The poet and author Brad Cran reflects on poetry, his time as Vancouver’s Poet Laureate (2009-2011), and his new collection of poems, Ink on Paper (Nightwood Editions, 2013), with Joseph Planta.

Ink on Paper by Brad Cran (Nightwood Editions, 2013). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Ink on Paper

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

Brad Cran joins me in person, in studio if you will. He’s just published his second book of poetry, Ink on Paper. It’s a highly readable, thoughtful and stimulating collection of poems. They deal with the area, Vancouver, Canada and beyond. Some are political, some are personal, and some are both. It’s been a fascinating read, as the poems herein are contemporary, provocative and keenly aware of this time and place, popular culture and beyond. I’ll get Mr. Cran to tell us about this book, about the poetry he commits, and how poetry is perceived by the general audience. Are our schools teaching poetry well? How savvy do readers have to be? What’s revealed in this book about the author, the poet, the citizen? Brad Cran is a writer and social entrepreneur who was the Poet Laureate for the City of Vancouver from 2009 to 2011. His first book of non-fiction written with Gillian Jerome was the prize winning Hope in Shadows: Stories and Photographs of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. His last book of poetry was The Good Life. He’s currently working on his second book of non-fiction. He’s also the driving force behind EcoTaxFile. I’m a client and it’s a terrific business. www.bradcran.com is the website for more. Ink on Paper is published by Nightwood Editions. This Saturday, 13 April 2013 at the Western Front, 303 East 8th Avenue, there’ll be a launch of this book, as well as Elizabeth Bachinsky’s The Hottest Summer in Recorded History and Timely Irreverence by Jay MillAr. That’s at 8.15pm. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Brad Cran; Mr. Cran, good morning.

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