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Tara McGuire

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Words Can Lead the Way…

From The Globe and Mail – September 24, 2022. They, too, can act as a form of harm reduction. When he was a teenager and just beginning to smoke pot, I took my son Holden…

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  • by Tara McGuire
  • Posted on September 24, 2022September 24, 2022
  • 8 Comments on Words Can Lead the Way…
Holden After and Before

Holden After and Before

Some news! I’m delighted to share with you the cover for Holden After and Before. The design process has been fascinating and gratifying thanks to the artistry, listening skillz, and emotional band width of Jazmin…

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  • by Tara McGuire
  • Posted on March 4, 2022September 24, 2022
  • 8 Comments on Holden After and Before
Celebrating Holden Through Art

Celebrating Holden Through Art

Hello! Happy dog days of summer. I hope you have had a chance to feel some summer relaxation, whatever that means for you. For us, it’s been… a lot. A lot of beauty, a lot…

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  • by Tara McGuire
  • Posted on August 11, 2021March 4, 2022
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My Tweets

Optimistic fleurs. Fibonacci freaks. Chasing darkn Optimistic fleurs. Fibonacci freaks. Chasing darkness away. 🌸
The nonfiction classroom can be a frightening and The nonfiction classroom can be a frightening and intimidating place. For me, it was also the only (and best) place to learn how to write my book. I am thrilled to be part of this panel at #AWP23 — TMI in the Classroom: Navigating Vulnerability in Creative Nonfiction Pedagogy with these beautiful writers and teachers @lindsaywong.m @ethor @mandy_len_catron @tariqmusiq. Hope to see you there!
As a new writer, asking accomplished authors to bl As a new writer, asking accomplished authors to blurb my book, was a very uncomfortable and intimidating exercise (No, the publisher does not do this for you). I decided, What the hell, the worst thing that can happen is they say no. But the worst did not happen. Astonishing, award-winning, generous writers whom I have admired for years said, Yes! *(I mean, not all of them, some were busy) . . . . . I am eternally grateful to @joannarakoff @lawrencehillwriter @alixohlin @jannarden who all took time and attention from their busy creative lives and families to read my thick sad book, take it seriously, and support this work. . . . . . And now that I have been asked to comment on other writers’ work, I realize what a big (t)ask and privilege it is. ❤️ . . . . . From Joanna Rakoff, My Salinger Year: “HOLDEN, AFTER AND BEFORE, I will not lie, is a brutal book. Tara McGuire, a Canadian radio broadcaster, begins with her son’s death from an opioid overdose, then goes back in time, sifting through his life—their life together–attempting to understand where things went wrong. I had to read this one in small doses, putting it down and taking deep breaths, but it’s a story that hit very close to home for me, so…A powerful, searching tale that investigates, ultimately, what it means to be a mother. Also praised by: A favourite fiction writer of mine, Alix Ohlin.”
Seeing HOLDEN in the same frame as these incredibl Seeing HOLDEN in the same frame as these incredible books and writers I admire so much (in The Walrus! Recommended by Ivan freaking Coyote!!!) made my heart jump and vibrate. I mean, look at them!! ❤️ I’ve been speaking a lot lately about the overdose crisis, which honestly has been really tough, but to be recognized as a writer is very important to me. It’s a good day. Thank you!! @ivancoyote @thewalrus @arsenalpulp • • • • • The best way for me to gauge how I feel about a book is to count up how many lines from it I jotted down on the pad of paper I keep next to my bed to read back to myself later. How many lines from the book I carried with me after, kicking them around behind my eyelids when I closed them. How many lines I read back to myself, over and over, until they morphed into memories, into keepsakes, like a lucky coin you slip into that little pocket in your jeans that sits under your right hip. I’ve been packing lines from Holden After and Before with me for three weeks now—and counting. Documenting the beautiful life and tragic opioid overdose of her son, a twenty-one-year-old graffiti artist, Tara McGuire uses fiction, supposition, and speculation to sculpt a loving memory of an artist, an addict, a boyfriend, a friend, and a son. This book will haunt you in the very best and most terrible of ways. —Ivan Coyote
For Holden, and Tristan, and the thousands and tho For Holden, and Tristan, and the thousands and thousands of other families feeling the absences of their special people so deeply today and every day. May their light always shine. #candlelightingday2022 🌎
Officially a @ubccreativewriting MFA graduate. Two Officially a @ubccreativewriting MFA graduate. Two-and-half-years later, but still a pretty sweet day. These two have been there every step of the way. ❤️❤️ I loved my time in the @ubccreativewriting program. I learned more than I could ever have imagined from the brilliant and generous faculty, and made some very good friends. My life has been changed by this experience. I am endlessly grateful.
This is my agent ❤️ @marilynbidermanlitagent @ This is my agent ❤️ @marilynbidermanlitagent @transatlantic_agency and me at last night’s Toronto launch. Marilyn worked very hard to find the perfect publisher for Holden After & Before with @arsenalpulp. ❤️ The journey of being a first time writer is a tough one, and this work in particular is very vulnerable. We couldn’t have found a more supportive and caring home for this book. ❤️ Thanks to Flying Books for hosting our little soirée @flyingbooks_to What a beautiful bookstore!! My gratitude to Martha & Sabrina and everyone who generously came to listen!! Especially those who have also lost, or are worried about, loved ones, and shared their stories with me. Thank you for telling me that reading about Holden has helped you feel seen and understood. ❤️ Big appreciation to Missy McLean from @momsstoptheharm who guided the perfect conversation. 😘😘 See you tonight in Cobourg!! 📷 @melgaardwrites
Thank you to the whole team @thesocialctv for havi Thank you to the whole team @thesocialctv for having me on today to talk about Holden After & Before. 📕 Your thoughtful conversation makes a big difference!! What fun to meet the kind and beautiful @melissagrelo @cynthialoyst @laineygossip @jessie_rae57 🌽 😂 and thanks for the quick hug & visit @marilyndenis 😘
Sometime in the late 80s when I was first starting Sometime in the late 80s when I was first starting in radio, I had the pleasure of working as a morning show producer for Terry David Mulligan. He was warm and funny, demanding and endlessly creative. He was also a very big deal at the time as Much Music was all anybody watched. I learned so much from him about passion for music, family & the hustle of working in media. Recently, Terry invited me on his Mulligan Stew Podcast. He definitely cried more than I did. ❤️ Audio & video at Link in bio.
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Recent Posts

  • Words Can Lead the Way…
  • Holden After and Before
  • Celebrating Holden Through Art
  • I Want To Tell You How This Feels
  • How Many Greens
  • On Living in Captivity

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