Today is International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to commemorating the achievements of women worldwide, raising awareness about gender bias, and promoting gender equality. As part of our celebration here at PQL, we would like to take a few moments to shine the spotlight on some of our fabulous female authors and remind you of their powerful, intelligent and evocative works.

Non-fiction readers might like to delve into our most recently published title, Susan Glickman’s Artful Flight, a collection of intelligent essays on poetry and other artistic forms that seeks to educate rather than excoriate, and to find the joy in art and creative work. Memoir lovers will enjoy P.K. Page’s Mexican Journal, an honest and at times raw look inside the mind of a woman struggling to reconcile her identity as wife of a diplomat, tourist, silenced poet, visual artist and religious novice. Another great memoir for International Women’s Day is Laurie Lewis’s Little Comrades, which outlines the author’s experience growing up in two countries in a bewildering time of transition and new freedom for women.

Poetry fans, we haven’t forgotten you! P. C. Vandall’s The Blue Moth of Morning is a witty collection of contemporary poetry that recognizes the tumultuous feelings women often hide by acknowledging, embracing and subverting clichés of female relationships, emotions and bodies. Lori Cayer’s Mrs Romanov delves into the imagined private life of Alexandra Feodorovna, the last tsarina of Imperial Russia, from her early life to her imprisonment and death during the Russian Revolution. For followers of our Essential Poets series, The Essential Elizabeth Brewster, selected by Ingrid Ruthig, explores Brewster’s poetry of identity and selfhood and voices historically silenced female perspectives

If you’re a novel buff, you might enjoy Marika Deliyannides’s Bitter Lake, in which a spiralling woman in her thirties must find the strength to face the consequences of a tragically bad decision she made as a teen. If coming-of-age tales are your jam, try Sheree-Lee Olson’s Sailor Girl, in which a rebellious photography student finds a deep connection with the unruly young men and tough-minded women of the Great Lakes during the summer of 1981. (Note: This title is currently available in digital format only.) Fans of more experimental fare might enjoy Charlene Elsby’s Affect, which follows a hyper-rational philosophy grad student who grapples with ideas of love, death and identity throughout a surreal story in which corpses seem to appear with disturbing frequency.

Short story lovers will enjoy Barbara Sibbald’s The Museum of Possibilities, in which the stories focus on moments of intense longing. Of particular interest is the final section of stories that follows a girl named Wanda through several identity-defining occasions. Nicole Dixon’s High-Water Mark is a smart and sexy debut filled with contemporary women who are unafraid to learn what they want out of life. Margaret Gracie’s Plastic offers multiple perspectives on the life of a former Miss America in a commentary on motherhood, friendship and family in our image-obsessed society.

These are just some of the wonderful books by, about and for women published at the Porcupine’s Quill. Be sure to browse our website for more!

What’s happening this month…

At PQL.

On the press now is Leon Rooke’s brand new poetry collection, Rank Songbirds. Rooke is perhaps best known for his Governor General’s Award-winning fiction, but his poetry manages to convey the wit and charm of his prose writing in a lyrical package. Love and desire make frequent appearances, as does commentary on the political and social climate. Rooke’s humour is on full display, but his emotional range also makes itself known throughout this collection. (P.S. If you haven’t already picked up Rooke’s previous collection The April Poems, you should!) 

In Toronto.

Speaking of Leon Rooke, did you know that his art is on display at the yumart gallery as part of the solo show “Expressionism’s Revenge”? The show will be on display March 5 to 26. Visit the yumart website for more information.

In the world.

Did you know that today, March 8, is National Proofreading Day? A tip of the hat to all the hardworking proofreaders out there—it’s a tough job!

March 16 is Freedom of Information Day, which feels especially important in this day and age, which appears to be rife with censorship and book bans.

Finally, March 19 is Let’s Laugh Day, which, frankly, we need. Perhaps this would be a good day to pick up a joke book or read a humorous memoir?

From the porcupette’s corner…

Hey there, remember me, your friendly neighbourhood porcupette? I have to apologize for being a bit radio silent lately, but you’ll be happy to know that I did, indeed, meet a pretty tough tipsheet deadline that felt darn near impossible just a few short weeks ago. I am now able to breathe a small sigh of relief before I dive into the next big editorial project. Wish me luck!

In other exciting news, we’ll soon be announcing our upcoming Fall 2022 list (I know, already!), so keep your eyes peeled for information on our next crop of fabulous Canadian literature in the coming weeks.

Thank you for taking the time to check in on what is new and noteworthy at the Porcupine’s Quill. We appreciate our loyal Quill fans!

Cheers,