Book Launch: Red Bolero by Karen Ocana

Join Karen Ocana for the launch of her new chapbook, Red Bolero, at Argo Bookshop. I’ll be in conversation with Victoria Leblanc, Gloria Macher, and Brian Campbell.

This event is free, but space is limited, so please RSVP on TicketSource. Masks are not required, but will be provided for free at the door.

About the Poets

Karen Ocaña is a poet, literary translator, and avid book critic. She was on the jury for the Grand Prix du livre de Montreal from 2018-2020. She translates from Spanish as well as from French. Her translations have been published recently in Arc Poetry, ellipse magazine, the Malahat Review and the Capilano Review. Karen’s translation of Louise Dupre’s poetry collection Rooms was a finalist for the 2017 QWF Cole Translation Prize. Her translation into English of Gloria Macher’s novel The Theft of Don Fernando’s Arteries is forthcoming. Karen’s poetry has been published in Kola Magazine as well as JONAH magazine, and she has read widely from her work in Montreal’s literary circles. Red Bolero is her first published book of poetry.

Victoria LeBlanc is an artist, writer and curator. A former Director of the Visual Arts Centre/McClure Gallery, she has contributed to over 50 publications on contemporary Canadian artists. As a visual artist, Victoria has participated in solo and group exhibitions across Canada. Her creative practice is inflected by an ekphrastic impulse, a dialogue between drawing/painting and writing. Victoria’s recent poetry collections include Hold (2019) and River | Riven (2024), the latter accompanied by the exhibition A path walks quietly on its own. www.victorialeblancart.com

Gloria Macher is a poet and novelist. She is the author of seven books, one of which was recently translated and published in French. An award-winning author, she received the International Latino Book Award for The Theft of Don Fernando’s Arteries (USA, 2014), and was a finalist for both the Verbum Ibero-American Novel Award (2017) and the IV International Narrative Award (2018) from the Faculty of Letters at the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain. Gloria’s work has appeared in Canadian literary magazines such as Kola Magazine, Montreal Serai, The Nashwaak Review, ellipse magazine, In/Words Magazine and Press, and Helios Poetry. Her novels have been featured at international venues including Madrid, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Lima, Bogotá, Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal. Gloria’s poetry has been presented at several poetry festivals, most recently in Madrid (2024).

Brian Campbell is the author of several poetry collections including Shimmer Report (Ekstasis Editions, 2015) and Passenger Flight (Signature Editions, 2009). As a poet, photographer and singer-songwriter, Brian has produced a number of publications and recordings that combine these talents. His latest full-length album of original songs is Let’s Talk (2025), and his latest book of poetry and photography is Remnants of Autumn. He is the editor/publisher of Sky of Ink Press, which publishes chapbooks of emerging poets, and co-hosts the lawn chair soirée, a reading series in Montreal. For more on Brian’s work, visit briancampbell.ca.