Hello listeners! Dina & Jen are chatting about stuff. Again! This time they're in conversation about the point. What is it? Like, really, what's the point? From writing in general, to specific projects to what they think the point of their own work might be they get down and dirty in the bog of self-doubt and self-loathing, confusion, and some ways they get out of it. So get a tall glass of bog water by your side and listen to this episode! Transcript available here.

Welcome to 2024! WOW! Can you believe it? Feels like the future. Sort of. I don't even know. DIna and Jen catch up and talk about raccoons and aquatic mammals and dog poop! Then they get into the books and stuff by telling tales and discussing lies they've been told by other writers. The untruths, the blanket statements, the one and only way to write. Listen in to hear our iles! We're sure you've heard your own lies too.

Yes, it's true. We've been on an unplanned hiatus. But we're back and this episode is (basically) the chaos episode. We have no theme and we're talking about whatever we want! Britney, protests, IBS. This episode has it all! Listen now, if you dare!    

Hello! If you love summer, like Dina, you're probably sad it's coming to a close sooner rather than later. If you hate summer, like Jen, you're probably relieved! But no matter what the season, Can't Lit is here for you. And this month we talk to the one and only, author and podcaster (authors and podcasters, they're just like us because they are us!), Nathan Whitlock! We talk about his new novel, Lump (out now with Dundurn Press), guerrilla book marketing, dark humour and writing, the process of working with a sensitivity reader, and Jen compares Nathan to Jane Austen (sort of), and somehow that turns into Nathan being the Beer Goggles Jane Austen (copyright pending)! Also, one of the most controversial "What Can't You With" ever?! You be the judge! Listen for a good time!!

Summer is here and so are we! Dina and Jen get together IN PERSON! To catch up and chat about some of their favourite "books and stuff" things. Rosie is excited. They also talk about their health issues, the Barbie movie, Joyride, and why there should be pockets just for olives!

Hello listeners! We are here again with incredible guest, Andrew F. Sullivan! We love him, (and his dog and his wife) and his new novel, The Marigold. We talk about real estate monsters, writing horror, and so much more! We have a delightful time! And of course, your favourite Dina & Jen segments are here to make you feel and rage! Iggy wants you to listen to this episode.

Hello! This month we finally got to live our dream and talk to the multi-talented and oh so wonderful, Catherine Hernandez! We talk about her new book, The Story of Us, writing with energy, untraditional families and narrators, talking like we're in a 1930s movie, style, and so much more! This episode is so fun we didn't want it to end!!

Hello! Spring is here, and so is a new episode with the wonderful Cody Caetano! We talk about his book, Half Bads in White Regalia, voice, structure and memoir, and some of the ways readers respond to memoir. We of course talk about Rosie, and Cody's beautiful cats! And there are emotions and rage. Join us, and definitely read Cody's book!!

Hello! This month we have the incredible writer, artist and library professional Emily Riddle! We talk about her wonderful poetry collection The Big Melt, tattoos, the importance of friendships, her luring people to Edmonton, and a lot of talk of snacks. As usual! There are some big laughs, and Emily saying some very insightful things, of course, Jen being very real in her emotion corner and  Dina hates the horrible Spence Diamond ads on the radio. 

Hello listeners! And Happy New Year! This month we present a special treat: a recording of Jen's Vancouver launch of Superfan, at The Refinery on January 29th, 2023. Dina hosts, Jen reads, then Dina asks Jen some real hard hitting questions! And there are multiple special guests! Andrea Warner and Shawn Hitchins tell Jen their pop culture nightmares, and she does some pop culture therapy with them. David Ly and Doretta Lau are subjected to Dina's Superfan Quiz Show! And finally, out musical guests, A Giant Woman (Cynara Geissler and Hannah McGregor) treat everyone to the Gwyneth/Huey ukulele cover of all our dreams. It'll be like you were there in the room! Happy listening!

Happy Holidays! We talk to friend of the podcast, Hannah McGregor about her new book, A Sentimental Education, and so much more! INCLUDING: Jen tells us her perfect lipstick application process Cocktail, weed and mushroom delivery  The White Lotus (Jen's favourite characters might surprise you) Dina wants you to watch Enlightened! Hannah has some Emily of New Moon feelings Our highs and lows of 2022 And Dina makes Hannah and Jen play a Cozy Christmas Mystery Quiz Someone burps really loud! It was Dina Dina talks a lot about Jennifer Coolidge Hannah's perfect "What Can't You With" Appearances by cute pets! Thanks for listening to us in 2022 and we'll see you in 2023!

Hello friends! Happy Halloween! As a treat we talk to the amazing Billy-Ray Belcourt about his new novel, A Minor Chorus, writing outside genre, the era of the slim volume and more! I don't know if there are any literary tricks up our sleeves, but it's a great talk! And there are mentions of spooky uses of cutlery and pet Halloween costumes. 

Hello! We are here for the last episode of summer! Dina and Jen go sans-guest, not sans-fards, and talk to each other about literally whatever they feel like! Both prepared questions the other had no idea about. Topics include: writing stuff, emotion stuff and fashion trend stuff!  But what stuff? Better listen to find out!

Wlecome to summer! We have a glorious guest to cool things down with  sparkling conversation, Emma Healey! We talk about her new memoir Best Young Woman Job Book, prose and prose poetry, writing about life and money, and bringing pugilism back to the literary. Also, bringing farm animals to the literary world. We have fun!  This episode pairs well with an icy beverage!

Hello! It's short story month and we talk to the multi-talented poet, writer and all around lovely person, Francine Cunnnigham about her new short story collection, God Isn't Here Today (Invisible Publishing 2022), how she writes character, how darkness and humour work together and what she's got coming up next. Jen gives some emotionally astute advice/thoughts and Dina talks about HEMORRHOIDS! Find out more about Francine at https://www.francinecunningham.ca/.

Happy Poetry Month! Sure, we waited until the end of the month to record out latest episode, but it's a pure poetry delight with three absolute superstar poets: Jason Purcell, Jónína Kirton and Tolu Oloruntoba. We talk about their new books, Purcell's Swollening (Arsenal Pulp Press), Kirton's Standing in a River of Time (Talonbooks) and Oloruntoba's Each One a Furnace. In addition to three stellar interviews Dina gets Jen, Jason, Tolu and Jónína to play a game of Name that Celebrity Poetry Book!  Who will win?!

Hello listeners! This month we talk to the Artistic and Executive Director of the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, Jane Davidson! We chat about planning a literary festival, pitches, amazing events and what it's been like running the festival for fifteen years. And as always, tangents, Rosie barks, rage and emotions.   

Hello! This month we talk to the incredible writer and lovely person, Naben Ruthnum! In this episode we talk about his new novel, A Hero of Our Time, writing compelling dialogue, writing with humour,  lies as storytelling, and so much more, including a tangent on Naben's cat and there are some important Rosie interjections. Rage and emotions and so much more! It's a fantastic conversation and very fun. 

Happy New Year! We're here to shout into mics for another year. In this episode Dina and Jen talk about getting back to writing, what it looks like, or doesn't, how they keep notes, and what gets them back into their manuscripts after time away. They also weigh in on some important celebrity news! 

Happy Holidays! Another live episode to celebrate the union of Can't Lit and Real Vancouver Writers' Series. Dina, Jen are joined by Sean Cranbury as co-host to talk about books we loved this year, what we want to leave behind in the literary world and what we want from 2022. And we're joined by special guests: Meghan Waitt, nathan dueck, Daniel Zomparelli, Dolina and Henry Del Bucchia! Listen, laugh, love! LOL! We love you all and wishing you the best, and Happy New Year! See you in 2022, kiddos!

Two poets! You bet. In this episode Jen and Dina talk to debut poets, Ellie Sawatzky (None of this Belongs to Me) and Isabella Wang (Pebble Swing) about their new collections out now with Nightwood editions. There is chatting about going from chapbook to full length collection, paying tribute to poets that came before, and narrative poems. Jen is feeling her feelings and Dina is angry about some stuff and there is one very surprising What Can't You With.

Hello everyone! We finally made it to 100! This episode was recorded live in Crowdcast on October 22, 2021 and the guests were members of the audience. Daniel joined the regular hosts and Dina and Jen share 100 minutes of rage and emotion. Featuring appearances by: Sean Cranbury, Jenna Lyn Albert, Bianca Spence, Paul Vermeersch, Roxan Marucot, Cynara Geissler, Hannah McGregor, nathan dueck, Jake Byrne, Samantha Jones, Kelvin Kong and Meghan Waitt. Thanks for listening!

It's autumn and time to get cozy with a podcast. This episode we have the talented writer, editor, publisher and delight, Casey Plett! We talk about her new short story collection, A Dream of a Woman (Arsenal Pulp Press), writing with feeling, clothes, short story collection structure, and Wayne Gretzky branding. And to kick off the season, Dina makes Casey and Jen play Would You Rather: Fall Book Edition.

Hello listeners! This episode is a delightful treat with the writer, editor and instructor, Shashi Bhat! We talk about her new novel, The Most Precious Substance on Earth, novel writing, pop culture in fiction, writing with humour and, somehow, Woodstock '99. All that and other brief tangents we know you'll love, and the usual rage and emotions you trust. 

This summer is real warm and his episode's hot topic: money! Dina and Jen talk about finances, crunching numbers, advances, events, and the strong feelings that go along with talking about what we're worth and what we're paid. The dogs are barking (Rosie and her friend Marty) and we open the show talking about one of our faves, Britney Spears. 

Summer is here and so are we, in podcast form!  And we are thrilled to talk to the wonderful, smart and very fun, Hilary Atleo from Iron Dog Books. We discuss bookselling in a pandemic and in general, book discovery and pricing and summer reads. Three booksellers chatting about books and the book stuff. What more could you want? How about Jen feeling some things and Dina raging about onions. And Hilary gives us another incredible What Can't You With? Listen up and listen in. Iron Dog Books: https://irondogbooks.com/

Hello pod friends! We are here with an excellent episode and our very wonderful guest, Sarah Berman! We talk about her book, Don't Call it a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM. We talk about organizing research, the craft of non-fiction, writing about difficult subjects, and hugs in a half-vaxxed world. Jen is emotional about the pandemic, and Dina is angry about technology and food. And Sarah delivers one of the best "What Can't You With," answers in Can't Lit history. Thanks for listening!

We're back! And Jen has a new book of poetry (her debut!) so Dina interviews her about The Shadow List (Wolsak & Wynn, Buckrider Books), and we talk about voice, narrative, big feelings and pleather. And, if you missed emotions and rage, those are back too. Thanks for listening.     

We made it through 2020! Good for us! Dina & Jen decide to look back on what they liked about the year, in a loose, literary-adjacent way. What is in their top ten? Listen to find out! Thanks for listening. We love you.

Hello! In this episode Dina and Jen talk about writing in the year 2020. What's it like? Are we doing it? What's up with that? If you are or aren't writing we say good for you because everything is hard and also you deserve a break! 

Boo! Oh no. We didn't want to scare you. Just want you to know we have a new episode with the amazing writer, filmmaker, podcaster and style icon Marlowe Granados. We talk about her debut novel Happy Hour (out now with Flying Books), debuting a book during a pandemic, writing fun and smart characters, and yes, even ghosts!     

Huge news! Not really. Well, we managed to record an episode! This time it's just Dina and Jen talking about the ugly, the bad and the good of literary stuff. We don't cover it all, but we cover some! And on the very good side we mention the authors and titles of some fall books we're very excited about. And there is talk of Rosie, Silver Springs and how we're doing right now. Spoiler:  we're not great, we're fine-ish.

Hosts past, present and future are all together to talk about books and stuff. They get into summer time sweatiness, talking to dogs in Italian, and talk about some spring and summer books they've read and loved and some they want to get to reading. Nemesis updates are available!

Hello listeners! We have missed you. We're back with a bang and very wonderful guest, poet and human delight, David Ly! We talk about his debut poetry collection, Mythical Man, writing with transparency, mythical creatures, writing our experience and what we love about poetry. Links to stuff mentioned in the show: Black Resistance Vancouver Database: https://blackresistancevancouver.online/?fbclid=IwAR0YKR0X0o9CXRwqYD09Q_rfffVUy_9BaU50Kf8Pe1SkoDel3Zs3XxYY_hQb Hogan’s Alley Society: https://www.hogansalleysociety.org/ And check out the Brick Podcast put out by Brick Mag podcast! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brick-podcast/id1444929015 Mythical Man by David Ly, Palimpsest Press: https://palimpsestpress.ca/books/mythical-man/

Hello friends! We miss you. Dina drops in to say hey what's up. More episodes soon. We promise. What does soon mean? Soon we'll know. xo

In the first mini episode of the year Dina & Jen talk about advice. How to take it, how to give it, how to wade through the never-ending muck of it, and most importantly, how not to take advice that doesn't work for you. 

Happy 2020! Happy New Decade! Happy Year of the Metal Rat! And we're back with multi-talented, hilarious, stylish and wonderful guest, Cynara Geissler. We discuss personal style as creative practice, author care, literary publicity and media, celebrity clothing lines and so much more. Also, there's a lot of singing.

In this episode your hosts look back at the decade and talk about books they loved, trends they observed and there's some of what certain people would call singing. Thanks for another year of  listening to our wee pod. Happy Holidays from Dina, Jen & Rosie! xo

And we're back to chat about shhhhhhh... gossip. What is it? Is it good? Is it bad? Are Dina and Jen prone to doing it? We answer all these questions and ask some that aren't easy to answer so we trail off. Is there singing? Listen to find out. You can gossip about our singing on your time. xoxo Gossip Girls

Guess what? We've got Lynn Coady! We talk about her new novel, Watching You Without Me, writing bad men characters, writing  relationships between mothers and daughters, novel-writing vs. short-story writing, how it feels to go to a literary gala, and we play a little game of Would You Rather? Fall has settled over the land and there are literary festivals everywhere and we are coming to you 100% not live from a conference room on Granville Island during the Vancouver Writers' Fest. 

Boo! It's October. And what's spookier than feeling like you're constantly working? In this episode Dina and Jen talk about taking breaks. What are they? Why do we need them? What can they look like? You're not totally broken, you just need a break.

Hi, hi, hi! What a delightful episode we have with the supremely talented funny person, podcaster (stars, they're just like us), writer and wonderful person, Alicia Tobin! We discuss her new book, So You're a Little Sad, So What (out with Friend of the Pod Arsenal Pulp Press), comedy, writing the hard essays, DOGS, animals, and we make a lot of jokes along the way. Rosie kisses Alicia and it makes everyone feel happy. Gosh, thanks for listening.

We took a brief break, but now we're back! Summer's not quite over (thank goodness) and to celebrate we have the amazing writer, mentor and literary dynamo Chelene Knight as our guest. We talk about mentorship, her upcoming novel, Junie, the right form for your writing, her new endeavours, Learn Writing Essentials and Breathing Space Creative, and how we are all sweaty. And of course Rosie brings the love and we talk about Chelene's dog, Chester, and how he makes his #ChestersPicks.

Why hello there. Dina and Jen are back to talk about being in public, from readings, to being online. This shortie of an episode covers a little of what writers sometimes have to do a lot. Also, Rosie is adorable.

It's not official, but it's basically summer. So we talk to novelist, poet, creative writing instructor, festival director, and summer aficionado, Andrea MacPherson. In this episode we discuss productivity, writing poetry and fiction sort of simultaneously, feminism in the 70s, writing with character in mind, bikinis, and Andrea's most recent novel, What We Once Believed. We also are treated to a preview of the Fraser Valley Lit Festival, happening fall 2019, including shout outs to many former guests and friends of the podcast. We have a lot of literary love to give!

Writers! We feel bad about ourselves. About our work, about the way we think others think about us, about the way we present ourselves out in the world. In this episode Dina and Jen get into self-loathing, and how it affects writing and life. Rosie drags a bone around. It is quiet and riveting.

Poetry Month is over, but at Can't Lit we love to talk to poets all year long. In this episode we talk to the tremendous Laura Matwichuk about her debut poetry collection, Near Miss (Nightwood Editions), natural disasters, dreams, Armageddon (yes, the movie) and screen time. Dina rages about the most popular jeans right now, Jen is emotional about Mother's Day, and Rosie's friend Lola the Cat is introduced. What an episode!

No guest, but lots of chatting. Dina & Jen talk about revision, editing, working with an editor, feedback, writing groups and workshops. And more! And find out what Dina and Jen think of books about writing. You probably already know in your heart. 

We talk to one delight about a book she wrote about another delight! Wonderful person and brilliant writer Andrea Warner is on this episode. We talk about her new book, Buffy Sainte-Marie: The Authorized Biography, why Buffy Sainte-Marie is totally amazing, research and writing, make-up and dog anatomy. Listen now for this truly delicious episode.

They're just jealous! And here to talk about. In this episode Dina and Jen talk about professional literary jealousy and what it looks like for them, how they talk about it and how they deal. 

Why hello there! In this episode we get to talk to amazing writer and lovely person, Lindsay Wong. We discuss her memoir, The Woo-Woo, manuscript rejection, writing about mental illness, family, eyelash extensions, and listening to music (and not listening to music). We cover a lot of ground, and give some good tips too. Both the writing kind and the make up kind. 

Dina and Jen talk about their experiences of being baby writers. Learn about how their careers began, about their youthful writing lives and how they each found literary community.

Our first guests of the year are fire! Talented and delightful writers jaye simpson and Jessica Johns join us to talk about the Indigenous Brilliance reading series, Room Magazine, writing and performance, the ethics of care, making space, fashion, and so much more. There is much laughing. We have a very fun time.

It's 2019! Dina and Jen are back in the recording studio (find out where we record in the episode) without a guest and are answering questions from you, the listeners (a.k.a. friends of the podcast) that you sent us on Twitter. We talk about when the movie is better than the book, what we wish we knew as baby writers, and lipstick. Happy to be back in your ears in the new year.

The year's almost over, but there's one episode left with completely outstanding guest, writer, editor, and beautiful human Shazia Hafiz Ramji! We talk about her poetry collection, Port of Being, talking and not talking about craft, literary tours, what it's like to talk about the hard stuff you wrote, creepy men, otters and koi, Marisa Tomei and there's even some special Gritty content. Wishing you all Merry Gritmas and a delightful new year.

Dina travelled to LA for a little blast from podcast past with Daniel Zomparelli as guest and host. We talk about Daniel's new podcast, I'm Afraid That, books we loved this year, lawsuits we didn't, articles we didn't read and so much more. Recorded at Little Everywhere. Despite our jokes and rants we can't make up for the lack of Jen in this episode.

The days get drearier but the podcast gets more delightful with top drawer guest, writer, teacher, mentor, Keith Maillard! We talk about his new novel Twin Studies, writing research, relationships, Bakhtin, Refuse: CanLit in Ruins and some very enjoyable pets of CanLit. All tangents will be satisfying.

The days are getting darker but Can't Lit is here to brighten your day with a wonderful talk with talented writer and sweetheart Waubgeshig Rice. We talk about his new novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow as well as dystopia, masculinity, character development, 90s fashion and the dreaded diversity panel. We also talk about fun times had at the Vancouver Writers' Fest and yes, we do get into Gritty!

Boo! Don't be scared. It's just a podcast. And this episode has the beyond delightful, smart, talented and hilarious, Vivek Shraya. We discuss her new book, I'm Afraid of Men, masculinity, being a multi-disciplinary artist, readers and audiences, fashion, and so much more. And maybe we decide to write Can't Lit: The Musical.

Fresh from the Fraser Valley Literary Festival Dina and Jen talk with novelist, poet, and great dog parent, Kim Fu! We talk about new latest novel, The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore, character, structure, poetry and fiction and of course dogs. Thanks to the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford for letting us record in a very quiet and lovely room.

Yes, it's fall, but in the world of this Can't Lit we're in a wildfire smoke summer haze with the truly lovely Andrew Wilmot. We discuss his debut novel The Death Scene Artist, writing genre, first book feelings, bodies, and Angelina Jolie's dating life. Jen gets real about grief and Dina admits to some Bob Seger feelings. 

Late summer is here! But don't be sad, because the amazing Amanda Leduc is also here to talk about her upcoming novel, The Centaur's Wife, muppets, accessibility, world building, the FOLD, and of course many other things.  Jen has summer emotions, and Dina surprises everyone with her Rage Minute.

Summer is here and Dina and Jen bask in the glow of talented writer, editor, artist and all around lovely human andrea bennett! We talk about definitive hot takes, poetry, drawing, editing, bikes, and dogs and babies. This episode has it all.

Summer has arrived and this new episode with amazing writer and delightful person Samantha Marie Nock is a great sunny or rainy day companion. Discussed in this episode: the vulnerability of writing, putting together a first poetry manuscript, friendship, fear, boy bands, PUPPIES and the latest CanLit trash. Jen and Dina are emotional as usual. 

Jen and Dina have the best time with podcaster, scholar, writer and truly wonderful human Hannah McGregor! We talk scholarly podcasting, publishing, lipstick and bodies (don't comment on them, okay?) and of course there is rage and emotions and, yes, lots of laughter. Also, we all proclaim our love for librarians. 

Marita Dachsel, Charlotte Gill, Jennica Harper, Nancy Lee and Laisha Rosnau are extraordinary writers who've also been friends for twenty years! Jen and Din are lucky to talk to them about their super-friendship origin story, how they help each other with their writing, celebrating successes, being there for each other (cutting umbilical cords!), teaching, pay inequality and so much more. 

Get excited for this bonus episode with super delight and excellent writer, Sharon Bala. We talk about her new novel, Boat People, writing refugees and immigrants, displacement, unlikeable characters, female relationships and gross politicians. And of course, we talk a little bit about fashion. 

Hello friends! This month we have another truly exciting guest: the amazingly talented and charming, Alicia Elliott. We talk about writing non-fiction (and other genres), privilege, how we have to interrogate to be good and responsible writers, lipstick, musicals and so much more. We also play a new game: 'New Lipstick or New Poetry.' And there is a lot of singing. 

Winter is bleak but this episode will warm you up. Jen and Dina get to talk to the multi-hyphenate, multi-talented, multi-award-winning, novelist, poet, filmmaker (and more) Katherena Vermette! They talk with her about her novel, The Break, poetry and genre-hopping, baggy, high-waisted jeans, self-care in hard times and single moms. You're gonna feel the feelings! 

Way back in November Jen and Dina interviewed part of the amazing team behind Rahila's Ghost Press, a new chapbook press that will knock your stockings off. And we sure did have a fun time, talked about a lot of poetry and yes, there were emotions. Now the episode is here for your listening pleasure, with publisher Mallory Tater, managing editor Curtis LeBlanc, editors Adèle Barclay and Shaun Robinson, and two of the first poets publisher by the press, Megan Fennya Jones (Normal Women) and Jake Byrne (The Tide). Buy all the RG chapbooks at rahilasghostpress.com.

Happy holidays from your original Can't Lit hosting team! Dina welcomes Daniel back into the "studio" in this guest-less episode that goes on too many tangents to name just one. There's a special gift at the end of the episode: a delightfully boozy pitch for a Hallmark holiday movie. 

This episode is full of fun, friendship and lots of love. Dina and Jen talk to the recent winner of the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, novelist, and truly lovely person, David Chariandy. We talk about his new novel, Brother, Jen and David's early days as published writers, writing the good and hard stuff, and the passing of Jen's beloved dog companion, Molly. Molly, we love you and you are missed. We also play a game called, "Write or Go Right?" Three Leos together on the mic and it can only be a good time, right?

Recorded in September but here now for your ears is an episode with lovely writer Gurjinder Basran! Jen and I talk to her about her new novel, Someone You Love is Gone, which features ghosts and sadness and some laughs too. We also discuss representation in literature, rap and hip hop, and a Tinder date from the news. There's even some Halloween cackling. Happy listening!

We made it to 50 episodes! And to celebrate Dina and Jen got a lot of snacks together and welcomed Adèle Barclay, Juliane Okot Bitek, Raoul Fernandes , Leah Horlick, Nancy Lee, Ben Rawluk and Beni Xiao back to the podcast. With a very special speaker phone call from Daniel Zomparelli this episode has all the feelings, book talk, tangents and valid complaints your ears have been hearing for 50 glorious 'sodes. Do we finally go deep on Marian Engel's Bear? You decide! Thanks for listening! We love you.

Don't lament summer ending because we have the two most lovely guests: Paul Vermeersch and Bianca Spence! While visiting Vancouver from Toronto they made time to talk to Jen and me about karaoke, Degrassi, diversity panels, friendliness in literary community and fries. We also bring back Literary Would You Rather?

This episode with writer Michael V. Smith is a joyful summer treat! He writes great poems, prose and tweets. Jen and Dina talk to him about his new poetry book, Bad Ideas, dreams, why we write, navigating the exclusion and power imbalances of the literary community, Disneyland and even Daniel's wedding. We have so many laughs. Also, we talk about Jen's new book, Gentlemen of the Shade. Read both of their new books and you'll have a better summer. 

Three amazing guests in one super episode! Finalists Kai Cheng Thom and Ali Blythe along with event MC Leah Horlick join Dina and Jen the day after the Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ Emerging Writers ceremony. We talk poetry (a lot, in so many ways), exclusion in canlit, the problem with "universal" stories, and so much more. This episodes has laughs, lots of emotions and ends in a real lovefest. Though not in the room with us third finalist Eva Crocker makes an appearance through the magic of technology!

Things get spicy in this episode because Dina and Daniel get to talk to poet, photographer and general delight Tenille Campbell! We talk about that writing life, surprise yoga, and culture, sex, desire in her wonderful debut poetry collection #IndianLovePoems. Come for the hook up stories, stay for the fun cackling throughout. Also, Daniel deals with reviews of his new book, Dina survived a year of teaching and Tenille was in a commercial. 

A short bonus episode! Jen and Dina wished they'd had more time with Deborah Willis, but we all still had a fun time and great a conversation about Deborah's amazing new short story collection, The Dark and Other Love Stories, hypochondria, Riverdale, and quite a bit of gross body stuff. HOT TIP: This episode was recorded in February! A real blast from the near past. 

It may be Poetry Month, but we pull a short story switcheroo! Daniel is the guest, along with Carleigh Baker. Jen Sookfong Lee is your guest host. Dina is up to the same old tricks. In this whopper of an episode we talk about Daniel's book of short stories Everything Is Awful and You're a Terrible Person, and Carleigh's Bad Endings. Other topics covered include: reviews, Canada Reads, putting biographical stuff into fiction, and a ban on summer literary events. 

Live from Growing Room: A Feminist Literary Festival we have two mega-talented and wonderful guests, Juliane Okot Bitek and Leah Horlick! In our second live outing we talk about rejection, free labour, jumpsuit anxiety, book award red carpet fashion, broken heaters, their books, 100 Days (Juliane) and For Your Own Good (Leah), and of course Dina and Daniel's anxiety. We also debut our newest segment "I'm So Tired" and everyone, including our audience, has a lot to say about it.

When Daniel's away Dina gets to co-host with podcast guest host superstar Jen Sookfong Lee! They talk to complete talent and delight Eden Robinson. Be prepared for so much boisterous laughter. Their conversation touches on her new novel, Son of a Trickster, otters and other animals, humour, swearing, dietary restrictions and Dina talks about her Danielversary. 

No guest? No problem. It's just Dina and Daniel! They went to Kelowna and lived to tell the tale. This episode has so much: spring books we're excited about, a literary festival/winery recap, so much singing, and a very special CanLit Feud featuring one of the hosts. 

Happy New Year, listeners! Daniel has a post-vacation glow and Dina beams from an amazing otter encounter. Our smart and talented guests are writers Beni Xiao & Mariah Devcic. These sharp young ones talk about writing, university, periods, the culture of CanLit and so much more. Don't call them emerging. They're already here!

Happy holidays, listeners! This episode has singing, laughing, shouting, seasonal stories, book recommendations, suggestions for places to donate this holiday season from many guests from Can't Lit past: Jen Sookfong Lee, Ben Rawluk, Adèle Barclay, Sheryda Warrener, Elee Kraljii Gardiner, Carleigh Baker, Anthony Casey & Anakana Schofield. Daniel has a broken water pipe, Dina is sometimes quiet, and it all happens during a snowstorm! xoxo  

Oh wow! On this episode we have the amazing novelist, poet, TV writer and enjoyable person, Zoe Whittall! Her great novel, The Best Kind of People, was shortlisted for the Giller Prize and Dina and Daniel praise it like dorks. We talk about that novel, but cover so many other topics, like blemish talk, TV we're watching, weird movies, and so much more. Zoe wins the award for Super Delightful Podcast Guest!

In a special bonus episode of Can't Lit, Daniel interviews Dina about late Canadian icon and her hero, Leonard Cohen. She talks about his influence, why he's amazing and the time she met him at a chain bookstore basement. We also just look at the past week and say WTF?

Hooray for Halloween candy and our supes special guest, secret matriarch and poetry witch, Adèle Barclay. As we munch on so many fun-sized chocolate bars we talk about her new poetry collection, If I Were in a Cage I'd Reach Out for You, her new position with CWILA, winning the LIT POP poetry prize and finishing her PhD, and we give some dirtbag tips for writers. We also talk so much Halloween stuff and Daniel gets us to play a game called Which Witch?

Dina and Daniel invited Jen Sookfong Lee and Anakana Schofield into a literary pop-up shop and recorded Can't Lit Live! In our first live episode we talk about their books, The Conjoined and Martin John, Lionel Shriver, shirts, and of course go on so many tangents in front of an audience. We play a special game: Who Said This in an Interview: Anakana or Jen? and Dina gets Daniel and their guests to share their rage! Do things get out of hand? You tell us. 

This episode is jam-packed! Our smart and talented guest is all-year-round fun time, Anthony Casey! We talk about writing TV recaps and drag comedy (shout out to Shanda Leer), and his new personal project, One Hour Writer, Pretty Little Liars, Daniel's fun travel stories, Dina getting old and getting stoned, the Olympics (sort of), puppy play and so much more. Grab some Weed Dunkaroos and listen.

Join us for a podcast brunch with our fantastic guest, Chelene Knight. We talk with her about her excellent poetry collection, Braided Skin, and her new manuscript, Dear Current Occupant. We also talk about good and bad cocktails, not having the answers, and summer looks and treats. Then we play a game just for Meme Queen Chelene: Stand By Your Meme. 

Summer is here and your hosts get to bask in the talented glow of multi-hyphenate and human delight, Vivek Shraya! We talk about her new book, even this page is white, new photography project, Trisha, and her band with her brother, Too Attached. We also talk about Pride, hip hop and R&B, racism in canlit, pop culture and everywhere, summer , shorts and so much more. Dina gets real about her uterus and we find out if the hosts have ever fought.     

Strap on your skates, Can't Lit listeners! Wonderful writer and human Elee Kraljii Gardiner joins Dina and Daniel to talk about her debut poetry collection, Serpentine Loop (Anvil Press, 2016). Also discussed: figure skating, Boston, statues, book tours, short stories and the hard parts about writing. Do we reference The Cutting Edge? You bet we do! Let Elee double toe loop into your heart. Toe pick!

The sun is shining and our guest is our dear friend, rosé. Daniel talks about his fun adventures and new home. Dina's Rage Minute makes its first appearance and she introduces a new game: Race Horse or Poetry Book? CanLit Feuds is here for you, along with other literary trash talk . Special cameo appearance by human delight Gabe Liedman.

Kick off Poetry Month with a new episode from your loving Can't Lit duo! This month superhero braniac and literary heartthrob Ben Rawluk joins us to talk about so many great and mind-tingling things, but especially the action-packed upcoming issue of Poetry Is Dead: Prose Poem vs. the Super-Hero. Have a super-duper Poetry Month!    

Oh boy! This episode is a real champ because we talk to Charles Demers, a.k.a Charlie, formerly a.k.a Chuck. We get into some serious topics like: chunky guacamole, last name pronunciation, t-ball, his new book, "The Horrors", being a homeowner in Vancouver, and Elena Ferrante. We also play a new and not stressful game: Alphabet of Anxiety.

It's the Can't Lit Bowl! Over bowls of snacks we ignore Super Bowl Sunday and talk to the delightful writer Carleigh Baker! We discuss chapbooks, including hers, The Closest We'll Get to Neon, The Peel Project documentary, poetry, her upcoming short story collection, Bad Endings, being hungover dirtbags and sexy dentists. Touchdown!  

Happy 2016! Poet, chum and repeat guest Sheryda Warrener helps us ring in the first Can't Lit of the new year. We talk about January sads, Neko Atsume as winter saviour, explicit content, butts, BIONICLEs, and her new book, Floating Is Everything. We also play a special game: Resolution or Electrocution. And yes, we briefly discuss Daniel's farts and poops. Happy New Year, Can't Litters!  

To celebrate this festive season Dina and Daniel rented a snowy chalet and invited past Can’t Lit guests to join them by the fire to chat, eat and drink. A lot. Jen Sookfong Lee, Jordan Abel, Sean Cranbury, Billeh Nickerson and Aaron Chapman discuss important holiday stuff, like how to ruin poems for the holidays, hangovers, holiday traditions, eggnog, holiday movies and TV, the Nutcracker, stealing Christmas trees, curling, cats eating tinsel, veal, poetry as gifts, grilled cheeses and many more weird tangents. We also go over what we can’t with for Christmas. And there are so many F-bombs. Happy holidays and cheers, from all of us at Can’t Lit!

It's the second Toronto episode and super delight Evan Munday joins the hosts to talk about Archie comics and his new podcast, Radio Free Riverdale, his books series for kids, The Dead Kid Detective Agency and The Golden Girls. Dina and Daniel have more stories from their book tour, like going to the Coach House launch and kissing everyone's forehead, crushing on Aisha Sasha John and name-dropping all the poets we got to hug. We also develop a Can't Lit activity book and go through another round of new categories for literary awards.

Dina and Daniel head to Toronto, a.k.a. Hotline Bling central, and Jacqueline Valencia is there to talk with them about Toronto Poetry Talks, her upcoming poetry collection, There is No Escape Out of Time, diversity and race in poetry, teens, chocolate and Instagram. D & D give an update from their trip to Montreal's strip clubs, karaoke bars and mozzarella stick establishments and even create a new strip club. And we all shout out The BreakBeat Poets and come up with whole new categories of literary awards. 

Dina and Daniel visit Montreal and invite the delightful duo of Bükem Reitmayer and Mike Spry into their hotel room for a wholesome literary chat. We talk about all the important things: movies, TV, shopping, and even poetry, like how a poem can change over time and how process is weird. We also give a shout out to the wonderful bookstore, Librairie Drawn & Quarterly and celebrate Mean Girls Day.

It's always a special occasion when Jillian Christmas is around. Dina and Daniel invite the talented writer, musician and Artistic Director of Verses Festival of Words to talk about writing, but also how miserable fall is, love songs and protest songs, Charmed Can Lit, children's soy lattes, large print erotica on public transit and of course, Shannen Doherty. We also bring back the ever-popular CanLit Feuds and play a new game for this crummy season: Fall or Fall?

It's September and NBD we've got smart, funny dreambabe Alicia Tobin on the podcast chatting with Daniel and Dina about her new, wonderful podcast, Retail Nightmares and her new, wonderful cookbook, Keto-Genesis. To keep things wonderful we also we also talk about clogged toilets, #bikinibookclub, Dina's hot iron burn, Daniel's rage and Rom Com. For a bummer we talk about the sadness of seasonal changes, drought, fires in BC and good old fashioned heartbreak. This episode has everything!    

Can't Lit's endless summer of great guests continues. Dina and Daniel invite Jen Sookfong Lee over for bourbon and book talk. We get into Jen's two novels and Dina's rage, plus we tell tales from bad literary events and share terrible things people have said to us at Q&As. 

Double your poetry pleasure with our guests Kayla Czaga and Raoul Fernandes. We talk with them about their new books of poetry, ageism, having kids and not having kids and accidental marriage proposals. We also invent a Can('t) Lit cocktail, Dina gets us to play Fuck, Marry, Kill: Poetry Edition and Daniel admits to dating a pizza.

Happy summer, listeners! This episode D&D talk to the charming Aaron Chapman about his books, Live at the Commodore and Liquor, Lust and the Law (both Arsenal Pulp Press) Vancouver and its history, what our summer reads are and we even throw in a CanLit Feud (featuring an American!). And finally, Can't Lit turns 19. To celebrate the legal drinking age we talk about what we did at 19, play Would You Rather: Summer Edition and get teen drunk. Stay hydrated!

Finally! A Can't Lit games only episode. Dina, Daniel and Jordan play three literary games cut from Episode 18: Craigslist or Poem, Broetry or Noetry, and Jordan brings his own version of Literary Never Have I Ever: Vancouver edition. Play along at home! 

Spring has sprung and Dina and Daniel bring in beautiful flower and great writer, Jordan Abel. We talk about Jordan's books, Un/Inhabited and The Place of Scraps, skim reading, sex positions, colonialism, visual and sound poetry, Mother's Day sadness, and even find time to speculate on the finale of Mad Men. Think we didn't play any games? Think again, they're coming up in a special bonus episode!

Dreams come true when DDB & DZ get to talk to the wonderful poet, David McGimpsey. Dreams come even more true when talk turns to shopping malls (!!) his new book, Asbestos Heights (!!!), Tropical Bill Murray, a baby Dina hates on Facebook, Beyoncé (of course), and watching Jennifer Aniston movies for Poetry Month. We also play two new games in honour of Fuller House, the Full House sequel: What Would Kimmy Gibbler Do? and Stefan Urquelle or Steve Urkel? We even talk about poetry and classism, and Daniel coins the term, "dick carousel."

Poetry Month is still here! So, these podcast hosts invited the super charming and smart Sachiko Murakami to talk about poems, airports, crying poets and of course her new book. Get Me Out Of Here (Talonbooks) which also became a new Can't Lit game that we played. Daniel's Dream Corner returns and Dina's Dream Analysis Corner makes its debut. We also give some not very nice shout outs to Subway and Dina complains about 420 like a total narc.

For poetry month Dina and Daniel invite two special guests to share the mics with them: wine and pizza. With their help D&D talk about what they think is so boring (lots of things, like, ugh, bacon) and debut a new segment, Poetry Books That Got Us So Wet Right Now (including new collections by David McGimpsey, Leah Horlick, Roaul Fernandes, Jonina Kirton, Damian Rogers, Sachiko Marukami and Stuart Ross. And Daniel's Dream Corner is revisited. Warning: wine is a solid guest, but pizza gets a little out of hand.

Two road trips in a row? Yup. That's Can't Lit in March. D&D head to Victoria and invite Marita Dachsel and Matt Rader to a hotel business centre. We discuss Marita's many wives, from her poetry collection, Glossolalia (Anvil Press, 2013), and Matt's new book of short stories, What I Want to Tell Goes Like This (Nightwood Editions, 2014). We also host a special secret guest: Stephanie. Then we play Literary Never Have I Ever, talk poetry vs. prose and give the low down on Victoria's gay bar. Shout out to WordsThaw 2015 put on by the Malahat Review.

Can't Lit is on the road! The duo head to Galiano Island to meet with author Michael Christie. We talk about his new book, If I Fall, If I Die, (McClelland & Stewart, 2015), weird island names, flashbacks and otters. By request we bring back fan favourite, Can Lit Feuds, and introduce a new segment, Daniel's Dream Corner. 

Chelsea Rooney joins Can't Lit to talk about her debut novel, Pedal (Caitlin Press, 2014), but also to go down great paths discussing the movies Scream and The Craft, along with our favourite topic, Can Lit fueds. We also get into meta narratives, and bring back fan favourite (maybe?) Literary Would You Rather? Plus we introduce a new segment, Amazon Reviews of the Week, because Amazon reviews are strange and wonderful. Daniel updates everyone on his rash. Dina is supportive.

On this episode Dina and Daniel invite writer, and entertaining gentlemen, Adam Lewis Schroeder from the wilds of Vernon to talk about Beyonce, the Super Bowl, zombies, his new book, All Day Breakfast (Douglas & McIntyre, March 2015) and the apocalypse with Margaret Wente and David Gilmour. Then Adam endears himself to Can't Lit forever with raps (feat. Dina and Daniel) that will melt hearts, and maybe faces.

Happy New Year! The first Can't Lit in 2015 opens with the multi-faceted man with many plans, Sean Cranbury. We talk about the word "emerging", Real Vancouver Writers' Series, #95books, Sean's podcasts "Books on the Radio" and "The Interruption," Canada Council for the Arts, Tinder, of course, and some other stuff we can't remember. Sean makes really strong drinks. 

So, this is Can't Lit Christmas, and what have you done? In this episode Dina and Daniel welcome Sara Bynoe with a lot of eggnog and bourbon. We get emotionally invested in Christmas movies, holidays past, present and future and of course we rehash festive personal trauma. Bonus: lots of out of tune singing. Enjoy our most festive Can't Lit yet.  

In this episode we're invited into the home of George Bowering and Jean Baird to talk about the recent release of Bowering's Books by The Capilano Review. We edited down hours of conversation and we're still left with many pressing topics, including: Duece Bigalow: Male Gigalo, Bowering's obsession with Hello Kitty, Italian underwear, Al Purdy's A Frame, Christmas cake, nudity, politics, and basically anything we could think of. We even made time to discuss some of Bowering's many books. 

This month on Can't Lit we have Amber Dawn and talk about all of the tasks of being a writer. From book launches, to fan nudies, to readings, to book reviews, to television watching. 

Well, it's Can't Lit time again, friends. This month we host the magnificent Wayde Compton, author of the newly released, The Outer Harbour (Arsenal Pulp Press), which we talk about in this very episode! We also recap our summers, talk writing for serious, Vancouver history and Robin Williams. BONUS: There is a lost episode that we angrily discuss and make reference to throughout. You miss out on the great Wayde Compton bee story. Sorry!

It's the fifth episode and we brought in Cynara Geissler and Sheryda Warrener for a very special pop-culture saturated podcast to celebrate Dina Del Bucchia's second book Blind Items. We talk about Robyn's mullet, ABBA's hits, urine therapy, poetry (I think), and 19 poolboys. We cap it all off by discussing our favourite poems about Janky Tan Lines.

For our fourth episode of Can't Lit, we talk to author Nancy Lee about her most-recent novel The Age. We also talk about tooth aches, gay weddings, and play a literary round of "Would You Rather?" Find out if Nancy Lee would rather Joey, or Ross.

Do you like it long? Then this episode will satisfy. Doretta Lau joins the dynamic double Ds to talk about her debut short story collection, How Does a Single Blade of Grass Thank the Sun? (Nightwood, 2014) Bullying, ramen, writing about pop culture in fiction, bodily function failures and even Umbro tracksuits are discussed in this very special episode.

D&D bring Billeh Nickerson to an undisclosed location that may or may not be a bath house to talk about his cheeky sweet new book, Artificial Cherry (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2014), retro CanLit feuds, and of course, Judge Judy. Also making an appearance: feelings!

It's the first episode! Our hosts, Dina Del Bucchia and Daniel Zomparelli, chat with author Nikki Reimer about her new book Downverse (Talonbooks, 2014). Talk also turns to Calgary, hashtags and the new as-yet unrecorded podcast of the future, Maximum Butts, and everyone provides helpful tips for post literary-event small talk. Features the maybe one day popular segment: "What's George Bowering Doing?"