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GARY BARWIN
Gary Barwin is a writer, composer, performer and teacher. Noted for his engaging and humorous performances, his music and writing have been presented in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. In addition to his award-winning books, his complete list of writing and visual texts publications includes more than 200 magazines, chapbooks, and anthologies.
His work has been performed by Arraymusic, The Vancouver Chamber Choir, The Bach-Elgar Choir, The Burdocks, Uh-Maybe, Ensemble Symposium, The Windtunnel Saxophone Quartet, and The Fires of Tonawanda. Recordings include These are the Clams I’m Breathing (sound poetry performances with Stuart Ross). His music & text piece, Martin’s Idea, was chosen as a “Desert Island Pick” by Kalvos & Damian’s New Music Bazaar of WDGR Radio. His work has been broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and he has given over 300 readings in Canada and the US. He was the recipient of the 1998 Emerging Artist Award in Literature from the KM Hunter Foundation and the Ontario Arts Council as well as a major grant from the Canada Council.
Barwin received a PhD in Music Composition from SUNY at Buffalo, and graduated from York University with a BFA in Music and a BA in Creative Writing. He currently teaches music at Hillfield-Strathallan College, and creative writing at McMaster University. He lives in Hamilton, Ontario, with his wife, three children, his dog, and a fear of the family car.
Some Critical Responses:
“This is a rollicking, tongue-in-cheek retelling…full of puns, sly jokes, good humor and above all, nonsense…children will enjoy this wacky tale.” Resource Links
“Barwin…can open your eyes wide with a limitless sense of wonder.” Toronto Star
“(Writing) which would stand out like gems in the mines of literary magazines.” Id Magazine
“His writing arrives like a welcome practical joke, an exploding box of noise and invention” Eye Magazine
Available:
The Unibrow Underground, YA/middle reader
Killer Poodle Made Me Island King, YA novel
Forthcoming:
fragments from the frog pool, poetry
collaboration with derek beaulieu
The Mercury Press, 2005.Selected Works:
For adults
Doctor Weep and Other Strange Teeth, fiction
The Mercury Press, 2004Raising Eyebrows, poetry
Coach House Books, 2001Big Red Baby, short fiction
The Mercury Press, 1998Outside the Hat , poetry
Book and CD-ROM, Coach House Books, 1998
- winner of a Surreal Web Award (online edition)
Cruelty to Fabulous Animals , poetry
Moonstone Press 1995The Mud Game, novel
collaboration with Stuart Ross
The Mercury Press, 1995For children/young adults
La Moustache Magique, French translation of The Magic Mustache
children’s fiction. Les 400 Coups, 2002Seeing Stars, YA novel
Stoddart Press, 2001
- Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice”
- Shortlisted Arthur Ellis Award for Crime Fiction (Juvenile),
The Canadian Crimewriters Association- Shortlisted Canadian Library Association Book Award (Young Adult)
Grandpa's Snowman, children’s fiction
Annick Press, 2000The Magic Mustache, children's fiction
Annick Press, 1999
- One of the season’s best picture books (Maclean’s 1999)
The Racing Worm Brothers, children’s fiction
Annick Press, 1998
- Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice”
Anthologies (Selected)
Surreal Estate: Writers Under the Influence
Stuart Ross, ed.
The Mercury Press, 2003.Mentor's Canon
Kemeny Babineau, ed.
Broken Jaw Press, 2001.Sex: An Anthology
Beverly Daurio, ed.
The Mercury Press, 2000.Hard Times: A New Fiction Anthology
Beverly Daurio, ed.
Aya/Mercury Press 1990.More information can be found about Gary Barwin at: garybarwin.com
