Never content to work on one project alone, I currently have several major works in various states of submission and progress. And there’s the proverbial bottom drawer.
Submissions
Summer 2011 allowed for further editing of my first book of fiction, The Mango Stone, which underwent a full rewrite over the last two years. It has been submitted to one of the best literary publishers in Canada. Fingers crossed.
alphabets without vowels is a collection of poems about language, renovation, fatherhood, growing and aging. Groups of poems are out to journals and magazines, and it will be submitted to a publisher in the fall of 2011.
Progress
Surgeon’s Log is a poetry project that begins with the scrapbook comments of Surgeon Lt Bruce Campbell who began his naval career by meeting Winston Churchill at the Atlantic Charter. He served as ship’s doctor aboard HMCS Assiniboine and HMS Duncan during the Battle of the Atlantic, and then HMS Rapid in the Indian Ocean. About forty poems have been edited out of his words. In addition, other sets of poems will weave the background story from official sources and other accounts.
Masala-Fried Sunfish is what happens when new Canadians go to the cottage. It is still in development but is pushing itself to be written. I hope to have time (funding?) to start writing in earnest in the new year.
Bottom Drawer
The Bhārata is a contemporary poetic retelling of the central epic in the great Sanskrit poem The Mahābhārata. It is currently on hold as I concentrated on finishing other books. Sometimes I need to leave a work for an extended period – this is definitely one of the most complex projects I’ve attempted. I intend to give it fresh eyes soon.
