an interview with rob mclennan, editor/co-publisher

An interview with rob mclennan, editor/co-publisher of Chaudiere Books, talking about publishing, the internet, and a few other things here, conducted by Didi Menendez, publisher of MiPOesias.

rob mclennan in Edmonton

rob mclennan (The Ottawa City Project) is current writer-in-residence at the University of Alberta for 2007-8, & doing a few readings shortly in Edmonton; also, check out the pieces on him in The Edmonton Journal, Gateway (the U of Alberta student paper) and on Nathaniel G. Moore's critical crushes.

Monty Reid shortlisted for the Ottawa Book Award

City announces the 2007 Ottawa Book Award finalists

The City of Ottawa proudly announces the finalists for the 2007 Ottawa Book Awards. Since 1986, the award has recognized outstanding published literary works by Ottawa authors. Each year, the awards are presented in the following categories: English fiction, English non-fiction, French fiction and French non-fiction.

This year, the prize has increased to $5,000 and all short-listed authors will receive a $1,000 prize in recognition of their selection as finalists. Past winners of the award include Alan Cumyn, Brian Doyle, Elizabeth Hay, Frances Itani and Roy McGregor.

Through this award, we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Ottawa's great writers, said Mayor Larry O'Brien. These writers strengthen the cultural fabric of our city and make it a better place for us to live. The juries faced a strong cast of books this year, with tough choices to be made in the selection of finalists for the prize. The short-lists pay tribute to the high quality of writing, depth of research and distinctive voices that make Ottawa's writers second to none.

The 2007 Ottawa Book Awards finalists are:

English non-fiction
John B. Dossetor, Beyond the Hippocratic Oath (The University of Alberta Press)
Graham Fraser, Sorry, I Don't Speak French (McClelland and Stewart)
Charlotte Gray, Reluctant Genius: The Passionate Life and Inventive Mind of Alexander Graham Bell (HarperCollins Canada)
David Lee, Lumber Kings and Shantymen (James Lorimer & Company Ltd.)
Alex Mortimer, The Quitter (Bunkhouse Press)

English fiction
Tom Henighan, Viking Terror (The Dundurn Group)
Anita Lahey, Out to Dry in Cape Breton (Vehicule Press)
Janet Lunn, A Rebel's Daughter (Scholastic Canada Ltd.)
Monty Reid, Disappointment Island (Chaudiere Books)
Barbara Sibbald, Regarding Wanda (Bunkhouse Press)

French fiction
Daniel Castillo Durante, La Passion Des Nomades (XYZ Editeur)
Eric Charlebois, Cinerite (Les Editions David)
Andre Laurier, Horizons Navigables (XYZ Editeur)
Francoise Lepage, Poupeska (Les Editions L'nterligne)
Daniel Poliquin, La Kermesse (Les Editions du Boreal)

No award will be presented in French non-fiction this year.
The winners will be announced on October 13, 2007, at Library and Archives Canada as part of the Ottawa International Writers Festival.

Biographical information on all short-listed authors is available at: ottawa.ca/arts
For more information: Media contact, 613-580-2450; Public inquiries, 3-1-1

some Chaudiere Books author activity

Shane Rhodes (Decalogue: ten Ottawa poets) reads in Hamilton, Ontario on Sunday, October 7, 2007 as part of the LiT LiVe Reading Series, 7:30 PM. LiT LiVe is at: The Sky Dragon Centre 27 King William Street (between James Street North and Hughson Street), and he reads with Monica Kidd, Sky Gilbert, D.S. (Don) Martin and Stephen Brunt. He reads again in Toronto on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at the Art Bar Poetry Series at 8:00 PM. Art Bar is held at: Clinton's, 693 Bloor Street West (by Christie subway station) , and he reads with Monica Kidd and Gordon Johnston. He reads again in St. Catherines, Ontario on Thursday, October 11, 2007 as part of the Grey Borders Reading Series at 7:30 PM. Grey Borders is at: Strega Cafe, 19 King Street, and he reads with bill bissett. Monty Reid (Disappointment Island) reads September 20, 2007 in Ottawa as part of the shortlisted titles reading for the Lampman-Scott Award (rob mclennan is also shortlisted but cannot make the event).