Under The Covers | The Mosaic Project Sun, 29 Mar 2026 03:05:14 -0400 http://mosaicpress.ca en-us © 2026 Under The Covers | The Mosaic Project yes 78b43935-3cdd-5821-9cea-1c26b619cb20 Mosaic Press episodic false Mosaic Press was founded as a Canadian book publisher dedicated to presenting significant and excellent Canadian writing. Jaquelin at Mosaic Press now goes Under The Covers with The Mosaic Project to give listeners an insight into the publishing world.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Books, publishing, Mosaic Mosaic Press https://storage.buzzsprout.com/cnihc1gy5j85otd5tsdk128hk1a7?.jpg Under The Covers | The Mosaic Project http://mosaicpress.ca Jaquelin AI, Amazon, and the Lasting Value of Literature: Independent Publishing in Uncertain Times 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-18597394 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0500 1878 full false A Room with Many Windows: Cyril Dabydeen on the Art of the Short Story 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!

]]> 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!

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-17404388 Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0400 1593 full false Verse, Narcissism, and Macaroni: What the Hell Happened to Poetry? 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.


]]> 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.


]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-17043047 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0400 2014 full false Unveiling Leonard Cohen: The Poet, The Persona (Part 2) 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-16623776 Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0500 2027 full false Unveiling Leonard Cohen: The Poet, The Persona (Part 1) 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!

]]> 🎙️ 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!

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-15976587 Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400 1716 full false Lost Manuscripts and Literary Gold: The Wild Stories Behind the Books 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-15613152 Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400 1714 full false The Importance of Humour in Dangerous Times: Mira Falardeau 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-15501607 Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0400 1488 full false Healing Through Writing & The Intersection of Literature and Science: Josie Di Sciascio-Andrews Healing Through Writing & The Intersection of Literature and Science: Josie Di Sciascio-Andrews Join Jaquelin as she speaks to Josie Di Sciascio-Andrews. 

]]> Join Jaquelin as she speaks to Josie Di Sciascio-Andrews. 

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-15011273 Sun, 05 May 2024 11:00:00 -0400 1777 full false Under The Covers with David Unger Under The Covers with David Unger David Unger bridges the world of English & Spanish creative writing with his many works of fiction, short stories, articles, translations, & many more. Join Jaq as she discusses with him his new novel, In My Eyes, You Are Beautiful. 

]]> David Unger bridges the world of English & Spanish creative writing with his many works of fiction, short stories, articles, translations, & many more. Join Jaq as she discusses with him his new novel, In My Eyes, You Are Beautiful. 

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-14879733 Fri, 12 Apr 2024 17:00:00 -0400 2702 1 5 full false Under The Covers with Rosalind Gill Under The Covers with Rosalind Gill Jaquelin speaks to Rosalind Gill, Author of Face Into The Wind. 

Rosalind Gill’s literary output is most impressive, with many short stories and literary translations published in Antigonish Review, Queen’s Quarterly, Prism and other journals. For many years, she was on faculty at the School of Translation/Études françaises, Glendon College, York University, Toronto, ON.

]]> Jaquelin speaks to Rosalind Gill, Author of Face Into The Wind. 

Rosalind Gill’s literary output is most impressive, with many short stories and literary translations published in Antigonish Review, Queen’s Quarterly, Prism and other journals. For many years, she was on faculty at the School of Translation/Études françaises, Glendon College, York University, Toronto, ON.

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-14775917 Tue, 26 Mar 2024 22:00:00 -0400 2105 1 4 full false Under The Covers with Daniel Soha Under The Covers with Daniel Soha Jaquelin speaks with Daniel Soha, Author of Vignettes.

Daniel Soha lived and studied in France until his mid-twenties, holds two Master’s degrees in Anglo-American studies and a Masters of Education from the University of Aix-en-Province. He has had an international career as a diplomat, a director of cultural organizations, a translator, has worked for the Alliance Francaise, the French government, the Toronto French School, the French Library and Cultural Center in Boston. Over a span of twenty years he has lived in New York, Paris, Singapore, Boston and Toronto, where still resides.

]]> Jaquelin speaks with Daniel Soha, Author of Vignettes.

Daniel Soha lived and studied in France until his mid-twenties, holds two Master’s degrees in Anglo-American studies and a Masters of Education from the University of Aix-en-Province. He has had an international career as a diplomat, a director of cultural organizations, a translator, has worked for the Alliance Francaise, the French government, the Toronto French School, the French Library and Cultural Center in Boston. Over a span of twenty years he has lived in New York, Paris, Singapore, Boston and Toronto, where still resides.

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-14552159 Thu, 22 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0500 2314 1 3 full false Under The Covers with TP Wood Under The Covers with TP Wood Jaquelin speaks with TP Wood to discuss his new novel 77 North. 

]]> Jaquelin speaks with TP Wood to discuss his new novel 77 North. 

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-14552152 Thu, 22 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0500 2831 1 2 full false Under the Covers with Peter Sellers Under the Covers with Peter Sellers Peters Sellers joins Jaquelin at Mosaic Press to discuss his upcoming book "The Last Martini". 

]]> Peters Sellers joins Jaquelin at Mosaic Press to discuss his upcoming book "The Last Martini". 

]]> Mosaic Press Buzzsprout-14537147 Tue, 20 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500 1318 1 1 full false