Jatra, Poush Mela, Shantiniketan, India. Dec 23 2013. This photo forms the basis of the opening scene of a short story I am currently working on. The story is also set in Shantiniketan. It is dusk. Kishmish lies on a patch of grass and stares upwards, attracted to the dragonfly whizzing around his head, […]
Coming in at 200 pages or less, these short novels are long on story. Afterall by Lee Kvern (Brindle & Glass): Follow Beth, well-meaning but ultimately misguided, through one night on the streets as she frantically searches for the boy she has lost. (129 pages) The Finest Supermarket in Kabul by Ele Pawelski (Quattro Books): […]
Ian Kamau’s talent spans across genres. He is a writer, producer, musician and visual artist, collaborating with notable figures like Shad, Dionne Brand and k-os. Simply put, for Ian Kamau creative expression isn’t a choice, it’s a part of who he is. With a distinct voice and style, this Toronto native’s work has been making […]
Books to inspire you to gather up some good times in the kitchen, with family, friends and little ones! A Taste of Haida Gwaii: Food Gathering and Feasting at the Edge of the World by Susan Musgrave (Whitecap Books): Filled with recipes, pictures and the “kind of stories that one friend would regale another with […]
Alicia Elliott (photo credit: Ayelet Tsabari) On the latest interview for #Invisibooks, we caught up with the fantastic Alicia Elliott to hear her thoughts on encouraging emerging writers, the power of seeing yourself in a story, how her new book came about, and why she’s such a wrestling fan. Tamara Jong: Hey Alicia, huge congrats […]
5 Books that Explore Identity and Intimacy These five books delve into how our identities and intimate relationships are formed and revisited, in friendships, tragedy, bereavement, and vindication. Glass Beads by Dawn Dumont (Thistledown Press): These interconnected stories feature the friendships of four First Nations people against the cultural, political, and historical backdrop of the […]
Jael Richardson (photo credit: Arden Wray) Jael chats with #Invisibooks about CanLit, why the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) feels like fun and not work, her call to writing, tips on how to be an ally and her forthcoming new book Gutter Child (woohoo!). Tamara Jong: Jael, It’s just past year three of FOLD. You […]
Road Trip! It’s summer! Grab the cooler and drop some paper towels over last season’s dried-up corn silk. Pack up the car, borrow a car, take the streetcar to the end of the line, or refashion your couch into a staycation-mobile. Whatever the vehicle, it’s time to hit the road…and read! We present “5 Books […]
I can hear the man behind the front desk turning the page of the large guest book as he taps a biro against the edge of the counter. It’s hard to sleep sitting up, especially when all I want is to curl up on a soft bed and feel safe enough to fall into a […]
You’re always on the lookout for new and eclectic voices. Short stories, poetry, nonfiction and novels: you want to know who’s new on the scene. Then you’ll want to check out these debut titles from five writers on the rise. The Boat People by Sharon Bala (McClelland & Stewart): The Boat People was inspired by […]