Can't Lit

We talk to one delight about a book she wrote about another delight! Wonderful person and brilliant writer Andrea Warner is on this episode. We talk about her new book, Buffy Sainte-Marie: The Authorized Biography, why Buffy Sainte-Marie is totally amazing, research and writing, make-up and dog anatomy. Listen now for this truly delicious episode.

They're just jealous! And here to talk about. In this episode Dina and Jen talk about professional literary jealousy and what it looks like for them, how they talk about it and how they deal. 

Why hello there! In this episode we get to talk to amazing writer and lovely person, Lindsay Wong. We discuss her memoir, The Woo-Woo, manuscript rejection, writing about mental illness, family, eyelash extensions, and listening to music (and not listening to music). We cover a lot of ground, and give some good tips too. Both the writing kind and the make up kind. 

Dina and Jen talk about their experiences of being baby writers. Learn about how their careers began, about their youthful writing lives and how they each found literary community.

Our first guests of the year are fire! Talented and delightful writers jaye simpson and Jessica Johns join us to talk about the Indigenous Brilliance reading series, Room Magazine, writing and performance, the ethics of care, making space, fashion, and so much more. There is much laughing. We have a very fun time.

It's 2019! Dina and Jen are back in the recording studio (find out where we record in the episode) without a guest and are answering questions from you, the listeners (a.k.a. friends of the podcast) that you sent us on Twitter. We talk about when the movie is better than the book, what we wish we knew as baby writers, and lipstick. Happy to be back in your ears in the new year.

The year's almost over, but there's one episode left with completely outstanding guest, writer, editor, and beautiful human Shazia Hafiz Ramji! We talk about her poetry collection, Port of Being, talking and not talking about craft, literary tours, what it's like to talk about the hard stuff you wrote, creepy men, otters and koi, Marisa Tomei and there's even some special Gritty content. Wishing y...

Dina travelled to LA for a little blast from podcast past with Daniel Zomparelli as guest and host. We talk about Daniel's new podcast, I'm Afraid That, books we loved this year, lawsuits we didn't, articles we didn't read and so much more. Recorded at Little Everywhere. Despite our jokes and rants we can't make up for the lack of Jen in this episode.

The days get drearier but the podcast gets more delightful with top drawer guest, writer, teacher, mentor, Keith Maillard! We talk about his new novel Twin Studies, writing research, relationships, Bakhtin, Refuse: CanLit in Ruins and some very enjoyable pets of CanLit. All tangents will be satisfying.

The days are getting darker but Can't Lit is here to brighten your day with a wonderful talk with talented writer and sweetheart Waubgeshig Rice. We talk about his new novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow as well as dystopia, masculinity, character development, 90s fashion and the dreaded diversity panel. We also talk about fun times had at the Vancouver Writers' Fest and yes, we do get into Gritty!

Boo! Don't be scared. It's just a podcast. And this episode has the beyond delightful, smart, talented and hilarious, Vivek Shraya. We discuss her new book, I'm Afraid of Men, masculinity, being a multi-disciplinary artist, readers and audiences, fashion, and so much more. And maybe we decide to write Can't Lit: The Musical.

Fresh from the Fraser Valley Literary Festival Dina and Jen talk with novelist, poet, and great dog parent, Kim Fu! We talk about new latest novel, The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore, character, structure, poetry and fiction and of course dogs. Thanks to the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford for letting us record in a very quiet and lovely room.

Yes, it's fall, but in the world of this Can't Lit we're in a wildfire smoke summer haze with the truly lovely Andrew Wilmot. We discuss his debut novel The Death Scene Artist, writing genre, first book feelings, bodies, and Angelina Jolie's dating life. Jen gets real about grief and Dina admits to some Bob Seger feelings. 

Late summer is here! But don't be sad, because the amazing Amanda Leduc is also here to talk about her upcoming novel, The Centaur's Wife, muppets, accessibility, world building, the FOLD, and of course many other things.  Jen has summer emotions, and Dina surprises everyone with her Rage Minute.

Summer is here and Dina and Jen bask in the glow of talented writer, editor, artist and all around lovely human andrea bennett! We talk about definitive hot takes, poetry, drawing, editing, bikes, and dogs and babies. This episode has it all.

Summer has arrived and this new episode with amazing writer and delightful person Samantha Marie Nock is a great sunny or rainy day companion. Discussed in this episode: the vulnerability of writing, putting together a first poetry manuscript, friendship, fear, boy bands, PUPPIES and the latest CanLit trash. Jen and Dina are emotional as usual. 

Jen and Dina have the best time with podcaster, scholar, writer and truly wonderful human Hannah McGregor! We talk scholarly podcasting, publishing, lipstick and bodies (don't comment on them, okay?) and of course there is rage and emotions and, yes, lots of laughter. Also, we all proclaim our love for librarians. 

Marita Dachsel, Charlotte Gill, Jennica Harper, Nancy Lee and Laisha Rosnau are extraordinary writers who've also been friends for twenty years! Jen and Din are lucky to talk to them about their super-friendship origin story, how they help each other with their writing, celebrating successes, being there for each other (cutting umbilical cords!), teaching, pay inequality and so much more. 

Get excited for this bonus episode with super delight and excellent writer, Sharon Bala. We talk about her new novel, Boat People, writing refugees and immigrants, displacement, unlikeable characters, female relationships and gross politicians. And of course, we talk a little bit about fashion. 

Hello friends! This month we have another truly exciting guest: the amazingly talented and charming, Alicia Elliott. We talk about writing non-fiction (and other genres), privilege, how we have to interrogate to be good and responsible writers, lipstick, musicals and so much more. We also play a new game: 'New Lipstick or New Poetry.' And there is a lot of singing. 

Winter is bleak but this episode will warm you up. Jen and Dina get to talk to the multi-hyphenate, multi-talented, multi-award-winning, novelist, poet, filmmaker (and more) Katherena Vermette! They talk with her about her novel, The Break, poetry and genre-hopping, baggy, high-waisted jeans, self-care in hard times and single moms. You're gonna feel the feelings! 

Way back in November Jen and Dina interviewed part of the amazing team behind Rahila's Ghost Press, a new chapbook press that will knock your stockings off. And we sure did have a fun time, talked about a lot of poetry and yes, there were emotions. Now the episode is here for your listening pleasure, with publisher Mallory Tater, managing editor Curtis LeBlanc, editors Adèle Barclay and Shaun Robi...

Happy holidays from your original Can't Lit hosting team! Dina welcomes Daniel back into the "studio" in this guest-less episode that goes on too many tangents to name just one. There's a special gift at the end of the episode: a delightfully boozy pitch for a Hallmark holiday movie. 

This episode is full of fun, friendship and lots of love. Dina and Jen talk to the recent winner of the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, novelist, and truly lovely person, David Chariandy. We talk about his new novel, Brother, Jen and David's early days as published writers, writing the good and hard stuff, and the passing of Jen's beloved dog companion, Molly. Molly, we love you and you are m...

Recorded in September but here now for your ears is an episode with lovely writer Gurjinder Basran! Jen and I talk to her about her new novel, Someone You Love is Gone, which features ghosts and sadness and some laughs too. We also discuss representation in literature, rap and hip hop, and a Tinder date from the news. There's even some Halloween cackling. Happy listening!