22 January 2017

The Dusty Bookcase in August



Today marks the ninth anniversary of The Dusty Bookcase, a good day to recognize what the sharp-eyed have already spotted. This coming August will see publication of The Dusty Bookcase: A Journey Through Canada's Forgotten, Neglected and Suppressed Writing, a collection of new essays and newly revised writing from this blog and my regular column in Canadian Notes & Queries. I'm proud to say that the publisher is none other than Biblioasis, which provides this fine description:
Largely drawn from his columns for Canadian Notes & Queries and entries in his popular blog by the same name, Brian Busby’s The Dusty Bookcase explores the fascinating world of Canada’s lesser-known literary efforts: works that suffered censorship, critical neglect, or brilliant yet fleeting notoriety. These rare and quirky totems of Canadiana, collected over the last three decades, form a travel diary of sorts – yet one without maps. Covering more than 250 books, peppered with observations on the writing and publishing scenes, Busby’s work explores our cultural past, questioning why certain works are celebrated and others ignored. Brilliantly illustrated with covers and ephemera related to the titles discussed, The Dusty Bookcase draws much needed attention to unknown writing worthy of our attention, and some of our acclaim.
I'd like to thank publisher Dan Wells and editor Emily Donaldson for their faith in this collection. I'd also like to thank the many readers, writers and booksellers who have shared my enthusiasm during this eight-year journey without maps. Rest assured, it will continue.

How could it not?

18 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I look forward to reading the collection, and to many more posts on this blog.

    Daniel

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  2. Brilliant! Where do I pre-order? Say, 5, 10, maybe...

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    1. I see that at least a couple of online booksellers have it for pre-order, Karyn. At five or ten copies they should be offering you a bulk discount.

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  3. Congratulations! Great idea and looking forward to reading it!

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    1. Thank you, Stephen. I think you'll like the Gustafson essay.

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  4. Congratulations, Brian! Looking forward to reading it.

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  5. That sounds great, Brian. I will be looking for it.

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  6. And I forgot to say, happy anniversary! Nine years is a long time.

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    1. Thank you, Tracy. Here's hoping you like it. I know you share my interest in the neglected.

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  7. Good news, indeed. Looking forward to reading The Dusty Bookcase in real paper and print form. And happy anniversary!

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    1. Thanks for the kind words. You won't be surprised, I'm sure, to learn that a revised version of my Last Canadian review will feature. How could it not!

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  8. Bravo. Neuf ans, ce n'est pas rien!

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  9. Dominic Vanchesteing06 March, 2017 08:37

    This is fantastic. I have to add that the cover is a splendor (Biblioasis is developing a strong identity). Cent fois bravo !

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    1. Thank you, Dominic. It's an honour to be published by Biblioasis.

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