short fiction The Miramichi Reader

Watermark by Christy Ann Conlin

November 17, 2019 by James M. Fisher

Christy Ann Conlin's first collection of her short stories is entitled Watermark, and while I haven't read either of her two previous (and highly acclaimed) full-length novels, I came away from Watermark suitably impressed with her short fiction work. There are eleven stories here, all in fine form, and no two alike, yet Ms. Conlin's voice throughout is strong and sure, once you get the feel for it.

Send More Tourists…the Last Ones Were Delicious by Tracey Waddleton

September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 by James M. Fisher

While some reviewers think that the humorous title befits this book, I think there is a darker side to many of the stories to which I was immediately attracted to.

Frying Plantain by Zalika Reid-Benta (Guest Post)

May 22, 2020August 18, 2019 by Naomi MacKinnon

Note: For the past three summers, Naomi of the Consumed by Ink book review blog and I have been swapping a book review. This year I reviewed The Afrikaner by Arianna Dagnino for her site, and she has written a … Continue reading

Use Your Imagination! by Kris Bertin

August 15, 2019March 10, 2019 by James M. Fisher

Halifax-based writer Kris Bertin has won many awards for his previous short story collection, Bad Things Happen (2016, Biblioasis) and I'm sure that Use Your Imagination! (2019, Vagrant Press*) will garner its share. Composed of seven stories spread over 200 pages, these are the type of short stories you can really get into.

Two New Short Story Collections from Tightrope Books

January 6, 2019October 28, 2018 by James M. Fisher

One thing is definite about Toronto’s Tightrope Books: they know a good short story when they see one. In 2016, they published Danila Botha’s excellent collection of short stories For All of the Men (and Some of the Women) I’ve … Continue reading

A Bird on Every Tree by Carol Bruneau

July 1, 2018July 23, 2017 by James M. Fisher

A Bird on Every Tree won The Very Best! Book Award for Short Stories.

Bruneau is the author of six books, including the recent These Good Hands. Her 2007 novel, Glass Voices, was a Globe and Mail Best … Continue reading

The Fiddlehead Issue No.270 (Winter 2017)

March 24, 2018February 17, 2017 by James M. Fisher

Issue No. 270 of the Fiddlehead literary journal sports an attractive cover with art by Ann Manuel entitled “Blur 1” making you feel that what is contained within is something special. There are works of short fiction by Jasmina Odor, … Continue reading