Overview

Shortlisted for the Lela Common Award for Canadian History The legendary Canadian book editor presents this “remarkable, four-decade romp through the back rooms of publishing” (Toronto Sun) and is a “gossip of the first order, the kind who tells all, or at least enough” (The Walrus) Scottish-born Douglas Gibson was drawn to Canada by the writing of Stephen Leacock — and eventually made his way across the Atlantic to find a job in book publishing, where he edited a biography of none other than Leacock. But over the decades, his stellar career would lead him to work with many more of the country’s leading literary lights. This memoir shares stories of working — and playing — alongside writers such as Robertson Davies, Mavis Gallant, Brian Mulroney, Val Ross, and W. O. Mitchell. Gibson reveals the projects he brainstormed for Barry Broadfoot, how he convinced future Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro to keep writing short stories, his early-morning phone call from a former prime minister, and his recollection of yanking a manuscript right out of Alistair MacLeod’s reluctant hands — which ultimately garnered the author one of the world’s most prestigious prizes for fiction. Insightful and entertaining, this collection of tales goes behind the scenes and between the covers to divulge a treasure trove of literary adventures.

Full Product Details

Author:   Douglas Gibson ,  Anthony Jenkins
Publisher:   ECW Press,Canada
Imprint:   ECW Press,Canada
Edition:   No Edition
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 3.10cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.726kg
ISBN:  

9781770410688

ISBN 10:   1770410686
Pages:   392
Publication Date:   01 October 2011
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Introduction by Alice Munro 1. Stephen Leacock 1869–1944: Professor, Humorist, and Immigration Agent 2. Hugh MacLennan 1907–1990: Teacher, Novelist, Essayist, and Cottager 3. R.D. Symons 1898–1973: Cowboy, Writer, Artist, and Conservationist 4. Harold Horwood 1923–2006: Newfoundlander, Novelist, Naturalist, and Neglected Genius 5. Barry Broadfoot 1926–2003: Newspaper Guy, and Oral Historian 6. Morley Callaghan 1903–1990: Novelist, Short Story Writer, and Torontonian 7. W.O. Mitchell 1914–1998: Character, and Creator of Characters 8. Robertson Davies 1913–1995: Man of Letters, Oracle, and Ugly Duckling 9. Jack Hodgins 1938–: Islander, Teacher, and Inventor of Worlds 10. James Houston 1921–2005: Artist, Author, Hunter, and Igloo Dweller 11. Charles Ritchie 1906–1995: Diplomat, Diarist, and Charming Dissembler 12. Pierre Trudeau 1919–2000: Prime Minister, Author, and Haunting Icon 13. Mavis Gallant 1922–: Short Story Writer, Canadian, and Parisienne 14. Peter C. Newman 1929–: Refugee, Journalist, and Power-Seeking Missile 15. Brian Mulroney 1939–: Boy from Baie Comeau, Prime Minister, and Author 16. Robert Hunter 1941–2005: Greenpeace Founder, Writer, and Very Merry Man 17 Alistair MacLeod 1936–: Teacher, Fiction Writer, Stone Carver, and Dancer 18. Paul Martin 1938–: Successful Businessman, Very Successful Finance Minister, and Prime Minister 19. Peter Gzowski 1934–2002: Writer, and Voice 20. Val Ross 1950–2008: Journalist, Author, and Maker of Rules 21. Alice Munro 1931–: Not Bad Short Story Writer Epilogue: “What Happens After My Book Is Published?” Afterword and Acknowledgements

Reviews

This is the ultimate CanLit cocktail party book. -- Quill & Quire (September 1, 2011)

""Stories about Storytellers is a breezy, conversational account of Gibson's work and relationships with some of the most significant figures in Canadian writing, from historical figures (Stephen Leacock, Hugh MacLennan) to global superstars (Alice Munro, Alistair MacLeod); from political figures (Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney) to involved observers (Peter C. Newman, Peter Gzowski); from the larger-than-life (James Houston, Bob Hunter) to the firmly rooted (Jack Hodgins, Mavis Gallant)."" -- Edmonton Journal ""Gibson is a gossip of the first order, the kind who tells all, or at least enough, about his subjects' foibles, but always in a way that delights in their eccentricities. He writes with charming exuberance."" -- The Walrus ""Gibson is an engaging and on the whole a modest figure and a very fine raconteur. He, too, has had a hell of an interesting life. His book makes for good reading, and he makes his life in publishing sound like great fun."" -- Globe and Mail ""Gibson's delightful, behind-the-scenes look at some of Canada's most prominent writers is a remarkable, four-decade romp through the back rooms of publishing."" -- London Free Press ""This is a delightful book. I have fallen in love with it and keep dipping into it all the time."" -- Guelph Mercury

Author Information

Douglas Gibson worked as an editor and publisher from 1968 until he retired from McClelland & Stewart in 2009. His Douglas Gibson Books was Canada’s first editorial imprint and lives on. He travels widely from his Toronto, ON, base.

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