Volcanos and Pythons and Eagles oh MY!

Still no new site, but my open tabs are threatening to take over my computer, so here's a catch up on all that's interesting in kc's world at the moment.

And the new website? Soon my pretties, soon....

Let's begin with a few bookish things, shall we?

I loved this article on what success means to Canadian author Joseph Boyden. Note:[for those who may not be aware of the financial realities of Canuck authors] big money is not involved.

Nonetheless, if you are among the clinically insane enough to pursue this line of work, here's a word of advice for you. I tweeted this earlier this week, and it's been picked up by the clever and sparkly Kathy Chung [that's her on the left up there, with the equally gorgeous writer Pamela Patchet at a SiWC past...]on the SiWC blog...but here is a link to an old [but valuable] article by Jenny Cruisie that has resurfaced recently; some salient advice to writers about valuing your time.

My buddy, author James McCann is offering a kids & parent writing class -- SUCH a great idea! You can find more on his blog HERE.

Speaking of James, he and his partner in crime, Lee Edward Fodi have a new episode of their Authors Like Us podcast up. This is part two of a dinner interview with amazing authors Don Calame and Meg Tilly. I have to admit to crashing the party, so you'll hear me in the background, too. The food was great, the company stellar and the insanity ratcheted high.

In volcanic news, while the planes are now returning to European airspace, here's one Python who got out of town in the world's most expensive taxi ride.

And now, a few interesting things floating about the internet...

HERE , via boingboing, you will find Adam Savage's noble address to Harvard heathen, a brief but very enjoyable read.

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this show before, but in celebration of the new third series episodes that are now up, I suggest you check out Lisa Kudrow's Web Therapy, if you haven't already. Mostly improvised, wholly high-larious.


Let's finish with Australia's Axis of Awesome, shall we? Three less photogenic rockers you will have to search to find, but...are they funny? Judge for yourself:



More soon...

~kc

Dropped Balls... [A bit of a biggish post]

...and files and ideas and things I should've blogged by now.

But first... [as I have been rabidly tweeting all day],

 

The new boots.

As seen, moments ago, attached to the old legs, and propped up on my kitchen counter.

Pink? Why, yes they are.

I spotted them on Queen Street in Toronto, while I was trolling goth shops for suitable legwear. [Suitable for me, you understand, as one who might be a trifle fond of unlikely legwear. A personal quirk, nothing more.]

Anyway, I spotted these boots through a window, leapt in, and had my heart's desire fulfilled.

They are, indeed Doc Martens. Veggie Docs, in the not-so-common parlance of those who care about such things. I have been trying to find a pair of veggie Docs [non-leather Doc Martens] for something like ten years. They stopped making them years ago, and I don't buy leather. I do have a pair of imitation Doc's in shiny black patent -- until now, my favourite footwear.

But I think the black ones may have been usurped. Or coup-ed. Or something.

Okay, back to what's what. Had an amazing dinner tonight with writers Meg Tilly, Don Calame, James McCann and Lee Edward Fodi.

[This pic taken by James, in an effort to show footwear solidarity, but he somehow managed to cut off the boots!]

I suspect you may be able to hear the result in an upcoming Authors Like Us podcast. HUGE fun to see my friends Meg and Don again, since our paths cross less frequently these days and I really miss them. It was supposed to be an 'Authors Like Us' podcast taping of Meg and Don, but I crashed, and all were terribly sweet about it. We've all got new projects just complete or just about ready to go. Great fun.

And now, to some important items recently overlooked...

My last day in Toronto on the weekend, I had a ton of fun trolling bookshops like Mabel's Fables and the Flying Dragon with authors Kari Lynn Winters and Gwen Smid. Gwen is a Winnipeg girl, who has published a couple of very sweet picture books in the Mary's Atlas series with Peanut Butter press.They are lovely books -- you must check them out!


After I left Toronto, I flew home to the massive celebrations of Canada winning hockey gold. Crosby scored the final goal just before my plane touched down, and as I drove home down Granville Street, this was the view:





Taken on the Granville Street bridge, looking into downtown. The sound was unbelievable.






A bit hard to see in this pic, but...

My blog may not post this whole thing. Fingers crossed! This is just a tiny taste of the tens of thousands who poured into the city on that Sunday afternoon, just to share the joy of a story-book ending to the Olympic Games proper.

As mentioned, my plane was on its final approach into YVR when the winning goal happened, but for those on the ground in my city -- this is the sound of raw jubilation, across False Creek from the stadium.



A joyful noise.

~kc

Seasonal Suggestions for Teens -- December 2

But wait! I hear you cry. Teens don't read -- at least my teen doesn't! Give me another suggestion!



Here's the scoop. Even if your teen doesn't generally read for pleasure, they still read. They might read magazines or comic books or the backs of cereal boxes -- but they still read. And most of 'em need to read in school.








If you truly have a reluctant reader, why not make the experience less intimidating? Orca Books out of Victoria, BC has a great imprint for reluctant readers called Orca Soundings. These books are fast-paced, fun reads that are usually short and snappy.



My favourite Orca Soundings book these days is the last one I just read -- FIRST TIME, by Meg Tilly. It's the story of sixteen year old Haley and the issues and worries that surround growing up, hanging out with guys and making choices. And when her mother's new boyfriend starts making unwanted advances, Haley doesn't know which way to turn.

It's a great read -- sweet, funny and poignant. I highly recommend it!

You can CLICK HERE if you'd like to look at other books in the Orca Soundings Line.

And remember -- leave a comment if you'd like to add your own seasonal suggestion for your favourite teen. You could win an autographed copy of MS.ZEPHYR'S NOTEBOOK.

Happy holidays!

~kc

Super Saturday

Had an amazing day yesterday. First I got to meet my writer friends Trudy and Kathy at Nancy Warren's Romance writing workshop -- a fundraiser for Breast Cancer research that was a great deal of fun.














Then last night I got to see the closing night of an astonishing production of Amadeus. Stellar performances (Go Saliari!), got to hang with my good friend Meg AND eat her most amazing cheese popcorn. What could be better?




~kc

Book Launch Fun

Last night I had a great time at the latest Orca book launch, held at Vancouver Kidsbooks. I love going to book launches (especially when they are not my own!). No pressure, get to hang with my friends AND have someone read to me? Not to mention the added bonus of heading home with an awesome stack of new reading material.

Last night was no exception. I had a little trouble with the *&$# bridges, which meant I was 20 minutes late for pre-launch sushi with Meg, but once I'd met her, scarfed a little sushi and headed over to the bookstore, all traffic issues waned as the fun began.

Five authors (including one author-editor) were fete-ing their new novels, of whom are two my especial pals, so it was a great night for me.

I enjoyed listening to excerpts from Kim Denman's new novel SPIRAL, and Robin Stevenson's TEN THOUSAND SHADES OF BLUE, (I meant to high five Robin for her excellent taste in chromatic titles -- but I forgot...) as well as editor/author/emcee Sarah Harvey's THE LIT CLUB.

Meg Tilly read from her new Orca Soundings novel FIRST TIME.


Of all the pictures I shot, this one is my favourite -- Meg is standing to one side, quietly waiting her turn as she is introduced. Then of course, when she takes the stage, she disappears into her character and we were all pulled into the white Toyota Echo along with Hayley and her friend Lyn. I NEVER miss a chance to listen to Meg do a reading. She is magical.







Shelley Hrdlitschka captured the audience in her own way, discussing the parallels between the world of Unity in her new novel SISTER WIFE and those of Bountiful, a polygamous community, long a source of controversy in British Columbia. She wrote her story from the varying points of view of three separate characters, but it is Celeste, the young girl destined to be married at 15 whose voice captured me.

I cannot wait to read these two novels.

And, of course, the beast must be fed, so a few more books made it into the TBR pile that teetered on the car seat beside me all the way home. I bought DEATH BY LATTE, by Linda Gerber (have already had to promise to read fast and send to my girl, as she is a huge Aphra fan...); Cory Doctorow's LITTLE BROTHER (because, hey -- I've been a boing-boinger for more than a year now. I was going to hold out until it came out in paperback, but...well, I'm weak); Karen Autio's new sequel to SECOND WATCH called SAARA'S PASSAGE and Sherman Alexie's THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN (just 'cause I've wanted to read it since it came out).

Now, if you'll excuse me -- I have some reading to catch up on...

~kc

Rambling...

...tonight is Hycroft, the Very Cool unveiling of most of the new fall line-up in the way of BC Children's Literature. It takes place at Hycroft House, near the UBC campus.

My new book will miss the deadline by 3 months, and I am swamped to the ears with work, so I will be absent from the festivities for the first time in several years. Instead, I am helping proofread my daughter's King Lear essay, via Skype. And working on some last-minute research for A WALK THROUGH THE WINDOW.

Tomorrow night I'll be at the Orca booklaunch of a number of new titles, including Meg Tilly's FIRST TIME and Shelley Hrdlitschka's SISTER WIFE. I'm excited!


I'm going to have to miss the Surrey Public Library's 2008 YA Contest Award Night, though, and I regret that. I love meeting up and coming young writers and Surrey School District produces some amazing talent. Best wishes to all the participants...

~kc

The One I forgot to put a title on...

Collection of thoughts.

I'm very glad I took this shot yesterday, up the mountain above the village hall where I take my gym class.

Today the snow is obscured and the colours are gone as we go through the reality of a typical Howe Sound rainfall. Walking outside is like walking under water, and I've had to postpone my weekly dog walk with my friend Meg and her dog. When she is not walking dogs with me, she becomes the famous author Meg Tilly, and next week marks the start of a new tour (she's doing the Canadian Children's Book Centre's tour this fall -- hooray!) AND a book launch for her new story FIRST TIME.

I'm excited because I haven't read her new book yet, and a new book by Meg is something to be celebrated. This one is for the Orca Soundings series, so she'll be launching with other Orca authors, including Sarah Harvey, Kim Denman and the most wonderful Shelley Hrdlitschka.

I can't wait!

Things are hopping for my own upcoming book, A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW -- I got a glimpse at the new cover last week, and this week will take a final look at the galleys and make my suggestions for the cover copy. It's getting closer!

As for writing, I've got two main projects on the go right now -- the sequel to the adult mystery satire I finished this year, and the first of what I hope will be a five book series, set in the UK. I need to find a word for this -- don't like Quintology... how about a Quintych? I also have a new Darby book due before next summer.

So in the end I guess, rainy days are the best, because they keep me inside, writing -- in body, anyway...

~kc

WOTS 2008

An amazing, gorgeous, sunny day. I could only stay an hour as I had a plane to catch, but here are some random impressions...

Illustrator, CWILL BC member and now Canadian Children's Book Centre rep Cynthia Nugent chats with a fan.



Crowd shot of folks listening to poetry being read. And in the centre of it all? Vancouver Poet Laureate George McWhirter (in the very fetching cap).

At the Canadian Authors Association booth, author and president Margaret Hume chats with an aspiring writer.

CWILL BC's author Meg Tilly chats about her new book FIRST TIME with Vancouver author Susan Juby.

I wish I could have stayed longer!

~kc

C & C Canmore --Heading Westward

Before the re-cap, a quick word about kindness.

This is a shot of James, about to fill up the car with gas provided by our friend Meg Tilly. Before we left town, Meg gave us a gas card as a Chocolate and Chat Tour parting gift, to help speed our tour on its way.

Meg is kindness personified, and both James and I want to thank her for her very thoughtful (and useful!) gift.

(Please note how James is somehow able to brandish the gas card, hold the nozzle AND stand on one foot all at once. Can this guy multi-task, or what?)

Meg hasn't blogged for a few days, so I like to think she is enjoying her family and the summer weather, inventing scrumptious recipes, and romping with her dog.



Back to the update.












This is Sue, manager of Monkeyshines Book Store in Calgary, still smiling after our workshop conducted with a group of amazing young writers. Thanks to Sue and Monkeyshines for hosting such a fun event for us!


As you might have noticed from the comic I posted this morning, our next stop was the wonderful Owl's Nest Book Store in the Britannia area of Calgary. We had a small, but enthusiastic crowd and shared wine, fruit and chocolate along with our conversation. Here is a shot of writer and bookseller Judith Duthie, hanging out with Virtual James.














After our marvellous visits with Sue and her staff at Monkeyshines and Mike and Anne and Judith from Owl's Nest Book store in Calgary, we headed north. The next day saw us on the road to Red Deer. Highway 2 is an adventurous experience at the best of times, but we had a particularly memorable drive, with a temperature that suddenly dropped to 6 degrees, lashing rain and Stephen Spielberg clouds, scudding along at different levels of the stratosphere.

"Look at this amazing sky," sez kc, snapping pictures through the open window.

"Why are these truckers driving at 150 kph through this storm?" sez James, tooling along at slightly over the speed limit himself and watching in awe as the semis roared by with their 100 tonne loads.

[kc pauses the narrative here to note that she just typed 100 tonne toads, and was briefly amused by the ensuing mental imagery...]

"What is that white stuff on the side of the road?" sez both kc and James together, in the curious sing-song style they have developed over the course of the tour.

In spite of questions remaining unanswered, they rolled safely into Red Deer and met up with James's long-lost friend Jen, now children's librarian at the main branch in town. Jen and her colleagues treated the authors to a marvellous lunch (thanks, Jen!) and then kc and James had a fantastic time speaking to a whole whack of young (and young-at-heart) writers for the afternoon. (This is Jen with James, both stricken by the sudden appearance of a Mysterious Stranger...)

We then (intrepidly) leapt into the car and hurtled through the wind and rain back down the highway to Cochrane, for a presentation at the Nan Boothby Memorial Library, under the kind eye of Head Librarian Terence Haxton. Terence had set up a cosy collection of chairs around a fire place -- much welcomed by the frozen travellers -- and a lovely evening was had by all.






It was not until a late-night viewing of email that all became clear -- the hail, the dropping temperatures, the speeding trucks...we had been driving through a tornado warning (with the radio off and the music blaring) and while we were unaware of the danger, those trucks and other drivers were clearly trying to get to their destinations ahead of any tornadoes that might appear!

Deep thanks to Jen and her staff in Red Deer and Terence and his staff in Cochrane for your kind hosting of our events. Again...kindness rears its head. A good way to finish, I think. Tomorrow we plan to avoid tornadoes...

~kc

In Which the Author Apologizes to All and Sundry...

My dear dog-walking buddy and sister-in-words Meg Tilly and I went for a farewell jaunt through our favourite park today, with Molly, Silas and Seamus careening around our legs like park-mad pinballs. This was a farewell jaunt because I have a crazy-busy, here and there, in and out, been and gone summer in front of me ...(Stream-of-consciousness aside: Bean and Gone was the name I gave to the bus station coffee shop in Ms. Zephyr's Notebook. I think it was my favourite place-name in the book....) and it's unlikely we'll get to meet for our weekly walk for awhile.

Now, Meg is one of those heart-of-gold people you only meet a few times in a lifetime. She has been working her tail off all year promoting her third lovely book Porcupine, and is 90+ pages into a new novel. As anyone who is in the middle of slogging through a new manuscript can tell you -- it is hard work. And in my own defense, I was really just thinking of her welfare....

All the same, I feel compelled to hereby offer my heart-felt apology to all of Meg's blog fans for asking her if she was planning to take the summer off blogging. From the looks of this post (and the big grin on her face when she told me so), I think she might do just that.

Now, Meg LOVES blogging, but y'know...everyone is entitled to a little down time, right?

Right?

[kc ducks toll-house cookie, hurled by irate fan, made from recipe ONLY available on Meg's blog....]


Hey -- I said I was sorry!

~kc, who will miss her daily dose of Meg-blog, too...

On Teaching, Writing, Conferences and One Sweet Baboo

Where to begin....

I've been running on too little day for all those things needing my attention, lately, so will try to catch up here a bit.


Let's start with a shout out to James McCann's CWC class, who welcomed me as their guest-teacher last week. We talked about escape and time travel and had a wickedly competitive game of pictionary with words from the very funny (very Dalh-esque) YOU ARE A BAD MAN, MR. GUM, by Andy Stanton.



These shots (deliberately anonymous) were taken as the kids spent time on their own writing projects. By the end of the session, each student will have written a novel to call their own.















On Wednesday night, I had a great time participating in a panel discussion on the subject of writing for young people. The evening was put on by the Canadian Authors Association, and fellow author (and CWILL BC members) James McCann and Meg Tilly were the other panel members. We had a packed house, and the questions from the audience (and from most excellent moderator Jean Kay) drove the evening. Two hours went by in a flash. Thanks to all the CAA exec for their warm welcome!

While we're on the subject, one of the things on my agenda for this summer is to attend CanWrite, the CAA AGM in Edmonton this year. Conference coordinator Suzanne Harris and her team are going to put on a great show.

And to finish, for now -- allow me to formally introduce Ronan:



You've seen his picture before, but now that he is actually home in Calgary, I can proudly proclaim him as my newest canine nephew -- cousin to Seamus and Silas Ermineskin. (Silas is currently in the doghouse [both literal and figurative] after eating the steering wheel of the vehicle in which he was reposing during the lacrosse game today. Pictures to follow.)

Of course, Ronan will never do anything like that.

Isn't he a beauty?


~kc

It's Late

...and I have so much ground to cover. And cover it I will -- but in the morning, I think.

We lost power/telephone/cable/internet here in my little village this week, and I'm afraid to say it was All My Fault. And yours, [sez she, never afraid to share the blame when possible] .

I posted a random pic of the highway (aka my driveway, since it is the only way in or out of this place, save by water or air) and made a blythe (and yet somehow callous) comment on the progress -- or lack thereof -- of the upgrade.

That night, the blasting went awry, rock faces were blown away, trees and greenery were smithereened -- and along with them went the telephone and cable wires.

And thus, you find me, dear readers, in a position to blame only myself (and perhaps you, if you are willing to share) for the fact I am behind in posting and email and everything.

Almost everything.

Lack of internet means that the re-write progressed much more than apace. Am nearly ready to send it out to a small group of my fiercest critics, long cultivated (by poking them with sharp sticks and so on).

Even without technology, the words march on.

Tomorrow is a big blog day. Prepare yourselves. Much of import to export, so to speak. Discussion of my day with James McCann's CWC class. Analysis of a Most Excellent Canadian Authors Association panel with the very same James McCann and the very lovely Meg Tilly.

And I will not neglect the usual wildlife and weather reports, along with much more.

'Til then, dear readers -- I bid you good night.

~kc

BC Book Prizes and a Penultimate Moon

It was a gorgeous evening for the BC Book Prize Soiree, held at the Metropolitan Hotel in downtown Vancouver last night. After a day of really weird spring weather (including snow that fell and stayed put all day throughout the city and not just on my mountainside aerie) the moon came out and gave me a chance to play with my camera settings. She's a night away from full, but politely held still for just long enough to have her portrait taken.


Lovely.






Back to the soiree. I arrived late due to an over-scheduled day, and by the time I got there, the party was in full swing. Loads of CWILL BC members in attendance. Here's a shot of Kari-Lynn Winters in a throng of admirers, having a great time celebrating her nomination for picture book JEFFREY AND SLOTH.






Norma Charles, seen here chatting with author and blogger Julie Burtinshaw, is a member of the BC Book Prize committee, and is celebrating the recent launch of her own new book THE GIRL IN THE BACK SEAT.







Also present was nominee Meg Tilly, celebrating the evening with a crowd of well-wishers (and her husband, Don). She looked gorgeous (as usual) but for a glimpse of her earlier hair tribulations, you may want to check out her blog. Meg will be touring the Kootneys soon, on her leg of the BC Book Prize tour. If you get a chance to hear her read from her nominated book PORCUPINE, be sure to grab it. A not-to-be-missed opportunity.







Out-going CWILL BC president James McCann can be seen chatting here with in-coming CWILL vp Crystal Stranaghan. Crystal is the publisher of Gumboot Books, a new independent right here in Vancouver, specializing in kids books.








Artist, illustrator and photographer Kirsti-Anne Wakelin was also at the soiree, here pictured looking kinda the way I do at these things...

Photography is a religious experience for both of us, though she is definitely more Canonical than I (a confirmed Pentaxian).






This is what she looks like with the camera pried off her face, here chatting with blogging whiz and all-round techie guy Boris Mann. Boris is one of the incandescents behind the amazing Northern Voice blogging and social networking conference held yearly at UBC.

Also present from Northern Voice (but sadly unphotographed) was Monique Trottier, who led the rousing 'Authors Who Blog' session. Monique's been busy getting her company re-named and launched, and she designed the beautiful BC Book Prizes website.


The BC Book Prizes will be distributed at a Gala next Saturday night. Stay tuned.

***

And finally, I read yesterday where poet Gary Geddes was awarded the Lieutenent Governor's Award for Literary Excellence in BC. With the award comes a $5000 prize. Geddes, a giant in the Canadian literary scene, told the Vancouver Sun: "What matters to me is not the money, but is the moral support. Nothing a writer appreciates more than some assurance from peers that you're doing a good job."

Now, I don't know Gary, but I feel compelled to protest on behalf of the many poets I do know. The money does matter! The more money directed to the Canadian literary scene, particularly toward poetry, the better. I know too many published poets who never see a royalty for their work, beyond a couple of comped copies of their own books. So, three cheers for the celebration of Canadian poetry -- may there be many more lucrative prizes awarded to allow it to flourish.

~kc

What to Choose, What to Choose...

Things are hopping around here lately. So much going on...I think I may just have to do a bit of round-up.




First, and most importantly, I have just this week fallen for the remarkable Tim Minchin, Aussie comic and musician. IF you are over 18, I might suggest the YouTube version of Inflatable You, performed at the Royal Albert Hall for a recent Think Pink Breast Cancer fundraiser.

Incredible.




Now, what's next?

Well, it's BC Book Prizes time, and this coming Saturday is the big soiree, held at the Metropolitan Hotel in Vancouver from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. This event is a freebie, and it's a chance for you to meet and mingle with the province's literati.


There are still a few tickets left to the actual prize night Gala on April 26th. Dinner, award ceremony and entertainment will set you back $70, but it should be an elegant evening. Fanny Kiefer will emcee.

I'll be there supporting Meg Tilly and Kari-Lyn Winters -- both friends and incredible writers.

Both of these events are a chance to meet your favourite writers up close and in person.

There's more to talk about (always...) but I am going to spend Saturday with two of my favourite writers (and SiWC 2008 Contest VIPs) KC (in upper case, this time) and RH, so I have to get ready for that.

Will report back upon my return.

~kc

Not THAT kind of sleep...

This is Delia - or more properly, this WAS Delia. She was a Cornish Hairless, and until a couple of months ago she ruled the roost at my friend Norma's house. She was at least 19 when she made her final visit to the vet, but she will live on in the new novel (first in a series of 5) I have been working on lately. I LOVED this cat -- her paws looked like the hooked claws of any respectable witch, and will do her proud as she cavorts through the new stories.


Her picture is here simply serendipitously, as I have managed to transfer only a limited number of my pix from my old computer. But somehow, her appearance suits the theme of today's blog in a morbid kind of way...

Today's MacLesson: like Delia (or perhaps unlike Delia -- I think she was ready for the journey when she finally left) my new MacBook does not like being put to sleep. Last night I did just that, only to find the patient completely unresponsive this morning. After much frantic calling of dealers and googling of troubleshooting techniques, I found a simple three-button re-boot solution (after a minute of unplugging) did the trick nicely. But from now on, to save myself (and my new machine) from apoplexy, I will simply turn it off at night.

In other news, I have to hie off to Surrey tomorrow for the monthly SiWC gathering. The faculty roster is almost in place and I'll be posting messages to the SiWC mailing list shortly. Lots of excitement for this year, guaranteed!

Had an exceedingly muddy walk through the woods with Meg Tilly and her dog Molly today. Molly is most excellently suited to thoroughly wearing out Silas and Seamus. And did I mention that Meg's latest book PORCUPINE has been nominated for a BC Book Award? We are keeping our fingers and paws crossed for her!

~kc

Chasing my tail...

...after a quick trip to Calgary this week. Much to relate, but for now a quick word of congratulations to all the nominees for the BC Book Prizes, just announced last night.

Shortlisted titles include:

For the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize:

Adam’s Peak by Heather Burt

Conceit by Mary Novik

Radiance by Shaena Lambert

The Reckoning of Boston Jim by Claire Mulligan

Soucouyant by David Chariandy

For the Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize:

The 100-Mile Diet: A Year of Local Eating by J.B. MacKinnon, Alisa Smith Everywhere Being is Dancing by Robert Bringhurst

Interwoven Wild: An Ecologist Loose in the Garden by Don Gayton Phantom Limb by Theresa Kishkan

The Triumph of Citizenship: The Japanese and Chinese in Canada, 1941-67 by Patricia E. Roy

For the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize:

Forage by Rita Wong

The Incorrection by George McWhirter

Ox by Christopher Patton

Paper Trail by Arleen Paré

Soft Geography by Gillian Wigmore

For the Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize:

The 100-Mile Diet: A Year of Local Eating by J.B. MacKinnon, Alisa Smith Fortune’s a River: The Collision of Empires in the Pacific Northwest by Barry Gough

The Last Wild Wolves: Ghosts of the Rain Forest by Ian McAllister

The Lost Coast: Salmon, Memory and the Death of Wild Culture by Tim Bowling

Spirit In the Grass: The Cariboo-Chilcotin’s Forgotten Landscape by Chris Harris

For the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize:

The Alchemist’s Dream by John Wilson

Baboon: A Novel by David Jones

The Corps of the Bare-Boned Plane by Polly Horvath

For Now by Gayle Friesen

Porcupine by Meg Tilly

For the Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize:

The Day It All Blew Away by Lisa Cinar

Elf the Eagle by Ron Smith, Illustrated by Ruth Campbell

Jeffrey and Sloth by Kari-Lynn Winters, Illustrated by Ben Hodson

Pink by Nan Gregory, Illustrated by Luc Melanson

A Sea-Wishing Day by Robert Heidbreder, Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

For the BC Booksellers’ Choice Award in Honour of Bill Duthie:

The Blue Flames That Keep Us Warm: Mike McCardell’s Favourite Stories by Mike McCardell

Fred Herzog: Vancouver Photographs by Grant Arnold, Michael Turner

The Last Wild Wolves: Ghosts of the Rain Forest by Ian McAllister

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

Spirit In the Grass: The Cariboo-Chilcotin’s Forgotten Landscape by Chris Harris

I am particularly thrilled for Meg, Kari-Lyn, John and Nan -- all members of CWILL BC. Best wishes to all the nominees -- good luck everyone!

~kc

Just Heard...

...from Monique Trottier, my link to this year's Northern Voice Conference. Monique will be moderating the panel I'll be on, and she sent me a list of the other Writer/Bloggers with whom I'll be sharing the table. Here's a summary of the bios...


Crawford Kilian: Published author of 20 books and hundreds of articles and columns. His books include novels, textbooks, children's books, regional history and political issues. Crawford's writing appears online in several places.
http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/


Meg Tilly: Author and film actress. Her two adult novels are Singing Songs and Gemma. Her first YA novel, Porcupine, was published by Tundra in September 2007. Some of her better known films include, The Big Chill and Agnes of God, for which she won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar.
http://www.officialmegtilly.com/


Pete McCormack: Writer and director of documentaries, feature films and novels. He wrote and directed the award-winning, Kevin Spacey-narrated Uganda Rising and the Pierce Brosnan-narrated Hope in the Time of AIDS. He's written, directed and produced several feature films, two novels, including the Stephen Leacock-nominated Understanding Ken and Shelby, and he recently recorded his third CD.
http://www.petemccormack.com/blog/



Robert Wiersema: Writer and events coordinator at Bolen Books. He recently published his first novel, Before I Wake, which became a national bestseller and was named a Book of the Year by the Globe and Mail and National Post. His published work includes columns in several Canadian dailies.
http://robertjwiersema.com/blog/

Monique Trottier: Former internet marketing manager of Raincoast Books. I am a web strategist and developer with Boxcar Marketing (formerly named Work Industries). I spearheaded the online marketing of Harry Potter, as well as developed the first Canadian-publisher podcast and blog series. I speak regularly at publishing conferences on online marketing, social networking, and blogging. I'm currently writing two training modules on online marketing for Cultural Human Resources Canada. I keep a regular blog on books, publishing and technology, which I started in April 2005.
http://www.somisguided.com/


An amazing group -- I feel very humbled to be in their company.

The conference itself looks to be marvellous -- check it out at http://www.northernvoice.ca/


***



Speaking of blogs, my friend, writer Amy Dupire Jones has started up her own blog. You can find her at http://amydupire.blogspot.com/


Amy is a hot-topic YA writer, whose never met a controversial story she won't tackle or a chocolate she won't enjoy. And yes, she is just as cute in person as her avatar.


Give her blog a read!

***

And finally -- Seamus is enjoying life as a big brother these days. He's teaching his new sibling everything he knows. Wrestling, playing -- it's enough to wear a dog (or two ) out.






That should be a good thing.

Right?

Right.


Until I remembered that for every cause...










There is usually an effect:



~kc

Past, Present, Future and Not Tense

First of all, as promised -- PORCUPINE, by Meg Tilly. An exquisite read. It felt very much like reading a contemporary WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND. The story of Jack, a 12 year old girl with an old soul. I enjoyed it immensely.

Past Tense -- Writing.Wise event, now over and done with. Most excellent panel, a discussion that could have easily gone on all night and a great crowd. Congratulations to Maryse de la Giroday for a job well done!

Present Tense -- so many things are making me tense at the moment, I can hardly bear to think of them, let alone write them down. Tension is the new zen. Tenz...the acronym.

Future Tense -- most immediately, Hycroft tomorrow night. Then on to the next!

And finally -- let me leave you with this fine example of Seamus in repose -- definitely NOT tense.

(This picture is courtesy of the fact that I could not get Meg's cover pic for Porcupine to post. Will try another day.)

~kc