Skip links

www.jamietennant.ca

Writer | Journalist

Main navigation

Aleksandar Hemon

E194 – Brent van Staalduinen + others (readings)

by Leave a Comment

Hey folks! Okay so here’s the thing: I’ve done 193 shows without missing a week. I’m proud of that (hey, I need something) but this summer has been difficult due to, well, 2020. So when I was not able to get an interview in time for this week’s show – despite having 3 or 4 books read in advance – I decided to fashion something different to fill the space.

Today’s show features a long reading from Brent van Staalduinen. He reads from his novel Saints, Unexpected, captured at a LitLive event in 2016. His next, Boy, comes out in a couple months so stay tuned for info!

Also on the show, previously aired readings from other good folks – David Baillie, Aleksandar Hemon and Chris Bailey. Also, sorry it’s all boys. Next time I’ll balance it out đŸ˜€

Enjoy!

E137 with ALEKSANDAR HEMON

by Leave a Comment

Aleksandar Hemon with his parents, Hamilton Public Library

Hey folks!

A few weeks ago I got to host a live event with Aleksandar Hemon. His newest book is actually two – My Parents, a memoir about his parents journey from Bosnia to Canada, and This Does Not Belong To You, a collection of memories from his childhood. They’re packaged together in a dos-a-dos binding, so the layout is as uncommon as the quality of the work. I didn’t know Hemon’s writing until I read this, and now I want to go pick up all his books. He is incredible. Our event was at the Hamilton Public Library in Hamilton, ON – where I live and so do Aleksandar’s parents, ever since they fled Bosnia during the war. The event was filled with friends and family, and I managed to ask some not-entirely-dumb questions, so it was a great night all around.

This recording isn’t the greatest quality, but it isn’t the worst either. Please forgive the background hiss – and the random clapping of the audience in the next room. Extra thanks to the always fantastic Jaime Krakowski from Epic Books, Rita Bozz from the HPL and Nicole Winstanley from Penguin Random House.

Jamie

 

E133 with SOUVANKHAM THAMMAVONGSA and KAIE KELLOUGH

by Leave a Comment

Hey all!

Some personal updates you didn’t ask for, to kick off this week’s post.

First, had a fantastic event with Aleksandar Hemon last night here in Hamilton. Any gig where a/ my voice doesn’t give out b/ I get paid c/ I get to talk to an amazing author d/ I get to see friends e/ I get a tote gift bag and f/ the publisher of Penguin Canada gives me her personal copy of the author’s book…well…that’s a good gig.

Second, re: the voice comment, I apologize if I sound strained on any upcoming programs. Eight months, several doctors, a speech therapist and several scopes later, and no one is any wiser as to why my larynx gives out so easily. Hopefully I fake it well enough. I am headed to two separate voice clinics this summer…someone will surely know what’s what.

Third, I am excited to say that my new novel (with the tentative and probably brief working title of A Matter of Water) is finally close to what I’ll call “a first complete draft.” Parts of this have been rewritten and edited a half-dozen times, and they shine; parts are just freshly written, rough and fairly terrible. However, within the week I will have a MS that actually tells the entire story tip to tail. So. That’s exciting.

Finally, the show! The last (for now) of the run of poetry I read back in the spring. We talk to Souvankham Thammavongsa about her recent collection Cluster, and to Kaie Kellough about his own collection, Magnetic Equator. Both wonderful works. I’ll stop here and let you listen. Enjoy!