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.

• Against the Enlightenment-Car-Crash

  By Naben Ruthnum and Kris Bertin | May 6, 2016

  Kris Bertin and Naben Ruthnum on writing crime and obsession, citing Hitchcock, Dr. Phil, Tinder, and Alexander Mcleod.

• Born Red

  By Lisa Bird-Wilson | May 4, 2016

  Lisa Bird-Wilson on writing and her origins, citing N Scott Momaday and her poetry collection, The Red Files (Nightwood Editions, 2016).

• Writing the Body

  By Kilby Smith-McGregor | May 2, 2016

  Kilby Smith-McGregor introduces her month as guest editor at The Town Crier with her theme "writing the body."

• BC Publishing Focus: Joe Denham

  By Shazia Hafiz Ramji | April 28, 2016

  BC Poet Joe Denham talks to Shazia Hafiz Ramji about titling his work, citing Pinsky, Merwin, Phil Hall, and an epigraph by Tomas Transtromer.

• Author Note: Francine Cunningham

  By Francine Cunningham | April 25, 2016

  Francine Cunningham on her story "Pornorama," published in Issue 30 of The Puritan, writing about Fort McMurray, Alberta, and stories that push limits.

• Something Borrowed, Something New

  By Dana Ewachow | April 21, 2016

  Dana Ewachow on ancient mythology in André Alexis' Fifteen dogs and other contemporary works such as God of War, Clash of the Titans, and Harry Potter.

• Author Note: Marlin M. Jenkins

  By Marlin M. Jenkins | April 18, 2016

  Marlin M. Jenkins on West Coast Swing, music and poetry, and Kanye West.

• October Call for Submissions

  By Klara du Plessis | April 15, 2016

  The Town Crier's October guest editor Klara du Plessis calls out for submissions on the topic of writing in English as a second language.

• Author Note: Anna Leventhal

  By Anna Leventhal | April 13, 2016

  Anna Leventhal on writing about the '95 referendum and Laval as a place unfamiliar to readers of Mordecai Richler, Heather O'Neill, or Gabrielle Roy.

• The Blodwyn Memorial Prize

  By William Kemp | April 11, 2016

  words(on)pages announce their new literary prize, The Blodwyn Memorial Prize, offering up to $400 and Canadian literary merchandise.

• Author Note: Finn Harvor

  By Finn Harvor | April 8, 2016

  Finn Harvor on the background behind his Puritan-published poem, citing Cypress Hill, Duncan Campbell Scott, and Yoon Heung-gil.

• Interview with Toronto Poet Ewan Whyte

  By Ray McClaughlin | April 6, 2016

  Ray McClaughlin speaks with Toronto Poet Ewan Whyte about his work and influences, citing Anne Carson, Mark Strand, and Molly Peacock.