Ontario book news, interviews and more

“In my poetry, I make room for what escapes stories,” an interview with Bänoo Zan

Bänoo Zan is one of those incredible poets that give back to poetry and community more than they take. As well as being the author of two collections of poetry, she is also an educator, translator and ...

Angela Ahn on Exploring Identity and Culture Through Food in Her Debut Middle Grade Novel

In Angela Ahn's Krista Kim-Bap (Second Story Press), Krista and Jason have been best friends since they were in diapers. Their differences never seemed like a big deal - but when their teacher asks ...

Dream Space: an introduction to online obsessions for National Poetry Month

I’m writing this post in the middle of a sick day, in the middle of a sick week. I’ve been couchbound for what feels like a decade – my brain is foggy, my voice is shredded, and I’ve watched so ...

National Poetry Month Turns 20 & Canadian Poets Share Their Favourite Poems of the Last 20 Years

This year marks 20 years of Canada celebrating National Poetry Month in April. That's 20 years of readings, prizes, new collections, and a month long chance to fall in love with poetry all over again, ...

Degan Davis' Debut Poetry Collection Examines Masculinity & Identity, Asking "What Kind of Man Are You?"

What does it mean to be a man? It's not - anymore, thank goodness - a simple question. Tackling the complexities of how to be a good man today is no small task for anyone, but Degan Davis set himself ...

CBC Canada Reads Crowns 2018 Champion

(The 2018 winner of CBC Canada Reads is revealed below!)Today in front of a studio audience in Toronto, CBC Canada Reads panelist Mozhdah Jamalzadah, host of The Mozhdah Show, hesitated before revealing ...

"I Like to Be Surrounded by Objects with a Past": Meet Our Poetry Month Writer-in-Residence, Emma Healey!

Emma Healey is without a doubt one of the most exciting young poets in Canada. Her first collection Begin With the End in Mind earned her a reputation as a brainy, frank, innovative writer with charm ...

CBC Canada Reads the Halfway Mark: And Then There Were Three

(If you aren't caught up on CBC Canada Reads, this post contains up to date information on the competition, aka spoilers!)Today marked the halfway point for CBC Canada Reads 2018. In a tie-breaking upset, ...

Writers' Trust Announces 2018 Shortlist for Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing

Today the Writers’ Trust of Canada announced the five finalists for the $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. The winner will be announced in Ottawa on May 9, 2018, at the annual ...

There's a lot to be said for not knowing what you're doing.

I’ve been writing professionally for nearly 40 years now, across a variety of media, and even now, every time I start a new project, it’s as if I’ve never written anything before in my life. I generally ...