tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91009983777330092532024-03-13T08:27:52.537-07:00carrotsticks--Cary Fagan's recent news and eventsHere you can find recent news--publications, readings, award nominations--about Cary Fagan, an award-winning novelist, short-story writer and children's author. See Cary's website at caryfagan.comCaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-55465706206572515882022-03-06T11:52:00.003-08:002022-03-06T11:52:22.807-08:00No more postsQuite some time ago I stopped posting here. Please see my website, caryfagan.com, for new books and other news. Cheers.Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-84713577087597626922019-01-11T10:59:00.000-08:002019-01-11T10:59:10.831-08:00It's been too longI've been very bad about posting here in the last many months. But I'm personally excited about 2019 (if not quite so excited about the general state of the world). I'll have five books coming out this year, a crazy number. I won't post about them until closer to release dates but if you live in Toronto you might pencil in Thursday, May 30 for the launch of my novel, "The Student." (You can see the cover up on Amazon along with other new titles.) In the meantime, I'll decorate this post with the cover of "Little Blue Chair" that is coming out in France. Happy New year!<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LrlRHCSBP4/XDjnbSrSAzI/AAAAAAAAAp8/ZI4qIw7PFPEPVSLkVw5Cv06zJaQa2cO5gCLcBGAs/s1600/Little-Blue-Chair-front-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5LrlRHCSBP4/XDjnbSrSAzI/AAAAAAAAAp8/ZI4qIw7PFPEPVSLkVw5Cv06zJaQa2cO5gCLcBGAs/s320/Little-Blue-Chair-front-cover.jpg" width="320" height="273" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1367" /></a>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-79152927838689531192018-05-29T06:01:00.001-07:002018-05-29T06:01:59.544-07:00GrowlJust in time for summer here is my new middle-grade novel, "The Hollow Under the Tree." In 1925 Sadie Menken, a piemaker's daughter, discovers a lion hiding in Toronto's High Park.
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Here are some nice reviews:
"A beautiful story. This novel will have every animal lover wanting their own personal 'Sunny'." Resource Links.
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"Highly recommended. Young readers will definitely enjoy this novel which takes them to a different time in urban Toronto, a time when children could roam the streets to find adventure in the local park." CM Magazine
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"An excellent read. Equally suitable as a read-aloud or as a choice for independent reading, this short chapter book will please animal enthusiasts and readers of tales about brave girls alike. Kirkus Reviews <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLTPfNJiukw/Ww1PO1xzjeI/AAAAAAAAApM/b6wZrGuepZoPr2hENSWnvkHD_Pf6MHV7QCLcBGAs/s1600/book-cover-the-hollow-under-the-tree-by-cary-fagan.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OLTPfNJiukw/Ww1PO1xzjeI/AAAAAAAAApM/b6wZrGuepZoPr2hENSWnvkHD_Pf6MHV7QCLcBGAs/s320/book-cover-the-hollow-under-the-tree-by-cary-fagan.jpg" width="218" height="320" data-original-width="780" data-original-height="1144" /></a>
Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-36882878930484119302018-05-29T05:39:00.000-07:002018-05-29T05:39:20.305-07:00What I'm reading now"I have never forgotten any person who has come into my life." - Yiyun Li, "Gold Boy, Emerald Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o5WBOmg4JFc/Ww1J66_qYpI/AAAAAAAAAog/cdF7FKLTd3QGmjnoRUieqQzg9GlP3o4bgCLcBGAs/s1600/41Go9cFaGaL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o5WBOmg4JFc/Ww1J66_qYpI/AAAAAAAAAog/cdF7FKLTd3QGmjnoRUieqQzg9GlP3o4bgCLcBGAs/s320/41Go9cFaGaL.jpg" width="207" height="320" data-original-width="324" data-original-height="500" /></a></div>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-21939057416974063062018-04-03T17:43:00.000-07:002018-04-03T17:43:47.938-07:00Wolfie and Fly--together againI'm a little late posting about the publication of "Wolfie and Fly: Band on the Run," the second in this chapter book series about a girl who thinks she doesn't need any friends, a boy who desperately wants one, and the fantastical adventures they find themselves on.
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"A wild adventure… Entertaining and relatable, Wolfie and Fly’s odd-couple friendship continues to illustrate the benefits of new experiences and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone." --Booklist
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"[A] cute, little nine chapter story which would be a great easy read for young readers who want to start reading chapter books… Recommended." --CM Magazine
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aflzDtMRNM/WsQftWbFHUI/AAAAAAAAAoE/P-8rpv-EW3AlAjlCx1Q79QeKVqauzoQEQCLcBGAs/s1600/51S4uACpyrL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aflzDtMRNM/WsQftWbFHUI/AAAAAAAAAoE/P-8rpv-EW3AlAjlCx1Q79QeKVqauzoQEQCLcBGAs/s320/51S4uACpyrL.jpg" width="224" height="320" data-original-width="350" data-original-height="500" /></a></div>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-82191740762253528982017-10-31T08:06:00.001-07:002017-11-26T18:16:54.063-08:00Over the mountainsI had a wonderful time at the writers festivals this fall in Winnipeg, Calgary, Whistler, and Vancouver. It was a privilege to read with so many great authors (Dennis Lee, Steven Heighton, Nathan Englander, Kathleen Winter, Susin Nielsen, Andy Jones, Kyo Maclear, Sydney Smith...) and visit so many great schools. I'm always impressed by the positive feeling in schools these days. This drawing was done by a student in Whistler, B.C., who imagined the little blue chair floating over the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains that loom over her school. Nicely done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM72wniQGOQ/WfiRd-xiNOI/AAAAAAAAAno/BbfNV3T0b-gq3dASiLsu1TuOfA9ItDBSQCLcBGAs/s1600/kid%2Bdrawing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM72wniQGOQ/WfiRd-xiNOI/AAAAAAAAAno/BbfNV3T0b-gq3dASiLsu1TuOfA9ItDBSQCLcBGAs/s400/kid%2Bdrawing.jpeg" width="400" height="290" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1158" /></a></div>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-7176880370090190242017-09-14T14:56:00.000-07:002017-09-14T14:56:11.345-07:00Festival season!I'm really looking forward to reading and speaking at several writers' festivals this fall. The first, in September, is the Thinair festival in Winnipeg. And then in October I'll be at Wordfest in Calgary, Whistler Writers Festival, and then at the Vancouver Writers' Fest. And to top it all off, I'll be at the International Author's Festival in Toronto to interview Danila Botha And Eric Beck Rubin, two fine authors shortlisted for the Vine Awards. I hope you'll join me along the way.<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L8L2ms0YbAE/Wbr68RM-RDI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/6M7cs4M12bgu-AJAo1ATyq9hlwoCaZPVQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-09-14%2Bat%2B5.55.16%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L8L2ms0YbAE/Wbr68RM-RDI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/6M7cs4M12bgu-AJAo1ATyq9hlwoCaZPVQCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-09-14%2Bat%2B5.55.16%2BPM.png" width="320" height="219" data-original-width="1033" data-original-height="707" /></a>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-64836813694115034602017-08-02T16:28:00.000-07:002017-08-02T16:32:31.763-07:00Tell us another, MortyMy new middle-grade novel, <i>Mort Ziff is Not Dead,</i> has just been released. Here's the description: ***********************************************************
It's the winter of 1965. Norman Fishbein is enduring not only a cold winter but also the usual torments and annoyances from his two older brothers. When Norman wins a thousand dollars in the "Count-the-Doozy-Dots Contest" his parents let him choose how to spend it, strongly suggesting a new car is what the family needs. But Norman decides what his family really needs is their first vacation that doesn't mean camping in a tent--a trip to Miami Beach.
A snowstorm almost wrecks their plans, but in the end Norman gets his first plane ride (with both brothers air-sick on either side of him). Miami strikes him as a paradise--warm weather, palm trees, beaches, and ocean. They stay in luxury at the Royal Palm Hotel, owned by the mysterious millionaire Herbert Spitzer.
One day at the pool Norman spots an old man in a black suit, who his father tells him is a once-famous comedian named Mort Ziff. (Norman's father thought that Mort Ziff had died years ago.) Holding onto the remains of his career, Mort Ziff is performing every night in the hotel dining room. A chance meeting begins an unusual friendship between Norman and the old comedian. But after hearing that Mort Ziff has been fired, to be replaced by "The Centipedes," a pop group imitating the Beatles, Norman takes matters into his own hands, resolving to save Mort's job and in the process, coming to realize an innner strength he didn't know he had.
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And here are the first reviews:
"Fagan delivers a witty, heartfelt character study complete with bullying siblings and sweet first crushes. . . . A wonderful read told with elegant simplicity." --Kirkus Reviews
**** (Four out of four stars) "Among the most memorable moments are the classic style jokes in Ziff's performance scenes, the hilarious Beatles send up in the self-absorbed Centipedes, and the boys' horror when their mother dons a swimsuit (apparently, they are not as ready as their parents for the swinging 60s!)...Fagan manages to make gold, turning an old fashioned vacation adventure into something more subtle, even graceful."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQwVl6ejDiI/WYJf_5yX4eI/AAAAAAAAAm0/aFSkT9NP1JsyDJLE4rmrp7ebPbToLZpswCLcBGAs/s1600/mortziffisnotdead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQwVl6ejDiI/WYJf_5yX4eI/AAAAAAAAAm0/aFSkT9NP1JsyDJLE4rmrp7ebPbToLZpswCLcBGAs/s320/mortziffisnotdead.jpg" width="213" height="320" data-original-width="300" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-25655900675123115292017-05-18T05:33:00.002-07:002017-05-18T05:43:36.230-07:00Poor Bird, Poor CageMy latest picture book, 'A Cage Went in Search of a Bird,' was inspired by an aphorism of Franz Kafka's. I'd encountered Kafka's words (which make up the title of the book) twice--once in a book of his aphorisms, and the second time in a poem by Robert Hass. The brilliant pictures are a wonderful match for the story. Here are quotes from some first reviews.* (Starred) "Original and thought-provoking." Kirkus Reviews * "Highly Recommended." CM Magaine * "Has the feel of one of Aesop's Fables. The lavishness of Banafsheh Erfanian’s illustrations embodies the importance of Cary Fagan's words." Canlit for Little Canadians.
* Kirkus Reviews has also published an interview with me about the book. You can find it at: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/cary-fagan/#continue_reading_post<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqR1_NerDdo/WR2W7hnOLlI/AAAAAAAAAmU/fDj1xlQrzCYWbyxfbTVhylIpSVAxZGasQCLcB/s1600/8781554988617.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqR1_NerDdo/WR2W7hnOLlI/AAAAAAAAAmU/fDj1xlQrzCYWbyxfbTVhylIpSVAxZGasQCLcB/s320/8781554988617.jpg" width="320" height="318" /></a>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-21289089542612221092017-05-11T09:56:00.000-07:002017-05-11T09:56:11.441-07:00A new storyI've got a new story in the latest issue of The New Quarterly, just out. It's called "Bear Stories." The last story I had in the journal was in spring 1999. That's - wait for it - eighteen years ago.<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8Vbc6cj1CY/WRSXoWJC5-I/AAAAAAAAAl4/wFVzWabyIzIXIg_6IpPSeZNHEjxDbkKdgCLcB/s1600/18402779_1881481545444222_5340501025672801333_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8Vbc6cj1CY/WRSXoWJC5-I/AAAAAAAAAl4/wFVzWabyIzIXIg_6IpPSeZNHEjxDbkKdgCLcB/s320/18402779_1881481545444222_5340501025672801333_n.jpg" width="180" height="320" /></a>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-44987402318718111192017-04-29T08:54:00.002-07:002017-04-29T08:57:03.759-07:00When in RomeMy brother Lawrence sent me this photograph of himself in his favourite bookstore in Rome, holding copies of "The Big Swim" and "Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas" in Italian. That's "Mr. Karp's Last Glass" under his arm. My brother, who speaks Italian, can actually read them.<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuX2s6ZV14o/WQS3JDqi-MI/AAAAAAAAAlc/zPRRV66JhTggcY_UmacjTob6FCthsyQngCLcB/s1600/18157286_10154990868075219_5039509475758470293_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xuX2s6ZV14o/WQS3JDqi-MI/AAAAAAAAAlc/zPRRV66JhTggcY_UmacjTob6FCthsyQngCLcB/s320/18157286_10154990868075219_5039509475758470293_n.jpg" width="180" height="320" /></a>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-47261794519806184102017-03-27T05:37:00.002-07:002017-03-27T05:38:27.452-07:00'The Old World' My new story collection, "The Old World," has just been published by House of Anansi. Here are 35 short stories, each inspired by an old black-and-white photograph. I nervously enjoyed <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ioT-RKoVagE/WNkHgcJJykI/AAAAAAAAAko/Qg_hw6l3hIMFKZ8LjADqgFEqtEy0qsAbQCLcB/s1600/30119108._UY2400_SS2400_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ioT-RKoVagE/WNkHgcJJykI/AAAAAAAAAko/Qg_hw6l3hIMFKZ8LjADqgFEqtEy0qsAbQCLcB/s320/30119108._UY2400_SS2400_.jpg" width="320" height="320" /></a></div>being the subject of interviews in the "Toronto Star" and on CBC Radio's "The Next Chapter." Here are some comments from the first reviews:
"Charming, Funny, and sad." National Post
"[A] magnificent new collection. This is Fagan at the top of his game. Simply put, he's a master storyteller." Canadian Jewish newsCaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-47025472765821345982017-03-02T06:04:00.003-08:002017-03-02T06:04:46.058-08:00CCBN interviewHere's a little interview in the 'Canadian Children's Book News Newsletter' about my two new kids' books.
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http://bookcentre.ca/publications/newsletter/march-2017/<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrJ-BLH_-2U/WLgmcpxJEdI/AAAAAAAAAkI/2RlIvGJ_N_0ICQ-l0_BBZsq1gBEzGEMxACLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-03-02%2Bat%2B9.02.37%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NrJ-BLH_-2U/WLgmcpxJEdI/AAAAAAAAAkI/2RlIvGJ_N_0ICQ-l0_BBZsq1gBEzGEMxACLcB/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-03-02%2Bat%2B9.02.37%2BAM.png" width="320" height="200" /></a>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-52466146513444147412017-02-24T10:07:00.000-08:002017-02-24T10:07:13.521-08:00Busted PencilHere's a nice review of 'What I learned in Florida' in 'Broken Pencil.' Did someone ask whether copies were still available? Why, yes they are.
**http://www.brokenpencil.com/news/chapbook-review-what-i-learned-in-florida<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbqbZmJsVeM/WLB2SCOCwOI/AAAAAAAAAjk/hzHyFHdqBpIAXxH8o8kJiv6LpTZG2d4TACLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-02-24%2Bat%2B1.05.16%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbqbZmJsVeM/WLB2SCOCwOI/AAAAAAAAAjk/hzHyFHdqBpIAXxH8o8kJiv6LpTZG2d4TACLcB/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-02-24%2Bat%2B1.05.16%2BPM.png" width="320" height="200" /></a>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-78932302595905063922017-01-23T13:57:00.001-08:002017-01-23T13:58:20.833-08:00Two days in AtlantaHere I am at the Tundra Books booth, American Library Association Conference, signing books for an impressive line-up of dedicated children's librarians. I met people who work in libraries all over the U.S. and as far away as India. I'm signing 'Little Blue Chair,' the new picture book. I was very happy to find out that Madeline Kloepper, the wonderful young illustrator, has won the inaugural May Cutler Emerging Artist of the Year Award for the book. The late May Cutler, who I interviewed back in about 1985, founded Tundra Books fifty years ago.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dsmm2hCnlm0/WIZ8OdGPPPI/AAAAAAAAAjI/Tw-wAzP5BP4NmhjPTTfxHw73Kc5VtwqPQCLcB/s1600/C2tAOcEXUAE28FD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dsmm2hCnlm0/WIZ8OdGPPPI/AAAAAAAAAjI/Tw-wAzP5BP4NmhjPTTfxHw73Kc5VtwqPQCLcB/s320/C2tAOcEXUAE28FD.jpg" width="320" height="320" /></a></div>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-40928779432227051642017-01-12T08:43:00.000-08:002017-01-12T08:43:25.403-08:00First reviews for 'Wolfie and Fly'Publisher's Weekly (Starred Review): "A promising first outing for this memorable odd couple." * City Parent: [A] classic story of imagination, friendship and adventure told by a master." * Reviews in Chalk: "Splendid beginning for a series! Renata is so lovable in her own way...I am already looking forward to more Wolfie and Fly's adventures."<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qgAdwdSuKX8/WHeyEarsbnI/AAAAAAAAAis/O2iCbUGNZM4Pb2NijKQcdFbau0DsrhEwgCLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-01-08%2Bat%2B1.53.22%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qgAdwdSuKX8/WHeyEarsbnI/AAAAAAAAAis/O2iCbUGNZM4Pb2NijKQcdFbau0DsrhEwgCLcB/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-01-08%2Bat%2B1.53.22%2BPM.png" width="320" height="200" /></a>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-19817901190364153562017-01-09T13:30:00.000-08:002017-01-09T13:30:50.605-08:00New course: Writing Picture BooksOn January 30 I start my course on writing picture books for University of Toronto Continuing Education. The location is at College and St. George. I love teaching this course and the participants are always passionate and interesting. So if you need some help kickstarting the creative impulse of yours, or finishing a manuscript, please join us.
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http://learn.utoronto.ca/interactive-course-search#/profile/1718<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUmKs1CL0VY/WHQBAfALt9I/AAAAAAAAAiU/oXRVYKy5FY4TA3sUKMaXvu7RAKnA-sgwgCLcB/s1600/rackgrim20-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUmKs1CL0VY/WHQBAfALt9I/AAAAAAAAAiU/oXRVYKy5FY4TA3sUKMaXvu7RAKnA-sgwgCLcB/s320/rackgrim20-big.jpg" width="229" height="320" /></a></div>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-56817754678567870612016-12-30T09:31:00.002-08:002016-12-30T09:31:36.377-08:00What I'm Reading Now"For that moment, she only knew the empty ache beside her, the void where her sister was supposed to be." -Katherena Vermette, <i>The Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5G48hzdSk4/WGaZ7HkFOqI/AAAAAAAAAh8/tZDAnBw5B58KfsAcXXoN2wKNuiEGK32QgCLcB/s1600/29220494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5G48hzdSk4/WGaZ7HkFOqI/AAAAAAAAAh8/tZDAnBw5B58KfsAcXXoN2wKNuiEGK32QgCLcB/s320/29220494.jpg" width="210" height="320" /></a></div></i>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-41235734893005604812016-11-20T08:45:00.000-08:002016-11-20T08:45:08.185-08:00Indie Book FairWe had fun yesterday standing, leaning, slouching, and sitting behind our table at the Meet the Presses Indie Book Fair in Toronto. We (me, Rebecca Comay, Bernard Kelly) were there for our chapbook press, espresso. I picked up a nice haul of small books and chapbooks, which you can see in the third photo. (The first two were taken by Bernard.) We ourselves <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZuMQmM3gi8/WDHSoTOoPWI/AAAAAAAAAhY/fUnegWND7PgcaCBUZds15BmucUlY6WbbgCLcB/s1600/Cxo9YHfUUAAz-QM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZuMQmM3gi8/WDHSoTOoPWI/AAAAAAAAAhY/fUnegWND7PgcaCBUZds15BmucUlY6WbbgCLcB/s320/Cxo9YHfUUAAz-QM.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJhmX6d1x7E/WDHSq8pUVoI/AAAAAAAAAhc/YFtdSw-A45E3C2Sq6fOn-QlZ-n0Bvxn-wCLcB/s1600/CxpS5g9WIAA9bWQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJhmX6d1x7E/WDHSq8pUVoI/AAAAAAAAAhc/YFtdSw-A45E3C2Sq6fOn-QlZ-n0Bvxn-wCLcB/s320/CxpS5g9WIAA9bWQ.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VvLZ_W9t04/WDHSv51vn9I/AAAAAAAAAhg/Dm6NCO7SfdEav8Lo5wibCdexhKXXNPUIwCLcB/s1600/P1020573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VvLZ_W9t04/WDHSv51vn9I/AAAAAAAAAhg/Dm6NCO7SfdEav8Lo5wibCdexhKXXNPUIwCLcB/s320/P1020573.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>sold 30 books, which was quite satisfactory. The owner of a new bookstore in Dundas Ontario, The Printed Word, bought copies of all our titles for his store. We wish this brave young man much luck and hope to visit it in the not too-too distant future.Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-79561542250302902662016-11-08T05:48:00.000-08:002016-11-08T05:48:24.090-08:00Jarrett Lerner on 'Danny Who Fell in a Hole'The writer Jarrett Lerner has posted a review of 'Danny Who Fell in the Hole' that is the most thoughtful response to the book I've seen. My thanks to him. You can read it at https://jarrettlerner.com/2016/10/13/danny-who-fell-in-a-hole-by-cary-fagan/.Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-43623032021992903162016-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:002016-10-31T07:00:10.483-07:00Cleaning houseCleaning out stuff from my parents' house I came across this manuscript, which I wrote in (I think) 1979. I'd gone to see Timothy Findley, then the writer in residence at the University of Toronto where I was in my last undergraduate year. Tiff (as his friends called him) read a short story manuscript of mine called "Vienna Street" that was loosely based on the street I grew up on until the age of about twelve. He liked it and suggested that I turn it into a script for the CBC. I had my doubts but didn't see any harm in trying. This is the manuscript, which I haven't seen or thought of in decades. Someone at the CBC did read it and say nice things but, of course, passed on it. Timothy Findley, however, continued to be kind in several ways. He introduced me to his agent (who ignored my attempts to get in touch) and later praised my work during a television interview, based on a small chapbook that I'd self-published (100 or so copies). I used that quote on my first books before finally retiring it. Of course I was hardly the only young writer Tiff helped. He was a generous and warm-hearted person who believed it his duty to give the next generation a lift up whenever possible. Timothy Findley was a fine writer and a fine man.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYM4i2ChhYY/WBdOLVTtTdI/AAAAAAAAAg8/j-PI30elKB05R9dN1HQDNXhSqd41aOHvACLcB/s1600/P1020545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYM4i2ChhYY/WBdOLVTtTdI/AAAAAAAAAg8/j-PI30elKB05R9dN1HQDNXhSqd41aOHvACLcB/s320/P1020545.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-91117128319799656172016-10-24T18:23:00.000-07:002016-10-24T18:23:56.274-07:00A cover that wasn't to beJust over six years ago my novel <i>Valentine's Fall</i> was published by Cormorant Books. I really liked the original cover design for this novel about a man meeting his old high school friends again. As I happened to come across it today I thought I'd post it here. The problem was, by coincidence the cover turned out to look remarkably similar to a very recent book about a tragic subject. I'm posting that cover, too. So it had to change and fast, as the book was about to go to print. The cover that replaced it, shown last, captures some of the more comic aspects of the book and has its good points but I was sorry to have to lose the original<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pneQZCgZstc/WA6zm58vRNI/AAAAAAAAAgc/1F1A8U0zZj4LGzLyf0arEASACVPs3fGGQCLcB/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pneQZCgZstc/WA6zm58vRNI/AAAAAAAAAgc/1F1A8U0zZj4LGzLyf0arEASACVPs3fGGQCLcB/s320/images.jpeg" width="217" height="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UD9EGStETLc/WA6zubuzxEI/AAAAAAAAAgg/ggk6-W1kIl8h73Wt0H-IfqkXFTiOxe59QCLcB/s1600/columbine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UD9EGStETLc/WA6zubuzxEI/AAAAAAAAAgg/ggk6-W1kIl8h73Wt0H-IfqkXFTiOxe59QCLcB/s320/columbine.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-vREMUs8tA/WA6zznl5TGI/AAAAAAAAAgk/EIr0fcV6aKcjfm0cGqa6xTfClyWJQCtVwCLcB/s1600/valentinesfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-vREMUs8tA/WA6zznl5TGI/AAAAAAAAAgk/EIr0fcV6aKcjfm0cGqa6xTfClyWJQCtVwCLcB/s320/valentinesfall.jpg" width="210" height="320" /></a></div>. It's an interesting example of how a designer can go in very different directions for the same book. Which one do you like best?Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-27688481162684911462016-10-05T06:02:00.000-07:002016-10-05T06:03:06.831-07:00What I'm (Re-)Reading #3"The fact remains that getting people right is not what living is all about anyway. It's getting them wrong that is living, getting them wrong and wrong and wrong and then, on careful reconsideration, getting them wrong again. That's how we know we're alive: we're wrong." Philip Roth, <i>American Pastoral.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ljhlf7VobA/V_T51YZAoOI/AAAAAAAAAgA/NSEZRF6qq5cccQwyMlOIaW1KKsWBedg8ACLcB/s1600/american-pastoral-book-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ljhlf7VobA/V_T51YZAoOI/AAAAAAAAAgA/NSEZRF6qq5cccQwyMlOIaW1KKsWBedg8ACLcB/s320/american-pastoral-book-cover.jpg" width="202" height="320" /></a></div></i>Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-79499959056598563592016-09-20T06:28:00.001-07:002016-09-20T06:35:18.365-07:00Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9100998377733009253.post-73050581618080279732016-09-20T06:28:00.000-07:002016-09-20T06:35:15.702-07:00A new chapbook...and a launch on Tuesday Sept. 27!Our small press, espresso books, is launching a new title and it's my own 'What I Learned in Florida,' a series of brief essays about childhood. Drawings by Sophie Fagan. We're having a launch at Field Trip Cafe, 3 Westmoreland Ave. (Ossington subway stop). Tuesday Sept. 27 8 p.m. Why not join us? Here are some photos from the binding process as well as the just-finished book. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeJ3w3yJ-BU/V-E4Tz5ez8I/AAAAAAAAAe4/zehFKRKlUiIU9-E0Dlj0VzJYT-ledLdSgCLcB/s1600/P1020518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeJ3w3yJ-BU/V-E4Tz5ez8I/AAAAAAAAAe4/zehFKRKlUiIU9-E0Dlj0VzJYT-ledLdSgCLcB/s320/P1020518.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYlVfCN6jYc/V-E5BF6UNzI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/MbXyS_AtNkAHMRSN-PoPfszzA0NpEDP3QCLcB/s1600/P1020520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYlVfCN6jYc/V-E5BF6UNzI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/MbXyS_AtNkAHMRSN-PoPfszzA0NpEDP3QCLcB/s320/P1020520.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vomDgZSDcZk/V-E5EcnnCXI/AAAAAAAAAfU/46iG8kQrn7I39GgL0yGVwNTGf90yqa73QCLcB/s1600/P1020531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vomDgZSDcZk/V-E5EcnnCXI/AAAAAAAAAfU/46iG8kQrn7I39GgL0yGVwNTGf90yqa73QCLcB/s320/P1020531.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1IuBbWhQTOA/V-E5IpjYreI/AAAAAAAAAfY/y1gMoUeEPY4HeuHbK8YRGp3OovEYr26iwCLcB/s1600/P1020532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1IuBbWhQTOA/V-E5IpjYreI/AAAAAAAAAfY/y1gMoUeEPY4HeuHbK8YRGp3OovEYr26iwCLcB/s320/P1020532.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-k-0Cs0i6w/V-E5IpHJS1I/AAAAAAAAAfc/p_PA8EN-rUEbbxPFx3XU3m9DkLElnrCwwCLcB/s1600/array0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-k-0Cs0i6w/V-E5IpHJS1I/AAAAAAAAAfc/p_PA8EN-rUEbbxPFx3XU3m9DkLElnrCwwCLcB/s320/array0916.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>You can find out more (and order the book online, too) at espresso-chapbooks.com Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00196542245930629283noreply@blogger.com0