Neurodiverse Writing with Rathwell & Rhenisch

As the world becomes more aware of the spectrum of human neurodiversity, many are looking to understand and appreciate the unique perspectives that neurodiverse individuals bring to various fields. One such field is writing, and in the article "Neurodiverse Writing with Rathwell & Rhenisch," readers can gain insights into the creative process of two neurodiverse writers and the innovative ways in which they approach their craft.

The article (which you can read here) is centered on the book "Don't Expect the Sun to Shine - A Wake for Robin Blaser," which pays tribute to the influential Canadian poet and scholar Robin Blaser. Rathwell and Rhenisch were both contributors to the book, and in the article, they delve into their own experiences with neurodiversity and how it shapes their writing.

Rathwell, who describes his writing process as being nonlinear and associative, embraces his unique way of thinking allowing it to inform his creative work, often discovering unexpected connections and insights in the process. Rhenisch, similarly uses his neurodivergent perspective to inform his writing, to see patterns and relationships in language that others might miss.

Reading about these writers' experiences can not only deepen our understanding of neurodiversity but also inspire us to appreciate the beauty and power of different ways of thinking. And, of course, for those interested in poetry and literature, "Don't Expect the Sun to Shine - A Wake for Robin Blaser" is a must-read.

https://apocalyze.net/2023/03/17/neurodiverse-writing-with-rathwell-rhenisch/

Don't Expect the Sun to Shine - Videos Part II, III & IV are now out!

Videos I through IV are now available. Burn your popcorn as you watch:

Don't Expect the Sun to Shine - Part I: Canadiana

Don't Expect the Sun to Shine - Part II: Creativity vs. Alignment 

Don't Expect the Sun to Shine - Part III: Stalin & Angels

Don't Expect the Sun to Shine - Part IV: Creativity (Continued...)

Don't Expect the Sun to Shine - Part V: Poets & Wars (Coming Soon)

Check out the video series here. One video to be released each week until the April launch... Pre-Order the book today!

"Don't Expect the Sun to Shine" is a record of the wake of the American-Canadian poet Robin Blaser, who taught a generation of Canadian poets American techniques derived from the WWI experience, techniques of blowing apart meaning, deriving meaning from the arrangement of text on the page, and using pages as cloud chamber bowls. Anything on them derived meaning only from their relationship in space to the other objects in that space. 

These were called poems, but they were really scripts to tease the cognitive patterns of biological readers. Unlike book-based poetry, they did not interact with the technological constraints of books but with the neurological constraints of humans. Their purpose was to turn space into time. Their purpose was to stop death. Every poem was a wake.

In Don’t Expect the Sun to Shine, Rathwell and Rhenisch turn time back into space.

We want readers to wander around wherever they like. We don’t control their hike. Their biological history does that. We are just hosting a party, so they can meet. — Harold Rhenisch

Don’t Expect the Sun to Shine responds to three ongoing trends in the development of written language in the age of images: the treatment of words as images in art writing, the evolution of criticism as a form of creativity that fails its potential because it remains enslaved to the academy, and the contemporary world of narrative fiction, which sees fictional worlds as the greatest truths, enjoys being dominated by normative narratives, and treats characters as clothing taken on for public display. 

Novels have become self-help, identity racks in a mall that you page through to find the one that fits. Then you wear it. — Harold Rhenisch

An Anthology of East African Literature is now available!

8th House Publishing is proud to announce the release of "An Anthology of East African Literature" edited by Beatrice Lamwaka & Josh Mali. 

Containing over 300 pages, more than 50 contributors from more than 10 contributing nations, this is the volume everyone has been waiting for.

Get your copy today!

Watch the promo video.

An Anthology of East African Literature

Edited by Beatrice Lamwaka & Josh Mali

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

An Anthology of East African Literature: A Collection of Masterfully Crafted Pieces from 50+ Contributors across 10+ Countries

Montreal, CANADA - The literary world is about to receive a gift in the form of An Anthology of East African Literature. This new book, featuring the works of more than 50 contributors from over 10 countries, promises to be a granary of artistic abundance. With over 300 pages of literary art, this anthology is a rich tapestry of poems and short stories that draw from the African oral storytelling tradition.
The poetry section of the anthology is rich and sundry, reflecting the diverse spectrum of literary expression to be found across the East African region. From playful use of verb repetition to create a sense of frequency and emphasis, to the conversational form of Ngonjera, readers will find a wide range of styles and themes.
The short stories section is equally diverse, covering a range of societal and personal issues. From terrorism to romantic cravings, political disenchantment to justice and gender equality issues, the writings in this section showcase some of the finest writing in terms of both form and meaning.
“We are excited to present An Anthology of East African Literature to the world,” says Josh Mali, one of the editors. “This book is a fitting gift to the lovers of literary art in this first quarter of the 21st century, and we hope readers will enjoy the rich variety of masterfully crafted pieces that it contains.”
Featuring the works of renowned writers such as Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva, Lydia Kasese, and Billy Kahora, this anthology promises to be a must-read for anyone with a love for literary art. The book is set to be released soon, and readers can pre-order it now to ensure they get their copy as soon as it’s available.
For more information about An Anthology of East African Literature please visit the publisher’s website. The editors are available for interview.

Don't Expect the Sun to Shine - Video Part I: Canadiana

Check out the first video in the series here. One video to be released each week until the April launch... Pre-Order the book today!

"Don't Expect the Sun to Shine" is a record of the wake of the American-Canadian poet Robin Blaser, who taught a generation of Canadian poets American techniques derived from the WWI experience, techniques of blowing apart meaning, deriving meaning from the arrangement of text on the page, and using pages as cloud chamber bowls. Anything on them derived meaning only from their relationship in space to the other objects in that space. 

These were called poems, but they were really scripts to tease the cognitive patterns of biological readers. Unlike book-based poetry, they did not interact with the technological constraints of books but with the neurological constraints of humans. Their purpose was to turn space into time. Their purpose was to stop death. Every poem was a wake.

In Don’t Expect the Sun to Shine, Rathwell and Rhenisch turn time back into space.

We want readers to wander around wherever they like. We don’t control their hike. Their biological history does that. We are just hosting a party, so they can meet. — Harold Rhenisch

Don’t Expect the Sun to Shine responds to three ongoing trends in the development of written language in the age of images: the treatment of words as images in art writing, the evolution of criticism as a form of creativity that fails its potential because it remains enslaved to the academy, and the contemporary world of narrative fiction, which sees fictional worlds as the greatest truths, enjoys being dominated by normative narratives, and treats characters as clothing taken on for public display. 

Novels have become self-help, identity racks in a mall that you page through to find the one that fits. Then you wear it. — Harold Rhenisch