I’m excited to share that The Stinkwater Escapee: Season 1 has been selected as part of the Manitoba Writers’ Guild Spring 2026 Book Launch Series.

On Sunday, June 7, I'll be at Art Space in Winnipeg for readings, discussion, and a few surprises from the world of Mudwater Mutters.

For those who have been following my work, this launch marks the culmination of a long journey. What began as a strange idea about a talking alligator named Big Al wandering through a baffling human world gradually grew into something much larger: a serialized story, a podcast, in-world advertisements, public service announcements, and an entire universe of media literacy satire hiding beneath the humour.

Educators, librarians, and parents interested in media literacy programming are also welcome to attend. Many of the themes explored through Big Al's adventures have become part of my growing work in digital and media literacy education.

At its heart, though, The Stinkwater Escapee remains a story about curiosity, belonging, and trying to make sense of a world that often doesn’t make much scents at all.

The launch will include a reading from the book, discussion about its creation, and a chance to purchase signed copies. Whether you’ve been following along from the beginning or are just discovering Big Al for the first time, I’d love to see you there.

Event Details

The Manitoba Writers’ Guild Spring 2026 Book Launch Series
Featuring: The Stinkwater Escapee: Season 1
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Art Space, 100 Arthur Street, Winnipeg (4th Floor, elevator accessible)

I hope to see you there.

— Jacob

Over the past year, this project has gradually grown into something larger than just a serialized story. Alongside the book itself, there’s been it’s audio companion, Mudwater Mutters, plus fictional ads from Ankerton, strange public service announcements, and a growing media literacy layer woven through the whole thing.

The launch is going to reflect that.

There’ll be a live reading, audio segments from Mudwater Mutters, projected visuals from the world of Ankerton, and copies of the Season 1 chapbook available on site.

📍 Manitoba Writers’ Guild – Artspace Building (4th Floor)
100 Arthur Street, Winnipeg
🗓 June 7, 2–4 PM
Free / All Ages Welcome

And fittingly, the same weekend also marks the end of Season 3 of the online story.

If you’ve been following along — whether through the chapters, the podcast, the weird side material, or just occasional glimpses of this thing taking shape — I’d really love to see you there.

Facebook Event

Website

Some stories are meant to be held.

The Stinkwater Escapee: Season 1 now exists as a printed chapbook — the first collected edition of Big Al’s journey beyond Stinkwater Marsh.

If you’ve been following the Saturday chapters, this gathers the beginning of the adventure into one book you can hold, share, or pass along.

If you’re new to Stinkwater, this is where the escape begins.

Available here:
stinkwater.ca/buy

Thank you to everyone who’s read, listened, shared, and asked for something tangible.

Regular Saturday chapters continue this weekend.