Author Archives: JK

An excerpt on Peter Gzowski on the Canadian Encyclopedia blog

by JK

Excerpts of Stories About Storytellers continue to roll out at the Canadian Encyclopedia blog. This week, Doug offers insight into his relationship with legendary CBC broadcaster Peter Gzowski. To read the excerpt, head over to the Canadian Encyclopedia.

(Have you missed the previous excerpts? You can still read the selections on R.D. Symons, James Houston, Morley Callaghan,  Paul Martin, Barry Broadfoot, Brian Mulroney, Mavis Gallant, Robertson Davies, Alistair MacLeod, Pierre Trudeau,  Stephen Leacock and Alice Munro.)

Praise from Political Insider James A. Coutts

by JK

The well-known political insider Jim Coutts has read Stories About Storytellers with admiration. He has given us permission to quote from his letter to Doug Gibson:

Dear Doug,
I’ve not been surprised by the wonderful reviews your book has received over the last month.
I’ve read the book with a critical eye, as I know several of the people whom you edited – Paul Martin, Pierre Trudeau, W.O.Mitchell, Brian Mulroney and Peter Newman. You simply get it right every time, catching the flavour of each individual, exposing their weaknesses with loving care and celebrating their strengths. I’m glad you’ve written this book. It was an important thing to do. . . .”

Warm regards,
Jim Coutts

Editing Tips from Douglas Gibson (#8)

by JK

Every two weeks we’re sharing tips for editors from the desk of Douglas Gibson. Good for those starting out or old hands who need a reminder, these reminders form an engaging guide for sharp-eyed wordsmiths.

Tip #8

Any time an editor says, “Wow, you should have seen what a mess that manuscript was before I fixed it!” you know quite a lot about that editor. You know, for instance, that he or she has failed to absorb the most basic rule of the profession . . . that you are in the business of invisible mending, and of keeping your role secret. Discretion and modesty are basic editorial requirements, and to boast is to break faith with your author.

Missed the previous tips? Check out Tip #1, Tip #2, Tip #3,  Tip #4, Tip #5, and Tip #6, Tip #7.

Audio Interview with Nigel Beale

by JK

While in Ottawa this fall, Douglas Gibson did an interview with Nigel Beale of LiteraryTourist.com. The conversation covers, “[Gibson’s]  careers and roles as editor and publisher, about the best Canadian fiction, luck and a system that encourages Canadian writing, olympic gold, the difficulty of literary prizes, subjective judgement, and the most important paragraph of Canadian fiction ever published.”

Listen to the interview here.

An excerpt on R.D. Symons on the Canadian Encyclopedia blog

by JK

Your weekly dose of Stories About Storytellers continues at the Canadian Encyclopedia blog. This week, Doug tells tales of R.D. Symons, a real Canadian cowboy, and the first author Doug discovered, edited, and published. To read the excerpt, head over to the Canadian Encyclopedia.

(Have you missed the previous excerpts? You can still read the selections on James Houston, Morley Callaghan,  Paul Martin, Barry Broadfoot, Brian Mulroney, Mavis Gallant, Robertson Davies, Alistair MacLeod, Pierre Trudeau,  Stephen Leacock and Alice Munro.)

Stories About Storytellers on stage: Hugh MacLennan

by JK

Thanks to Candida Paltiel at Mining Stories Productions and her team, we’ll be featuring weekly snippets of Doug’s one-man stage show. In this week’s clip, Doug talks about Hugh MacLennan.

For upcoming performances of Stories About Storytellers the show, head to the events page. For more on Hugh MacLennan, see chapter 2 of Stories About Storytellers.

An excerpt on James Houston on the Canadian Encyclopedia blog

by JK

Treat yourself to a little more Stories About Storytellers at the Canadian Encyclopedia blog. This week, Doug presents James Houston, “the most interesting group of people you will ever meet.” To read the excerpt, head over to the Canadian Encyclopedia.

(Have you missed the previous excerpts? You can still read the selections on W.O. Mitchell, Morley Callaghan,  Paul Martin, Barry Broadfoot, Brian Mulroney, Mavis Gallant, Robertson Davies, Alistair MacLeod, Pierre Trudeau,  Stephen Leacock and Alice Munro.)

Editing Tips from Douglas Gibson (#7)

by JK

Every two weeks we’re sharing tips for editors from the desk of Douglas Gibson. Good for those starting out or old hands who need a reminder, these reminders form an engaging guide for sharp-eyed wordsmiths.

Tip #7

From the chapter on Hugh MacLennan: “I should note that the rule is unvarying; the less experienced writers are the most defensive in the editorial process, insisting that not a hair of their baby’s head, not a comma, be touched.”

Missed the previous tips? Check out Tip #1, Tip #2, Tip #3,  Tip #4, Tip #5, and Tip #6.