Tolu Oloruntoba
@toluini.bsky.social
Bumbler, quitter of things, poet, and project management person (in that order).
New Collection: UNRAVEL (McClelland & Stewart, 2025).
Opinions mine. https://bio.site/tolu.ca he/him
New Collection: UNRAVEL (McClelland & Stewart, 2025).
Opinions mine. https://bio.site/tolu.ca he/him
My main income is the salary I earn as a manager in a provincial health authority. I get infrequent royalties for my books (minus ~$200 CAD total on my last statements, meaning I’ll need to pay back from future sales). Advances tend to be about $1k CAD with my current publisher, paid in 2 chunks.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 8:14 PM
My main income is the salary I earn as a manager in a provincial health authority. I get infrequent royalties for my books (minus ~$200 CAD total on my last statements, meaning I’ll need to pay back from future sales). Advances tend to be about $1k CAD with my current publisher, paid in 2 chunks.
The kids confidently (and correctly) use like words cyan, magenta, teal, and aqua. I’m just glad they didn’t need to learn them from me. I can barely tell hues apart.
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
The kids confidently (and correctly) use like words cyan, magenta, teal, and aqua. I’m just glad they didn’t need to learn them from me. I can barely tell hues apart.
We’re about a year out from the publication of Best Canadian Poetry 2027. The team at Biblioasis has been reading diligently for most of the year, but requests your help with finding even more Canadian writing published in 2025. Details in the image and QP.
November 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM
We’re about a year out from the publication of Best Canadian Poetry 2027. The team at Biblioasis has been reading diligently for most of the year, but requests your help with finding even more Canadian writing published in 2025. Details in the image and QP.
“The unsent nature of these letters keeps them in a quantum state of emotional possibility, preventing closure.”
Right! Links! Important things:
Here are Massimo Mitolo's two experimental poems, working with form/structure, in Strange Horizons:
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/po...
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/po...
Here are Massimo Mitolo's two experimental poems, working with form/structure, in Strange Horizons:
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/po...
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/po...
The Quantum and Temporal Properties of Unresolved Love
The Verona National Laboratory in Italy, specializing in tragic and unresolved love, was selected for all experimental work.
strangehorizons.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
“The unsent nature of these letters keeps them in a quantum state of emotional possibility, preventing closure.”
Reposted by Tolu Oloruntoba
People always ask me, “how do I know my manuscript is done?”
There’s only one way, my friends.
If your file name looks something like this:
Manuscript - Final Draft 3.7 FINAL FINAL - FINAL (5).docx
Then, and only then, is it time.
There’s only one way, my friends.
If your file name looks something like this:
Manuscript - Final Draft 3.7 FINAL FINAL - FINAL (5).docx
Then, and only then, is it time.
May 31, 2025 at 9:17 PM
People always ask me, “how do I know my manuscript is done?”
There’s only one way, my friends.
If your file name looks something like this:
Manuscript - Final Draft 3.7 FINAL FINAL - FINAL (5).docx
Then, and only then, is it time.
There’s only one way, my friends.
If your file name looks something like this:
Manuscript - Final Draft 3.7 FINAL FINAL - FINAL (5).docx
Then, and only then, is it time.
Reposted by Tolu Oloruntoba
“Let no one be fooled by the fact that we may write in English, for we intend to do unheard of things with it.” ― Chinua Achebe.
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
“Let no one be fooled by the fact that we may write in English, for we intend to do unheard of things with it.” ― Chinua Achebe.
Reposted by Tolu Oloruntoba
Poetrye ys the technologye of hope
November 21, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Poetrye ys the technologye of hope
Reposted by Tolu Oloruntoba
My new working definition for asap.
November 15, 2025 at 7:52 PM
My new working definition for asap.
I realized (belatedly) that the season has been disordering my affect.
I’m usually depressed year-round but this? This is special.
I’m usually depressed year-round but this? This is special.
November 15, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I realized (belatedly) that the season has been disordering my affect.
I’m usually depressed year-round but this? This is special.
I’m usually depressed year-round but this? This is special.
Reposted by Tolu Oloruntoba
Letting the hard animal of my body hate what it hates
November 15, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Letting the hard animal of my body hate what it hates
Reading with Karen Solie (who just won the GG for WELLWATER) at SFU's Lunch Poems. November 19, 12- 1 PM, PST. On Zoom. Registration at this link: www.eventbrite.ca/e/lunch-poem...
Lunch Poems presents Tolu Oloruntoba & Karen Solie (Online)
Lunch Poems at SFU is a unique opportunity to celebrate poetry and is held the third Wednesday of every month, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
www.eventbrite.ca
November 14, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Reading with Karen Solie (who just won the GG for WELLWATER) at SFU's Lunch Poems. November 19, 12- 1 PM, PST. On Zoom. Registration at this link: www.eventbrite.ca/e/lunch-poem...
Reposted by Tolu Oloruntoba
The CBC Poetry Prize shortlist is announced today! Congratulations to these poets.
www.cbc.ca/books/litera...
www.cbc.ca/books/litera...
5 writers make the 2025 CBC Poetry Prize shortlist | CBC Books
Read the five works contending for $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and a Banff Centre writing residency. The winner will be announced on Nov. 19, 2025.
www.cbc.ca
November 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The CBC Poetry Prize shortlist is announced today! Congratulations to these poets.
www.cbc.ca/books/litera...
www.cbc.ca/books/litera...
Reminds me of the poem “What Birds Were” by Chimwemwe Undi.
November 10, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Reminds me of the poem “What Birds Were” by Chimwemwe Undi.
Reposted by Tolu Oloruntoba
The story of Abraham & Isaac is one that has Abraham abandon humanity. He puts faith above love & relationships. Whether he thinks God will return Isaac to him is less relevant than that he doesn‘t think his choice should matter to those he professes to love.
November 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
The story of Abraham & Isaac is one that has Abraham abandon humanity. He puts faith above love & relationships. Whether he thinks God will return Isaac to him is less relevant than that he doesn‘t think his choice should matter to those he professes to love.
A central premise of Ian McEwan’s novel WHAT WE CAN KNOW. Only I believe the UK was even more of an archipelago than the illustration in the repost.
With a return to the Pliocene locked-in, the only meaningful question is, will we stop there or maintain BAU until a return to the Middle Miocene becomes inevitable or - ultimately - the early Eocene?
If the latter, this is what the UK will eventually look like
If the latter, this is what the UK will eventually look like
November 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
A central premise of Ian McEwan’s novel WHAT WE CAN KNOW. Only I believe the UK was even more of an archipelago than the illustration in the repost.
Reposted by Tolu Oloruntoba
well, well, well... what have we here?
40% OFF ALL BOOKS (hard or soft cover!) AT UPK WHEN USING FROSTY25 AT CHECKOUT?
👁👁
hey... that includes my book!!
👁👁
& GOOD UNTIL JANUARY THE WHAT?!?!? 👀👀
www.kentuckypress.com
40% OFF ALL BOOKS (hard or soft cover!) AT UPK WHEN USING FROSTY25 AT CHECKOUT?
👁👁
hey... that includes my book!!
👁👁
& GOOD UNTIL JANUARY THE WHAT?!?!? 👀👀
www.kentuckypress.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:27 AM
well, well, well... what have we here?
40% OFF ALL BOOKS (hard or soft cover!) AT UPK WHEN USING FROSTY25 AT CHECKOUT?
👁👁
hey... that includes my book!!
👁👁
& GOOD UNTIL JANUARY THE WHAT?!?!? 👀👀
www.kentuckypress.com
40% OFF ALL BOOKS (hard or soft cover!) AT UPK WHEN USING FROSTY25 AT CHECKOUT?
👁👁
hey... that includes my book!!
👁👁
& GOOD UNTIL JANUARY THE WHAT?!?!? 👀👀
www.kentuckypress.com
Reposted by Tolu Oloruntoba
I really love Elliot's readings.
Today’s poem: Heather Christle, “The Running of Several Simulations at Once May Lead to Murky Data”
#lunchpoems
#lunchpoems
November 6, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I really love Elliot's readings.
Congratulations to Karen Solie!
🏆 The WINNER of the 2025 Governor General's Literary Award for Poetry is ...
✨ WELLWATER by Karen Solie! ✨
🔗 Learn more about WELLWATER here: https://houseofanansi.com/products/wellwater #GGBooks #GGBooks2025
✨ WELLWATER by Karen Solie! ✨
🔗 Learn more about WELLWATER here: https://houseofanansi.com/products/wellwater #GGBooks #GGBooks2025
November 6, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Congratulations to Karen Solie!
I just know the producers of “A House of Dynamite” were livid when “Paradise” came out. I can’t say more without spoilers.
November 6, 2025 at 1:25 AM
I just know the producers of “A House of Dynamite” were livid when “Paradise” came out. I can’t say more without spoilers.
I remain in Jana’s debt for this.
oh, hey. I lent @toluini.bsky.social some words for the title of one of the poems in unravel. I haven't read the book yet, but the poem "It is common for an animal, even in death, to resist its own deconstruction." is fantastic. you should pick this up, if you get a chance
some mighty wonderful poetry; tolu is an amazing writer, yall...
November 5, 2025 at 1:26 AM
I remain in Jana’s debt for this.
Negative royalty statements on all 3 books. I should perhaps…promote the books a bit?
a cat with a sad look on its face is asking for please
Alt: Gif of Puss in Boots with cute kitten eyes holding his hat and saying “Please.”
media.tenor.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Negative royalty statements on all 3 books. I should perhaps…promote the books a bit?
Reposted by Tolu Oloruntoba
happy "the car clock is finally correct" day to all who celebrate
November 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
happy "the car clock is finally correct" day to all who celebrate
Yesterday while doing dishes I figured out how to arrange this book. I think I have a way back in!
November 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Yesterday while doing dishes I figured out how to arrange this book. I think I have a way back in!
I was finally able to schedule an hour in a dark room to listen to Mac Miller’s “Good News” on repeat. Mac’s sad boy speaks to mine.
November 1, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I was finally able to schedule an hour in a dark room to listen to Mac Miller’s “Good News” on repeat. Mac’s sad boy speaks to mine.
“Look upon me,
an implacable hand broken
on the skulls of assailants…”
feudal.substack.com/p/no-thing-b...
an implacable hand broken
on the skulls of assailants…”
feudal.substack.com/p/no-thing-b...
October 30, 2025 at 8:50 PM
“Look upon me,
an implacable hand broken
on the skulls of assailants…”
feudal.substack.com/p/no-thing-b...
an implacable hand broken
on the skulls of assailants…”
feudal.substack.com/p/no-thing-b...