Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
-
In Review: The Week of November 12th
This week we Giller-ed up with shortlist-inspired nailpolish and an essay from Giller-nominated translator Peter McCambridge, interviewed book designer Megan Fildes, got some tips on researching family war history, and much more.
-
First Fiction Friday: The Death Scene Artist
Our #fridayreads pick is debut fiction from author-editor Andrew Wilmot: The Death Scene Artist (Wolsak and Wynn) is a surrealist spectacle that takes on the obsessive nature of body dysmorphia and gender dysphoria in a wonderfully weird and compelling body horror.
-
Beautiful Books: This Keeps Happening
Invisible Publishing has a reputation for producing striking, downright-rad cover designs, and one of their latest—H.B Hogan’s This Keeps Happening—continues that trend. From a Toronto-in-the-eighties-inspired cover to one with repeat illustrations, the final version is one for the books. Today cover designer Megan Fildes (who, fun fact, designed our ALU logo!) graciously let us ask her some…
-
How should a translator translate?
I don’t read a lot of articles about translation on the internet. For my money, they too often take a dry, theoretical look at a part of my life where I rely almost entirely on gut feeling. Perhaps more importantly, I usually get the impression that such articles are sucking the life out of one…
-
Do-Lit-Yourself: Literary #notd Giller Edition, 2018
Painting our nails after the Giller shortlist has become an annual ALU tradition where we celebrate the nominees (while saving on manicures—a win win!). And this year’s list is no less polish-worthy: we’re stoked for all the nominees, but especially for indie favourite Song for the Cold of Heart. (Straws may have been drawn over who…
-
Under the Cover: Researching Family War History with Tips from Latitude 46’s Untold
Dieter Buse and Graeme Mount spent the last few years researching and writing about northeastern Ontario’s military history, bringing the stories of this region’s past to life. In their newly released Untold: Northeastern Ontario’s Military Past (Latitude 46 Publishing), they offer insight into the region’s role in the war effort, but also tips—and writing space—for readers to delve…
-
In Review: The Week of November 5th
This week we warmed up with a borscht recipe, shared photos from our trip to the world renowned Frankfurt Book Fair, chatted with authors, and so much more.
-
First Fiction Friday: All of Us in our Own Lives
Today’s debut fiction isn’t strictly a first novel for author Manjushree Thapa, but her first time as a Canadian author and her first published by a Canadian indie press. A deeply moving novel about the lives of women and girls in Nepal and the ethics of international aid, All of Us in Our Own Lives (Freehand Books) gets our…
-
Under the Cover: Conversations with my Aunt & the Making of The Innocent
Lynne Golding spent eight years chatting with her great-aunt Jessie about the real-life stories that would inspire her debut novel, The Innocent (Blue Moon Publishers), a historical fiction about the rise of Brampton, Ontario and one not-so-ordinary family’s place in the town.
-
Writer’s Block: Ian Weir
We talk with author of The Death and Life of Strother Purcell and Will Starling (Goose Lane Editions) Ian Weir about obsessive-compulsive writing tics (starring a Doctor Who mug), novels that change with time, and why he doesn’t believe in writer’s block.
-
Test Kitchen: Unbeetable Borscht
With the start of soup weather we’re bookmarking hearty, fall recipes from Jane Reid’s Freshly Picked: A Locavore’s Love Affair with BC’s Bounty (Caitlin Press), a season-by-season collection of stories, memories, and information about BC’s locally grown fruits and vegetables, along with the author’s favourite recipes. Today we’re warming up with a recipe for borscht (with potatoes!) from…
-
Field Trip: 2018 Frankfurt Book Fair
In October 2018, All Lit Up’s parent organization, the Literary Press Group (LPG)—a collective of indie publishers—attended Frankfurter Buchmesse (aka Frankfurt Book Fair) for the first time. As the largest book fair in the world, Frankfurt Book Fair attracts over 280,000 visitors each year, over 7,000 exhibitors and 10,000 journalists, and hosts 4,000 events. The fair included international…
-
In Review: The Week of October 29th
This week Sto:lo author Lee Maracle graced us with a must-read essay about the vitality of Indigenous works and recognition in Canada, scary books dominated our top 10 list, and Merriam-Webster’s Time Traveler tool made for a wordy geek-out, and more.
-
First Fiction Friday: The Shining Fragments
We love a good family saga and Robin Blackburn McBride’s debut novel The Shining Fragments (Guernica Editions) packs an emotional punch with wrought family dynamics, obsessive love, immigrant experience, and the fractured nature of memory.
-
Writer’s Block: Bill Stenson
We sit down with poet Bill Stenson of Ordinary Strangers (Mother Tongue Publishing) about “eating with relish,” writing rituals, and why he doesn’t believe in writer’s block. Author photo by John Hemmings.
Got any book recommendations?