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If you LOVE books...I interview new & established authors to find out the
author's story (SO fun to get to know them) & the story behind their book.
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
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Today, on all about canadian books we find out how Mi'kmaq guide Sylvester Joe’s identity is reclaimed almost 200 years later... Hi! My name is crystal fletcher. If you are new to the program Welcome! And, if you’re returning Welcome Back! This week, I have two very special guests Chief Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill. Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe is an author. He has been the District Traditional Chief of Miawpukek First Nation since 1983 and is considered the Spiritual Chief of the Mi’kmaq Newfoundland and Labrador. Sheila O'Neill is an author, Drum Carrier and carries many teachings passed down by respected Elders and a member of Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation. She is a founding member and past president of the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network and, has been part of a grassroots movement of empowerment of Indigenous women within the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. We discussed My Indian which was published by Breakwater Books. In 1822, William Epps Cormack sought the expertise of a guide who could lead him across Newfoundland in search of the last remaining Beothuk camps on the island. In his journals, Cormack refers to his guide only as “My Indian.” Now, almost two hundred years later, Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill reclaim the story of Sylvester Joe, the Mi’kmaq guide engaged by Cormack. In a remarkable feat of historical fiction, My Indian follows Sylvester Joe from his birth to his journey across the island with Cormack. But will Sylvester Joe lead Cormack to the Beothuk, or will he protect the Beothuk and lead his colonial explorer away? For the stories behind the book you can watch our interview below. Also featured is Shelia reading an excerpt from My Indian. And, determination, patience, if you have a story you need to tell--tell it...is the advice these authors have for writers. Wela'lioq, Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill. My Indian touched me. It filled me with an array of emotions and appreciation for the beautiful friendship Indigenous peoples have with the land and all her creatures.
Today, June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. In celebration and recognition of First Nations, Inuit and Métis unique heritages, diverse cultures and achievements my special guest is Sheila O’Neill. Sheila O'Neill is an author, drum carrier, founding member and past president of Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network. She is also part of a grassroots movement of empowerment of Indigenous women within Newfoundland and Labrador. Sheila is a member of Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation and we discussed the importance of the drum to the Mi'kmaq and her role as a drum carrier. Tomorrow on all about canadian books Sheila O’Neill is back with Chief Mi'sel Joe to discuss their historical fiction My Indian. My Indian is an important book that reclaims Mi'kmaq guide Sylvester Joe’s identity almost 200 years later...you'll have to watch tomorrow to find out more!
Wela'lin, Sheila. Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day! Honest. Brave. Vulnerable. Hollay Ghadery discusses her memoir Fuse which explores the documented prevalence of mental health issues in bi-racial women. Hi! My name is crystal fletcher. If you are new to the program Welcome! And if you’re returning Welcome Back! This week’s guest is Hollay Ghadery. Hollay is a writer, editor, creative consultant. A mother of four. When she’s not parenting and when the gyms are open, Hollay enjoys lifting heavy things. Fuse was published by Guernica Editions. Drawing on her own experiences as a woman of Iranian and British Isle descent, writer Hollay Ghadery dives into conflicts and uncertainty surrounding the bi-racial female body and identity, especially as it butts up against the disparate expectations of each culture. Painfully and at times, reluctantly, Fuse probes and explores the documented prevalence of mental health issues in bi-racial women. Hollay writes about her eating disorder, substance abuse, self-mutilation, self-hatred, and an anxiety disorder. I am in awe of Hollay's honesty and vulnerability. To learn more about Hollay Ghadery Hollay's Author Advice & A Reading Listen to Hollay Ghadery as she reads from her memoir Fuse. Hollay's advice for authors is to read A LOT. Read widely. Read EVERYTHING and to take notes about what you loved about them. How does Iqaluit inspire author Felicia Mihali? 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 Felicia Mihali as a guest. Felicia is a journalist, novelist and publisher who lives in Montréal. She has written 12 novels and we discussed Felicia’s latest Pineapple Kisses in Iqaluit which was published by Guernica Editions. Ten years after her picture on a magazine cover made her nationally famous as The Darling of Kandahar, Irina moves up North hoping that new experiences would allow old wounds to finally heal. Yet, in the land of darkness and polar bears, she learns that there really is no place to hide from herself. When she meets Constable Liam O'Connor, her past comes out to challenge her once again. Felicia also discusses writing in English (her 5th language). I am in AWE of this. To learn more about Felicia and her other novels Felicia Mihali Reads from Pineapple Kisses In Iqaluit I LOVE an accent and I could listen to Felicia read all day. Felicia's advice for writers is to write about things you know well. Be Sincere. Be honest--with yourself and your readers. Merci Felicia!
What inspires bestselling author Catherine McKenzie? Let's find out… Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to all about canadian books. This week's guest is Catherine McKenzie. Catherine was born and raised in Montreal, practiced law for twenty years and now writes full time. When Catherine is not writing she’s an avid runner, skier and tennis player. We discussed her eleventh novel Six Weeks to Live which was published by Simon & Schuster. What would you do if you had to solve your own murder? Jennifer Barnes never expected the shocking news she received at a routine doctor’s appointment: she has a terminal brain tumor—and only six weeks left to live. While stunned by the diagnosis, the forty-eight-year-old mother decides to spend what little time she has left with her family—her adult triplets and twin grandsons—close by her side. But when she realizes she was possibly poisoned a year earlier, she’s determined to discover who might have tried to get rid of her before she’s gone for good... And can I just say...Wow! what an ending! To learn more about Catherine McKenzie and to check out her other books Author Advice & Reading According to Catherine if you want to be a better writer you need to read more. As an avid reader I love this advice. No problem Catherine, I will up my book intake. Catherine also reads from the first chapter of her novel and she puts me right in the doctor's office with her character Jennifer Barnes when she receives the shocking news she is dying. How does delusion inspire author Andrèe A. Gratton? Let's find out... Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about canadian books. I’m very excited to have Quebec author Andrèe A. Gratton and translator, Ian Thomas Shaw as guests. Andrèe A. Gratton studied philosophy and classical studies in Montreal, Berlin and Strasbourg. She teaches philosophy in Montreal and loves swimming in cold water (I had to ask her about this)! Ian Thomas Shaw is a novelist, translator, editor, former Canadian diplomat and development officer who has lived in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Ian speaks English, French, German, Spanish and some Arabic. We discussed Andrèe's award-winning debut novel Choosing Eleonore which was published by Guernica Editions and Editions de la Pleine Lune, in French. Choosing Eleonore tells the story of a one-way friendship. It explores the delusion of being loved. This is Marianne's story. Marianne is obsessed with Eleonore. From the first sentence..."Long before we met, Eleonore was dreaming of me. Not me with this hair, these two hands or the sound of my voice. No. Of me as a friend, an ideal friend," we feel that something is wrong in her perception of reality. But who is this Eleonore, whom Marianne had never spoken to? What is so fascinating about her? Neither humiliation, rebuffs, rejection will disabuse Marianne of her certainty of being loved by Eleonore. I was SO intrigued by both Marianne and Eleonore. To find out more about these women you'll have to read Choosing Eleonore. To learn more about Andrèe A. Gratton To learn more about about Ian Thomas Shaw A Reading from Choosing Eleonore For a peak into Marianne's delusional mindset, click below. Merci Andrèe A. Gratton & Ian Thomas Shaw!
How does Toronto’s Chinatown inspire author Wayne Ng? Let's find out... Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome back. I’m very excited to have Wayne Ng as a guest on this week's episode of all about canadian books. Wayne is an award-winning short story and travel writer, a school social worker who loves to write, travel, eat and play—preferably all at the same time. We discussed his 2nd novel Letters From Johnny which was published by Guernica Editions. It's 1970. Johnny Wong is in grade 5. A lonely boy who tries to stickhandle a neighbourhood of immigrants and draft dodgers. Johnny’s world unravels after a murder, a betrayal, and the unexpected emergence of a family member, ALL THIS as he tries to make sense of the FLQ crisis. His only solace are letters to a penpal, then to Dave Keon, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Letters From Johnny is a charming and fun read. This novel made me smile A LOT! To learn more about Wayne and to check out his fantastic travel pictures Letters From Johnny Book Trailer 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! 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. |
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