branta

So let’s be clear: the primary motivation for this self exposé is neither ego nor the desire for absolution for some wrongdoing about to be discovered.  I have not sinned against y’all.  Purely and simply I don’t have a Feature Post to go to right now. Since early May is a transitional time for many lit types, what with finishing school terms or the commitments that go along with new books, spring deadlines and the like, tossing together something for Branta is no one’s top priority.  Except for mine, of course.  Although that’s not entirely true for reasons to be revealed.  You’ll note that most Branta contributors’ author signature (the bio at the bottom of the page) is a laundry list of current projects and publications while mine just reads “Eric Hill is the editor of Branta.”

So who is Eric Hill? How did he get to be the editor of Branta? I’m glad you asked.  You did, right? The complex process is rooted in activities both curricular and extra that began while pursuing an MA in Creative Writing at UNB.

Broad Strokes Part I:

Was writing (bad) poetry, submitting (bad) poetry, getting (bad) poetry published and winning (bad) poetry competitions.  Wanted to write better poetry.  Started English MA at UNB where Don McKay was head of creative writing.  Timing=good.  Rather than do the Teaching Assistant thing instead interned at Goose Lane Editions where there was (a little) manuscript vetting and (a lot of) book packing that needed doing.  Became a poetry editor at The Fiddlehead with Robert Hawkes and Robert Gibbs along with the aforementioned Don McKay.  Helped start a new lit journal called Qwerty with $300 from the English Dept. (via Don McKay) a borrowed 13″ colour Mac Classic and an office which was really a closed carrel in the Harriet Irving Library.  Wrote a manuscript called Skeleton and finished degree.  Don McKay leaves UNB and, of course, The Fiddlehead.  Neither of the Bobs want to take over the head chair so for a brief period I find myself Poetry Editor at The Fiddlehead, Managing Editor for Qwerty and writer of (better) poetry, still submitting, publishing in (better) journals and winning (better) poetry competitions.

Broad Strokes Part II:

As outlined in this previous Branta article my poetry trajectory took a downward slope at the end of the century.  Was managing Backstreet Records during the above period and music, already a lifelong love, overtook the creative side of my time as well.  Started writing for Exclaim! about ten years ago.  Developed an interested in experimental music and sound art.  Helped start a group with anywhere from 9-13 members called Furnace Hour that performed original music for a few years.  Worked on a performance piece called Faultlines that spawned several performances, installations and a short manuscript.  (Re)joined CHSR to do a weekly show called, first Y2K-Mart, then perMUTATIONS.  Started a second job as a lab assistant for the then-named ITS department in the evenings.  Started blogging.  Left CHSR and moved the radio show online, renaming it and hosting it on a blog called Surgery.

Broad Strokes Part III:

Approached by Goose Lane to edit a blog for them that was part lit journal, part news site, part promotion for the press’ authors and books, and part exploration of how new and social media fits within the framework of writing.  That last part is obviously a work in progress.

Meanwhile:

Still managing Backstreet Records which is enjoying an upswing owing in part to a rediscovery of the vinyl format by both new and longtime collectors.

Still producing Surgery Radio, now at a new site.  As a sideline I’ve been curating a Surgery Series that brings together music, film and performance and is hosted primarily by Gallery Connexion in Fredericton.  May’s upcoming shows are Motion Ensemble and Pierre Bastien.

Still writing for Exclaim! Nearly always catching up on reviews.

Also approached to write for Mutek Mag, an online publication connected to the Mutek Festival in Montreal. First piece is a profile of Tim Hecker.

Working on a spec screenplay, details TBA.

Working on short stories (very intermittently).

Writing for my own blog.

Working on a series of pieces for Branta concerning the lighter side of Alzheimer’s.  We’ll see.

Working on going outside from time to time.