Fiction as a Form of Knowledge

article posted 7 days ago

Here’s a study arguing for the value of fiction as a way of knowing and understanding development(s) in the world.

What is it about these kinds of things that always make me say “duh” and “what?” at the same time? On one hand it seems self-evident as a claim, and on the other… well, the fetishization of instrumentality is sort of simultaneously riddled with subtle problems. (If one wants to nitpick…)

Still, these days it is nice to see fiction being taken seriously at all.

Midnight's Children Headed for the Multiplex

article posted 9 days ago

Rushdie’s long, complex and utterly gorgeous novel Midnight’s Children is finally going to be adapted for the screen…. and it looks like the author himself is going to be involved.

I suppose that might mitigate some of the risk… but I’m still nervous.

Oxford lets us know about annoying figures of speech...

article posted 11 days ago

So, it looks like some serious (tempted to use the dreaded scare quotes for that one) work was done and researchers have come up with a list of the most annoying words and phrases floating around the language.

Enjoy.

Reading at The Yellow Door

article posted 12 days ago

I’m giving a reading at The Yellow Door on November 13 with a whole bunch of terrific writers. If you’re free it would be great to see you there!

Here’s the info:

Thursday, November 13, 2008
3625 Aylmer (between Pine & Prince Arthur)
$5.00 at the door

Doors open 7:00 Readings start at 7:30

Madder Love Review

article posted 18 days ago

Here’s a nice review of Madder Love.
It’s great to see them starting to come in.

Straining at the Limits of Critical Credibility

article posted 21 days ago

Well… I’ll be honest and admit that I haven’t read the book, but the review certainly raised my eyebrow. The imagination is essentially “entrepreneurial” and hence capitalist… American foreign policy has raised moral standards…what the f#*k.
Aside from the irresponsible generalizations (who can claim anything is “essentially” anything these days), what is up with the utter lack of critical distance? Now I find myself feeling like I have to read it.

I’m at Word on the Street

article posted 68 days ago

I’m booked to take part in the upcoming Word On the Street on September 28th. I’m on at 2:00 PM and the event takes place in Queen’s Park. So if you’re in Toronto that Sunday, come on by to say “Hello.” Hope to see you there!

Literary Feud Roundup

article posted 69 days ago

The kerfuffle around the new Penguin Book of Canadian Short Stories gets a good overview in this Maclean’s article. It’s kind of nice to see a little passion in the usually staid literary world. Enjoy.

Upcoming Anthology Publications

article posted 94 days ago

Two anthologies from Lethe Press in New Jersey will feature stories from At the Bottom of the Sky by yours truly – Wilde Stories and Best Gay Stories 2008. Check them out because my work is in some very fine company.

I’ve also got a short piece on my first encounter with Claude Cahun forthcoming in the U of Wisconsin Press’ anthology, Diva Complex, which is scheduled for 2009, so more on that as the date draws nearer.

Toronto Appearance Coming Up

article posted 108 days ago

I’ll be in Toronto for the Writing Outside the Margins fest on August 24th. The event takes place on Church Street in the Village and the lineup includes a whole whack of extremely cool writers.

Last year they packed in thousands of visitors. So cross you fingers for some decent weather and check it out!