We have a Winner!

Last week I put a little contest up on Linda Gerber's blog to celebrate the advent of her new book DEATH BY BIKINI. Mine was (in true Canuck fashion) the only snowy beach scene, so (in part to compensate) I asked participants to comment by sending in the name of their favourite beach.

The results were amazing -- beaches from all around the world. Thanks to all for participating!

And the winner of a copy of MS ZEPHYR'S NOTEBOOK is...

Daniel!

So Daniel, if you just send me an email with your mailing address at contact@kcdyer.com, I'll get a signed copy of this book off to you right away.

~kc

A Whole Lotta Shakin...

Board meeting in Surrey today to further the progress of this year's SiWC conference. The website is looking incredible, and will be available for public viewing (in all likelihood) within the next week. The text for the brochure is coming together and soon, soon, soon I'll be able to lift the curtain on the names of the presenters for this year.

***

Meanwhile...here is the press release for Spring Book Hatching, 2008:

Just in time for summer reading, the Children’s Writers and Illustrators of BC (CWILL BC) is pleased to announce the second annual Spring Book Hatching, a special event to celebrate the release of the latest books by local authors and artists.

Spring Book Hatching will be held June 14, 2008, from 1-3 pm in the Peter Kaye room and lower level at the Vancouver Public Library. This free event promises to have something for every young reader, with picture books, juvenile fiction, and young adult books all being showcased. The afternoon will feature live presentations, free autographs, displays, door prizes, a book sale and—best of all—the chance for lovers of children’s literature to meet their favourite BC author or illustrator.

“We have some incredible, award-winning authors and illustrators in this province,” says CWILL BC president James McCann. “We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to gather so much of our local talent together in one room. Last year, this event was an incredible success, and we can’t wait to show the public what we’ve all been up to since last year.”

To date, the following authors and illustrators are scheduled to appear at Spring Book Hatching: Caroline Adderson, Sue Ann Alderson, Ann Alma, Dan Bar-el, Lillian Boracks-Nemetz, Julie Burtinshaw, Kristin Butcher, Izabel Bzymek, Norma Charles, kc dyer

Lee Edward Födi, Dayle Campbell Gaetz, Patricia Godwin, James Heneghan, Shelley Hrdlitschka, Vi Hughes, Melanie Jackson, Katarina Jovanovik, Shar Levine, Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Laura Langston, Meomi, James Mccann, Gina Mcmurchy-Barber, Michelle Mulder, Rachel Dunstan Muller, Maxwell Newhouse, Cynthia Nugent, Jacqueline Pearce, Robin Stevenson, Crystal Stranaghan, Joan Betty Stuchner, Nikki Tate, Meg Tilly, Kirsti Anne Wakelin, Irene Watts, John Wilson, Kari-Lynn Winters, and Pam Withers.

CWILL BC is a lively group of published writers and illustrators for children. With close to 150 members across British Columbia, we exchange information about creating literary works for young people, we support one another and we help promote our books. Our volunteer, cooperative organization also communicates with other arts groups, schools and libraries in BC and Canada. Spring Book Hatching is hosted by CWILL BC, Pandora’s Collective, and the Vancouver Public Library.

-30-

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And not only that...

Fellow Compuserve Books & Writers Forum denizens will know the names of Carol Spradling and Jennifer Hendren. Carol has a new book coming out this month (it's called COST OF FREEDOM, and is being released digitally by Wild Rose Press), and Jennifer is celebrating with a book give-away on her blog. Check it out!

~kc

Seamus Finds a Stick

Seamus is 3 now, and he's a pretty good boy, most of the time. And like the bulk of his species, he has a great fondness for sticks. He likes to bring them to me on our hikes.

But, sadly, these days, we no longer hike alone.




No sooner does a dog find a decent stick to chew on, when what should come sneaking out of the shadows but ... the Trickster.

Rapid head movement is no deterrent.


The Trickster just rolls his eyes and moves in for the kill.

Seamus puts up a mighty struggle. After all, he is still bigger than Silas -- AND outweighs him by about 20 pounds.


But alas...

The Trickster has speed on his side.

What's a golden to do? We are made for love (and food), not speed.
(You'll note I say 'we'. Let's just say I identify...)
Once again, the Trickster prevails, leaving the Golden boy, gasping and wheezing in the dust.

Luckily, all is forgiven after a big drink from the stream.

**This episode of DogBlog brought to you whilst your humble blog author is in plague-recovery mode. Please expect a return to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow...**

~kc

Typing Between Coughs...

The other night I was invited to speak with The Novel Knickers, a book club at Christianne's Lyceum of Literature and Art in Kitsilano.

I was there to speak about my novel Ms. Zephyr's Notebook -- and I must say I had a fabulous time.

The group was made up of 11 or 12 avid readers and their parents, and they all ensured I had a wonderful time, sharing thoughts, observations and questions about my book. The treats were splendid (I even got to take home Purdy's chocolate!), the conversation sublime. Many thanks to Christianne Hayward and her marvellous staff for hosting such a wonderful evening. And thanks to all for putting up with my alternatingly squeaky and gravelly voice.


Posts are flying fast and furious over at Linda Gerber's blog, in celebration of her new book DEATH BY BIKINI. You can check out my guest post here -- and if you leave a comment, your name goes in a draw not only for a personalized copy of MS. ZEPHYR'S NOTEBOOK, but for a bunch of other prizes, too.

I noticed that one of the early winners was sister writer, photography nut and blogger extraordinaire A Novel Woman -- who also, I recall, seems to have remarkable luck when it comes to winning things.

Not much else going on around here. I am currently stricken with some dreadful plague, the details of which I will spare you. Am trying to work with the SiWC's amazing webmaster (and Drupal genius) Dale McGladdery to help get our new site up and running, and pull together the 2008 brochure to deliver into the hands of designer and web genius Laurel Hickey...but mostly I am coughing, napping and reading PG Wodehouse.

I have to send out a huge thank you to sister scribe Meg Tilly for stepping in to take on a big speech off my germ-laden hands. Thank you, Meg!



And to finish, here is one of my favourite recent pictures of my own little mermaid, doing one of the things she does best -- the backstroke.

Just last weekend, she got her triple A (provincial standard) time in 100m Back, a feat which has made us all very proud.




~kc

DEATH BY BIKINI

One of my most amazing author friends, Linda Gerber, is launching her new book this week.

She is celebrating this exciting event with a cyber-beach party on her blog.

I'll be a guest blogger over there (I think my post goes up tomorrow).

She's giving away tons of prizes this week, including an Ipod shuffle, so for a chance to win, hie on over to her blog and check it out!

You also have a chance to win a copy of my book, MS. ZEPHYR'S NOTEBOOK -- the winner will be announced here, too, on Thursday, May 22.

Check out Linda's new book -- it's fun in the sun!

~kc