Ryan Turner’s name keeps coming up from reliable friends, fellow writers, and convincing articles, like The Coast’s, Open Book Toronto’s interview, and the “Young Guns” article in Atlantic Books Today. That’s more than enough reliable hype for me to be genuinely looking forward to his Newfoundlanland launch, Monday November 23^rd at The Ship, 8 p.m. He’s already had a Halifax and a Moncton launch. That willingness to self-promote is crucial and respectable; reward the man for coming to Newfoundland. Go to his launch. Buy his book. It’s clear from reliable sources his writing is worth your time and money. He’s also been published in places like Prairie Fire, Qwerty, and The New Quarterly if you need specifics. And What We’re Made of was shortlisted for the Metcalf-Rooke award.

In his own words, Turner has described What We’re Made of as, “A collection of stories all told from the perspective of Benjamin Wallace. It’s about a generation of twenty-somethings who don’t have the kind of template-for-life that past generations had: getting married, buying a house, having children, working the same job until you retire. I think with this kind of freedom comes enormous opportunity but also the fear of never doing enough with that opportunity, not knowing where to place your energy. Benjamin seems to always be a bit outside the world, hovering above it. It’s also a book about broken, but loving, families. About what constitutes family. Here, again, is another line that was once so fixed but now seems mutable.”

That sounds like a fresh and fantastic thematic grounds for literary exploration, and anyone who can talk that intelligently about their work, without sounding forced, contrived, or pretentious, has a true handle on their work, and has their book in my bookshelf. Check out his website: http://ryannicholasturner.com/

“Turner’s molding of Benjamin into his full-fleshed self reveals writing filled with humour and sex that can only be found through an open sketch of who we are, as people, when stripped down.”
- Holly Gordon, The Coast

“[What We're Made of is ] the sound of a new voice quietly but immovably announcing itself as one of the key leaders of a new generation of Halifax writers.” 
Tara Thorn, CBC Radio