Ontario book news, interviews and more

Why Canada Reads Needs Unhappy Narratives

Each year on Canada Reads, five books of fiction and nonfiction are chosen by Canadian celebrities who advocate for their book of choice as one that “all of Canada should read.” One book is voted ...

"I Saw That Language Could Break and Be Reassembled" Prathna Lor on Early Reading & Their Poetry Debut

A debut collection of poetry is always something exciting; a chance to inhabit a new perspective, a new way of processing and experiencing the world, while getting those great literary shivers over a ...

"We are the Best Kind of Book Parents" Writer Sue Farrell Holler & Illustrator Jennifer Faria Discuss Their Creative Co-Process

Writer Sue Farrell Holler and illustrator Jennifer Faria knew they had something good going after their acclaimed picture book Raven, Rabbit, Deer, so it makes sense that they've built on their connection ...

Writing from Pictures

I use photographs as a starting point for writing. Maybe that’s because my writing is historically based. But it’s also because I am interested in starting from a real person and spinning off into ...

Writing What You Don't Know

Write what you know. It’s an adage you are always told as a beginning writer.My first book was definitely written because of what I knew. I had been teaching a studio course on the development of Western ...

"Any Good Writing Involves Risk" Stuart Ross on Writing The Reality of Grief & Loss in His Striking New Memoir

One of CanLit's longest serving, most prolific, and most beloved poets, Stuart Ross has also published award winning fiction and creative nonfiction and served as a mainstay of the small press community ...

House of Anansi Press Announces Leigh Nash as New Publisher

House of Anansi Press, one of the country's most decorated independent publishers and a major element of the Canadian literary scene both historically and currently, has announced that a new publisher ...

Book Therapy: Sunny Days Inside

 “Is it safe?” “It’s safe now but when won’t it be safe?” “It’s not actually bad here.” “It’s not bad there either.” “What about the money.” “But what about the kids? They’ll ...

"Our Stories Will Still Be There" Kathy Friedman on Processing Complex Personal & Political History in Her Debut Short Story Collection

A life drawing model, a former political prisoner, a man unpacking his father's complex legacy—the fascinating characters in Kathy Friedman's debut short fiction collection, All the Shining People ...

Rejection

No one likes rejection. I’ve been told that some people handle it better than others. It depends on your baggage.I had my first official manuscript rejection when I was nine years old. I received a ...