River Street
@riverstreetwriting.bsky.social
A ragtag team of creatives celebrating amazing CanLit. Join the party, pals!
Est. 2010.
Est. 2010.
Pinned
What do you think of our new logo? 👀 Share your reactions using emojis! 👇
“Traditions of the past mesh with potential for future change. This notion pervades Gaafar’s novel, and the two-for-one concept is nowhere more aptly contained than in the title A Mouth Full of Salt.”
—Michelle Hardy
Read the review:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
—Michelle Hardy
Read the review:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
December 7, 2025 at 5:33 PM
“Traditions of the past mesh with potential for future change. This notion pervades Gaafar’s novel, and the two-for-one concept is nowhere more aptly contained than in the title A Mouth Full of Salt.”
—Michelle Hardy
Read the review:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
—Michelle Hardy
Read the review:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by River Street
Looking for a perfectly soul-expanding heartwarming, and beautiful holiday season read? I highly recommend David Giuliano’s new novel, The Upending of Wendall Forbes (Latitude 46, 2025).
You can listen to my NBN interview with David now. Or save it for later.
newbooksnetwork.com/the-upending...
You can listen to my NBN interview with David now. Or save it for later.
newbooksnetwork.com/the-upending...
December 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Looking for a perfectly soul-expanding heartwarming, and beautiful holiday season read? I highly recommend David Giuliano’s new novel, The Upending of Wendall Forbes (Latitude 46, 2025).
You can listen to my NBN interview with David now. Or save it for later.
newbooksnetwork.com/the-upending...
You can listen to my NBN interview with David now. Or save it for later.
newbooksnetwork.com/the-upending...
Reposted by River Street
Melanie Schnell’s THE CHORUS BENEATH OUR FEET (@radiantpress.bsky.social) follows a soldier’s return home after 8 years away, only to find his sister missing & caught up in a crime.
Watch Melanie read an excerpt for #ALUCozyFest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-me...
Watch Melanie read an excerpt for #ALUCozyFest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-me...
December 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Melanie Schnell’s THE CHORUS BENEATH OUR FEET (@radiantpress.bsky.social) follows a soldier’s return home after 8 years away, only to find his sister missing & caught up in a crime.
Watch Melanie read an excerpt for #ALUCozyFest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-me...
Watch Melanie read an excerpt for #ALUCozyFest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-me...
In a recent interview with David Elias, we asked him about how the assassination of JFK serves as an unsettling underpinning for this fascinating novel, Into the D/ark, which is set in rural Manitoba.
Read the full interview:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
@radiantpress.bsky.social
Read the full interview:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
@radiantpress.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 2:50 PM
In a recent interview with David Elias, we asked him about how the assassination of JFK serves as an unsettling underpinning for this fascinating novel, Into the D/ark, which is set in rural Manitoba.
Read the full interview:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
@radiantpress.bsky.social
Read the full interview:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
@radiantpress.bsky.social
Reposted by River Street
“A daring, not-to-be-missed short novel by the one and only Hollay Ghadery.”
—Nilofar-Lily Soltani
Lily’s beautiful novel, Zulaikha, was released by Inanna Publications in 2023.
About Zulaikha:
inanna.ca/product/zula...
About The Unravelling of Ou:
palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
—Nilofar-Lily Soltani
Lily’s beautiful novel, Zulaikha, was released by Inanna Publications in 2023.
About Zulaikha:
inanna.ca/product/zula...
About The Unravelling of Ou:
palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
December 4, 2025 at 8:46 PM
“A daring, not-to-be-missed short novel by the one and only Hollay Ghadery.”
—Nilofar-Lily Soltani
Lily’s beautiful novel, Zulaikha, was released by Inanna Publications in 2023.
About Zulaikha:
inanna.ca/product/zula...
About The Unravelling of Ou:
palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
—Nilofar-Lily Soltani
Lily’s beautiful novel, Zulaikha, was released by Inanna Publications in 2023.
About Zulaikha:
inanna.ca/product/zula...
About The Unravelling of Ou:
palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
Reposted by River Street
We've a lovely article about Saad Omar Khan's Drinking the Ocean up at the Sesaya Arts Magazine:
www.sesayarts.com/saad-omar-kh...
www.sesayarts.com/saad-omar-kh...
Saad Omar Khan on His Debut Novel Drinking the Ocean - Sesaya Arts Magazine
“My upbringing was predicated on the idea that our emotional and cultural foundations are borderless, and I wanted that to be reflected in this story.” ~ Saad Omar Khan
www.sesayarts.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:45 PM
We've a lovely article about Saad Omar Khan's Drinking the Ocean up at the Sesaya Arts Magazine:
www.sesayarts.com/saad-omar-kh...
www.sesayarts.com/saad-omar-kh...
Reposted by River Street
We're delighted to see Christy Climenhage's The Midnight Project included in this great year end round up from The Seaboard Review:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
December 4, 2025 at 6:12 PM
We're delighted to see Christy Climenhage's The Midnight Project included in this great year end round up from The Seaboard Review:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by River Street
Burlington friends, there's only a handful of seats left. Sign up soon if you'd like to attend!
Acclaimed writer Brad Smith will be at Burlington Public Library on December 14th from 2-3 p.m. to discuss his latest novel, Billy Crawford’s Double Play, w/ Hamilton Spectator columnist & thriller writer Lorraine Sommerfeld.
Register:
attend.bpl.on.ca/event/14941690
@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social
Register:
attend.bpl.on.ca/event/14941690
@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Burlington friends, there's only a handful of seats left. Sign up soon if you'd like to attend!
✨Coming in 2026 ✨nightstead by David Martin (February 15/26) @palimpsestpress.bsky.social
In his most personal collection to date, nightstead, award-winning poet David Martin elegizes his younger brother, who died by suicide at the age of twenty-three.
DM us to request review copy.
In his most personal collection to date, nightstead, award-winning poet David Martin elegizes his younger brother, who died by suicide at the age of twenty-three.
DM us to request review copy.
December 3, 2025 at 9:20 PM
✨Coming in 2026 ✨nightstead by David Martin (February 15/26) @palimpsestpress.bsky.social
In his most personal collection to date, nightstead, award-winning poet David Martin elegizes his younger brother, who died by suicide at the age of twenty-three.
DM us to request review copy.
In his most personal collection to date, nightstead, award-winning poet David Martin elegizes his younger brother, who died by suicide at the age of twenty-three.
DM us to request review copy.
Acclaimed writer Brad Smith will be at Burlington Public Library on December 14th from 2-3 p.m. to discuss his latest novel, Billy Crawford’s Double Play, w/ Hamilton Spectator columnist & thriller writer Lorraine Sommerfeld.
Register:
attend.bpl.on.ca/event/14941690
@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social
Register:
attend.bpl.on.ca/event/14941690
@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Acclaimed writer Brad Smith will be at Burlington Public Library on December 14th from 2-3 p.m. to discuss his latest novel, Billy Crawford’s Double Play, w/ Hamilton Spectator columnist & thriller writer Lorraine Sommerfeld.
Register:
attend.bpl.on.ca/event/14941690
@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social
Register:
attend.bpl.on.ca/event/14941690
@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social
Reposted by River Street
James Cairns reminds us we’re not alone in times of crisis. In his book IN CRISIS, ON CRISIS (@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social) he offers thoughtful essays that provide a sense of connection in our existential times.
James reads a passage from the book for #ALUCozyFest:
alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ja...
James reads a passage from the book for #ALUCozyFest:
alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ja...
December 2, 2025 at 5:42 PM
James Cairns reminds us we’re not alone in times of crisis. In his book IN CRISIS, ON CRISIS (@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social) he offers thoughtful essays that provide a sense of connection in our existential times.
James reads a passage from the book for #ALUCozyFest:
alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ja...
James reads a passage from the book for #ALUCozyFest:
alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ja...
We reached out to one of our @brocktonwriters.bsky.social & asked them to be a guest on our Power Q & A series.
We had one question in mind: What is one thing you think people don’t understand about running a reading series?
Read the interview.
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
We had one question in mind: What is one thing you think people don’t understand about running a reading series?
Read the interview.
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
December 2, 2025 at 3:32 PM
We reached out to one of our @brocktonwriters.bsky.social & asked them to be a guest on our Power Q & A series.
We had one question in mind: What is one thing you think people don’t understand about running a reading series?
Read the interview.
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
We had one question in mind: What is one thing you think people don’t understand about running a reading series?
Read the interview.
www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by River Street
Love a literary festival but don't want to leave your house? Cozy Fest has entered the chat!
December 1, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Love a literary festival but don't want to leave your house? Cozy Fest has entered the chat!
Reposted by River Street
Friends, we missed this great excerpt from Peter Darbyshire's The Wonder Lands War when it went up at the Civilian Reader, but this feels like a great time to enjoy it:
civilianreader.com/2025/11/06/e...
civilianreader.com/2025/11/06/e...
Excerpt: THE WONDER LANDS WAR by Peter Darbyshire (Poplar Press)
Today we have an excerpt from The Wonder Lands War, the fourth book in Peter Darbyshire’s The Books of Cross series — readers may recall that we have shared excerpts from the three prev…
civilianreader.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Friends, we missed this great excerpt from Peter Darbyshire's The Wonder Lands War when it went up at the Civilian Reader, but this feels like a great time to enjoy it:
civilianreader.com/2025/11/06/e...
civilianreader.com/2025/11/06/e...
To continue celebrating amazing CanLit published in Canada, River Street launched our book clubs program. And the book club kits are FREE!
Katie Welch’s Ladder to Heaven ( @wolsakandwynn.bsky.social, 2025) is up first!
Learn more! ⬇️
www.riverstreetwriting.com/river-street...
Katie Welch’s Ladder to Heaven ( @wolsakandwynn.bsky.social, 2025) is up first!
Learn more! ⬇️
www.riverstreetwriting.com/river-street...
December 1, 2025 at 10:48 PM
To continue celebrating amazing CanLit published in Canada, River Street launched our book clubs program. And the book club kits are FREE!
Katie Welch’s Ladder to Heaven ( @wolsakandwynn.bsky.social, 2025) is up first!
Learn more! ⬇️
www.riverstreetwriting.com/river-street...
Katie Welch’s Ladder to Heaven ( @wolsakandwynn.bsky.social, 2025) is up first!
Learn more! ⬇️
www.riverstreetwriting.com/river-street...
Poets! Check out On Creative Writing’s poetry contest. They just released a podcast episode about it:
www.oncreativewriting.com/podcast-1/ep...
@oncreativewriting.bsky.social 🫶🏼
www.oncreativewriting.com/podcast-1/ep...
@oncreativewriting.bsky.social 🫶🏼
December 1, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Poets! Check out On Creative Writing’s poetry contest. They just released a podcast episode about it:
www.oncreativewriting.com/podcast-1/ep...
@oncreativewriting.bsky.social 🫶🏼
www.oncreativewriting.com/podcast-1/ep...
@oncreativewriting.bsky.social 🫶🏼
Reposted by River Street
“Ghadery delivers answers in a lyrical and imaginative debut.”
—Lindsay Wong, Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies
Learn more about my novel!
🧦 palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
Lindsay’s book is also available for preorder. ✨
🖤 www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/677140...
—Lindsay Wong, Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies
Learn more about my novel!
🧦 palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
Lindsay’s book is also available for preorder. ✨
🖤 www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/677140...
November 28, 2025 at 1:55 AM
“Ghadery delivers answers in a lyrical and imaginative debut.”
—Lindsay Wong, Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies
Learn more about my novel!
🧦 palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
Lindsay’s book is also available for preorder. ✨
🖤 www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/677140...
—Lindsay Wong, Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies
Learn more about my novel!
🧦 palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
Lindsay’s book is also available for preorder. ✨
🖤 www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/677140...
Reposted by River Street
Listen, it’s not me: the people want you to pre-order my book.
You can pre-order The Unravelling of Ou from wherever books are bought or borrowed.
More on my book here:
palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
@palimpsestpress.bsky.social
You can pre-order The Unravelling of Ou from wherever books are bought or borrowed.
More on my book here:
palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
@palimpsestpress.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Listen, it’s not me: the people want you to pre-order my book.
You can pre-order The Unravelling of Ou from wherever books are bought or borrowed.
More on my book here:
palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
@palimpsestpress.bsky.social
You can pre-order The Unravelling of Ou from wherever books are bought or borrowed.
More on my book here:
palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-un...
@palimpsestpress.bsky.social
“Likeable and flecked with humour, his essays are also smart and well-crafted; and the politics of them are entwined with personal vignettes that are poignant as well as and immediate.”
—Brett Josef Grubisic, THE BRITISH COLUMBIA REVIEW
Read the full review:
thebcreview.ca/2025/11/21/2...
—Brett Josef Grubisic, THE BRITISH COLUMBIA REVIEW
Read the full review:
thebcreview.ca/2025/11/21/2...
November 29, 2025 at 3:29 PM
“Likeable and flecked with humour, his essays are also smart and well-crafted; and the politics of them are entwined with personal vignettes that are poignant as well as and immediate.”
—Brett Josef Grubisic, THE BRITISH COLUMBIA REVIEW
Read the full review:
thebcreview.ca/2025/11/21/2...
—Brett Josef Grubisic, THE BRITISH COLUMBIA REVIEW
Read the full review:
thebcreview.ca/2025/11/21/2...
#NonfictionNovember Spotlight: Product of Italy, the latest book by multiple award-winning author and educator Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli, published by Latitude 46.
store.latitude46publishing.com/products/pro...
@latitude46pub.bsky.social
store.latitude46publishing.com/products/pro...
@latitude46pub.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 10:29 PM
#NonfictionNovember Spotlight: Product of Italy, the latest book by multiple award-winning author and educator Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli, published by Latitude 46.
store.latitude46publishing.com/products/pro...
@latitude46pub.bsky.social
store.latitude46publishing.com/products/pro...
@latitude46pub.bsky.social
Reposted by River Street
Jeremy Luke Hill above/ground press chapbook launch in Elora (this weekend!) + Holiday Book Tasting (December), / @quillandquire.bsky.social @meetthepresses.bsky.social ;
abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2025/11/jere...
abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2025/11/jere...
Jeremy Luke Hill chapbook launch in Elora + Holiday Book Tasting,
Jeremy Luke Hill launches his above/ground press chapbook, a burrow, a nest, a lea stone (2025) at the Elora Public Library alongside Tom...
abovegroundpress.blogspot.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Jeremy Luke Hill above/ground press chapbook launch in Elora (this weekend!) + Holiday Book Tasting (December), / @quillandquire.bsky.social @meetthepresses.bsky.social ;
abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2025/11/jere...
abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2025/11/jere...
Reposted by River Street
It's lovely to see Ben Berman Ghan's great book The Years Shall Run Like Rabbits in this week's All Lit Up gift guide!
Searching for the perfect bookish gift? Calgary short story writer @beingkirti.bsky.social shares four thoughtful titles to round out your holiday shopping list in our latest #ALUGiftGuide.
Read her picks: alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...
Read her picks: alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...
November 26, 2025 at 3:21 PM
It's lovely to see Ben Berman Ghan's great book The Years Shall Run Like Rabbits in this week's All Lit Up gift guide!
DYK: 48% of first responders report psychological harm in their workplace?
Meet author and longtime paramedic and fire service captain Sean Paul Bedell and his powerful new novel, Shoebox (NoN Publishing, 2025).
Request a review copy of Shoebox:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/join-river-s...
Meet author and longtime paramedic and fire service captain Sean Paul Bedell and his powerful new novel, Shoebox (NoN Publishing, 2025).
Request a review copy of Shoebox:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/join-river-s...
November 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM
DYK: 48% of first responders report psychological harm in their workplace?
Meet author and longtime paramedic and fire service captain Sean Paul Bedell and his powerful new novel, Shoebox (NoN Publishing, 2025).
Request a review copy of Shoebox:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/join-river-s...
Meet author and longtime paramedic and fire service captain Sean Paul Bedell and his powerful new novel, Shoebox (NoN Publishing, 2025).
Request a review copy of Shoebox:
www.riverstreetwriting.com/join-river-s...
Reposted by River Street
In this @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social episode, I speak with Patrick Grace about his poetry collection, Deviant (U Alberta Press, 2024). If you have ever asked me for a poetry recommendation chances are, I’ve recommended this book.
You can tune into the episode here:
newbooksnetwork.com/deviant
You can tune into the episode here:
newbooksnetwork.com/deviant
November 23, 2025 at 12:51 AM
In this @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social episode, I speak with Patrick Grace about his poetry collection, Deviant (U Alberta Press, 2024). If you have ever asked me for a poetry recommendation chances are, I’ve recommended this book.
You can tune into the episode here:
newbooksnetwork.com/deviant
You can tune into the episode here:
newbooksnetwork.com/deviant
“There is earth-shaking news in this book.“
James Cairns shares thoughts on the newest book from Governor General Award-winner Sadiqa de Meijer.
Read the full review:
tr.ee/HtT07iIMqV
@springmagca.bsky.social @palimpsestpress.bsky.social
#nonfictionnovember
James Cairns shares thoughts on the newest book from Governor General Award-winner Sadiqa de Meijer.
Read the full review:
tr.ee/HtT07iIMqV
@springmagca.bsky.social @palimpsestpress.bsky.social
#nonfictionnovember
November 23, 2025 at 2:45 PM
“There is earth-shaking news in this book.“
James Cairns shares thoughts on the newest book from Governor General Award-winner Sadiqa de Meijer.
Read the full review:
tr.ee/HtT07iIMqV
@springmagca.bsky.social @palimpsestpress.bsky.social
#nonfictionnovember
James Cairns shares thoughts on the newest book from Governor General Award-winner Sadiqa de Meijer.
Read the full review:
tr.ee/HtT07iIMqV
@springmagca.bsky.social @palimpsestpress.bsky.social
#nonfictionnovember