in the current issue
subscribe!
indie artist in residence
Louis Rastelli
Louis Rastelli has been involved in writing and publishing since forever. In 1996, he began his own zine, Fish Piss. In 1998, he co-founded Archive Montreal with fellow publishers, a non-profit organization with the mandate of preserving and promoting local independent culture. In 2001 they launched Distroboto, a network of former cigarette vending machines converted to sell art, music, films and zines. In 2002, they founded Montreal's Expozine small press, comic and zine fair. Rastelli continues to write freelance for many different publications and also self-published numerous miniature books of fiction and historical essays. His recently published the novel A Fine Ending. He is also an avid record collector, DJ and musician and would love to find the time to become an amateur filmmaker.
featured story
Autobiographic
In Julie Doucet’s visual-journal graphic novel, 365 Days, it’s easy to question why the author records every item of minutiae. At first blush, this Montreal artist’s diary of everyday routine can seem tedious, self-absorbed, overwhelming. There’s no day (or meal) that goes unnoticed. But halfway th...
by David Silverberg - read more
also in this issue
Skim is In: Mariko Tamaki bares all in her graphic novel
Autobio Graphic Novels
Burlesque Pirate Poetry
Indie Writers Deathmatch Winners
advertisement
featured excerpt
Scientific Facts: By Virtue of Being Very True
Scientific Fact #3: Your Dad Is A Perv
I don't want to come over anymore.
Your house is ok. I mean it doesn't smell weird or anything and you've got digital cable but your dad is a huge perv.
He left MSN on in his office one time when I had to check my email. Username? Naughtystud33...
from http://scientificfacts.livejournal.com - read more
featured zine review
Brainscan: Irreconcilable Differences
Perzines can be tricky. The author has to figure out which parts of his or her soul would be interesting to a stranger. The best zines in this genre are written on universal themes and cause the reader to relate to the experience of the author. Alex ...
April zine of the month - read more
announcement
Broken Pencil accepts internship applications
Six-month, unpaid editorial internships available. Smart and indie-minded upstarts needed for: content scouting, writing for pencil sharpener section, copy editing, correspondence, and general office duties. Send CV and writing sample to intern@brokenpencil.com. For more information, check our internship page.
- the sharpener
- zine of the month
- indie artist in residence
- the archive
- bp by issue
- all excerpts
- all features
- all zines
- search reviews
- resources
- topics
latest additions
International 3-Day Novel Contest
This year's 3-Day Novel Contest will run August 30 - September 1, 2008. Competitors must compose an entire novel in three days, and the winner will be awarded with publication. The contest continues to grow in popularity. It has even become the subject of a reality tv show--the second season will air this summer on BookTelevision! Click on the link for rules and registration forms.
Norah Franklin
may 10, 2008
Montreal's Anarchist Bookfair
Montreal's 9th annual Anarchist Bookfair is taking place on May 17th, and will include film screenings, art exhibits, a "Resistance 2010 Info Room," and more. The fair will be followed by a day of anarchist workshops on May 18th. See the website for details.
Norah Franklin
may 10, 2008
Blood, guts, and leather!
Authors Sandra Kasturi, Séphera Girňn, and Brett Alexander Savory are reading at the Oakwood Village Branch Library on Monday, May 12 as part of the Toronto Public Library's Foresight Reading Series. It starts at 7pm. To borrow from Brett Alexander Savory's description, here's what to expect: "Join us for an evening of gothic delights – read: blood, guts and leather – with three of Toronto’s finest young horror writers. Kasturi will present readings from her own short stories and her husband Savory’s works, including the sinister coming-of-age tale In and Down and his disquietingly original short story collection, No Further Messages. Girňn will read a selection from her novels of horror and erotica, Mistress of the Dark and Hungarian Rhapsody." The readings will be followed by a Q&A session and book-signing. There will also be free pastry (you're sold now, right?) and books to buy.
Liz Worth
may 10, 2008
New blogger aboard
First of all, let me thank my old friend and University alumnus Magda Wojytra for her blogs here in the past few months. It's a real coincidence that we both end up blogging here back-to-back. There isn't much I can say by way of introduction that you won't find in the biographical box at the top of the page here. There also isn't much to this first blog post -- I will post a "real" first entry at the beginning of next week. In the meantime, just to make sure I know how all of this works, I will upload a photo from one of my favourite websites, the Church of Euthanasia. (Give a hoot -- don't reproduce!) See you again soon, -Louis Rastelli Other links to my various projects and writing: www.distroboto.archivemontreal.org www.fishpiss.com www.expozine.ca
Louis Rastelli
may 8, 2008
[MONTREAL] 7 Stories
Table D'Hôte Theatre company was started by several Concordia University theatre students, and continues to promote the work of emerging artists and actors here in Montreal. Their latest production is 7 Stories by Morris Panych, directed by Olivier Perras. The storyline is described thus: "A man standing on a ledge of a building contemplates his existence while a domino effect of eccentric characters pop out to engage the potential jumper." The cast of 7 Stories includes Jessica Abdallah, Aimée Rose Ambroziak, Joseph Bembridge, Tamara Brown, Eric Davis, John Hastings, Eric Hausknost, Catherine Lemieux, Sterling Mawhinney, Alexandra Ordolis, Mike Payette, Dom Pompeo and Joanne Sarazen. Prices for the show are reasonably affordable at $23, with a discounted price of $15 for students and seniors. Further discounts include "Everyone's a student!" night on May 10 at 2PM and half-price tickets for all mothers on May 11, Mother's Day. Catch 7 Stories until Ma...
Laura Roberts
may 6, 2008
Sketches of Macho Man Randy Savage
Broken Pencil's roving columnist, Nathaniel G. Moore, is looking for black and white ink sketches of Macho Man Randy Savage for the inside cover of his next book. The drawings don't have to be perfect; he is looking for an "art class daydream" aesthetic. He also plans to curate a show called "The Same Man," at which he will display your sketches, play classical music and wrestling videos, and promote the book! Send your questions and jpegs to bowlbrawl@gmail.com.
Norah Franklin
may 6, 2008
Femme Invasion in Toronto! This Thursday, May 8
Three of Canada's fiercest writers will be reading at the Toronto Women's Bookstore this Thursday at 7pm. Winnipeg author Chandra Mayor (author of Cherry and August Witch) is launching her new collection of short stories, All the Pretty Girls. Mayor will be joined with readings from Debra Anderson (author of Code White) and Zoe Whittall (author of Bottle Rocket Hearts). Check out these authors here and then come out and show them some love. www.debraanderson.ca www.chandramayor.com www.zoewhittall.blogspot.com
Liz Worth
may 5, 2008
The Haunted Hillbilly
The Haunted Hillbilly (Centre Segal des arts de la scène 5170 Chemin de la Cote Ste. Catherine Montreal, May 01-12, 2008) is a semi-factual musical re-telling of Derek McCormack's novella. Through Nudie "The Rodeo Tailor", the gay couturier and vampire, see the making-then-breaking of Hank Williams Sr.
Melissa Bovaird
may 4
MyType
Tonight is the opening night of MyType at Keep Six Contemporary Gallery at 938 Bathurst Street. Graphic design artist Noel Nanton's collection of new modernist posters will remain at the gallery until May 11, so make sure to check it out.
Norah Franklin
may 3, 2008
Shortcuts and Hangouts
Round 1 of Mammalian Diving Reflex's Parkdale Public School vs. Queen West begins this morning at 10:30am. Grade 8 geography students from the school will be giving a tour of Parkdale and sharing their opinions about their neighbourhood. To join in, meet at Parkdale Public School at 78 Seaforth Avenue (Lansdowne and Queen West). Sorry about the short notice! Check out plans for later rounds on the website. "Show and Tell" sounds amazing.
Norah Franklin
may 3, 2008
Sleeveface
You may have seen this site before, but it's new to me and I think it's one of the best things I've seen lately. I love what people do with their spare time. Please enjoy. http://www.sleeveface.com
Lindsay Gibb
may 2, 2008
Geist May Days Event
Geist's second annual May Days party is taking place Saturday, May 10, at Listel Hotel in Vancouver (1300 Robson Street). There will be food, drinks, door prizes, and readings--David Albahari is the featured guest. The party begins at 5:30pm and admission is free!
Norah Franklin
may 2, 2008
The Pee-wee Herman Picture Show
On May 29th at 7pm, The Toronto Cyclists Union is holding a fundraiser at the Bloor Cinema. They will be screening Pee-wee's Big Adventure while a live Rocky Horror-style cast performs along with the film! The cast will include members of the Hidden Cameras, Broken Social Scene, Apostle of Hustle, Kids on TV, The Old Soul, Republic of Safety, the Phonemes, and more.
Norah Franklin
may 1, 2008
Hamilton Arts & Letters
The first issue of Hamilton Arts & Letters is now online. There is a lot of good stuff here, and I found myself particularly drawn to John C. Weaver's "Gore Park as Urban Artifact." Have a look!
Norah Franklin
april 28, 2008
Black Monday
Check this event out...it is going to be as damn good as Cooper's coffee on Twin Peaks. Toronto Noir events with editors Janine Armin & Nathaniel G. Moore: Mon., April 28, Doors at 7pm, Event at 7:30pm The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom 1214 Queen St. West Toronto, Ontario *This Is Not a Reading Series, Pages Bookstore, and Eye Weekly present an evening of "Noir Confessions" in celebration of the release of Toronto Noir. Featuring editors Janine Armin & Nathaniel G. Moore, with select contributors. Wed., May 7, 6-8pm Ben McNally Books 366 Bay St. Toronto, Ontario *Featuring Toronto Noir editors Janine Armin & Nathaniel G. Moore, with Peter Robinson and other contributors TBA. Thurs., May 29, 7pm A Different Booklist 746 Bathhurst St. Toronto, Ontario *Featuring Toronto Noir editors Janine Armin & Nathaniel G. Moore, with RM Vaughan and other contributors TBA. Part of the bookstore's 10th anniversary celebration. Fri., June 6, 7pm World's Bigge...
Erin Kobayashi
april 26, 2008
Experimental Animation at Casa Del Popolo
Montrealers who are interested in animated shorts should go to Casa Del Popolo (4873 St. Laurent) tonight for an evening of experimental animation. 16 short films will be screened--all made by women who have lived in Halifax. Arrive around 6:45pm to hear Montreal's Little Brown Jug play some bluegrass tunes(click on the link to check them out).
Norah Franklin
april 22, 2008
CCL1 Pledge Drive
Brian Joseph Davis and Emily Schultz are publishing a catalog of their project, The Centre for Culture and Leisure No 1, and they need some extra funds to complete it. The full-colour catalog will include work by Jon Sasaki, Darren O'Donnall, Katie Bethune Leamen, Emelie Chhangur, Dave Dyment, Jade Rude, and many others. Click on the link to find out how you can help!
Norah Franklin
april 15, 2008
covering the suburbs - or - how suburbanites must fend for themselves
Growing up in the suburbs I felt pretty constrained to shopping malls and movie theatres for entertainment. That's all there was in my city--Brampton, for the record--and that continues to be all there is on a mainstream level. Escaping to Toronto was the only reprieve once I was old enough to go there on my own. Growing up I felt that my city sucked. Once I hit high school, however, I discovered (and became a part of) a local music scene that was very active and, if nothing else, alleviated the suburban boredom. By university I was a big defender of the suburbs and Brampton in particular. In 2003 I became a part of the Brampton Indie Arts Festival because it's purpose was synonymous with my belief that people didn't need to leave the suburbs to find things to do, all they needed was an awareness of what's going on in their backyard. A new magazine devoted to the suburbs was just announced by Metroland West Media Group and for a moment I was excited to...
Lindsay Gibb
april 11, 2008
[MONTREAL] Slowdance Prom
Slowdance Night has been a regular fixture at Le Cagibi since February of this year, but now Worn Fashion Journal, Lickety Split and Perpetual Emotion Motion Machine have teamed up to bring you the Slowdance Prom. According to their press release, "Whether your high school memories are good or bad, Amber Goodwyn (Lickety Split Smut Zine), Sherwin Tjia (Perpetual Emotion Machine Productions) and Serah-Marie Mc Mahon (Worn Fashion Journal) are promising the prom of your dreams." That's good news for all of us who were considered super geeks in high school. Even better, there's great news for those who are still shy about approaching strangers: Slowdance Night's Resident Dancers will keep the wallflowers out on the dance floor where they belong. You'll easily be able to spot them, as they'll all be wearing gold sashes. Featuring your favourite slowdance songs from the 50s to the present, as well as traditional prom decorations like candles, streamers and a mirror ball, Slowda...
Laura Roberts
april 9, 2008
Deep Wireless Festival of Radio and Transmission Art
The Deep Wireless Festival of Radio and Transmission Art runs from May 1 - June 8 and will feature all kinds of awesome broadcasts and exhibitions (including guerrilla radio art performances!). Also on the agenda: workshops and the 6th annual Radio Without Boundaries Conference.
Norah Franklin
april 8, 2008
CALL FOR PERFORMANCE ARTISTS AND POETS (Toronto)
Calling all performance artists and spoken word poets in Toronto: There's a new spoken word night starting up and they're looking for performers. The mission is to push boundaries by keeping a focus on alternative/experimental works. That extends into generally weird stuff, alcohol-infused (or inspired?) freak outs, and contemporary writing with rock n' roll energy. With the spirit of Bukowski, Patti Smith, Antonin Artaud, and Lydia Lunch in mind, this night is looking to establish a voice for those who consider themselves on the fringe of Toronto's lit scene, and is especially for those who don't want to have a thing to do with what's out there right now at all. Anyone interested in participating should get in touch by sending an email to fascinationstreetwords@yahoo.ca explaining who you are and what you do. If you have an alter ego you prefer to speak through that's even better. The rest of the important details are as follows: Happening at: Augusta House...
Liz Worth
april 9, 2008
TH&B
The TH&B collective gets their name from the now inactive railway that was meant to connect Toronto, Hamilton, and Buffalo, and they have invited artists who have ties to this area to participate in an exhibition project in Hamilton. The exhibition will take place from April 12th to May 4th at 270 Sherman Avenue North, a former textile mill. Participants have been asked to respond to the post-industrial context of the site, and to the history and the present-day landscape of the city of Hamilton. See the website for more details!
Norah Franklin
april 4, 2008
[MONTREAL] The Pilot Reading Series
The Pilot is Matrix Magazine's monthly reading series, which they've dubbed "the preeminent last Sunday of the month event." With sponsorship from the Quebec Writer's Federation and Pop Montreal, the reading series features writers from across Canada as well as local musical act Billy Fong Parade. The event has garnered praise from a variety of sources for its intimate setting and focus on up-and-coming writers, as has become Matrix's signature event. Indeed, the Pilot will be featuring a "very special mid-month Pilot" in tandem with Coach House Books' Montreal spring launch on April 13 at The Green Room (5386 St-Laurent) with readings from Maggie Helwig (Girls Fall Down), Claudia Dey (Stunt), RM Vaughan (Troubled), Jen Currin (Hagiography), Jordan Scott (Blert) and Sachiko Murakami of Talonbooks. Tonight's Pilot features readings from Robert Glück (Denny Smith), Gail Scott (translator of Lise Tremblay’s Mile End), Meliss...
Laura Roberts
march 30, 2008
Haircuts by Children
CREATIVE ACTIVISM, Curated by Heather Haynes, is exhibiting 30 photographs from Haircuts by Children at Toronto Free Gallery's new location at 1277 Bloor Street West, just East of Lansdowne. Exhibition dates: March 20th - April 19th
Melissa Bovaird
march29 2008
Cumulus Press: 10th anniversary
Celebrate 10 years of Cumulus Press! When: Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 8:00 pm. Where: 4435, rue St-Hubert, Montréal. What: ten-year retrospective exhibit, 50%+ discount on available titles, DJs, live performances, dance floor, snacks, drinks, and birthday cake. Admission is $5 (includes free drink and a Cumulus book of your choice).
Norah Franklin
march 25, 2008
Hal's New Blog
Hal Niedzviecki here, publisher and fiction editor of Broken Pencil. Just wanted to let everyone know that I've started a new blog. For the next year or so I'll be blogging about Peep Culture as part of a book I'm writing and a documentary I'm helping to develop. The basic premise of the project is: Peep Culture: How We Learned to Love Watching Ourselves and Our Neighbours. To find out more and follow my adventures, check it out at www.peephal.com/blog
march 24, 2008
Cooked and Eaten Poetry
The Cooked and Eaten Poetry of Every Day Life Twelve Hour Poetry Marathon is looking for poets/participants: Call for Poets - Deadline April 16, 2008 The Cooked and Eaten Poetry of Everyday Life Twelve Hour Poetry Marathon 12 hours of continuous poetry from 9am to 9pm, Friday, April 18th, 2007 Calling all poets! After the overwhelming success of last year’s Poetry Month marathon, The Cooked and Eaten is holding our second annual marathon event. To make this happen we need at least 48 poets (last year we had 90) who would be interested in taking part. Poets, lyricists and all writers of verse are called to present their work aloud in restaurants and cafés, on street corners, in shopping malls, on the bus, at school, next to a tree in a forest with no-one there to hear it... Last year we had poets contact us from Ottawa, Vancouver, Toronto, Nanaimo, Calgary, Winnipeg, and beyond. This year we’d love to hear from more poets on the East Coast and Quebec. Stand up and repre...
Norah
march 23, 2008
[MONTREAL] University of the Streets Café presents: Sex Talks!
University of the Streets Café is about public conversations in neighbourhood settings. It's about sharing ideas, wisdom and resources and engaging critical (and creative) thought on topics of interest. The topic of interest for March 19 is one we all think about: sex! "Sex Talks! What is good sex?" is the title of the discussion, which will ask participants to stop asking the question "What is normal?", when it comes to sex, and instead concentrated on the question "What constitutes good sex?" Possible areas for exploration include: quantity vs. quality, techniques, intimacy, communication, peak experience, the role of taboos and shame, arousal and reward, and whether you can peak with someone you’re used to. The evening's guest will be Dr. Jim Pfaus, a professor and researcher at Concordia University’s Centre for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology (CSBN). His research generally deals with the physiological and psychological factors that influence sexual desire and beha...
Laura Roberts
march 18, 2008
Indie Writers' Deathmatch - Emergency Sudden Death Overtime
Due to the suspicious poisoning of our database, we're going to try this again. The Emergency Sudden Death Overtime, for the last leg of the Indie Writers' Deathmatch, starts now. Please, try not to break anything. The deathmatch officially ends at midnight on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. We do actually want this thing to end, so only real people voting please. No robots allowed. Thanks.
Lindsay Gibb
march 17, 2008
Independent Book Stores - Edmonton
Edmonton's See Magazine recently ran an article about how independent Canadian book stores are dealing with the competition from big box retailers. To read the article go here: http://www.seemagazine.com/article/city-life/lifestyle/bookstore/
Lindsay Gibb
march 15, 2008
I'm Feeling Unlucky: Independent Culture in the Google Era
Part I. So there's this indie rock band from Toronto called Soft Copy. They're pretty ordinary, but they're also pretty good, and they've attracted my attention. In the summer of 2006, my friend Brendan sent me to Soft Copy's MySpace page. I liked what I heard, downloaded a few songs, and when their album Wolves, Wolf, and More Wolves appeared in the fall of that year, I grabbed it. It's a swirling mix of power-pop that reminds me of my favourite bands from the 1990s (including Sugar and My Bloody Valentine) while still sounding fresh and contemporary. Although I'm no Lester Bangs or (god forbid) Greil Marcus, I sense magic in their should-be-a-hit-song "On The Outside."ť There's the haunting way lead singer Andrew McAllister stretches the word w-i-n ("we're getting older / so let us win") and the rhythmic buzzsaw generated by the guitar and drums partway through the track. But hearing, as they say, is believing. In February of 2007 I convinced the members o...
By Ryan Bigge
march 15, 2008
[MONTREAL] Faggity Ass Fridays weekly event
Faggity Ass Fridays is a weekly event sponsored by community group Head and Hands. It's an ongoing fundraiser for their queer-positive sex education segment, called The Sense Project, and features local DJs, movies, dance contests and more. This week's installment is surf-themed. The Surfin' Spectacular Splendid Get Some Fucking Sun Party will find the Main Hall space full of hula hoop and limbo contests, Elvis surf movies and even some palm trees. "Surf Jockeys" Xavier T., Dirtyboots, Kate L. and more will be on hand to crank the jams, and your host for the evening will be Miss Velveeta Spandexxx. The fun starts at 10 PM at the Main Hall (5390 St-Laurent), so be sure to get there early to enjoy the music and dancing. For more information on Head and Hands or The Sense Project, go to www.headandhands.ca.
Laura Roberts
march 12, 2008
How Rob Brezsny is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings
"... the out-of-control imagination in service to the ego is the function by which most people lie to themselves constantly" Don't you just LOVE Rob Brezsny?! If you haven't had the pleasure of one of these shining beacons of unfailing online optimism, don't delay - Free Will Astrology website awaits. The bright colours alone are bound to tweak you into a more wakeful reverie of the moment's potential for glee. Many people are familiar with Rob's horoscopes which are syndicated in hundreds of newspapers and weeklies, and are also available on his website. Fewer people are familiar with his books or how he got into horoscope writing in the first place. I highly recommend to read the whole thing on his website, especially if you're a writer...
Magda Wojtyra
11 march 2007
[MONTREAL] English Language-Arts Network presents monthly Schmoozer
ELAN, the English-Language Arts Network, presents their monthly Schmoozer event on Tuesday March 11 from 5-7pm at Brutopia. The event is designed to allow artists from a variety of disciplines to meet over drinks in order to discuss projects, meet new people and otherwise, well, schmooze! This month's Schmoozer will take place in the basement lounge of Brutopia (1219 Crescent Street, between Ste-Catherine and Rene-Levesque), and is closest to metro Lucien-L'Allier.
Laura Roberts
march 10, 2008
[MONTREAL] 8th annual Art Matters festival on now!
The Art Matters festival is a yearly event, and is the largest student-run arts festival in Canada. Put together by Concordia University students, this year's fest is on until March 15 and features the work of 200 artists presented by 42 curators in over 30 exhibits and performances across the city of Montreal. Check out the website for a full calendar of events, as well as more info!
Laura Roberts
march 8, 2008
Feature article on zines in Windsor campus mag The Lance
The University of Windsor's campus paper The Lance just ran a cover story on the future of zines in their recent issue. It's more of an introduction to zines for those who've never heard of them, and an analysis of the future of zines from creators. For the full story visit http://pastthepages.ca/080305/feature.html.
Lindsay Gibb
march 6, 2008
Material Projections: installations in audio/sculpture/video/photography
MATERIAL PROJECTIONS Installations in Audio / Sculpture / Video / Photography March 1 to 14, 2008 WHIPPERSNAPPER GALLERY 587A College Street, Toronto Opening Reception: Thursday, March 6, 2008, 7pm-1am CHARLES TAYLOR Through various media, Charles' work is an attempt to unify the bestial, the rational, and the angelic in the human. In his installation for Material Projections, sounds of the artist's breathing are layered to create a rhythmic soundscape which contrasts with a dreamy video loop. BARBARA GOSS Barbara is an installation artist interested in the spaces created by the objects within them. Her current work addresses the spaces implied by the intersection of straight lines and curves. The human body's interaction with such spaces creates a longing for the whirling movement of the circle. This series was inspired by the round walls of a Mongolian ger (yurt). LEIGH NUNAN Leigh is a filmmaker and video artist. In this video installation she explores th...
Richard Rosenbaum
march 5, 2008
Parkdale Street Writers - a bootcamp for young dreamers
The upcoming issue of Broken Pencil is our literary issue, featuring the winners of the Indie Writers' Deathmatch, profiles on new authors and more. Fitting into this theme is a project for young writers, held at the Parkdale Public Library and sponsored by the Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Public Library and Parkdale Community Health Centre. Do you keep a blog? Constantly update your Facebook page? Write super-long e-mails? Make up stories and poems in your head? Why not join the… Parkdale Street Writers a boot camp for young dreamers http://www.parkdalewriters.ca Ten weeks of free writing workshops led by kick-ass local authors, cartoonists, hip hop poets, and street artists! You don't have to be a great writer. Just be prepared to have fun! * Write about real life * Produce song lyrics and poems * Create your own comics * Interview people * Find and make art * Publish your work * Get advice from professionals * Select other kinds of writing fo...
Lindsay Gibb
march 6, 2008
Audio Blood In Print
As more and more publications abandon their glossy pages and colour spreads to go digital, Toronto's Audio Blood Zine decided to do just the opposite. After having a successful run as an online publication, its site ceased operation last summer and went on to become a printed entity. I sent some questions over to Audio Blood creator Sari Delmar to talk about how this move has been going and what the rationale was behind it. Liz: What was your original vision for Audio Blood? Sari: Audio Blood was started on a bit of a whim. Me and a photographer friend were fed up with the current publications we were working for and their guidelines, be it writing guidelines or limitations on who to cover, etcetera. So with barely any experience and just a lot of unfocused passion we decided we'd start a website. The initial vision is much the same as it is now, although AB has changed shape. We wanted to have a place for everyone to share their music, art, wr...
Liz Worth
march 3,2008
Pages Books and Mags new website
Hey everyone our good friends at Toronto's Pages Books and Mags (long time supporters of broken pencil and small press publishing)have launched a new website. Check it out! There's a feature on Beth Follett, reading lists and even an interview about magazine publishing with yours truly...
Hal Niedzviecki
february 25, 2008
Indie Writers Deathmatch: Semi-Finals Begin!
Only the strongest are surviving here at the Indie Writers Deathmatch; four stories have been eliminated, and four remain. Now the winners of the first rounds go head-to-head. Check out the contest, and help decide who progresses to the finals.
Richard Rosenbaum
february 25, 2008
Indie Writers Deathmatch - Round 4!
The last two contestants are duking it out in the Online Arena -- the winner goes on to the semi-finals! It's your last chance to decide who won't make it through the qualifying round, so make it count. Vote! Comment!
Richard Rosenbaum
february 18, 2008
Indie Writers Deathmatch - Round 3!
Round 3 of the Indie Writers Deathmatch is in full swing, and it's CLOSE! Read the stories and have your say today.
Richard Rosenbaum
february 13, 2008
Brampton Indie Arts Festival
The Brampton Indie Arts Festival is back for its 9th year. Starting Wednesday, February 13 and taking place for the second year in a row at the Rose Theatre, Brampton (1 Theatre Lane), this eclectic festival will once again feature performances in three space simultaneously. The main stage will feature artists such as INSIDEaMIND, Faceless Lazers, Spiral Beach and Dr. Steve Mann’s States-of-Matter Quintet; films such as I Met the Walrus, Madame Tulti-Putli and A Day or More in the Life of a Russian Furniture Maker; and comedians Becky Johnson and The Remainders. The side stage will feature the likes of Brian Random’s Answering Machine Cassette Symphony, The Bicycles, Nadja, Woodhands and The Houseplants and the Rotundus Maximus (basically the lobby) will also hold a variety of performances each night. For ticket information and a full schedule visit biaf.ca.
Lindsay Gibb
february 13, 2008
Shameless Anthology call for submissions
Our friends at Shameless, editors Megan Griffith-Greene and Stacey May Fowles, are putting together an anthology for teen girls and they are currently looking for submissions. To be published in the spring of 2009, the anthology will include creative non-fiction essays by women and trans-identified adults about their formative experiences as teens. It is aimed at a young audience and is intended to focus on how both positive and negative experiences from the writers' teen years shaped their lives. Themes catagories to tackle include: Body image, sex and puberty; authority, power, rebellion and community; race, ethnicity, language and culture; and art and voice. Anyone who has read Shameless should already have an idea of what they're looking for, but in case you need more detail visit shamelessmag.com or query anthology@shamelessmag.com for more information. To submit, follow these guidelines: Submissions should range from 500 to 2500 words, and should be double spaced on 8 1...
Lindsay Gibb
february 11, 2008
Bike Safety and Monkey Heads
I-Mockery.com has graciously released to the world possibly the scariest PSA ever. 'One Got Fat' is an old 16mm bike-safety film which, by some stroke of luck, decided to have the actors wear monkey-faced masks so disturbing no child would ever want to touch a bike again after seeing this. Imagine taking the corpse from the Planet of the Apes, bore its eyes out to black pits and contort the mouth to some hideous expression and you'll get an idea of what you're in for. Enjoy!
James
feb 6th
Second Skin
An official selection for the SXSW film fest - Second Skin looks like a pretty polished doc about the online world of MMORPG's (massive multiplayer online role playing games). Consisting of interviews with people who have watched thier lives fall apart through a game obsession to those who have 'actually' found love through the fantasy world - its interesting to see the effects of a digital community on real, live, living beings.
James King
feb 6th