American author Paul Auster, prolific and experimental man of letters and filmmaker, dead at 77

Paul Auster, a prolific, prize-winning man of letters and filmmaker known for such inventive narratives and meta-narratives as The New York Trilogy and 4321, has died at age 77. Auster’s death was confirmed on May 1 by his literary representatives, the Carol Mann Agency, which did not immediately provide additional details. Auster had been diagnosed … Read more

How the creators of HBO’s The Sympathizer turned the bestselling novel into a dark, comic romp for TV

On the surface, Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer is the perfect target for adaptation. First off, it’s a novel — one of the more lucrative source materials for an industry perpetually hungry for existing IP and a built-in audience.  Second, it’s a Pulitzer Prize winner, a badge of honour that already proved a boon for similar adaptees like Spotlight, Driving Miss … Read more

Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki among finalists for 2024 Doug Wright Awards for best Canadian comics

Cousins and collaborators Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki have been nominated for the 2024 Doug Wright Award for their YA graphic novel Roaming. Founded in 2005, the Doug Wright Awards have been awarded annually to celebrate the best in comics across Canada. They are named after influential Canadian cartoonist Doug Wright. This year, 200 entries were submitted to be considered … Read more

Eleanor Catton among 3 Canadian authors shortlisted for $204K Carol Shields Prize

Eleanor Catton is among the five North American authors shortlisted for the second iteration of the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction.  The $150,000 USD ($203,971.50 Cdn) prize recognizes the best fiction book by a woman or non-binary writer from the U.S. and Canada. It is presently the largest international literary prize for women writers. Each of the four remaining finalists will … Read more

Margaret Atwood thrilled by award from France honouring her literary achievements

Canadian author Margaret Atwood has received a high honour from France’s ministry of culture for her contributions to literature. Atwood was named a commander in the French Order of Arts and Letters, which rewards people who have made significant contributions to artistic or literary fields in France and the rest of the world. France’s ambassador … Read more