Mattea Roach. Image: CBCbooks
By Porter Anderson, Editor in Chief | @Porter_Anderson
“Different parts of the world”
AS Publish perspectives As readers know, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, CBC, has long produced one of the most influential book programs, Canada reads, It stands out not only because of its week-long debate and elimination structure, but also because of its emphasis on serious, socially impactful, issue-based literature.
CBCbooks, the department behind Canada readsis preparing a new one-hour national literature program for consumers. Bookends with Mattea RoachThe show premieres on September 8, with initial broadcasts Sundays at 1:00 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time, 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time) on CBC Radio and CBC Listen.
The host, Roach, was indeed a “champion” on Canada reads in 2023 for Kate Beaton’s Ducks (published by Chris Oliveros’ Drawn & Quarterly), which Canada reads this year. Roach is perhaps better known Danger Fans, for a 23-game winning streak at this show in 2022, reportedly the longest-running success at Danger for a Canadian with a net profit of $560,983.
In the new Bookends production, Roach will speak with international and Canadian authors about their work.
Expected conversations on the show include:
- The Iranian-American poet Kaveh Akbar (martyr)
- The American humorist Sloane Crosley (Grief is for people)
- Canadian novelist David Huebert (Oil people) and Heather O’Neill (The capital of dreams)
The first season will also feature Kaveh Akbar, Sloane Crosley, Casey McQuiston, Morgan Talty, Alison McCreesh, Corinna Chong, Teresa Wong, VV Ganeshananthan and Alan Hollinghurst.
“New voices shape today’s literature”
In a prepared comment on the news of the upcoming show, Roach – a Halifax native who uses the pronouns She And them– is quoted as saying: ““I am incredibly excited about this new role and hope and expect that it will give me the opportunity to grow both as a reader and as an interviewer. I have always loved books and am curious about creativity and the world around us.
“I’ll be speaking to authors from different genres, different parts of the world, and different stages of their careers. This is a great opportunity for both me and our audience to meet authors I love and to get to know exciting new voices shaping today’s literature.”
As part of the final episode of CBC’s literary program Authors & CompaniesRoach will interview the show The outgoing host and Eleanor Wachtel discuss Roach’s new role and what to look forward to at Bookends. Wachtel is retiring.
CBCbooks also produces The next chapter and the CBC Literary Awards.
Bookends takes over the Authors & Companies Podcast feeds.
For more information about Canada Reads, click here and for more information about the Canadian publishing market, click here.
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