Daniel Canada

Biography

Daniel Canada's foray into the wilderness of writing began in his senior year in high school, when he entered into and won the 1982 NBC Award for amateur journalism for New York City, after interviewing NBC's news reporters Marv Albert, Gabe Pressman and Larry Varas.

After wandering about in an attempt to find the meaning of life, he found himself strongly entrenched in the New York City poetry scene, reading and performing under the name Obsidian. He also co-hosted two renown open mic poetry venues in New York City, the "Times Square Shout Out" and the "Shout Out at Ottos," from 2007-2010. As a result he and his co-host were the subjects of a documentary of NPR Radio's "This American Life," entitled "Social Engineering," hosted by Ira Glass in 2008.

Daniel Canada aka Obsidian appeared on Columbia University Radio station WKCR-89.9FM, "Studio A Series," hosted by Anne Cammon Fiero, along with several members of the celebrated "Brownstone Poets." He has also soiled his hands in a little publishing, and has been twice published as a contributing poet in the anthology "Diner with the Muse," and “The Venetian Hour,” edited by Evie Ivy and sold at St. Marks Bookstore.

He has also published three other books: “The Shaitan,” an action-packed, supernatural fiction about an U.S. Army Ranger’s desperate attempt to prevent an international terrorist from launching a devastating attack upon New York with an unconventional psychic weapon, the “Hobo Handbook: Memoirs of a Homeless Poet in New York,” the story of his five years living on the mean and unforgiving streets of New York City, while plying his trade as a poet and co-host of two amazing open-mic poetry shows, and “Zen is Now,” a compilation of nearly 30 years of his poetry. All three books can be purchased at Smashwords

Smashwords Interview

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The first story or stories I ever read were from the Bible with my mother. I must've been at least three years of age. After which it was difficult reading the required books given to me by my elementary school teachers. Stories such as "Jane and Dick," and "See Spot Run."

The first story I ever read that influenced me as a child in some way was the book "Where The Wild things Are," by Maurice Sendak. That book not only caused my imagination to run amok, but made it easier to deal with childhood nightmares, and to embrace the unimaginable.
What do you read for pleasure?
I personally prefer to read non-fiction books, dealing the either history, religious history (especially ancient ones from the middle and Far East). I also enjoy reading treatises on the occult along with medieval secret societies. I used to be fascinated with what would be labeled "conspiracy theories," but have since grown out of it after the 90s.

Material dealing with Jungian archetypes and the inner workings of the mind from a psychological viewpoint hold my interest and tends to serve as fuel for my creative thoughts and fictional writing.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Daniel Canada online

Books

Zen is Now
Price: $5.99 USD. Words: 16,920. Language: English. Published: September 26, 2020 . Categories: Poetry » American poetry » General, Nonfiction » Inspiration » Spiritual inspiration
Zen is Now is a compilation of nearly 30 years of my poetry. It is the product of my personal, philosophical ruminations of this experience called life, as well as my contemplation of the future with the view to attaining that coveted state of mind.
Hobo Handbook: Memoirs of a Homeless Poet in New York
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 62,190. Language: English. Published: August 2, 2016 . Categories: Nonfiction » Biography » Autobiographies & Memoirs, Nonfiction » Inspiration » Personal inspiration
Hobo Handbook: Memoirs of a Homeless Poet in New York is the story of my five years living on the mean and unforgiving streets of New York City. It is a testament that homelessness, as tragic as it is, is survivable. It delves deep into and sheds light upon the hither-to-unknown, shadowy world of the homeless, dispelling a lot of the myths associated with this peculiar state of affairs.
The Shaitan
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 287,500. Language: English. Published: August 29, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Supernatural
The Shaitan is an action-packed, supernatural fiction about an U.S. Army Ranger’s desperate struggle to prevent an international terrorist from launching a devastating attack upon New York with an unconventional psychic weapon.