The Pilot: cheap alcohol and cheaper literature every month

Matrix Magazine and the Quebec Writers Federation have teamed up to present this monthly showcase of talent from the Concordia Creative Writing program. I attended a few of the Pilot readings at Blizzarts (3956-A St Laurent Blvd) in the fall, and I found each to be an evening of engaging poetry and prose by promising young writers. The January 21, 2007 edition was no exception.

Marko Sijan started things off with the second chapter of his novel-in-progress. He did an excellent job of capturing the voice and experience of a horny 14-year-old named Gus as he navigated his way through the “comic nightmare of adolescence.”

Next up was Gillian Sze. She’s normally a poet, but on this occasion she read a prose piece called “Model Ship” about a couple who move from the prairies to Montréal. Gillian may be writing fiction, although she maneuvers language like a poet.

Gillian Sauvigny began by asking the audience about the proper pronunciation of the word coccyx. She has a confident reading style and writes smart, tight poems. She seems to have a sense of humour about herself, as well, pointing out the hybolic quality of the title of one of her poems, “The World is a Sea of Tears.”

The standout reader of the evening was undergraduate student Mike Spry. Even the bartender stopped wiping the bar to listen to Spry’s long detailed poems, which cover everything from carrots to rejection letters from McSweeneys. Even though he didn’t look up once while he was reading and hid behind his hat and cowboy shirt, Spry had a captivating presence and strong words to justify the attention.

The regular host of the Pilot readings, Jani Krulc, wrapped up the event with an excerpt from her novel. By this point in the evening, I was kind of tired so I didn’t retain the details of her piece, but I remember feeling interested and engaged. I also enjoyed her great lisp.

If the Pilot series is any indication, the Concordia writing program is a hotbed of talent and creativity. Blizzarts was packed with students and friends of the writers, which gave this evening’s reading a supportive and enthusiastic vibe. There seems to be a genuine sense of community among the students, and it was affirming to observe the hope and excitement generated by young, talented writers.

The Pilot happens at Blizzarts every month (usually the last Sunday, although sometimes the first or third).