The HSW Literary Agency

Critically acclaimed Jamaican-Canadian children’s author Martin Mordecai honours the country of his birth with a reading on Thursday, June 7, 2012. Part of the Toronto festivities celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence, the reading features excerpts from Martin’s Blue Mountain Trouble, as well as a work in progress. 

• What: An evening with Martin Mordecai in honour of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary.
• When: Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
• Where: Bloor/Gladstone Library,  1101 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON

For many book lovers, nothing compares to hearing a favourite author read in person. But if you didn’t make it to last week’s Maissoneuve party in Montreal, here’s the next best thing to being there: Anna Leventhal live, through the magic of YouTube.

Fresh off her Woman of Distinction Award-win, prolific children’s author Alison Lohans reaffirms her commitment to youth literacy by touring Labrador during TD Canadian Children’s Book Week. Alison began with a public reading in Labrador City, where she spoke about the week’s festivities with CBC Radio’s Mike Power:

Congratulations to Alison Lohans, HSW Literary Agency’s own Jacqui Shumiatcher Woman of Distinction Award-winner! Presented by the Regina, Saskatchewan YWCA, this latest accolade recognizes Alison’s contributions to the arts and to writing in particular.

Alison is the author of twenty-four books for children and young adults, the most recent of which is the Saskatchewan Book Award-nominated Picturing Alyssa (Dundurn 2011).

Who says the book tour is a thing of the past?

Shelly Sanders, author of the critically lauded Rachel’s Secret (Second Story Press, 2012), is currently making the promotional rounds at Toronto-area schools and libraries. Upcoming stops include:

• Friday, May 4 at Ardagh Bluffs School (Barrie);
• Tuesday, May 8at St. Joseph School (Oakville);
• Wednesday, May 9at W.H. Morden School (Oakville);
• Tuesday May 15 at the Parkdale Public Library (Toronto);
• Thursday, May 17at Pinegrove School (Oakville);
• Wednesday, May 23at Florence Meares School (Burlington); and
• Wednesday, May 30 at McKenzie-Smith Bennett School (Acton).

Also upcoming for Shelly is an appearance at Book Expo America–stay tuned for details!

The always wonderful Maisonneuve magazine is celebrating ten years of publishing quality content, and they’ve invited contributor Anna Leventhal to join them. On Thursday, May 3rd, Anna–who’s published both fiction and interviews with the magazine–will read at Maisonneuve‘s Montreal birthday party with writers including David McGimpsey and Kathleen Winter.

Anna’s story “Last Man Standing,” which is included in Sweet Affliction (currently on offer), appeared in Maisonneuve Issue 40 (Summer 2011).

• What: Maisonneuvetenth birthday party, featuring a reading by Anna Leventhal.
• When: Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.
• Where: Eastern Bloc, 7240 Clark, 2nd Floor, Montreal, QC.
• How: Admission is only $7.00 and includes either a free copy of the tenth anniversary issue of Maisonneuve or a tote bag. For more information, please see the Maisonneuve website.

Noted young adult author Richard Scarsbrook is making a name for himself with readers of adult fiction. The White Pine Award-winner has just been named to the long list for the Vanderbilt-Exile $5,000 Short Fiction Award for “The Statistician,” a short-story adaptation of a chapter of his novel, The Indifference League (currently on offer).

Nominated here alongside established writers such as Leon Rooke, Richard has been quietly accumulating accolades for his adult short fiction, including a Matrix magazine/Pop Montreal LitPop Award for fiction, and a commendation from the 2009 Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Prize.

The shortlist for the Vanderbilt-Exile $5,000 Short Story Award will be announced before the end of this month. Best of luck to Richard and “The Statistician”!

While its official publication date is still a few weeks off, Shelly Sanders‘ Rachel’s Secret is already receiving rave reviews. Especially notable is this one from the University of Manitoba’s CM Magazine, in which the book is “highly recommended” and rated four of four stars.

First-time novelist Shelly Sanders masterfully reconstructs life in early 20th century Russia. And the skillful integration of the small details of daily life (the food, clothing, dwellings and activities) into a plot that is about to boil over, makes for a very rich reading experience…. Continue reading →

What better way to encourage Hamilton, Ontario residents to participate in this year’s GritLit literary festival than a city-wide version of the CBC literary competition, Canada Reads? And what better books to read than those shortlisted for the 2012 Ontario Library Association Evergreen Award, including Darcie Friesen Hossack‘s Mennonites Don’t Dance?

On this coming Wednesday, Hamilton residents will gather at the Central Library to hear ten prominent fellow citizens–including writer Miranda Hill, musician Jeremy Greenspan (of Junior Boys), and journalist Jeff Mahoney–champion each of the shortlisted books. This exciting evening of cultural and community engagement is not to be missed!

• What: Hamilton Reads, featuring Mennonites Don’t Dance and the 2012 Evergreen shortlist.
• When: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Hamilton Public Library – Central Branch, 55 York Blvd., Hamilton, ON.
• How: Admission is free, with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. For further information, please see the GritLit website.

Here’s a treat! Two young fans got the chance to meet Richard Scarsbrook, author of the White Pine Award-winning The Monkeyface Chronicles, at the Ontario Library Association’s Super Conference earlier this year, and this is what ensued: