“If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem.” —Toni Morrison

Got to attend the World Premiere of Singhs in the Ring last night for #CIFF2025 An inspiring documentary about The Great Gama Singh, his family, and legacy. A great Calgarian and Canadian, a model of true strength, toughness, and humility. Check it out. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ www.ciffcalgary.ca/films/2025/s...

Excited to be participating in #whenwordscollide Aug 15-17! If you haven’t secured your spot yet, come join us! Meet fellow writers, build your community, and find new creative spark!

Every day is #InternationalWolfDay in our eyes, but today’s a great reminder of how amazing wolves are! 🐺 Support wolf recovery and conservation by donating or advocating for stronger protections. 🌎🐾 Learn more about ways to make an impact: nywolf.org

Writing is funny because both my biggest brightest dream and stomach churning dread is having people read my book.

I’m too old to mosh anymore, but still love punk shows. I don’t remember seeing this level of aggression and fury in the pits in the last 25 years. Proud to see kids in Alberta picking up the torch and channeling their rage into positivity. These are the voices we should be listening to. FUCP ✊

🇨🇦 Creatives, I know you're out there and I'd be happy to add you to this second Canadian Creatives Starter Pack, called Canuck Creatives. #booksky #writer #author #poet #artist #painter #sculptor #actor #musician go.bsky.app/KtvfDVp

AS THE EARTH DREAMS, edited by Terese Mason Pierre, is a ground-breaking anthology of haunting speculative stories by contemporary Black Canadian writers. AS THE EARTH DREAMS is out October 14th, learn more here: houseofanansi.com/products/as-... #booksky #blackbooksky

Keep going…

New book shirt day!

Writing at Writing-On-Stone

You should never be more afraid of what will happen if you speak out and stand up against injustice & oppresson than you are of what happens if you don't. Don't let fear shut you down, let it wake you up & spark a fire inside you, maybe under your ass if that works as better motivation to fight.

Accurate. #writer #writesky #booksky #writinglife #indieauthor #meme #gallowshumor #writingmeme

In 2020 someone installed plaques on benches in Calgary’s Bowmont Park commemorating events that didn’t happen. The city removed them but re-installed them after locals protested. How could you not want these?

Danielle Smith lies. And then she uses those lies to justify laws that are against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Don't ever forget that. /fin

If you want to read my story about a super-powered Tommy Douglas (grandfather of Kiefer Sutherland and father of Canadian health care) and the On-to-Ottawa march, have I got a deal for you.

Happy #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay! Here are 6 NeWest favourites to help you celebrate Indigenous voices during this National Indigenous History Month (and every month). Check these out in your local bookstore, local library, or on our NeWest store. #NeWestPress buff.ly/OW6Lv3h

It's National Indigenous People's Day 🧡 it's the perfect day to pick up a book written by an Indigenous author- with so many fantastic books written by First Nation, Métis and Inuit authors, you can't go wrong!

Thank you both, @gloriablizzard.bsky.social and @kerncarter.bsky.social for this!

If you’re in Calgary and don’t go to (or know about) Sled Island, check it out. Incredible music from all over the world and musical spectrum. Tons of Canadian talent. Affordable tickets. Great way to support diverse art, local business, and have your mind blown at the same time. www.sledisland.com

Or rather NOT DOING which is keeping their village boneheads in check and now look.....those boneheads are running the show. The work White folks should be doing and leading is in their own communities, trying to restore some intelligence and decency by getting those boneheads under control.

"But too often, we find ourselves pushed to the margins of our own movements by white “allies” who want to lead without listening, critique without context, and burn bridges in the name of ideological purity." They also get too busy policing us and what we're doing...IGNORING WHAT THEY ARE DOING

“There’s a lot of things wrong with this country, but one of the few things still right with it is that a man can steer clear of the organized bullshit if he really wants to. It’s a goddamned luxury, and if I were you, I’d take advantage of it while you can.” — Hunter S Thompson

"If Adolf Hitler flew in today They'd send a limousine anyway." I'd like to live to see the day when that lyric stops being pertinent. Goddam do I miss Joe Strummer

Evil inspires good. Good inspires good even better. I’m inspired by fascism—to write angry, to read intently. I’m even more inspired by the good people fighting it. Watching and learning—to write and speak out with clarity and confidence. To stand strong alongside you. To fight. For good.

Thanks to @dplto.bsky.social, @illingworth.bsky.social, @waub.bsky.social, and Tamara Miller for the great discussion yesterday on Canadian Books in Turbulent Times. My big takeaway as a Canadian writer; take risks. It’s where great art comes from, and great art helps all artists.

Not sure if I’m the right editor for you? Here’s some info to help you decide! Reach out today to book your FREE consult and sample edit. I can’t wait to work with you! #authorservices #editingservices #fictioneditor #cozyfiction #amwriting #professionaleditor

A thread reflecting today on the WGA Conference this past weekend: An incredible weekend learning from Alberta writers of all stripes—young and old, new and established, a huge variety of genres, backgrounds, focuses, and inspirations.

What were Alberta readers picking up in May 2025? The latest Alberta Bestsellers list features @durvile-shyba.bsky.social, @newestpress.bsky.social, @ucalgarypress.bsky.social, @ualbertapress.bsky.social, and more! buff.ly/23SmxR2 . #AlbertaBestsellers #ABBooks #ReadAlberta #SpringReads

Learned so much today from @natashadeen.com, @boneblackstories.bsky.social, @judyilinauthor.bsky.social, @lesliegreentree.bsky.social, @mstwobears.bsky.social, and all the panelists, hosts, and attendees I got to hear from at the WGA Conference. So much wisdom and inspiration shared!

Also looking forward to this conference!

Prepping, planning, and packing for the @writersguildab.bsky.social conference this weekend. Excited and anxious. Ready to listen, learn, work, and be inspired by all the amazing writers taking part.

Absolute vibes in Canadian Tire this afternoon, blasting Air over the store PA while I bought ant traps. music.apple.com/ca/album/sex...

“Printed in Canada by mindless acid freaks” no longer appears on the pages of Coach House books and the pressmen are no longer paid in acid, but the independent-minded energy that animated Coach House Books when it started remains as it marks its 60th anniversary this year. buff.ly/irlklmB

For someone who doesn’t drive much, I’ve been stopped by an inordinate amount of G7 motorcade drills.

Your monthly reminder: Keep writing. When no one cares, persist. When things appear to be crumbling, keep at it. When it's difficult, push through. When you feel alone, listen to the stories in your blood. Just write.

Happy Pride Month, Fannibals!

Today’s distractions, brought to you by the two sides of procrastination: - Finally changed the tires on the van (while listening to Kiss From a Rose on repeat). - Figured out how to play and sing an acoustic version of Kiss From a Rose without butchering it. I hope. Time to work now.

That’s us, all right. “Canadiens are naturally large, nicely built, with an energetic temperament. They like honours, pride themselves on being brave, and are extremely sensitive to slights and to the smallest punishments.” Gilles Hocquart, Intendant, 1737

it must symbolize something unseen

If Alberta has to rely on only one industry, it should be literature. Don’t even try to change my mind. So much talent. So many great writers and books. @ftstenson.bsky.social @marcellodicintio.bsky.social @writersguildab.bsky.social @calgarylibrary.bsky.social #CanLit #ReadCanadian

70 years young 🍻 Happy Birthday Topper Headon, drummer for punk rock band The Clash, born on this day in 1955, Bromley, Kent, England The Clash "Clampdown" April 25, 1980 #punk #punks #punkrock #theclash #topperheadon #theclash #history #punkrockhistory #otd

Sitting in the sunshine of a heatwave, writing about struggling through a blizzard. Iced coffee’s doing a lot of heavy lifting right now.

I’m going to write this novel and the next one and the one after and I have no clue if my agent will like them or be able to sell them or how much they’ll sell for or to whom or how well they’ll perform, but none of that matters because the only thing I can control is the work I put in. Let’s write.

#writers #writingcommunity #writingtips

Business cards designed ✅ Domain name purchased ✅ Union joined ✅ Progressing in professionalism

of real knowledge there be little, yet of books there are a plenty