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talonbooks.bsky.social
Talonbooks
@talonbooks.bsky.social
480 followers 260 following 130 posts
Publishing words that matter since 1967. www.talonbooks.com

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talonbooks.bsky.social
One week! On November 21, head to @russellbooks.bsky.social to see @rahat.bsky.social feature at Planet Earth Poetry! Kurd will be sharing poetry from her gorgeous new collection The Book of Z. Don't miss it!⁠

planetearthpoetry.com/november-dec...
Event poster. In the top left is Planet Earth Poetry's logo. The text reads: Friday, Nov 21st, 7:30 p.m., Russell Books. Doors and open mic sign up at 7:00 p.m. Hosted by Anna Cavouras. Next are an author photo of Rahat Kurd and the book cover of The Book of Z. Beneath, it reads "Rahat Kurd".
November 14, 2025 at 6:14 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
NEW this holiday season: discover @readlocalbc.bsky.social's limited edition book boxes and give the gift of reading!

We're thrilled that ᑭᐢᑭᓱᒥᑐᐠ kiskisomitok by ᑳᐯᓵᑳᐢᑌᐠ reuben quinn is featured in the Indigenous Voices Book Box and in such amazing company.

www.readlocalbc.ca/product/indi...
A light pink background. Across the top it reads "A multi-genre journey: Indigenous Voices Book Box". The image is of an open cardboard gift box with three book covers standing up inside. L to R: ᑭᐢᑭᓱᒥᑐᐠ kiskisomitok: ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ to remind each and one another by reuben quinn, a body more tolerable by jaye sipson, and Decolonization and Me: Conversation about Healing a Nation and Ourselves by Kristy McLeod and Phyllis Webstad.
November 12, 2025 at 6:01 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
On November 28, head to @anotherstoryto.bsky.social for the Toronto launch of @drewmcew.bsky.social's new collection tours, variously with guest reader A. Light Zachary!

Attendance is free! RSVP for this stellar evening of #poetry here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/tours-vari....
A poster for the Toronto launch of tours, variously by Drew McEwan at Another Story Bookshop. The background is the dark outline of a corner of the room. The text reads: "Another Story Bookshop and Talonbooks present tours, variously by Drew McEwan with guest reader A. Light Zachary." Next is the RSVP link. Then Friday, November 28, 7 pm. In store, 315 Roncesvalles Ave. Below this are author photos for A. Light Zachary in a small circle and Drew McEwan in a larger circle. This overlaps slightly with the cover of tours, variously (a painted navy corner of the room with interplay of light and shadows).
November 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
We couldn't be happier to share that Uiesh / Somewhere by Joséphine Bacon and translated by Jessica Moore has won the 2025 Governor General's Literary Award for Translation!

A huge congratulations to Joséphine, Jessica, and to all of this year's winners!

ggbooks.ca#winners
A video formatted like a polaroid picture. On the top border it reads "2025 Governor General's Literary Award for Translation" and on the bottom border, the word "WINNER!" rolls out. In the background of the centre is a faded treescape. The cover of Uiesh / Somewhere by Joséphine Bacon, translated by Jessica Moore is large and diagonal. To the side are author photos of Joséphine Bacon and Jessica Moore. The cover is a painted treescape reflecting into water, but the reflection is a city. Across the middle it reads Dual-Language Edition in Innu-aimun and English.
November 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
Thank you to all who joined us for our fall 2025 launch! What a pleasure to share in an evening of literature with you, our amazing community.

Our gratitude to the team at the Secret Lantern Society, the Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall, to Danielle LaFrance for hosting, and to our amazing authors.
After the Talonbooks fall 2025 launch, the authors pose with their books. First row, left to right: Drew McEwan holds a copy of her book, tours, variously. Rahat Kurd holds a copy of her book, The Book of Z. ryan fitzpatrick holds a copy of their book, No Depression in Heaven. bill bissett holds a copy of his book, th book uv lost passwords 1. Kneeling in front, Danielle LaFrance, the host of the evening, holds four fanned out copies of Stigmata by Scott Jackshaw, who attended the launch virtually.
November 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
th book uv lost passwords 1 by the legendary bill bissett is here! th book uv lost passwords 1 expands on bissett's long-standing poetic practice by rearticulating the novel as a radiant field of sound, image, story, memory, dream, and fantasy.

talonbooks.com/books/th-boo...
A grid of copies of th book uv lost passwords 1 by bill bissett.
November 4, 2025 at 6:53 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
🕯️🎃 Happy Halloween from Talonbooks! 🎃🕯️Here are some eerie #reads to keep the season's vibes going.

talonbooks.com/news/happy-h...

#Booksky💙📚 #TBR
A dark purple border. Along the top in white cursive it reads "eerie reading recommendations". The centre of the rectangle shows a graveyard with pumpkins and a border of white cobwebs. In the forefront in a diamond formation are four book covers bordered in orange. Clockwise from left to right: 1.Jump Scare by Daniel Zomparelli (navy cover, pink font for title, a bed sheet ghost is rising from a bed). 2. Medusa by Martine Desjardins translated by Oana Avasilichioaei. The top half of the cover is black with a blue jellyfish on it, the bottom is blue with a faceless woman whose hair blows in the wind. 3. The Mystery Play by Josh MacDonald. A ghostly looking faceless nun enters through an open doorway. The light behind her is an apocalyptic orange. 4. Zora, A Cruel Tale by Philippe Arseneault translated by Fred A. Reed and David Homel. The cover is drawn like a classic fairytale. In the woods, a black horse rears up. Its rider, a woman, looking anguished, runs towards a gremlin-type figure holding a shovel with its brain exposed. Between the center rectangle and the purple border are three cute cartoon ghosts in party hats. Beneath this it reads "Happy Halloween from Talonbooks."
October 31, 2025 at 4:56 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
Today! Catch bill bissett launching th book uv lost passwords 1 alongside ... bill bissett! at University of Alberta's Henderson Hall! Don't miss it!

www.ualberta.ca/en/events/ar...
October 28, 2025 at 4:39 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
Celebrate the launch of Heartlines, the new #play by Sarah Waisvisz at Novel Idea Bookstore in Kingston! Heartlines delves the extraordinary love, art, and resistance of gender pioneers Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore.⁠ Join Waisvisz, Evalyn parry, & Zoë Sweet for an evening of literature.

#booksky
In the background of the event poster is the cover of Heartlines: A Love Story. A hot pink band across the top hosts the title in large, even, sans serif font. The cover image features No Title [Claude Cahun reflected in the mirror, checked jacket], 1928 Monochrome print. We also see Marcel Moore gazing into a mirror on the other side of the wall in a striped toque and a white shirt. In the foreground is the author photo of Sarah Waisvisz. She has curly hair and glasses, smiling. The text reads: "Book Launch of Heartlines: A Love Story. Kingston, ON. Sarah Waisvisz with Evalyn Parry, Zoë Sweet. Novel Idea Bookstore. Thursday November 20, 7–8:30 p.m. EST."
October 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
We are elated to share that Uiesh / Somewhere by Joséphine Bacon and translated by Jessica Moore is a finalist for the 2025 Governor General's Literary Award for Translation! Congratulations to Joséphine, Jessica, and all of this year's finalists! 💙📚

ggbooks.ca
October 24, 2025 at 4:58 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
TOMORROW!!

You're invited to the Talonbooks Fall 2025 Launch on October 24! Join us at the Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall or on the Talonbooks YouTube channel to celebrate the release of five fantastic poetry collections. Attendance is free! The venue is accessible, light fare will be provided.
A lightly gradiated seafoam green at the edges to light turquoise in the centre background. The text reads "Talonbooks Fall 2025 Launch, Oct. 24, Vancouver, BC, Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall, 1955 McLean Drive, Venue is wheelchair and scooter accessible." Followed by the five launching book covers with author headshots in circles above. From left to right, Rahat Kurd and The Book of Z, bill bissett and th book uv lost passwords 1, ryan fitzpatrick and No Depression in Heaven, Scott Jackshaw (attending virtually) and Stigmata, and Drew McEwan and tours, variously. The text underneath reads "Light refreshments will be served. A live stream will be available on the Talonbooks YouTube channel. Doors open at 7 p.m., readings begin at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Danielle LaFrance."
October 23, 2025 at 4:48 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
Brooklyn! Celebrate the launch of Stigmata by @scottjackshaw.bsky.social at the Eglantine Poetry Reading Series at the Sunview Luncheonette Acropolis! Readings byJackshaw, Kendra Sullivan, and Ada Smailbegović. The event takes place at Sunview Luncheonette Acropolis on October 25th, 6 p.m.
October 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
ONE WEEK! Join us in East Van at the Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall for the Talonbooks Fall 2025 launch ft. @rahat.bsky.social, @ryanfitzpublic.bsky.social, @scottjackshaw.bsky.social, and @drewmcew.bsky.social! If you can't be there in person, tune in on YouTube!

talonbooks.com/news/you-re-...
A lightly gradiated seafoam green at the edges to light turquoise in the centre background. The text reads "Talonbooks Fall 2025 Launch, Oct. 24, Vancouver, BC, Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall, 1955 McLean Drive, Venue is wheelchair and scooter accessible." Followed by the five launching book covers with author headshots in circles above. From left to right, Rahat Kurd and The Book of Z, bill bissett and th book uv lost passwords 1, ryan fitzpatrick and No Depression in Heaven, Scott Jackshaw (attending virtually) and Stigmata, and Drew McEwan and tours, variously. The text underneath reads "Light refreshments will be served. A live stream will be available on the Talonbooks YouTube channel. Doors open at 7 p.m., readings begin at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Danielle LaFrance."
October 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
The latest issue of Some Magazine is out and we are so pleased to find three in-depth reviews of recent Talonbooks titles in its pages!
October 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
We're still buzzing about two Talon authors taking home awards at the BC & Yukon Book Prizes gala! ⁠
⁠
We're thrilled that Fred Wah received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence, and that wet by Leanne Dunic won the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize!⁠
⁠
🎉 Congratulations! 🎉
Fred Wah and Kevin Williams are standing side by side. Both are in suits. Fred is holding his Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence certificate. Photo credit to Jennifer Wah.⁠ Leanne Dunic, wearing a light jean jacket, smiling and holding a copy of wet. The cover is red with the side silhouette of a person with their hands presumably in their hair, their elbow bent. Photo credit to Spencer Williams.
October 15, 2025 at 5:25 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
The SpokenWeb Project, University of Alberta’s Department of English and Film Studies, and the Centre for Literatures in Canada present the Edmonton launch of th book uv lost passwords 1 by bill bissett! On Oct 28, head to Henderson Hall from 12:30 p.m.–2 p.m. MDT!

www.ualberta.ca/en/english-f...
October 14, 2025 at 5:46 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
Toronto! Get ready for @ryanfitzpublic.bsky.social, A Jamali Rad, and Hajer Mirwali! On November 13, head to Flying Books on College street for readings from No Depression in Heaven, No Signal No Noise, & Revolutions!
⁠
Free to attend, RSVP required. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/a-talonboo...
A dusty pink background. Across the top it reads "Talonbooks Reading | Flying Books College Street | Thursday, November 13, 2025 6:30 p.m. EST | Across the middle are the author photos of ryan fitzpatrick, A Jamali Rad, and Hajer Mirwali. Beneath these are their respective books, No Depression in Heaven (navy blue background, cowboy with guitar silhouette, clouds arise inside his frame), No Signal No Noise (cream background, a small square of horizontal black lines cross in the centre), and Revolutions (a light tan background with a red-mahogany circle with motion lines as though it has been spinning through sand). Beneath this are their names and the link to RSVP at.
October 13, 2025 at 5:28 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
Hot off the press! Stigmata by @scottjackshaw.bsky.social has arrived! Stigmata draws inspiration from apophatic theology, body horror, queer theory, classic films, poststructuralism, and bad sex. This is a #poetry collection that weaponizes the confessional mode.⁠
A hand holding up Stigmata by Scott Jackshaw. In the background is the river and a grey, clouded sky. Off to the right, a high, industrial bridge traverses the river. The cover of Sigmata is a white cover with a red, roundish wound just above the centre, evoking a stigmata. The title, "Stigmata" appears in black, serif font above it. The font looks slightly bitten. Across the bottom in red is the author's name in a all caps, sans-serif font. Stigmata is perched on a curb in front of bright pink flowers and leaves in varying depths of green. Behind it, browning ivy climbs the wall. The cover of Sigmata is a white cover with a red, roundish wound just above the centre, evoking a stigmata. The title, "Stigmata" appears in black, serif font above it. The font looks slightly bitten. Across the bottom in red is the author's name in a all caps, sans-serif font.
October 10, 2025 at 4:57 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
Good news! @ryanfitzpublic.bsky.social is hitting the ole dusty trail and bringing No Depression in Heaven to a bookstore near you! Get your local dose of the Grand Ole Opry at @shelflifebooks.bsky.social, @mcnallyrobinson.com, and more!

⁠📖No Depression in Heaven is available now! 📖
The background is a faded version of the cover of No Depression in Heaven focused on the cowboy silhouette with the guitar slung to their back. Inside the silhouette are a series of clouds in dark grey to apocalyptic orange-brown rising up from the belly to just below the shoulders. The text reads: Calgary, AB || October 21 Shelf Life Books | Doors at 7:00 p.m. with Conor Kerr, Jason Purcell Vancouver, BC || October 24 Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall | Doors at 8:00 p.m. with Rahat Kurd, bill bissett, Scott Jackshaw, Drew McEwan Winnipeg, MB || November 5, 2025 with Cam Scott Toronto, ON || November 13 Flying Books | Doors at 6:30 p.m. with A Jamali Rad, Hajer Mirwali Hamilton, ON || November 14 The City & The City Books | Doors at 7:00 p.m. with A Jamali Rad, Steacy Easton, Zane Koss
October 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
Halifax! Don't miss Hajer Mirwali and Nanci Lee at Venus Envy! These two phenomenal artists aren't to be missed.

For more information and to register, check out this link: venusenvy.ca/collections/...
An orange-red background of a poster. It reads: Halifax Poetry Launch: Revolutions. Making and unmaking shame and pleasure. Friday October 10, 7:00 p.m. at Venus Envy in Halifax. There are photos of artists Hajer Mirwali and Nanci Lee.
October 7, 2025 at 4:37 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
We are thrilled to share that Oana Avasilichioaei has won the Bernard Heidsieck Centre Pompidou International Literature Prize in the annual prize category for 2025! This prestigious award honours artists whose work lifts literature off the page and brings it into other spaces. Congratulations Oana!
A seafoam green top and bottom banner frame the image. The top in bold, blocky sans-serif font reads: Bernard Heidsieck centre Pompidou International Literature Prize" the bottom reads "Annual Prize Category WINNER." In the middle, the background is a page of sheet music. To the left in a vertical column are Avasilichioaei's books "Chambersonic" and "Eight Track". To the right it reads "Oana Avasilichioaei" and beneath her name, there is a phot of her against a black board.
October 5, 2025 at 6:38 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
So nice to see Stigmata by @scottjackshaw.bsky.social, th book uv lost passwords 1 by bill bissett, and tours, variously by @drewmcew.bsky.social on CBC's list of fall poetry titles to look forward to! Check out their entire list:⁠

www.cbc.ca/books/34-wor...
Light blue CBC Books graphic entitled "34 works of Canadian poetry we're excited about this fall." In the top left, bottom left, and bottom right corner is a clip art graphic of three books surrounded by an orange oak leaf, a yellow maple leaf, and a brown acorn. In this spread of six books is Stigmata by Scott Jackshaw, We're Somewhere Else Now by Robyn Sarah, NMLCT by Paul Vermeersch, An Orange Syllable by Gillian Sze, Something for the Dark by Randy Lundy, and crohnic by Jason Purcell. Light blue CBC Books graphic entitled "34 works of Canadian poetry we're excited about this fall." In the top left, bottom left, and bottom right corner is a clip art graphic of three books surrounded by an orange oak leaf, a yellow maple leaf, and a brown acorn. The spread of six books in this graphic are The Reign by Shane Neilson, A Current Through the Flesh by Richard-Yves Sitoski, Only the Scent of You Remained by Duncan Mercredi, calling down the sky by Rosanna Deerchild, procession by katherena vermette, and tours, variously by Drew McEwan. Light blue CBC Books graphic entitled "34 works of Canadian poetry we're excited about this fall." In the top left, bottom left, and bottom right corner is a clip art graphic of three books surrounded by an orange oak leaf, a yellow maple leaf, and a brown acorn. The six books in this spread are Beneath the Surface Poems and their Stories by Chief R. Stacey Laforme, th book uv lost passwords 1 by bill bissett, goose by Melanie Dennis Unrau, The Book of Interruptions by Khashayar "Kess" Mohamadi, what we know so far is... by Conor Mc Donnell, and The World After Rain by Canisia Lubrin.
October 3, 2025 at 5:41 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
Vancouver! Head to Pale Fire Gallery on October 8 to enjoy an evening of #literature with three stellar authors!

@mdnardone.bsky.social
A dark turquoise backdrop. Three names are listed at the top in sans serif, cream-coloured font: Cecily Nicholson, Jeff Derksen, and Michael Nardone. In orange font: 8 October 2025. Under this, in cream font, doors at 6:30 p.m., readings at 7:00 p.m. Below this in orange, Pale Fire, in cream, 870 East Broadway Vancouver.
October 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
Today is #WorldRiversDay! Celebrate with some fluvial #poetry: Conversations with the Kagawong River by @sophieanneedwards.bsky.social and beholden: a poem as long as the river by rita wong & fred wah are wonderful collections with which to mark the occasion.

#booksky💙📚
"Poetry for World Rivers Day". Two book covers, Conversations with the Kagawong River by sophie anne edward and beholden: a poem as long as the river by Rita Wong & Fred Wah are in the foreground. Backgrounded is a river bank wit the river reflecting a blue, cloudy sky.
September 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
talonbooks.bsky.social
We are thrilled to announce that #poetry collection cop city swagger by Mercedes Eng has been named a finalist for the 2025 City of Vancouver Book Award 💙📚! Congratulations, Mercedes!

Check out this year's winner and all of the finalists here: vancouver.ca/news-calenda...
A polaroid-esque image. The background of the photo is a faded view of Science World in Olympic village. On jaunty diagonal in the foreground is the cover of cop city swagger by Mercedes Eng. The Book cover is cream with an illustration of a black lucky cat with its right paw up, aflame. Its left paw holds a Chinese lantern. There are small peeks of red fire behind the cat's left shoulder and both haunches. In red font, the authors name is beneath in a font that gives the impression of having been rendered by an official stamp. The title, "cop city swagger" is above the cat in red and black. Over the image of the book in a gentle arc it reads "2025 Finalist" and in the white part of the polaroid border it reads "City of Vancouver Book Award."
September 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM