The Reluctant Cougar

I’ve posted the specific link to the Canadian Poets at SUMMERHALL. We were lucky enough to take part in 5 events, both readings and panels (see link). Thanks to Halli Villegas and Heather Wood who did the heavy lifting, organizing this incredible adventure. I would go back in a second!

A common response to the statement, “I’m a poet from Canada” was met with genuine admiration! Here in Canada, we get a look of pity or a blank stare, followed by “what do you do to pay your bills?” 

So I must admit, this excitement has lasted. I’ve been back a month, it’s pouring rain out, but I’m still filled with the adrenalin rush I had while I was in Scotland. And the memory of the performances (a 23-cast play called Traumatikon and art exhibit of Boltanski’s work, among many others). I even went to hear Best of Scottish comedy on my last night there, and despite the variety of accents and the cultural references that went over my head, I laughed my ass off. Edinburgh, I miss you.

(Source: summerhall.co.uk)

I can’t believe it’s been two months since I updated my blog. For those of you who write every day or every week, I applaud you. As for me, I get so caught up in life that I actually forget I have a blog for periods of time, which is probably not a good thing for a writer hoping to attract people to her work. My novel, Confessions of a Reluctant Cougar, was long listed for the ReLit Award this summer and I had an excellent review in Canadian Notes & Queries, written by Nyla Matuk. This fall and winter I’ve got a bunch of readings coming up but what I am still most excited about is what I did this summer.

Along with poets Jim Nason, Maureen Hynes, Ruth Roach Pierson, Moira MacDougall, and writer/publisher Halli Villegas, we were the Canadian Poets lucky enough to appear at SUMMERHALL, Venue #26. 

(Source: summerhall.co.uk)

Eve of another Birthday, I guess it’s officially my birthday now. No numbers please; they just don’t add up. It’s a year and a few weeks since my first novel, Confessions of a Reluctant Cougar, was launched at the Proof Vodka Bar. Since then there’s been reviews, interviews — both print and radio — and all kinds of readings close and far. I had a co-launch in Vancouver this past fall with Leanne Averbach, also a Tightrope author. I read in Ottawa last spring at the small press fair pre-readings and all over Toronto for the past year. 

Lots still upcoming: a reading in Coburg next month, August 18th, at the Third Thursday, I think it’s called, and a reading in Perth at First Edition October 21st. I’m teaching a course in Erotic Writing at The University of Toronto starting Sept. 22nd, registration info can be found on my website’s main page. So all kinds of excitement coming up. And a reading in the Junction I am organizing in September during their Arts Fest.

But these are the lazy dog days of summer. Hanging out celebrating my birthday all week I expect — all month if I can wrangle it. Nathaniel G. Moore regaled some of us with his cutting-edge marketing ideas last night. He is a visionary — you’ve got to give him that!

I haven’t figured out a way to save the world or get a book deal or both with my blog yet. It’s just intermittent meanderings into the life of a writer.

Oh, and one other thing: I spoke as a guest on the panel of “Success Stories” at Humber College on July 9th and had an amazing time! Met some fabulously interesting people. Dawn Pomislow and I, already Facebook friends, became friends for real, bonding with our stories of publishing and book promotion challenges.

Henry Mak, a filmmaker and I, collaborated on a short poem-video which I am submitting to Visible Verse for the fall. I will keep you posted. Eventually I’ll post it to Youtube but first I want to see how it does in the context of a video fest.

So what do I want for my birthday? Great sales. More reviews (check out The Women’s Post and CNQ in the upcoming month and also Lipstick Indie online). And the holy grail for all Canadian writers: an agent. Like Bigfoot, they’ve been spotted but seldom stay put long enough to get a photo of them or prove they exist. Wish me luck!

Today in the news a young couple in Nova Scotia were renovating their house and found love letters written by their late father — when he was stationed in France— written to their mother. She had tucked the missives into the wall, and when her children went to fix old wiring, came upon a cache of about 27 letters. There’s a book or screenplay, or both, I thought, in that discovery. The letters were about 50 years old. And both parents long gone.

On Monday I got a letter from Australia, from poet and visual artist, Jessica Hiemstra-van der Horst (why don’t I have such an impressive name?) who had written me a letter in December of 2010. The envelope got waylaid in the Tightrope offices, under manuscripts and grant proposals. Once the move took place this past weekend, it reappeared, I got hold of it and immediately got in touch with her.

Jessica is now in Sierra Leone (there’s a story there, I just don’t know it yet) and has an idea for a book she wants me to be part of. Thankfully I reached her and it’s not too late for me to take part. It’s not that often one is asked to take part in a book so I am thrilled. The concept is fascinating, involving the translating, “laterally or literally” of a poem that she wrote and sent to me. 

In 2010 Jessica and I were the two Honourable Mentions in the Descant/ Winston Collins Prize for Best Canadian Poem, so that’s what made her think of me. I love the random synchronicity of events that often take place in the world of publishing. It’s just such a treat to be thought of when someone has a project in mind and wants to include you in it — even before they see what you’ll come up with. The coolest part of this is that I have never met Jessica in person, but admire her poetry tremendously.

I thought as I opened my letter from Australia, how seldom one receives a hand-written letter. It’s almost anachronistic. I love stamps, penmanship, the whole aesthetic experience of a letter. We must bring them back! Write a letter today, it will be treasured.

I had the dubious distinction of being asked to be one of the presenters at the 6th annual Feminist Porn Awards (sponsored by Good For Her) held at the Berkley Church this past Friday, April 15, 2011. To say I had fun would be a gross understatement. As my “plus one” Halli Villegas said, “Those people really know how to party!” 

There were burlesque performances interspersed on the Awards show program, and for me Boylesque TO was a highlight. They were hilarious. Darryl Scorpio and I were co-presenters and I managed to get a clip of video posted to YouTube today of my presenters gig. Not sure how to attach it here. So I’ll post the link.

Myna Presenting @ Awards Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAiIaNlPvpI 

Let’s see if that works. Ciao.

Due to a scheduling conflict with a workshop conducted by David Clink and Sandra Kasturi being hosted on the same day, Myna Wallin’s fabulous workshop Freeing Your Erotic Self in Poetry or Prose has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 16th, from 12-5 pm.

A freewheeling night of fascinating fiction with three Tightrope Books authors: Basil Papdemos (Mont Royal), Myna Wallin (Confessions of a Reluctant Cougar) and Heather J Wood (Fortune Cookie).

The reading will take place at The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Avenue, Toronto on Monday, March 28, beginning at 7:30 pm.

RSVP on Facebook

This coming Saturday, Feb. 26th, 2011, from noon to 5 pm, I’m teaching a one-afternoon seminar in Erotic Writing. It’s done through Tightrope Books’ Writing Without a Net Workshop Series. It’s based in Toronto, downtown, on Markham St. in the Annex area. (The complete info is attached in the website link accompanying this.)

How can you teach erotic writing? Well, that’s a good question. I hope to share writing exercises aimed to loosen inhibitions and arouse the imagination. Some of the most famous writers fall down when it comes to writing a sex scene. They succumb to cliche and find themselves on the worst sex scenes list published every year. 

Writing in a honest way about sex can get to the truth about a character and can be a compelling way to tell your story. Sexuality is both an integral part of our lives and an integral part of our characters’ lives. Why on earth can’t it be written about on many levels, from humorous and engaging, to startling and sometimes sad. But most of all authentic! Come on down and have some fun this Saturday.

In other news, a reading coming up March 26th, at the Painted Lady, with Heather Wood and Basil Papademos. We’re calling it the “Orally Gifted” evening of readers. And we have an accompanying provocative photo for the poster. We were initially worried that Facebook would take it down if we posted it. So far, so good.  

(Source: tightropebooks.com)