Outside on Bloor: “Where do we go?” “I don’t know.” “Is it here or over there?” “Yes. Somewhere here. But I forget what room we have to go to, some ballroom.” “Just follow the herd of people heading in one direction who look like they read comics.” It’s Sunday, May 12 and kc, my travelling companion, and I stand just outside the Toronto Marriott on Bloor, in the way of everyone, desperately looking for an alternative entrance to the revolving doors, a weakness of ours.

It's finally June, which means summer is almost here! In anticipation of the warmer weather, perfect for relaxing and reading, I've asked three book lovers — from the West, Phyllis Simon; from the East, Lisa Doucet; from in between, Melissa Montovani — to suggest their top summer picks of Canadian kids' books. Some are new, some aren't so new — all are ideal for cracking open when the hot weather hits.

To job, or not to job? That's something I consider often, as do many of my fellow writers. Notice that I did not say, to work, or not to work? That is not the question. For all but a few writers in this country, making an income beyond advances and royalties is a necessity. It’s not that Canadians don’t read and buy books — they do.

Let’s say you’re the burgeoning author du jour in your ‘hood. We’ll call you Ezra for now. You have two advanced degrees, have taken an overpriced “writers workshop” in the past and have unceremoniously joined the large and growing ranks of the GTA’s overeducated underclass who feel they have been Huffington Posted, sometimes cranking out blog copy for low to no remuneration. Growing up broke in Eldirb Htap (that’s Bridle Path backwards) you learn to appreciate free stuff.

On May 8, 2008, Hamilton writer and composer Gary Barwin reported on his own experience with Margaret Christakos’ Influency series, posting a short write-up on his blog:

Margaret Christakos runs a fantastic course through continuing ed at University of Toronto called Influency. She invites eight poets to read and lecture. Each poet gives a half hour reading and is invited to give a talk about the work of one of the other poets.