Book review: The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon

By Whitney Matusiak Alena Graedon’s debut novel, The Word Exchange, explores an imagined time of conquered print-media prowess—replaced by “smart” technology bordering on artificial intelligence. Graedon’s “dystopian novel for the digital age” follows the perils of Anana Johnson with clever thematic nods to George Orwell’s 1984, Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake, and John Wyndham’s The … Continue reading Book review: The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon →

Book review and contest: Emberton, by Peter Norman

Would you like to win a copy of Emberton, the brand new debut novel from Canadian poet Peter Norman? Read our review below, then send your name and full mailing address to [email protected] with the subject line "Emberton contest" by April 9 to enter the draw. (Contest open to EAC Toronto branch members only.) Review by … Continue reading Book review and contest: Emberton, by Peter Norman →

Book review: Max Perkins: Editor of Genius

By Alanna Brousseau “The most important obligation of friendship is to listen,” explained Max Perkins to his second-eldest daughter, Zippy. Perkins, the editorial momentum behind such literary heavyweights as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Thomas Wolfe was considerably more than a reviser of words, straddling at times the roles of confidante, money lender, minder, … Continue reading Book review: Max Perkins: Editor of Genius →

Book review: Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint

By Sadie Scapillato I picked up Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint by Nancy Kress because I was working on a manuscript by a newish writer who wanted guidance on how to handle multiple third person points of view. A writer friend of mine recommended the Write Great Fiction series by Writer’s Digest. It had just what … Continue reading Book review: Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint →

Book review: Origins of the Specious by Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman

By Ana Trask In Origins of the Specious: Myths and Misconceptions of the English Language, Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman take readers on an exciting tour of a mythological etymological landscape. Prepare to have your illusions shattered. “You may kick and scream...when you find that many of your most cherished beliefs about English are … Continue reading Book review: Origins of the Specious by Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman →