Bookclub Extravaganza!

Today is the day to visit Christianne's Lyceum in Vancouver. Propriator Christianne Hayward is holding a Bookclub Extravaganza...a chance to buy gently used books at discount prices as a fundraiser for the Lyceum. But that's not all -- prizes, draws, fun and a chance to chat with local authors can all be yours.






The event runs from 10am to 3 pm, Saturday, September 19th. I'll be there for an hour or so around 1 pm, so please feel free to drop by and say hello. You might even pick up a few books for this good cause!

Jack the Bear is born!

Spent yesterday afternoon with Christina Leist and her friends, celebrating the release of her new picture book JACK THE BEAR.



The party took place at Christianne's Lyceum in Kitsilano, and by the time things got going, it was standing room only.




Christina read her story, and then helped all her fans learn how to draw a picture of Jack on the backs of paper grocery bags. (Here Christianne Hayward acts as a human easel for the artist.)





The whole story was illustrated that way, and a most beautiful book it is. Though she has illustrated other books, this is Christina's first endeavour as the writer and the illustrator, and the results are just beautiful.

Kids love reading it.

Grownups love reading it.
















And to finish? Rob the baker from Tinker's Hatch Bakery brought in special Jack the Bear cookies!








If you'd like to see more pictures, check out my flickr page HERE.

~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

Bookclubs for Kids

You know -- why should Oprah and her gang have all the fun? There is a growing interest out there in the great wide world in bookclubs for kids.


I talk a lot about Christianne's Lyceum -- just about the best place I know for bookclubs and reading and storytelling -- for kids of all ages.


In the summertime, the Vancouver Public Library offers a whole week of Canadian Book Camp. And CWC -- Creative Writing Society For Children, even goes one step further -- the kids finish each term by creating their OWN books.

Just recently read of someone in Langley, BC who has started up a new book club. A realtor by day, Anne Bishop is busy engaging kids in reading when she's not selling real estate. And the first book on her list came out of the brain of a friend of mine -- Lee Edward Fodi.

You can find an article talking about Annette and her bookclub HERE.

And if you know of another book club for kids -- why not post it in the comment section?

~kc

Lyceum Info

Lots going on at Christianne's Lyceum these days.





If you are in or around Vancouver, here are a few events to keep in mind...

Upcoming Meet the Author Evenings

- Saturday February 28^th, 7-10pm: Discussion of Red Dust, Red Sky with author Paul Sunga.

- Thursday April 23^rd, 7-10pm: Discussion of Certainty with author Madeleine Thien.

OPEN MIC at the Lyceum

Live performance like no other! Now scheduled biweekly:

upcoming include: Friday January 30^th, February 13^th and February 27^th…

Find out more on the Lyceum website HERE: Christianne's Lyceum website.

And come out and join the fun!

~kc

Seasonal Suggestions for Teens -- December 6

Here we are..less than 20 days to Christmas. I still haven't started my shopping...have you?

My disorganized life aside, here's a seasonal suggestion for the writer in your life -- and it's linked to the post I made earlier today.






I have a bit of an issue about 'stuff' -- the conspicuous consumption with which we unthinking types fill our lives. I much prefer to share an experience with my friends and family -- and if you share that thought, than why not give the gift of writing...and reading?









Christianne's Lyceum is an amazing place. Run by the Energizer Bunny known to her loved ones as Christianne Hayward, the Lyceum is ground zero in Vancouver for reading, writing and love of books.


If you click through to her website, you'll find page after page of exciting options for book lovers and writers of all ages. Writers' workshops, Adult Meet-the-Author sessions, kids book clubs, open mic events -- if it has to do with the Arts in Vancouver, you can bet you'll be able to experience it at the Lyceum.

Last night Christianne was telling me about a new group for serious writers who are learning about Manga and graphic storytelling from the ground up. Just one of the myriad of choices open to you. What could be better than the gift of a workshop or event at the Lyceum?







I know it's on MY list!







~kc

Seasonal Suggestion Interruptus

Last night I went to a really fun open mic event at Christianne's Lyceum. These events run every couple of weeks (they'll start up again mid-January) and are a great opportunity to have a peek at some of the remarkable artistry floating around this neck o' the city.






There was slam-style and experimental poetry, story-telling, singing and Christianne herself finished the evening with the scariest true-to-life ghost story I've ever heard. (We were all checking the backseats of our cars the whole way home...)

Anyway, it was great fun and I was blown away by the talents of the participants, many of whom were students at Emily Carr, and others who just came to share.


A couple of links:

Poet and singer Michael Lagace blogs here and Katie Yurychuk (who _said_ she was sick, but still had the richest and most beautiful voice I have heard in person for a LONG time) can be found on YouTube.



Here's a shot of Katie singing to a totally rapt audience.













As a matter of fact, I think you deserve to have a little taste. This is Katie's cover of MIA's Paper Planes, but her own songs are even better -- the one she played for us last night had no name, but it was gorgeous...





See what I mean?


So, if you'd like to hear some of these remarkable talents in person, hie yourself over to Christianne's website and mark the dates for the next open mic. You might even see me there!

~kc

Seasonal Suggestions for Teens -- December 4

*I'm not perfectly sure, to tell you the truth, how this pic came to be so wonky, but nonetheless, it comes from a good place.









Going to step away from the reading material for a moment (a brief moment) and make suggestion that will hopefully inspire the recipient (as well as please them).


I'm referring to a selection of PAWSitive gifts from the BC SPCA. These gifts range from SPCA memberships for kids under 12 to wild animal care to animal ambassador training. A great way to give something different to a special person in your life, while helping BC's animals. If you live out of the province, or even out of the country, check out the International Branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.


On a related note, tomorrow night I will be reading a story I wrote specially for the BC SPCA's 'Paws for a Cause' program last summer. The story is called PIONEER: A traveller's tale, and the telling will take place at Christianne's Lyceum in the Kits neighbourhood of Vancouver -- 3696 West 8th Avenue. (604) 733-1356.

If you need a little break from the rigours of Christmas shopping, drop by! Things start up around 7:30, I believe, and it's an Open Mike event, so there should be lots of interesting folks to listen to. My buddy James McCann will be there, too.

Hope to see you tomorrow night -- and happy holidays!

~kc

An Author of Good Breeding

Miriam Toewes has come to town. The author of A COMPLICATED KINDNESS, A BOY OF GOOD BREEDING, and THE SUMMER OF MY AMAZING LUCK is here in Vancouver for a brief writer-in-residence stint at the University of British Columbia.


Her arrival was feted last night by a large group of well-wishers who gathered at Christianne's Lyceum of Literature & Art in Kitsilano. As is usual at Christianne's fantastic venue, there was great food and drink and lots of mingling for all in attendance.


The event was sponsored by the Swayze Agency (this is literary agent Carolyn Swayze laughing with Miriam) and the place was packed.

My one regret is that I didn't get a picture of Kris Rothstein's Moose skirt. I am heart-broken about this, and can only hope that I will get invited to another event where Kris will see fit to wear it again and I can properly document the skirt in all its glory.


~kc

Attention Y/A Writers

HEY!

I just read in Nephele Tempest's (Knight Agency) blog that she is currently accepting y/a queries straight into her blog -- bypassing the usual Knight Agency protocol! This looks like a limited-time offer, but if you nip over there now, you can read the details.

Nephele Tempest's (who will also be one of our honoured guests at the Surrey International Writers' Conference this year) blog can be found here:

http://nephele.livejournal.com/

And speaking of the conference, here's another look at a couple of our featured authors -- in this case, poets, both.

The lovely and talented Bernice Lever comes to the conference as both a presenter and a judge of our SiWC poetry competition. Bernice has been a poet and author for most of her life, and in between raising her family she's also been an editor and a teacher. She has read and performed her poetry on five continents, but these days spends her time on Bowen Island, teaching, editing and continuing to write. I've known Bernice since right around the time she planted herself on Bowen, and she is, without a doubt, the most wonderful mentor for writers of anyone I know. She's been a member of the Canadian Authors Association for 30 years and is currently their grievence chair. Bernice will also be doing Blue Pencil at the conference, and this is one lady who gives some seriously good advice, so my suggestion is regardless of genre, line up quick for an appointment. Her expertise is priceless.

Bernice has just launched a new book of poetry 'NEVER A STRAIGHT LINE' with Black Moss Press. Her website is http://www.colourofwords.com/

Bernice will be sharing the stage of one of her workshops with fellow poet George McWhirter.

Vancouver's first Poet Laureate, George McWhirter, came to Canada from Belfast. He has written eight books of poetry, edited and translated countless more and has won awards for his teaching an mentoring of students throughout his career.

For more on the career and interests of this remarkable poet, check out his website at www3.telus.net/GeorgeMcWhirter

I'm looking forward to hearing what both these experts of their craft have to say.

By the bye, I checked out Christianne's Hayward's new venue last night, as promised. The Lyceum for Literature and Art is a BEAUTIFUL facility at the elegant end of 8th Avenue in Vancouver. When I got there it was packed to the gills with glittering local literati, great food and a bunch of very excited kids. This is a huge addition to the local literary scene, especially for young people. We'll be hearing more from Christianne -- no doubt at all.

Now -- I think I might just take a few minutes to work on my book. A friend of mine told me that I was cursing myself when I called the thing DEADLINE.

He was right.

~kc