After months of thinking, comparing and working on another blogsite, I've decided to move my blog. The new one, with the same name, is now at:
Bevnal Abbey Scriptorium. Please check it out and leave whatever comments you like.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Oh, it's the Nativity Fast, all right
A friend sent this to me and I thought, given what I've been hearing about various people's lives and troubles, that it really expresses the fact that it's a fast.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Two great radio spots
First, I want to plug two radio shows. First is one on Ancient Faith Radio - Readings from Under the Grapevine. Dr. Chrissi Hart reads children's books, and books about the Orthodox faith. She targets all kinds of different ages, so there are picture books as well as books for older kids and teenagers on the show. She's done some terrific readings - things like "My Orthodox Counting book" and "Basil's Search for Miracles" and readings from Vera Bouteneff's translations of the zamisdats about Fr. Arseny of the Gulag, which is not exactly a book for little kids. It's a well received show and very popular, I understand. Well, she's chosen Royal Monastic for the latest set of readings - it started last Saturday and will continue until the book is finished. You can download the podcasts here.
Second is a segment of a radio show. CBC's All Points West airs in BC every weekday from 4 to 6 pm. It's a good show - I like the range of topics that Jo Ann Roberts has, and she's booky - which is always a good thing. Every Thursday, local writer Nikki Tate comes on the show and talks about teen books, which is another good thing about APW - they realize that there are good kid books out there, and actually take them seriously. Great idea! Well, on Oct. 23, Nikki's theme was the need to belong, and she profiled Feral in the segment. Click on it and then scroll down to Oct. 23 and give it a listen. She talks about Feral in the second half, and says some very nice things.
Made my week, and it's only Monday!
Second is a segment of a radio show. CBC's All Points West airs in BC every weekday from 4 to 6 pm. It's a good show - I like the range of topics that Jo Ann Roberts has, and she's booky - which is always a good thing. Every Thursday, local writer Nikki Tate comes on the show and talks about teen books, which is another good thing about APW - they realize that there are good kid books out there, and actually take them seriously. Great idea! Well, on Oct. 23, Nikki's theme was the need to belong, and she profiled Feral in the segment. Click on it and then scroll down to Oct. 23 and give it a listen. She talks about Feral in the second half, and says some very nice things.
Made my week, and it's only Monday!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Late, but better late than never
This is quick and short, and hopefully there will be more and longer posts in the future. Royal Monastic, my third book, is out and on sale. It was released in July, and I'm delighted with how well it's been selling.
Picture is on the left, above the other two books.
More as I get more time!
Picture is on the left, above the other two books.
More as I get more time!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Launch
The launch was phenomenal. It was a night that was as close to perfect as we ever get in this world. I can't even begin to say what was so good about it - I've never been to one before, so I have nothing to compare it with, and it was well run, smooth, even paced and crowded.
Lots of people -my daughter and son were there to support me, lots of my friends came out, especially some very close and dear one who've been through the entire trip to this point with me. So that was important. But more than that, it was a recognition of what I've been working toward for the last 30 years.
Thursday night's launch, for me, was the public recognition that I'm 'really' a writer. Not a wanna be. Not a niche writer whose work will be known only be a few who support that niche (as excellent as that niche is). For 30 years I've wanted to be published in Canadian Children's Lit, and by Orca Press. I am now. The entire evening recognized that fact publicly. To echo Charlie, on Lost: this is definitely one of my top five Greatest Hits.
Here are some photos of the evening, there will be more later. Of course, as normal in our family, nobody brought the camera, so I have to wait until more people send me theirs. These are from Don Tolson, who, along with his wife Monica, were some of those who've been through the entire journey with me:
Andrew Woolridge, in the background of the above photo - he's co-publisher at Orca Book Publishers, edits and is a great emcee. I was talking about how Feral came to be written - not sure what I'm saying at this point.
I can't remember a thing that I said while I was at the mike, so I have no idea what point I was making with my hands up like that.
The dark-haired woman in the background, to your left is Sarah, my editor, who did say some really nice things about both Feral and my work habits. I can't remember what, exactly, although I do remember the words "quintessential writer" going by when she talked about the revisions we did. I also remember her saying that I exploded her expectations of the book, that she thought it was going to be a cutsey, sweet type of thing, and she wasn't looking forward to that. Snicker, snicker. Blew those ideas right out of the water. I love doing that!
More later, as more photos come in. But definitely a wonderful experience. I may never have another launch, just to preserve this memory in its purity!
Lots of people -my daughter and son were there to support me, lots of my friends came out, especially some very close and dear one who've been through the entire trip to this point with me. So that was important. But more than that, it was a recognition of what I've been working toward for the last 30 years.
Thursday night's launch, for me, was the public recognition that I'm 'really' a writer. Not a wanna be. Not a niche writer whose work will be known only be a few who support that niche (as excellent as that niche is). For 30 years I've wanted to be published in Canadian Children's Lit, and by Orca Press. I am now. The entire evening recognized that fact publicly. To echo Charlie, on Lost: this is definitely one of my top five Greatest Hits.
Here are some photos of the evening, there will be more later. Of course, as normal in our family, nobody brought the camera, so I have to wait until more people send me theirs. These are from Don Tolson, who, along with his wife Monica, were some of those who've been through the entire journey with me:
Andrew Woolridge, in the background of the above photo - he's co-publisher at Orca Book Publishers, edits and is a great emcee. I was talking about how Feral came to be written - not sure what I'm saying at this point.
I can't remember a thing that I said while I was at the mike, so I have no idea what point I was making with my hands up like that.
The dark-haired woman in the background, to your left is Sarah, my editor, who did say some really nice things about both Feral and my work habits. I can't remember what, exactly, although I do remember the words "quintessential writer" going by when she talked about the revisions we did. I also remember her saying that I exploded her expectations of the book, that she thought it was going to be a cutsey, sweet type of thing, and she wasn't looking forward to that. Snicker, snicker. Blew those ideas right out of the water. I love doing that!
More later, as more photos come in. But definitely a wonderful experience. I may never have another launch, just to preserve this memory in its purity!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Featured Author
Seems that Orca is really treating me right - which I appreciate. They feature an author each month on their website, and this month it's me!
If you click on the link, it will take you to the page, and you can read the fun I had answering the questions, and doing up the bios.
If you click on the link, it will take you to the page, and you can read the fun I had answering the questions, and doing up the bios.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Link to a great bit of promotion
My electronic Aussie friend, Margot Finke, an awesome writer in her own right, has done a lovely promo job on her blog about Feral.
Check it out, and also check out the rest of her blog, and her website, it's worth a look, especially if you're a children's writer. She's got loads of advice and tips for both beginning writers and for more experienced ones as well.
And she's a great and supportive friend!
Check it out, and also check out the rest of her blog, and her website, it's worth a look, especially if you're a children's writer. She's got loads of advice and tips for both beginning writers and for more experienced ones as well.
And she's a great and supportive friend!
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