Photo from Kathleen Winter's Book launch courtesy of Gavin Will (of Boulder Publications) / stolen off Facebook

 There’s been well over decade’s worth of literary proof that Newfoundland is the literary capital of Canada. A fertile ground for fresh, new fiction. 

Case in Point: This photo was taken 10 nights ago at the legendary, “The Ship.” A pub no bigger than your living room.  

In this photo, left to right, a full spread of diverse, distinctive, literary firepower: 

Michael Crummey, Michael Winter, Kathleen Winter, Russell Wangersky, and Leslie Vryenhoek. 

 Skirting this photo’s range: 

Jessica Grant, Janet Russell, Libby Creelman are hidden behind that pole. 

George Murray had just left the building. 

A mini-pack of Burning Rockers, Lisa Moore, Claire Wilkshire, and Larry Mathews, are just off to the side. 

And the person taking the photo is pretty well stepping on the toes of  Chad Pelley and Samuel Thomas Martin, members of a recently formed writers group whose name, The Cold Stone, is a shamelessly pun-intended homage to the legendary Burning Rock fiction group. (The homage, of course, is a witty professional nod, not fanaticism?)

(And then some. Including at least a half-dozen emerging names you’ll know soon enough.)

So, all the publishers and agents are in Toronto, sure, but we all know where all the talent is. The joke is that “Take a picture in St. John’s and there’ll be a writer in the background.” Jacked it up. “Take a picture in St. John’s and there’ll be four or five writers in the background.”