John is a thoughtful editor who gives poets the time and space to reflect, experiment, and discover what their work needs. With the precision of an acupuncturist, he asks the right questions and offers exacting observations that transform a line or an imagine, allowing the poem to blossom. It was a delight to work with him on Refugee Mouth, my first book of poetry. The manuscript matured under his guidance, as did my voice and confidence.
— Sanita Fejzic, author of Refugee Mouth (Frontenac House)
By our second or third conversation about poetry, John Wall Barger settled in as trusted editor and solid friend. In his role as contract editor for Frontenac House, we were discussing my first manuscript. What a satisfying experience to talk to a highly accomplished poet who honours poetry’s ability to convey the ineffable, to reach deep into the reader’s heart, and also taps the devices and stylistic decisions that strengthen the poetic craft. In editing my collection we worked on both, macro and micro, and I felt upbeat and enthused by learning experiences which have stayed with me.
John’s personality enables that. He won’t mind me saying what you will find obvious. He is friendly and convivial and possesses a wicked sense of humour, although he is kind. I can say that the possible power differentials between an editor and writer – erudition (he has that), age, gender, experience (he has, I hadn’t) – aren’t factors. It is a relationship based on the mutual interest of strengthening the collection and the poems within it, making them as compelling as they can be.
John asked questions. He welcomed my questions, and we listened to each other. He recommended readings to illustrate areas where my work could be strengthened. One of these areas, for example, was the order of my poems, introducing some conceptual thought new to me, which I will consider, henceforth. He suggested collections by various poets to exemplify the wealth of poetic diversity, style and substance, that encouraged my growth. I trusted him. I could talk to him about choices I’d made, and I enjoyed the mutual respect in our relationship; learning came from these discussion.
He was very specific in his suggestions, which I appreciated. Sometimes it meant revising an opening or an ending or a title or the order of lines or the lexicon within a line. I actually enjoyed this work in the service of the poetry and invariably I was happy with our follow-up discussion – more learning. No time was ever wasted. Once, I read back to him a line or two that I found very moving from his own poetry. He said, Cal, I always try to break their hearts. Which he does without sentimentality or excess, linking it more broadly to the prerogative of communicating with the reader. What could be a better lesson to take away from your editor? Do I recommend the editorial services of John Wall Barger? Yes! Yes indeed!
— Callista Markotich, author of Wrap in a Big White Towel (Frontenac House)
John Wall Barger has been my editor for six years and two poetry collections. During that time I have learned a great deal from John about craft.
John has helped me hone my poet’s noticing eye while developing my appreciation of the surreal and commitment to Duende. John has encouraged me to seek more feeling in my poetry while avoiding sentimentality. He has challenged me to find more original metaphors, music and play in my work. Since I have left full-time teaching to concentrate on writing, I have learned even more from him, including how to tame the didactic tendency of a college teacher.
John is a smart and sensitive teacher and editor who guides with questions more often than instructions. He is knowledgeable and regularly suggests readings related to themes which emerge from my poetry. John leaves his ego behind in our consultations. He has always treated me and my poetry with sensitivity, respect and patience.
John’s skillful editing continues to help me expand my range as a poet.
His adventurous writing and worldly perspective as transnational Canadian poet regularly inspire me.
—Kate Rogers, author of Out of Place (Aeolus House)
John was recommended to me as a poetry editor because my latest work in progress was quite large and certainly required focus, careful cuts, and re-structuring. He and I had not known of each other’s work prior to this, but once we set up a Zoom meeting, I realized quickly that our collaboration would be fruitful. He was friendly and took on the task very promptly and assiduously, carving out a firm direction for the work, and eliminating tons of poems that didn’t fit the path. What I learned in the course of an intense period of collaboration were how to focus, tighten a poem, and not rely only on figurative language. John showed how a lyric poem can use plain language and still have emotional power and thoughtfulness without having to resort to strained metaphors or generalized abstractions. He showed me how a poem needed a gesture or personalized voice as anchor, and I was delighted with what finally emerged. I would recommend him to any poet who needs a sharp perceptive editor who helps you retain your individual voice while also teaching you more about craft.
—Keith Garebian, author of Against Forgetting (Frontenac House)
I got acquainted with John during my master degree creative writing course where he was my instructor. Many seasons have passed since, but he still has my utmost respect because he utterly transformed the way I look at literature and art.
I enjoy literature as much as the next book fanatic, but it was John who enlightened me to the process of crafting words, and most importantly the concept and essence of all arts – empathy as the greatest love for mankind. That moment of pure epiphany struck like lightning and suddenly all my years of studying literature made perfect sense to me – I was studying the human condition and cultivating my sensitivity and empathy.
Today, I teach literature, and at the start of every semester I always establish the fact that we are not just reading – We are immersing ourselves in the fruit of labor representative of the human condition. That’s why we study literature, that’s what makes the subject worthwhile. Apart from the profound contemplation John distilled in me, he also did a stellar job demystifying the creative writing process. The carefully curated readings of duende, wabi sabi and other concepts brought new dimensions into my comically flat and unoriginal compositions. John also gave very detailed and constructive comments regarding my work-in-progress writings that helped tremendously.
I have nothing but glowing praise for John, and if his infectious passion for his craft doesn’t move you, nothing will. Borrowing from everyone’s favourite bard, “I have seen a medicine That’s able to breathe life into a stone, Quicken a rock, and make you dance canary With spritely fire and motion, whose simple touch Is powerful to araise King Pippen.” – Shakespeare Yes, I admit it. John is the antidote to my writer’s block.
—Monica Lam, former graduate student of Chinese University of Hong Kong
I have engaged John’s editorial services on dozens of occasions for myself and others. His innovative approaches to global manuscript challenges, coupled with his sensitive attention to detail, makes him indispensable. I’ve often thought about him a secret weapon in manuscript development. He’s on time every time, and thoughtful beyond expectation.
— Micheline Maylor, author of The Bad Wife (University of Alberta Press)
John Wall Barger 