Your new book is called 1970: A Novel Poem. What is a ‘novel poem’?
The title refers to the fact that 1970 has a strong narrative line, and also to my use of various verse forms—sonnets, villanelles, pantoums, and the like—and the way I play around with the arrangement of the lines on the page.

What’s the significance of the year 1970?
A lot was going on in 1970—the Kent State murders happened that year, during one of many protests against the Vietnam War, and in Canada, the FLQ kidnappings and murders and the declaration of the War Measures Act took place in October. And a lot was going on in my own life, too.

Would you say this book is autobiographical?
I’d call it fictionalized biography, written with a generous use of poetic licence—not letting the facts get in the way of a good story—and with the sequence of events arranged according to the ‘chronology of memory’, rather than strict calendar time.

Why would someone want to read your book?
It’s a good read. One of the reasons for introducing the term ‘novel poem’ is to appeal to readers who normally shy away from poetry because they don’t understand it (or think they won’t). I myself find a lot of contemporary poetry incomprehensible, including some of my own. 1970 uses language and visual cues to lead one’s eye down the page in a sensible and enjoyable fashion.

Do you really think your ad campaign for 1970 will make you any money?
It’s true that few books of poetry make any money—Rod McKuen and Kahlil Gibran being notable exceptions. I’m doing it to get noticed, because I want feedback on my work from readers other than my friends. The loneliness of the writer’s life is referred to from time to time, based on the fact that most writers work in isolation. But I’m never lonely when I’m writing; I’m only lonely when my work can’t find an audience, and when it’s not reviewed or discussed. Since tonnes of books, and pounds of poetry, are published every year and review space and time are limited, it’s difficult to distinguish oneself from the pack. So I decided to spend my income tax rebate on trying to increase public awareness of my books. I’m doing more than ads, don’t forget.

The 1970 Bookmark Game you mean—what’s that about?
It’s about having fun—and spreading the word. It’s not a big promotion—you only have to collect four numbers, after all, and the prize is a signed copy of 1970: A Novel Poem —plus the Grand Prize of $100, of course. I hope it will get people talking, and also encourage them to support our local independent booksellers, who are the ones most likely to stock the books of local authors.

Are you working on anything new?
I’ve got a number of projects on the go, including another book of poems, and a novel about life and love in the modern world (but quite different from Beyond the Pale), called Lovers, Now & Then.

Also autobiographical?
Perhaps.