Kerry Allen at the Swivet article on a restructuring at Random House said,

Hysterical Writer: “The sky is falling!”

Wise Agent: *slap* “No, it is not.”

Hysterical Writer: “But this piece of the sky hit me on the head!”

Wise Agent: *slap* “That is pigeon poop.”

Hysterical Writer: “Oh. Thank you very much for your educated input and calming influence.”

Wise Agent: *slap* “You’re very welcome.”

Hysterical Writer: “Why do you keep hitting me?”

Wise Agent: *slap* “Because it’s fun.”

Coming up Dec 13th at Heartwood House (East of Rideau Center)…2 Dusty Owl Workshops.
“Discover your talent for creative writing by joining local poet Pearl Pirie and local writer Richard Taylor for a day of literary workshops.”
Whether you’re just beginning to write or you’ve been writing for a while, these workshops will kickstart your energy and get your creativity flowing. Explore your own writing and stretch your skills in poetry and creative writing, in a supportive, friendly, encouraging atmosphere.
In the first workshop of the day, you will work with poet Pearl Pirie to explore poetic forms that use repetition – one of the poet’s most valuable tools when used well. In the second workshop, you will develop your talent for fiction by doing creative writing prompts and exercises with writer Richard Taylor, guaranteed to give you new angles to work from.
Each workshop costs only $30 ($50 for both.) To register and pay for the workshops, visit Mother Tongue Books at 1067 Bank Street near Sunnyside Street, or contact Sean Zio. Tickets can be bought directly from Richard or Pearl as well.
For more information, contact
Sean Zio, Workshop Series Co-Organizer
613-421-4958
sean_zio [at] riseup.net”

The issue is now live at www.experiment-o.com.

This first issue live with some interesting work to check out. The contributers are: Gary Barwin, Emily A. Falvey, Spencer Gordon, Camille Martin, rob mclennan, Sheila E. Murphy, Roland Prevost, Jenny Sampirisi and Steve Venright

It’s a good week for poetry.

Received my print copy of Magma. (I’m grateful to Rob Mack for mentioning that discovery.) It has the highest density of enjoyable poetry I’ve read in a while. That dark and absurd British sense of humor tickles me right. The magazine’s got a wonderful feel to it overall with integrating classic writers and articles. Like how the book review section isn’t pushed off to the back like footnotes but has more poems after it.

Also arrived to my hands a new issue of 1cent with one of my trains poems in it. Only 140 copies made. Tell me if you want one.

This week also brought the new Haiku Canada Review (which I’ve yet to crack but always promises an enjoyable sit) and sidebrow which has some promising looking fun stuff thru the peruse.

Adeena Karasik’s poems mashing up war and high cuisine are in Rampike 17/2. This is a particular coup for me because she performed this in Peterborough in March and I wanted to hear them again but they weren’t yet it print. And a new story by Rebecca Rosenblum which was fun. She’s the author of Once which we are in the middle of reading still. Lovely to get more.

I have to start making wishes at a more ambitious rate if they keep getting filled like this.

The A B Series site is now live.

After years of my trying to clear both schedule and budget simultaneously to make it out to the Victoria School of Writing they have suspended operations due to a persistent lack of volunteers.