Meet the Civilians: Natalie St. Pierre

By , on January 19th, 2011

We’re continuing our introduction to this year’s Civilians Read panelists, giving you a taste of what’s to come. Yesterday we talked to last year’s champ, and this year we’re talking to the silver medalist, but watch out folks, looks like she won’t be settling for second place this year . . .

Natalie St. Pierre is known variously as freelance editor, associate literary agent, and runner-up of Civilians Read 2010 for which she defended Ann-Marie MacDonald’s Fall on Your Knees. This year, she will be carrying the hopes and dreams of southwestern Ontario on her shoulders as she champions Essex County by Jeff Lemire.

So why’d you select Essex County as your title to defend? It was because it has pictures, wasn’t it?

Ah, you got me! It was all those graphic novel KIRBC picks that gave me away, wasn’t it? The graphic novel is such a fascinating, versatile medium. Dare I say it’s exciting? The novel form has become relatively fixed, but along comes the graphic novel to challenge the ways we think and speak about the relationship between form and content. Also, I think the graphic novel actually encourages both readers and writers to [...]

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Meet the Civilians: Nic Boshart

By , on January 18th, 2011

As we gear up for the return of Civilians Read this year, I’m giving you a chance to get to know the panelists a little better. Yesterday, Sarah Labrie took the time to answer a few questions, and today we’re spending a few minutes with last year’s Civilians Read champ, Nic Boshart.

Nic Boshart is the Digital Services Manager for the Association of Canadian Publishers. He’s also co-founder and coordinating editor of the indie firm Invisible Publishing and an executive member of the CanBPA, a professional development and social group for publishers. In his spare time he works on www.FTPubW.com, a blog about publishing. Nic will be defending Angie Abdou’s The Bone Cage.

What made you take on The Bone Cage?

Angie Abdou’s hair.

Out of the five books picked this year, I’d only read Essex County. I loved it, but in the spirit of the competition, I wanted to choose something else; and I wanted to choose something I could defend. The Bone Cage just sounded like it would be the best book.

Also, since this contest is the best book of the last decade, I thought that the material and the author should reflect Canada in the last decade. Angie is a [...]

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Meet the Civilians: Sarah Labrie

By , on January 17th, 2011

We’re two weeks away from our Civilians Read competition, and so to get ready, this week I’ll help you get to know the panelists a little better (especially that dark horse Ron Nurwisah. Where’d he come from?). Each day I’ll do a little Q&A with our Civilians, and we’ll learn a little more about their book, their strategy, and how they plan to eviscerate the competition. Today we’re getting started with Sarah Labrie.

Sarah is the Marketing and Publicity Coordinator at Hachette Book Group, an executive member of the CanBPA, a KIRBC veteran and conspirator at the Keepin’ it Real Book Club blog.  Sarah will be championing The Birth House by Ami McKay.

Why’d you decide to adopt The Birth House as your Civilians Read title this year?

It’s what was left after everyone else picked their novels. I’d been meaning to read it for years, though, and am so glad it crossed my path in this competition. I adore it.

Let’s talk strategy. How will you prepare to defend this book? Will you assist in the birth of a child?

That was my original strategy, actually, but I’ve decided instead to relax with my handicrafts and some twig-tea, waiting for [...]

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