Riel Nason delves into her favourite works
30 January 2012Riel Nason recently contributed a short essay to the National Post's ongoing online series Old Book, New Author, where debut authors write about books that made an impact on them.
For Riel, that book was The Blue Castle, by L.M. Montgomery:
In life we can’t always make a desirable outcome for ourselves, but in The Blue Castle that was my only hope for Valancy. Lucy Maud Montgomery gave me a character to love and then gave me just the ending I wanted (with even a few sprinkles on top). That is always a writer’s choice, what to give or take away in the life of a character, and it doesn’t have to be bad or sad. There’s nothing wrong with happy.
Read the rest of Riel's essay here.
Bonobo Diaries: A Conversation With Sue Savage-Rumbaugh
26 January 2012
Deni Béchard, world traveler, award-winning author, and memoirist (Goose Lane's upcoming Cures for Hunger) is obviously a very busy man. Yet he has found the time to pen a continuing blog for Maisonneuve magazine, detailing his trips to the Congo as he undertakes research for a new book.
In today's post, Deni interviews Dr. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, the primatologist whose work on language capacity in apes, earned her a place on Time’s 2011 list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
When I spoke with Savage-Rumbaugh, I wanted to discuss how bonobos can serve as a flagship species for the rainforest, and I told her the question I most often hear—that many conservationists hear—“Why bonobos? What makes them interesting?” At first, she answered simply: “In terms of anatomy, genetics and personality, bonobos are the most humanlike of all apes.” But then, after a moment, she explained that in bonobos, “it is love and the rearing of children that holds the group together. Bonobos are the only great apes that live in large tribes in the Congo, and they most closely touch the origins of humankind… We still carry so much genetic heritage that’s in common with the bonobo that only by studying them can we have any inkling of what might actually have happened in the past.”
Read the rest of the post here, and stay tuned for further updates.
Valerie Compton talks with the Malahat Review
19 January 2012Valerie Compton (Tide Road) speaks with the Malahat Review's Tyler Laing about novellas, contests, and writing.
More Intimate than a Novel, More Satisfying than a Story
MR: Publishing “the” first novel is a huge step in a writer’s life, and from what I understand you’re now working on a second. Is it novels from here on out? Or do you plan to get back to short stories again at some point?
VC: I am working on stories at the moment. Novel Two is at a needy stage. It wants my full attention, but I can’t spare enough time from bill-paying work and other responsibilities to fully give in to it. So I’ve put it on hold for a bit. I know from past experience that this separation may improve the novel. But it feels, as you might imagine, excruciating. Thank goodness for stories.
Read the rest of the interview here.
Deni Béchard discusses his work in the Congo
14 January 2012Deni Béchard is a busy man. A near-constant world traveller, he has somehow found the time not only to pen an award-winning novel (Vandal Love), but also to craft his memoirs into the upcoming Goose Lane release Cures for Hunger.
And now, in a continuing blog for Maisonneuve magazine, Deni details his trips to the Congo as he undertakes research for a new book.
A few years ago, I decided to write a nonfiction book about environmental concerns, one that might focus concretely on what we can do to make things better. While educating myself on conservationism, I heard about several conservationists trying to protect endangered bonobos in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bonobos are fascinating creatures. They share approximately 98.6 percent of our DNA, are matriarchal, don’t go to war or commit infanticide (unlike ourselves and their cousin the chimpanzee) and even, some primatologists argue, have the capacity for language. In fact, I’ve now had the pleasure of meeting a few, and they gazed into my eyes with a look of wariness and curiosity that I’ve seen on many a first date (suggesting intelligence, to me at least). Due to the wars in the Congo, they’ve been hunted to near extinction, and even if they (alongside the chimpanzee) weren’t our closest living relative, I’d advocate for their protection.
Read the rest of his first blog post here, and check often for updates.
Fredericton warms up for Winter Tales
10 January 2012It feels as if winter has finally come to Fredericton (although a visual scan of the snowless landscape may lead you to think otherwise). In an effort to beat the cold through brain-warming discussion, Goose Lane Editions and The Fredericton Public Library are pleased to announce a three-evening January series that will appeal to all sorts of literary lovers.
Winter Tales: Writers on Writing is a series designed to allow people a glimpse into the creative process, going past the pages and into the passion and research. Over three consecutive Wednesday evenings in January, local authors will meet to discuss their personal projects, how they go about creating a book, and other themes that every writer must face when they look to publication. Covering a wide variety of genres, there is sure to be an evening’s worth of entertainment and information for everyone in the city.
The events are as follows:
Wednesday, January 11, 7 PM, Fredericton Public Library – Music and Poetry
Authors – Ian Letourneau (Terminal Moraine), Bob Mersereau (The Top 100 Canadian Singles), Sharon McCartney (For and Against)
CBC personality and music aficionado Bob Mersereau will reveal how he managed to corral the opinions of hundreds of musicians, agents, critics, and others across the country to make up his best-selling books. Poets Ian Letourneau and Sharon McCartney will discuss their personal works of poetry, delving into the poet’s process for combining fantastic imaginations with the limits of the page. The evening will be moderated by James Duplacey, author and managing editor for Goose Lane.
Wednesday, January 18, 7 PM, Fredericton Public Library – History
Authors – Jacques Poitras (Imaginary Line), Lee Windsor (Steel Cavalry)
CBC journalist and award-winning author Jacques Poitras will discuss the ins and outs of crafting a book on the Maine/N.B. that covers both present issues in New Brunswick and historical events. Lee Windsor, deputy director for the Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society, will talk about his research into World War II and the involvement of New Brunswick’s famed 8th Hussars tank division. The moderator for this event will be author and Goose Lane publicist Corey Redekop.
Wednesday, January 25, 7 PM, Fredericton Public Library – Art Books and History
Authors – Bethany Gibson & Julie Scriver (Roadsworth), Megan Woodworth (Eighteenth Century Women Writers and the Gentlemen’s Liberation Movement)
Bethany Gibson and designer Julie Scriver will discuss the ins and outs of creating works of art about works of art, or how one goes about writing and constructing an art book. Megan Woodworth, visiting scholar with the Gregg Centre, will delve into history with a look at she went about researching how writers such as Jane Austen infused their male characters with feminist themes. The evening will be moderated by Goose Lane non-fiction acquisitions editor Colleen Kitts.
All events are free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase.
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