A First Time For Everything

I'm happy to announce I'm the new Writer-In-Residence at CoWork at the famed Cotton Factory in beautiful Hamilton, Ontario.

*Hamilton, ON — CoWork at the Cotton Factory is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural Writers-in-Residence Program, aimed at nurturing emerging and mid-career writers in the Greater Hamilton and Toronto area. This prestigious program provides selected writers the space and support to dedicate at least 20 hours per week to their craft during the six-month residency.

The six-month residency begins on September 1, 2024.

We look forward to supporting Ryan McMahon and Jacob Duarte Spiel as they continue their groundbreaking work and contribute to the vibrant creative community at CoWork at the Cotton Factory.

(*from the CoWork press release)

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What I’m Working On This Fall

One of Madeline’s favourite lines, which she uses regularly, is, “I was just in line for a hotdog.” I take it to mean that one day life has you heading this way, and out of nowhere, your life takes an unplanned, surprising, and hopefully, incredible turn.

Well. I was just in line for a hotdog.

I put my application into the Writer-In-Residence program at the Cotton Factory’s Cowork project, not thinking or believing I’d get it. I never really land anything I actually try for. Generally, things that happen for me creatively or professionally are wonderful accidents, or once in a blue moon, it is a case of the right place and time.

Then, I got the email from CoWork.

I’m happy to accept my first ever Writer In Residence at the legendary Cotton Factory in Hamilton, ON. I’m stoked to have a dedicated space and to carve out some dedicated time to work on projects and push a few things over the finish line.

I’m still at my job (and really loving it) at the Investigative Journalism Bureau but now that our new baby boy has found a groove in our life, my time is a bit more predictable and I’m finding more and more space for my own creative work.

So here’s what I’m working on this fall.

I’m staring down a book deadline. Priority #1.

I’m developing new television, film, and podcast projects. Priority #2.

I’m working on a couple of new book proposals.

I’m in my creative bag (as the kids say) these days.

My hope is that having this space helps Madeline and me further develop a few projects we have together, including We’re All Mad Here (our podcast) and the Decolonial Little Library (a little library and, maybe, live events, popups, and more!?).

Mad is also working on some really exciting projects that I look forward to supporting more; I’ll wait until she shares those with you all to say much more than that.

Lastly, I am in the middle stages of developing a new live storytelling show called “Best Fk’n Story, Ever.” This show will be variety show-esque and feature the true stories, misadventures, and miracles of artists, misfits, thinkers, and disruptors from around the world. I hope to premiere sometime late into this residency. This will be my official return to the standup comedy space, I can’t wait.

More soon.

The journey continues.