In other words : storytellers, poets and politicians...how I fell in love with Canada one book at a time

In Other Words is a lively, charming, gossipy memoir of life in the publishing trenches and how one restlessly curious young woman sparked a creative awakening in a new country she chose to call home. "We need our own dreams." —Anna Porter When Anna Porter arrived in Canada in early 1968 with one battered suitcase, little money and a head full of dreams, she had no idea that this country would become her home for the rest of her life, or that she would play a major role in defining what it means to be Canadian. And where better to become a Canadian than at the dynamic publishing house, McClelland & Stewart, an epicentre of cultural and artistic creation in post-Expo Canada? Anna Porter's story takes you behind the scenes into the non-stop world of Jack McClelland, the swashbuckling head of M&S whose celebrated authors—Leonard Cohen, Margaret Laurence, Pierre Berton, Peter C. Newman, Irving Layton, Margaret Atwood—dominated bestseller lists. She offers up first-hand stories of struggling young writers (often women); of prima donnas, such as Roloff Beny and Harold Town, whose excesses threatened to sink the company; of exhausted editors dealing with intemperate writers; of crazy schemes to interest Canadians in buying books. She recalls the thrilling days at the helm of the company she founded in the 1980s, when Canada's writers were suddenly front-page news. As president of Key Porter Books, she dodged lawsuits, argued with bank managers, and fought to sell Canadian authors around the world. This intriguing memoir brings to life that time in our history when—finally—the voices Canadians craved to hear were our own. In Other Words is a love letter to Canada's authors and creative agitators who, against almost impossible odds, have sustained and advanced the nation's writing culture. Moving effortlessly from the boardrooms of Canada's elite and the halls of power in Ottawa, to the threadbare offices of idealistic young publishers and, ultimately, to her own painful yet ever-present past in Hungary, Porter offers an unforgettable insider's account of what is gained—and lost—in a lifetime of championing our stories. When Anna Porter Arrived In Canada In 1968 With One Battered Suitcase, Little Money And A Head Full Of Dreams, She Had No Idea That This Country Would Become Her Home For The Rest Of Her Life, Or That She Would Play A Major Role In Defining What It Means To Be A Canadian. And Where Better To Become A Canadian Than At Mcclelland & Stewart, An Epicentre Of Cultural And Artistic Creation In Post-expo 67 Canada? In Other Words Is A Charming, Lively, Gossipy Memoir Of An Intriguing Life That Spans A World War, A Revolution, Family Secrets, Ancient Hatreds, And A Dynamic Cultural Awakening In A New Home. Porter's Memoir Takes You Behind The Scenes Into The Non-stop World Of Jack Mcclelland, The Swashbuckling Head Of M&s, Whose Celebrated Authors--leonard Cohen, Margaret Atwood, Pierre Berton, Peter C. Newman, Irving Layton, Margaret Laurence--dominated Bestseller Lists. She Offers Up Intriguing Portraits Of Struggling Writers (often Women), Of Prima Donnas Such As Roloff Beny And Harold Town Whose Excesses Threatened To Sink M&s, Of Exhausted Editors Dealing With Intemperate Authors, Of Crazy Schemes To Interest Canadians In Buying Books. She Recalls The Heady Days When As The President Of Her Own Company, Key Porter Books, She Dodged Lawsuits, Struggled With Bank Managers, And Fought To Sell Canadian Authors Around The World. And She Brings To Vivid Life That Time In Our History When-- Finally--the Voices We Wanted To Listen To Were Our Own. An Entertaining And Vivid Portrait Of A Career Spent In The Publishing Trenches, In Other Words Is A Love Letter To Our Writers And Creators Who Against Almost Impossible Odds Have Built And Sustained Our Culture. Porter's Restless Curiosity, Her Love Of Storytelling (both As A Publisher And A Writer Herself), And Her Keen Eye For Pomposity Are Infectious. Moving Effortlessly From The Boardrooms Of Canada's Elite And The Halls Of Power In Ottawa To The Dingy Offices Of Struggling Young Publishers Hoping To Make Their Mark And Ultimately To Her Own Painful Past In Hungary, She Offers Readers An Unforgettable Portrait Of What Is Lost And Gained In A Lifetime Of Telling Stories.-- Anna Porter. Phyllis Bruce Editions--title Page. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "When Anna Porter arrived in Canada in 1968 with one battered suitcase, little money and a head full of dreams, she had no idea that this country would become her home for the rest of her life, or that she would play a major role in defining what it means to be a Canadian. And where better to become a Canadian than at McClelland & Stewart, an epicentre of cultural and artistic creation in post-Expo 67 Canada? In Other Words is a charming, lively, gossipy memoir of an intriguing life that spans a world war, a revolution, family secrets, ancient hatreds, and a dynamic cultural awakening in a new home. Porter's memoir takes you behind the scenes into the non-stop world of Jack McClelland, the swashbuckling head of M&S, whose celebrated authors--Leonard Cohen, Margaret Atwood, Pierre Berton, Peter C. Newman, Irving Layton, Margaret Laurence--dominated bestseller lists. She offers up intriguing portraits of struggling writers (often women), of prima donnas such as Roloff Beny and Harold Town whose excesses threatened to sink M&S, of exhausted editors dealing with intemperate authors, of crazy schemes to interest Canadians in buying books. She recalls the heady days when as the president of her own company, Key Porter Books, she dodged lawsuits, struggled with bank managers, and fought to sell Canadian authors around the world. And she brings to vivid life that time in our history when-- finally--the voices we wanted to listen to were our own. An entertaining and vivid portrait of a career spent in the publishing trenches, In Other Words is a love letter to our writers and creators who against almost impossible odds have built and sustained our culture. Porter's restless curiosity, her love of storytelling (both as a publisher and a writer herself), and her keen eye for pomposity are infectious. Moving effortlessly from the boardrooms of Canada's elite and the halls of power in Ottawa to the dingy offices of struggling young publishers hoping to make their mark and ultimately to her own painful past in Hungary, she offers readers an unforgettable portrait of what is lost and gained in a lifetime of telling stories."-- Provided by publisher