Stories & Strategies
New Music Alert! Just before COVID I put my heart and soul into a new band. We played one thrilling gig and then the pandemic hit. We also recorded a few tracks that I intended to release as an EP. But it has been almost 2 years since then and I honestly don't know whether... Continue Reading →
For a few years now I have occasionally posted my photos to Instagram but it wasn't until I happened to trip across and follow the kickass account of Erin Hawkins, who endlessly marries cool photos with cool short fictional mini-stories that I realized much more fun could be had. So with thanks to her for... Continue Reading →
Although COVID-19 has delayed the release of the print edition of my new children's book, Born, I am happy to report that my publisher, Groundwood Books, has gone ahead with the release of the ebook edition. Thanks to everyone at Groundwood for your support and hard work in bringing this book to life! It has... Continue Reading →
Last week I learned the awful news that my publisher and friend, Sheila Barry, recently passed away. Across Canada there are dozens if not hundreds of authors who share my sorrow at her passing, for she was a central figure in Canadian publishing, responsible for the publication of scores of extremely popular children's books, first... Continue Reading →
The Canada Council for the Arts recently published additional information about its new Digital Strategy Fund, which will grant $88.5m to Canadian artists and arts organizations over the next 4 years. This blog post is an introduction to that fund and what it could mean to you as an artist or arts professional. Disclaimer: although... Continue Reading →
It took only 10 minutes for Sheila Barry of Groundwood Books to tell me she loved my story and wanted to publish it, but it has taken 4 years for the final product to arrive in bookstores! Happily Friend or Foe is now out and it has garnered some sweet reviews. "...a simple and utterly... Continue Reading →
Madness. SXSW Interactive is utter madness. 75,000 people, 400 scheduled conference sessions a day, just one poor brain and one weak body to drag back and forth, into which only so many ideas and contacts and information and free food and liquor can be poured before you break down and beg for mercy. "Please, just... Continue Reading →
I have been writing a lot about gifts so far in this blog. Partly because I think Public Gifting and Gift Economies are important practices in the digital OS3 world, just as they are in the oral OS1 world. Also because I am publicly giving away gifts myself. Specifically I am giving away copies of... Continue Reading →
So I've finished writing my masterpiece, my new book, You Are Your Media. What do I do now? I've thought a lot about this lately. Not just because it is of direct personal relevance to me but because the future of literate culture - or OS2 culture, as I call it - is one of... Continue Reading →
John Sobol 