Library meeting room, Newton Library, Surrey. More information at 604-598-7408.
My Way Podcast
Today's podcast release features three of the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest's most intriguing authors, on stage together in an event aptly titled My Way. Charles Foran, Karl Ove Knausgaard, and Eimear McBride are pioneers arriving triumphantly in new literary lands. Writing in the risk zone of the unconventional often comes with a personal cost-and sometimes results in great reward. Listen to a podcast here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/audio-archives/my-way.
A Dram Come True
A whisky tasting fundraiser in support of the Vancouver Writers Fest.
Join us at Hycroft, the perfect spot to share a dram with old pals or make new friends while enjoying uisce beatha (the water of life). Sample rare and distinguished single malts curated by Dave Mason, President of the West Coast Whisky Society. Just confirmed: Pemberton Distillery will be pouring their 2011 Pemberton Valley Organic Single Malt Whisky.
Tickets: $120
Preview Tasting Tickets (access to bars 45 minutes early): Add $40
7:30pm, June 5 at Hycroft
Details and to purchase tickets here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/dram-come-true.
Incite 2015
An evening of memoir with Cathie Borrie (The Long Hello), Lynette Loeppky (Cease) and Kara Stanley (Fallen). Details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite.
FREE!
7:30pm, March 25
Alice MacKay room, VPL Central Library
Click here for details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite
AWARDS & LISTS
Miriam Toews' novel, All My Puny Sorrows, has been nominated for the UK's Wellcome Book Prize. The £30,000 award highlights books that engage "with some aspect of medicine, health, or illness."
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/09/miriam-toews-nominated-for-wellcome-book-prize/
The longlist for the Baileys Women's Prize has been released. Emily St. John Mandel and Heather O'Neill are among the nominees.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/10/baileys-womens-prize-for-fiction-longlist-in-pictures
British Columbia authors Kim Fu and Raziel Reid have both been named as finalists for the U.S. Triangle Awards. Fu is nominated for the Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction for her novel For Today I Am a Boy, and Reid for the Ferro-Grumley Award for LGBT Fiction for When Everything Feels Like the Movies.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/10/kim-fu-and-raziel-reid-finalists-for-u-s-triangle-awards/
The Canadian Library Association has announced two award shortlists: the Young Adult Book Award and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award. Former Writers Fest authors, including Maggie de Vries, Mariko Tamaki, Rémy Simard and Kyo Maclear are among the nominated.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/05/canadian-library-association-announces-two-award-shortlists/
Seventeen Canadian authors have been nominated for the Lambda Literary Awards. The awards recognize excellence in LGBT literature.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/04/sixteen-canadian-authors-nominated-for-lambda-literary-awards/
YOUNG READERS
Here are three new picture books worth a read: See You Next Year, by Andrew Larsen; Home, by Carson Ellis; and Dinosaurs from Head to Tail, by Stacey Roderick.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/three-new-picture-books-worth-a-read/article23328774/
NEWS & FEATURES
Sir Terry Pratchett, known for his Discworld series of fantasy novels, has died at age 66.
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31858156
Shakespeare & Company, one of the world's most famous bookstores, has launched a new international online presence. The new site has not only been redesigned, but "they've also introduced a place for news and updates called 'Le Blog,' started a Tumblr called 'Down the Rabbit Hole,' and created the capability to send physical books from Paris to customers worldwide."
http://www.mhpbooks.com/shakespeare-company-in-paris-launches-new-website-and-will-ship-books-worldwide/
Is an app that censors profanity in books a good or bad thing? "Execution hiccups aside, the app makes one thing very clear: Ebooks have a flexibility that could completely change the extent to which censorship or sanitization is possible–and the extent to which authors' copyrights give them control over their texts."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/09/clean-reader-app-ebooks_n_6831570.html
A new Guinness World Record has been set for longest book Domino chain! You can check out a video of all 5, 318 books tumbling here:
http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/03/06/new-guinness-world-record-set-for-longest-book-domino-chain-5-318-books-video/
What makes a book re-readable? "Going back to a book is a way of daring that past self to find new evidence for that old love."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/08/books/review/which-books-do-you-read-over-and-over-again.html
Harry Potter fans are crowdfunding to buy their own real-life Hogwarts Castle. The group is looking at a castle near Gdansk, Poland which "has been for sale 'for years,' but is secretive about their other options: 'we don't want to tip off the sales people and make them raise their prices!'"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/11434993/Harry-Potter-fans-1-million-plan-to-buy-Hogwarts-castle.html
What are the world's most translated books? Here's an infographic which lists the 50 most translated, including the Canadian classic Anne of Green Gables.
http://electricliterature.com/infographic-the-worlds-most-translated-books/
Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei has gone on a tweeting spree about his favourite authors. "In a series of tweets to his more than 100,000 followers, he proclaimed his admiration for Soviet authors Mikhail Sholokhov and Alexei Tolstoy."
http://www.mhpbooks.com/ayatollah-khamenei-isreading/
BOOKS & WRITERS
Kazuo Ishiguro has laid to rest rumours that he is a genre snob. "The author has taken criticism for his treatment of the fantasy genre in his new novel, The Buried Giant, but says 'I am on the side of the pixies and dragons.'"
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/08/kazuo-ishiguro-rebuffs-genre-snobbery
Umberto Eco is set to publish a new novel in English called Numero Zero. "The novel links two stories: one about the shooting of Mussolini and his mistress at Lake Como in 1945, and one about a hack writer named Colonna in 1992 Milan."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/10/umberto-eco-new-novel-numero-zero
Daniel Torday's novel, The Last Flight of Poxl West, is "both a touching, old-fashioned drama about war and love...and a more modern framing tale that makes us rethink the impulses behind storytelling." In it, a 15-year-old boy worships his uncle Poxl, a World War II bomber pilot, who turns out to be a little different from what he's claimed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/books/review-the-last-flight-of-poxl-west-by-daniel-torday.html
When Raziel Reid began writing Everything Feels Like the Movies, he found inspiration in Vancouver's Mountain View Cemetery. "I would sit by a tree and dream...it felt sort of spiritual, and I used to try to summon Larry Forbes King when I was writing." He discusses this, and more, here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/reflections-of-author-raziel-reid-in-when-everything-feels-like-the-movies/article23334167/
Kim Echlin's novel, Under the Visible Life, explores the bond between artist and instrument. "Any novel about a gifted musician must reckon with the love triangle that will eventually emerge. How can human love–messy, imperfect, bittersweet–compete with the pure and intense bond between musician and instrument?"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/exploring-the-bond-between-artist-and-instrument-in-under-the-visible-life/article23333894/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SOUTHBANKS WRITERS' PROGRAM READING SERIES
Featured poets Pam Galloway & Susan McCaslin will read from their new works. Thursday, March 12 at 6:30pm. Surrey City Centre Library, 10350 University Dr., Surrey. More information at surreylibraries.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Graham Good reads from and discusses Goethe's Poems, as well as his previous translation, Rilke's Late Poetry. Thursday, March 12 at 6:30pm. Banyen Books & Sound, 3608 4th AVe. W., Vancouver.
WORDS ON THE WATER
Featuring David Carpenter, Ivan Coyote, Steven Galloway, Sarah Leavitt, Bernice Lever, Derek Lundy, Richard Wagamese, and Kathleen Winter. March 13-14, 2015. Maritime Heritage Centre, 621 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC. Details at wordsonthewater.ca.
A CELEBRATION OF GAIA AS A MUSE
North Vancouver based poet, librettist and non-fiction writer Elaine Woo reads from her debut poetry collection Cycling With The Dragon. Saturday, March 14 at 1:00pm. Brittania branch, VPL, 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver. More information at nightwoodeditions.com.
GERALD LASALLE
Author of Widow Walk presents his latest book Isthmus. Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30pm. Newton branch, Surrey Public Library. More information and to register, phone 604-598-7406.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Erin Mouré and Andrew McEwan are the featured poets. Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 12:00 noon, free. SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery, 515 W Hastings St. For more information, visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
MARILYN DUMONT
Reading by critically acclaimed Indigenous author and poet. Wednesday, March 18 at 12:00pm, free. Liu Multi-Purpose Room, Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver. More information at cwila.com.
MARY NOVIK
Author in discussion of her novel Muse. Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse Main Street. More information at 604-879-7737.
SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA
Author reads from her debut novel Signal To Noise. Thursday, March 19 at 7:00pm. Storm Crow Tavern, 1305 Commercial Drive, Vancouver.
POETRY READING
Pam Galloway and Susan McCaslin at People's Co-op Bookstore. Both poets will be reading from their new works, Pam's volume of poetry (Passing Stranger) and Susan's memoir (Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga), both from Inanna Publications. People's Co-Op Bookstore, March 19, at 1391 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, 7-9 pm. Host, Nancy Tam:
Upcoming
PEN AND SWORD
Authors C.C. Humphreys, Sebastien de Castell and Kris Sayer will discuss their personal journeys studying swordplay to enrich their writing, characters and stories. Monday, March 23 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL. More information at 604-331-3603.
NOIR AT THE BAR
Drink, mingle and hear talented local authors read. Featuring Linda L. Richards, Robin Spano, Owen Laukkanen, Sam Weibe, Glynis Whiting, E.R. Brown, Charlotte Morganti, and Dietrich Kalteis. Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Shebeen Whisk(e)y House, 210 Carrall St., Vancouver.
BRANDON MULL
Author of the Five Kingdoms series reads from his latest book Crystal Keepers. Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, Burnaby.
WRITING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
Susan McCaslin will be offering a reading and short writing workshop based on her new spiritual autobiography Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga. Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books and Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at banyen.com.
NVCL LOCAL AUTHOR SERIES
Readings by Amir Ahmad Nasr and Pasha Parvaneh Hashemi. Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00pm, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 W. 14th Street, North Vancouver. More information and registration here, nvcl.ca/calendar.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features George McWhirter and Tina Biello plus open mic. Thursday, March 26 at 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at
www.pandorascollective.com.
DARK SIDE II
Andrew Pyper (The Damned) and Nick Cutter (The Deep) present their latest books. Monday, March 30 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, Burnaby.
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Readings from Candice James, New Westminster's Poet Laureate and George Fetherling, author of many books of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library, New Westminster. More information and registration at 604-527-4667.
AN EVOLVING CITY
Event featuring George Bowering and Wayde Compton. Thursday, April 9 at 7:30pm, free. Pulp Fiction, 2422 Main Street, Vancouver.
UNHANGED AUTHOR
Free workshop for writers thinking of entering the 2015 Arthur Ellis Unhanged Author competition. Saturday, April 11 from 10am to 5pm. VPL Central branch, 350 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver. Complete details at crimewriterscanada.com.
NEIL MCKINNON
Author reads from his new book The Greatest Lover of Last Tuesday. Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm, free. VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
NORTH SHORE WRITERS FESTIVAL
Sixteenth annual festival featuring John Vaillant, Heather O'Neill, Zsuzsi Gartner, Grant Lawrence and others. April 17-18, 2015. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. Complete details at northshorewritersfestival.com.
ARTHUR ELLIS SHORTLIST EVENT
Cathy Ace will be grilling a panel of her fellow BC crime writers including Don Hauka, Owen Laukkanen, Kay Stewart and Sam Wiebe about their latest, and forthcoming, works, as well as their writing styles and habits. Thursday, April 23 at 7:00pm, free but registration required. Bob Prittie Metrotown branch, Burnaby Public Library. Information and registration at 604-436-5410.
RACHEL HARTMAN
Author of Seraphina reads from her latest book, Shadow Scale. Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00pm, free but registration required. McGill branch, Burnaby Public Library. Information and registration at 604-299-8955.
CASCADIA POETRY FESTIVAL
Features more than forty poets from across Cascadia, a bioregion that stretches from California to Alaska, including Sam Hamill, Brenda Hillman, Robert Bringhurst, Susan Musgrave, Sharon Thesen, Joanne Arnott, and Stephen Collis. April 30-May 3, 2015 in Nanaimo, BC. Complete details at cascadiapoetryfestival.org.
PAUL YEE
Meet the author of Dead Man's Gold and Ghost Train. April 30 at 10:00am. Newton Library meeting room, Newton Library, Surrey. More information at 604-598-7408.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Book News Vol. 9 No. 50
BOOK NEWS
A Dram Come True
A Dram Come True always features unexpected surprises and uncommon whiskies, and this year is no exception. We can't give away all our secrets, but we do have two new tipples for you to sample this year: Blackadder, which bottles only individual casks as naturally as possible, and Hepburn's Choice, a new offering from Douglas Laing which champions the lesser-known distilleries of Scotland. Early-bird tickets are close to selling out, so don't wait-purchase your tickets today!
7:30pm, June 5
Hycroft
Details and to purchase tickets here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/dram-come-true.
Incite 2015
Two Scotiabank Giller Prize-nominees: Fred Stenson (Who By Fire) and Kim Echlin (Under the Visible Life), plus Chelsea Rooney (Pedal). Details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite.
FREE!
7:30pm, March 11
Alice MacKay room, VPL Central Library
Click here for details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite
AWARDS & LISTS
Plum Johnson has won the $25,000 RBC Taylor Prize for her "gripping" family memoir, They Left Us Everything. The Prize commemorates Charles Taylor's pursuit of excellence in the field of literary non-fiction.
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2015/03/plum-johnson-wins-25k-rbc-taylor-prize.html
The CBC Bookie Awards have been announced. Three participants from last year's Writers Fest were winners: Michael Crummey, Dinaw Mengestu and Mariko Tamaki.
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2015/02/cbc-bookie-awards-2015-the-winners.html
Madeleine Thien has been named as a finalist for the world's richest prize for a work of short fiction. She was nominated for the UK's 2015 EFG Short Story Award for her story, The Wedding Cake.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/03/madeleine-thien-a-finalist-for-u-k-s-2015-efg-short-story-award/
YOUNG READERS
"Can a real live bear, if treated well and trained correctly, possibly become as tame and loving toward people as—well, a teddy bear?" That's the question asked in Sally M. Walker's Winnie, a retelling of the inspiration behind A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/25/books/review/winnie-by-sally-m-walker.html
NEWS & FEATURES
The Writers' Trust of Canada has won $25,000 in funding from the RBC Emerging Artists Project. The decision was made based on a public poll.
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-news/2015/03/02/writers-trust-of-canada-wins-25000-in-funding-through-rbcs-public-vote/
The lives of authors are always interesting to pry apart, especially when we find out what they were doing when they were not writing. Here's a fun infographic about the day jobs of some famous authors.
http://goodereader.com/blog/best-of-goodereader/some-of-the-most-prolific-authors-had-day-jobs
When it comes to book advances, non-fiction writers are suffering greatly these days. According to John Vaillant, writers are rushing to finish "important, research-heavy, non-fiction" books in a matter of months–books that would normally require years of work–because "that's all they can afford to do."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-harsh-reality-of-non-fiction-writing/article23229779/
Why are there so many more aspiring writers than aspiring readers? That's just one of many questions that literary agent Chris Parris-Lamb discusses in this interview about "gatekeeping, the truth behind big advances, and why Amazon neglects the ‘humanity to good books.'"
https://www.guernicamag.com/interviews/the-art-of-agenting/
What's the matter with dystopia? "Dystopia is flourishing. In the process, it is becoming routine and losing its political power."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/25/dystopia-literature-problem_n_6598988.html
The digitalization of media is all over the news, and yet hard-copy books continue to thrive. Here are nine studies that show why.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/27/print-ebooks-studies_n_6762674.html
On that note, here's Timothy Young's take on the matter. "I've been carrying this list in my head for years, adding to it one reason at a time. In my profession, as a librarian and a curator, this list...functions as an apologia pro vita mia—rational defenses for the continued existence of the printed codex—and my involvement with them."
http://designobserver.com/feature/books-matter/38752/
What is the place of libraries in times of war? In the wake of the destruction of the Mosul Public Library, here's an article on the "unbearable ironies of libraries in wartime."
http://flavorwire.com/506536/the-unbearable-ironies-of-libraries-in-wartime
What are the seven deadly sins of dialogue? From "impossible verbing" to "on-the-nose dialogue," here's a list:
https://litreactor.com/columns/the-seven-deadly-sins-of-dialogue
March 5 is World Book Day and students across the UK are donning costumes to promote reading and books in schools.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/world-book-day-what-did-you-dress-up-as-we-round-up-the-best-costumes-10085044.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
What motivates Karl Ove Knausgaard to write? "Writing is a way of getting rid of shame," he states in this interview with The Guardian.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/01/karl-ove-knausgaard-interview-shame-dancing-in-the-dark
Paul Beatty's new novel, Sellout, is his first in seven years. "Blistering on the past and present of race in America, it spares no person or piety...the novel 'reads like the most concussive monologues and interviews of Chris Rock, Richard Pryor and Dave Chappelle wrapped in a satirical yet surprisingly delicate literary and historical sensibility.'"
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/03/books/paul-beatty-author-of-the-sellout-on-finding-humor-in-issues-of-race.html
Priscila Uppal's new short story collection, Cover Before Striking, tackles many traditional topics: family, love, marriage, and death. The "distinctive treatment she bestows on each illustrates the breadth of any given theme and Uppal's singular talent for exploring it."
http://www.straight.com/life/397596/humour-and-grief-flicker-through-priscila-uppals-cover-striking
Love and betrayal go hand in hand in Sofi Oksanen's novel, When Doves Disappeared, set in Estonia during World War II. "No one in these pages is predictable, because survival in this period, Oksanen so beautifully reveals, meant learning to love only from the part of the heart that knows how to betray."
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2015/02/27/when-the-doves-disappeared-by-sofi-oksanen-review.html
Colin Barret's debut story collection, Young Skins, leaves one with a sense of "disturbed gratitude. The stories blend moments of horror with moments of hilarity, shocks of joy with shocks of despair, and no matter how grim a given scene by Barrett can get, it's a thrill to be alive to hear him."
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/03/03/the-right-kind-of-damage-an-interview-with-colin-barrett/
"When the Chinese writer Mo Yan won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012 and was warmly lauded by the Communist government, he became one of the most reviled winners in the history of that great honor." His newest book is called Frog, "a rich and troubling epic" about China's one-child policy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/books/review-in-mo-yans-frog-a-chinese-abortionist-embodies-state-power.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
JANE EATON HAMILTON
Author reads from her book love will burst into a thousand shapes. Thursday, March 5 at 8:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at 604-876-6138.
SERENDIPITY 2015
The Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable invites you to an Edgy, Eerie, Exceptional Serendipity 2015 with Holly Black, Andrew Smith, Mariko Tamaki, Molly Idle, and Kelli Chipponeri. March 7, 2015 at the University of British Columbia, 8:00am to 3:30pm, breakfast and lunch included. Register now to take advantage of the early bird rates. More information at www.vclr.ca.
MISSION WRITERS & READERS FESTIVAL
Features Evelyn Lau, Daniel Elza, Lois Peterson, Chris Gilpin, and John Carroll. Saturday, March 7 at Heritage Park Centre, 33700 Prentis Avenue, Mission. Details at http://www.lifetimelearningcentre.org/uncategorized/8th-annual-mission-writers-and-readers-festival-linking-generations/.
MYSTERY AND CRIME
Hear writers E.R. Brown, Robin Spano, Dietrich Kalteis and Sam Wiebe share their experience on writing mystery and crime stories. Featuring. Saturday, March 7 at 11:45am. Fleetwood Library, Surrey.
HEART OF A HOOFBEAT
Margaret Evans will take you on a journey that begins 35,000 years ago in southern France to tell the fascinating story of the evolution of the horse. Saturday, March 7 at 1:00pm. Yarrow Library, Chilliwack. More information at 604-823-4664.
MIRIAM TOEWS
Vancouver Institute lecture featuring Governor General's Award for Fiction winner Miriam Toews. Saturday, March 7 at 8:15pm. Lecture Hall No. 2, Woodward Instructional Resources Centre, 2194 Health Sciences Mall, UBC. More information at greencollege.ubc.ca.
NORMAN NAWROCKI
The Montreal author, will read from his 12 books of poetry, short stories and his novel Cazzarola! Anarchy, Romani, Love, Italy. Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00pm, free. Hastings Branch Library, 2674 East Hastings Street, Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
SOUTHBANKS WRITERS' PROGRAM READING SERIES
Featured poets Pam Galloway & Susan McCaslin will read from their new works. Thursday, March 12 at 6:30m. Surrey City Centre Library, 10350 University Dr., Surrey. More information at surreylibraries.ca.
WORDS ON THE WATER
Featuring David Carpenter, Ivan Coyote, Steven Galloway, Sarah Leavitt, Bernice Lever, Derek Lundy, Richard Wagamese, and Kathleen Winter. March 13-14, 2015. Maritime Heritage Centre, 621 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC. Details at wordsonthewater.ca.
A CELEBRATION OF GAIA AS A MUSE
North Vancouver based poet, librettist and non-fiction writer Elaine Woo reads from her debut poetry collection Cycling With The Dragon. Saturday, March 14 at 1:00pm. Brittania branch, VPL, 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver. More information at nightwoodeditions.com.
Upcoming
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Erin Mouré and Andrew McEwan are the featured poets. Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 12:00 noon, free. SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery, 515 W Hastings St. For more information, visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
MARILYN DUMONT
Reading by critically acclaimed Indigenous author and poet. Wednesday, March 18 at 12:00pm, free. Liu Multi-Purpose Room, Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver. More information at cwila.com.
PEN AND SWORD
Authors C.C. Humphreys, Sebastien de Castell and Kris Sayer will discuss their personal journeys studying swordplay to enrich their writing, characters and stories. Monday, March 23 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL. More information at 604-331-3603.
NOIR AT THE BAR
Drink, mingle and hear talented local authors read. Featuring Linda L. Richards, Robin Spano, Owen Laukkanen, Sam Weibe, Glynis Whiting, E.R. Brown, Charlotte Morganti, and Dietrich Kalteis. Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Shebeen Whisk(e)y House, 210 Carrall St., Vancouver.
WRITING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
Susan McCaslin will be offering a reading and short writing workshop based on her new spiritual autobiography Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga. Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books and Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at banyen.com.
NVCL LOCAL AUTHOR SERIES
Readings by Amir Ahmad Nasr and Pasha Parvaneh Hashemi. Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00pm, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 W. 14th Street, North Vancouver. More information and registration here, nvcl.ca/calendar.
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Readings from Candice James, New Westminster's Poet Laureate and George Fetherling, author of many books of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library, New Westminster. More information and registration at 604-527-4667.
UNHANGED AUTHOR
Free workshop for writers thinking of entering the 2015 Arthur Ellis Unhanged Author competition. Saturday, April 11 from 10am to 5pm. VPL Central branch, 350 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver. Complete details at crimewriterscanada.com.
NEIL MCKINNON
Author reads from his new book The Greatest Lover of Last Tuesday. Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm, free. VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
CASCADIA POETRY FESTIVAL
Features more than forty poets from across Cascadia, a bioregion that stretches from California to Alaska, including Sam Hamill, Brenda Hillman, Robert Bringhurst, Susan Musgrave, Sharon Thesen, Joanne Arnott, and Stephen Collis. April 30-May 3, 2015 in Nanaimo, BC. Complete details at cascadiapoetryfestival.org.
A Dram Come True
A Dram Come True always features unexpected surprises and uncommon whiskies, and this year is no exception. We can't give away all our secrets, but we do have two new tipples for you to sample this year: Blackadder, which bottles only individual casks as naturally as possible, and Hepburn's Choice, a new offering from Douglas Laing which champions the lesser-known distilleries of Scotland. Early-bird tickets are close to selling out, so don't wait-purchase your tickets today!
7:30pm, June 5
Hycroft
Details and to purchase tickets here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/dram-come-true.
Incite 2015
Two Scotiabank Giller Prize-nominees: Fred Stenson (Who By Fire) and Kim Echlin (Under the Visible Life), plus Chelsea Rooney (Pedal). Details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite.
FREE!
7:30pm, March 11
Alice MacKay room, VPL Central Library
Click here for details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite
AWARDS & LISTS
Plum Johnson has won the $25,000 RBC Taylor Prize for her "gripping" family memoir, They Left Us Everything. The Prize commemorates Charles Taylor's pursuit of excellence in the field of literary non-fiction.
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2015/03/plum-johnson-wins-25k-rbc-taylor-prize.html
The CBC Bookie Awards have been announced. Three participants from last year's Writers Fest were winners: Michael Crummey, Dinaw Mengestu and Mariko Tamaki.
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2015/02/cbc-bookie-awards-2015-the-winners.html
Madeleine Thien has been named as a finalist for the world's richest prize for a work of short fiction. She was nominated for the UK's 2015 EFG Short Story Award for her story, The Wedding Cake.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/03/03/madeleine-thien-a-finalist-for-u-k-s-2015-efg-short-story-award/
YOUNG READERS
"Can a real live bear, if treated well and trained correctly, possibly become as tame and loving toward people as—well, a teddy bear?" That's the question asked in Sally M. Walker's Winnie, a retelling of the inspiration behind A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/25/books/review/winnie-by-sally-m-walker.html
NEWS & FEATURES
The Writers' Trust of Canada has won $25,000 in funding from the RBC Emerging Artists Project. The decision was made based on a public poll.
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-news/2015/03/02/writers-trust-of-canada-wins-25000-in-funding-through-rbcs-public-vote/
The lives of authors are always interesting to pry apart, especially when we find out what they were doing when they were not writing. Here's a fun infographic about the day jobs of some famous authors.
http://goodereader.com/blog/best-of-goodereader/some-of-the-most-prolific-authors-had-day-jobs
When it comes to book advances, non-fiction writers are suffering greatly these days. According to John Vaillant, writers are rushing to finish "important, research-heavy, non-fiction" books in a matter of months–books that would normally require years of work–because "that's all they can afford to do."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-harsh-reality-of-non-fiction-writing/article23229779/
Why are there so many more aspiring writers than aspiring readers? That's just one of many questions that literary agent Chris Parris-Lamb discusses in this interview about "gatekeeping, the truth behind big advances, and why Amazon neglects the ‘humanity to good books.'"
https://www.guernicamag.com/interviews/the-art-of-agenting/
What's the matter with dystopia? "Dystopia is flourishing. In the process, it is becoming routine and losing its political power."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/25/dystopia-literature-problem_n_6598988.html
The digitalization of media is all over the news, and yet hard-copy books continue to thrive. Here are nine studies that show why.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/27/print-ebooks-studies_n_6762674.html
On that note, here's Timothy Young's take on the matter. "I've been carrying this list in my head for years, adding to it one reason at a time. In my profession, as a librarian and a curator, this list...functions as an apologia pro vita mia—rational defenses for the continued existence of the printed codex—and my involvement with them."
http://designobserver.com/feature/books-matter/38752/
What is the place of libraries in times of war? In the wake of the destruction of the Mosul Public Library, here's an article on the "unbearable ironies of libraries in wartime."
http://flavorwire.com/506536/the-unbearable-ironies-of-libraries-in-wartime
What are the seven deadly sins of dialogue? From "impossible verbing" to "on-the-nose dialogue," here's a list:
https://litreactor.com/columns/the-seven-deadly-sins-of-dialogue
March 5 is World Book Day and students across the UK are donning costumes to promote reading and books in schools.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/world-book-day-what-did-you-dress-up-as-we-round-up-the-best-costumes-10085044.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
What motivates Karl Ove Knausgaard to write? "Writing is a way of getting rid of shame," he states in this interview with The Guardian.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/01/karl-ove-knausgaard-interview-shame-dancing-in-the-dark
Paul Beatty's new novel, Sellout, is his first in seven years. "Blistering on the past and present of race in America, it spares no person or piety...the novel 'reads like the most concussive monologues and interviews of Chris Rock, Richard Pryor and Dave Chappelle wrapped in a satirical yet surprisingly delicate literary and historical sensibility.'"
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/03/books/paul-beatty-author-of-the-sellout-on-finding-humor-in-issues-of-race.html
Priscila Uppal's new short story collection, Cover Before Striking, tackles many traditional topics: family, love, marriage, and death. The "distinctive treatment she bestows on each illustrates the breadth of any given theme and Uppal's singular talent for exploring it."
http://www.straight.com/life/397596/humour-and-grief-flicker-through-priscila-uppals-cover-striking
Love and betrayal go hand in hand in Sofi Oksanen's novel, When Doves Disappeared, set in Estonia during World War II. "No one in these pages is predictable, because survival in this period, Oksanen so beautifully reveals, meant learning to love only from the part of the heart that knows how to betray."
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2015/02/27/when-the-doves-disappeared-by-sofi-oksanen-review.html
Colin Barret's debut story collection, Young Skins, leaves one with a sense of "disturbed gratitude. The stories blend moments of horror with moments of hilarity, shocks of joy with shocks of despair, and no matter how grim a given scene by Barrett can get, it's a thrill to be alive to hear him."
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/03/03/the-right-kind-of-damage-an-interview-with-colin-barrett/
"When the Chinese writer Mo Yan won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012 and was warmly lauded by the Communist government, he became one of the most reviled winners in the history of that great honor." His newest book is called Frog, "a rich and troubling epic" about China's one-child policy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/books/review-in-mo-yans-frog-a-chinese-abortionist-embodies-state-power.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
JANE EATON HAMILTON
Author reads from her book love will burst into a thousand shapes. Thursday, March 5 at 8:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at 604-876-6138.
SERENDIPITY 2015
The Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable invites you to an Edgy, Eerie, Exceptional Serendipity 2015 with Holly Black, Andrew Smith, Mariko Tamaki, Molly Idle, and Kelli Chipponeri. March 7, 2015 at the University of British Columbia, 8:00am to 3:30pm, breakfast and lunch included. Register now to take advantage of the early bird rates. More information at www.vclr.ca.
MISSION WRITERS & READERS FESTIVAL
Features Evelyn Lau, Daniel Elza, Lois Peterson, Chris Gilpin, and John Carroll. Saturday, March 7 at Heritage Park Centre, 33700 Prentis Avenue, Mission. Details at http://www.lifetimelearningcentre.org/uncategorized/8th-annual-mission-writers-and-readers-festival-linking-generations/.
MYSTERY AND CRIME
Hear writers E.R. Brown, Robin Spano, Dietrich Kalteis and Sam Wiebe share their experience on writing mystery and crime stories. Featuring. Saturday, March 7 at 11:45am. Fleetwood Library, Surrey.
HEART OF A HOOFBEAT
Margaret Evans will take you on a journey that begins 35,000 years ago in southern France to tell the fascinating story of the evolution of the horse. Saturday, March 7 at 1:00pm. Yarrow Library, Chilliwack. More information at 604-823-4664.
MIRIAM TOEWS
Vancouver Institute lecture featuring Governor General's Award for Fiction winner Miriam Toews. Saturday, March 7 at 8:15pm. Lecture Hall No. 2, Woodward Instructional Resources Centre, 2194 Health Sciences Mall, UBC. More information at greencollege.ubc.ca.
NORMAN NAWROCKI
The Montreal author, will read from his 12 books of poetry, short stories and his novel Cazzarola! Anarchy, Romani, Love, Italy. Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00pm, free. Hastings Branch Library, 2674 East Hastings Street, Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
SOUTHBANKS WRITERS' PROGRAM READING SERIES
Featured poets Pam Galloway & Susan McCaslin will read from their new works. Thursday, March 12 at 6:30m. Surrey City Centre Library, 10350 University Dr., Surrey. More information at surreylibraries.ca.
WORDS ON THE WATER
Featuring David Carpenter, Ivan Coyote, Steven Galloway, Sarah Leavitt, Bernice Lever, Derek Lundy, Richard Wagamese, and Kathleen Winter. March 13-14, 2015. Maritime Heritage Centre, 621 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC. Details at wordsonthewater.ca.
A CELEBRATION OF GAIA AS A MUSE
North Vancouver based poet, librettist and non-fiction writer Elaine Woo reads from her debut poetry collection Cycling With The Dragon. Saturday, March 14 at 1:00pm. Brittania branch, VPL, 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver. More information at nightwoodeditions.com.
Upcoming
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Erin Mouré and Andrew McEwan are the featured poets. Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 12:00 noon, free. SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery, 515 W Hastings St. For more information, visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
MARILYN DUMONT
Reading by critically acclaimed Indigenous author and poet. Wednesday, March 18 at 12:00pm, free. Liu Multi-Purpose Room, Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver. More information at cwila.com.
PEN AND SWORD
Authors C.C. Humphreys, Sebastien de Castell and Kris Sayer will discuss their personal journeys studying swordplay to enrich their writing, characters and stories. Monday, March 23 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL. More information at 604-331-3603.
NOIR AT THE BAR
Drink, mingle and hear talented local authors read. Featuring Linda L. Richards, Robin Spano, Owen Laukkanen, Sam Weibe, Glynis Whiting, E.R. Brown, Charlotte Morganti, and Dietrich Kalteis. Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Shebeen Whisk(e)y House, 210 Carrall St., Vancouver.
WRITING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
Susan McCaslin will be offering a reading and short writing workshop based on her new spiritual autobiography Into the Mystic: My Years with Olga. Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books and Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at banyen.com.
NVCL LOCAL AUTHOR SERIES
Readings by Amir Ahmad Nasr and Pasha Parvaneh Hashemi. Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00pm, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 W. 14th Street, North Vancouver. More information and registration here, nvcl.ca/calendar.
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Readings from Candice James, New Westminster's Poet Laureate and George Fetherling, author of many books of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library, New Westminster. More information and registration at 604-527-4667.
UNHANGED AUTHOR
Free workshop for writers thinking of entering the 2015 Arthur Ellis Unhanged Author competition. Saturday, April 11 from 10am to 5pm. VPL Central branch, 350 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver. Complete details at crimewriterscanada.com.
NEIL MCKINNON
Author reads from his new book The Greatest Lover of Last Tuesday. Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm, free. VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.
CASCADIA POETRY FESTIVAL
Features more than forty poets from across Cascadia, a bioregion that stretches from California to Alaska, including Sam Hamill, Brenda Hillman, Robert Bringhurst, Susan Musgrave, Sharon Thesen, Joanne Arnott, and Stephen Collis. April 30-May 3, 2015 in Nanaimo, BC. Complete details at cascadiapoetryfestival.org.
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