It was an absolute pleasure to serve as the National Poetry Month Writer-in-Residence for Open Book Ontario. It was so important to me to approach this residency as a skillshare for emerging writers, whose access to mentorship and opportunities has been just decimated by COVID-19. You can read all the posts in my series here; we cover everything from online safety to performance boundaries to money and admin. Huge thanks to Grace O'Connell and Open Book for this incredible opportunity, and to all of you who shared your thoughts and advice with me all month! I hope this is useful to you in your ongoing efforts to support emerging writers in our industry and community; please share with artists you love & respect! 

So looking forward to seeing you tonight for the virtual Saskatoon launch of "Moldovan Hotel," featuring Peace Akintade, Saskatchewan Youth Poet Laureate! 

Hope to see you tomorrow night as we celebrate the official release date of my new book! Huge thanks to Jason Purcell & Matthew Stepanic at Glass Bookshop for creating a gorgeous, accessible virtual event. You can find all the details and registration here, and if you haven't already got your copy of "Moldovan Hotel," please consider buying through Glass! 

It's here! It's real. We have an early book birthday, with thanks to the tremendous work of Brick Books & Shelf Life Books! I hope you'll join me for a virtual launch event this spring, starting with my co-celebration with Larissa Lai as she launches "Iron Goddess of Mercy" with Arsenal Pulp Press, hosted by our friend Vivek Shraya. I'll also be appearing with the amazing Jason Purcell for Glass Bookshop on April 1st in recognition of the official release date, and with the incredible Nikki Reimer on April 8th. Future events to come with friends at McNally Robinson, and more - hope to see you safely, soon!

What a year, my friends. 2020 was a cyclone that picked me up and plopped me back down on the prairies again—I'm now living in Calgary, thrilled to be closer to my family during the pandemic and under all the winter sunshine. After nearly ten years on the west coast, I miss everyone terribly, but am hopeful for a future of unlimited visits, hugs, and long drives (or quick flights!) through the mountains. In the midst of everything, 'Moldovan Hotel' has received advanced praise from Carmen Maria Machado and Juliane Okot Bitek, and this incredible cover designed by Natalie Olsen. Pre-order your copy now through Brick Books, or order through your favourite local indie! (Here in my new city I love Shelf Life and The Next Page.) Wishing you all a peaceful 2021; may the coming months bring us nothing but safety and recovery. 

I'm thrilled to announce that my manuscript "Moldovan Hotel," which explores the impact of the Holocaust in Romania, has been acquired by Brick Books and will be forthcoming in spring of 2021. I'm grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for fully funding my research trip for this project, to my family for their support & blessing to delve into this difficult material, and to my dear friend Amy Huziak for being the greatest travel companion I could have hoped for. Follow more updates about the editing & polishing process on Instagram @leahhorlick.

I was lucky to have two poems make the Arc Poem of the Year shortlist, and even luckier to learn that my piece "You Are My Hiding Place" has won! You can read the beautiful notes from the jury here, and the entire gorgeous shortlist online. Thanks, Arc team, and congratulations on your 40th anniversary!

If you're in Winnipeg tonight, please help me celebrate from afar! So excited to have a poem translated into Slovenian for this issue of IDIOT - wish I could make it!