The bestselling, award-winning writer Natalie MacLean discusses her new memoir Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much (Dundurn Press, 2023), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Wine Witch on Fire

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Natalie MacLean joins me again. The award-winning, bestselling wine writer has just published a new memoir Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much. It’s an engaging book that recounts what was happening in her life about ten years ago. When she first appeared on this program in 2011, she had just published her second book, Unquenchable, and like her first book, Red, White and Drunk All Over, it was critically acclaimed and sold well. She also appeared regularly in newspapers across Canada and the United States, as well as on television. But soon after, her marriage was ending, and she was the victim of an online mobbing by other critics, critical of her work. She recounts the experiences of a decade ago in detail, as well as honestly, with the frankness and humour that has made Ms. MacLean the popular personality in the media. The book chronicles how she made it out of the abyss, and how she’s bounced back personally and professionally. She went back on the dating scene after twenty years off the market, and has found love. And her work has yielded many plaudits including World’s Best Drinks Journalist at the World Food Awards, four James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards, and the M.F.K. Fisher awards from both the James Beard Foundation and Les Dames d’Escoffier International. She also discusses how her own consumption of alcohol has come into focus in recent years. It’s thoughtful introspection she’s done on herself, but also how wine and spirits are marketed to women. Visit www.WineWitchonFire.com to buy the book, where if you get it there, you’ll get some bonuses, including a free companion reader guide that’ll have tips for book club discussion, or how to organise an informal wine tasting with friends. This new book is published by Dundurn Press. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Natalie MacLean; Ms. MacLean, good morning.

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The award-winning writer Sam Wiebe discusses his new novel, the fourth in the Wakeland series of noir set in Vancouver, Sunset and Jericho (Harbour Publishing, 2023), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Sunset and Jericho

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Sam Wiebe joins me again. He’s just published the fourth book in his Wakeland detective series. Sunset and Jericho is the title of the novel, and it’s a gripping story with Vancouver as the backdrop, and private detective Dave Wakeland as our central character navigating Vancouver’s seedy underworld. Wakeland is in the midst of class warfare in the ever-unaffordable Vancouver, as the mayor’s brother goes missing, and a transit cop is beaten and her service weapon is stolen. I’ll get Sam to tell us as much as he’d like about the book, the compelling character of Dave Wakeland, and the Vancouver he talks about in fiction not just in this book, but the previous ones, Invisible Dead, Cut You Down, and Hell and Gone. His other books include Never Going Back, Last of the Independents, and the anthology Vancouver Noir, which he edited. He’s received the Crime Writers of Canada award, and the Kobo Emerging Writers Prize, and his books have appeared on the shortlists for the Edgar, Hammett, Shamus, and City of Vancouver prizes. This new book is from Harbour Publishing. Visit www.samwiebe.com for more. He joined me from his home in New Westminster, BC last week. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Sam Wiebe; Mr. Wiebe, good morning.

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The filmmaker and activist Amy Miller discusses her new film, screening at DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival, Manufacturing the Threat, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Manufacturing the Threat is the feature-length documentary that looks at the role of agent provocateurs and entrapment in the history of Canada’s national security apparatus, especially in the case of the couple, Omar Nuttall and Ana Korody. They were arrested on Canada Day 2013, caught planting bombs at the Parliament buildings in Victoria, British Columbia. Their arrest was celebrated as a triumph for Canada’s national security agencies, just as there was a reported increase in the threat of Islamic terrorism, which precipitated the Harper government passing Bill C-51, the Anti-Terrorism Act. However, the case against the Nuttalls collapses. Despite an elaborate operation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, which involved over 240 security service operatives, culminated in coercing the Nuttalls into planting fake bombs. The charges were thrown out, and their imprisonment was referred to as a “travesty of justice” by the judge in the case. Both Nuttall and Korody appear in the film, and speak at length about their three years in prison, and the individuals who exploited them. As well, there are interviews with academics, and Indigenous and environmental activists, who speak to police infiltration and incitement. The film has its world premiere at DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival this Friday, 06 May 2023 at the Vancity Theatre at 7.45pm. Visit www.doxafestival.ca for tickets and information. Joining me now is Amy Miller, the award-winning media maker and social justice organiser, who is the director of Manufacturing the Threat. Her films have been screened in over 100 festivals around the world, and broadcast in over a dozen countries. She joined me from Montreal, when we taped this interview a couple of weeks ago. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Amy Miller; Ms. Miller, good morning.

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The acclaimed filmmaker Karen Cho discusses her new film, Big Fight in Little Chinatown, the opening night film of DOXA: Documentary Film Festival this Thursday, 04 May 2023, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Big Fight in Little Chinatown is the new feature documentary from the acclaimed filmmaker Karen Cho. It’s also the opening film at DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival. The film screens this Thursday, 04 May 2023 and Tuesday, 09 May 2023. Visit www.doxafestival.ca for tickets and information, and do check back as screenings are usually added for popular films. This film will no doubt be one to watch, as Vancouver is one of the three cities that Ms. Cho, who joins me now, features. The movie is about community resilience and resistance as Chinatowns across the United States and Canada face the challenge of the COVID pandemic, and the rise of anti-Asian racism. Vancouver’s Chinatown, along with New York City’s and Montreal’s come into focus in this film, as Karen chronicles the challenges not just in recent years, but historically. Chinatowns have always been a target, not just of developers, police, or governments, and as we see in the film, this is but the latest challenge. It does seem critical though, especially now, so I’ll ask Karen what’s so special about Chinatowns, and why it’s urgent to save them. Karen Cho is the award-winning filmmaker of In the Shadow of Gold Mountain, Seeking Refuge, and Status Quo? The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada. And not just at DOXA, but at events across the country, there’ll be screenings between now and the fall in Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa, as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston, with more cities and events to be added. The film will also be broadcast on Radio Canada, and TVO. Visit www.bigfightinlittlechinatown.com. We taped this interview nearly two weeks ago, with Karen joining me from Montreal. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Karen Cho; Ms. Cho, good morning.

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The filmmaker Nettie Wild discusses her work and career, and the new short film by Hân Pham and Dave Rodden-Shortt Chasing Light, which she is the subject of, which will screen at DOXA: Documentary Film Festival.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival begins this Thursday, 04 May 2023, and joining me now is somebody who’s no stranger to the festival, Nettie Wild. She’s the subject of a new short film by Hân Pham and Dave Rodden-Shortt, Chasing Light. It’s part of the Memory With(out) Home program, with at least two screenings, the afternoons of May 6th and 11th. Visit www.doxafestival.ca for more information on showing dates and times, and of course tickets. Nettie Wild is a 2023 recipient of the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts, and Chasing Light was made as part of the prize, a tribute to the recipient. I’ll ask Ms. Wild about what we see in the film, how she views her work and her career, and her latest project, a video triptych she’s made with Scott Smith. It’s currently at the Comox Valley Art Gallery until May 27th. Nettie Wild is one of Canada’s leading documentary filmmakers whose films include KONELINE: our land beautiful, FIX: The Story of an Addicted City, A Rustling of Leaves: Inside the Philippine Revolution, and A Place Called Chiapas. We’ll talk too about her move into art installations, and how it’s a natural transition from filmmaking. Visit www.canadawildproductions.com for more information on her, and her work. This new film is a production of Lantern Films. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Nettie Wild; Ms. Wild, good morning.

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The author Kevin Chong discusses his new novel The Double Life of Benson Yu (Atria Books, 2023), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Double Life of Benson Yu

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

Kevin Chong joins me again. He’s just published a new book, his seventh, The Double Life of Benson Yu. I’ll ask Mr. Chong about this new work that’s described as a “fresh, unique work of metafiction that follows a graphic novelist who loses control of his own narrative.” I finished the book this weekend and it’s a mesmerising novel that takes place in an urban Chinatown that’s recognisable, and has characters that are fascinating, challenging, and that demand your attention. The story takes place in the 1980s, and in the present, and if I say more I’ll probably end up giving it away. I’ll ask Kevin to reflect on some of the themes that recur in the book, trauma, abuse, family, and writing itself. Kevin Chong is the author of six previous books of nonfiction and fiction, most recently The Plague. Is work has appeared in a number of publications including the Guardian, the Times Literary Supplement, the Rumpus, and the South China Morning Post. He is associate professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in the faculty of Creative and Critical Studies. His website is at www.thatkevinchong.com. This new book is published by Atria Books, which is an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Kevin Chong; Professor Chong, good morning. 

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The artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Fest Leslie Hurtig talks to Joseph Planta about their upcoming Bestsellers Series, which will feature among others, Margaret Atwood, Louise Penny, and R.F. Kuang.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Leslie Hurtig joins me again. The artistic director of the Vancouver Writers Fest is on to preview their upcoming Bestsellers Series. It’s a chance to see some of the biggest literary stars, as well as a chance to raise funds for the beloved Writers Fest. There are three events in May: On May 7th Margaret Atwood will be in conversation with Ian Williams. May 13th, Louise Penny will join Shelagh Rogers. And on May 22nd, R.F. Kuang talks to Eddy Boudel Tan. Unfortunately, tickets are going fast, and I believe the Atwood event is sold out already. But like with Writers Fest events, be sure to check their website regularly, as well as their social media accounts to see if new seats will be released, or if tickets come up because somebody might not make it. www.writersfest.bc.ca is the website. There’s also another event at a later date, which Leslie will mention. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Leslie Hurtig; Ms. Hurtig, good morning.

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The bookseller Hilary Atleo, owner of Iron Dog Books, talks to Joseph Planta about Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, Saturday, 19 April 2023.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Vancouver has such a rich bookstore scene, and it’s because of independent bookstores that you can find throughout the city like Pulp Fiction, Massy Books, Black Bond Books, and more. Joining me now is Hilary Atleo, a board member of the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association and the owner of Iron Dog Books at 2671 East Hastings Street. This Saturday, 29 April 2023 is Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, and it’s a good time to ask Hilary about Iron Dog Books, its genesis, and how it’s doing as we move into a different stage of the pandemic. Hilary has great insights as to why bookstores like hers are necessary in our neighbourhoods. Also, I’ll get her to preview what the day will be like this Saturday at Iron Dog Books. Visit www.irondogbooks.com for more information. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Hilary Atleo; Ms. Atleo, good morning.

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The writer and historian Rick Antonson, joined by his grandson Riley Antonson, discusses his new memoir Train Beyond the Mountains: Journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer (Greystone, 2023), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Train Beyond the Mountains

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

One of the delightful books of the season is the latest from Rick Antonson. The travel writer and historian has written other books about his travels, but there’s nothing quite as special and captivating as his book about a train journey with his grandson, Riley. The book is called Train Beyond the Mountains: Journeys on The Rocky Mountaineer. In it, Rick recounts a journey from Banff along the route travelled by the Rocky Mountaineer to the west coast, here in Vancouver, and up through Jasper, Alberta back to Banff. We get a sense of the geography of this part of Canada, and the topography of these mountains, the trestles and tunnels through Alberta and British Columbia that also symbolise a lot of history of this country and generations of peoples along the way. The book also illustrates the relationship between a grandfather and his grandson, as they navigate not just this journey but a passing moment in a growing child’s life. Rick and Riley join me now. I’ll ask them what the trip was like, what they both got out of it, and whether a journey like this is recommended for a ten-year-old child. Both Rick and Riley are older now, as it’s been about four years since they took this trip, so it’ll be good to reflect on how each viewed the experience then as now. Rick Antonson is the former president and CEO of Tourism Vancouver, now Destination Vancouver. He served as chair of the board for Destinations International, and vice chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association. He was vice-president of Rocky Mountaineer during its start up years, and I’ll ask him what it was like then as this brand was starting out, and about the vision of its founder Peter Armstrong. The website for more is at www.rickantonson.com. This new book is published by Greystone. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Rick Antonson; Mr. Antonson, good morning. And please welcome to the program as well Riley Antonson; Mr. Antonson, good morning.

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The writer and broadcaster Connie Kuhns discusses her new book Rubymusic: A Popular History of Women’s Music and Culture (Caitlin Press, 2023), her radio show, and more, with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Rubymusic

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Connie Kuhns joins me now. She’s just published Rubymusic: A Popular History of Women’s Music and Culture. It’s collects just some of the remarkable work Connie has done in over forty years, whether as a writer, a broadcaster, a music critic, and an interviewer. In 1981, she approached Vancouver Cooperative Radio to host a music show dedicated solely to playing music by women. There was some doubt as to whether there was enough music that she was only given a half hour. But even before the radio show Rubymusic, which she hosted for fifteen years, going off the air in 1996, when she was on weekly Friday nights for two hours, she was chronicling the music scene here in Vancouver and beyond. The book has got profiles and interviews with a myriad of artists including Ferron, Etta James, kd lang, Michelle Shocked, Amy Grant, Ellen McIlwaine, as well as essays on Yoko Ono, Janis Joplin, and Joni Mitchell. Some of the interviews are previews of an artist’s appearance in Vancouver, some are reviews of the shows themselves. It’s a marvelous time capsule of the music scene here, and the various venues gone and still around. The book also provides insight about Kuhns and the role music plays in her life. It’s a book everybody ought to read. Connie Kuhns’s essays have been finalists for Canada’s National Magazine Award, Western Magazine Award, and PRISM International’s creative non-fiction prize. She was a finalist for Canada’s Salt Spring National Art Prize, receiving the award for Outstanding Salt Spring Artist. This new book is published by Caitlin Press. She joined me from Salt Spring Island this past weekend. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Connie Kuhns; Ms. Kuhns, good morning.

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