rob mclennan

rob mclennan

rob mclennan, writer, poet, editor, publisher (b at Ottawa 15 Mar 1970). A prominent figure in OTTAWA's writing community, rob mclennan has published prolifically in a variety of genres.

The city of Ottawa is a major character in much of mclennan's work, such as in his poetry collection The Ottawa City Project (2007). Ottawa, in turn, has celebrated his writing. As a boy, mclennan spent time on his parents' dairy farm outside Ottawa; a mixture of rural and urban themes is evident in his work, which is strongly place-based. In his body of work mclennan also explores other cities and rural spaces throughout Canada.

rob mclennan's stylistic method is at once lyrical and narrative, drawing on stream-of-consciousness techniques. His works span fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, though he is perhaps most recognized for the latter. He has published two novels, missing persons (2009) and white (2007), and four works of non-fiction, including the travel guide Ottawa: The Unknown City (2008) and the collection Alberta Dispatch: Interviews and Writing from Edmonton (2008). As a poet, mclennan has produced eighteen collections, including Wild Horses (2010) and 2002's Paper Hotel, which was shortlisted for the Archibald Lampman Award. He has published seventy-five poetry chapbooks, contributed to fourteen anthologies, and made countless contributions to journals within Ottawa and nationally. mclennan is also an active blogger.

In addition to producing his own work, rob mclennan is an editor and small-press publisher. He founded and operates Ottawa's Chaudiere Books, Poetics.ca (with Stephen Brockwell), above/ground press, and ottawater. mclennan is an avid supporter of new writers and inventive writing. He has supported Ottawa talent since the 1990s in nearly every genre, through writing workshops, circles and readings. mclennan is also regularly found in the role of interviewer, showcasing the talent of emerging writers across Canada.

rob mclennan shies away from labels such as "poet," but the literary community has lauded his work despite his lack of label. He has held five writer-in-residencies, most notably at the UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA (2007-2008), and has been recognized with grants and awards, including the 2008 Golden Cherry Award for Best Poet (written) in Ottawa, a victory for both mclennan and his primary muse, Ottawa itself. His work has been published internationally, in the US, Europe, India, and Australia.