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October 31, 2017
The Writer in the World: Coda
When I became that book all those years ago, the effects of art in my life were not definable. I only knew that I enjoyed storytelling and later I would appreciate that my relationship to story has everything ...
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August 31, 2018
On the future of Canlit
You guys, this is my last Open Book column.I have been writing this column for a year now and I’ll admit I didn’t know what I was going to write about when Holly Kent and Kevin Hardcastle asked me ...
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March 26, 2019
CBC Canada Reads 2019: Diverging Votes at the Halfway Mark
Today was Day Two (of four) at CBC Canada Reads and the debates were intense but marked by a generosity amongst the panelists towards each other's chosen books.Joe Zee was the competition's first free ...
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March 12, 2020
On Family Secrets
Why does my writing tend to focus on family secrets? In particular, on children trying to unearth secrets tied to their parents’ pasts? I’m often asked these questions during interviews. The first ...
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March 23, 2020
On Road Maps
Before beginning a project, is it worthwhile to do a detailed outline? Or is it preferable just to dive in? I’ve tried both approaches. In writing my first novel, After the Bloom, I outlined extensively. ...
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February 24, 2017
On Racism 1 of 3
This three part piece is my final for the month. I hope that I've generated debate and sparked conversation. Thank you and take care.On RacismI live in a country that not long before my birth, had an ...
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December 24, 2016
17 for 2017: Sarah Joynt recommends The Hour of the Star
10. The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector recommended by Sarah JoyntThroughout my tenure as the December Writer-In-Residence, I will be assembling a list of 17 must-read-books for 2017. To accomplish ...
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February 06, 2014
Profile: Oni the Haitian Sensatian
With questions about the current place of the African-Canadian/Black writer, I reached out to a number of poets in the community for their expertise. The first -- Oni the Haitian Sensation.Oni the Haitian ...
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October 21, 2015
Festival like a Pro at Toronto’s Great Big Literary Party
It’s October, the month when pumpkin fills our bellies, ghouls parade our streets and writers from around the globe flock like moths to the literary-festival flame. In Toronto (and many Ontario locations ...
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March 02, 2017
Open History - Living Up To A Legend: My Adventures with Billy Bishop’s Ghost
Our Open History series continues with Living Up To A Legend: My Adventures with Billy Bishop’s Ghost by Diana Bishop, published by Dundurn.Read on after the following description for a Q & A ...