If there is ever what might be called “down time” at PQL, we might have to call it August. Some well-deserved vacation had us enjoying the end of summer. But that’s not to say we’ve been slacking off!
Nothing like a bit of outdoor relaxation to cap off the summer. Not that I would spend my vacation fishing, but apparently mashing a worm on a hook and hauling slippery-wet fish into a boat are super-de-duper fun.
R. Murray Schafer gave TINARS a behind-the-scenes look at the making of My Life on Earth and Elsewhere. ForeWord Reviews loved Alec Dempster’s Loteria Jarocha, and they were also pretty stokedabout Tom Gerry’s The Emblems of James Reaney. George A. Walker and Tom Smart hit the big leagues when they netted a brief mention on Wikipedia, as did Nicole Dixon, when the Giller Prize announced its list of eligible titles … including High-Water Mark.
But now, it’s back to school season–the time of year that kids hate and parents look upon with (mostly) unrestrained glee. Notebooks and pens fill the aisles of the local stores. The smell of paper is in the air. (Mmm. Paper.) Doesn’t it just make you want to crack a few books open, even if just for the smell of it? We here at the Porcupine’s Quill have the perfect solution. With new fall titles fresh off the press, we’re here to fill your reading–and paper sniffing—needs.
Nothing like the smell of fresh paper in the morning to make you nostalgic for school years gone by. And give you a hankering for a new book or twenty.
What’s happening this month?
At PQL.
After a productive August, we here at the Quill are turning our thoughts to a busy fall. September is kicking the season off in style, with two new releases and a whole lot of events.
We’re preparing two new books for your reading pleasure—George Walker’s fantastic new wordless biography, The Life and Times of Conrad Black, and Jeffery Donaldson’s anticipated book of poetry, Slack Action. These seasoned authors won’t disappoint, so be sure to check out their latest offerings in September.
In Toronto.
PQL will be attending The Fisher Small Press Fair. It’s your last chance to check out the fantastic exhibit, A Death Greatly Exaggerated, at the Fisher. Stop by the fair and pick up some lovely books like the ones you see displayed!
When: Saturday, September 7, 2013
Where: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, 120 St. George Street, Toronto, ON
We will be launching Laurie Lewis’ memoir Love, and all that jazz in Toronto this month, at Ben McNally Books. Reading and refreshments are the order of the day.
When: September 16, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Ben McNally Books, 366 Bay St., Toronto, ON
***RSVP: pqlporcupettes@gmail.com***
George A. Walker will be showing The Image of Conrad Moffat Black, a new gallery exhibition at Open Studio. Don’t forget to stop by during Nuit Blanche!
When: Friday, September 13 – Saturday October 12, 2013
Where: Print Sales Gallery, Open Studio, 401 Richmond St. W. Suite 104, Toronto, ON
In Kingston.
Laurie Lewis will hold another launch for Love, and all that jazz in Kingston on September 8th.
When: September 8, 2013, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Marine Museum, 55 Ontario St., Kingston, ON
We have two great PQL authors appearing at the Kingston WritersFest this year. My Life on Earch and Elsewhere author R. Murray Schafer will participate in Soundscapes, an interview with Eric Friesen.
When: Friday, September 27, 2013, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Islandview Room, Holiday Inn Waterfront, 2 Princess St., Kingston, ON
Laurie Lewis will appear in What’s Bred in the Bone alongside Helen Humphreys and Iain Reid, to talk about Love, and all that jazz.
When: Saturday, September 28, 2013, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Bellevue South, Holiday Inn Waterfront, 2 Princess St., Kingston, ON
In Stratford.
Laurie Lewis will hold another celebration for Love, and all that jazz, this time in Stratford at Fanfare Books.
When: September 23, 2013, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Fanfare Books, 92 Ontario St. Stratford, ON
In Eden Mills.
Leon Rooke will be reading from his new book, The April Poems, at the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival.
When: Friday, September 13 – Sunday, September 15, 2013
Where: Chapel Street, Eden Mills, ON
In Vancouver.
JonArno Lawson will speak at a colloquium on children’s literature and the writing process at UBC in Vancouver.
When: Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: The Dodson Room (Room 302), Chapman Learning Commons, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, UBC, 1961 East Mall, Vancouver, BC
In the World.
Enjoy the phenomenon that allows you to sip copious quantities of alcohol while feeling culturally enlightened.
Raise a stein on September 21st for Oktoberfest—the world’s excuse to drink beer, east wurst and sauerkraut, and listen to oompa music.
Also, don’t miss National Punctuation Day on September 24th. Nothing like those commas and semicolons to get a girl going.
From the Intern’s Corner.
You all know that I’ve been up to my elbows in copy editing lately, but that’s not all. With spring only months away (you know, after back to school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas…), we’re prepping for an exciting new batch of titles. Stay tuned for an intriguing memoir, a bit of fiction, a new wordless novel, and some big-name poetry, including a new addition to the Essential Poets series.
Hard at work, doing what we do to put gorgeous new books in your hands three times a year.
Not that we’re forgetting about the present! We’re adding new fall events all the time, with some great stuff to look forward to in October. I’m looking at getting back in the swing of sales campaigns, with lots and lots of libraries in my sights.We’re also launching a newsletter, with the Quill’s latest news, awards, reviews and events. Sign up here for a convenient email packed with need-to-know information, all straight to your inbox.
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