Literary imprint led by Winnipeg author Wong
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
A new imprint from Arsenal Pulp Press is being spearheaded by Winnipeg author and professor Lindsay Wong (Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies).
The aim of the 9-Tailed Fox imprint is to publish “literary adult fiction and non-fiction titles by BIPOC Canadian writers that are innovative and unconventional in form and content,” according to a Sept. 4 news release. The first book to be released as a 9-Tailed Fox title will be Phoenix Poon’s coming-of-age novel Fox Fox Flux, which will be published in fall 2027.
● ● ●
Winnipeg Swampy Cree author David A. Robertson and B.C. illustrator Maya McKibbin have won the Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook of the Year Award for Little Shoes, published in July 2025 by Tundra Books.
The book delves into the intergenerational trauma of residential schools, following James, a boy who has trouble sleeping while pondering big questions. His kokom takes him on a march in honour of Indigenous children who went away to residential schools and never returned.
The award will be presented later in the fall.
● ● ●
Jennifer Botterill, the three-time Olympic gold medalist and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame (and now a TV analyst), visits McNally Robinson Booksellers’ Grant Park location on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to launch her new book encouraging readers to follow their dreams.
Why Not You: My Story of Perseverance, Hockey, and Olympic Gold (co-written with Kristina Rutherford) chronicles Botterill’s time playing and commentating on hockey, voicing her opinions (even when they’re unpopular) and more. She’ll be joined at the lunch by Steinbach-born former star volleyballer Michelle Sawatzky-Koop.
● ● ●
Former MLA Kevin Chief recalls life growing up in the North End, becoming a star basketball player in university, life in public office and the public service, his struggles with addictions and the road he took to recovery at the launch of his new book on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at McNally Robinson’s Grant Park location.
With a Name Like Chief: Reflections on Recovery and Identity Through the Seven Sacred Teachings was published Sept. 1 by Highwater Press, an imprint of Portage & Main Press, and was co-written with Stu Slayen, who will join Chief in conversation at the launch.
● ● ●
Regina-born, Vancouver-based rocker Colin James stops at McNally Robinson’s Grant Park location on Thursday at 7 p.m. to talk about his new memoir, which details his formative years (including a stint in Winnipeg) before his big break.
Playing the Changes: A Musician’s Memoir sees James recall his early years and struggles at school, the fallout of his parents’ divorce, cutting his teeth on the guitar in Saskatchewan and Manitoba in his teens (including opening for Stevie Ray Vaughan in Saskatoon) and the leadup to his debut album in 1988.
He’ll be joined in conversation by Free Press editor Paul Samyn.
● ● ●
On Friday at 7 p.m., Winnipeg scholar Kenton Storey will be joined by Chacachas Treaty Nation Chief Charlie Bear for the launch of Storey’s new book The Lost Reserve: The Taking and Remaking of the Chacachas Treaty Nation, published by University of Regina Press.
The book details how the Department of Indian Affairs displaced Chacachas members to a joint reserve just seven years after signing Treaty 4, and the ensuing 20-year-long court battle. The pair will be joined in conversation by University of Manitoba professor Adele Perry.
● ● ●
McNally Robinson co-founder (and Free Press book reviewer) Ron Robinson will be joined by musician James Hickerson for two nights of spooky readings at Dalnavert Museum (61 Carlton St.).
On Thursday and Friday, Robinson will read Washington Irving’s short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Robert Service’s poem The Cremation of Sam McGee, accompanied by Hickerson on guitar.
Tickets are $25 for Dalnavert Museum members and $30 for non-members and are available at wfp.to/iRC. The event will also feature a bar with drinks available for purchase.
books@winnipegfreepress.com
Ben Sigurdson
Literary editor, drinks writer
Ben Sigurdson is the Free Press‘s literary editor and drinks writer. He graduated with a master of arts degree in English from the University of Manitoba in 2005, the same year he began writing Uncorked, the weekly Free Press drinks column. He joined the Free Press full time in 2013 as a copy editor before being appointed literary editor in 2014. Read more about Ben.
In addition to providing opinions and analysis on wine and drinks, Ben oversees a team of freelance book reviewers and produces content for the arts and life section, all of which is reviewed by the Free Press’s editing team before being posted online or published in print. It’s part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Ben Sigurdson
Literary editor, drinks writer
Ben Sigurdson is the Free Press‘s literary editor and drinks writer. He graduated with a master of arts degree in English from the University of Manitoba in 2005, the same year he began writing Uncorked, the weekly Free Press drinks column. He joined the Free Press full time in 2013 as a copy editor before being appointed literary editor in 2014. Read more about Ben.
In addition to providing opinions and analysis on wine and drinks, Ben oversees a team of freelance book reviewers and produces content for the arts and life section, all of which is reviewed by the Free Press’s editing team before being posted online or published in print. It’s part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Advertisement Advertise With Us
Advertisement Advertise With Us
