Today I’ve been sent the cover for the Editions Albin Michel’s translation of DEBRIS, now titled “Toutes les chances qu’on se donne” or All the chances we take. This is the second book I’ve had published there, with IN THE CAGE released a couple years ago, and they really are a juggernaut in the French publishing world. I’ve been very impressed with their production and attention to detail, and I think this cover is a great example of how deeply they get what I’m going for in my work.

This book of short stories, like the novel, will be published under their Terres D’Amērique banner, where they translate the work of so many excellent North American authors like Colson Whitehead, Craig Davidson, Claire Vaye Watkins, Christian Kiefer, and Guy Vanderhaeghe. Good company to be in, and a list that shows the quality of the work they publish (and this dingbat someway).

The pub date is May, as far as I know, but I’ll share full details when I have them. In the meantime, stare at this lonely little house on a hill and ponder your deepest feelings and emotions over a case of Michelob Ultras. I know that I will…

KH

For those of you who might be interested in writing the start of a novel, or who might know somebody looking to stir one up, I’ll be teaching a section of the Writing the Novel: Introduction course at University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies yet again, with this one starting on February 22nd, 2021. Here’s the description from their site:

If you want to write a novel but have no idea how to begin, this course will help you get going. You’ll review literary technique with respect to the novel, and spend lots of time writing – and reading – to help you discover your own style. We’ll cover basic skills, tips and techniques to improve and polish your writing. By the end of the course, you will have written and edited the opening of your novel.

You can find the link to the course by clicking this line, and also check out more information about other offerings at the school, and how they’ll improve your writing and get you where you need to get. I usually would be scheduled to teach the advanced section of Short Story II as well, but it seems to be on the shelf for now. If anything changes, I’ll let you know.

There will be weekly modules to keep authors on track as they work toward the beginnings of their novel, along with weekly webinars where I’ll share my thoughts and best practices and other useful tidbits. I’ll also be teaching Brother by David Chariandy, and Son of a Trickster, by Eden Robinson. These are two of the best writers out there and their books are magical.

While we’re holed up and trying to stay busy, it has helped me tremendously to finish the draft of my latest novel, County Road Six, and I think that dusting off your pens and keyboards is a fine way to do something meaningful, and safe (unless you are one of the characters in my stories). So, give this a whirl and feel free to share away if you like. I appreciate it.

Take care,
KH

I’d been waiting to hear about this news for a little while, since IN THE CAGE (Dans La Cage) was published by Éditions Albin Michel back in Fall 2018, and I went over to Festival America, but with the publishing world going through the pandemic and trying to figure out the best way forward, I knew that it might be awhile before I found out when the translation for DEBRIS would make it onto their slate.

Last week I got word that the translation was being planned for Spring 2021, and that Albin Michel’s mighty publisher/editor Francis Geffard was working through the rest of the edits and production details. When I last spoke with them about possible pub dates to follow DANS LA CAGE (as both books were sold together, and always scheduled to be released novel-first, then collection), I learned that they usually would take at least a year and a half between books. As 2020 was a wash for many reasons, a possible spring date then was kicked down the road a year.

The title that has been suggested is Parmi les décombres, which translates to “Among the Debris.” Which is apt and to the point as the original. But we’ll see if that is the eventual title that sticks.

I worked through translations with Janique Jouin de Laurens at the same time as the translations for IN THE CAGE, so I’m not sure how much more is going to be asked from my end, but I’ll share any more news as it comes in, as well as any news about the new novel, COUNTY ROAD SIX, finally gone back to my agent after some extra revisions. Now that 2021 is underway properly, we’ll see what shakes out there. It’s a tough go in many ways during even normal publishing times, but I’m trying to stay positive and busy with new writing while I wait and see if there’s a place for this kind of writing at a publishing house that gets what I’m laying down. Things were looking promising before, but you can’t take any of this shit for granted. Just keep on writing while the cogs turn.

Until I got more, take care and be safe all. Cheers.

KH