Disorientation Events
Fall 2021
Please join me virtually or in-person for some events this fall.
September 21
- Disorientation Canadian publication date
- Calgary WordFest virtual event with Omar El Akkad
September 22
- Radio interview, AM640
- Radio interview, The Richard Kraus Show
September 23
- TV interview, CHTV, CH Morning live
September 24
- Your Morning Live, CTV
- eTalk, CTV
- The Social, CTV
September 27
- The Current with Matt Galloway, CBC Radio
- The News at Noon, CTV, Montreal
- The Agenda, TVO
September 28
- The Andrew Crystal Show, Sirius XM Radio
- Here and Now, CBC Radio
September 28
- Toronto virtual launch with Desmond Cole, Art Gallery of Ontario with Another Story Books.
October 5
- Brampton Walk of Fame event.
Live in-person event at The Rose Theatre.
6-9:30 pm
October 7
- King’s College Book Store, Halifax, virtual event, 6 pm ET
October 16
- Litfest, Edmonton, virtual, 9 pm ET/7 pm MT
October 18-24
- Vancouver Writers Festival, in person
October 21-31
- Toronto International Festival of Authors, virtual
November 30
- Disorientation US release date
Reproduction Events
Launches
Please come to one of these launches if you can, or send your clone, ambassador, proxy, puppet, first born.
Vancouver
Thursday January 24, 6-8 p.m.
Vancouver Film School, 390 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Book dealer, supplier, pusher: Massy Books
Toronto
With Canisia Lubrin
Tuesday January 29, 2019, 7-9 p.m.
Another Story Bookshop, 315 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto
Old Events
- Yeah, a year and a half of stuff is missing from here. Spilled milk.
- Tonic Reading Series, Vancouver, BC, June 8, 2017.
- Poetic Justice Reading Series, with Jane Munro, New Westminster, BC, May 21, 2017.
- Arts Pecha Kucha, President Santa Ono visits the Faculty of Arts, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, March 2017.
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, January 19, 2017.
- University of Western Ontario, London, ON, November 2, 2016.
- “The Stories We Teach: From the Creative Writing Classroom to Reflections on the Page.” Canadian Writers’ Summit, Toronto, ON, June 17, 2016.
- Colorado College, Visiting Writers Series, Colorado Springs, CO, USA, March 22, 2016.
- Poetry workshop, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO, USA, March 23-24, 2016.
- Panel with Cecil Foster, Sylvia Hamilton, and Obi Simic. Moderated by Adrian Harewood. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, ON, February 23, 2016.
- Human Lit Library. David Suzuki Secondary School, Brampton, ON, December 15, 2015.
- Host of 905 Road Show, Sheridan College, Brampton, ON, November 25, 2015.
- “The Stories We Teach.” Sheridan Creates: A Conference of Scholars and Creators, Oakville, ON, October 28, 2015.
- High Park Poetry Festival, Toronto, ON, September 27, 2015.
- Hello/Goodbye Reading, sponsored by the Calgary Distinguished Writers Program, Calgary, AB, September 10, 2015.
- Flywheel Reading Series. Pages Books, Calgary, AB, April 8, 2015.
- Single Onion Reading Series. Shelf Life Books, Calgary, AB, April 16, 2015.
- “When Worlds Collide: Using Form to Solve Story in Comics and Text.” With Nick Sousanis.University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, April 8, 2015.
- Poetry and Fiction Workshop. Cochrane, AB, March 25, 2015.
- Workshops for middle and high school students at Rundle Academy and Alice Jamieson’s Girls’ Academy. Spring 2015.
- Various guest lectures and readings in classes at University of Calgary. Classes include Humour in Literature (Jason Wiens), Marginalized Literature (Christian Olbey), Fiction Writing I (Aritha van Herk), Creative Writing (Larissa Lai), Canadian Literature (Christian Bök). Spring 2015.
- “How and Why Should I Live a Creative Life?” Faculty of Arts Speakeasy Series. University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, March 18, 2015.
- “Longing.” University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, March 12, 2015.
- A Night to Re-remember. Shelf Life Books, Calgary, AB, March 3, 2015.
- “Nobel Prize Laureates.” Calgary Women’s Literary Club. Memorial Park Library, Calgary, AB, March 3, 2015.
- “On Writing Fiction: Writing Worries, Woes and Wows.” Alexandra Writers Centre. Owl’s Nest Books, Calgary, AB, February 17, 2015.
- “Love vs. Hate.” White Noise Talks. Panel. Sponsored by Wordfest and TELUS. TELUS Spark Centre, Calgary, AB February 12, 2015.
Reading
Way Back When. Loft 112, Calgary, AB, November 27, 2014.
Reading
Freehand Books Event. Calgary, AB, November 6, 2014.
Reading
Canadian Writers in Person, sponsored by the Faculty of Arts, York University, Toronto, ON, September 30, 2014.
Reading
Hello/Goodbye Reading, sponsored by the Calgary Distinguished Writers Program, Calgary, AB, September 11, 2014.
Reading
HIJ Reading Series, Toronto, ON, April 27, 2014.
Reading and Hosting
905 Road Show, Sheridan College, Brampton, ON, March 25, 2014.
Reading
Fanshawe College Letters and Arts Society, Fanshawe College, London ON, March 13, 2014.
Dinner
Have dinner with Michael Lista, Damian Rogers, and me.
The project is called Diaspora Dialogues, Poet’s Dinner Party
Thursday November 7, 2013, 6:30 p.m.
$50 for dinner, a book, and a glass of prosecco
Grano restaurant, 2035 Yonge Street, Toronto
COMMENT: Great idea, no? Maybe I should start listing other kinds of events apart from readings: carpool with poet, Tuesday 7 a.m.; buy shoes with writer, every evening until he finds a pair. Also, check out Sarah Peters and Dani Couture on September 26. Why not have dinner with (fellow) poets once a month?
Reading
Tuesday March 11, 2014, 8 p.m.
Tree Reading Series
Club Saw, 67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa
- Reading
- Monday October 7, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
- Rowers Reading Series
- Victory Cafe, 581 Markham Street, Toronto
- Mainstage
- Thursday September 26, 2013, 8 p.m.
- Shaw Performing Arts Centre (MTYP), The Forks, Winnipeg, MB
- Afternoon Book Chat
- Thursday September 26, 2013, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- THIN AIR, Winnipeg International Writers Festival
- McNally Robinson – Grant Park, 1120 Grant Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
- Reading
- Wednesday September 25, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
- Poetry London
- Landon Branch of the London Public Library
- 167 Wortley Road, London ON
- Reading
- Thursday July 25, 2013, 8 p.m.
- With Jan Zwicky
- Leacock Summer Festival
- Orillia
- Details forthcoming
- Reading
- Thursday July 4, 2013, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30)
- With Jim Johnstone and Jeramy Dodds
- Livewords
- Black Swan, 154 Danforth Ave, Toronto
- Griffin Poetry Prize Shortlist Readings
- Wednesday June 12, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
- Koerner Hall
- 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto
- You can get tickets here.
- Griffin Prize Announcement
- Thursday June 13, 2013, 7 p.m.
- Awards Evening
- Corus Entertainment Centre, Toronto
- By invitation
- Reading
- Sunday June 2, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
- Lit Live Reading Series
- Skydragon Centre, 27 King William Street, Hamilton
- Reading
- Tuesday May 7, 2013, 5:30 p.m. (reception begins at 5:00)
- With Sara Peters and Paul Vermeersch
- Arts and Letters Creativity Showcase
- Theatre, Trafalgar Campus, Sheridan College, 1430 Trafalgar Road, Oakville
- Reading
- Sunday November 18, 2012, 3 p.m.
- Draft Reading Series
- Only Cafe, 966 Danforth (at Broadview and Donlands)
- Toronto
- COMMENT: Neat premise: this series asks writers to read from new and unpublished work.
- Reading
- Thursday September 27, 2012, 4-5:30 p.m.
- With the wonderful Steven Heighton and David Helwig
- Kingston WritersFest, “Life is Short”
- Islandview Room, Holiday Inn Waterfront
- Kingston, ON
- COMMENT: Looks like a line-up of great panels and great authors this year. Michael Ondaatje and Teju Cole kick things off on Wednesday night at 8:00. I always love reading at festivals.
- Reading
- Thursday September 20, 2012, 8 p.m.
- Hot Sauced Words
- 154 Danforth Ave (east of Broadview), Toronto
- COMMENT: Really unique event. James, the host, asks the audience to shout back phrases to the reader after the set. The room becomes a massive lake of floating yellow words.
- Reading
- Sunday August 12, 2012, 3 p.m.
- Dusty Owl Reading Series
- The Elmdale House
- 1084 Wellington St. W.
- Ottawa
Personals Launch, Toronto
Reading Tuesday April 30, 2012. Doors at 7 p.m., readings at 7:30 p.m. Gladstone Hotel, the ballroom, 1214 Queen Street W.Toronto, ON. |
- Route 2 Launch
- Tuesday April 24, 2012, 3:30
- I’m not reading, but join me and a roomful (new word) of high school and college students as they read their work.
- Reading
- Monday April 23, 2012, 3:30
- Presidents’ Hall, Mazzaferro Center
- A reading with other Fitchburg State University faculty members, Margarite Landry and Steven Edwards.
- Journal Alert
- “Please Print Clearly in Block Letters,” which placed third in the Poem of the Year Contest, is now out in the latest issue of Arc.
- Readings at WordFest, Calgary and Banff
- 1.
- Writers and Their Collections
- Wednesday October 12, 2011, 5:00 p.m.
- Art Gallery of Calgary
- Writers read from their new works, discuss their personal libraries and share how books have inspired them. Hosted by Suzette Mayr. Other readers: Tim Bowling, Linda Grant, and Lev Grossman.
- I’ll read from Not Anyone’s Anything.
- 2.
- Poetry Cabaret
- Saturday October 15, 2011, 9:30 p.m.
- The Banff Centre, Margaret Greenham Theatre
- A talented mix of poets and storytellers read from their new work accompanied by the WordFest House Band. Musical Direction by Mike Lent. Other readers: Rosemary Griebel, Ann Snowcroft, Anne Simpson, and Richard Wagamese.
- I’ll read from You Know Who You Are.
- You Know Who You Are shortlisted
- You Know Who You Are has been shortlisted for the ReLit Poetry Award. The Globe and Mail calls it, “The country’s pre-eminent prize recognizing independent presses.” I’ve always thought of it as Canada’s pluckiest prize.
- Third Place in Arc Competition
- My poem, “Please Print Clearly in Block Capital Letters,” won third place in Arc’s Poem of the Year Competition.
- Reading
- Tuesday June 28, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
- Bryan Prince Bookseller
- 1060 King Street West, Hamilton, Ontario
- I had to cancel this reading because of the fire. Kristen den Hartog was fantastic, I’m sure.
- Reading
- Joaquin Miller Cabin Poetry Series 2011
- Thursday June 16, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
- Rock Creek Nature Center
- 5200 Glover Road, NW, Washington DC 20015
- Follow up to this reading: Karren Alenier included one of the Emergency Codes, “Code Blue,” at the end of her blog post on an opera called The Dresser.
- Online Alert
- Quill and Quire recently featured an article about the cover of Not Anyone’s Anything, designed by the talented Natalie Olsen. Covers don’t grow on trees. Click here to see how they grow.
- Reading
- Joint celebration of Not Anyone’s Anything and Ben Railton’s Redefining American Identity
- Tuesday May 5, 2011 at 12:30 p.m.
- Center for Teaching and Learning, Fitchburg State University
- Reading
- Wednesday April 27, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
- Southborough Public Library
- 25 Main Street, Southborough, MA
- Not Anyone’s Anything Canadian Reading Tour
- Toronto
- Reading. Tuesday April 19, 2011. Doors at 7 p.m., readings at 7:30 p.m. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street W.Toronto, ON.
- Calgary
- Media: Interview with Brenda Finley for Bookmark, CKUA 93.7 Calgary, AB. April 20, 2011.
- Media: Interview with Paul Kennett for Writers Block, CJSW 90.9 April 20, 2011.
- Reading. Wednesday, April 20. Doors at 7 p.m., readings at 7:30 p.m. Endeavour Arts Space, Calgary, AB, 1209 1st St SW, upstairs.
- Vancouver
- Media: Interview with Sean Cranbury for Books on the Radio, Vancouver, BC. April 21, 2011.
- Reading. Thursday Apil 21, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.. Ardea Books & Art, 2025 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC.
- National Poetry Month Readings
- Four evenings. Eight poets.
- Thursday April 7, 2011: Margaret Lloyd and Bill O’Connell
- Thursday April 14, 2011: Ian Williams and Francine D’Alessandro
- Wednesday April 20, 2011: Jonathan Blake and Beth Sweeney
- Thursday April 28, 2011: Anne Marie Lucci and Jim Beschta
- All events take place at the Mazzaferro Center, Fitchburg State University at 7:00 p.m.
- Finalist for the Long Poem Prize
- My poem, “Rings,” is a finalist for the Malahat Review Long Poem Prize.
- Reading
- Barnes and Noble
- Saturday March 26, 2011. Open mic starts at 7:00 p.m.; feature around 8:00.
- 541 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA
- Finalist for the CBC Literary Awards
- CBC has announced my entry, “Immigration Poems,” as one of the Poetry Finalists for the CBC Literary Awards. They received 5000 submissions in all genres this year.
- Literary Journal Alert
- Three new poems in Fiddlehead. You can read one poem, Missed Connections: Walmart automotive dept – w4m, online.
- Literary Journal Alert
- “Cactus,” a new flash fiction story is in the January issue of ragazine. The first sentence is almost a quarter of the story.
- Review
- And here is another great review of You Know Who You Are, this time by Sima Rabinowitz for newpages.com (January 5, 2011).
- Review
- Here is a fantastic review of You Know Who You Are by Naomi Benaronin Poets Quarterly (December 2010).
- Poetry Reading
- Cantab Lounge
- Wednesday November 17, 2010, 8:00 p.m. Feature starts around 10:00, realistically.
- 738 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Mass.
- Warm feelings. Cantab is one of the two hottest poetry energies in Massachusetts. To be the feature here is just wow.
- Radio Interview
- Tuesday November 9, 2010, 10:00 p.m.
- Interview with Nancy Bullis
- HOWL, 89.5 FM CIUT
- Listen live in Toronto or online
- Ontario Reading Tour for You Know Who You Are
- 1.
- Tuesday November 2, 2010, 8:00 p.m.
- The Art Bar Poetry Series
- Clinton’s, 693 Bloor Street W, Toronto, Ontario
- Cool factoid: The Art Bar Poetry Series is recognized as the longest running poetry-only reading series in Canada.
- 2.
- Wednesday November 3, 2010, 8:00 p.m.
- Hearthside Hearings
- Live and online, streamed from St. Catherines/Niagara Falls, Ontario
- This isn’t your typical reading. First there’s dinner, then the reading, which is recorded and streamed live online; the majority of the audience is an online audience. Says the promo material, “Think Masterpiece Theater, with good food.”
- 3.
- Thursday November 4, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
- Hart House Library, University of Toronto
- Sentimental fact #137: As undergraduates, Jim Johnstone and I used to go up to the Hart House library and read old issues of Hart House Review then sit in the big comfy couches and talk about poetry.
- 4.
- Friday November 5, 2010, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- BookFest Windsor 2010
- Wilkinson Room, Art Gallery of Windsor, 401 Riverside Drive West, Windsor, Ontario
- The festival runs from November 4-6. It appears to be spectacularly organized, Singaporean in its pristineness.
- 5.
- Sunday November 7, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
- Lit Live Reading Series
- The Sky Dragon Centre, 27 King William Street, Hamilton, Ontario
- Formerly (or perhaps also) known as the excitable “LiT LiVe” Reading Series.
- Poetry Reading, Vancouver
- Thursday October 14, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
- Robson Reading Series
- University of British Columbia Library/Bookstore at Robson Square
- Plaza Level, 800 Robson St. (between Howe and Hornby streets)
- Note 1: Vancouver will shortly take the record for the furthest west I will have been on the continent.
Post Note: No doubt, one of the best places to live in the world. Toronto’s also on that list, by the way. The rivalry continues [cue Rockymusic]. - Poetry Reading
- DelRossi’s Trattoria
- Sunday September 19, 2010, 5:00 p.m.
- A quartermile north on Rt. 137 from junctions 137 & 101, Dublin, New Hampshire
- Lest you book a non-refundable, trans-Atlantic flight, note the location is Dublin, New Hampshire. Dying of curiosity.
- Literary Journal Alert
- New poem in Mythium:“Too Far.” Vol. 1.2 (2010).
- It begins: “One day you will go too far.”
- Literary Journal Alert
- New story in Fractured West: “Don’t Travel With People You Love.” Vol. 1 (2010). Fractured Westis a new journal based in Scotland with a great editorial team.
- Prize-Winners’ Reading
- Honorable Mention for the Frank O’Hara Prize.
- September 12, 2010, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Bancroft Room, First United Church, 90 Main Street, Worcester, MA
- Literary Journal Alert
- New poem inThe Caribbean Writer: “To Reduce the Size of My Carbon Footprint.” Vol. 24 (2010).
- Fellowship
- Cave Canem
- Sunday June 20, 2010 – Sunday June 27, 2010
- Greensburg, PA
- The Heinz Endowment featured Cave Canem “In the Spotlight” and I’m honored to be CC’s face.
- Residency
- Vermont Studio Center
- Sunday June 6 – Saturday June 19, 2010
- Johnson, VT
- Grant
- A Ruth Butler grant to buy violins and a double bass for community use.
- Literary Journal Alert
- New poems in the latest issues of Confrontation, Ellipsis, and Folio.
- Semifinalist
- Semifinalist for the 2010 Sozopol Fiction Seminar in Bulgaria. 168 applications. 15 countries. 10 finalists. 9 English-speaking semifinalists. View the shortlist here.
- Newspaper
- “Suddenly everywhere” by Victor D. Infante.
- The Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Thursday April 22, 2010.
- The word yowza appears.
- Poetry Reading
- Thursday April 29, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
- Worcester State College, Blue Lounge
- Poetry Reading
- Wednesday April 28, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
- Southborough Public Library
- 25 Main Street, Southborough, MA
- [Note: Fantastic, diverse, and interesting line up for National Poetry Month.]
- You Know Who You Are Toronto Book Launch
- Monday April 26, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
- Nicholas Hoare Books
- 45 Front Street East, Toronto, ON
- [Summary: A life highlight.]
- You Know Who You Are Reading and Signing
- Tuesday April 20, 2010, 3:30 p.m.
- Center for Teaching and Learning
- Fitchburg State College
- [What to expect: If the weather cooperates, we’ll have the best sunlight on campus that time of day.
- What happened: Yes. Great light. Great reading.]
- AWP Reading and Book Signing
- Friday April 9, 2010, 2:45 p.m.
- Association of Writers and Writing Program Conference
- Signing sponsored by Cave Canem
- Denver, CO
- Dance Workshop
- Tuesday March 30, 2010, 3:30 p.m.
- Sponsored by the Falcon Players
- Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College
- [What to expect: “Professor Ian Williams uses the movement vocabulary of ballet and modern dance to convey principles of balance, control, simplicity, strength, and musicality. Please wear comfortable clothing and dance footwear.”]
- TV Interview
- Coffee with Konnie with host Konnie Lukes
- Airs on WCCA TV and streams live on www.wccatv.com
- Saturday March 20, 2010 at 1:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.
- Sunday March 21, 2010 at 5:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m.
- Audio Alert
- A new poem, “Hero,” was Rattle’s poem of the day on February 13, 2010. Listen here.
- Discussion with Inmates
- Thu Feb 26, 2010, 1:00 p.m.
- Black History Month event
- MassachusettsCorrectional Institution- Concord
- 965 Elm Street, Concord
- Literary Journal Alert
- Issue 17 of jubilat: “All night a woman prays for girls she does not know by name.” Read the poem on the jubilat site.
- Black History Month Panel
- Thu Feb 4, 2010, 3:30 p.m.
- Main Hammond Lounge, Fitchburg State College
- Interview: Part 2
- Wed Jan 27, 2010, 12:00 -12:30 p.m.
- Interview with Jonathan Blake
- WCUW 91.3 FM, Worcester
- Listen online at wcuw.org
- Interview: Part 1
- Wed Jan 20, 2010, 11:55 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Interview with Jonathan Blake
- WCUW 91.3 FM, Worcester
- Listen online at wcuw.org
- Literary Journal Alert
- Read a new poem, “All night a woman prays for girls she does not know by name,” in the winter 2010 issue of Arc.
- Reading
- Thu Oct 29, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
- Local Harvest of Worcester Poets
- HarringtonLearning Center
- QuinsigamondCommunity College
- 670 West Boylston Street, Worcester
- Roundtable discussion
- “Absence in the Post-American City”
- Oct 16-18, 2009
- New EnglandAmerican Studies Association Annual Conference
- Lowell, MA
- Reading
- With Dara Wier and Eve Rifkah
- Thu Oct 15, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
- Massachusetts Poetry Festival- Worcester Launch
- Worcester State College, Blue Lounge
- Reading
- Thu May 14, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
- Street Beat, Worcester County Poetry Association
- 1 Ekman Street, Worcester
- Poetry Writing Open Mics
Thu Apr 23, 2009, 7:00 p.m. The Rabbit Hole, 805 Main Street, Fitchburg |
|
Tues Apr 14, 2009, 7:00 p.m. Destare, 320 Main Street, Fitchburg |
|
Thu Apr 9, 2009, 7:00 p.m. The Rabbit Hole, 805 Main Street, Fitchburg |
|
Thu Mar 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m. The Rabbit Hole, 805 Main Street, Fitchburg |
|
Wed Mar 18, 2009, 7:00 p.m. Game Room, FSC |
|
Wed Feb 18, 2009, 7:00 p.m. Open Mic, The Underground, FSC |
- Discussion with Inmates
- Thu Feb 19, 2009, 1:00 p.m.
- Black History Month event
- MassachusettsCorrectional Institution- Concord
- 965 Elm Street, Concord
- Radio
- Sun Feb 8, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
- AM 1280 WEIM
- Host: Randy Feldman
- Panel discussion
- Thu Feb 5, 2009, 3:30 p.m.
- New Generation of Black Leadership in America
- Main Hammond Lounge, Fitchburg State College
- Reading
- Thu Dec 18, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
- Johnsonia Cultural Series
- Johnsonia Art Gallery
- 516 Main Street, Fitchburg
- Television
- Wed Dec 10, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
- Inside Fitchburg, FATV
- Lecture
- “First—Chill—then Stupor—then the letting go”: Recording Emily Dickinson’s Subjectivity”
- Mon Nov 17, 2008, 3:30 p.m.
- Miller Oval, Fitchburg State College
- Reading
- With Boston 30/30 poets
- Wed Nov 12, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
- Cantab Lounge, Cambridge
- Workshop
- “If I told him would he like it”: The Other Way to Read Poetry
- Tue Oct 21, 2008, 3:30 p.m.
- The Underground, Fitchburg State College
- Reading
- Wed Sep 24, 2008 , 3:30 p.m.
- Center for Teaching and Learning
- Fitchburg State College