Good Morning Poems

by George Bowering

Canadian literary legend George Bowering lays bare his process as reader and lover of poetry in this curated collection of poems to be read in the morning.

In a series of deeply astute and conversational essays, two-time Governor General’s Award winner and inaugural Parlimentary Poet Laureate of Canada George Bowering travels through five hundred years, give or take, of English-language literature, adding historical, political, feminist, socio-economic, anecdotal, and literary context to each poem and poet. His selection of poems ranges from the best known to the barely known, each piece treated with depth and reverence, while demonstrating his razor-sharp wit and skill as writer, critic, and reader.

Recalling the work of George Saunders and Sina Queyras, in their interactions with established literature, George’s insight in the poetic mind is invaluable, making this a must-read collection for anyone interested in reading or writing poetry.

Trade Paperback / April 1, 2023 isbn 10: 1-77439-065-5 isbn 13: 978-1-77439-065-8 BISAC 1: LIT 014000 BISAC 2: LCO 019000 BISAC 3: LCO 010000 107 pp / 5.5 x 9 /$20.95 CDN $16.95 USD

“Bowering the reader of poems returns us to a place of wonder and mystery—with no irritable reaching after fact and reason—as though every poem is the first poem ever read—a cypher, a delight, a breathing of new life into the world.”

—Stephen Collis, author of A History of the Theory of Rain

About The Author

George Bowering approaches literature as he does life: with a playful gravity and a grave merriness that makes intellectual life and writing seem at once attractive, unintimidating and remarkable. He dispels the myth of literature being hard or tricky, and demonstrates, as he reads and chats, the accessible and enriching nature of great literature. Two time Governor General’s Award winner and Canada’s first Poet Laureate, Bowering was born in the Okanagan Valley, attended the University of British Columbia and has taught literature at the University of Calgary, The University of Western Ontario, Simon Fraser University, and Concordia University, Montréal. He and his wife Jean live in Vancouver.

ADDITIONAL SALES POINTS

• Two-time Governor General’s Award winner (1969, 1980). • Innagural Canadian Parlimentary Poet Laureate (2002-2004). • Well established writer and critic in Canadian Literature.

MARKETING PLAN

• ARC review copies and press releases to all applicable online and print publications including magazines, bloggers, digital book influencers, television, and radio. • Book release announcement on website and newsletter as well as all social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. • Dedicated podcast episode featuring interview and readings, available through Apple Podcasts. • Submit to all eligible awards. • Ads in all applicable publications. • Home-town book celebration and participation in NeWest season launch in Edmonton. Virtual events where applicable.

MARKETS

• National trade: literary criticism • US and UK trade: literary criticism

COMPARISON TITLES

• My Ariel by Sina Queyras (9781552453544, Couch House Books, 2017) • A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders (9871984856036, Penguin Random House, 2021)