http://www.pioro.net a quill dripping pixel ink Mon, 11 Jun 2012 03:07:19 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I've known about Richard Ford's soft spot for Canada for a long time. Years ago, when I heard him read at the International Festival of Authors, he followed two Canadian writers (Joseph Boyden and another whose name I can't remember). As the only non-Canuck in the bunch, Ford had the ... http://www.pioro.net/2012/06/to-richard-ford-i-named-a-campsite-montana.shtml When I started this guide, I knew I wouldn't be able to give all the categories the attention they deserve. I don't think I could have done it even if I had started when all the nominations were announced at the beginning of May. But, in an effort wrap this ... http://www.pioro.net/2012/06/2012-nmas-everything-else.shtml In magazines, the writers write, the editors edit, the art directors do stuff with pictures and keep editors from going crazy with too many words, and the circulators...circulate? Whatever they do, it is a dark and mysterious art whose importance I don't question. I just don't understand it. As a ... http://www.pioro.net/2012/06/2012-nmas-magazine-covers.shtml Purpose To find the most likely winner in the science, technology and environment category. Hypothesis The odds favour powerhouses, such as The Walrus, Maclean's and Report on Business. Award-magnet explore is also a strong specimen. Materials 10 Canadian magazine articles: explore, "The Amazing Survivorbear" [.pdf of article] by J.B. MacKinnon L'actualité, "Gentilly: la centrale de ... http://www.pioro.net/2012/06/2012-nmas-science-technology-and-environment.shtml In the investigative reporting category, writers get all Woodward and Bernstein, which can mean playing the Access to Information Act–game, interviewing scores of people or getting shot at. Alison Motluk's examination of the cluster fudge that lead to Stephen Harper pulling the plug on Canada's production of medical isotopes ("A Political ... http://www.pioro.net/2012/06/2012-nmas-investigative-reporting.shtml This category is explore versus explore (versus explore versus explore) and friends. First let's see what happens if we let the explore nominees duke it out. "The Big Blue" [.pdf of story] is the only true adventure story in this category. Writer Charles Wilkins and 15 others paddle across the Atlantic ... http://www.pioro.net/2012/06/2012-nmas-travel.shtml No piece of writing has made me laugh more than the Scholastic Books adaption of Spaceballs. I remember reading it on a family camping trip and doing my best to muffle my snorts and snickers as everyone was sleeping in our small tent trailer. Ultimately, I'm told, I did a ... http://www.pioro.net/2012/05/2012-nmas-humour.shtml You have to be kidding me. Cottage Life drops a Canadiana bomb with "A Happy Makeshift Vision" [.pdf of story], in which famous Canadian poet George Bowering writes about famous Canadian poet Al Purdy and his old A-frame abode in Prince Edward County. The story has the vibe of a Purdy ... http://www.pioro.net/2012/05/2012-nmas-arts-and-entertainment.shtml This category should really be called the "Gerald Hannon gets an award" category. Now let's see...Yup. There's his story on James Loney, who was held captive in Baghdad for 118 days. Well, there you have it. Sorry, all the other nominees. http://www.pioro.net/2012/05/2012-nmas-profiles.shtml I must come clean: I am  the managing editor of Canadian Home Workshop magazine. It says "Canada's do-it-yourself magazine" right on the cover of each issue that goes out. Do-it-yourself magazine, people! The magazine tells you how to do things. It should effin' pwn this freakin' category but— Pardon me. I'm ... http://www.pioro.net/2012/05/2012-nmas-how-to.shtml