This weekend, I was honoured to give a brief introductory talk for the Toronto Bengali community’s celebration of Basha Shahid Dibos, Martyr’s Day and International Mother Tongue Day. This six-hour event began at 8 p.m., Sunday, February 20, the eve of the holiday, and featured the marking of the day itself at 12:01 a.m. February …
I was very happy to read Kathy Flaxman’s review of our December Dead Poet’s Society event at the Art Bar in this weekend’s Toronto Star. And I was happy to be included in the assessment: The current Poet Laureate of Toronto, Al Moritz, who was warmly greeted by the audience, has kind words for the …
Please join me on Tuesday, December 14, 7pm at Clintons, 693 Bloor West, for the Art Bar’s Dead Poets Society Night. The Dead Poets Society Night is an annual tradition at the Art Bar Poetry Series, normally held in mid-December. Those performing read from the poetry of dead poets. For several years now, this event …
I have a Craft Interview in the online publication, The Artisanal Writer. The Artisanal Writer is an online journal about the craft of writing and reading. It explores what makes great writing, how great writing happens and how writers we love to read, make great writing happen. The journal aims to address the forever open question …
Come Celebrate Ravine Days with the City of Toronto! This series of events, hosted by Toronto Parks & Forestry, takes place from October 2-11, 2021. You can learn about the City of Toronto’s beautiful ravine system, environmentally significant areas and their biodiversity. And it will include self-directed activities, virtual and in-person events, offering something for …
Please join me this weekend, October 2 & 3, 2021, for the Virtual Edition of JLF Toronto: CanLitscape Poets & Storytellers. Register for free right now to gain access to 2 days, 8 conversations, and 7 poetry readings by 30 acclaimed authors, poets, thinkers and change-makers via https://jlflitfest.org/toronto/registration. My poem, “House,” will be featured amongst …
JLF Toronto Virtual Edition: CanListcape Poets and Storytellers Read More »
I am happy to be participating in this year’s iteration of Toronto’s Word on the Street. On Saturday, September 25, at 11:30 am, I will take part in a live stream panel hosted by the Toronto Star’s Deb Dundas: Celebrating the 2021 Trillium Award Finalists. I will appear with fellow nominees Craig Davidson and Farzana …
Vakxikon has published Σπουργίτης, Stergia Kavvalou’s Greek translation of my short poems from The Sparrow. And my great friend, the poet and translator Beatriz Hausner has provided an introduction. You can purchase copies of Σπουργίτης from the publisher Vakxikon. Visit my Book Page for The Sparrow, Greek Translation for a more detailed description.
Catch me on the CBC Ideas podcast with Nahlah Ayed, “No Feeling is Final, the Wisdom of Rainer Maria Rilke.” The podcast aired on May 13, 2021. And it was followed by a feature by Pauline Holdsworth on CBC Radio online, “Live the Questions Now: Reading Rilke in a Time of Uncertainty and Grief.” Listen …
Wonderful news! As Far As You Know is among this year’s five finalists for the Trillium Book Award in English, awarded by Ontario Creates. I am proud to share the honour with Craig Davidson, Farzana Doctor, Emma Donoghue and Souvankham Thammavongsa. Congratulations, as well, to all the nominees in the poetry category and the French …
As Far As You Know is a 2021 Finalist for the Trillium Book Award Read More »
Last Sunday, I took part in the Gordon Hill Press Spring 2021 Launch Party. I launched my book, The Garden, a poem and an essay, alongside Roxanna Bennett’s The Untranslatable I, Khashayar Mohammadi’s Me, You, Then Snow, and Concetta Principe’s Stars Need Counting. Here’s the full launch party, which can also be viewed on YouTube: Those looking for my …
My new book, The Garden, a poem and an essay, is part of the CBC’s list of 55 Canadian Poetry Collections to Check Out in Spring 2021. Here’s what they have to say: The Garden is a long poem, The Garden in the Midst, and an essay, The Garden, that explores police brutality against Black lives in North America …
The Garden is one of CBC’s Spring Poetry Picks for 2021 Read More »
My new book, The Garden, a poem and essay, launches this Sunday! Join me for the Gordon Hill Press spring launch in collaboration with Knife | Fork | Book on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 3 PM EDT. Hear readings from Roxanna Bennett’s The Untranslatable I, Khashayar Mohammadi’s Me, You, Then Snow, my own book, The Garden, and Concetta Principe’s Stars …
The Garden Launches with Gordon Hill Press This Sunday! Read More »
I am pleased to have two poems in Issue 4 (2.15.21) of Volume online poetry magazine. The poems printed in this issue are: “The Only Remaining Flower” and “Long Struggle and Float.” Additionally, you can read my interview with Communications and Features Editor [and former student!] Lauren Peat. I hope you’ll take a moment to …
For National Poetry Month, I thought I’d provide you with my hour-long interview with David O’Meara from a few months back for the Ottawa International Writers Festival, in partnership with VerseFest. I’ve also added this to the Audio/Video portion of my website! Enjoy!
Gordon Hill Press will be publishing my next book in April. The Garden is comprised of a long-form poem, “The Garden in the Midst,” and an essay, “The Poet’s Garden.” I originally composed the work in response to the 1992 L.A. Riots and set it aside for some time. In 2020, with the police murder …
In my role as Toronto’s Poet Laureate, I had the honour of reading my poem, “Exactly Here the Marvel Spoke” at the March 10, 2021 meeting of Toronto City Council. The poem commemorates twelve months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s a video of me reading of the poem, introduced by Mayor John tory: [You can …
Tomorrow, March 10, at approximately 9:30 am, in my role as Toronto’s Poet Laureate, I will present a poem marking one full year of Toronto’s dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Those who wish to hear me read this live may join by watching the City of Toronto’s Youtube Channel tomorrow, at approximately 9:30am: Please join …
Please join me on March 4, 2021, at 7:30 pm EST [8:30 pm AST] for the Saint Mary’s University Reading Series, Don Domanski: A Celebration. This is a live zoom event dedicated to the poetry of Don Domanski, winner of the Governor General’s Award, the CBC Literary Prize, and the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia …
You are cordially invited to HERE IS ELSEWHERE, Literature in Translation on Friday, February 19, 2021, from 7 -8 PM. Together with LUCIANO IACOBELLI, I will discuss and read the poetry of LUDWIG ZELLER. Our moderator will be BEATRIZ HAUSNER. This event will air live on Zoom. Please contact info@attlc-ltac.org via email to register for the link. The …
I am pleased to have Anna Yin’s translation of three of my poems into Chinese appear on WePoetry [January, Vol. 28, 2021.] Yin offers her versions of “A Narrow Silent Throat,” “Every Step was into a New World,” and “Poetry.” This trio appears alongside Yin’s translations of poems by Molly Peacock, Alice Major, and George …
Mirrors and Windows, Canadian Poets Translated by Anna Yin Read More »
I’m so glad to see As Far As You Know is still top of mind for your 2021 reading lists! Earlier this month, Esteban Rodríguez, Assistant Poetry Editor for AGNI, recommended my book alongside of Joy Priest’s Horsepower as his top reading recommendations for the new year! As Far As You Know by A. F. Moritz: Moritz’s …
I’m pleased that my book, As Far As You Know, has been included in the CBC’s list of Best Books of Canadian Poetry for 2020! Here’s what the CBC had to say about my book: As Far as You Know by A.F. Moritz As Far As You Know is divided into six sections each dealing with a …
As Far As You Know One of CBC’s Best Books of Canadian Poetry for 2020 Read More »
Many thanks to Kirby at knife | fork | book for including As Far As You Know in kfb’s year-end round-up. Here’s what Kirby had to say about AFAYK: No better place to begin than the most memorable read of the year, A. F. Moritz’s As Far As You Know (Anansi Poetry) could it be just a matter …
knife | fork | book’s “Most Memorable Read of the Year” Read More »
I am beyond thrilled to announce the publication of the Special Edition Hardcover and the Broadsheet of As Far As You Know. Both are on sale now from my publisher, Anansi. This broadsheet features the title poem, “As Far As You Know,” and was printed in an edition of 50 at Coach House for Anansi. …
Anansi Hardcover & Broadsheet Editions of As Far As You Know are Available Now Read More »
On Thursday, November 19, at 3:00 pm, I will take part in the Victoria College Faculty Reading series along with colleague and fellow poet, Sarah Dowling. This event will take place via zoom.There is no charge.However, you must pre-register here:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsc-GhqT8vGdwdmA4u91HEx9JizEyKo0n7?fbclid=IwAR3HyOXtnHCl30-lCAEXH1Nk9gIOCdLZKqpGnyTRKbUHdRSQxtBZ53vfQGQ I hope you’ll join me for this event!
In my role as Toronto’s Poet Laureate, the editors of The Star asked me to read a selection of Haiku composed by Star readers in the wake of the U.S. Presidential Election. Here’s a link to the article as it appeared in The Star on November 4, 2020: U.S. election haiku? We asked and you …
Moritz’s sensibility is unique: melancholic, intellectual, comic, erotic, pitying . . . The emotional content of Moritz’s work is so abundant and accessible that the reader is never lost. National Post Join me on Sunday, November 8, at 2:00, for an online event co-sponsored by The Ottawa International Writers Festival & Versefest2020. I will be …
As part of the Toronto International Festival of Authors, I am pleased to introduce you to a new video installation created by the Toronto Writers Collective. The Toronto Writers Collective (TWC) empowers the voices and illuminates the undiscovered strength in Toronto’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised communities. Together, we worked to create a special video installation …
Where I’m From, the TWC Installation at Union Station Read More »
I am pleased to be participating in this year’s Toronto International Festival of Authors, which takes place from October 22 through November 1, 2020. For more information on the festival and to sign up, visit TIFA. Toronto Writers Collective Launch, October 22, 5:00pm I will be part of the Toronto Writers Collective Launch on October 22, 2020, …
Please join me online on October 23, 2020 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm for Tartan Turban Secret Readings #27, A Political Poetry Reading, curated by Kate Rogers and Bänoo Zan. I’ll be a featured reader, along with Andrea Thompson, Diana Manole and Lisa Richter. Tartan Turban Secret Reading #27 is a virtual reading. Along with my …
Earlier in the month, I was happy to participate in the final group roundtable for Poetry in Translation, East Meets West, hosted by Anna Yin. Joining Anna and myself were Molly Peacock, Alice Major, George Elliot Clarke and guest, Michael Morolla. We participated in a reading together and enjoyed an Open-Mic for followers of the …
Poetry in Translation, East Meets West, Group Event Read More »
Canada’s largest book festival has gone virtual! Please join me at The Word on the Street 2020, a national celebration of literacy and Canadian writing. Each September, WOTS hosts hundreds of author readings for visitors of all ages and a vibrant marketplace featuring the best selection of books and magazines in Canada. The festival and …
The Winnipeg International Writers Festival has taken their annual Thin Air Festival and made it into an interactive online experience. I am proud to be a participant in this year’s #ThinAir2020. This rich experience will be available and active online from September 20 to October 12, 2020. Go to Thin Air to register for free. …
Thanks to Anna Yin, our interview and discussion session for her Poetry in Translation, East Meets West series are now online. Here’s the main discussion: And here’s the break-out session: You can access the entire series here. Enjoy!
On Saturday, August 29, at 3:00 p.m., join me for Poetry in Translation: East Meets West, a zoom interview with Anna Yin. We will read and discuss poetry and translation, touching upon the myth of “lost in translation,” the art of re-creation, and the mutual exchange or benefits of the process. The audience will be …
Poetry in Translation, East Meets West: One on One with Anna Yin Read More »
On Tuesday, August 4th, I appeared on HOWL, CIUT Radio 89.5 FM Toronto’s weekly 10-11pm music and spoken word broadcast. I had the pleasure of reading poetry and speaking with Valentino Assenza about current events and the role of the Poet Laureate. You can still access this interview until tomorrow night on Howl’s website:https://ciut.fm/shows/howl/ My …
Register now for the opportunity to ZOOM in on one of the hottest tickets in ANY town: the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival virtual event: Hot Nights. Cool Poets. On August 28th, starting at 8pm, I will appear with a SCORE of talented poets on a zoom event hosted by EMWF. Details Below. EMWF Showcase: Hot Nights. …
Eden Mills Writers’ Festival: Hot Nights. Cool Poets. REGISTER NOW Read More »
My son, Blaise Moritz, and daughter-in-law, Roseanne Carrara, have a trio of paired drawings and poems entitled “‘Til Now” in the second issue of The Quarantine Review, a new magazine created by Sheeza Sarfraz and J.J. Dupuis and published by Dundurn Press. Moritz and Carrara’s collaboration appears alongside the work of Teri Vlassopoulos, Teresa Mason …
I am pleased to appear as the inaugural guest on the Different Boat, Same Storm Podcast. DBSS was created by Abhayjeet Singh Sachal, Atharv Agrawal and Eli Meadow Ramraj to cultivate empathy amidst the Covid-19 crisis. In this premiere episode, I spent upwards of 45 minutes talking with Abhay, Atharv, and Eli about “Poetry, Song, …