Meet the 2024-25 Writer in Residence!

Hello out there. We’re on the air, as an old-style Stompin’ Tom hockey song goes.

I’m Michael Mirolla, proud and honoured to be the 2024-2025 Writer in Residence at Regina Public Library. And I’ll be around until mid-June. That’s a good nine months.

So what, you say. What can you do for me?

Well, plenty, I hope. But first a little bit about myself. A tour around Michael Mirolla, as it were. To clear up the fuzziness.

I was born in a small village in Italy called Jelsi. Since coming to Canada at the age of four, I have lived in Montreal, Vancouver, Glen Robertson, Nigeria, Toronto, Mount Forest, Oakville, Hamilton, and my current habitation, a farm outside Gananoque, known as the Gateway to the Thousand Islands.

These days, I write mostly poetry and fiction, both short stories and novels, having published some 20 titles. In the past I’ve written plays, and film and TV scripts. I’ve also worked as a journalist. In fact, my favourite gig was as a punk show reviewer for The Montreal Gazette. You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the Dead Kennedys live!

Aside from being a writer, I can claim some experience as an editor, mentor, and publisher. As an editor, I have spanned the gamut – from literary fiction to genre, from poetry to Harlequin romance. I have mentored writers just starting out and advised those with successful careers looking for specific feedback. I help run Guernica Editions, which has published more than 500 titles over the last 15 years. 

Enough of that! Time to get to the important stuff. Like what is the writer in residence all about and why is the library giving you that nice office? And what does it have to do with me?

Here at RPL, I’m looking forward to working with the library staff, writers and anyone interested in the art and nature of writing in the first quarter of the 21st century. Part of the plan is to offer writers, no matter what stage they may be in their careers, the opportunity for one-on-ones with the person in the writer in residence office:

• Got a problem with the middle section of your great Canadian novel? The word doctor is in for some quick surgery.
• Need friendly advice on the strength of your latest poetic efforts? I’m the one to see, image toolbox in hand.
• That play or film script dialogue just won’t settle into its natural grace? Who are you going to call? Writer’s Block Buster, that’s who!

Details, you want details!

My office hours (call it the “Do Drop Inn” hours) are Wednesdays from 1-8 pm. Come on in. The door is always open (unless there’s too much noise in the hallway!). I promise not to bite. Or be biting in my comments. 

For more information, ride the cyber-wave to the Writer in Residence page or send me an email at wir@reginalibrary.ca. Or for the troglodytes among us (love that word): good old-fashioned face-to-face at the library.

And before I forget, stay tuned for a bucketful of public readings, community visits, writing workshops, writing contests, special presentations, and informative outreach programs for everyone!

Going off the air – until next time.