Well what can I say I am still floating with happiness with the spectacular response to my romance novel, The Twesome Loop on Saturday! Seven books purchased and the prize draw basket won, and the recipient messaged me on Sunday to say they were half way through the book, and enjoying the wine and pasta.
I was certainly happy with how my table display worked out – but am thinking I will need to investigate some sort of shelving system soon. I can’t have three tables!! B the way the artwork is by the owner of Spark Gallery – Glen Roland. His work is spectacular.
With over 30 authors, 9 artisans, musicians, dancers, a clown, a great food truck and more it was a special day all round. It was a great way to celebrate 10 years of Words in the Park.
My next event is this Saturday I will do a presentation/speech for a local company, Pinebox Funerals at their annual event. This falls under my other writing hat – freelance writer.
Other events:
WGA Open Mic Night – Read Like the Pros(e) – Edmonton
I attended Word on the Street on Saturday in Lethbridge with my publisher, Dream Write Publishing. We arrived rather too early to set up as the organizers were only just putting out the tables and chairs at the time we were informed we could set up. However, it wasn’t long before we saw our allocated tent was ready and we proceeded to arrange our display. There is even a photo of us doing just that! Are we eager or what?
With only room for a selection of Dream Write books (there are nearly 90 titles in total) we arranged the books we had brought and I was allowed to spotlight my romance novel, The Twesome Loop at one end. Unfortunately the weather was not kind as it was really cold so jackets and scarfs remained on almost all day until the afternoon sun showed its face.
My first sale of The Twesome Loop was to a member of the Lethbridge writing group, The Riverbottom Writers. Thank you Amanda! She was rather pleased with my written comment inside her signed copy.
My second sold copy went to Leslie, who is also a Riverbottom Writers member – thank you for supporting my writing.
Next Saturday is Words in the Park in Sherwood Park and it will be the official launch of The Twesome Loop.
I have created a prize basket, which is Italian themed and includes a copy of the novel. I wanted it to be as tempting as possible – note the bottle of red wine & wine glass!
After months of planning everything is ready for the 10th anniversary of Words in the Park, which in an official ‘pop-up’ site for Alberta Culture Days (also celebrating 10 years). We expect a great attendance with 33 authors and 7 artisans displays, discussing and selling their books/crafts. There is also interactive sessions, children’s activities and food to enjoy. http://wfscsherwoodpark.com/words-in-the-park
I have some downtime after this event until 7th October when I will be making a presentation for a local company, Pinebox Funerals at their annual event. This falls under my other writing hat – freelance writer.
This will be followed with an author event on 11th October at Audreys Books, Edmonton.
So as you can see I’m rather busy. I need to make a decision on the excerpt I will share of The Twesome Loop at this venue – romantic rather than erotic I feel would be preferable.
What events do you have coming up? Why not share them in the comments. Free publicity is never a bad thing!
Other Events:
Kingston Writers Festruns September 27–October 1 in Kingston, ON, featured Canadian authors including S.K. Ali, Michelle Berry, Janie Chang, Karen Connelly, Adam Gopnik, Helen Humphreys, Kyo Maclear, Lee Maracle, Alison Pick, Diane Schoemperlen, Merilyn Simonds, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, and Kathleen Winter.
Books and readers take over Victoria, BC, from September 27-October 1 with theVictoria Festival of Authors, featuring Carleigh Baker, Gurjinder Basran, Lorna Crozier, Esi Edugyen, Zsuzsi Gartner, Barbara Gowdy, Yasuko Thanh, Zoe Whittall, and Robert J. Wiersema.
From September 29-30, Lunenburg, NS, hosts theLunenberg Lit Festival, this year with Romeo Dallaire, Pauline Dakin, Nino Ricci, Terry Fallis, and other great writers.
This week I am organizing myself for Word on the Street in Lethbridge with my publisher, Dream Write Publishing. We have attended this event before in Lethbridge but also Saskatoon, so it will be good to return.
I am hoping the delivery of my new novel, The Twesome Loop makes it in time but if not I can compile order sheets to get signed by interested readers. I will have my other books with me – Rumble’s First Scare, Ockleberries to the Rescue, Clickety Click and The Rython Kingdom.
The trip will begin on Friday so we can have a leisurely drive down, settle into our hotel and relax prior to the setting up the following morning. Another Dream Write author is attending, Guy Chambers, which will be a first for him.
As usual I will utilize the time to write – probably on Sunday prior to returning home and if possibly Friday and Saturday evenings. It depends on what is happening as there is a local writers group, The River Bottom Writers we connected with some time ago. So we may spend time with some of the members.
Margo Goodhand “Runaway Wives and Rogue Feminists” Book Launch
19th September 19:00 – 21:00 pm at Audreys Books, Edmonton, AB
Walter Hildebrandt “Blackfoot Country” Book Launch
21st September 19:00 – 21:00 pm at Audreys Books, Edmonton, AB
Angie Abdou “In Case I Go” Book Launch
22nd September 19:00 – 21:00 pm at Audreys Books, Edmonton, AB
The Telling Tales Festivalis back on September 17 in Rockton, ON (near Hamilton), with amazing writers for young people, including Erin Bow, Emma Donoghue, Andrew Larsen, Evan Munday, Itah Sadu, and many others.
From September 21–24, Literasiancelebrates Asian Canadian literature in Vancouver, BC, with featured authors Eleanor Guerrero-Campbell, Catherine Hernandez, Janie Chang, Jen Sookfong Lee, Julia Lin, Leanne Dunic, Leslie Shimotakahara, and Terry Watada.
The Winnipeg International Writers Festivaltakes place September 22–30 in Winnipeg, MB, with Suzette Mayr, Steve Burrows, Lydia Kwa, Katherena Vermette, Cary Fagan, Méira Cook, Trevor Cole, Pasha Malla, Andrew Pyper, and many others.
Please comment to add your own local events as well.
It is Board meeting week for me. Firstly tomorrow with my writing group’s foundation, Writers Foundation of Strathcona County and then Wednesday with the Arts & Culture Council. Our main focus in both meetings will be the co-hosted event, which is part of Alberta Culture Days – writers: Words in the Park and arts – Culture Days. With authors and artisans, food, music, dance, interactive sessions & more it will require careful organization. The venue is a stunning art gallery, Spark Gallery, 2257 Premier Way, Sherwood Park. 10 am – 4 pm free admission.
What events do you have coming up? Care to share?
Other events:
Norma Dunning “Annie Muktuk and other Stories” Book Launch
Audreys Books, Edmonton – Wednesday 13th September at 19:00–21:00
Jim Sellers “A Death of Cold” Book Launch
Audreys Books, Edmonton – Thursday 14th September at 19:00–21:00
Daniel Coleman “Yardwork” Book Launch
Audreys Books, Edmonton – Friday 15th September at 19:00–21:00
September 14, 2017: The Book Publishers Association of Alberta Annual General Meeting and Conference
Please join us for the annual Book Publishers Association of Alberta Annual General Meeting and Conference from September 14-16, 2017. This year the event is being held in Edmonton at the Delta South. Conference registration is now open. The 2017 Book Publishers Association of Alberta Conference and Annual General Meeting provides an opportunity for Alberta
September 15, 2017: Alberta Book Publishing Awards Gala
Each year we celebrate the best of Alberta book publishing with the Alberta Book Publishing Awards. This year we are excited to be presenting eleven publishing awards, as well as honouring one exceptional individual with a lifetime achievement award and celebrating the life of another well-known Canadian publisher by dedicating an award to them. The 2017
This week I have my writing group sharing meeting on Tuesday. I always look forward to this monthly meeting, as you never know who will attend – sometimes a few, sometimes a lot! The meeting begins with announcements on upcoming events and then a call for submissions for our Muse newsletter and our special newspaper page, Never Been Better which is aimed at the 55+ demographic.
We then have a writing prompt of some sort to energize the writing muse and then share our responses. It is always intriguing to hear how other writers respond to the same prompt – it is how our minds work I suppose. Discussions on the responses follows and then we share part of our current work for constructive critique.
What format does your writing group meeting take?
Planning for our Words in the Park event is still in progress. We had to close registrations as we are full. A floor plan has to be devised so all the registrations have a space to display. A plethora of authors are attending but as we co-host with the Arts and Culture Council we also have artisans and performers. With a clown and children’s activities, interactive sessions and food it will be a fantastic day. Event at: Spark Gallery, 2257 Premier Way, Sherwood Park. 10 am – 4 pm Free admission. The event is also a ‘pop up’ event for Alberta Culture Days.
My group will also be launching their Canada 150 book project, Postcards from Canada at the event so doubling exciting. It is an anthology of short stories, poetry and images celebrating Canada.
Other events:
Jaspreet Singh “November” Book Launch
Tuesday 5th September at 19:00–21:00 Audrey’s Books
Kat Trimarco “Self Approved” book signing
Wednesday 6th September at 12:00–13:00 Audrey’s Books
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 