128 Sterling

Graeme Gibson, the Canadian writer and avid ornithologist and conservationist who died this last September at the age of 85, and his partner, author and poet Margaret Atwood, met in 1970 in Toronto, when both were associated with the fledgling Canadian independent publisher, the House of Anansi, founded by poet Dennis Lee and writer David Godfrey in the basement of the latter’s house on Spadina Avenue near Bloor Street. Graeme Gibson’s lauded experimental novel, Five Legs, and Margaret Atwood’s Governor-General’s Award-winning collection of poetry, The Circle Game, were early and surprising bestsellers for a publisher that remains a fundamental pillar of the Canadian literary scene to this day. In “A Literary Love Story” Graeme Gibson and Margaret Atwood remember the beginnings of the House of Anansi and the literary scene in Toronto of the nineteen sixties and seventies. Presented by Noah Richler and produced by Mihira Lakshman and Nick Parker, with sound provided gratis by freesound.org, and dedicated to the memory of Graeme Gibson.

In “Vancouver Biotech Startup Launches World’s First Book Pill,” the eighth and final podcast in the debut series of 128 Sterling, host Noah Richler reveals details of the development and testing of a revolutionary new platform for literature, the edible book pill. He speaks to the writer-scientists behind the book pill’s invention, to Inuit claiming cultural appropriation, to novelists anxious about the unprecedented disruptive bio-technology, and to others keen not to be excluded. With Gary Barwin, Laakkuluk Bathory, Irina Kovalyova, Vincent Lam, Lisa Moore, Russell Smith and others.

Noah Richler talks to Walter Kirn about Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter (a.k.a. Clark Rockefeller), imposter and convicted murder, and subject of Walt’s book Blood Will Out. Noah also speaks to Katherena Vermette about the people, places, and stores that make up her Governor General's Literary Awards shortlisted debut novel, The Break. Actress Janet Green (a.k.a. Janet Porter) reads Lynn Crosby’s new poem, “I Forgot to Remember to Forget,” written exclusively for 128 Sterling.

In “School’s In,” host Noah Richler talks to publisher Sarah MacLachlan; Sunday Times columnist Lynn Barber, author of the acclaimed memoir (and movie), An Education; Russian-American graphic illustrator Dasha Tolstikova about her memoir, A Year Without Mom; Newfoundland author Lisa Moore about her first young adult novel, Flannery; and Métis writer Patti Laboucane-Benson about the simmering cauldron that is school.

In this month of the American elections and literary contests, Noah Richler presents an anthology of lost things from fights to old ways and mystery itself, with original contributions by Craig Davidson, Andray Domise, Kevin Patterson, Russell Smith, Kathleen Winter (who also provides the music), Cybèle Young and singer Patricia O’Callaghan.

Authors Guy Vanderhaeghe, David Frum, and Walter Kirn discuss the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election with Noah Richler by examining the two candidates as they relate to Jack London's "The Iron Heel," Robert Penn Warren’s "All the King's Men," and Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here.” Actress Janet Green (a.k.a. Janet Porter) reads Lynn Crosbie’s new poem, “Here Pussy,” written exclusively for 128 Sterling. Alix Ohlin, author of “Inside” and “Signs and Wonders,” reads original prose.

Noah Richler talks to Anosh Irani, whose novel The Parcel has been nominated for the Governor-General's and Writers' Trust Awards; to Teva Harrison, author of In-Between Days, a memoir of her cancer in words and pictures; and to Patti Laboucane-Benson at the Edmonton centre for the rehabilitation of indigenous offenders that was the inspiration of her prize-winning graphic novel (with Kelly Mellings), The Outside Circle, winner of this year's CODE Burt Award for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Literature. The writer is an artist with "A Foot in Two Worlds."

Noah Richler and Christy Ann Conlin discuss the challenges and pleasures of being a writer in rural Canada — away from the city and cosmopolitan centres. How many people, really, does a writer have to know? Christy Ann Conlin also reads from her latest novel, "The Memento," published by Doubleday Canada.

In the premiere of 128 Sterling, host Noah Richler asks film producer Nicholas Rose and authors Marina Endicott and Alain Farah, "what is the Great Canadian Book or Novel that will make a great and distinctively Canadian TV miniseries or film?" Noah’s introductory editorial and musing discusses the late Austin Clarke and makes his case for Austin’s "Toronto Trilogy" of novels to be made into an "instant classic Canadian television miniseries."

In 128 Sterling, author and broadcaster Noah Richler looks to fellow writers in Canada and abroad to explain not themselves, but the world as it is — the circus of the American election, the perils and punishments of school, the appeal of impostors, the state of being in between, CanLit, and more. This trailer provides a quick glimpse of what to expect from weekly episodes of 128 Sterling.

Bill Richardson, winner of the Stephen Leacock medal for humour and former CBC Radio personality, delivers a “fresh and frisky” poetic take on transitioning into life as a retiree and living through the golden years. In their frank and witty delivery, Richardson’s illustrated retirement rhymes for the hoary-headed do not just playfully reveal the inevitable weakening that afflicts the mind and body as the years wear on, they also cast light on the ageless, exuberant spirit that too often remains hidden inside. From retirement homes, cruises, and grandchildren to liver spots, memory problems, and geriatric sex, Richardson’s candid reflections on the trials, tribulations, and humiliations of growing old are funny, sharp, and irreverent. Illustrated by award-winning artist Roxanna Bikadoroff, The First Little Bastard to Call Me Gramps is an essential companion to the graces, and disgraces, of ageing. http://houseofanansi.com/products/the-first-little-bastard-to-call-me-gramps

We wanted to know more about Griffin nominee Shane Book's work in film, so we sat down to talk with him about his short film Praise and Blame, in which an internationally acclaimed dissident poet from Belarus with a frozen waffle obsession has a past that threatens to engulf him.

On the heels of the announcement of Shane Book's Griffin Prize nomination for his new collection Congotronic, Damian Rogers met with him to chat about immigrant mentality, bespoke Hammer pants, and anxiety at Woolco.

On the release of his seventeenth poetry collection Sequence, Damian Rogers met with the Griffin Poetry Prize-winning poet A. F. Moritz at the Royal Ontario Museum to chat about science fiction, the eternal moment, and finding inspiration in a fast food restaurant.