Fall is an important season for the literary arts in Toronto. Reading and festivals abound, like this past weekend’s Word on the Street at Queen’s Park, as do writing awards both big and small. With all the hoopla and good cheer, it’s sometimes easy to forget that, though Toronto may indeed be the country’s largest hub of Canadian literature, strong and innovative literary communities do indeed exist and thrive outside The Big Smoke.
Recently I had the opportunity to interview Eric Schmaltz, coordinator of the Grey Borders Reading Series based in St. Catharines. The series is the largest of its kind in the region and, in terms of its talent, among the most variegated in the province. It serves as a compelling testament to the strength of literary life beyond city limits.
Q: Describe the Grey Borders Reading Series. What are its origins? What does strive for?
ES: The series was conceived by Jordan Fry years ago, maybe a decade ago by now, maybe longer. I can’t speak to his curatorial practice, but it’s to my understanding that the series was created to forge an active literary space for St. Catharines and the Niagara region. Later, the series was passed from Jordan Fry to Gregory Betts who organized many outstanding events featuring big names, including Lillian Allen, Christian Bok, and Jaap Blonk. In 2010, Gregory passed the series on to me. I stepped in hoping that I could maintain the energy of the former curators and continue to welcome some of the best writers today. I’m now into my second year as curator and I think I’ve managed to do that.
Q: What, in your opinion, makes the series especially unique?
ES: I think what makes Grey Borders Reading Series unique is our community. Not only is the community supportive, but it is also engaged. People want to meet the writers and read and discuss their works, meet other like-minded people, and of course have a great time. It turns our evenings into lively events.
Q: What qualities do you look for in your authors?
ES: A great deal of thought and work goes into selecting our authors. I’m interested in all shapes and kinds of poetry and fiction—I strive to find writers who are active, but also engrossing, enthralling, exciting, and entertaining. Most importantly, I welcome work that is on the cutting edge. I love small press. I love multimedia. I love sound poetry, visual poetry, and conceptual poetry.
Q: Are many of your authors local to the area?
ES: We have featured some local writers. St. Catharines has a sizable group of young and emerging poets (and some well established). That said, the mandate of the Grey Borders Reading Series is to feature writers from outside St. Catharines. GBRS is a place where our local community can see what’s going on elsewhere. Exposure is really important to the growth of literary community.
Q: Speaking of which, what is the literary community like in St. Catharines and the Niagara region?
ES: The St. Catharines literary community is interested and supportive. We have a substantial crowd for a reading series in a small city—especially a city with few venues for writers and poets. It’s a good mix of young and interested people, academics, locals, and even out-of-towners. It’s encouraging to see so many people united in one place to see and hear poets from all over the country and the world.
Q: What authors/events are you most looking forward to this coming season?
ES: Honestly, I’m looking forward to all of the events this year. The series will include some of the most cutting edge, intelligent, and kind writers that are at it today. I’m grateful and excited!
On October 1 we have what is shaping up to be a night of eccentric poetry, featuring Geof Huth; NF Huth, launching her new 3 Words published by Gary Barwin’s serif of nottingham editions; and Angela Szczepaniak, who has a new book from Bookthug. And on October 14 we have rob mclennan, Tim Conley, and Liz Worth. The winter season looks to be just as promising!
For more information on the Grey Borders Reading Series and its upcoming events, please visit their blog: www.greyborders.blogspot.com
