When I came across, “Why I Only Read Books by Women in 2013,” by Lilit Marcus, I wished that I’d thought of it. The meme of listing ten books that made the most impact on us had just gone viral on Facebook and I was saddened by the number of lists dominated by white, male writers. When I wrote my own list on FB, I listed only books by women. Not because I wasn’t influenced by male writers. I was. Hugely. Chekov, and Garcia and Nabokov all blew my mind when I was growing up. But because everyone already listed…
A Holiday Story in Stylist Magazine
Stylist Magazine, based in the UK, asked me to write them a Christmas story. I had four days, and I was flying across the world on the day it was due. But of course I said yes. Because apparently I work well under pressure, and because it seemed like an opportunity not to be missed. I’m in great company, too. Authors Fay Weldon, Naomi Wood, Kate Griffin, Chibundu Onuzo and Jenny Colgan all contributed a story. And Stylist has a good track record with publishing short fiction: for their summer issue they had exclusive short stories by (wait for it)…
A Month in Photos (Yes, I’m a Bad Blogger)
I’ve been waiting for the right time to write in great length about my amazing trip to Vancouver, describe my time at The Vancouver Writers’ Fest, which was as unforgettable and dreamy as I had hoped. I wanted to write about the panels and how well they went, the parties and late nights at the hospitality suite with my new talented friends (Saleema Nawaz, Theodora Armstrong, Angie Abdou, Shaena Lambert) and my dear old friends (Nancy Jo Cullen, Naz Hozar), the inspiring events that made me want to go home and write, write, write, how Thomson Highway renamed my book…
Humber College Book Club
On Wednesday, after my reading at the Toronto Public Library’s Author series, The Eh List, two different audience members told me that The Best Place on Earth had been their book club pick. “You should have invited me,” I told one and she seemed surprised. “You would have come?” “Of course!” I said. There’s nothing more exciting for a writer than to have a conversation about their work with intelligent readers. I also found a mention of a book club in Winnipeg that read The Best Place on Earth over the summer (I am trying to manifest a trip to Winnipeg for a reading…
Cover Girl! (Sort Of)
The Jewish Independent interviewed me for their cover story! Their questions were insightful and interesting and I enjoyed answering them. The online version is posted here. ************ I’m back in Ontario (more about my amazing time in Vancouver soon!) and thrilled to be taking part at the Wild Writers Festival in Waterloo this coming weekend. I’ll be doing two panels on Saturday, November 9. How Geography Defines the Writer, at 11:10 with Tamas Dobozy, Christine Pountney, and Donna Morrissey, and Writers at Risk, at 3:10 with Oakland Ross and Karen Connelly.
Wordless Wednesday
A Weekend in Victoria
Ahhhh, Victoria. I adore this city. Probably because it is Sean’s hometown, where he was born and raised, and where his family still lives. And the mild weather and natural beauty sure don’t hurt. After a decade of regular visits, I now have my own history in the city, so when we drive its streets I spot my own landmarks and memories, see old versions of myself everywhere. For example, the first time Sean took me to meet his family for Christmas, he and I had lunch at Café Mexico downtown. I remember I still used a non-digital SLR and…
My West Coast Mini Book Tour
I’m thrilled to be heading to Vancouver and Victoria for a mini-book tour in a few days. Vancouver is one of my homes (I’ve written about it here). I lived there for eleven years and I still miss it. When I got my book deal I promised my friends in the city that I’d fly there to launch my book after I do my Toronto Launch. But then I ended up having a baby instead. The Best Place on Earth is now six months old, a little old for a launch, but I still wanted to celebrate it with my…
Wordless Wednesday
On Meeting Jhumpa Lahiri
I went to see Jhumpa Lahiri on Sunday at a free event put up by The Toronto Library. I’ve been a Lahiri fan since I read her first book, The Interpreter of Maladies. It was one of the first books I read in English. I bought it years ago at the Chapters on Robson in Vancouver, and I loved it. I remember thinking that maybe one day I’ll get back to writing short fiction. That maybe one day I’ll publish a book. I don’t know if it had even occurred to me to write in English at that point. It’s…