Friday Round-up -- Contests and a Hark Back to Summer Dream

I'm deep in the bowels of Ontario at the moment, seeing to a little family business and a bit of workishness and other skullduggery. Poor timing on my part, as I am in the midst of a couple of contests right now requiring dexterity of email ability. But it is fall, and fall is the Prime Time for the writing community -- no one sleeps at this time of year. Much running about, attending, reading, writing, promoting. Such is the life I love!

A recap...

First: The SiWC 2009 Writing Contest closes tonight ...last chance for entries to be submitted by email is essentially right now. Check it out online at www.siwc.ca and send entries to contest@siwc.ca. If you do submit by email, entry fee must follow via snail mail in cheque or money order form. Website is there for details. Do not think you are alone in last-minute submissions -- you are legion, my procrastinating writer friend!

Next: The intrepid Darby's interview this week on Darby Speaks is with Princess Meg, star of THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS  and the just released smash sequel THE RUNAWAY DRAGON. You can win a copy of the latest novel by leaving a comment on Darby's blog HERE. Spread the word! You have until tomorrow night.

And finally, a fond remembrance of this year's wonderful Summer Dream in Stanley Park. This is one of my favourite images -- my friend the zany author Lee Edward Fodi, reading from his latest book Kendra Kandlestar and the Shard From Greeve, whilst a young woman signs the story to a group of clearly mesmerized children.

You can see more of my pix from Summer Dream 2009 on my flickr page HERE.


More catching up soon!


~kc

Kendra Kandlestar and the Shard From Greeve

Lee Edward Fodi launches his latest Kendra Kandlestar novel tomorrow at Cameron Rec Centre in Burnaby.

Where: 9520 Cameron Street, Burnaby -- Spruce Room
(near the Lougheed Mall)

When: 5-7:00 pm, Sunday, June 21.

Come celebrate summer solstice with

Kendra Kandlestar and the Shard From Greeve




Full details here: http://tinyurl.com/lg7n4j

or here if you prefer.

See you there!

~kc

Christianne's Novel Knickers, and Darby plunges into new waters

Had a completely fabulous time at Christianne's Lyceum last night, chatting with the Novel Knickers (and a few Knicker Parents, too)!

We held a very thorough and wide-ranging discussion, encompassing history, writing, reading and punctuated with extraordinary food and truly appalling pictionary. I loved every minute -- thanks for having me, Christianne!


The best part of the night was hearing Maddy Richardson's incredibly perceptive and carefully written book review of A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW. Maddy starts with a summary of the novel and then moves on to her thoughts. With her permission, here it is:

A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW is about a girl named Darby who is sent away to live with her grandparents on Prince Edward Island for a summer. At first she is mad that she has to stay in a little old town instead of her amazing home in Toronto, though I suspect her irritation really was because she suspected that her parents were planning a divorce and needed her out of the house. Anyway, she goes to PEI to spend the summer with grandparents she doesn't know. Her Nan is strong and kind, but her Gramps is on the verge of losing all reality and this makes Darby's journey all the more lonely.

One thing leads to another and she meets a boy named Gabriel who leads her through a window that takes her to different times and places. Gabriel actus as a kind of guide in teh sci-fi part of the novel, and it seems his role is to 'open her eyes' in more ways than one. In the end, Darby grows up in ways she never expected and never could have imagined.

I think that the book was amaing and led me on terrific adventures. I liked the fact that Darby was an avid writer -- it was a good contrast to the 'skateboarder' stereotype she seemed to like to associate herself with. The book described Nan as a strong, maybe even a hard person, but I get the feeling that she had a huge heart, but was too protective to show it.

I give this book an 8.5 out of 10. It did not get a full 10 because I found myself confused in some parts. I didn't understand why Darby didn't play with Fiona's gift more than once and why when she went on her first journey there was all of the white mist. It never really made sense and I kept expecting the fog to relate back to something. Finally , Gramps was an amazingly strong person for someone with Alzheimer's but I found it sad to see him losing his sense of reality. But for all the confusion, I was very curious and this was a really good read.

Thank you, Maddy!

And you know, the best thing about being face-to-face with one's (very brave) reviewer is the opportunity to talk about the story --about the concepts of metaphor and imagery, and how they help a story to unfold. It was a real treat to meet Maddy and all the Novel Knickers -- and the Inuksuk brownies were amazing!

One final note: If you hie on over to Darby Speaks, you'll find she and Maurice have embarked on a new adventure -- interviewing characters from other novels. If you'd like to win one of Lee Fodi's Kendra Kandlestar books, or if you'd like to suggest a character for future interview, leave a comment!

~kc

Winter, Huckleberries and a Quick Seasonal Suggestion

It's a cold day here....winter has settled in and contrary to the usual coastal norm, it looks like it might stay awhile.













Dig those whitecaps on Howe Sound.

Bowyer Island, being battered.







But I spent most of the day in the warm embrace of my friends (and fellow scribes), James McCann and Lee Edward Fodi as we did a Holiday Book Event at Once Upon a Huckleberry Bush.

Warm thanks to Portia, Michelle and the rest of the crew made us feel at home and welcome. And best thanks also to Callie, Meg, Don, Oliver and all of our friends who braved the snow to join us in our candy cane celebration.

I love the picture Meg took 0f the tremendous crowds enjoying the antics of the strangely-hatted authors on parade!



And, after a long day, to finish with a quick Seasonal Suggestion, may I suggest that you add the Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar to your gift basket?

These books, written and illustrated by my buddy Lee, (aka Mr. Wiz, the guy in the middle in the picture above) are a magical glimpse into different worlds, led by a tiny girl with many braids and a brave heart. Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger, and Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers are currently available, and Lee is preparing for a new Kendra title to launch early in 2009.

What better way to take the chill out of the season?

~kc