I’m still running those Questionless Books Interviews over at Open Book Toronto, where I’m writer in residence this month. Check out the recent additions since I last rapped at ya about Margaret Atwood:

• Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer
• Richard Nash
• Christian Bök
• Julie Wilson
• Alana Wilcox
• Andrew Pyper
• Sina Queyras
• Hannah Sung

Today’s QBI at Open Book Toronto as part of my writer in residence gig there is with Margaret Atwood. Fun!

At its core, Publishing is… making anything public.

As opposed to Editing, which is… at best, helping to improve the quality of writing.

A Publisher should always… do his/her best. Provide lunch.

As opposed to an Editor, who should always… do his/her best. Provide tea.

Hello, my pretties. I’ll be back here in the new year, hopefully with some young, fresh talent helping me out (but you have to APPLY for that, people!), but until then, I’ll keep you up to date on what I’m doing over at Open Book Toronto, where I am Writer In Residence for November.

So far I have Questionless Books Interviews from:

Publicity Pro Elana Rabinovitch

Giller-nominated novelist Kathleen Winter

Novelist and ‘Ninja alum Claire Cameron

Literary photographer John W. MacDonald

Novelist and Humber School for Writers Head Antanas Sileika

Poet and journalist Lynn Crosbie

Librarian Alexandra Yarrow

Novelist and ‘Ninja co-Founder Peter Darbyshire

There are a few neat surprises coming. Check back here and/or check out OBT for more.

After starting with novelist and Ninja Peter Darbyshire yesterday, I’d like to switch perspective on the same questionless questions and go with public librarian Alexandra Yarrow. A long-time friend of Bookninja, Alex is a Supervising Librarian at the Ottawa Public Library (Rideau Branch).

I am… a public librarian

I am known to… type and read very, very fast, devour novels while slouching in wingback chairs and then share them with library patrons, offer library tours and free coffee, and sing in a high voice for storytime.

I do this in… skirts.

I do this because… We’re the people’s university! I feel strongly about the need for excellence in our profession, and service to all members of our local community. When I was getting my Masters in Library Science, I had this quote from librarian Wendy Newman on my kitchen whiteboard, and it’s still a touchtone for me: “Universal access to the universe ideas.” That’s the business (I hope) I am in.

Hi guys. As I mentioned yesterday, I’m writer in res over at Open Books Toronto, and I’m interviewing a bunch of lit types about the state of the industry, the differences between literary identities, and the future of books without ever asking them a question. First up, of course, is my old Ninja pal, Peter Darbyshire, author of the amazing new novel, The Warhol Gang. Go buy it now, then read the interview.

At its core, a Writer is… Someone who sits down at the computer every day, or at least most days, and writes until his soul is gone.

As opposed to an Author, who is… Someone who seizes any opportunity to not write, such as answering interview questions.

A Writer is responsible for… Civilization.

As opposed to an Author, who is responsible for… The continuing profits of distilleries.

Hi all, I’ll be the writer in “residence” for OBT this month. Please feel free to wander over and check out what I’m posting there. I’ll try to put up links here as well.

To be clear, I’m not dumping Bookninja; I’m just looking for help. I need a couple of people to help share the burden, but I’ll probably run things in the background and post as well. I just can’t do it all any more. If the people who join work out, they may indeed inherit the site one day, but it won’t be tomorrow.

So until the tap turns back on, set your RSS feeds to Bookninja, or check back regularly, in case there are flurries of activity. It’s not going anywhere just yet.