Heather Babcock, Author

Heather Babcock's debut novel Filthy Sugar was published by Inanna Publications in 2020. She has had short fiction and essays published in many literary journals including Descant Magazine, The Humber Literary Review and The Toronto Quarterly. In 2015, her chapbook Of Being Underground and Moving Backwards was published by DevilHousePress. Babcock has experience as both a performer and an organizer of open mic and reading events. She has spoken at the Toronto Public Library and the Vintage Film Festival.

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About Heather Babcock:

Heather Babcock's debut novel Filthy Sugar was published by Inanna Publications in 2020.  She has had short fiction and essays published in many literary journals including Descant Magazine, The Humber Literary Review, The Toronto Quarterly and Write Magazine. In 2015, her chapbook Of Being Underground and Moving Backwards was published by DevilHousePress.  She has experience as both a performer and an organizer of open mic and reading events. An avid movie buff, Heather was the lunchtime speaker at the 29th annual Vintage Film Festival, held at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope. She spoke on the subject of "Dangerous Dames: Celebrating the Women of Pre-Code Gangster Movies". Her novella The Memory of Crows is scheduled to be released with DarkWinter Press in August 2027. Heather is a proud member of the Writers’ Union of Canada.

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Cover Reveal: Progressive in Polyester

I am super excited to reveal the cover for Progressive in Polyester: A Tribute to the Women of Saturday Night Fever. Cover art and design by the talented artist Joshua Tannis.

Progressive in Polyester is a collection of my essays about the women characters of the iconic 1977 film Saturday Night Fever and how these women both defined and defied the gender expectations of their day.

Release date: TBD but most likely end of summer/early fall 2026.

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Elizabeth Taylor

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Even when she was casual, she still brought the glam. 🤩

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In this time of AI and mass layoffs, I hope this sends a message to corporate culture that human beings are NOT replaceable.

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Because a bonnet veil is preferable to a forced smile...

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to share a video I made today of me reading a short excerpt from The Memory of Crows, my novella forthcoming August 2027 with DarkWinter Press. This excerpt was inspired by my grief journey and explores the feelings of isolation that follow a loss, and the insensitivity and forced optimism that the bereaved often encounter.

p.s. I just realized - hours after I posted the video, of course 😉- that I said the word "apostrophe" when I meant to say "asterisk" 😫...I always did get my typographical symbols and punctuation marks mixed up!

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Thrilled to announce that my novella The Memory of Crows has been accepted with DarkWinter Press! Publication date: August, 2027. 🐦‍⬛

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"Failure and its accompanying misery is for the artist his most vital source of creative energy." Montgomery Clift

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Happy Heavenly Birthday to the Original Platinum Blonde, Jean Harlow! A few years ago, my essay "Jean Harlow: My Kind of Dame" was published on the Inanna blog. You can read it here.

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Today, I became a member of the Creative Nonfiction Collective Society. My first foray into writing creative nonfiction was my essay Fifty Dollars for the Powder Room, which was published in the Humber Literary Review. I currently have a work of autofiction, The Memory of Crows, out on submission. I look forward to connecting with other nonfiction writers and thank you to Diane Bracuk for recommending me! I will be reading at a CNFC event in April, details TBA.

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Say Anything (trigger warning: abusive relationship)

This poem is about an abusive relationship I had with an older guy when I was a teenager. Looking back, I am trying to make sense of why I was with someone whom I found spiritually (and to be honest, physically) repulsive. Someone I did not feel safe with. I had healthier options (and being alone would have been the healthiest option of all) but, as I wrote in my notebook a few years ago, "the trauma wants what it wants."

I wrote Say Anything in the summer of 2025 and I wasn't sure that I was ever going to share it. It felt too vulnerable to send out on submission — I wanted to protect it from the cruelty of slush piles.

I am blessed to say that I was able to safely leave this abusive situation before it escalated. But I do wish that the people in my life back then had said something. Anything.

[inplainsight416]

The world definitely needs more love!

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Photo caption: I had a wonderful time at the Word on the Street in September! It was great hanging out at the Inanna Publications booth with Assistant Publisher Evelyn Elgie, chatting with readers and hey, I even sold a couple of books! 😊

Some Thoughts on Rejection...

Rejection as a writer is part of the game. The hustle. It's always disappointing. Sometimes, it stings. But occasionally, you get a rejection that's both kind and encouraging. In the summer, I submitted a nonfiction book proposal and writing sample to a publisher that I very much admire. This week, the editor sent me what is probably the nicest rejection I have ever received. They said that they really enjoyed my sample: "Your writing is really fun, what a voice!" But ultimately, they felt that my choice of topic (a deep dive into a 1970s film) just wasn't right for them and said that they would love to see another idea from me.

Personalized rejection letters are so rare that I am treasuring this one. I wanted to share this as a reminder that there are many reasons why a publisher may reject your work; it doesn't mean your work isn't "good", it just may not be the right fit for them at this time. 📚

A Couple of Recent Interviews...

Glenda Fordham of Fordham PR interviewed me on the fifth year anniversary of Filthy Sugar. We chatted about the great dames of the silver screen who inspired my novel and what it was like launching a book during the early days of the pandemic. You can read it here.

Earlier this year, Liisa Kovala interviewed me as part of her excellent Women Writing series. We talk about creating space to write, the best (and worst!) writing advice I have received, and more! Check it out here.

Happy writing, friends! 🍂

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A poem from my notebook

Planting her high hopes

in mud puddles,

running from angels

and chasing demons –

she reaches out for dreams that are

nightmares.  

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My first TPL program "Writing a Novel...When You Don't Have Time to Write a Novel" was a lovely success! Thank you to Agincourt Library, particularly Senior Branch Head Mary Lam, for making me feel so welcome. 😊🎤📚

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Reading the opening paragraph from my essay "Fifty Dollars for the Powder Room", published in the Fall & Winter 2023/2024 issue of the Humber Literary Review, available now in print and online!

Thank you to Neil Traynor for filming.