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Twenty of Canada’s most influential historical figures, 18 of Canada’s most brilliant contemporary writers. Penguin Canada’s Extraordinary Canadians series concludes with three brilliant additions: Giller Prize winner Vincent Lam on Tommy Douglas, Charles Taylor Prize winner Charles Foran on Maurice Richard, and La Presse chief editorial writer André Pratte on Wilfrid Laurier.

Colin Brush vs. David Griffin Brown

In was Martin Heidegger who said “In the time of the world’s night, the poet utters the holy.” Indeed. But, who are those writers we tend to gravitate toward? Who embodies “greatness?”
Dean Rader/SF Gate

Random House’s booklounge.ca is in the middle of its 25 days of Xmas Giveaways. Check the body of this post to see what lucky readers have already won then enter for today’s draw.

Today (Dec 6) Dexter Fan Pack: Signed Book + Apron and more.

Remember the 48Hr Magazine challenge a little while ago? The theme was “Hustle” and after it was revealed we all had one day to send in our submissions, they had one day to produce the magazine. Well the folks at Longshot are at it again… and the theme will be revealed today at noon Pacific time (I’ll let you do the math). More details, plus a reminder of issue zero, are available within.

Reminding you all that the deadliest fiction contest on the planet is coming back bigger and better than ever! While the deadline is not until December 31, 2010, there’s no reason you can start training now! Not For The Faint or Meek, this annual contest attracts over 40,000 online visitors during the 7-week competition, which sees the most brutal display of literary criticism the internet can handle live and raw.

Years ago, at another publication, I held a contest among our readers to identify the most boring headline published in a newspaper. There were many excellent submissions, but none beat the headline that had inspired the contest. It was over a New York Times column by Flora Lewis—the Tom Friedman of her day—and it was three simple words: “Worthwhile Canadian Initiative.” To this day, I think, it has not been topped.
Michael Kinsley/The Atlantic Wire

The Malahat Review, Canada’s premier literary magazine, invites entries from Canadian, American, and overseas authors for its Creative Non-Fiction Prize. One award of $1,000 CAD is given. The deadline for the 2010 Creative Non-Fiction Prize is August 1, 2010 (postmark date)

Seattle writer takes Bulwer-Lytton prize for sentence that compares rodent’s drinking habits to a romantic kiss
Associated Press