News
JOURNALIST BOB WAKEHAM SATIRIZES, SKEWERS AND SALUTES IN RETROSPECTIVE WORK
After Books acquires 18-year collection of Wakeham’s essays for its 2024 line-up
JULY 9, 2024 – ST. JOHN’S, NL – After Books is pleased to announce acquisition of the first-ever collection of Bob Wakeham’s political and cultural commentaries from his popular column in The Telegram.
Selected and edited by Wakeham and writer and literacy advocate Frances Ennis, the columns span 2006 to 2024. Together, they offer the perfect blend of a time capsule of Newfoundland and Labrador popular discourse, and a love letter to political satire.
Wakeham’s sharp wit and piercing insight are leveled at everything from the early days of the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric development and Don Cherry’s ejection from Hockey Night in Canada, to every premier since Smallwood and what Wakeham labeled the “Stunned Arses Awards”. But for every punch thrown, there’s a tender tribute to a lost colleague, an unflinching examination of the author’s own life, or a reflective look at societal issues.
“Wakeham’s columns are a must-have for fans of satirical favourites like Ray Guy and Mary Walsh,” said Kelley Power, Director of Corporate Affairs at After Books. “This writing reminds us of the journalist’s duty to keep politicians, the justice system, and influencers accountable for their words and actions.”
The book, titled And Then Some, will be available for pre-order in fall 2024.
Bob Wakeham – Bio
Bob Wakeham has been a journalist in Newfoundland for 52 years and has won numerous awards and accolades for his work. Bob, a native of Gander, began his career as a reporter with The Evening Telegram after graduating from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a major in Journalism. From the Telegram, he went on to become an interviewer and commentator with CBC Radio. He then moved to CBC Television where he was the executive producer of the television supper-hour news program, “Here and Now”, and the documentary programs “On Camera”, “Soundings”, and “Land and Sea”. He also produced or co-produced a number of documentaries aired nationally on the CBC, on a diversity of subjects, including Beaumont Hamel, the Ocean Ranger tragedy, and the 50th anniversary of Confederation. He is the author of a memoir called For the Moment, about his survival from cancer. And he’s co-edited with Frances Ennis a book on Beaumont Hamel, called I Remain Your Loving Son. Since his retirement from the CBC, Bob has been writing a regular column for the Telegram.
Frances Ennis – Bio
Frances Ennis has been a community worker as an adult educator, program coordinator, evaluator, and researcher/ writer for most of her adult life. She worked with the federal government for eleven years and, before that, with organizations whose mandates focused on health education, adult literacy, social justice, and women’s equality. Frances was co-founder of the first community-based adult literacy program in the province. She is a recipient of the Muriel Duckworth Award for participatory research, the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Person’s Case, and the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. She has co-authored, edited, and/or produced numerous books and training manuals.
MICHAEL CONNORS EXPLORES COLOURFUL HISTORY OF NL’S PRESS GALLERY IN NEW BOOK
After Books acquires Connors' nonfiction debut, available late 2023
APRIL 19, 2023 - ST. JOHN’S, NL - After Books today announces Michael Connors’ new book, Admit Strangers, will be added to its lineup of fall 2023 releases.
Admit Strangers shines a light on a lively and often overlooked aspect of Newfoundland and Labrador’s political history — the Press Gallery Association — which covered the House of Assembly from the Association’s forerunner in the Colonial building, to its present incarnation in the Confederation Building.
“As a former political reporter, Connors offers unique insights into the mercurial relationships among the media and politicians that informed the Association’s creation and evolution,” said Kelley Power, Director of Corporate Affairs with After Books. “Connors has the reader looking over the shoulders of larger-than-life premiers and tenacious reporters as they navigate questions we’re still asking today: How do we preserve free and independent media? Who is considered a journalist and, more importantly, who gets to decide? What is the government’s duty to communicate with the press?”
In addition to his work in political journalism, Connors also served as President of the Press Gallery from 2016-2022. At that time, he inherited the records of the Press Gallery Association dating back decades. These records, along with archival research and candid interviews with former political and media personalities such as Ed Roberts, George Baker, Bob Wakeham, and Barbara Pike give a holistic look at an institution that has played a key role in the province's media.
“As media, we get used to reporting the story, not being the story,” said Connors. “The deeper I went with the research, the more I realized the history of the press gallery was also a window into how media in this province have perceived themselves and their complex relationships with each other and the government in the 190 years since the House of Assembly was founded. That felt like something readers could engage with, since news media are the main source the public look to for information on the government’s activities.”
Admit Strangers will be available for pre-order through the After Books website in May 2023.
NEW PUBLISHER SET TO BRING BIG STORIES TO LOCAL MARKET
After Books focuses on province’s rich history of storytelling in new anthologies
ST JOHN’S, NL, January 26, 2023 - After Books Inc. launches with the goal of bringing more voices to the province’s literary market starting with the announcement of two new anthology collections.
The mission of After Books is to amplify stories from our province’s known and soon-to-be-known writers, while adding to its rich and unique storytelling culture for future generations.
“In a world of increasing media consolidation, it’s more important than ever that avenues exist for sharing our stories,” said Amanda Labonté, editor. “With so many fantastic storytellers, we know there are countless unique narratives just waiting to be put to print.”
The working title of the first anthology is Tales I was Told and will invite contributors to share stories that have been passed down. From the fantastical to the all too real, these are stories that will have shaped the writer into who they are, or who they’d like to become.
“The collection is community-focused rather than place-focused,” said Labonté. “Whether a writer has lived here for a day, a year, or a lifetime, their tales are a part of our province’s folklore. We want to make more of these stories available to readers.”
The second anthology is part of a new annual collaboration with writer and outdoor enthusiast Gord Follett and will publish stories about outdoor living. The first edition will focus on the theme Close Calls with Nature and will ask for contributors to share their close calls - whether real or perceived - with the weather, the wildlife, or any combination thereof.
“As an avid outdoorsman, I’m beyond pleased to partner with After Books on a yearly anthology,” said Follett. “With so many amateur and professional outdoors people both here on the island and in Labrador, the opportunity to share stories is a welcome addition to the community.”
After Books is an NL, Canada, publisher committed to great stories and a positive experience for writers at all steps of the publishing process.