|
What inspires author Nicole Luongo? Let’s find out… But before we do…if you LOVE books and the stories behind them, be sure to subscribe to my channel. Interviews are posted bi-weekly. Hi! My name is crystal fletcher. Welcome to all about canadian books. This week’s guest is Nicole Luongo. Nicole is a writer and educator who holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in sociology from the University of British Columbia and approximately 1/60 of a PhD from the University of Oxford. She is currently figuring out what she likes. We’ll be discussing Nicole’s memoir The Becoming which was published by Inanna Publications. The Becoming is a brutal account of mental illness by a woman who doesn’t believe in mental illness. As the author embarks on a PhD at the University of Oxford, a lifetime of addiction, eating disorders, and trauma culminates in an explosive hospital stay that sees her achieve liberation through psychosis. Her journey from terror to acceptance is grueling, and she makes meaning of it by weaving reflexive narrative with classic and nascent scholarship.  Nicole's Memoir Writing Tips & Reading Nicole advises writers to be prepared for multiple revisions. And, before you decide to write about your life you need to carefully out weight the positives and the negatives about sharing your story.
0 Comments
How do Persian carpets inspire author Lucy EM Black? Let’s find out… But before we do…if you LOVE books and the stories behind them, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. Interviews are posted bi-weekly and you don't want to miss them! Hi! My name is crystal fletcher. Welcome to all about canadian books. This week’s guest is Lucy EM Black. Lucy was formerly an educator; she’s a writer, author of award-winning short stories that have been published in Britain, Ireland, the USA, and Canada. Lucy is an inveterate eavesdropper who collects voices, dialects, and stories, and she weaves them tenderly into stories so real we come to believe that we have actually met her characters. We discussed Lucy’s 3rd novel Stella’s Carpet, which was published by Now or Never Publishing and will be released on Oct. 16. ... A Holocaust survivor and a woman briefly imprisoned during the Iranian Revolution are among the characters in this story. Experiences overlap, as individuals’ step outside the shadow of their own histories and make conscious decisions about how they choose to live while forging new understandings of family, forgiveness and reconciliation. Stella’s Carpet examines the following…how do we survive the unimaginable? How do we live with the secrets of our past? And, at what price? You’re going to have to read it to find out! If you'd like to learn more about Lucy and Persian carpets (they are EXQUISITE) there's an interesting story about them on her website.  Lucy's #1 Writing Tip & Book Reading Watch! Lucy discuss her writing process; she breaks it down into three chunks. 1. The Prewriting Process 2. The Writing Process 3. The Editing Process She does a fabulous job (you can tell she was an educator)! Prolific award-winning writer Eric Walters wants Canadians to read MORE Canadian books! Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to all about canadian books. In continuing with the discussion about what’s going on in the Canadian book industry today’s guest is Eric Walters. Eric was a social worker turned educator, he’s a coach, an award-winning, best-selling author of young adult and children’s picture books. He has written a whooping 125+ books. Has over 100 awards including the Order of Canada and the Governor General's Literary Award. Eric’s books have been translated into more than a dozen languages, he has presented to more than 2 million students from North America, Japan, Kenya and Germany. To promote Canadian authors and their books Eric spearheaded the ‘I Read Canadian Day,’ which is a national day of celebration of Canadian books for young people and the focus of our discussion. To see ALL his books and to learn more about Eric
The good, the bad & the ugly. Let's talk about the Canadian book industry & what inspires this lifetime small-press book activist... But before we do...if you LOVE books and the stories behind them, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel where you'll find all my fabulous author interviews. :) Hi! My name is crystal fletcher. Welcome to all about canadian books! This week’s guest is Nathaniel G. Moore. Nathaniel is an award-winning author, poet, lifetime small-press book activist, literary publicist, and journalist whose writing has appeared in national newspapers, Toronto Life, The Berkeley Review, The Georgia Strait and Edit. We discussed his latest book Honorarium which was published by Palimpsest Press. In Honorarium, Nathaniel compiles twenty years’ worth of reading other people’s books, while also faithfully attempting to convey a sense of what it’s like to work behind-the-scenes in CanLit. Always breaking from convention, Moore’s non-fiction is imbued with a sense of urgency, passion and intimacy with the community of creators that surround him. Honorarium is a time capsule and survey course into the ever-changing, mysterious world of Canadian publishing. Essays 2001-2021. And, can I just say...I was FASCINATED by his essay My Grandfather's Cult! If you're a wrestling fan you're going to love Nathaniel's birthday greeting from retired wrestler Bret "The Hitman Hart." Fellow writers, if you are looking for a literary publicist who brings twenty years of experience in the publishing industry then to do I have the person for you.  How to Promote Your Book & a Reading I'm sure many writers can relate, we love writing but when it's time to promote our books...OMG, yikes! So, when I read Nathaniel's essay How to Be Your Own Book-PR Dream Team it was with a highlighter in hand. Attention all writers...you're going to want to listen to what he has to say! Nathaniel also reads an excerpt from Honorarium (he has a great sense of humour). **Change in schedule Lucy EM Black's interview will be posted Aug. 31**
with owner & publisher Noelle Allen, Wolsak & Wynn Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to all about canadian books. This week, I’m hosting a special series that takes a peak at what’s going on in the Canadian book industry. Before I introduce this week’s guest…if you LOVE books and the stories behind them, be sure to subscribe to my channel. Interviews are posted bi-weekly, and you don’t want to miss them. My guest today is Noelle Allen. She’s the owner and publisher of Wolsak and Wynn an award-winning literary press based in Hamilton, Ontario. She is also the past-chair of the Literary Press Group, gritlit: Hamilton’s Readers and Writers Festival and of the Hamilton Arts Council Literary Advisory Committee, where she managed the Hamilton Literary Awards. Currently Noelle is also the essay editor for the Hamilton Review of Books and manages the literary programing for Super Crawl, Hamilton’s largest outdoor arts festival. We discussed, her career highlight (Noelle has been in the industry for 3 decades), manuscripts that grab her attention, the challenges of being an independent publisher in Canada before and amid COVID-19. **CORRECTION: Apparently, I did not have enough coffee as I referred to 'independent' publishing as 'indie.' OMG! And, Noelle was very Canadian and did not correct me! I am SO embarrassed and BIG apologies. OMG!** To check out Wolsak & Wynn's releases and to see what's new
Like many Canadians during the pandemic, I have read a TON of books (and counting!). But…how many of these books are by Canadian authors? Why aren't Canadians reading Canadian books? Hi! My name is crystal fletcher. This week on all about canadian books I’m hosting a special series that examines what’s going on in the Canadian book industry (and I must confess I had no idea). To kick-off the series author Susan Swan is back. Susan Swan is a journalist, feminist, novelist, activist, teacher, gardener and is passionate about Canadian authors and Susan is here to discuss why Canadians aren’t reading Canadian books (and it's not because Canada does not have any talented authors). Here's what Susan has to say about Canada's literary crisis. To read Susan's article in Now magazine To visit Susan's website During our interview, I referred to the book industry having a bit of a silver lining at the end of 2020 because the Department of Canadian Heritage injected a one time $10 million into it. This program allowed independent Canadian book distributors to offer incentives to retail bookstores to increase their stocks of Canadian books. It worked. Canadian-authored books accounted for almost a fifth of all book sales in 2020 in independent book stores across our country. Click here, to read the report. Up next, Noelle Allen, owner and publisher, Wolsak and Wynn.
How does Newfoundland inspire author Damhnait Monaghan? Let's find out... Hi! My name is crystal fletcher. Welcome to all about canadian books! This week’s guest is Damhnait Monaghan. Damhnait grew up in Ontario and Newfoundland & Labrador. She's a former teacher and lawyer and an award-winning flash fiction writer. Damhnait currently resides in the south of England with her husband, two teens and dogs. We chatted about her debut novel New Girl in Little Cove, which was published by Harper Collins. ... It’s 1985. When new teacher Rachel O’Brien arrives in a tiny fishing village, seeking a fresh start after her father dies and her relationship ends, but she soon realizes the most important lessons are the ones she learns outside the classroom. From the anonymous notes that keep appearing on her car, telling her to GO HOME, the charm of Newfoundland’s distinctive music and culture, budding feelings for fellow teacher Doug to a clash with church and community that throws her career into jeopardy. Let’s just say…it’s quite a year for Rachel O’Brien and you’ll have to read New Girl in the Cove to find out what ‘come from away’ Rachel learns. I love that The Globe and Mail describes this romantic comedy as "a warm hug of a book." To learn more about Damhnait  Damhnait's Perseverance Pays Off & a Reading Many writers are familiar with rejection (I know I am). In her book's acknowledgements Damhnait mentions that "countless rejections and near misses," led to her putting her manuscript on the shelf. For fellow writers out there who are feeling a little discouraged about the query process don't miss Damhnait share her story about what led to her taking that manuscript off the shelf. As I listened to Damhnait read, I can clearly picture Rachel O'Brien's arrival at Little Cove, Newfoundland.
How do the foothills of southern Alberta inspire author Sophie Stocking? Hello! My name is crystal fletcher. If you're new to all about canadian books Welcome! And, if you’re returning, Welcome Back! This week’s guest is Sophie Stocking. Sophie has a very diverse career—social work, architecture, and motherhood. She also pursued fiction at the Alexandra Writer’s Centre and at the University of Calgary. We chatted about Sophie’s collection of short stories Walking Leonard & Other Stories, which was published by Guernica Editions. These stories depict unspoken pivot points in the lives of ordinary people. Themes include responsibility and violation between parent and child, nature as a protective force, and the shucking off of various selves in the process of a lifetime. The stories spring from the foothills of southern Alberta, specifically Calgary, and some even more specifically from the historic neighbourhood of Bowness. And, there's more... Also included in this interview is some fabulous advice for writers. Sophie says..."ignore some of the advice that's out there!" (love this :)) I hope you enjoyed our interview and Sophie's reading from Walking Leonard and Other Stories. To learn more about Sophie  One year ago, I posted the first all about canadian books author interview on YouTube! Woohoo! What a year it's been...41 interviews! I have LOVED it and am filled with gratitude.  It has been an absolute joy to speak with SO many talented authors and to hear them discuss the stories behind their books. Happy Writing to all! A BIG thanks to all the dedicated people who work at At Bay Press, Breakwater Books, Cormorant Editions, Guernica Editions, Inanna Publications, NON, Penguin Canada, Simon and Schuster Canada, Wolsak and Wynn and Wintertickle Press. It's been a pleasure to collaborate. Thanks for all the INCREDIBLE (my favourite word today) books. And, a HUGE thanks to the viewers. I thank you for watching and for your support. Happy Reading! And, PLEASE click this link to subscribe to my channel. I look forward to reading and speaking with more Canadian authors in season 2! Thanks for supporting your local bookstore. Not sure where to find one Many thanks. Merci. Namaste. Wela'lin. 🙏 How does Italy inspire author Bernardine Ann Teràz Stapleton? Hi! My name is crystal fletcher. If you are new to all about canadian books Welcome! and, if you’re returning Welcome Back! This week’s guest is Bernardine Ann Teràz Stapleton. Bernardine is an award-winning playwright, whose plays are produced nationally and internationally. She has also written four books, short fiction and is performer of unique distinction. She has served as writer in residence at Memorial University, as playwright in residence with several national companies, and as artistic director of theatre festivals. We discussed love, life which was published by Breakwater Books. Do you love life? In this hilarious frolic through the hills of Italy, our heroine discovers the past is never really gone: it runs beside us our entire lives, just waiting to bite us in the arse. love, life is a made-up true fable about coming out, going back in, getting fat, Italian food, and stalking the Piazzo Bernardini. It’s a haunting love story, transcending decades, countries, and heartbreak. A Newfoundlander in Italy offers the humour, optimism, and romantic yearning the world needs now. I know I needed it! Hope you enjoyed our discussion and book reading as much as I did. Thank you, Bernardine for the great writing tip. Fellow writers, find what works best for you and for Bernardine it is...to show up and greet her day with writing whether she feels like it or not. If you would like to learn more about Bernardine  |
AuthorStory Teller. Content Writer. Traveller. YouTuber. Archives
August 2021
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
