Longlisted for the 2009 Relit Award for the novelJarod Palmer is a 32yearold Toronto writer waiting for his big breakthough a small one will do. Haunted by his story of tragic teenage sweethearts in smalltown Nova Scotiafeaturing the unforgettable Lana BananaJarod is infected by the ancient mariners curse on all young unpublished novelists to tell the tale. The problem is that he is trying to pursue his solitary and introspective task in a city that feels like a film set the lights are on all the time.Between answering constant phone calls from his doting overprotective mother and a perpetually neurotic alcoholic and soontobedivorced film producer determined to convince Jarod into plying his trade for the dark side Jarod finds time to communicate just as ineffectively with his volatile Spanish girlfriend.His pursuit of work gives new meaning to the term odd job dishwasher copywriter telemarketer doortodoor salesman film set gofer . . . One day despite a 50perhour pressreleasewriting gig Jarod finds himself at a restaurant table with his girlfriend a bottle of ketchup a bill and not a dime in his pocket.Sorting through life in the city writing rejection letters from publishers jobs and a rocky relationship Taking the Stairs is fastmoving risky and infectiously fun. This is the story of Jarod Palmers selfdiscoverya comingofage for the soontobeevicted. Its the perfect book for anyone whos ever found themselves an elevatorride away from their dreams. show more