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Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
“I always write until I know the character very well”: An Interview with Matthew Fox
In our interview with Matthew Fox, the author discusses his forthcoming collection of linked stories, This Is It (Great Plains Press) a sweeping yet intimate family epic intertwined with a love story. The book’s main character, Gio, abandons his ailing boyfriend only to find himself in New York City during 9/11. We chat with Matthew…
Homegrown 2.0: Even More Locally Produced Reads (October 3)
It’s October 3rd, and with it, a new crop of Homegrown picks! These featured authors hail from Richmond, BC, Guelph, ON, Montreal, QC, and more. Read on to find out more about their books and what they love about their hometowns.
Two Poems: Island
Expanding on the issues of identity and history that he introduced in his award-winning debut collection Crow Gulch, Douglas Walbourne-Gough’s Island (Goose Lane Editions) wades through the mistrust that continues to linger in many Mi’kmaq communities, and the fractured identities that Indigenous peoples can have as a result of colonial policies. Read the poems “relative…
Writer’s Block: Stephanie Cesca
Author Stephanie Cesca whose debut novel Dotted Lines is out now from Guernica Editions, talks to us about the inspiring hand of nature (and music), her writing group, and how she balances creative life with a full-time job and a family (colour us impressed!).
Five New & Noteworthy Books in Translation
The upcoming International Translation Day (Sept 30) got us thinking about the talented literary translators on the scene. As a way to shine a light on the important and challenging task of translating a work into English, we rounded up five recently released and forthcoming translated books on our radar.
Homegrown 2.0: Even More Locally Produced Reads (September 26)
The Homegrown series is back with an all-new batch of fall releases from your favourite independent Canadian literary presses. This week’s Homegrown takes us to Montreal, London, Calgary, and Meota in Saskatchewan, revealing the writerly talent across Canada. Read on to find out what today’s authors love about their hometowns and peek their new books!
Excerpted: The Elevator
Priya Ramsingh’s The Elevator (Palimpsest Press) is a fresh, propulsive novel centred around Aria and Rob, two people from different backgrounds who find each other despite everything. A poignant portrayal of modern dating, the characters navigate trauma, familial relationships, and and all the things that make us stumble in love. Get a sneak peek from…
Writer’s Block: Suzy Krause
While the main characters in her new novel I Think We’ve Been Here Before (Radiant Press) grapple with the more-than-likely end of the world, Suzy Krause chats with us about creativity, using the self as inspiration, and the necessity of coffee.
Beautiful Books: Juiceboxers
When Benjamin Hertwig shared his ideas for the cover of Juiceboxers (Freehand Books)—his debut novel about four young soldiers serving in Afghanistan—he provided book designer Natalie Olsen with visual inspiration, from modernist and art deco influences to the stark landscapes of Afghanistan and Edmonton. With clear and evocative visual references, Natalie designed a striking cover…
Excerpted: The Donoghue Girl
On the eve of WWII, Lizzie Donoghue seeks to escape the confines of her small mining town of Creighton, Ontario, and the expectations of her Irish-Canadian family. Will the newly-arrived Michael Power be her ticket out? Read the first few pages of Kim Fahner’s novel The Donoghue Girl (Latitude 46 Publishing), detailing Lizzie’s first meeting…
Homegrown 2.0: Even More Locally Produced Reads (September 19)
We loved visiting authors in their hometowns so much last year, we’re doing it all over again! The Homegrown series is back with an all-new batch of fall releases from your favourite independent Canadian literary presses. Read on to meet the authors and the cities and towns they hail from.
Writing for My Life: An essay by Danial Neil
Danial Neil always knew he wanted to be a writer. But after a seemingly mild case of COVID-19, writing – and many other elements of his day-to-day life – became difficult. In this essay, Danial shares his struggles since receiving his Long COVID diagnosis, and why the urge to write still wins over it all.
Writer’s Block with Jacob Wren
Jacob Wren’s fothcoming novel Dry Your Tears to Perfect Your Aim (Book*hug Press) blends real-world politics with inventive storytelling in an anti-war narrative that critiques complicity in violent global systems while also highlighting the hope that propels resistance. Today, Jacob shares one of the most eloquent answers we’ve heard to why he writes and tells…
All Lit Up Turns 10!
All Lit Up is ten! In internet years, we’re basically 100. For our first double-digit year, we look back on some memorable All Lit Up moments over the past decade. And, as a thank-you to all our readers, we’re taking 10% off books all weekend long with promo code alu10. Read on for ten highlights…
Excerpted: Chandelier by David O’Meara
In his propulsive debut novel Chandelier (Nightwood Editions), award-winning poet David O’Meara gives us a three-part portrait of the dysfunctions of one modern family as they navigate profound loss. In this excerpt, we find one of the main characters, Hugo Walser, waiting to board a flight when he receives a mysterious phone call.
Got any book recommendations?