If a fetus could talk, what would it say?

Local author D.M. Bryan explores this question in her debut novel, Gerbil Mother, which documents Gerbil’s nine-month stint inside her mother’s womb. “Gerbil’s voice was always one of the challenges in writing the book, and I toyed with a bunch of crazy choices,” says Bryan. “I thought about filling the first three-quarters of the book with ‘glub-glub-glub,’ but quickly discarded that option. Gerbil is quite articulate, right from the beginning.”

Throughout the book, Gerbil provides sarcastic and occasionally bratty commentary on life with her mother, father and older brother Nick. “I had a lot of trouble writing about motherhood while being a mother, because it just sounds a lot like complaining,” says Bryan. “This was a way to get an outside perspective, without really being outside. Gerbil tells a story about four people who love each other very much, and who also can’t stand each other.”

Bryan, whose colourful career has included photography, communications and film, sprinkles her writing with drawings and comic strips. “I can never decide if I’m a visual artist or a writer,” she laughs. “I think I’ve more or less decided on the word side, but there’s a lot of art in this book.” Between words and pictures, Gerbil Mother paints a unique portrait of parenthood. “Life with small children is characterized by tiny events that are somehow enormous,” says Bryan. “I tried to find the dramatic tension between those extremes, with so little happening on the surface, but so much underneath.”

Bryan launches Gerbil Mother at the Auburn Saloon (163-115 9 Ave. S.E.) on March 22, 7 p.m.

Craig Boyko returns to Calgary with his debut collection of short stories, Blackouts, which features arcade games, reincarnation and Russian aristocracy. Celebrate the rise of a new literary star at McNally Robinson (120 8 Ave. S.W.) on March 20, 7 p.m.

The Calgary MultiArts Variety Show, hosted by local arts sensation Laurie Fuhr, returns for its fourth edition, this time in support of Inn from the Cold and the Single Onion Poetry Society. The evening features poetry by Wakefield Brewster, Bronwyn Haslam, Kirk Miles and Lara T, theatre by the Swallow-a-Bicycle Performance Co-op, comedy by Col Cseke, film by Garth Whelan and music by Gutterawl and Musk Cup. The multi-art action hits The Soda (211 12 Ave. S.W.) on March 22, 8 p.m., for $8 at the door.

Nicholas Watson, a professor from Harvard University, visits Calgary to present his lecture, The Body of the Past: History and Imagination. The lecture, an exploration of medieval literature, takes place in the Evans Room (Rosza Centre, University of Calgary) on March 25, 11:30 a.m.

As part of his ongoing investigation into experimental filmmaker Derek Jarman, Jim Ellis presents “Derek Jarman and the Uses of the Past,” part of the research for his upcoming book, The Uses of History: Derek Jarman vs. the English Nation. Learn more in Social Sciences 1339 (University of Calgary) on March 25, 4 p.m.

Another visitor from Harvard, Amy Appleford, joins the Medieval and Renaissance Cultural Studies Group for The Dance of Death: John Lydgate, John Carpenter and the Daunce of the Poulys. She will present the lecture in the Evans Room (Rosza Centre, U of C) on March 27, 4 p.m.

In Ron Wood’s popular new book, And God Created Manyberries, sharp-witted political commentary flows from the barstools of a small-town prairie saloon. For a cutting critique of political correctness and lazy journalism, head to McNally Robinson on March 27, 7 p.m.

“It was more of a bombshell than we expected.”

Brendan Hunter, the general manager of Calgary’s largest independent bookseller, McNally Robinson, has been bombarded with attention since the announcement of the store’s impending closure on August 1, 2008. “I’m grateful to see that the store has been so important to people,” he says.

Hunter cites economics as the main reason for the closure. “There are a whole variety of factors,” he says. “Payroll for our specialized staff, rental prices, the rise of the Canadian dollar — book prices have dropped, but our expenses stay the same. It’s been a hard year for the Canadian literary industry.”

Even as the Calgary store announces its impending closure, however, McNally Robinson’s Winnipeg store is moving to a larger location, a new Toronto store is planned for spring 2009 and there’s talk of a second store in New York City. “I’m not sure what makes Calgary different,” says Hunter. “Part of it is that our downtown isn’t vibrant. The store is really busy at lunch, but we have very few people afterward.”

There are no plans to reopen the bookseller in another Calgary location, nor are there any definite plans for the historic Clarence Block building. It has been sold to Balboa Land Investments Inc. for $8.5 million, a 66 per cent return on its $5 million purchase in 2004.

McNally Robinson has been a hub for Calgary’s literary community since 2002, supporting local authors with consignment sales and book launches, providing top-class retail service to book lovers and hosting renowned authors like George R.R. Martin and Robert Munsch. “The staff still suffers a little post-traumatic stress syndrome from the last Harry Potter launch,” Hunter laughs, “but it was amazing to see Stephen Avenue swarming with costumes and enthusiasm.”

Hunter promises “business as usual” right until closing day, which is good news for monthly events like the flywheel reading series and the Sustainable Calgary Book Club that will have to scramble for new venues. The staff at Pages Books on Kensington has resolved to increase their already-packed event calendar to help soften the blow, but it will be difficult to keep up with event co-ordinator Tyson Lennox’s manic event-a-day schedule. Hopefully, four months’ warning will allow other local businesses to step up to the plate.

The loss of McNally Robinson is an enormous blow to Calgary’s cultural landscape, but we can learn from this lesson. Instead of rushing home after work, grab a drink at the Beat Niq or check out First Thursday at Art Central. Swing by Stephen Avenue for a bite at Prairie Ink and a friendly recommendation from downtown’s best book merchants, before they close their doors one last time.