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How do lottery tickets inspire Marissa Stapley? Let's to find out… Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about canadian books. I’m thrilled to have Marissa Stapley as a guest. Marissa is an international bestselling author, award-winning journalist, editor, screenwriter and educator. We discussed Marissa’s latest novel Lucky which was published by Simon and Schuster. Lucky Armstrong is a tough, talented grifter who has just pulled off a million-dollar heist with her boyfriend, Cary. She’s ready to start a brand-new life, with a new identity—when things go sideways. Lucky finds herself alone for the first time, navigating the world without the help of either her father or her boyfriend, the two figures from whom she’s learned the art of the scam. When she discovers that a lottery ticket she bought on a whim is worth millions, her elation is tempered by one big problem: cashing in the winning ticket means the police will arrest her for her crimes... You'll have to read Lucky to find out what she does! To learn more about Marissa and her other novels  Author Reading & Writing Tips If your dream is to be an author, be sure to check out Marissa's inspirational pep talk. Marissa encourages writers to sit down and do the work. It's not always going to be fun, or easy but you can't achieve your dreams without the hard work. And, NEVER give up. I couldn't agree more. Thank you Marissa. Marissa also reads the opening of her new novel Lucky. I don't know about you but I'm also quite curious about Sister Mary Margaret!
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How does murder inspire crime fiction novelist Robert Rotenberg? It doesn't. But the plight of the homeless does. ... Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about canadian books. I’m excited to have Robert Rotenberg (who is Canada's John Grisham) as a guest. Robert is a novelist, screenwriter, teacher and full-time criminal lawyer. We discussed Robert's 6th novel Downfall--an instant bestseller! Downfall was published by Simon & Schuster. Here's what Downfall is about. For decades, the Humber River Golf Course has been one of the city’s most elite clubs. All is perfect in this playground for the rich until the homeless people move into the pristine ravine nearby. Tensions mount between rich and poor and reach a head when two of the squatters are brutally murdered. Suddenly the plight of the homeless has everyone’s attention. Press. Protests. Politicians and the Public. The pressure is on for the head of Homicide Detective Ari Greene to find the killer and then, there’s a third murder... You're going to have to read Downfall to find out what happens! To learn more about Robert, be sure to check out the video talks featured on his website. You will also find the other books in the Detective Greene series.  Robert Rotenberg's #1 Writing Tip Attention writers! According to Robert if writers want readers, agents, or publishers to keep reading then they need to pay HUGE attention to the opening sentence, first paragraph and chapter of their book. Let's just say...after I listened to Robert's "Are you 'in' or are you 'out'?" strategy, I went back and redid the first paragraph of my novel! Thank you, Robert. How do con men inspire author Susan Swan? Let's find out... Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about canadian books. I’m thrilled to have Susan Swan as a guest. Susan is a journalist, feminist, novelist, activist, teacher and gardener. Susan’s critically acclaimed novels have been published in over 20 countries and we’ll be discussing her 8th novel The Dead Celebrities Club which was published by Cormorant Books. Get comfortable we’ve got….Greed. Fraud. And financial fallout for you today! Dale Paul is the hedge fund whale. He enjoys a life of self-delusion that allows him to gamble other people’s money. But when he gambles the pensions of the American military & fails Dale-Paul goes to prison; where he is confronted with the challenge of understanding himself and his place in the age of the new robber-barons. If you'd like to learn more about Susan and have a peak at her gorgeous garden  Author Reading & Some Wisdom for Writers To get to know Susan's con man Dale Paul, don't miss Susan read an excerpt from The Dead Celebrities Club. And, for writers who are working on their manuscripts Susan recommends to get that first draft down without criticism. How does yoga inspire author Beth Follett? Let’s find out… Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about canadian books. I’m delighted to have Beth Follett as a guest. Beth is a novelist, an essayist, a publisher (Pedlar Press), and a poet. We’ll be discussing her 2nd novel Instructor which was published by Breakwater Books. When Ydessa Bloom’s husband dies in a Cessna crash in a mid-Ontario lake, she rents a cottage at that lake, without really comprehending why, and stays for three months. There she meets three people who will influence her life dramatically—her landlady, a yoga teacher, and a precocious eight-year-old boy named Henry Rattle. Years later, at the age of twenty-five and reeling from personal tragedy, Henry seeks Ydessa out once again, and they find themselves alone on the day of the Northeast blackout, drawn into an encounter that will change them both... This yoga lover also loves books. As the founder of Pedlar Press for twenty-five years Beth Follett published innovative, contemporary Canadian fiction, poetry and the occasional nonfiction. To check out Pedlar's website  Author Reading & Manuscript Submission Tips As a publisher Beth also has some great advice for writers who are seeking publication. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! When you listen to Beth's advice you'll know why I've capitalized the previous sentence! Enjoy Beth's reading. How does water inspire author Nina Munteanu? Let’s find out… Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about Canadian books. I’m thrilled to have Nina Munteanu as a guest. Nina is a Canadian ecologist and novelist who has also written: novelettes, short stories, creative non-fiction, general interest articles, science and nature articles, essays, non-fiction guidebooks and textbooks. We discussed Nina’s latest book A Diary in the Age of Water which was published by Inanna Publications. Centuries from now, in a post-climate change dying boreal forest of what used to be northern Canada, Kyo, a young acolyte discovers a diary that may provide her with the answers about the Earth’s past—during the Age of Water. The diary spans a twenty-year period in the mid-twenty-first century, and it describes a near-future Toronto in the grips of severe water scarcity during a time when China owns the USA, and the USA owns Canada. The gritty memoir is written by 33-year-old limnologist Lynna, a single mother who works in Toronto for CanadaCorp, an international utility that controls everything about water, and she witnesses the disturbing events lead to humanity’s demise.... This book FREAKED me out! Because the dystopian future Nina creates is plausible--from the melting of the Arctic ice, the demise of the polar bear, the changing ecosystems and water being a commodity more valuable than gold. Be sure to visit Nina's website. Nina has a vast catalogue of books ranging from historical fiction to science fiction and there's some great insight into what we can do to help protect our beautiful planet. Nina hosts the Age of Water podcast with co-host Claudiu Murgan; a podcast devoted to exploring water and environmental issues. Nina! I'm listening. I'm going to plant A LOT of trees!  Nina Reads an Excerpt from A Diary in the Age of Water Nina has been teaching writing for years at the University of Toronto and George Brown College so she has a lot of advice to pass along...take courage, find your passion and write from the heart. If you do so your writing will sparkle. I couldn't agree more and Nina certainly sparkles! How did author Lisa Braxton’s parents inspire her debut novel The Talking Drum? Let’s find out… Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about books. I’m delighted to have author Lisa Braxton as a guest. Lisa Braxton is an Emmy-nominated former television journalist and reporter. She's also an essayist, short story writer, and a novelist. We’ll be chatting about her award-winning debut novel The Talking Drum which was published by Inanna Publications. The Talking Drum, is a recipient of an Outstanding Literary Award from the National Association of Black Journalists. The novel is set in 1971, in fictional Bellport, Massachusetts and it evolves around three couples hopes, dreams and challenges amid the coming urban redevelopment which will greatly impact the residents. Tensions rise as the demolition date approaches and suspicious fires begin to break out. Bellport residents find themselves at odds with the political system that is manipulating both their lives and their relationships… Be sure to visit Lisa's website to learn more about Lisa and, she has some thought provoking questions for book clubs.  Author Reading & Advice for Writers Don't miss Lisa Braxton read from her debut novel The Talking Drum. Lisa also offers some encouraging advice for writers and that being find a support group and plug-in! What inspires an author who is also a world-famous would-be pickler? Let’s find out… Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about books. I’m excited to have author Kerry Clare as a guest. Kerry is also a blogger, editor, writer, and a reader who likes books even more than she likes tea (and she likes tea A LOT!). We discussed her 2nd novel Waiting for a Star to Fall which was published by Doubleday Canada/Penguin Random House. This is a powerful book that asks...just how much are you willing to forgive in the name of love? Brooke is a young woman who has long been caught up in the orbit of much older rising political superstar Derek. They fall in love. But when Derek is accused of sexual misconduct Brooke is forced to re-examine their relationship and try to make sense of the man she loves... Also included is an author reading as well as some great advice for aspiring writers...Don't peak too soon! To learn more about this would-be world-famous pickler check out Kerry's website Pickle Me This. There's also some fantastic book recommendations (Kerry reads A LOT).  What inspired author Dennis Bock to write an alternate history where Georg Elser succeeded in assassinating Hitler? Let’s find out… Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about books. I’m thrilled to have award-winning author Dennis Bock as a guest. Dennis is also a travel writer, book reviewer, and teacher. We’ll be discussing his 5th book The Good German which was published by Patrick Crean Editions/Harper Collins. In The Good German the hero, anti-fascist Elser’s assassination attempt on Hitler’s life in 1939 is successful, but rather than stop the rise of the Third Reich as he had hoped—terrible consequences are un-leashed, the atomic bomb obliterates London and Nazi Germany wins WW2... To purchase The Good German (which I am still thinking about)  Author Reading & Advice Listen to Dennis read an excerpt from The Good German. Bock also has some great advice for writers...don't be afraid to tell and beware of the lazy narrator. How does opera inspire author Caro Soles? Let’s find out… Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about books. I’m delighted to have author Caro Soles as a guest today. Caro is an educator, she writes operas, mysteries, erotica, gay lit, sci-fi with little or no science and of late, historical fiction. Dancing with Chairs in the Music House is her 14th book and it was published by Inanna Publications. The novel is set in Toronto in 1949, and it’s told through the eyes of a precocious ten-year-old Vanessa who knows a lot of secrets. In the run-down rooming house where the family lives Vanessa gets caught up in one secret that unleashes a chain of events with dire consequences…. To learn more about Caro Soles  Listen to Caro read an excerpt from her novel How does rural Ontario inspire author Laurie Ray Hill? Let’s find out… Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about books. I’m delighted to have playwright and author Laurie Ray Hill as a guest. Laurie has recently retired from a role in Vision Loss Rehabilitation, where she supported people with vision loss to grasp and to navigate their worlds. Her debut novel Paper Stones was published by Inanna Publications. From the moment she holds her baby niece, Rose is on a mission. This child is not going to be another victim of the family curse: sexual abuse. So, Rose joins a support group to prevent this from happening and this is where the story begins… To learn more about Laurie Ray Hill  Listen to Laurie's reading of Paper Stones her characters voices come alive. |
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