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Description: |
In
his second book of poems, Andy Quan
recounts a series of firsts: first time listening to Joni Mitchell’s
Blue, first loss of a friend, first dance with a man. Building on
earlier explorations of memory, sexuality, and culture that are the
signatures of his best work, Bowling Pin Fire transcribes the arc of
one man’s life from growing up Chinese in Vancouver, to seeing the
world through the lens of fearless, free-spirited youth, to arriving,
as we all must, at the initial cautionary glimmerings of midlife. The
rituals and rivalries of grade school, the later experiments with
everything new, the close-knit dynamics of family and far-flung
friends, the happenstances and fidelities of love, the elation and
hangover of travel to unexpected quadrants of the globe all prompt the
quality of reflection necessary to the leading of a truly examined,
contemporary life. Andy Quan asks of himself and of everyone: how to be
fully in and of the moment? Bowling Pin Fire burns not with empty
answers but with the good fortune of worldly insight. Visit Signature Editions for more information. |
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Back Cover Blurbs: |
“Quan writes with an enticing style
whose
conversational simplicity blossoms smoothly into intricate, evocative
imagery; the result is poetry both musical and highly visual.” —Richard Labonté, Lambda Book Report “…Careful crafting, empathy and expressive language… because of [his] compassion, craft, and talent that I can recommend the poetry of Andy Quan without hesitation.” ——Alex Boyd, The Danforth Review |
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Author's note: |
I'm
delighted to have my 2nd book of
poetry published through the graces of Signature Editions, and the help
of a fine editor, John Barton. Some random thoughts about being published are up on my writer's blog: Blogdammit! That's all I have to say for now! |
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Events |
Australian
events
The Sydney launch was be held at the Asian-Australian Arts Centre on 21 February 2008. About 50 people came and it was a wonderful way to celebrate in a beautiful space. |
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Launch Photos! |
Great
photos from the launch - most by the amazing Paul McDonald (check out his website)
and a few by the esteemed William Yang. Here! (they're up on facebook but you shouldn't need to join in order to view them. Tell me if you have problems.  |
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| Features | I'm really happy to have had three great profiles on
Bowling Pin Fire appear. Have a look Visit here for Vancouver's Gay and Lesbian Weekly, Xtra West, and their profile by Mette Bach. "Bowling Pin Fire is a fine example of how personal family stories and childhood memories become political when they are articulated in such a way that readers can't help be affected." Visit here for Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Weekly, SX, and their profile by Reg Domingo. "Older and wiser, prolific Author Andy Quan bares his soul in a poignant new poetry collection" Visit here for Bnews (Melbourne) and their interview by Kaye Sera (and listed under "bcelebrity". Heh) "Books written in verse are the best kept secret on the planet, aren't they?" |
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Reviews |
An
excerpt from a review
by Candice Daquin in the Northern
Poetry Review. (Check out the whole review, it's a good one)
A short review from Uptown Mag, a Winnipeg tabloid - the print edition apparently had the BPF cover image Celebrating
firsts in verse
Winnipeg publisher Signature Editions seems to be cornering the market on poetry by West Coast gay men: Michael V. Smith (What You Can't Have Here), Sean Horlor (Made Beautiful By Use), and now Andy Quan (born in Vancouver, now living in Sydney, Australia). Quan's book, Bowling Pin Fire, has poems about falling in love with Joni Mitchell and falling in love to Joni Mitchell, as well as poems about experiencing ketamine and ecstasy. As the blurb on the back cover notes, many of the poems have to do with firsts, such as a first dance with another man (to a Joni song no less). The last poem in the collection tells of the joy in a Chinese-Canadian family on the arrival of the first grandson. These poems are personal, autobiographical (the book includes a birth announcement for a Jeremiah Quan, born December 15th, 2002), even confessional. Andy Quan coolly opens up his life for the reader in a book about the necessary pleasures of self-reflection. A review from the Books column of DNA magazine Issue #99 - April 08 (Australia) by Graeme Aitken Canadian-Australian
writer Andy Quan is perhaps best known for his erotic writing: the
collection Six
Positions: Sex Writings and his contributions to numerous
anthologies such as the Best
Gay Erotica series. However, Quan also writes poetry and
this is his second collection of verse - his first was titled Slant.
This new collection recounts a series of first experiences: the first
loss of a friend, the first dance with a man, the first experience on a
certain drug. And for thos readers who wouldn't usually pick up a book
of poetry, it's possible Quan's subject matter might entice - a number
of the poems are about taking drugs and having sex. This is a very
accessible collection, not burdened by an overabundance of baffling
metaphors. It's also very affordably priced.
From the Sydney Star Observer, 07 February 2008.
Andy Quan's second book of poetry recounts a series of firsts including
the first time he lost a friend and his first dance with a man. His
words are carefully selected, inspired and touching. While not all the
work is immediately appealing, you can't help but marvel at the way he
uses words you wouldn't normally expect to build quality verse that's
charming, innocent and exploratory. |
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Notices |
"This collection of poems by acclaimed author Andy Quan is a reflection on his journey: from growing up Chinese in Canada and experiencing his many 'firsts' to the rituals of love and travel. A moving and personal work that gives eloquent insight into the life of one of today's highly acclaimed gay writers." - AXN (February 2008), Australia. | |||||
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A Poem from the Book |
Speaking Your Poetry Aloud |
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Go back to Books & Writing Go back to Andy Quan's homepage |
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