Alexandra Morton is a scientist, author and activist living on the coast of B.C. Not On My Watch is a disturbing look at salmon fisheries and what they do to the environment (and, by extension, it’s about just how much our governments favor dollars over…I dunno, life, I guess). Angering, but in a good way? Hope you enjoy today’s show.
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E231 with KLIPH NESTEROFF and comedian JON ROBERTS
Hey folks! Kliph Nesteroff is our guest this week. Kliph has done campus radio, worked for the CBC, been a stand-up comedian, and even published a remarkable blog about comedy history.
Kliph was born in B.C. (where I first met him) but now lives in L.A. His first book, The Comedians: Drunks, Thieves, Scoundrels and the History of American Comedy, has done exceptionally well and is a fabulous read. So is his latest, We Had A Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans and Comedy.
As a white settler, Kliph isn’t super keen on speaking for indigenous folks. In the book he handles this extremely well, but on the publicity circuit, he hasn’t always been comfortable. To that end, I’ve included a second interview with comedian Jon Roberts, who appears in the book. We talk about his career, Kliph’s book, and more. Hope you enjoy!
E230 with EDEN ROBINSON
Hey all! So many reasons to listen to today’s show! The incredible Eden Robinson is here to talk about the final book in her Tricker trilogy, Return of the Trickster. I had a lot of fun the last time we spoke, and we laughed even more this time. Tune in!
(Note: Those of you who wanted some gossip on what happened with the Trickster TV series will be disappointed. She’s said all she has to say on the topic, and I didn’t ask about it).
E229 with JENNIFER GILLIES from GRIT LIT
Hey all!
So, first off, some news about me for a change. My novel RIVER, DIVERTED has been scheduled for fall 2022 thanks to the good peoples (read: Aimee) at Palimpsest Press! Super excited and can’t wait to share more info as it comes.
Today we have our annual catch-up with Jennifer Gillies from the GritLit Readers & Writers’ Festival. We talk about this year’s fest, coming up April 15 – 18. Remember, it’s all digital this year, so if something appeals to you, you don’t have to be in the Hamilton area to get there 😀
E228 with KRISTA FOSS
So, I honestly have some information to share with y’all, but I can’t really do so quite yet. Stay tuned!
It was my great pleasure to have Krista Foss on the program this week. Krista’s a wonderful author and one of the first lovely folks I ever met on the Hamilton lit scene. Krista’s new novel Half Life is great. Hope you enjoy our conversation.
E227 with PASHA MALLA
There are so many great books by Hamiltonians this spring. It’s kind of unbelievable (or should I say, I totally believe it? I don’t know). One of my favourites is Kill the Mall by Pasha Malla. It’s a very unique, highly unusual and even more highly entertaining work. Pasha joins me today to discuss!
E226 with MARY LAWSON
A few weeks ago I got to chat with award-winning author Mary Lawson, on the phone from her home in the U.K. If you haven’t read her newest, A Town Called Solace, I highly recommend you do! Check out today’s show to learn more about her and the book. Be well, everyone 😀
E225 with AMANDA LEDUC
FIRST OF ALL: Please, if you support what I’m doing and what community radio does, consider going to cfmu.ca/fundraising and helping out!
Now: Hey folks! Today we talk with the incredible Amanda Leduc about her (also incredible) new novel The Centaur’s Wife. What we didn’t have time to talk about was the interesting information below!
I would not normally post an (edited for length) press release from a publisher, but as it’s about accessible publishing and how this book makes a difference…I think it’s worth it. Read on, and enjoy the show! (Note: it’s in future tense, but the book came out last month)
“Hamilton author Amanda Leduc’s book The Centaur’s Wife will be published in all accessible and conventional formats simultaneously, thanks to a unique partnership between the author, Penguin Random House Canada and Canada’s two accessible library services, the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS).
The Centaur’s Wife will be released by Random House Canada on February 16 in standard print and audio, but also in accessible audio, e-text and braille, and will immediately be made available to Canadians with print disabilities through both NNELS and CELA.
“This is Amanda’s second book to be published in conventional and accessible formats simultaneously and represents a significant shift towards creating an equitable reading landscape,” says Laurie Davidson, Executive Director of the Centre for Equitable Library Access. “Amanda’s energy and passion for accessibility, and the commitment of her team at Penguin Random House Canada, made this possible. We hope this collaboration might become a template for other publishers moving forward so we can increase books for those with print disabilities.”
Typically, books are published in conventional formats first and then converted to accessible formats, resulting in a delay between the publication date and the time when the estimated 1 in 10 people with print disabilities in Canada can read these books.”
E224 with BRENT VAN STAALDUINEN
Hey all! Brent’s back!
It’s only been a few months since Hamilton author Brent Van Staalduinen was on the show. His second novel in a row is already in the world. Nothing But Life is a really great YA novel that has the depth to appeal to everyone. Tune in!
Also: at his launch last week Brent asked attendees to support Kids Help Phone. If you want to help, or learn more, go here.
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E223 with KELLY S. THOMPSON
Hey everyone. I ‘ve been pretty sparse with the personal notes on this blog, haven’t I? Is it really a blog, or just a repository for links to Get Lit? (Answer: the latter, but that’s OK). I will say that I do have news of my own to announce. Vague, distant news, but news nonetheless. I am also working on a new novel…but isn’t everyone?
Today’s guest is Kelly S. Thompson. Her memoir Girls Need Not Apply is a compelling look at her years in the Canadian military. We had a great talk and I hope you enjoy both the book and the show!
Fun fact: if you’re checking it out on release day (Thursday, in this case the 25th of February) Kelly will be hosting the book launch for Hamilton’s Brent Van Staaduinen. Tonight!