- 12
- Episodes
- 1
- Ratings
- 2022
- First episode
About Read The North
In Season 2, explore every genre on your bookshelf in this behind-the-scenes deep dive featuring interviews with authors, booksellers, and publishing insiders! Host Rebecca Diem examines what exactly genre is and how it is used to help readers find their perfect match, in bookstores and online. Season 2 guests include booktuber Ariel Bissett, literary agent Carly Watters, editor Anita Chong, authors Amy Stuart, Uzma Jalaluddin, Naben Ruthnum, Helen Knott, John Brady McDonald, and Amal El-Mohtar, and booksellers from Toronto’s favourite independent bookshops! Presented by The Word On The Street & Met Radio. Tune every other Wednesday this summer at 9:12AM and 5:02PM beginning July 5 - August 30th to listen to the Read The North live on Met Radio 1280AM or at metradio.ca (http://metradio.ca). Celebrate the 36th anniversary of The Word On The Street with us September 27-28,2025 at David Pecaut Square. Details and more at: toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca (http://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca)
- Publisher
- The Word On The Street
- Category
- arts · history
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 26 Apr 2022
- Latest episode
- 30 Aug 2023
Latest episodes
12 episodes in the feed.
30 Aug 2023
Snapshots of Human Experience
Memoir, creative non-fiction, narrative non-fiction… What happens to genre when reality and storytelling are combined? Featuring author Helen Knott, executive editor Anita Chong of McClelland & Stewart, and multimedia artist John Brady McDonald. — Hosted by Rebecca Diem Produced by Quinton Bradshaw Music by James Ellercamp Production Assistance and Episode Art by Haley Richardson Special thanks to our guests, Helen Knott (https://reclaimthewarrior.com/), Anita Chong (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/imprints/MS/mcclelland-stewart/about), and John Brady McDonald (https://artbyjohnmcdonald.weebly.com/) Becoming a Matriarch by Helen Knott (available August 29) (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/688099/becoming-a-matriarch-by-helen-knott/9780385697774) Superfan by Jen Sookfong Lee (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/623005/superfan-how-pop-culture-broke-my-heart-by-jen-sookfong-lee/9780771025211) Carrying It Forward by John Brady McDonald (https://bookstore.wolsakandwynn.ca/products/carrying-it-forward) Presented by The Word On The Street (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/) & Met Radio 1280AM (https://www.cjru.ca/) Follow @torontoWOTS on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/torontowots/), Twitter, (https://twitter.com/torontoWOTS) and TikTok. (https://www.tiktok.com/@torontowots) Follow @metradio1280 on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cjru1280/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/CJRU1280) — Explore every genre on your bookshelf in this behind-the-scenes deep dive featuring interviews with authors, booksellers, and publishing insiders! The Read the North podcast is presented by The Word On The Street, Canada’s largest free community book festival, and Met Radio 1280AM. Tune in every other Wednesday starting July 5 for new episodes!
16 Aug 2023
Lost in Space and Time
Today we find ourselves asking ‘What the SF-eff?’ as we explore the limitless imaginations of science fiction and fantasy writers. — Hosted by Rebecca Diem Produced by Quinton Bradshaw Music by James Ellercamp Production Assistance and Episode Art by Haley Richardson Special thanks to our guests, Chris Szego of Bakka-Phoenix Books (https://www.bakkaphoenixbooks.com/), Kerry C. Byrne (https://www.kerrycbyrne.com/) of Augur Magazine (https://www.augurmag.com/) and Tales & Feathers Magazine (https://www.augurmag.com/tales-and-feathers-magazine/), and author Amal El-Mohtar (https://amalelmohtar.com/) Presented by The Word On The Street (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/) & Met Radio 1280AM (https://www.cjru.ca/) Follow @torontoWOTS on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/torontowots/), Twitter, (https://twitter.com/torontoWOTS) and TikTok. (https://www.tiktok.com/@torontowots) Follow @metradio1280 on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cjru1280/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/CJRU1280) — Explore every genre on your bookshelf in this behind-the-scenes deep dive featuring interviews with authors, booksellers, and publishing insiders! The Read the North podcast is presented by The Word On The Street, Canada’s largest free community book festival, and Met Radio 1280AM. Tune in every other Wednesday starting July 5 for new episodes!
2 Aug 2023
Skeletons In The Closet
Face your fears with host Rebecca Diem, and dive deep into the spine-tingling mystery, thriller, and horror genres. — Hosted by Rebecca Diem Produced by Quinton Bradshaw Music by James Ellercamp Production Assistance and Episode Art by Haley Richardson Special thanks to our guests, Amy Stuart (http://www.amystuart.ca/), Naben Ruthnum (https://twitter.com/NabenRuthnum?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor), and Chris Krawczyk of Little Ghosts (https://www.littleghostsbooks.com/) Presented by The Word On The Street (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/) & Met Radio 1280AM (https://www.cjru.ca/) Follow @torontoWOTS on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/torontowots/), Twitter, (https://twitter.com/torontoWOTS) and TikTok. (https://www.tiktok.com/@torontowots) Follow @metradio1280 on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cjru1280/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/CJRU1280) — Explore every genre on your bookshelf in this behind-the-scenes deep dive featuring interviews with authors, booksellers, and publishing insiders! The Read the North podcast is presented by The Word On The Street, Canada’s largest free community book festival, and Met Radio 1280AM. Tune in every other Wednesday starting July 5 for new episodes!
19 Jul 2023
Minotaurs, Maidens, and Men in Kilts
Grab your favourite enemies-to-lovers, get cozy in only one bed, and get ready for a happily-ever-after: today’s episode is all about romance! — Hosted by Rebecca Diem Produced by Quinton Bradshaw Music by James Ellercamp Production Assistance and Episode Art by Haley Richardson Special thanks to our guests, Jenny Pool (https://happilyeverafterbooks.ca/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwk96lBhDHARIsAEKO4xZsvr1Ycp6OfGpdQsL5CDePWdM6i1p3WLuL0P0GyXGALbqFxAIm88AaAvhtEALw_wcB), Carly Watters (https://www.carlywatters.com/), and Uzma Jalaluddin (https://uzmajalaluddin.com/) Presented by The Word On The Street (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/) & Met Radio 1280AM (https://www.cjru.ca/) Follow @torontoWOTS on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/torontowots/), Twitter, (https://twitter.com/torontoWOTS) and TikTok. (https://www.tiktok.com/@torontowots) Follow @metradio1280 on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cjru1280/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/CJRU1280) — Explore every genre on your bookshelf in this behind-the-scenes deep dive featuring interviews with authors, booksellers, and publishing insiders! The Read the North podcast is presented by The Word On The Street, Canada’s largest free community book festival, and Met Radio 1280AM. Tune in every other Wednesday starting July 5 for new episodes!
5 Jul 2023
Bored Women and Plotless Fiction
Welcome back for Season 2 of Read The North! In this episode, we explore CanLit as a genre (or not), and how genre plays a role in helping you find your next favourite book! — Hosted by Rebecca Diem Produced by Quinton Bradshaw Music by James Ellercamp Production Assistance and Episode Art by Haley Richardson Special thanks to our guests, Ariel Bissett (https://www.arielbissett.com/), Kyle Buckley (https://typebooks.ca/), and Sophie Paas-Lang. (http://www.sophiepaaslang.com/) Presented by The Word On The Street (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/) & Met Radio (https://www.cjru.ca/) Follow @torontoWOTS on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/torontowots/), Twitter, (https://twitter.com/torontoWOTS) and TikTok. (https://www.tiktok.com/@torontowots) Follow @metradio1280 on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cjru1280/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/CJRU1280) — Explore every genre on your bookshelf in this behind-the-scenes deep dive featuring interviews with authors, booksellers, and publishing insiders! The Read the North podcast is presented by The Word On The Street, Canada’s largest free community book festival, and Met Radio 1280AM. Tune in every other Wednesday starting July 5 for new episodes!
3 Jul 2023
Season 2 Trailer
Explore every genre on your bookshelf in this behind-the-scenes deep dive featuring interviews with authors, booksellers, and publishing insiders! Host Rebecca Diem examines what exactly genre is and how it is used to help readers find their perfect match, in bookstores and online. Season 2 guests include booktuber Ariel Bissett, literary agent Carly Watters, editor Anita Chong, authors Amy Stuart, Uzma Jalaluddin, Naben Ruthnam, Helen Knott, John Brady McDonald, and Amal El-Mohtar, and booksellers from Toronto's favourite independent bookshops!
6 Jun 2022
The Readers and Writers
In the series finale, we return to the beating heart of the festival. Thank you to our community of book lovers and authors who make The Word On The Street such a special place to connect with each other. Hosted by Rebecca Diem Produced by Quinton Bradshaw Music by James Ellercamp Special thanks to Waubgeshig Rice, Jael Richardson, Jesse Wente, Maria Zuppardi, Peggy Nash, Jen Albert, and David P. Leonard. Reading List: Moon of the Crusted Snow - Waubgeshig Rice (https://anotherstory.ca/item/jxxbdRJkVbK1Ir3GMlYlVg) I Am Woman - Lee Maracle (https://anotherstory.ca/item/wsxHDXv980QlV6q8j3zZIA) Gutter Child - Jael Richardson (https://anotherstory.ca/item/ihViYpG-txVfmlOpdFzLoQ) Unreconciled - Jesse Wente (https://anotherstory.ca/item/rC8Hn_GwKfTY1449nx-1Hw) Women Winning Office - Peggy Nash (https://anotherstory.ca/item/mynpmgPBvvJF1KUUCA7Bzg) Presented by The Word On The Street (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/) & CJRU 1280AM (https://www.cjru.ca/), with support from the Community Radio Fund of Canada. — Tune in to Read The North, a history of CanLit, as told by Toronto's favourite book festival! In this five-episode miniseries, WOTS' Rebecca Diem interviews authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, readers, & historians to discover the origins of the festival, the creation of a Canadian Literature, and how the story we tell ourselves about ourselves continues to evolve. The 33rd edition of The Word On The Street returns to the street at Queen's Park on June 11 & 12, 2022. See you on the street!
30 May 2022
The Booksellers and Librarians
Visit a few of Toronto's famed independent bookstores and sneak into the archives of the Merril Collection with us in this celebration of booksellers, librarians, and their communities. Hosted by Rebecca Diem Produced by Quinton Bradshaw Music by James Ellercamp Special thanks to Anjula Gogia, Cory Doctorow, Sephora Henderson, and John Degen. You can learn more about Judith Merril and The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy by visiting torontopubliclibrary.ca/merril (https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/merril/) Bookstores: Another Story Bookshop (https://anotherstory.ca/) Bakka-Phoenix Books (https://bakkaphoenixbooks.com/) Reading List: Merril Collection at 50: Stories From the Spaced Out Library (https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/local-history-genealogy/2020/11/merril-collection-at-50-stories-from-the-spaced-out-library.html) Attack Surface by Cory Doctorow (https://bakkaphoenixbooks.com/browse/filter/t/cory%20doctorow/k/keyword) Tales of The Captain Duke by Rebecca Diem (https://bakkaphoenixbooks.com/browse/filter/t/rebecca%20diem/k/keyword) Presented by The Word On The Street (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/) & CJRU 1280AM (https://www.cjru.ca/), with support from the Community Radio Fund of Canada. — Tune in to Read The North, a history of CanLit, as told by Toronto's favourite book festival! In this five-episode miniseries, WOTS' Rebecca Diem interviews authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, readers, & historians to discover the origins of the festival, the creation of a Canadian Literature, and how the story we tell ourselves about ourselves continues to evolve. The 33rd edition of The Word On The Street returns to the street at Queen's Park on June 11 & 12, 2022.
23 May 2022
The Publishers
In this episode, we go behind-the-scenes of the publishing industry with Canada's world-class independent presses to see how a book is made and meet a few of the people who make them happen. Hosted by Rebecca Diem Produced by Quinton Bradshaw Music by James Ellercamp Special thanks to Alana Wilcox of Coach House Books (https://chbooks.com/), Jen Albert of ECW Press (https://ecwpress.com/), Semerah Al-Hillal of House of Anansi/Groundwood Books (https://houseofanansi.com/), and Maria Zuppardi of Dundurn Press (https://www.dundurn.com/) & @ReadingMaria (https://www.instagram.com/readingmaria/) (and also to Cory Doctorow, for the post-credits anecdote that had us in stitches). Reading List: After Beowulf - Nicole Marcotic (this is the book we saw being printed during our visit to Coach House Books! Nicole will be be at WOTS2022 on Sat. June 11th for the Fabula, Mythos, & Modern Storytelling panel (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/events/fabula-mythos-and-modern-storytelling/)) Presented by The Word On The Street (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/) & CJRU 1280AM (https://www.cjru.ca/), with support from the Community Radio Fund of Canada. — Tune in to Read The North, a history of CanLit, as told by Toronto's favourite book festival! In this five-episode miniseries, WOTS' Rebecca Diem interviews authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, readers, & historians to discover the origins of the festival, the creation of a Canadian Literature, and how the story we tell ourselves about ourselves continues to evolve. The 33rd edition of The Word On The Street returns to the street at Queen's Park on June 11 & 12, 2022.
16 May 2022
The Creation of 'CanLit'
To understand where CanLit, or Canadian Literature, came to be what it is today, we need to go back in time to when it was first imagined into being. In this episode we cover the 1951 Massey Report, the founding of the Writers’ Union and arts councils, and how we’re investing in the stories we tell about ourselves today. Hosted by Rebecca Diem Produced by Quinton Bradshaw Music by James Ellercamp Special thanks to our guests Nick Mount, John Degen, Jesse Wente, and Alana Wilcox You can learn more about the The Writer’s Union of Canada at writersunion.ca (https://www.writersunion.ca/), and the Canada Council for the Arts at canadacouncil.ca (https://canadacouncil.ca/). Reading List: Arrival (https://anotherstory.ca/item/temoIPlhFAjdA8Ik8EqEUA) - Nick Mount Unreconciled (https://anotherstory.ca/item/rC8Hn_GwKfQAMw5jqDPOVA) - Jesse Wente The Uninvited Guest (https://anotherstory.ca/item/wsxHDXv980R7H27utp68Xg) - John Degen The Lives of Girls and Women (https://anotherstory.ca/item/rC8Hn_GwKfQ5OGYqWhOL7Q) - Alice Munro The Case for Basic Income (https://anotherstory.ca/item/mynpmgPBvvLAywt9YkVgXA) - Jaime Swift & Elaine Power Presented by The Word On The Street (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/) & CJRU 1280AM (https://www.cjru.ca/), with support from the Community Radio Fund of Canada. — Tune in to Read The North, a history of CanLit, as told by Toronto's favourite book festival! In this five-episode miniseries, WOTS' Rebecca Diem interviews authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, readers, & historians to discover the origins of the festival, the creation of a Canadian Literature, and how the story we tell ourselves about ourselves continues to evolve. The 33rd edition of The Word On The Street returns to the street at Queen's Park on June 11 & 12, 2022.
9 May 2022
The Word On The Street
The Word On The Street’s annual festival in downtown Toronto has endured for more than 30 years. But with the onset of a global pandemic in 2020, the festival’s future was far from assured… Hosted by Rebecca Diem Produced by Quinton Bradshaw Music by James Ellercamp Special thanks to Carolyn Taylor, Ceta Ramkhalawansingh, Cory Doctorow, Jael Richardson, Anjula Gogia, and Nick Mount. For more information about the Festival of Literary Diversity, visit thefoldcanada.org (https://thefoldcanada.org/). Reading List: Gutter Child (https://anotherstory.ca/item/ihViYpG-txVfmlOpdFzLoQ) - Jael Richardson The Stone Thrower (https://anotherstory.ca/item/NBxRcFBM7GK8hLgSGKf6Jw) - Jael Richardson Attack Surface (https://anotherstory.ca/item/mvAe9UD8MdptTr36_vR0iw) - Cory Doctorow Brother (https://anotherstory.ca/item/ssARrWrToAZ3n3wsRBuqlQ) - David Chariandy Presented by The Word On The Street (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/) & CJRU 1280AM (https://www.cjru.ca/), with support from the Community Radio Fund of Canada. — Tune in to Read The North, a history of CanLit, as told by Toronto's favourite book festival! In this five-episode miniseries, WOTS' Rebecca Diem interviews authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, readers, & historians to discover the origins of the festival, the creation of a Canadian Literature, and how the story we tell ourselves about ourselves continues to evolve. The 33rd edition of The Word On The Street returns to the street at Queen's Park on June 11 & 12, 2022.
26 Apr 2022
Introducing Read The North: A History of CanLit, As Told By Toronto's Favourite Book Festival
It's the behind-the-scenes look into the workings of Canada's literary industry you've always wanted, a deep dive into publishing, bookselling, and writing. Tune in to Read The North, a history of CanLit, as told by Toronto's favourite book festival! Since 1990, The Word On The Street (a.k.a. "WOTS") has featured books by Canadian and Indigenous authors at a free, annual street fair created to promote literacy and celebrate the written word. In this five-episode miniseries, Rebecca Diem interviews authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, readers, & historians to discover the origins of the festival, the creation of a Canadian Literature, and how the story we tell ourselves about ourselves continues to evolve. Presented by The Word On The Street & CJRU 1280AM. Tune in Mondays at 11:00AM beginning May 9, 2022 to listen to the Read The North series live on CJRU 1280AM or at CJRU.ca (https://www.cjru.ca/). Also available on the podcast platform of your choice. The 33rd edition of The Word On The Street returns to the street at Queen's Park on June 11 & 12, 2022. Details and more at: toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca (https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca/)! Follow us @torontoWOTS.
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