Anita Arvast

Nearing 100 pages on the new book. This project has consumed so much time with research and I'm hoping the writing eventually carries the story deservedly. Still waiting on the trial transcripts for a fuller disclosure of deceit and injustice.

Thanks, #Redlining for the recognition. This quote comes from my book What Killed Jane Creba: Rap, Race and the Invention of a Gang War.

Happy to have supported Ann Burke on her first true crime novel about a police officer in Ontario who turned out being a serial killer. Please check it out: Ann Burke's The Seventh Shot.

Hit page 40 of the new true crime book today which marks about 1/3 of the book. Over a year's worth of research, reading and interviews got me here. More to go, but writing is the focus now. A crazy story that you never would have understood from media accounts. https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/what-the-jury-didn-t-know-abou

Feeling quite blessed to have been involved in a fundraiser for Canadian Food Banks where we raised about 4K for Canada Food Banks. Visual artist, Ted Fullerton, and I joined together on a project called Rhyme and Reason. It's a combination of his visual art and my poetry. Check it out on my website: anitaarvast.ca Click through the Rhyme and Reason page to view the entire gallery.

A collaborative effort between myself and visual artist, Ted Fullerton, to raise funds for Canada Food Banks can now be found on my website under the title "Rhyme and Reason". anitaarvast.ca

Looking forward to another great crime writers event!

Harper Collins today has given me back my rights to Bloody Justice, the book originally published by Wiley and then sold to Harper Collins. So... I'll be able to self publish in print and maybe even venture into something else that is interesting... YAY!

http://barrielibrary.libnet.info/event/3089661 Well that was a fun night of engaging new authors in character development. So many budding writers in our midst. Thanks, Barrie Library, for engaging our community in this questionable activity. Keep the socks up, your characters blooming and don't worry about plucking the eyebrow hair that remotely resembles left over carpets since you started that book. I think that kind of sums up our conversations. : )

Upcoming authors event in Orangeville at the library. It's FREE and there are some very interesting authors on the panel!

Sometimes writers sit dormant for a while. We learn to keep the lamps on late at night as we keep plying our trade and coerce new projects out of candle embers. Hang tight by the lantern with me, my friends. We are under way.

I'm sorry about my absenteeism from my page. It's been a busy time! One book on hold and another in the works. Stay tight with me, peeps. Sometimes it takes a while to make it all work and be true.

I haven't posted for a long time because I have been engrossed in both my own life and my research. Please forgive me for neglecting my marketing. ; ) What I can tell you is that I'm working on a wonderful new project involving true crime and social justice. This recent chapter features Winnipeg, Manitoba (the place that is still shaking its "murder capital of Canada" reputation.) Buzz kill: no murder in this chapter.

"Manitoba has a dry cold." I think that's the title of the chapter I just came here to research. What a remarkable learning experience I've had with the work on my current book in Winnipeg. Two things I've learned here beyond my research: sand is very useful for covering up any lines people might use to discern lanes on a road so you can drive rather haphazardly across traffic as a result; and use the GPS when you've got a lot of one way streets. Go Jets?

Going to the HIV/AIDS Legal Network Anniversary of 25 years on Thursday. (Teaser for the next book as we move forward in social justice and my true crime writing.) The college strike put a major cramp in my research and writing time . Feeling optimistic and compelled.

The college faculty strike is over in Ontario. Time to resume teaching and writing. (Dang... that put a dent in my timelines! I'll pick up the pace soon.) I think the new book should be at least in draft by summer 2018 if all my alliances align. Stay tuned!

Teaser question for you on my new topic: why is HIV non-disclosure a crime while the non-disclosure of any other virus is not? (Before you answer, research Hep C and fatality.) Stay tuned.

Fortunately I have a prison visit to Millhaven before I'm back to work. This is quite a compelling topic and I'm excited about putting a true face and human to my topic.

The new book is moving along with so much support. I'll let you know when I hit page 100 -- my to do list in the next month. It's an ambitious goal!

And the new book has begun. I believe the muses that support social justice writing are with me. They are very kind muses!

Totally stoked by exceptional intelligence, courage and insight at the symposium I attended today dedicated to rethinking justice. (Insert grateful emoji here.)

In my new research project I'm hearing sexism, racism, homophobia, xenophobia -- loud and clear. I might just write under the pen name ACA and leave all identification to the imagination.

Sadly I think that I need to change my name to AC Arvast and not reveal that I am a female. Thoughts?

The REAL gang at the time of Creba's death had to do with a couple of guys who went by the name of T and T who had targeted the Silent Souljahs rap group. (If anyone thinks I didn't do my homework, I did! There WERE gangs... just not the ones presented in the Creba trials as Silent Souljahs and Point Blank. T and T were confused as being the same as Point Blank.) One of the leaders of T n T nicknamed "Tyke" was a rapper but the rap was truly gangsta and about killing because... that's what T n T was about. Eventually "Tyke's" gang/rap group became known as Sic(k) Thugz. These kind of details matter when our courts and media oversimplify the relationships of friends within communities and classify all people of colour from "hoods" into gangs because it seems like the easiest way to tell a story. If you want to understand, you have to dig deeper. You have to ask why. You have to ask how. You have to ask "is this true?" http://www.cbc.ca//michael-teddy-gibson-captured-aruba-1.4

I felt honoured to share the "stage" at the Arthur Ellis Awards shortlisting with a wonderful group of authors in Toronto. Congratulations to all those shortlisted! An extra special congrats to Sisters in Crime and to Dundurn Press for being so well represented in the shortlisting. You rocked the crime genre in Canada!

Excited about the Arthur Ellis Awards shortlisting. I'll post a video of my "reading" (actually a poetic selection from the book) once we are done.

Just a reminder... this coming Thursday!

4/20. Fitting date for my most recent book "What Killed Jane Creba" to be considered for such a prestigious award. I'm not just doing a reading for the Arthur Ellis Awards shortlisting.... I'm bringing a few voices that helped me write it. Toronto Indigo at Yonge and Eglinton. 7 pm.

My new editorial assistant is hard at work. I am teaching her how to cut and paste instead of just deleting my research.

Will be reading at the Arthur Ellis Awards shortlisting at Indigo Yonge and Eglinton on April 20th at 7 pm (Crime Writers of Canada).

As I begin the research for my next true crime book I seek not the glorification of an event/violence but the study of people and systems. Already the media has let me down by presenting a case of good vs. evil. It's never that simple and I'm grateful that my readers search a little deeper with me.

Perhaps my next book will be titled "NMBY". I grew up in the Jane and Sheppard neighbourhood in Toronto. Most people think that only such areas are where violence resides... in the projects. I have strong ties to where I grew up and how those areas changed and how people now perceive the areas I called home as a kid. I've lived in Barrie now for about 16 years as a professor in a historic part of this city called Allandale - houses built by railway workers and the elites in t...he rail industry who could afford the massive Victorian homes. Last night two people were killed one street away from me ... literally a stone's throw about 10 houses away from me in a double homicide that is likely connected to drugs. "NMBY" seems quite appropriate for a wake up. It's not just your backyard or my backyard. We share yards. https://www.barrietoday.com//police-say-search-is-on-for-s

Is anyone else disppointed the Dylan Roof was allowed to represent himself? No kid should be allowed to this however hideous his crimes were. He's a kid!

Sometimes writing true crime with a social justice bent is, quite frankly, exhausting. I chose to take the year off of research and writing. I have not missed scouring trial files and sitting in court rooms! But I missed writing. I have now taken on a new fiction project which I call "one page a day" where I must sit down and produce at least one page of writing a day. My narrator is pathetic and I adore him. He reaches out to me and I look forward to eventually sharing his demise and triumphs.

Just a reminder that I'll be at the Painswick Library (in Barrie) on Saturday from 10 am til 1 pm. My wee talk will be on the difference between what the media reports and what actually happens in a criminal trial is 10:45 to 11. Books will be signed and for sale and some lucky folks can win books for free by Barrie local authors (including myself)!

This is so wrong for so many reasons. A kid raised poorly who chose to live out the convictions of those who raised him to carry out their hatred by murdering people of colour, then brutally raped in jail, and now being allowed to represent himself in court just months after being on suicide watch. As much as I despise what he did, I despise our systems more for not dealing with a screwed up kid and now letting him screw up so much more that he will be on death row. Rotting for decades. Unlike the ideologies and xenophobia that raised him and are alive and well. http://legalinsurrection.com//judge-allows-dylan-roof-to-/

When the Jane Creba book was first announced, the Toronto Star was very interested in doing a story. Despite numerous requests, we never had a follow up. No follow ups with the CBC either. Should I be surprised that the fifth estate may be offended by my criticism of media portrayals? Through all of my interviews with racialized individuals, it really shouldn't come as a shock that so few media outlets have picked up on the book.... But it is certainly a disappointment that nobody has been interested in discussing the book in the public forum the media should offer.

hmmm. not enough Toronto peeps to do a reading. how about I buy you a beer and you show up at a library? (keeping my day job)....

Great day today in Toronto at "Word on the Street"! (Thank you to Crime Writers of Canada for hosting several of us authors.) It's a wonderful experience to see so many people walking around, buying books and speaking with authors as well as the many author stages.

Toronto friends. I'm thinking I need to do a reading in town this fall. Are you game? I need at least 20 to say yes before I book this...

Reviewers can be a downer, but I think I signed up for this job to keep courage alive. http://www.anitaarvast.ca/blog/

Might have a documentary on the way on the Bandidos case. We'll see.

Have you read "What Killed Jane Creba"? I'd love you to post your review to Goodreads and Amazon book reviews. (Unless you rate it a one star in which case you can pm me.)

Nice to reach the East Coast of Canada. Thank you Miramichi Reader. http://miramichireader.ca/2016/07/jane-creba-review/

WAKE UP! It's not just in the U.S. http://anitaarvast.ca We need to deal with racism in policing. Please visit the blog page.

The Black Lives Matter movement in Toronto should not be infringing on other minoritized groups such as Pride. Just my humble opinion that activists have to support all those at the brunt of discrimination. Even the police officers who identify as LGBTQ.

Oh Canada... the fatal shots south of us reflect our attitudes more than we would like to admit. Go to my blog. http://anitaarvast.ca

I've written words in my blog that are sure to ruffle feathers. http://anitaarvast.ca

Have you read the book? If so, please consider posting a review on any (or all) of the following: Goodreads, Amazon, Chapters/Indigo. Love the support I keep getting!

Again sharing my website blog post: Never do I want my words to hurt anyone. I know some police officers have taken offense by what I write, but I remind everyone that I write about systems... not individuals and their own commitments to the law. Today we witnessed a mass execution in Florida and the police responded with brilliance and courage against someone armed beyond what I believe his legal rights should be.... But I'm Canadian and continue to watch the contraband come up north killing our kids and forcing our own systems to deal. When the American constitution was penned, no one had ever imagined assault weapons taking out one's own people. Someone brilliant who I know suggests that the NRA consider the real concept of the "Right to bear arms" - it was gun powder and a ball. That's it. Do we need a wall? Or do we maybe need some sense?

Sharing from my website after such a cool tweet today from editor in chief at the Walrus: "We don't actually live much with walruses in Canada. They tend to be quiet critters who want to protect their tusks much like elephants in other parts of the world where ivory seems to be important. In Canada, we live with a wonderful Walrus - a magazine that engages quality discourse. The journal doesn't need to protect ivory as some last bastion of a piano sonata but protects the inte...grity of the entire orchestra of truth telling. I felt honoured to be tweeted today by editor in chief, Jonathan Kay. Reading @aarvast's "What Killed Jane Creba" & found this meditation on truth-telling in true-crime on her site. Thank you. @jonkay"

Sorry to repost. I have a kind friend who taught me how to redirect! To all my friends on Fb: Thank you for your remarkable support for me as a writer. Blog is now live. I invite you to read about how I am dealing with the backlash and how we will be stronger together.... http://anitaarvast.ca

To all my friends on Fb: Thank you for your remarkable support for me as a writer. Blog is now live. I invite you to read about how I am dealing with the backlash and how we will be stronger together. anitaarvast.ca

The new web site has launched! anitaarvast.ca xo friends and supporters.

We didn't have photos in the book because of the cost to publishing. Those are all on my website. I originally wanted the book to come with built-in video links to the relevant music videos for each chapter. Couldn't do it. So...If you are reading What Killed Jane Creba, please take a moment to go to my website and watch the video attached to each chapter before you read it. Each music video frames that chapter and sets the stage for the act of reading.... anitaarvast.ca

Good on JoJay for finally admitting he actually fired a gun. He needs a lot of rehab but I'm hoping this kid eventually finds his way with a moral compass. http://www.cp24.com//man-convicted-in-2005-boxing-day-shoo

Thank you to everyone who came to support the launch of What Killed Jane Creba. Awesome support!

3-2-1. Launch ready!

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com//anita-arvast-takes-close Gotta love an interview that is actually a conversation. Thank you, Susan Doolan from the Barrie Examiner.

Proud to have made it to the Quill and Quire Event listings! http://www.quillandquire.com//literary-event-listings-may/

Awesome book review on Goodreads. A reader understood the intentional voice! From Goodreads: "Bongo... I initially found the writing style a little staccato- but I got used to it quickly. It almost has the same short burst sound of gunfire. I don’t know if Dr Arvast intended this but I thought it was kinda cool. The story moves along just as fast. I am amazed that she was able to map out all the people and places that she described and did it in a way that allowed me to follow along. I look forward to reading about her next social justice issue..." Thanks for the support, Goodreads reader, Bongo!

Unfortunately I will need to delay the Toronto book launch. Stay tuned my Toronto friends for another date!

Do you want to learn more? anitaarvast.ca

Had a great chat with Joshua Errett from CBC on Friday. A kind and insightful journalist who provided a conversation instead of an interview.