I just turned 50 and I’ve been writing the @winnipegfreepress.com wine/drinks column for 20 damn years now — at least 1,000 Uncorkeds, 750,000 words. Thankful to have an outlet for this silliness, and for an employer who supports me. www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...

I chatted with Alan Doyle in advance of the launch of his new book The Smiling Land, which is all about Newfoundland and Labrador. He's at @mcnallyrobinson.com Saturday at 2.

Maria Reva is the 2025 winner of the $70,000 #AtwoodGibson Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize for Endling, published by Knopf Canada. This year's prize purse is increased from $60,000 to $70,000 this year with generous support from the Balsillie Family Foundation. #WTAwards #canlit

Is there a more apt way to ring in an Old Guy birthday than realizing you're exactly a half-century older than the new Costco?

Cried some nice tears while writing this. Tim Brandt has been cycling to a new little free library every day to disperse his late brother's book collection and honour his memory. “I think Les would be glad to know his books are travelling,” he says. www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...

Jon Hamm is in Winnipeg filming a TV series, and is absolutely crushing fall chunky sweater season. (First pic at Vera Pizza, second at 529 Wellington)

Nick Martin was at both the London Free Press and Winnipeg Free Press - but it’s a whodunnit if he ever retired. It’s because, after being the education and legislature reporter, he continued to write a mystery book column until he died #RIP passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-deta...

Wrote a little bit about Nick Martin, voracious reader and @winnipegfreepress.com books section suspense columnist (and former education reporter), who died earlier this month while on holiday in Scotland. Hope he managed to have one last pint at the Oxford Bar.

Souvankham Thammavongsa has followed her much-lauded collection How to Pronounce Knife with a debut novel, the Giller-shortlisted Pick a Colour. She's at @mcnallyrobinson.com tonight to launch the book; I chatted with her for @winnipegfreepress.com: www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...

There are a few spots left in this Saturday’s FREE urban nature creative writing workshop! Sign up/help me get the word out! @greatplainspress.bsky.social @wpgpubliclibrary.bsky.social @atbaypress.bsky.social

Gutted to hear of Nick’s passing while in Edinburgh on holiday. His contributions to the books section after his retirement from the Free Press were immeasurable, and there was no one else who wrote like him. I’ll miss him dearly for that and so many other reasons.

Not sure the folks at NBC/Peacock thought this one through

Reminder that you can catch me, @smbeiko.bsky.social, @chadwickginther.bsky.social, and @patrickjohanneson.com at Sookram’s here in Winnipeg on the 29th for a great reading series! Many thanks to our gracious host @badguybirnie.bsky.social!

I always enjoy talking to Miriam Toews, who returns to @mcnallyrobinson.com (her old workplace!) tomorrow night to launch her stellar new work of non-fiction, A Truce That Is Not Peace, in conversation with John Samson Fellows and Christine Fellows:

Reviewed ML Rio’s Hot Wax for the Freep, you guys www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...

You don't want to miss this! On Tuesday October 21 at 7pm, Souvankham Thammavongsa returns to Winnipeg to discuss her Giller Prize-shortlisted debut novel Pick a Colour with Lindsay Wong. Co-presented by Plume Winnipeg. - mailchi.mp/grant/souvan...

ICYMI, Linden MacIntyre launches his latest book, a (great) work of non-fiction about Hugh Tudor and the Irish War of Independence, tonight at @mcnallyrobinson.com:

I chatted with Linden MacIntyre about his great new book The Accidental Villain, which he launches at @mcnallyrobinson.com Tuesday night.

This Thursday October 16 at 7pm, join Miriam Toews as she returns to Winnipeg to celebrate her new book, A Truce That Is Not Peace (Knopf Canada). Featuring live music and questions from Christine Fellows and John Samson Fellows. - mailchi.mp/grant/miriam...

Wordle 1,576 1/6 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 LOL

Got myself some pumpkin-spiced COVID for the Thanksgiving weekend

Happy Friday to you guys

NOBEL PEACE PRICE COMMITTEE: WE GIVE THIS AWARD, FOR PEACE ... FIVE MINUTES LATER

I’ll be chatting with Joelle Kidd about her new book Jesusland at McNally Robinson this Friday evening. Such a great book! Hope to see you there. www.mcnallyrobinson.com/event-18787/...

Keeping Up Appearances was so good, mainly because of Routledge. Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "bouquet" of course) never failed to make me laugh.

DOG-FRIENDLY BOOK LAUNCH ALERT

Quelle surprise

The @winnipegfreepress.com Book Club welcomes Winnipeg Swampy Cree author @davidarobertson.bsky.social at 7 p.m. tonight to talk (virtually) about his book 52 Ways to Reconcile. Info: www.winnipegfreepress.com/book-club and Youtube link: www.youtube.com/live/iP9QdyH...

Me and @evawasney.bsky.social did a little taste test of some local hot sauces (including video of the top of my bald head, sweating):

I don't know why this made me laugh so hard

Afternoon: tasting a bunch of wines at the wine festival. Now: running a 5k. What could possibly go wrong? 😩

Happy malty fall beer season (we don't talk about pumpkin beers yet): www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...

❤️📕❤️

Winnipeg author Ariel Gordon has been named the Winnipeg Public Library’s writer-in-residence for 2025-2026.

Winnipeg Wine Festival organizers are hoping guests at this weekend’s public tastings leave feeling positively bubbly about the experience.

So I interviewed novelist Giles Blunt for the Free Press in advance of his visit to Winnipeg for THIN AIR, which appeared in Saturday's paper. @dundurnpress.bsky.social @gilesbluntbooks.bsky.social

watching kimmel tomorrow

David Bergen launches his excellent new thriller Days of Feasting and Rejoicing tonight at @mcnallyrobinson.com as part of the Winnipeg writers' fest Thin Air. Chatted with him in today's @winnipegfreepress.com: www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...

If Jimmy Kimmel's cancellation wasn't enough for you to bail on Disney, may I present...

Olamide Zaccheaus went for the jumping celebration with DJ Moore who didn't see him 😭🤣

🚨NEW: "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" just dropped its first response to ABC, FCC chair, and Disney firing Jimmy Kimmel. Trump ain't sleeping tonight. 🤣 This is a must-watch. 🔥

Tonight!

And RIP The Washington Post too, while we’re at it.

Went to my first Bisons game tonight and agree. U of M alumni can get a couple free tix with a code in the uni’s email newsletter too

Friends, come experience a Wednesdays of wild & wonderful words with us on Sept 17 here in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada!

On Wednesday September 17 at 7:00 pm, join Lauren Carter for the launch of her new book, The Longest Night (Freehand Books). Featuring a reading and a conversation hosted by Seyward Goodhand. - mailchi.mp/grant/lauren...