Two new reviews have appeared over the last couple of weeks.

Matthew Firth talks about Michael Dennis’ how are you she innocently asked in Front&Centre. The review can be read in full here, but you should also make a point of subscribing to the magazine here, read it in print!

rob mclennan discussed the two William Hawkins titles recently on his blog. He finds “much here to admire, and much to appreciate” while asking valuable questions.

Don’t forget the Ottawa Small Press Book Fair this Saturday, 12:00-5:00 at the Jack Purcell Community Centre. New Bill Hawkins titles, new Peter Gibbon, available backlist material from Leigh Nash, Stuart Ross, Michael Blouin and scarce copies of Michael Dennis and Ben Ladouceur. We’ve got it all!

And don’t forget Peter Gibbon reading this Friday at the Pre-Fair Reading, 7:30pm at the Carleton Tavern. We’ll be there with bells on (or with books in hand, at least).

So, Apt. 9 is nearly ready for the Ottawa Small Press Book Fair on Saturday 16 October. Are you ready? Will you be there?

We have three new titles stitched and numbered and set aside. eating thistles from Peter Gibbon, Sweet & Sour Nothings from William Hawkins, and the first non-fiction title of the young life of Apt. 9, the Wm Hawkins Folio. As well, all titles still available from the backlist will be represented to help you fill in the holes on your bookshelves.

Be sure to attend to the pre-fair reading on Friday 15 October. Peter Gibbon will be reading, alongside Helen Hajnoczky, Natasha Nuhanovic and Suzanne Bowness. Doors at 7:00pm, reading at 7:30pm, The Carleton Tavern (223 Armstrong Ave.).

In other non-fair news, local book-doctor and writer Christine McNair kindly interviewed me on CKCU’s Literary Landscapes in August. The full interview can be listened to on her blog here. We talk about Apt. 9, as well as my M.A. work on the Contact Poetry Reading Series. She has also interviewed a ton of other excellent people, and you can listen to them all. Look at this call for submissions for her own cartywheel press while you’re over there, and send her your best work. It is going to be a stunning production.

Front&Centre, Ottawa’s excellent fiction magazine published by Matthew Firth through his Black Bile Press, will be running a review of Michael Dennis’ how are you she innocently asked. The new issue, #24 if you’re keeping count, “contains biting new fiction by some of the hardest hitters in the business. Grant Flint, Kathryn Sussman, Gary F. Iorio, Peter Stockland and Salvatore Difalco serve up sizzling new short fiction in #24. Plus we’ve got reviews of the best small press fiction titles from Mark SaFranko, Jenn Farrell, Michael Bryson, Elizabeth Baines, George Bowering, John Calabro and Michael Dennis.” Ordering information is on the website. Matthew’s sustained energy with the magazine is something to marvel at. Support him and the writers.

Hope to see everyone on the 15th! And then the 16th! In the meantime, Apt. 9 will be busy making plans for the books to follow.

Apt. 9 has been quiet publicly since our big move, but has been active inside our new digs. Three projects are nearing completion, and we have the photos to prove it.

First up is eating thistles by Peter Gibbon. Peter has long been active in Ottawa’s small press publishing community, seeing a wonderful body of work published in small runs passed from hand to hand. If you’ve been lucky, you already have some of his work on your shelf. Apt. 9 hopes this new book will consolidate the last few years of Peter’s work, and help to see his poems read by new eyes. Covers are printed and folded, editing is complete. Look for a launch in the near future.

Next up is the Wm Hawkins Folio, long in the works. The folio collects a descriptive bibliography of Hawkins’ catalogue, colour reproductions of four of the legendary poster poems from the 1960s (and one ad for the same), two newspaper articles from the 1960s, and a further poster poem from 1980.

Finally, a project that grew out of the Wm Hawkins Folio, Sweet & Sour Nothings by William Hawkins. While working on the bibliography, Richard Coxford of the Bytown Bookshop passed along a copy of an Anthos Anthology from 1980. In Anthos was a thirty five part serial poem by Hawkins. The poem was intended to be Hawkins then-next book (his seventh if we include his selected, The Gift of Space). The poem, however, was never published as a distinct object. None of the text of the poem is included his newer 2005 selected, Dancing Alone, nor is it referenced in available articles on bibliographies. In other words, Apt. 9 is lucky enough to be publishing a long-lost William Hawkins book. Newly edited by Roy MacSkimming, the book is an exciting addition to Hawkins’s available body of work, partially bridging the gap between 1976’s The Madman’s War and 2005’s Dancing Alone.

Look for an event to launch all three of these shortly.

As ever, Apt. 9 is pinching itself to have such wonderful titles to publish. We can’t wait until you have a chance to read them.

Cheers.

Well, tomorrow will see the movement of Apt. 9 from its eponymous space, 328 Frank St. Apt. 9 Ottawa ON.

The move unfortunately overlaps with the summer edition of the Ottawa Small Press Book Fair which happens tomorrow at Jack Purcell from noon to 5:00pm. However, as was mentioned earlier, Justin Million and Peter Gibbon will be covering a table under the Apt. 9 name. Both have lots of interesting things going on of their own, so do ask them about readings and magazines.

New from Apt. 9 will be Landforms from Leigh Nash. I don’t have enough good things to say about this book. Leigh deserves every reader she can get, so do get your hands on it (and I don’t just say that because it is an Apt. 9 title). You’ll regret not buying it this fall when her first trade book hits the shelves.

To date, Apt. 9 has produced eight titles (starting in August 2009). Including some brief runs of reprints for various reasons, that totals 442 individual books stitched inside these walls (well, 442 if we only count those that saw the light of day). Every book has been designed, printed and bound from start to finish at this address. The name will, of course, continue, but the press will need to adapt to its new space.

The move has put projects on hold briefly, and they will likely remain that way through the new few weeks, but news and new books are on the way.

Enjoy the small press fair everyone.

Aaron Tucker, who was recently shortlisted for the bpNichol Chapbook Award for apartments (published by the excellent Emergency Response Unit), has just posted a review of Ben Ladouceur’s The Argossey over at The Agora Review. Thanks Aaron!

Lots has been happening, and I’ve been failing to update. So, here we go:

First, a new book is ready! Landforms from Leigh Nash is stitched and numbered. The book is a wonderful set of eleven concise poems that move across geography and human bodies in startling and surprising ways. Leigh is one-half of The Emergency Response Unit, one of the most exciting young chapbook presses in the country, and has her very first book with a spine forthcoming in the Fall from Mansfield, titled Goodbye, Ukulele. The book draws on poems from the full manuscript, so consider it your first chance to get your hands on this material.

In other first book news, Sandra Ridley is launching her collection Fallout (Hagios) on Saturday May 29th at The Manx in Ottawa. Sandra very generously published with Apt. 9 last fall in our first round of books, and the news of her first spined-book is very exciting. Go to the event and buy the book. See a recent interview with here. Her Apt. 9 chapbook Rest Cure also recently received two reviews: the first from Amanda Earl, and the second from Jamie Bradley. Thank you to both of them for taking the time to review a chapbook, such things are done far too rarely.

Apt. 9 was interviewed a couple times over the last few months. Ashly Dyck at the Leveller spoke with us here (p. 17), and rob mclennan gave us 12 (or 20) questions.

We’re still at work on the forthcoming William Hawkins project. However, it has since grown into two equally exciting projects. I’m going to withhold full details for the moment, but there will be some new (old) poems, as well as reprints of some of the legendary poster poems from the sixties. We’re planning a late summer/early fall release, so keep your ears peeled.

Apt. 9 will be at the Ottawa Small Press Book Fair on June 26th. However, I will not be present. Our table will be very ably manned by Justin Million and Peter Gibbon. Justin published with Apt. 9 last August, and Peter will be publishing in the near-future. Both are active in Ottawa’s small press community, and will surely have their own interesting items to get into your hands as well. We’ll have copies of Michael Blouin, Michael Dennis, Stuart Ross, and the aforementioned new book from Leigh Nash. If any of these are missing from your bookshelf, make a point of dropping by.

And that’s it. Hope to see everyone out at one reading or another.

Tomorrow night Apt. 9 has the privilege of releasing a book by Stuart Ross, a stalwart of Canada’s small press community. Stuart’s commitment to small press publishing over the last thirty years, his Proper Tales Press, his piles of little mags (most recently HARDSCRABBLE), and his dedication promoting others, blazed a trail that Apt. 9 hopes it can contribute to in the future. That he continues to support this world is evidenced by his willingness to publish with our modest operation.

In case that was too subtle: we’re thrilled and can’t wait for you to read the book.

I Have Come To Talk About Manners collects eighteen new poems from Ross, his first published set since Dead Cars In Managua (DC Books 2008).

The book will be on sale at the TREE Reading Series, where Stuart is reading with Ottawa’s Stephen Brockwell. There is a workshop beforehand, led by Terry Ann Carter. TREE Readings take place at Arts Courts (2 Daly Avenue), with a brief open-mic at 8:00, followed by the featured readers. Come out, listen, and buy some books (even if they aren’t from Apt. 9!).

It will also be your first chance to buy Michael Dennis’ how are you she innocently asked. $10.00 each, or both for $15.00.

And if you’re free Wednesday night, head over to the Clocktower for the In/Words Open-Mic. In/Words is a wonderful student community run out of Carleton University. This reading may be the final Open-Mic that the mag and chapbook press hosts, after four (five?) years. Hosted by Justin Million (of Guzzle fame), the readings are consistently engaging, and have a remarkable energy and vitality that sets them apart from others in the city. Don’t miss this (potentially) last chance to take part. There are usually piles of free chapbooks and mags, and you’re always encouraged to bring your own work to distribute.

Hope to see everyone tomorrow!

Big news developing in Apt. 9.

First, new books! Michael Dennis’ how are you she innocently asked is stitched and ready for your eyes. The book is comprised of poems and short short stories, all marked by Dennis’ characteristic lack of bullshit. Dennis’ sustained energy over his years of publishing is a real inspiration here at Apt. 9, and we’re honoured that he’s gotten on board. The cover features an original linocut, hand printed for each book.

A reading will be happening in the not too distant future, details forthcoming, by Michael Dennis and Michael Blouin to formally launch their two Apt. 9 titles. In the meantime, email Apt. 9 to get your hands on copies.

On the heels of Michael Dennis comes Stuart Ross, Apt. 9’s first non-Ottawa resident. Ross will be reading in Ottawa on February 23 at the Tree Reading Series. The new chapbook is being printed to coincide with the reading. Ross is a hero of the small press, and continues to show his enthusiastic support for the chapbook form.

Ashly Dyck of the Ottawa Arts Review recently interviewed Apt. 9, and the Q&A will be found in the March edition of The Leveller.

The summer will see the first non-fiction title, focused on the books of William Hawkins. Stay tuned for the details. We’re incredibly excited about the development of the book and can’t wait for everyone to be able to see it. It will be an important object in Hawkins’ catalogue, and a must-have for anyone interested in his work.

We’re looking for other non-fiction proposals. Read the submission guidelines and send something to us!

We would also like to develop a email list to send these sorts of updates out. If you’re like periodic news about Apt. 9 titles and writers, send your email to apt9press@gmail.com

Backlist still available:
TWO BOYS carrying a box through a field .going somewhere | Michael Blouin (fiction)
The Argossey | Ben Ladouceur (poetry)
Guzzles | Justin Million (poetry)

Cheers, and stay warm,
Cameron

First and foremost, we are thrilled to announce that the fifth Apt. 9 title, and the first one to be fiction, will come from Michael Blouin. Blouin’s excellent first novel Chase & Haven (Coach House) recently won the ReLit Award, and was shortlisted for the Amazon First Novel award. The chapbook will be excerpts from a completed, as yet unpublished second novel. If you read Chase & Haven, you’ll understand how exciting the prospect of a second novel from Blouin is (and if you haven’t read it, you should). Blouin is also the author of I’m not going to lie to you (Pedlar Press), a wonderful collection of poetry.The chapbook will be ready and available for the Ottawa Small Press Book Fair on November 28th. On a related note, Michael Blouin will be accepting his ReLit award TONIGHT at the Ottawa International Writer’s Festival. See writersfestival.org for more information.

Also for the fair, we’ve recently completed a small run of reprints of the first three titles (Monty Reid, Sandra Ridley and Justin Million). The second printing of each is an edition of 10 unnumbered  copies. So, if you missed getting your hands on one late this summer, you’ll have a second chance on November 28th. Ben Ladouceur’s The Argossey will also be available.

The press is also starting to make plans for 2010. One thing we hope to do is to expand into non-fiction titles. More specifically, Apt. 9 wants to engage with Ottawa’s literary history and is interested in producing chapbooks that deal with it, in a variety of forms (bibliographies, essays, interviews, collections of primary documents…). If you have a manuscript, or an idea for one, send us a brief abstract or proposal (250-500 words) and we will respond to you as quickly as time allows.

That’s it for now, see everyone soon!

Apt. 9 is, first of all, proud to announce that our first three poetry titles have now sold out! We’re absolutely stunned by the support we’ve received from the community in Ottawa and elsewhere, and can’t wait to get new titles into your hands. Thank you!

On a related note, a new title is ready for your hands! Ben Ladouceur’s The Argossey is printed, bound, and numbered. The book will be first available on September 30th at the In/Words open-mic at Woody’s (more concrete details forthcoming). Ben will be on hand to read, and might even sign the books if you ask nicely. He’ll also have in hand a second, beautiful new title, Alert, from Amanda Earl’s AngelHouse Press.  Ben is one of the most promising voices among younger Ottawa poets. Although he is leaving us for Europe temporarily, these two new titles will remind Ottawa why we’ve been lucky to have him, and why his return will be worth celebrating.

There are more announcements coming soon, stay posted.