SCAR/CITY has arrived
Posted by Daniela Elza on Jul 24 2025
SCAR/CITY arrived this week. She is a beauty. Each book has its own unique signature and emotion that accompanies the arrival. Usually an unexpected and strange feeling. This one is unlike any books prior to it. It took me four years to research, two years to write, and two years to publish. The two years to write it are part of the 4 research years. Long story. But I do tell the genesis of it in the Under Construction section at the back. It is the fasted book I have published and I am glad it is out as the urgency of the moment and the topic propelled it forward. This book is made and printed in Canada and is 100% human made.
I love the size: smaller than I expected. That explains why it was so hard to fit some poems on one page and wrangle the poems that had shapes and had to fit on one page and did not. I had to re-arrange and re-imagine some to live up to their best impact and form. I love the way the cover feels and how elegant the design. Thank you, Hugh MacLennan Poetry Series and all the staff for their dedication and patience that got this challenging book to the end of the publication and printing process.
For those who have wondered how to say or write the title: It is one word but also a play on that word. So SCARCITY and then a slash through it that creates the SCAR/CITY. As long as you use all lower case or all caps you are good. But please do not make it two words. Sorry, I keep challenging myself with language and keep messing with it to the point where I cannot really read all I put on the page and there are echoes and visuals you can only appreciate on the page.
The size makes SCAR/CITY a book that easily fits in a purse. I would have preferred the blurbs on the back not centred, but can live with it. The blurbs themselves are very special and close to my heart. Much gratitude goes out to Leilani Farha and Renée Sarojini Saklikar. These busy and politically engaged women took the time to read and think about the book and lend it some words and thoughts, which now live on the back cover.
A couple of days in, and SCAR/CITY already getting antsy and wants me to take her out to play.
You can order your copy here directly from the publisher to be sent directly to you:
Or order from your favourite local bookstore. I know that Massy Books has it up on their website here. Order from them if you are not sure who to order from.
But most of all i want to say: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my beautiful, kind and full of love mom today.