Guernica Editions

Michael Mirolla cuts into his 16-hour writing work day to reflect on the holiday season from the Historic Joy Kogawa House. On top of finishing his latest manuscript, he helps us all navigate those complicated yuletide thoughts. We all hope Michael gets his bottle of Lagavulin!

https://www.kogawahouse.com/wp/blog/2019/12/18/of-atheists-and-interruptions-random-yuletide-thoughts/

"Elana Wolff, my editor at Guernica, taught me the potency of a single word within a poem." -Margo LaPierre "Margo LaPierre (www.margolapierreeditor.com) is a queer, neurodivergent Canadian poet and fiction editor. Her debut collection of poetry, 'Washing Off the Raccoon Eyes', was published by Guernica Editions in 2017." Read more about Margo's inspiring work in an interview with Train: A Poetry Journal.

http://trainpoetryjournal.blogspot.com/2019/12/an-interview-with-margo-lapierre.html

Charlotte--a gifted but broken jazz singer--has found security and support under the roof of an overbearing French patroness of the arts, only to become trapped by her own dependence. There are no bars on the windows and no locks on the doors, but Charlotte is very much a prisoner in an opulent but unsympathetic world in which her self-worth is contingent on her voice. When the irresponsible and headstrong Theo re-enters her life after thirteen years, she is compelled, finally, to choose between complacency and autonomy.

https://issuu.com/bcbookworld/docs/bookworld_winter_regular_softproof

Reviewer's Bookwatch: December 2019 James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review 278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575 http://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/dec_19.htm#alexphuong Alex Phuong's Bookshelf Quill of the Dove Ian Thomas Shaw https://www.ianthomasshaw.com MiroLand 9781771833783, $24.95, Paperback, 304 pages After the publication of his first novel, entitled, Soldier, Lily, Peace and Pearls, Ian Thomas Shaw delves deep into the nature of war with a second novel that is as literary as it is political. Set in both 2007 and during the Lebanese Civil War, the main protagonist is Marc Taragon, a French journalist yearning to inform his readers about the warfare within that region. Because of his passion for writing and for current events, he agrees to have an interview with a young Canadian journalist named Marie Boivin. However, Taragon does not initially know that Marie really wants to learn about the secrets within her own childhood. Shaw writes with dexterity and skill to create a compelling historical fiction drama set against the backdrop of war. This brilliant novel delves deep into the theme of illusion versus reality while also suggesting that reading printed text could bring about a sense of "virtual reality." The phrase itself might be more associated with computers, but reality could be virtual based on sensory and perception through the sense of sight. Particularly, Taragon is at the height of his career, but is unaware of how Marie wishes to learn more about herself. Marie Boivin even arranges for the interview simply because she lacks knowledge about her past. Therefore, one of the keys to dealing with reality is to accept facts of life even though there is a finite amount of knowledge that people in the real world could acquire with only their five senses. Reality itself is oftentimes very subjective as well, which is why secrets and lies are universal aspects of life itself. Not only are the characters well-developed, but the title of this novel is very symbolic. The quill, by definition, is a feather from a bird used to write with (made famous by the renowned British novelist Jane Austen). The dove has been widely recognized as a bird that represents peace. Therefore, the title of this novel suggests that peace could exist if people had the willingness to express themselves through writing in order to gain mutual understanding. Warfare itself can be very chaotic, and the title suggests that writing about war (particularly through journalism) can abolish warfare, and bring about peace (just like a beautifully white dove). This might have been Ian Thomas Shaw's second novel, but he has already established himself as one of the greatest writers in contemporary fiction. The studio called Original Pictures might adapt Quill of the Dove into a limited TV series. The novel itself features a fantastic duo between Marc Taragon and Marie Boivin as they both seek to uncover the truths of the war, Marie's childhood, and most importantly, who they are as people. Reality might not always be real, but such a paradox is actually universal fact given the subjective nature of reality itself. Virtual reality might not be what it seems visually, but it is clear that Quill of the Dove will hopefully inspire peace, love and tranquility for those willing to read this novel with their own eyes. Alex Andy Phuong Reviewer

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/dec_19.htm#alexphuong

The Dead Poets Society Night is celebrating its 17th year. Features read from the work of a dead poet. There are three sets of four readers each. These are short readings. There is no open stage. The Art Bar Poetry Series and the Rowers Reading Series are co-sponsoring the event. Tuesday, December 17, 2019. The Supermarket: 268 August Avenue The Supermarket opens at 5 pm for dinner. Doors open for the event at 6:30 pm. The event starts runs roughly 7 pm - 10 pm. There is a $5 cover. Due to funding cuts, this is a fundraiser, to try to help the Art Bar and Rowers bridge the gap in their funding. There will be no payment to the organizer/host, and no payment to the readers for reading or travel, and everyone attending (including features/host) are asked to put in the $5 cover. We will also be asking for additional voluntary contributions, from the audience. The more money collected the more that the Art Bar and Rowers will be able to make ends meet, and continue to pay their features. Live Readers reading: Kent Bowman; David Chilton; Brenda Clews; Simon Constam; Suparna Ghosh; Troy Harkin; Beatriz Hausner; Bruce Meyer; and, Mary Rykov. Dead Poets being covered: Milton Acorn; Leonard Cohen; Gerard Manley Hopkins; Thomas James; W. S. Merwin; Mary Oliver; Pedro Pietri; Ted Plantos; Al Purdy; Raymond Souster; Rabindranath Tagore; and, Ludwig Zeller.

https://www.facebook.com/events/541235406676692/

The newly created Nelson Ball Prize is an annual award honouring the legacy of Canadian poet, publisher, and bookseller Nelson Ball (1942-2019). The Prize runs in three-year cycles. In years one and two, it is awarded for a published work (any size)—by a Canadian poet and published by a Canadian publisher in the previous two calendar years—that features “poetry of observation,” as chosen by two volunteer judges. In year three, the Prize recognizes a Canadian who has made a significant, under-the-mainstream-radar contribution to Canadian literature, as selected by two volunteer judges. The inaugural Prize, $1,000 and a certificate, will be awarded in 2020 to the Canadian author of a publication issued in 2018 or 2019.

http://www.griffinpoetryprize.com/event/the-nelson-ball-prize-submission-deadline/