The full details of the upcoming above/ground press 19th Anniversary and chapbook launch have emerged. I will have the pleasure of reading alongside Stephen Brockwell, Amanda Earl, and Marilyn Irwin.
Stephen Brockwell is one of the most careful and thoughtful poets writing in Ottawa. I’ve discussed his ongoing Impossible Books project on the blog previously. I’ve never read with Stephen before and it should be a joy. Amanda is one of the most adventurous poets in Canada. I know few other writers as willing to take risks and try new things as Amanda–concrete, lyric, critical, reflective, erotic. You can always count on Amanda to surprise you. Additionally, she is an incredibly active and supportive editor/publisher, with Bywords and AngelHousePress. Marilyn and I read together a few years ago at an above/ground event, and I can’t wait to see where her work has gone in the last couple years. She is incredibly attentive to words and syllables as her units of composition, working from sound and texture primarily (at least in my reading of her work). It will be a privilege to read with these three, and I hope you can make it out. Stephen, Amanda and Marilyn deserve an audience.
My chapbook is titled Regarding Renewal (abandoned titles include Mostly Intact and Somewhat Unstable). It includes twelve fairly brief poems that feel a bit different for me, but I’ll leave that up to readers to decide. I’m excited to read from it properly for the first time. The book has three epigraphs, the first of which I’ll share here.
How can we arrange everything so that everything is great? –Ron Padgett
rob mclennan has got his powerful above/ground media machine running, finding interviews for the four of us. rob appeared on CKCU’s Literary Landscapes with Dave Currie last thursday, discussing the history of the press and including readings by myself and Amanda Earl. rob, Marilyn, and myself will be on CKCU Friday Morning Special Blend with Susan Johnston tomorrow morning at 7am. And there is a series of interviews at Open Book: Ontario in the works. Amanda answered the Proust Questionnaire here. My own responses are forthcoming.
That’s it for now. Hope to see as many out at the Mercury Lounge as possible next Thursday!
Cameron Anstee 