New from No Press: “the great silence of the poetic line.” by rob mclennan A mournful reflection on poetry, aging, and melancholy … produced in a limited edition of 50 copies; each copy features japanese paper covers, black flyleaves and hand-sewn binding. Copies are only $5CDN each including postage (paypal derek@housepress.ca to order ..read more

As Banff’s Poet Laureate, it was such a pleasure to host a new session of Poetry and Pints at the Banff Legion last night! Not only did we honour the poetic legacy of long-time Banff resident Charles Noble by naming him Honourary Banff Poet Laureate; we also had a fantastic crowd — and performances by Amal Alhomsi, Sarah Elmeligi, Chris Lorway, Alexandra Wilder, Shawayne Dunstan & Jake Loughy, Heather Jean Jordan & Caitlyn Connelly — a fabulous night ..read more

Glasgow’s Richard Capener interviewed me as part of his youtube/podcast series Morgiana’s Podcast. Check it out as we discuss poetry, poetics, small press publishing and the legacy of bpNichol ..read more

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THE MINUTE REVIEW — a little magazine of reviews, responses, concrete/visual poetry & “experimental” writing — has all 11 issues to date online for free download (click on the images to download the respective issue). Individual printed copies are available for $5ea (contact derek@housepress.ca to order). THE MINUTE REVIEW is also seeking contributions of reviews of experimental & concrete poetry (500 word max); always eager to see more reviews and discussion of new writing ..read more

For bpNichol’s 80th birthday, a selection of 80 pieces from his 1980s notebooks, an astounding trove of never-before-seen work. One of Canada’s most beloved poets, bpNichol (1944–1988), left a huge legacy of poetry, prose, scripts, comics, and playful interrogation of language after his untimely passing in 1988. In celebration of what would have been Nichol’s eightieth birthday, Some Lines of Poetry gathers excerpts from Nichol’s journals across the 1980s to give a unique perspective on craft, process, and a writer’s life. Featuring works in progress, insight into Nichol’s thinking ..read more

THIS YEAR BANFF CENTRE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF LITERARY ARTS PROGRAMMING. Since its foundation, Literary Arts at Banff Centre has become a globally renowned creative catalyst for established and emerging writers. Initiated in 1974 by W.O. Mitchell, Literary Arts programs at Banff Centre are known to push the boundaries of Canadian and international conventions and foster growth among alumni. This 50th anniversary milestone represents an opportunity to look back on five decades of exceptional Canadian and international writing, and to look ahead with post-secondary educational programs tha ..read more

After several years of pandemic and struggle, 2023 felt like a growth year – a year to reassess, reappraise, and return to new ways of creating, thinking, and responding. 2023 is gone in just a few short weeks, here’s what I was up to this year: As Banff Centre’s Director of Literary Arts, I developed a slate of residencies—both online (allowing participants to receive mentorship from their own home, fitting in with their schedules) and in person (it’s so great to welcome writers to Banff Centre’s campus). Literary Arts residencies—all of which had tuition 100%-scholarshipped—enabled inte ..read more

At the close of every year, for over a decade, I have taken a moment to reflect upon the year’s publications. Like in previous years, my “most engaging books” list reflects what I found most fascinating / useful / generative in terms of form & content from the books I read in 2023. Seek out these volumes; every one will reward the search (your local, independent, bookstore can help; an excellent choice as many continue to struggle). This is the cream of the crop for 2023, seriously … from poetry to fiction, translation to nonfiction, each of these titles will blow your mind: Abel, Jordan ..read more

Since the late 1990s I have been publishing steadily in the UK, trying to develop conversations and collaborations with UK-based presses and authors. Complementing my work in Canada, I have found UK-based presses to support risk-taking work, have a culture of chapbook (what they call “pamphlet”) publishing, be open to perfect-bound editions of visual poetry, experimentation, and often have an open mind to the use of colour. In the last 30 years I have published with If P then Q, Information as Material, Guillemot, Pamenar, Dostoyevsky Wannabe, Future text, The Other Room, Essence, Reaktion, th ..read more