We Should Know Each Other

I'm reading at the We Should Know Each Other event on Saturday, Sept. 29th. Here's the description:


Pages is presenting Calgary writers you should know. Poetess goddess Jen Kunlire, followed by the Alexandra Writers Centre's writer-in-residence, Lori Hahnel; the Calgary Distinguished Writers Program writer-in-residence, Deborah Willis; and local visionary, and newly Green Party candidate for Calgary Centre, Chris Turner. We start at 7:30 pm in room 206.



That's at King Edward School, at 1720 30 Ave SW. We Should Know Each Other is a day long event featuring all kinds of people active in the community, from artists to historians. Should be very interesting.

Writing in the Works Fall 2012

The Writing in the Works committee has decided this year to add a fall reading to our roster to provide more reading opportunities for local writers. To wit:

Writing in the Works Fall 2012

November 1, 2012, 7 PM

Owl’s Nest Books, Brittania Shopping Centre, 815A – 49 Ave. SW, Calgary

Since 2008, Calgary’s Writing in the Works reading series has been celebrating the
writing process and showcasing works in progress by local writers, presenting readings from books in progress, books coming out soon, and books on the prowl for publishers. This season’s readers are Dwayne Clayden, Allan Gallant, Shaun Hunter, Sarah Johnson and Elaine Morin, emceed by Lori Hahnel. Join us for an evening of readings and refreshments.

Brennan launch; Lewis launch; Perfect Youth

If it's September, it must be time for Brian Brennan to have another launch, right? Right, indeed, and that's just what he'll be doing this Saturday at 2 PM at Memorial Park Library, this time in celebration of the beginning of his tenure as CPL's 2012 writer-in-residence. CPL runs an excellent writer-in-residence program in the fall; you can take advantage of free writing programs led by Brian and submit work to him for a consultation -- and it's all free. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Next weekend is the launch of my friend and colleague Naomi K. Lewis's new book of short fiction entitled I Know Who You Remind Me Of. That starts up at 2 PM, Saturday, Sept. 15 at Shelf Life Books, 1302 - 4 St. SW. All the best with your new book, Naomi!

Sam Sutherland's new book on Canada's old school punk scene, Perfect Youth: The Birth of Canadian Punk, will be released by ECW Press on October 1. Yay! Looking forward to seeing what exactly it was I said to Sam way back when he interviewed me. It looks to be an excellent book.

And Tuesday, it's back to work for me. Sign up for a creative writing class at MRU -- we have a lot of fun!

Prairie Journal

Very pleased to get an acceptance today from The Prairie Journal of Canadian Literature. My story, "Good Friday, at the Westward" will be appearing in The Prairie Journal's Alberta Muses issue, which I believe is out in September. Yay! They published a story of mine several years ago and it's great to be back on their pages.

Summer is coming to a close. I've been working on more stories, noodling around with a vague idea for a new novel, and getting ready for my creative writing classes at Mount Royal University. And then this year we're going to do two sessions of Writing in the Works -- one on Nov. 1 and one in the spring. Looking forward to a busy fall.

"Jam"; Noir; Bowser

My poem "Jam" is set to appear in the August edition of the online journal, The Legendary. Cool! I'll post a link to it when it's up.

Last week's Stampede Noir reading was a super time (as well as being the one and only Stampede-related event that I attended). Excellent readings by Beth Everest, Sarah Johnson, Micheline Maylor, Natalie Meisner and Rea Taryvdas. Looking forward to a launch when the book gets a publisher.

Working on a new story right now and hope to get a reasonable first draft done by the end of this week, because it's time for us to head to Bowser. Looking forward to the ocean. And I guess that means I'd better get to work...

Stampede Noir

Next Wednesday at 7 PM Owl's Nest Books is hosting readings from Stampede Noir. Here's the description:

It’s Calgary’s famous party, and it’s definitely the biggest, the wildest. But what about the underbelly?

Beth Everest, Sarah Johnson, Micheline Maylor, Natalie Meisner, and Rea Tarvydas share their noir stylings from this as yet unpublished anthology.

Beer and snacks provided.


Sounds like fun, eh? I will be there enjoying. Owl's Nest is at 815A 49th Ave. SW in the Brittania Shopping Plaza. Should be an excellent evening.

"Blood Eagle"; Bloody freezing

My poem "Blood Eagle" appears on page 176 of the Winter / Summer 2012 issue of Poetry Quarterly Magazine. Click on the "Expand" button and navigate to 176 at the bottom. Thanks to the editors at PQ!

So here we are at the end of June, the the big 11 degrees and pouring. Though I understand some of this country is still experiencing a heat wave. They say we're warming up starting tomorrow. I hope so.