Problematic Press is quite pleased to share this wonderful reading of one of our stories.
Laura Molyneux of Cloudberry Forest School recently read David Reynolds’ The True Story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff: The Troll’s Side of the Story for her students.
We are truly honoured to play a part in this.
Thanks kindly to Laura Molyneux for choosing to share our book.
For more information about Cloudberry Forest School’s programs and services, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Cheers!
Cheers, all!
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Readers and writers on the Avalon Peninsula (that’s in Newfoundland, a magical place), take note: Sci-Fi on the Rock 9 will be hosting an assortment of reading, writing, and publishing workshops that you just might have to see for yourself!
Sci-Fi on the Rock’s ninth instalment takes place from April 24th to 26th at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s. Mark off those dates on your calendar because you’re in for a treat, and read on to get a brief preview of some of the upcoming discussions and workshops.
As the convention begins, Engen Books presents some of the first writerly workshops that will get your attention. Engen returns to SFotR9 with “The Most Dysfunctional Writing Panel Ever: A Convention Tradition,” featuring Ellen Curtis and other authors. This panel promises to be so dysfunctional they’re presenting it twice – April 24th at 4pm in the Nimoy Room and April 25th at 9am in the Tolkien Room. Engen Books really knows how to represent at Newfoundland’s premier convention, and so they’re presenting another panel on the 25th at 10am in the Nimoy Room, titled “Engen Early Bird Panel: Wake Up Your Literary Side.” These talks will provide attendees with ample opportunity to address their questions about writing in various genres.
There are also a few more discussions featured throughout the convention that are sure to reveal the innermost secrets of the writing and publishing craft. On April 25th, at 2pm in the Lucas Room, Scott Bartlett presents “How to Make Your Writing Matter to You and to Others.” On April 26th, at 1pm in the Tolkien Room, Charles O’Keefe presents “Adventures with Vampires and Publishing.” Later on that same day, at 3pm in the Tolkien Room, David Reynolds (well, that’s me, actually) of Problematic Press (yeah, that’s us alright) presents “How to Guerilla Publish: Getting Your Book Out There with No Budget.” Together, attendees with dreams of writing and publishing their own material are sure to glean some important insights about the whole process of making their stories available to the world.
If you’re primarily interested in reading and raving on about your favourite fantasy series, then the con has got you covered, too! Interested attendees should keep an eye on the Ambassador Series, which features Alison Edwards and Dr. Christopher Lockett as well as others. Edwards discusses further reading for fans of popular fantasy in “Beyond Harry Potter: Books for the Young and the Young at Heart,” which takes place April 26th at 1pm in the Nimoy Room. Lockett delves into the intersections of some of fantasy’s greatest authors in “The Ballad of Joss, Neil, and Sir Terry: Reflections on Three of our Most Brilliant Fantasists,” to take place April 25th at 3pm in the Nimoy Room. Such nuanced presentations and discussions are sure to give fantasy addicts their fix.
Events at the convention target a broad age range, too. Shelley Chruchill presents “Wee Geeks Storytime” on April 25th at 11am in the Tolkien Room, which is sure to entertain the convention’s youngest readers. However, if you crave more adult flavours, then perhaps you can sate that hunger with Chelsea Smith and Janielle Butt’s “WTF Fanfiction: The Most Cringe-Worthy Stories of our Time,” which is set for April 24th at 8pm in the Roddenberry Room. Again, SFotR9 has a little something for just about every geeky niche.
This is just a sample of the convention’s events; there is much more in the works, so be sure to check it out for yourself when the time comes. You can find more details about all of their discussions and workshops by viewing the full schedule here. Plus, the convention also promises special guests and plenty of vendors, so prepare to get your geek on! For an idea of what to expect, click here to view NTV’s coverage of SFotR8.
David Reynolds studied at Memorial University where he completed his BA in Philosophy and English Language and Literature in 2006 in addition to completing his MPhil in Humanities in 2008. His graduate research focused on the cultural significance of superhero narratives and culminated in his dissertation Superheroes: An Analysis of Popular Culture’s Modern Myths. Presently, he enjoys teaching English at Memorial University while fumbling about as a publisher with Problematic Press.
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Cheers, all!
We are all kinds of excited to be presenting a children’s story written by David Reynolds when he was just a young boy, about 9-11 years old. The True Story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff: The Troll’s Side of the Story is the young author’s reinterpretation of the classic Norwegian fairytale, considering how the troll might have seen things differently.
Subtle and charming, bright and playful, The True Story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff: The Troll’s Side of the Story is best suited for adults reading to young children, for early readers, and for all of us children-at-heart. This book is now available in print and Kindle editions! Find your copy in the Problematic Press Shops (CAN and US).
This little nugget from the past is lovingly illustrated by Myles Reichel. Yes, the same Myles Reichel of Uneeda fame. You might also find him at Von Stytch Tattoo & Art Studio/Gallery. This work showcases the gentler side of the punker tattooist, and his work here looks fantastic!
The True Story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff: The Troll’s Side of the Story also includes Sir George Webbe Dasent’s translation of the Norwegian classic. This is the popular tale of the Gruffs’ encounter with a terrible troll, but here, read together with Reynolds’ reinterpretation, it reinforces the message that there are often two sides to a story.
For those of you lucky enough to be in St. John’s, Newfoundland between May 23rd and 25th, you can pick up your copy of The True Story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff: The Troll’s Side of the Story at Sci-Fi on the Rock 8! Both Reynolds and Reichel will be manning the Problematic Press table, so this is a great chance to meet the book’s creators! Be warned, however, that our quantities on-hand are very limited!
Otherwise, copies can be purchased from the Problematic Press Shops (CAN and US). The book can also be found on Amazon.ca as well as Amazon.com. Additionally, wholesale purchases of The True Story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff: The Troll’s Side of the Story can be made through CreateSpace Direct, Ingram, and Baker & Taylor.
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That’s right! It’s been more than 125 years since A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder was first published, and now Problematic Press is pleased to present this annotated edition of James De Mille‘s classic masterpiece. This book is now available in print and Kindle editions! Find your copy in the Problematic Press Shops (CAN and US).
While playing a silly game, four bored yachtsmen find a mysterious copper cylinder bobbing along the sea. They soon discover the briny cylinder contains a massive script, a journal of sorts, detailing the adventures of Adam More, a sailor lost at sea. Examining the script reveals More’s incredible story of drifting across the ocean, sailing to lost lands, encountering giant beasts, and meeting truly peculiar people. This satirical tale is sure to entertain!
De Mille was a Canadian scholar and author. He pioneered Canadian science fiction and fantasy with his masterpiece, A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder. De Mille had many lofty goals for his fantastic satire, and he struggled to accommodate all of them, leaving the denouement somewhat abrupt in his ultimate manuscript. Nevertheless, what remains is a thought-provoking tale of absurd wonder that seeks to challenge our most deeply held values. The story was first published posthumously as a serial by Harper’s Weekly in 1888, eight years after the author’s death.
The Problematic Press edition of James De Mille’s A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder features a Foreword and Annotations by David Reynolds. Reynolds briefly introduces the author and the novel while his end notes reflect on interesting elements of the text and reference scholarly works.
De Mille’s satirical tale of wonder has entertained readers for many years, yet the work has remained largely overlooked. For that very reason, Problematic Press is tremendously excited to add this work to our growing collection of titles!
Again, copies can be purchased from the Problematic Press Shops (CAN and US). The book can also be found on Amazon.ca as well as Amazon.com. Additionally, wholesale purchases of James De Mille’s A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder can be made through CreateSpace Direct, Ingram, and Baker & Taylor.
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Cheers, all!
There’s quite a bit happening at Problematic Press right now, although I know things have seemed quiet over the winter months. And, we’ve had five months of winter in Newfoundland this season.
But, things are happening, so let me tease a little of that now.
First of all, we’re bringing you Nicholas Morine‘s Cavern: City in the Dark. This is Morine’s second novel. His first novel, Punish the Wicked: A Dystopian Horror, was just released by Montag Press. Cavern also features an illustration by Jesse H. Walker. The novel is full of action and sure to thrill!
Next, we’re presenting a children’s story written by David Reynolds when he was 11 years old. The True Story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff: The Troll’s Side of the Story is currently being illustrated by Myles Reichel of Uneeda fame, and it looks fantastic! The teaser pic here does not do his work justice.
Finally, work continues on our annotated edition of James De Mille’s A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder.
And, the best news of all is that each of these titles will be available in the coming weeks! Stay tuned here for updates, and look for the Problematic Press table at Sci-Fi on the Rock 8!
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Cheers, all!
Well, wasn’t that a self-explanatory headline?
Indeed, Problematic Press is over the moon to tell you all that Amanda Tiller’s Narrative, Nature, and the ‘Cock’ and ‘Bull’ Story: The Lockean Tristram Shandy and the Modern Novel is now available in print and Kindle editions! So, without hesitation, let me promptly direct you to the Problematic Press Shops (CAN and US).
Amanda Tiller is the Humanities Collections Development Librarian at the Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s. Before completing her Master of Library and Information Science at The University of Western Ontario, she completed her Master of Arts in English Language and Literature at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Narrative, Nature, and the ‘Cock’ and ‘Bull’ Story: The Lockean Tristram Shandy and the Modern Novel is based on Tiller’s research as a graduate student at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her studies focused on Laurence Sterne‘s novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1760). Sterne’s novel has tremendous comedic appeal, but it is also noteworthy because Shandy narrates the tale as a string of digressions and tangents. This means Sterne’s novel is one of the first English novels to stray from Aristotle‘s classical literary guidelines as presented in his Poetics. In Narrative, Nature, and the ‘Cock’ and ‘Bull’ Story, Tiller applies concepts from John Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding to explore how such deviations lead Tristram, in the series of events stemming from his birth, to a more precise imitation of nature than strict adherence to Aristotle’s guidelines could have procured.
With the holidays approaching, Amanda Tiller’s Narrative, Nature, and the ‘Cock’ and ‘Bull’ Story: The Lockean Tristram Shandy and the Modern Novel might just be the perfect gift for the 18th century English lit lover in your life! Got a stocking? Stuff it with this!
Check Problematic Press updates again, for there is much more in the works! Dig this? Then, “Like” us on Facebook!
Problematic Press is pleased to announce the addition of Amanda Tiller’s Narrative, Nature, and the ‘Cock’ and ‘Bull’ Story: The Lockean Tristram Shandy and the Modern Novel to our growing catalogue of books!
Amanda Tiller is the Humanities Collections Development Librarian at the Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s. Before completing her Master of Library and Information Science at The University of Western Ontario, she completed her Master of Arts in English Language and Literature at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
The book is based on Tiller’s research as a graduate student at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her studies focused on Laurence Sterne‘s novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1760). Besides the entertainment value of Sterne’s novel, it is also remarkable because Shandy narrates the tale as a string of digressions and tangents. This makes Sterne’s one of the first English novels to stray from Aristotle‘s classical literary guidelines as presented in his Poetics. In Narrative, Nature, and the ‘Cock’ and ‘Bull’ Story, Tiller applies concepts from John Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding to explore how this deviation leads Tristram, in the series of events stemming from his birth, to a more precise imitation of nature than strict adherence to Aristotle’s guidelines could have procured.
Keep an eye on future Problematic Press updates, for this book shall be here soon! And, remember, if you like this, then “Like” us on Facebook!
Cheers, all!
Problematic Press is pleased to announce that Fawning, Fear, and Frustration: A Collection of Teenage Poetry from the 90s by David Reynolds is now available for the Kobo e-reader! While the book has been available in print and digital formats since 2011, this is the first time it has been placed in the Kobo store!
Fawning, Fear and Frustration collects thirty six poems by a young David Reynolds. It features a range of poetry that considers love, death and confusion in addition to a number of matters that lay somewhere in between.
Get your copy of this title in print and Kindle ebook formats in the Problematic Press Shop (CAN and US) as well as Amazon.ca and Amazon.com. This title is also available in a variety of ebook formats at Smashwords.com.
Problematic Press plans to bring more titles to Kobo devices in the near future. Follow the blog or “Like” us on Facebook to get the latest updates!
Problematic Press is pleased to announce the upcoming addition of Vester Vade Mecum: A Collection of Short Fiction to our growing library!
Vester Vade Mecum is a Latin phrase that means “you go with me.” As the title of this textbook, that phrase carries multiple meanings. It indicates that this is a manual that mindful students will carry with them in their studies. In relation to the enduring nature of great stories, the title alludes that these are tales we often recall in our own reflections. In relation to the nature of storytelling, it suggests how the author leads the reader along their journey.
Vester Vade Mecum: A Collection of Short Fiction is a collection to delight educators and pupils alike. It contains a variety of important short works of English literature, featuring authors such as Mary Shelley, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Louisa May Alcott, Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Pauline Hopkins, Stephen Leacock, Howard Phillips Lovecraft, and others. Edited by David Reynolds, the text contains contextual information about each author and story as well as questions to provoke critical reflection.
Vester Vade Mecum: A Collection of Short Fiction will be available August 2013, in time for the beginning of the academic year of many post-secondary institutions. It will be available for purchase through the Problematic Press Shops (CAN and US). Also, wholesale purchases of Vester Vade Mecum: A Collection of Short Fiction can be made through CreateSpace Direct, Ingram, and Baker & Taylor.
