The Town Crier

The Town Crier operated as a hub for criticism and commentary, connecting a community of writers, readers, and commentators through social media, and focusing on the interplay of literary opinion in and around the city of Toronto until its closure in February 2021.

• (Dis)order: No/Know/Known/Knowing/Knowingly

  By Rasiqra Revulva | September 15, 2017

  Rasiqra Revulva continues "(Dis)Order: The Single Question Series" with a lyric essay and excerpts from her debut chapbook "Cephalopography."

• Confluence and Convergence

  By John Robert Lee | September 13, 2017

  John Robert Lee discusses ekphrastic poetry, convergences as essential to all art-making, and his newest collection, "Collected Poems: 1975-2015."

• Convergent Evolution

  By Allison LaSorda | September 11, 2017

  Allison LaSorda discusses the concept of convergence and convergent evolution in the context of her debut poetry collection "Stray."

• “I Don’t Believe in Writer’s Block”

  By Mark Jordan Manner | September 7, 2017

  Mark Jordan Manner shares his thoughts on the writing process and discusses his polyphonic novel, "Most Perfect Things About People."

• (Dis)Order: The Single Question Series

  By Canisia Lubrin | September 5, 2017

  Canisia Lubrin introduces "(Dis)Order: The Single Question Series," and asks writers to illuminate their relationship with knowledge across writing genres.

• Afterthoughts on a Month of Songwriting Critique

  By Daniel Kincade Renton | September 1, 2017

  Daniel Kincade Renton shares his afterthoughts and responds to contributors from this month's discussion of songwriting critique and hybrid criticism.

• Words and Music in Composition

  By Jenny Berkel | August 30, 2017

  Jenny Berkel discusses lyrics, the interplay between text, sound, and meaning, and critiquing songs for their literary value.

• Theses on the Criticism of Popular Songwriting

  By David Janzen and Andy Verboom | August 28, 2017

  David Janzen and Andy Verboom discuss lyrical music and reflect on Daniel Kincade Renton’s claim that “song writing warrants its own discourse.”

• Not Quite the Same Boy He Used to Be

  By Joseph Andre Thomas | August 25, 2017

  Joseph Thomas dissects lyrics and poetry in EDM, Eric Prydz, and Steve Winwood as part of Daniel Renton's Town Crier takeover

• Major and Minor Points

  By Andrew Brooks | August 23, 2017

  Andrew Brooks discusses the synthesis of words and music, the songwriter, and music's role as a vehicle for eliciting an emotional response in the listener.

• A Primer on Musicology for Literary Critics

  By Ed Smith | August 21, 2017

  Ed Smith explains melody, harmony, timbre, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, and form for this month's discussion of the creative synthesis of words and music.

• Not Strictly Platonic: Five Dialogues on the Unity of Poetry and Music

  By Jade Wallace | August 17, 2017

  Jade Wallace continues this month's discussion of the creative synthesis of words and music, with references to Patricia Martín Rivas and Bob Dylan.