Would You Read?
Menno Porn? “Uhhh… what is that (?) and no thanks.”
Historical Mennonite Fiction? “Yes, I love those. They represent the combined zenith of art and social discourse. I love immersing myself in a lush imaginary world with numerous distinct characters… and six generations, two wars, eight church splinterings…and a book that WestJet charges extra to bring on board. I love them but I need a bigger purse. I love them, but…”
Okay. So, something with some angst? Something with some joy? A little grit? (A LOT of grit?) Something true to the heart, but with a roaming nature and an observational stance? Short stories perhaps? Episodes with an eclectic recurrent cast of recognizable (but fictional) characters wound around a common core—barbed wire both rusted and new, braided with ribbons of a brighter hue? A book where “love wins” but the issue is often in doubt? A not-so-quiet telling of the quiet in the land, by one who is part-outsider while ineffably an insider’s insider? “Hmmm. Possibly. Does it happen to have a Plautdietsch glossary guaranteed to start arguments at the Tim Hortons and Adult Sunday School?”
[image error]“Pinching Zwieback: Made-up Stories from the Darp” is now available to order.
Mitchell Toews’ debut collection of short stories from At Bay Press (Wpg) is in stock and ready for orders from booksellers, libraries, and individuals. (Reviewers: please inquire.) It will be carried by McNally Robinson Booksellers, Manitoba Made (Lac du Bonnet), the gift shop/book shops in the Mennonite Museums in Steinbach & Abbotsford, and (hopefully) many other bookstores. All the usual online sources will carry PZ. Ask for a copy at your favourite bookshop or library!
Where to buy—a GROWING LIST: At Bay Press (Wpg), the gift shop/book shops in the Mennonite Museums in Abbotsford, BC & Steinbach, MB, the University of Victoria Bookstore, McNally Robinson Booksellers (Canada wide), Manitoba Made (Lac du Bonnet, MB), CommonWords, (Wpg,) and many other bookstores to follow. All the usual ONLINE sources will carry PZ including Amazon, Amazon.ca, Indigo-Chapters, Google Books, Barnes & Noble, Thrift Books, Booktopia, Tertulia, WHSmith, Magers and Quinn Booksellers, Wook, Mighty Ape, Peribo, Foyles, Angus & Robertson, Bol.com, Bertrand, 49th Kids, Books-a-Million, Okian (Japan), and more.
From 1874 Russia to 21st century Manitoba and British Columbia, Mitchell Toews’ linked stories present us with a boisterous and poignant family saga unlike any other in Mennonite literature.—Armin Wiebe, author of The Salvation of Yasch Siemens and Grandmother, Laughing. http://www.arminwiebe.ca/ (More: https://mitchellaneous.com/2023/10/11/early-praise-for-pinching-zwieback-2/)
Look for the in-depth review by renowned Canadian poet, author, and raconteur, Linda Rogers van Krugel of Victoria, coming soon with more reviews to follow from other literary sources in the US and Canada.
Of note: October 2023, Mitchell Toews’ new story “Saskatchewan” was Shortlisted for the inaugural Nona Macdonald Heaslip $15,000 “Best Canadian Short Story” Competition and Award in memory of Morley Callaghan from Exile Quarterly/Exile Editions.
Contacts, ordering:
At Bay Press
Matt Joudrey
319 Queenston St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R3N 0W9
atbaypress@gmail.com
204-489-6658
Cdn distributor for At Bay Press, LitDistCo: http://www.litdistco.ca/
USA distributor, Casemate: https://www.casemateipm.com/9781998779055/pinching-zwieback/
Schedule of Events: Mennonite Heritage Museum, Abbotsford Nov 2, McNally Robinson Booksellers, Grant Park, Wpg Nov 8, Lac du Bonnet Nov 9, Mennonite Heritage Village, Steinbach Nov 15, The Public Brewhouse & Gallery with emcee Andrew Unger, Steinbach Nov 18. Pinawa Library, Pinawa, MB, Nov 2023 (TBA), Lac du Bonnet Regional Library, LdB, MB Spring 2024 (TBA). Mitch (“Has books, will travel”) is available for book readings and events and is particularly interested in discussions on “writing your culture.”
“I come to writing fiction from the storyteller’s places: the campfire, the backseat on a long drive, the bar stool.” —MJT
