In this episode of Under the Covers, we sit down with award-winning author, poet, and former Ottawa Poet Laureate Cyril Dabydeen, whose new collection Forgotten Exiles just won third prize in the prestigious Guyana Prize for Literature.

We explore the enduring power of the short story and why it continues to challenge and captivate writers around the world. Cyril shares his three pillars of strong storytelling and reflects on the ways memory, imagination, and empathy shape his work.

Along the way, we hear about tree planting in Northern Ontario, how memory becomes muse, and why Margaret Atwood’s friends may have seen themselves in her fiction.

Hosted by Mosaic Press Publisher Howard Aster and Amy, this episode celebrates Cyril, the craft of writing, and the power of the literary imagination.

Order your copy of Forgotten Exiles HERE!

Poetry used to shake the heavens. Now it sometimes comes glued with macaroni—or worse, dripping with self-pity. In this special Poetry Month edition of Under the Covers, Howard dives deep (and sometimes sideways) into the state of poetry today. From the poetic outpouring of pandemic isolation to Mosaic Press's half-century of publishing verses from prisons, war zones, and everywhere in between, this episode questions what counts as poetry now—and what’s just performative noise.

Can poetry still crack open the human condition, or has it been swallowed by narcissistic navel-gazing? Should we compare mythologies—or maybe just compare our COVID poems? Tune in for a conversation that’s part literary inquisition, part love letter to the power of words, and all heart. Plus: Leonard Cohen, Taylor Swift, Russian dissidents, and one unforgettable Latin radio experiment.

In this episode, Howard Aster reflects on the wild journey of publishing The Song of Leonard Cohen by Harry Rasky. From Harry's unique documentary filmmaking style to the deep, honest interviews that allowed Leonard Cohen's true self to emerge, this conversation dives into the complexities of capturing the enigmatic artist. Howard also shares the fascinating backstory of the book's creation and some rare insights into one of Cohen's tragic friendships.

🎙️ Under the Covers is back with an extraordinary deep dive into the life and legacy of one of Canada’s most iconic artists. In this episode, Unveiling Leonard Cohen: The Poet, The Persona (Part 1), Publisher Howard Aster explores Cohen’s mysterious character, his role in Canadian poetry, and his ties to Mosaic Press. From literary groupies to Cohen’s friendship with poet Henry Moscovitch, join us as we uncover the man behind the myth and his fascinating journey from poet to global musical icon. Plus, discover the behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the documentary The Song of Leonard Cohen—a film that eventually became a book published by Mosaic Press!

In this episode, we dive into the unexpected and often chaotic journey of manuscripts from creation to publication. Explore the serendipitous discovery of a poet who became one of Mosaic Press’s most extraordinary talents, the near-disaster of a lost Samuel Beckett manuscript that almost ended up lost to the ages, and the unique ways authors like Irving Layton made their mark—literally. Plus, hear the story behind the publisher who almost missed out on Harry Potter, proving that sometimes, listening to your spouse is the best business decision you can make.

Join us for a captivating conversation with renowned cartoonist and academic, Mira Falardeau. She shares insights from her forthcoming book, What's So Funny? A New Road Map to Humour in Dangerous Times, exploring the intricate processes that make us laugh, the impact of humour on freedom of speech, and why humour is so important to democracy.

Join Jaquelin as she speaks to Josie Di Sciascio-Andrews. 

David Unger bridges the world of English & Spanish creative writing with his many works of fiction, short stories, articles, translations, & many more. Join Jaq as she discusses with him his new novel, In My Eyes, You Are Beautiful. 

Jaquelin speaks to Rosalind Gill, Author of Face Into The Wind. 

Rosalind Gill’s literary output is most impressive, with many short stories and literary translations published in Antigonish Review, Queen’s Quarterly, Prism and other journals. For many years, she was on faculty at the School of Translation/Études françaises, Glendon College, York University, Toronto, ON.

Jaquelin speaks with Daniel Soha, Author of Vignettes.

Daniel Soha lived and studied in France until his mid-twenties, holds two Master’s degrees in Anglo-American studies and a Masters of Education from the University of Aix-en-Province. He has had an international career as a diplomat, a director of cultural organizations, a translator, has worked for the Alliance Francaise, the French government, the Toronto French School, the French Library and Cultural Center in Boston. Over a span of twenty years he has lived in New York, Paris, Singapore, Boston and Toronto, where still resides.