Writers are often asked where we write. It is a question as much about writing process as it is about location. What spaces provide inspiration, focus, or unblocks a writer? …
The Morning After an Election
A long-time friend, Kristyn Wong-Tam, decided to run for City Council in Toronto. Although I’ve helped out a little in other candidates’ campaigns in the past, this was the first …
Being a clue-giver at the Diaspora Dialogues Scavenger Hunt at Word on the Street
What a lot of fun it was to be at WOTS this year. I was a clue-giver and the correct answer was “Maury”. Here’s a link to the video. Here’s …
A year of words and community
Conversations between neighbours in dog parks can lead to great things… Just over a year ago, Melanie Janisse, local poet, artist and Zoot’s Cafe owner, and I were standing around …
Word on the Street Scavenger Hunt
I think this is going to be the most fun reading I’ve ever done. Diaspora Dialogues is holding a scavenger hunt at Word on the Street, and I get to …
Suggestive reading
My review of Wayson Choy’s memoir, Not Yet, came out today. Have a look here.
Revisions, revisions
I’ve just come through the first stage of revisions and edits with Six Metres of Pavement and I’m pleased with the recent changes. Mostly, it’s small stylistic stuff and catching …
If you are in London
I’m visiting London this July! Imaan Queer Muslim Support has invited me to do a book reading and writing workshop. Check out the details here: imaan london flyer If you’re in …
Feeling Verdant
I’m so excited to be part of this amazing line-up at Verdant: Queer Writers on the Verge Saturday June 27th, 8-10pm, The Piston, 937 Bloor Street, west of Ossington. Verdant: …
Readings coming up this week
Ramadan Mubarak and Shanah Tova everyone! This week, I will be reading at a noon-time event at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: “Queer Within These Walls”, Wednesday September …
Reading at the St. Christopher House Literacy Program’s 30th Anniversary Party
If you spend any time in Toronto’s downtown west neighbourhoods, you’ll probably be a little familiar with St Christopher House (http://www.stchrishouse.org/), a local social service agency that serves the city’s …
a new year starting…
I think many of us, trained for so many years by our school system, view September as a kind of new year. Even if we aren’t students or academics, September can …
2000 miles of readings and country music
During the past 8 days, my sister and I drove from south Texas to Ohio, doing 6 Stealing Nasreen book readings in 5 cities. Here are the highlights: -meeting the …
my bags are packed…
and I am off for the 2nd leg of my US book tour. Hope to meet you at one of these events! For more info about the tour, see: http://www.qsanantonio.com/qsanews/qsapages/focusmain.html SAN ANTONIO: …
Jamaican family reunion and my upcoming tour
I have just come back from a week in Jamaica, where I participated in my partner’s family’s family reunion. It was terrific to be amongst the Nicholson clan— to …
Updates on the US book tour plans
You’ll see from last week’s post, I was in the midst of book tour designing. It’s been quite a labour intensive process to coordinate our dates and bookstore availability, but …
Planning the next leg of my home-made tour!
My father is giving my older sister a used car and so she’s asked me to help her drive it from south Texas, where dad lives, back to Ontario. I …
New York and Philly
I’ve just returned from my New York and Philly Readings. In New York, I read at Bluestockings (www.bluestockings.com) … a lovely independent bookstore and cafe that is also collectively run. …
About me and media interviews « blogwala
About me and media interviews « blogwala
Local Readings
I did two very small, but sweet readings this week. The first was for RyePRIDE, Ryerson University’s queer student association. A total of nine people attended, I read from Stealing Nasreen, …
Canada Day Writing
I’ve been doing a lot of travelling lately, so I am very pleased to be home this long weekend. It’s been a time for cleaning, working in the garden, and …
San Francisco
San Francisco’s hills, Victorian houses, tropical foliage, taquerias and gay pride wooed me until I fell in love with it this weekend. I want to express a particular appreciation for San Francisco’s Desi …
more touring
I went to Hamilton Pride for the first time last week, and read there along with Elizabeth Ruth and Sky Gilbert. It was a beautiful, sunny day and Hamiltonians know …