Get Lit

From April 2017. "Emily Schultz! I truly enjoyed her novel Men Walking On Water, and the conversation we had about it. You might know Emily from her previous book The Blondes, or from Joyland Magazine…or perhaps from her novel of the same name, which was also the name of a novel by Stephen King. This led to some people purchasing Emily's novel when, in fact, they meant to purchase Stephen's. Not sure how one buys a novel by the wrong author, but anyway, it led to Emily's entertaining Spending The Stephen King Money tumblr."

From April 2017. A great interview with Janie Chang. She's great, very enjoyable chat. Check out her book Dragon Springs Road.

Folks, I have not uploaded E20 - it was event-based (GritLit 2017) and while a good conversation probalby not relavant. E21, however! An interview with Trevor Cole, one-time Hamilton resident, HarperCollins author and the man behind The Whisky King: The remarkable true story of Canada's most infamous bootlegger and the undercover Mountie on his trail. Now that's a serious title. Rocco Perri was one of Hamilton's – and, indeed, Canada's – most notorious gangsters. He was also notoriously good-natured and gregarious, and most of the city loved him. A great read!

Today's episode features an interview with Mark Osbaldeston, author of the book Unbuilt Hamilton. It's part of a series – the first parts being Unbuilt Toronto 1 and Unbuilt Toronto 2. Yes, they seem fairly specific to geography, but I believe anyone, in any city, can appreciate the follies and foibles of generations before; anyone can ponder the what ifs of their own hometowns.

See E18 for details!

My dear friend and fellow author Sherri Vanderveen (look her up, read her books!) has many friends in the Canadian publishing business. Through her contacts, Get Lit was able to set up a round-table discussion between myself and three fantastic individuals – Alana Wilcox from Coach House, Jennifer Lambert from HarperCollins, and Barbara Berson from the Helen Heller Agency. photo by Sherri Vanderveen Though dated - this took place in 2017 - the conversation is enlightening. These are people in different positions in the business – an indie publisher, an international publisher, and a literary agent/freelance editor. They each have different yet dovetailing perspectives on the state of publishing in Canada, on what they're looking for in a book, and on what writers should and should not do when trying to get published.

OLD SHOW ALERT: first posting of my 2017 interview with Emma Richler!

OLD SHOW ALERT! This episode features some Hamilton lit news and an interview with poet Julie Cameron Gray, whose latest collection is the fabulous Lady Crawford, out with Palimpsest Press. Hope you dig it.

Old episode alert!  This week's episode of Get Lit features an interview with Scott Dagostino, (former) manager at Glad Day Bookstore in Toronto. Glad Day is the world's oldest LGBT bookstore. Scott's a thoughtful and well-spoken fellow, and I really enjoyed this interview. 

And here we are. There's not much I can write here that I don't say somewhere on this sprawling live episode of GET LIT. A few things I might have left out include: the fabulous Jessica Rose, GritLit Artistic Director, is the introductory voice and kind soul who agreed to let me do a final episode live the excellent George Elchuk, CFMU staffer and member of Rexford Drive, did a great job mixing and mastering the live session to be more pleasant on your ears the award presenter is Silhouette newspaper editor, pal and musician Andrew Mrozowski I'm unclear who all the audience member questions were from so I'll identify none of them (sorry…but if you know, you'll definitely know) this took a few takes, because I welled up So listen in! We have wonderful guests including guest host Gary Barwin (I mean, I'm hosting too…it's hard to explain) and the Triple A team, as I was annoyingly calling them – Amy Jones, Amanda Leduc, and Anuja Varghese. It's a fun conversation. I'm proud to leave GET LIT on a note like this. Thanks for all the kind words, all the conversations, and all the ears. GET LIT will continue to post the podcasts missing from platforms (about E10 - E150) so though the show is over, there's still content to come. Until the next project…thanks for listening! -Jamie

Here it is, our final "regular" show. This week we talk to GG award-winner Anuja Varghese. A Kiss of Crimson Ash might seem like a hard pivot after Chrysalis, and it is, but it isnt'? We talk about these things. Listen in if you can. Next week, E500 will air. I'll probably have some sappy stuff to say at that time.

Hey folks! Over the years I've had the pleasure of doing a lot work with author Brent Van Staalduinen, visiting his creative writing class and assisting in book launches. Happy to have him as my second-to-last regular guest! We talk about his latest, and imho best, The Peace Thieves.

We're getting so close to the end! I have spent plenty of time discussing ideas for whatever new show will appear in 2027. So far, nothing! There will be something…but in the meantime… Today's guest is Selin Kahramanoglu, here to talk about her debut, Lokum. Enjoy!

Thrilled to welcome graphic novelist Joe Ollmann back to the show. We talk about his latest collection, The Woodchipper. Enjoy!

Hey folks! Back to talk with Leslie Shimotakahara once again! This will be her fourth appearance on the show (her first was way back on E24), and I'm thrilled to have her as one of my final guests. We talk about her latest, The Breakwater.

Hey folks! Today's guest is David Ly, who I got to know a little in autumn '22 when he joined John Wall Barger, Kim Conklin and I at my launch party for River, Diverted. He read from his collection Dream of Me As Water. Today he's here to talk about his new novel, Not All Dragons. Dig it!

Hey folks! This week Margaret Sweatman is back on the program, this time to talk about her new novel, Night Birds. Hope you enjoy!

This week's show features a chat with author Angélique Lalonde! Make sure you listen in as we talk about her latest, Variations on a Dream. Last week we recorded E50 of GET LIT, live at the GritLit festival, and what a delight. I'm humbled and touched by the whole thing. It'll air as the final episode on June 18, so don't miss it! It's kind of hosted by Gary Barwin, though it's kind of hosted by me, yes it all gets very meta. It also features some exciting guests. But, you know, in the meantime here's another great episode!

Hi folks! Today we talk with my friend K.R. Wilson about his second Stan novel, Stan On Guard! Make sure you listen in. And remember I'm recording my FINAL GET LIT show tomorrow (April 17) at 7 pm at GritLit. More info here.

Hey folks! A preview of exciting GritLit events with Jessica Rose, and Loch Baillie joins to talk about (and read from) River Running. Tune in! Also a reminder: the live recording of GET LIT E500 – aka The Final Episode – happens on April 17. Get tickets here.

Hey folks! This week we're talking to author Ailsa Ross about her debut novel, Hovel. A reminder to check out gritlit.ca for details about the LIVE RECORDING of the final GET LIT episode! April 17th at 7 pm.

Hey everyone! Today we talk with author Matthew J. Trafford about his collection, Runs in the Blood. On the personal front, I've submitted a manuscript which is exciting. Details to come. I'm also going to appear live on the CBC this weekend! If you're up early on Saturday, March 28, tune in to 99.1 FM or online to hear Fresh Air with Ismaila Alfa. At about 7:18 am (oh, so specifically-timed) I'll be on talking about community radio, Hamilton music, and the JUNOs. Also, it's a live event, with performers and other interviews, and the public is welcome. It's at Merit Brewing on James St. N., 6 – 9 am. FInally…as you may already know, GET LIT is winding down. E500 will be my final episode (somethin else book-related will return in 2027 but it hasn't taken form yet). If you're in the Hamilton area, you can be part of E500! We'll be recording the last show live at the GritLit Festival. Which is exciting! Details here. (Yes, recorded in April to air in June. Welcome to my life hahahaha)

Hey folks! This week we're joined by Michelle Stark, to talk about life, dogs, and her book, Broken. Listen in!

Hey folks! Back in January I had the pleasure of interviewing author Brad Smith live on stage at the Sharp Words book fair. Today we continue our conversation about his novel, Billy Crawford's Double Play. Hope you enjoy it.

This week's guest is Lucy E.M. Black, talking about her work, A Quilting of Scars. A quick pitch to all of you, though… CFMU is the station of origin for this podcast. Even if you've never actually listened to 93.3 FM or cfmu.ca the importance of local and independent media continues to expand. Here in Hamilton, local media has been hit so badly that, technically, CFMU/The Silhouette is the largest newsroom in Hamilton. I'm being serious. We do the best we can with our amazing student staff and community/campus volunteers. We are NOT owned by a hedge fund company that'll cut us for lack of profit. We are NOT a talented, well-meaning blogger who simply can't keep up the pace or afford to quit the day job. We have resources. We can do more. BUT NOT WITHOUT YOUR HELP. PLEASE consider donating to 93.3 CFMU. We need the community to step up more than we ever have. $5. $10. $20. $30 gets you a Friends of CFMU card. Every bit helps. cfmu.ca/fundraising Thanks friends

Hello everyone! Today's show is admittedly one of the most local show I've done on Get Lit. It features my friend Jason Allen, talking all things to do in Hamilton. Quite literally, actually; we talk about his book, 52 Things To Do In Hamilton: The Insider's Guide to Fun in the Hammer. Before you tell me you don't live here or never plan to visit here, there's still stuff to be learned. Every city has its treasures. Pointing out ours might help you find the treasures in your own town!

Hey everyone! Last time we talked to Barbara Sibbald, it was over four hundred episodes ago. Can I say, that's totally bananas? She's back again to talk about her novel Almost English.

Hey folks! Great chat with author PP Wong about her latest novel, Slice the Water (was longlisted for Canada Reads this year). Check out the book, check out the show!

Hi folks! This week's show features poet Anna-Lee Popham, talking about her last collection, Empires of the Everyday. We're also joined by Noelle Allen to talk about Sharp Words 2026!

Hey all! Great conversation with author Su Chang about her excellent novel, The Immortal Woman. Listen if you can!

Back in 2017 I met a lovely group of writers on Pelee Island (I'll include Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson in that group). I also did a book swap with Janet Turpin Myers, but haven't been able to have her on the show until this week. We discuss her latest, Love Watching Madness. Listen in!

Hey folks! I've known author and broadcaster Scott Neigh for a while, originally from my day job at 93.3 CFMU FM. Today he joins me (and comes back on the CFMU airwaves) to talk about his book, Listen! Knowing The World And Fighting To Change It. So like the title says…

Hey folks. Happy New Year! Show's up a day early. Today we talk with Rob McLennan about his latest, The Book of Sentences. Check it out.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Releasing the show a day early so I can devote tomorrow to family. This week we talk to David Bergen. Always great to have him on the show. We're discussing his latest, Days of Feasting and Rejoicing. Enjoy and have a great holiday!

Hey folks! Just fresh back off Toronto Island, now hoping to maintain some of the forward momentum. In the meanwhile, had a great talk with Sadiqa de Meijer about her collection of essays, In The Field. Hope you enjoy. By the way yes there will be a show "Christmas Day" though I'll probably get it out a touch early!

Hey folks! I'm currently sitting at a desk overlooking the frozen road (and, if I squint through the trees, the Toronto skyline) in front of the Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts. I'm half-way through a seven-day retreat, working on my current MS. Still, the show goes on! This week we talk with Sean Minogue about his novel, Terminal Solstice. Listen in.

Hey folks! Lots of folks on the show today, all for the same project – Muttertongue: What Is A Word In Utter Space, both a collaborative collection and also a sound recording of the same name. Great conversation with Lillian Allen, Gregory Betts and Gary Barwin. Enjoy!

Hey all! Today's guest is Hamilton resident and author Sky Gilbert who has, you know, done a thing or two (check out his Wiki page). He joins me to talk about his recent novel, The Blue House. Dig!

Hey folks! Double shot of poetry this week with Rebecca Salazar (antibody: poems) and Aisha Sasha John (total). Hope you enjoy the show.

Time to talk with another rock journo compatriot of mine, Jason Schneider. You might know him as co-author of the legendary rock epic Have Not Been The Same (with Ian A.D. Jack and Michael Barclay). He's here to talk about his latest, That Gun in Your Hand: The Strange Saga of 'Hey Joe' and Popular Music's History of Violence.

Hey everyone! Paige from Grit Lit pop in to tell us about what the Hamilton readers & writers festival is up to. After that, we talk once again with Jarrett Mazza, this time about his new Custodian series. Tune in!

In keeping with the spooky season, we're gonna talk about vampires! Emily A. Weedon is on to discuss her novel, Hemosapiens. Happy Hallowe'en (I really do prefer that spookier old-school spelling.

This week on GET LIT we talk with author Kasia Jaronczyk about her novel, Voices in the Air. Check it out!

Hey folks! Today we chat with author Danila Botha about her novel, A Place For People Like Us. Hope you dig. I'm sick so I'm gonna go lie down now.

Today on the show we're joined by Jim Johnstone! He was last on the show several years ago to talk about the collection he edited, The New Wave. Today he talks about his own work, mainly the latest collection of poetry criticism, Bait & Switch: Essays, Reviews, Conversations, and Views on Canadian Poetry. Joining Jim on the episode is Dorianne Emmerton, here to talk about the Brockton Writers Series. They, like everyone else, are facing funding issues, and you can help out at the link above.

Hey folks! Got to drive right into my wheelhouse (wait, is that how the idiom works?) and talk to some fellow music journalists again. Today we feature Matt Bobkin and Adam Feibel, discussing their book In Too Deep: When Canadian Punks Took Over The World. It features everyone from Avril to Alexisonfire (and other non-A-related artists). Enjoy!

Hey all! This week we talk to my pal (and friend of the show) Mark Sampson, who surprised me with the cosmic horror darkness of Lowfield. Check it out, and listen to our conversation on GET LIT!

Hey folks! This week we speak to author Danny Jacobs about his novel The Ignis Psalter. I called it "horror-adjacent" but it's also been called "part lyric fairy tale, part small town gothic." Listen in.