B House Publications, established 2008. Calgary, Alberta.
In a recent article in the Calgary Herald, Eugene was likened to an ageing rock star-and that's probably true, in terms of attitude, and of course the hair. However, ageing is the operative word here, and one would have to admit that age in an editor is not a bad thing, whereas in a rock star it is probably questionable at best. All of this is a way of saying that in an earlier life, in the fabled eastern city now known as the GTA, Eugene was the editor in chief of a small college press, and an early expert in the brand new art form of desktop publishing. Lots of water under the bridge since then.
Eugene moved to Calgary in the early '90's when he began a legendary stint as Playwright in Residence at Alberta Theatre Projects. From 1994-2004, Eugene wrote and had produced ten plays. These plays have gone on to have hundreds of productions across North America. During his time at ATP and since leaving, Eugene has worked with thousands (if not millions!) of young writers around the world, and he brings an open, nurturing style to the editor chair at B House. He is a fierce champion of the rights of the artist, and hates rules of any kind that limit the creativity of the artist. He lives in Calgary with daughter Hanna, and her twin sister super model, Johanna.
Eugene writes for the Calgary Herald and various magazines and periodicals, and is working on at least two new plays. He is working on a novel for B House, a project he had given up on because he figured no one would publish it-thus being the first writer in the B House family to utter the phrase that has become one of our mantras, "No more excuses!"
Eugene Stickland [has] crafted a clever, inventive tale filled to the brim with great dialogue and impeccable comedic timing.
-Ryan Pike, Gauntlet
"Writer's Block tells the tale of aging Canadian writer Luke Stike, as he languishes as a playwright-in-residence in employ to director Moss Green who is woefully unable to write anything people will pay to see. Stike's life gets more unbearable when Revenue Canada gets on his case for not filing taxes in a decade."Backed into a corner and unable to scramble to safety, Stike makes a logical decision--he files for long-term disability with the theatre's insurance company, citing writer's block. Of course, as soon as he doesn't have to work anymore he writes an amazing play, but has no way of producing it without going to jail for insurance fraud." -Headlining the Metanarrative, Gauntlet.
Writer's Block opened March 14th, 2008 at The Studio at the Vertigo Theatre Centre, produced by Ground Zero Theatre and Hit & Myth Productions.