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Thanks to Shaun Hunter for featuring a scene from my first novel Love Minus Zero in this morning’s installment of her most fascinating blog,  Writing the City. In Writing the City, Shaun explores Calgary through the eyes of writers, and over the last couple of years she’s turned up some wonderful material. I urge you to visit and have…

I am very pleased to be part of the first episode of the Reading West Podcast. Many thanks to Lisa Guenther for using my recording of my story “Vermin”, which was published in Joyland and is now part of my new short story collection which is currently seeking a publisher. Also featured is Saskatoon author Todd…

…to at least start your Christmas / Yule / Holiday shopping, right? And what better way to do it than by taking advantage of Thistledown Press’ Holiday Sale? This week they’re featuring select novels, including my latest, After You’ve Gone, at 30% off. But act now — the sale only goes through Dec. 4th, while supplies…

Canadian Authors Association is Canada’s oldest writers organization. Since 1921 they’ve been helping writers connect with other writers, hone their craft, and publish books in many genres. I joined Alberta Branch Canadian Authors in 2004, after writing book reviews for Canadian Author (formerly Canadian Author & Bookman) for six years. I’ve made some wonderful friends…

  Up next: a reading with my comrade Rea Tarvydas in the Coconut Room at Sunworks in Red Deer on October 28th. Looking forward very much to reading with Rea in Red Deer and hanging with writers and readers in Central Alberta. Many thanks to Leslie Greentree and Fran Kimmel, the masterminds behind this event. Can’t…

I am very excited and a bit stunned to say that I have been invited to host A Morning with Madeleine Thien, aWordFest event taking place at 8:30 AM, Wed. October 12 at Sidewalk Citizen, located in the Simmons Building at 618 Confluence Way SE. I’ll be talking to the Montreal author about her new…

  Beer and books. A match made in heaven? Perhaps. Come and find out at the WGA’s first Beer and Literary Pairings event Tuesday, Sept. 27th, 7:30 PM, at Shelf Life Books (1302-4 St. SW). I’ll be reading along with Dymphny Dronyk, Todd Babiak and two TBA writers (Alice Munro? Margaret Atwood?). We’ll be talking and…

“Drifters, driven in, taking the tamarack out on sleighs across the frozen Red Deer river, through frozen swamp, feet rag bound, knee deep snow, walking beside the load, fifty miles to … Source: A Passion for Narrative@

For folks unhappy about some minor changes to the wording of our national anthem, here’s some history for you. “O Canada” was composed in 1880 by Calixa Lavallee, lyrics were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. These are the original lyrics: Sous l’œil de Dieu, près du fleuve géant, Le Canadien grandit en espérant. Il est…

Just back from Toronto and the inaugural Canadian Writers’ Summit at Harbourfront Centre. Got to rec0nnect with some old friends and meet some new ones, go to some interesting sessions and keynote speeches, wine and dine and hang out in 30+ degree heat and humidity. Phew! And now I’m back and enjoying Calgary’s more moderate…