On Wednesday, December 11, over a live Zoom event, the eight shortlisted writers from the Sticks & Stones anthology contest hosted by Blank Spaces Magazine and Chicken House Press each shared a portion of their selected stories and then learn who was the grand prize winner of the $300+ cash prize.

Sitting down with Crystal Heidel, owner of Byzantium Sky Press and author of Still Life In Blood. We talk about perception, marketing, author expectations, reading for pleasure, capacity, self-doubt, reciprocal partnerships, being loud, the tension between being an author and a publisher, and so much more!

Sitting down with J.T. Maxwell, author of Red Brick Road, an irreverent, vulgar, hilarious, and moving romp through Oz. We talk about the upcoming release of his debut novel, the process of writing and querying, how to swear well, preparing for reviews, his book tour, and so much more!

Sitting down with Rebecca Benison, author of Harvest Cruise, a gripping contemporary adult thriller. We talk about the release of her debut novel, the process of writing and querying, work/life/writing balance and boundaries, Parkinson's Law, promotion, and platform.

Sitting down with Susan Cullen, author of United People, the second book in The World Collective series, a thrilling YA trilogy.
We talk about the release of her second book, the highs and lows of publishing, the pressure involved in writing a series vs. a one-off, character development over the course of a series, the woes of social media marketing, measurable of success, the reality of book sales, Nanowrimo, and reader predictions.

The eight finalists from the Will There Be a Sunset? contest came together for an evening of celebrating great Canadian writers. We heard readings from all eight and special grand prize judge, Ace Baker announced the winner of the cash prize of over $185.
These eight stories are being compiled into an anthology through Chicken House Press and will be released in April 2024.

Wendy Down is a Doctor of Integrative Medicine and a life coach. Her book, I Feel Better Now: How to Feel Okay on a Difficult Day, was released in February, 2023. We had a great discussion about the publishing process, timelines, the woes and wins of marketing, and how her book is serving the needs of children (and adults!) and their big feelings.

Michael Schmidt is a student of the publishing program at Centennial College and he reached out for some insight into the publishing industry, specifically indie magazine publication. Schmidt directs the conversation through ten thoughtful questions.

A live Zoom with Ace Baker on Sunday, September 17 to celebrate the launch of his new book, How to Make a Killing Jar, which was released on August 30. Since its release it has maintained its spot in the top ten Hot New Releases in Canadian Short Stories on Amazon, as well as hanging out in the top 100 bestsellers overall in the same category.

Sitting down with Ace Baker, author of How to Make a Killing Jar, a powerful short story collection . We talk about teaching, process, inspiration, writing scales, consistency vs. quality, poetry within prose, community, answering big questions through writing, religion, hypocrisy, serendipity, and so much more!

Sitting down with Sarah Barkoff, author of Emmy Gold is Totally Extraordinary, an upper middle class novel about embracing who you really are. We talk about process, inspiration, being a child actor, bad auditions, and why social media filters are so harmful. PLUS enjoy a reading of the complete first chapter!

Sitting down with Dr. Elena Sherwood, author of Greatness Finds a Way, a concise and punchy non-fiction that uses the authors own story to inspire change in others. Recorded over Instagram Live, the sound is a bit choppy, but the content is so rich! We talk about making space, message targeting, adding meaning to the world, writing your own story, freeing up memories, and embracing your greatness.

Sitting down with Susan Cullen, author of The World Collective, a thrilling YA debut. We talk about her new book and we touch on so many important things: process, magic, imagination, Nanowrimo, and being a parent who writes. Pre-orders are now available through Chicken House Press.

Sitting down with Marina L. Reed, co-author of On the Edge, a thrilling debut for a new kind of crime fiction hero. Cole Buckman is the leading man you've been waiting for! We talk about her new book and we touch on so many important things: process, full circle moments, middle of the night inspiration, magic, imagination, living characters, guts and glory, a writer's responsibility to their genre, and questions of good and evil.

Sitting down with J. Mitchel Reed over a Zoom call to discuss the inspiration and process behind his middle-grade fiction novel, Revernota, now available to order through the Chicken House Press bookstore.