Words At Large

Here’s a chance to hear some of Canada’s most established authors talk about the trials and tribulations they’ve faced in the writing life.

In May, the Writers’ Union of Canada held their annual general meeting in Toronto. Proceedings included several panel discussions on the craft and business of being a writer. The panel in today’s podcast, What I Wish I’d Known, comes to us courtesy of the Writers’ Union of Canada and was sponsored by the University of Toronto’s creative writing department.

Moderated by the union’s past chair Susan Swan, this discussion features authors Nino Ricci, Wayson Choy and Paul Quarrington sharing some of their personal experiences in becoming writers. In particular, they relate how they held a steady course through the sometimes treacherous waters of the writing life, including steering around unsupportive teachers and wading through the complexities of contracts. They also dish on a writer’s worst nightmare: how to cope when no one shows up to your public readings.

Listen to today’s podcast of What I Wish I’d Known here:

[runs 54:26]