Under The Covers | The Mosaic Project

Mosaic Press
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Mosaic Press was founded as a Canadian book publisher dedicated to presenting significant and excellent Canadian writing. Join the team as Mosaic goes Under The Covers to give listeners an insight into the publishing world.

  1. Stories That Last: Marty Gervais on Writing, Publishing, and…Hulk Hogan

    May 29

    Stories That Last: Marty Gervais on Writing, Publishing, and…Hulk Hogan

    In this episode, Marty Gervais, aka poet, publisher, and a central figure in Canadian literary life, joins us for a conversation that covers more than 50 years of writing, editing, and building literary community. From the handmade days of independent presses to today’s tumultuous digital landscape, Marty reflects on what’s changed (and what hasn’t). We also talk about his new book, The Shape of Disappearing Letters, and how losing his eyesight reshaped his relationship to language, memory, and imagination. It’s thoughtful, funny, and sometimes a little unexpected. Because as Marty reminds us, it’s not the facts people remember…it’s the stories. Get your copy of Marty’s book here: https://mosaicpress.ca/products/the-shape-of-disappearing-letters

    46 min
  2. AI, Amazon, and the Lasting Value of Literature: Independent Publishing in Uncertain Times

    Jan 30

    AI, Amazon, and the Lasting Value of Literature: Independent Publishing in Uncertain Times

    What’s publishing like when AI is everywhere, Amazon decides what people see, and attention spans are… oh, shall we say…microscopic? Howard Aster, publisher of Mosaic Press, shares his take after trips to the Frankfurt and Guadalajara book fairs. From AI panic to poetry, small markets to formula-driven books, he gives a candid, globe-trotting look at where publishing is headed…and almost lets slip the “secret” to keeping an independent press alive for 50 years. This episode covers it all: Books, risk, creativity, and why small presses matter more than ever.

    31 min
  3. A Room with Many Windows: Cyril Dabydeen on the Art of the Short Story

    06/26/2025

    A Room with Many Windows: Cyril Dabydeen on the Art of the Short Story

    In this episode of Under the Covers, we sit down with award-winning author, poet, and former Ottawa Poet Laureate Cyril Dabydeen, whose new collection Forgotten Exiles just won third prize in the prestigious Guyana Prize for Literature. We explore the enduring power of the short story and why it continues to challenge and captivate writers around the world. Cyril shares his three pillars of strong storytelling and reflects on the ways memory, imagination, and empathy shape his work. Along the way, we hear about tree planting in Northern Ontario, how memory becomes muse, and why Margaret Atwood’s friends may have seen themselves in her fiction. Hosted by Mosaic Press Publisher Howard Aster and Amy, this episode celebrates Cyril, the craft of writing, and the power of the literary imagination. Order your copy of Forgotten Exiles HERE!

    27 min
  4. Verse, Narcissism, and Macaroni: What the Hell Happened to Poetry?

    04/25/2025

    Verse, Narcissism, and Macaroni: What the Hell Happened to Poetry?

    Poetry used to shake the heavens. Now it sometimes comes glued with macaroni—or worse, dripping with self-pity. In this special Poetry Month edition of Under the Covers, Howard dives deep (and sometimes sideways) into the state of poetry today. From the poetic outpouring of pandemic isolation to Mosaic Press's half-century of publishing verses from prisons, war zones, and everywhere in between, this episode questions what counts as poetry now—and what’s just performative noise. Can poetry still crack open the human condition, or has it been swallowed by narcissistic navel-gazing? Should we compare mythologies—or maybe just compare our COVID poems? Tune in for a conversation that’s part literary inquisition, part love letter to the power of words, and all heart. Plus: Leonard Cohen, Taylor Swift, Russian dissidents, and one unforgettable Latin radio experiment.

    34 min
  5. Unveiling Leonard Cohen: The Poet, The Persona (Part 2)

    02/14/2025

    Unveiling Leonard Cohen: The Poet, The Persona (Part 2)

    In this episode, Howard Aster reflects on the wild journey of publishing The Song of Leonard Cohen by Harry Rasky. From Harry's unique documentary filmmaking style to the deep, honest interviews that allowed Leonard Cohen's true self to emerge, this conversation dives into the complexities of capturing the enigmatic artist. Howard also shares the fascinating backstory of the book's creation and some rare insights into one of Cohen's tragic friendships.

    34 min
  6. Unveiling Leonard Cohen: The Poet, The Persona (Part 1)

    10/23/2024

    Unveiling Leonard Cohen: The Poet, The Persona (Part 1)

    🎙️ Under the Covers is back with an extraordinary deep dive into the life and legacy of one of Canada’s most iconic artists. In this episode, Unveiling Leonard Cohen: The Poet, The Persona (Part 1), Publisher Howard Aster explores Cohen’s mysterious character, his role in Canadian poetry, and his ties to Mosaic Press. From literary groupies to Cohen’s friendship with poet Henry Moscovitch, join us as we uncover the man behind the myth and his fascinating journey from poet to global musical icon. Plus, discover the behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the documentary The Song of Leonard Cohen—a film that eventually became a book published by Mosaic Press!

    29 min
  7. Lost Manuscripts and Literary Gold: The Wild Stories Behind the Books

    08/20/2024

    Lost Manuscripts and Literary Gold: The Wild Stories Behind the Books

    In this episode, we dive into the unexpected and often chaotic journey of manuscripts from creation to publication. Explore the serendipitous discovery of a poet who became one of Mosaic Press’s most extraordinary talents, the near-disaster of a lost Samuel Beckett manuscript that almost ended up lost to the ages, and the unique ways authors like Irving Layton made their mark—literally. Plus, hear the story behind the publisher who almost missed out on Harry Potter, proving that sometimes, listening to your spouse is the best business decision you can make.

    29 min
  8. The Importance of Humour in Dangerous Times: Mira Falardeau

    07/31/2024

    The Importance of Humour in Dangerous Times: Mira Falardeau

    Join us for a captivating conversation with renowned cartoonist and academic, Mira Falardeau. She shares insights from her forthcoming book, What's So Funny? A New Road Map to Humour in Dangerous Times, exploring the intricate processes that make us laugh, the impact of humour on freedom of speech, and why humour is so important to democracy.

    25 min
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Mosaic Press was founded as a Canadian book publisher dedicated to presenting significant and excellent Canadian writing. Join the team as Mosaic goes Under The Covers to give listeners an insight into the publishing world.

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