Mystery Author...Archer...?

The month of celebration continues with today's mystery author ducking behind the silhoutte of a magnificent archer.



Hmmm.




Any guesses as to who this beautiful mystery guest might be? Let's see... she is the author of three best-selling books that explore the scent, taste and touch of the line between the forces of light and shadow.

Do you have it now? If so, leave your guess in the comment section -- for a chance to win a signed copy of one of her novels!

If not....well, I guess you'll just have to shoot over to Darby Speaks and find out the truth.

See you there!

~kc

Book Launch Celebration Small Print Explanation:
Darby Christopher is the main character in kc dyer's new novel A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW. To celebrate the launch of this new book, Darby will be interviewing blogging authors on her own blog HERE. Every day, Darby and her guest will give away a book to celebrate! To win a book, just leave a comment, either here on leftwriter or on the corresponding post on Darby's Blog. Book draws will be made every Friday night throughout the month of March. There is no limit to the number of books to be won, so comment often!

We interrupt this Launch Celebration...

...to bring you a collection (a herd?) of electric sheep.

No one -- NO one should be forced to live a life without an extreme sheep baa-stud or two in it...



A tip of the hat to BookNinja George.

~kc

Wicked Wednesday Writer

Who is this mysteriously wicked writer?

Or perhaps she is wickedly mysterious?


If you'd like to make a guess as to her identity, leave your answer in the comments and you will be entered to win her latest novel!



Whoever she is, hiding behind her mortar board and golden private school plaque will not save her identity from the intrepid interview style of Darby Christopher.

Darby's interviews are bringing interested readers in from all over. She's sent winning books away to American, Canadian and UK readers. Join in the fun -- head over to Darby Speaks and read her interview with this mysterious author -- and take a chance to win!

~kc

Book Launch Celebration Small Print Explanation:
Darby Christopher is the main character in kc dyer's new novel A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW. To celebrate the launch of this new book, Darby will be interviewing blogging authors on her own blog HERE. Every day, Darby and her guest will give away a book to celebrate! To win a book, just leave a comment, either here on leftwriter or on the corresponding post on Darby's Blog. Book draws will be made every Friday night throughout the month of March. There is no limit to the number of books to be won, so comment often!

Happy St. Paddy's Day

You think this might be the most popular vid on the internets today?



I...I just can't help myself. I love the muppets more than...more even than Bollywood.

Very, very sad.

Okay, the real celebration is coming up with our mystery author -- St. Paddy's day version!

Here's a wee hint....





Check out Darby Speaks to hear the full story!

~kc

Alas...

...there is NO way I can tie this into anything. It has nothing to do with my book, or writing for teens, or writing for anybody, for that matter.

It feeds me. It completes me. That's all I can say...





A hand-clap and twirl to David P. at boing boing.

~kc

Monday Mystery Guest

In an effort to brighten your Monday, Darby has got another amazing interview on tap with a Monday Mystery guest author.

Who is the pixillated person pictured? Of course, to find out you'll need to head over to DARBY SPEAKS. She's got the full scoop there.

But you can win a shot at one of this writer's wonderful books right here if you guess his name. Just leave your guess in the comments, and you'll be entered to win.

Here are a few wee hints...

This Hugo, Nebula and Galaxy-winning author is one of the most prolific bloggers I know. Perhaps this is the result of having his workspace within the confines of a big easy chair? Who knows...but wherever he sits to work, it certainly suits him.

He's just back from LA ,where one of his most exciting books is currently being filmed as a tv pilot. His current project is a trilogy of books revolving around the internet, AND he is the host of a tv series.

Go on -- take a guess! And then -- er -- why not Flash Forward over to DARBY SPEAKS to read the interview?

~kc

We Interrupt these Launch Month Interviews...

...to point you to another interesting interview. The subject of this one is Lorna Suzuki, who writes as L.T. Suzuki, and is author of the Imago fantasy series.

Find the interview HERE on 'Ten Quick Questions With Dave."

Back to Darby's mystery guests tomorrow morning!



~kc

Saturday Secret Author

Well, I have to say this A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW celebration thing is turning out to be A Whole Lotta Fun. We are sending books off all across the globe --winners in Canada, the US and the UK, so far and still many more to come.

Congratulations to all the winners for this week!

The celebration continues today when Darby interviews the wonderful author pictured here -- or rather, obscured here -- by a number of celestial symbols.

Any guesses as to her identity can be left in the comment section, but let me tantalize you with a few details...

This author is an avid reader, a prolific writer and the kindest of friends. And Darby enjoys discovering more details. Once you've made your guess as to our wonderful mystery author -- head on over to DARBY SPEAKS and learn more!

~kc

Must Read Article on the Digital Revolution...

...and indeed, it arrives in the form of a blog post.

http://www.shirky.com/weblog/2009/03/newspapers-and-thinking-the-unthinkable/

Thanks to @Dale42 on Twitter for the heads up!

~kc

We Have Winners!

**

Maurice and Darby are announcing this week's winner's over on DARBY SPEAKS....

click on over!



~kc





**photo displayed with thanks, subject to creative commons agreement, shot by SkyWideDesign and displayed on Flickr.

Friday the 13th -- Draw Day!

Lots going on around here at kc dyer central....


Tonight is the BIG draw for a week's worth of books over on DARBY SPEAKS, plus a bonus draw for a special reader. That's 8 prizes to be given away! You must add your entry before 6 pm tonight to be eligible to win.

Check out Darby's blog HERE.


The book launch for A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW was a success last night at North Vancouver Kidsbooks -- many thanks to Susan and Diana for all their help and support, and to my sweet friend, writer Kathy Chung, who arranged for childcare, made the trek from Richmond, helped set up and stayed to clean up. A true friend! And thanks to all my other friends who came to celebrate with me and share the evening with Darby.




Speaking of Darby, over at writer Linda Gerber's blog, A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW is being featured (along with an interview of its author) on Linda's Freebie Friday. You can win a copy of the book, too! Check it out HERE.






Now -- the question of the moment. Just who is that woman hiding behind all the BC wildlife in the photo above? I can see a bear, owls -- even fish....

Care to make a guess? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below for a chance to win a signed copy of her new book! Once you've done that, head over to DARBY SPEAKS to read an interview with this amazing author.

Celebration of Darby's new book continues with interviews and book draws all month on Darby Speaks . And I have to say, some VERY -- uh -- interesting facts about some very popular writers are emerging in Darby's interviews. Make sure to join in the fun!

~kc

Launch Day Mystery Guest

Today's the day! A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW will be officially launched tonight at Vancouver Kidsbooks, in Edgemont Village.


To celebrate this event, Darby is interviewing one of the most influential writers in my life. She's been a friend, a guide and an inspiration...

care to make a guess? It might win you a free, autographed copy of her latest book!

Put your guess in the comments and then head on over to DARBY SPEAKS to read the interview.

One last hint -- yes, she CAN ride a skateboard!

Now, off you go.

(And if you happen to be on the North Shore of the Metro Vancouver area this evening, I will be happy to share my cupcakes with you at Kidsbooks in Edgemont. See you there!)

~kc

We Interrupt these Launch Week Festivities...

This was yesterday's mystery guest. She has since been unmasked over on DARBY SPEAKS.

But the outcry -- the outcry!





It's a DISGUISE, people.

Besides, I think Hélène looks darn good in this beard and glasses.

However, to placate the madding hoardes...I bring you Princess Hélène.


Okay -- so I have to admit, it is a better look for her. NOT what I'd call a disguise, mind you...

You can check out what she had to say to Darby in yesterday's interview HERE. And make sure you take a peek at her vlog!

~kc

A Musical Interlude

Just saw this on Jonathan Coulton's blog. It's by an Israeli musician named Kutiman -- a piece which JoCo says "broke his skull pen with a ball peen hammer of awesomeness'. Kutiman creates incredible music by mixing and mashing existing YouTube videos.

I think it is an incredible example of how Creative Commons _should_ work. And really fun to watch, too. Enjoy.





~kc

Wednesday Wonder -- Mystery Author

Well.














Here we are at Wednesday, or 'Launch Eve', as we prefer to call it 'round about these parts of kc dyerland.

Much too-ing and fro-ing to be done today, including a trip to Surrey for a mondo-pre-SiWC meeting. And, of course, the ordering of cupcakes. So it's time to get this entry posted!

Once again today, our celebration includes a Darby interview with a mysterious Wednesday Wonder of an author. Take a look at that face. Know who she is? She's written on Miraculous Medicines, Crime Busting & Detection and Swimming Science.

Hmmm...any ideas? I'll give you just one more hint. Though that is one SERIOUS 'stache, she doesn't actually sport one like that in real life.

Time's up! Make your guess, leave it in the comments, and then head over to DARBY SPEAKS to find out if you are right!

~kc

Book Launch Celebration Small Print Explanation:
Darby Christopher is the main character in kc dyer's new novel A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW. To celebrate the launch of this new book, Darby will be interviewing blogging authors on her own blog HERE. Every day, Darby and her guest will give away a book to celebrate! To win a book, just leave a comment, either here on leftwriter or on the corresponding post on Darby's Blog. Book draws will be made every Friday night throughout the month of March. There is no limit to the number of books to be won, so comment often!

March Mystery Author -- Tuesday edition

And the celebration continues!

Two days to the evening launch of my new novel A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW at Kidsbooks in Edgemont Village in North Vancouver.


While I am clinking wine bottles and gathering cupcakes, let's take a gander at Darby's mystery author subject for the day.

All I can tell from that get-up is that she must be a Canuck! Can you guess who she is? If you think you have an idea, leave a comment below, and get a chance to win a signed copy of her latest novel!

Once you've made your guess, head on over to Darby Speaks to enjoy Darby's conversation with this mysterious author. See you there!

~kc

Book Launch Celebration Small Print Explanation:
Darby Christopher is the main character in kc dyer's new novel A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW. To celebrate the launch of this new book, Darby will be interviewing blogging authors on her own blog HERE. Every day, Darby and her guest will give away a book to celebrate! To win a book, just leave a comment, either here on leftwriter or on the corresponding post on Darby's Blog. Book draws will be made every Friday night throughout the month of March. There is no limit to the number of books to be won, so comment often!

March Monday Mystery Guest

Welcome to another week of celebration! A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW is making its way out into the world, and reports of book sightings continue to pour in. Today we are going to kick off our celebration with a reminder that the actual book launch event will be held THIS Thursday evening at Kidsbooks in Edgemont Village, North Vancouver.
If you have any questions, the phone number is 604-986-6190. (Did I mention there would be cupcakes? And wine for those who Aren't Fond of Cupcakes. There may even be wine for those who Are.) Hope to see you there!




To add to the celebratory feeling around here, Darby is going to interview another mystery author. Who is this mysterious writer? Brings a whole new meaning to the word 'sunglasses' doesn't she? I'll give you a hint -- she lives in Canada now, but right at this moment she is trekking around the land of her birth -- looking today at the remains of a Roman Wall, if I am not mistaken.

Care to take a guess? Go right ahead -- in the comment section below.

To see if you are correct, head on over to Darby Speaks and read Darby's interview with this intrepid writer. And I have it on good authority that those who enter today will win not only a signed novel -- but a bag of wine gums as an added bonus!

See you at Darby's place!

~kc

Book Launch Celebration Small Print Explanation:
Darby Christopher is the main character in kc dyer's new novel A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW. To celebrate the launch of this new book, Darby will be interviewing blogging authors on her own blog HERE. Every day, Darby and her guest will give away a book to celebrate! To win a book, just leave a comment, either here on leftwriter or on the corresponding post on Darby's Blog. Book draws will be made every Friday night throughout the month of March. There is no limit to the number of books to be won, so comment often!

Event Update Interlude: Frank Newfeld to speak

Via Joan Stuchner...

Frank Newfeld is speaking on April 2nd at 7pm at the Fletcher Challenge Room, SFU - Harbour Centre, 2300-515 West Hastings St., Vancouver to the Alcuin Society.

Frank is a book designer, illustrator, art director and former VP of Publishing at McClelland and Stewart. His talk is about illustrated books.

The lecture is free, but reserve by phoning 604 732 5403 or email leahgordon@shaw.ca


~kc

Sunday Morning Mystery...

'ooo ees theese sweet Frensch meees? Weeth 'er cafe au lait, croissent and grand bleu chapeau?













(Okay -- it is just too hard to write dialect -- especially overblown, cliched French dialect -- on a Sunday morning where I've already lost an hour to the dreaded Daylight Savings Monster. So I'm stopping now.)



Still, you've got to admit this mystery author is intriguing. And then _I've_ got to admit that there is nothing remotely Parisian about her. However, I can tell you she comes from one of the most international families I know. And she has the soul -- and the words of a poet.

Care to learn more? Check out Darby's blog and all will be revealed!

~kc

Book Launch Celebration Small Print Explanation:
Darby Christopher is the main character in kc dyer's new novel A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW. To celebrate the launch of this new book, Darby will be interviewing blogging authors on her own blog HERE. Every day, Darby and her guest will give away a book to celebrate! To win a book, just leave a comment, either here on leftwriter or on the corresponding post on Darby's Blog. Book draws will be made every Friday night throughout the month of March. There is no limit to the number of books to be won, so comment often!

Saturday Mystery Author

Today's mystery author is clearly a scholarly type, clutching his degree. But his mortar board has slipped to a rakish angle over one eye, and it's impossible to tell his true identity.






Here's a hint -- he writes books for teens, but he's also been known to put a political pen to paper more than occasionally...AND he has three beautiful women in his life at the moment.

If you'd like to make a guess, leave it in the comment section below for a chance to win the latest exciting novel by this incredible writer.

Care to find out his true identity? Then hie yourself on over to DARBY SPEAKS, where the intrepid main character of the new novel A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW may in fact meet her match with this mystery author. And you can grab a chance to win his book over there, too!

~kc

Maurice presents the Week One WINNERS!!!

This is not Maurice, but a close representation* of what Maurice would look like, were someone to photograph him.








Here's the thing. Maurice is a joke I put into my new story, A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW, that likely only a few people in the world would get. Mostly me and my sister, actually. My sister and I.



When my much older sister** and I were growing up, there was a series of commercials with a cat named Morris. Morris the cat. He was fat and funny, and he even had a book written about him. When I was writing this story [A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW], it needed a cat. So, in hopped Maurice. Now, most people would pronounce this name Mo-reece, with the French intonation. It is, after all, a French name.

However, my grampa, to whom this story is dedicated, was also named Maurice. He was called Ferno, but his full name was Maurice Ferno Graves. (Great name, eh?) He grew up in an English-speaking family on an island where many of the people were of Acadian descent. But in the 1800's on Prince Edward Island, if you were an English-speaking family, you anglicized the pronunciation of everything. Therefore, my grampa's name was pronounced Morris. Since he went by his middle name, he was never called Maurice -- either the Mo-reece OR the Morris variety, though he signed his name MF Graves.

When I was writing my story, and the cat hopped into it, it struck me funny (probably because it was the middle of the night, and these things are funnier at that time, somehow) that the cat should be called Maurice, pronounced Morris, like my grampa. It was like a little joke to myself, one that would only come out if I read the story aloud to someone. Or when my sister reads it, which she has not, as yet.

I'm thinking, right about now, you are not really finding this funny at all. So to alleviate the tension that has suddenly appeared, how about if I tell you that I have just drawn the names of the winners of this week's book prizes? As soon as I post this note, Maurice and I will mosey over to Darby's blog and he'll paw them to her in that laconic way he has, and she will announce them.

Still not really funny, but perhaps a little excitement-inducing?

I hope so!

~kc

*photo displayed with thanks, subject to creative commons agreement, shot by SkyWideDesign and displayed on Flickr.

**I'm actually older, but rarely admit it anymore. The "I'm older than you are" taunting has somehow lost it's sheen -- not sure why.... These days it is more amusing to pretend I am younger. You'll just have to go with me on this one.

Mystery Guest...and More!

Today's mystery guest author on Darby's blog is a Queen in her own realm (though I'm fairly certain she has not taken to the whole crown and black flaming mask as an everyday thing....)



But when it comes to writing and horses -- this woman Reigns the Reins. Care to make a little guess? Put your name and your guess in the comments here and you can win a signed copy of one of her books.

Or better still -- hie on over to Darby's blog, and read the whole interview Darby has with this Canadian champion. You can leave your name for the draw over there, too.

We will draw for this author's book NEXT Friday, to give a chance for some comments to accumulate, but tonight Darby and I will be making the draw for signed books by the authors featured in interviews this week: Jacqueline Pearce, Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Don Calame and Linda Gerber.

You have until 6 pm this evening, Pacific Standard Time, to get your name in for the book draws. I'll announce the winners here and on Darby's blog later tonight!

In other news -- we got a nice shout out for Darby and her endeavours on Ink Gleanings this week.

And over on Jungle Red Writers, I am the featured blogger today, thanks to an invitation by Hallie Ephron. Thanks, Hallie!

Okay -- time's up. Figured out our mystery author yet? Check HERE to find out!

~kc

Launch Week Mystery Guest #4

Just who is this strange, aquatic creature? Care to make a guess in the comment section? If you do, you'll be eligible to win a signed copy of a book by this amazing author.

(We dried her off with a towel before she signed the book...)


Here's a couple of hints:


1. She is NOT the bathing beauty featured in SWIM THE FLY, by Don Calame. She is, in fact, a different bathing beauty. Just not the one in Don's book. (Have you entered to win a copy of his book, yet? Just leave a comment on the post in Darby's blog before Friday, March 6th!)

2. My guess is she might have a bikini under that life jacket in the picture. But perhaps not....after all, DEATH BY BIKINI is always a possibility. (And also a fantastic book....)

Care to find out more? Check out the interview with this mystery author today on Darby Speaks. And make sure you leave a comment either here or on Darby's blog by Friday night to win!

~kc

UPDATE: We have a winner! Check here: http://tinyurl.com/c2c7xy to see if it is you!

Evidence!

The place: Vancouver Kidsbooks

The time: Just after lunch at Akbar's

The evidence: A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW has arrived in Vancouver!

The proof: Happy Author Basking in that New Book glow....


~kc

Launch Week Continues with Mystery Author #3

I gave you a sneak peek of this guy last night.






And now I can tell you, his identity is REVEALED over on Darby's blog.

Learn why a hockey helmet was a good choice for a disguise! Marvel at his tales of dog training for book promo! And laugh your head off at the trailer for his new book!

So what are you waiting for? Drop on over to Darby Speaks, and read her interview with this hilarious new author. You can also put your name in for a chance to win an ADVANCED copy of his new book, plus a little extra something that I can't tell you about here without giving away the whole game. Better get cracking!

(You can also leave your name in the comment section in THIS post to be eligible for the book prize draw. Two chances to win!)

I'll be drawing the names of the winners from this week's mystery blog post prizes on Friday, March 6th -- so you still have a chance to get your name into the draw for the autographed book of your choice!

As for me, I'm heading out to go for lunch with a friend of mine (identified in the loving dedication line of today's mystery guest's book as "bossy boots") and we are off to see if we can actually find a copy of my new book on the shelves of local book stores. Will report back tomorrow with the results.

I know they've made it onto the shelves in Calgary! We'll see if they are here in Vancouver yet.








If you spot a copy of A WALK THROUGH THE WINDOW on a book shelf near you -- let me know! (It looks just like this:)









Oh -- and if you feel like indulging in a little guerrilla marketing on my behalf, make sure you turn the copies face out -- no spine displays for my new book, thank you very much.




~kc, wondering if they arrest authors who lead their readers into public mischief....


UPDATE: We have a winner! Check here: http://tinyurl.com/c2c7xy to see if it is you!

Quick News Update...

A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW has arrived in Calgary! Report from the most lovely Cate Duthie can be found right HERE.

I'm excited! Must remember to send my sister round to the store to help support the family coffers...

~kc

Pardon the Interruption (Again...)

...but I just have to note that the selection of amazing, wonderful, astonishingly talented authors who blog and who have further agreed to be interviewed by Darby Christopher is ...well, it's enough to go to a young character's head. Darby is becoming all puffed up with her status as an interviewer, and she's gathering more books and prizes than she thought possible for give-aways.

Forget Launch Week -- it looks like we're going for at least a MONTH of celebration around here!

I just want to take a moment to thank all the wonderful people, readers and friends, who have taken the time to send congratulations and share the excitement of this new story with me. I wrote this book nearly three years ago, and am beyond delighted to see it emerge today. Thank you all so much for being a part of this with me.

Now, please join Darby over on her blog, where all the fun and prize-giving is to be had. You just need to add a comment there -- or one here -- to have a chance to win big.




And, as small hint of things to come, check out this hockey-helmeted dude. This mystery author is the subject of Darby's interview tomorrow.

I'll give you one other little hint. His book is about a sport...that is NOT hockey.









See you tomorrow!

~kc

We Interrupt these Launch Week Festivities...

...to remind you to make sure you comment on one or more of the posts, either here or on Darby's blog -- and be eligible to win some AWESOME books (and other) prizes.

All it takes is one little comment, and you could be a winner!

We'll do the first round of draws on Friday -- so tell your friends and let's get those comments in!

~kc

Launch Week Mystery Guest #2

Day two of launch week -- and after the pirate shenanigans of yesterday, today we move into the weird world of ...Cat Woman?







Just who is this masked creature? Leave your guess in the comment section below and win a free copy of CANADIAN GIRLS WHO ROCKED THE WORLD.

A few tantalizing details.... she's been known to pen a book or two -- both fiction and non-fiction. She hucks a mean frisbee and has been known to indulge in creative bike ballet.

Care to learn more? Then be sure to check Darby's Blog for your chance to meet this mysterious author, unmasked-- and win a free book!

* A special note -- today is the day A WALK THROUGH THE WINDOW becomes available in bookstores. Many, many thanks to all those readers who have pre-ordered copies. Your books should be winging their way to you shortly! As to the official book launch, you can see a copy of the poster HERE. It will be held Thursday, March 12, 2009, at 6:30 pm at Kidsbooks in North Vancouver -- 3040 Edgemont Blvd. Everyone is welcome -- hope to see you there!

~kc

UPDATE: We have a winner! Check here: http://tinyurl.com/c2c7xy to see if it is you!

Launch Week Mystery Guest #1

Well, here we are at last. My new book, A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW should be popping up on bookstore shelves as of tomorrow, and I'm very happy to deliver this most recent baby to all my readers.

To celebrate, Darby Christopher, [the bossy heroine of the story] is conducting a series of interviews on her blog, which will be excerpted here. Each generous author [and their publishing house] featured is giving away a free copy of a book, and to win, all you have to do is leave a comment below, or over on Darby's blog.





Just to make things interesting, I'm offering a little mystery-guest disguise here, as a teaser.


Any ideas yet as to the identity of this mysterious pirate?


For another hint, here's a short excerpt from today's interview...

Darby: If you had a chance to walk through a window into the past, where would you go?

Mystery Guest: This is a hard question to answer, because there are so many places and times I'd like to go. In fact, my idea of heaven has always been a place full of windows into the past. I think I wouldn't want to stay in one place very long (lack of personal hygene in the past being one good reason to keep visits brief), but I would like to get a good look through a lot of different windows.

Darby: Ha! I guess that means my book would be perfect for you. If you did go back in the past is there anyone special you’d like to meet?

I'd like to meet the artist Emily Carr when she was about age 8 and age 14 to see if she was anything like I imagined her to be in my novels "Discovering Emily" and "Emily's Dream." I'd also like to look around 1880s Victoria while I was there.

Figured it out yet?

Why not put your best guess in the comments and then hie on over to Darby's Blog to find out if you are correct!

Here's a final little hint for you -- our mystery author mentioned Emily Carr in her interview. We will be offering a free SIGNED copy of DISCOVERING EMILY to the winner of today's draw. All you have to do to win is enter a comment below. I'll do a draw and announce the winner tomorrow. Good luck!

Now head on over to Darby's page and read the full interview...see you there!

~kc

UPDATE: We have a winner! Check here: http://tinyurl.com/c2c7xy to see if it is you!

Launch Week!

Here we go!

The new book is set to arrive in stores on Tuesday.

To celebrate, Darby herself is spending the week interviewing as many authors as she can about a subject dear to her heart -- how they and their families came to Canada. Each interview will be excerpted here and links will be provided to the full text. There will be prizes and giveaways, so stay tuned -- we are going to bring this book into the world in style!

Join Darby for her first interview tomorrow, when she talks with prolific author Jacqueline Pearce. You can find the link to Darby's blog HERE. And if you pick up the RSS feed, all the inteviews will come straight to your desktop.

Let the excitement begin!

~kc

Exciting Times...

My new book is set to arrive next week and exciting events are happening all over to celebrate the new arrival.

I'll be running a series of guest blogs here and on the Darby Speaks page (the blog celebrating Darby Christopher, the main character in the new book) with give-aways galore. Darby and I will both be twittering and blogging all the news.

(You can find my tweets @kcdyer, if you're looking.)

Next post I'll put up a proper-sized copy of the beautiful poster the folks at Doubleday have done for my launch, but for now, here's a sneak peek.

As (I hope) you can see, the date for the first official launch is March 12. More details tomorrow -- be sure to check back then!

Also...

New post up on Darby Speaks with a link to a very funny article from the Times Online regarding the translation of caveman-speak to modern English. Might have been a bit helpful for Darby if she'd had something like that!

More soon.

~kc

Shout out to Van Tech

Had another great visit with the kids at Vancouver Technical Secondary School today -- great to see the school again (third year in a row!). Many thanks to librarian Margaret O'Brien for the invitation.



A few other tabs to close here....

Came across THIS SITE the other day from a link on twitter... enjoyed looking at the fruits of the labours of photographers who managed to get what I so often missed -- shots taken at JUST the right time.

A couple of writerly things coming up soonishly...

From Judith Saltman via Norma Charles, a free event this week...And please note the reference to Serendipity, another annual spring event, also coming up soon. It's a two-for-one announcement!

The Master of Arts in Children's Literature Program Presents
Perry Nodelman and Geoff Williams

"A Conversation on the Poetics and Aesthetics of Picture Books"

Thursday Feb 26, 2009
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

The Dodson Room, Room 302, Level 3, Chapman Learning Commons,
Ike Barber Learning Centre
(Formerly UBC's Main Library-Entrance 1961 East Mall)

Reception following, 6:30-7:30 pm
School of Library, Archival & Information Studies Lounge
Suite 470, Level 4, Ike Barber Learning Centre

Perry Nodelman is Professor Emeritus, University of Winnipeg, and internationally respected children's literature critic. He is the author of Words about Pictures: The Narrative Art of Children's Picture Books (U of Georgia P), The Pleasures of Children's Literature (with Mavis Reimer, Allyn & Bacon), and The Hidden Adult: Defining Children's Literature (Johns Hopkins). He is also editor of the journal, Canadian Children's Literature. His children's books include Not A Nickel to Spare: The Great Depression Diary of Sally Cohen, Toronto 1932 (Scholastic).

Geoff Williams is widely known for his work on semiotic approaches to language and illustration. He is Professor and Head of Language and Literacy Education in the Faculty of Education at UBC. He is the co-editor with Annabelle Lukin of The Development of Language (Continuum).

Perry Nodelman is also speaking at Serendipity, the annual one day conference presented by the Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable, on Saturday, February 28th, 2009.

~kc

Twittering Signs O' Spring

Just popping on quickly here to impart a few Monday notes.





First -- I spotted this collection of crocuses this weekend as I was driving. Since there was someone right behind me, I pulled off and came around the block again to get this picture. (Shot, sadly, on my iphone -- a lovely little gizmo to have but no match for my SLR...)


The tiny boulevard at the side of the road was awash in purple. Not only sprouting -- but blooming! Bestill my heart. You think this might be a sign of spring?


And speaking of spring, it might be pouring outside at the moment, but the birds are loving the milder weather and tweeting up a storm.

I, too, am fond of a good twitter, so if you are so inclined, you can find me tweeting @kcdyer

I'm off to do a couple of gigs tomorrow at Van Tech Secondary -- will report on the reception after the fact.

Talk to you then!

~kc

Northern Voice '09 Live Blog four...afternoon

Actually....

Not a live-blog, this one. Left-over notes from yesterday.





In the afternoon, I sat in on Brett McFarland addressing branding: brand interest, brand indifference and how often branding doesn't mean anything, beyond regurgitating 'Free Dumb'.

He talked about how old school brands so often didn't know their audience and lacked conviction. He noted that brand identity is not a thing, but instead a bundle of meaning that is out of your control. Some very interesting thoughts.

After that, I got a chance to listen to Bruce Sharpe who talked about adding audio and video to blogs. And then onto PhotoCamp -- a great afternoon!

~kc

Northern Voice '09 Live Blog three...Death of Advertising

Death of Advertising...some very interesting ideas being put forward by Chris Heuer... he contends advertising as we now know it must die -- Instead by educating people you build trust -- you add value to your product. the means of production no longer require you to have to spend money on advertising. (Uses Will it Blend as an example... selling blenders due to an amazing demo and very low costs). Advertising money needs to be spent on relationship building rather than transaction-driving -- a huge change. A return to real marketing -- matching your product or service with the people who most will benefit from it. Interupt-driven advertising is dying --PigPen is the epitome of social media -- messy, whirling dervish, he is who he is.

So here's the thing -- when your product is books and the advertising expert says he hasn't read any books lately -- he gets all his info from blogs... is one left feeling depressed or invigorated by the challenge?

More soon!

~kc

Northern Voice '09 Live Blog Two...Geek Alert

Stuart Butterfield was really funny. Found out that this founder of Flickr is from Lund -- child of hippies. He chatted about why he loves the Internet, and his experience with it -- all the while wearing his lucky shoes. Will add pic later.

Right now sitting in the mobile stream, listening to a talk about streaming video. I didn't go to the 'Why blog?' session for obvious reasons and the Blogging in Canada session got cancelled.

This one was short and sweet -- not sure where live-streaming will work for me -- I want someone to tell me how to sync THIS blog into my website. Can't find anything to help me just yet...

More soon.

~kc

Northern Voice '09 Live Blog One...Geek Alert

9:12 am

Okay -- made it here this morning, the bridges were BOTH miraculously clear and the sun is shining just like it was last year. The karma gods love Northern Voice!

In a flurry of geek euphoria, I even managed an iphone tweet while in line for registration. I downloaded Twitterific this week, but coulnd't get it to work, so I tried Twitterfone and it did the trick.

Just got a picture of my buddy Dale helping set up the speaker connections at the front of the room. I haven't actually seen him in person, yet, so this qualifies as cyberstalking, I believe. But he's one of the organizers here, so he's fair game. Since this is a live blog, I'll go back in and insert the pix tonight. [Edited to add screen shot of opening remarks -- full joint, as usual].

Overheard: "Nice to meet you -- you look just like your iPod." Must have mis-heard.

Darren Barefoot is here this year -- met him over a Skype line last year, as that's how he attended from wherever he was in Asia. He was a featured speaker at SiWC in 2008, bringing blogging to the writing world. Caught a glimpse of Boris in the distance -- but so far those are the only faces I know.

Quite wrecked about not being able to attend tomorrow, but since I do have to take the girl off to the airport, I guess I should actually put the kid first. (But will be missing Nora Young. NORA YOUNG. Alas. Hopefully with the level of geeky enthusiasm here, someone will vlog her keynote.

Keynote this morning is Stewart Butterfield. Will report in when he starts.

~kc

Special Guest at Bradford Blog Bash

The Bradford Novels are a unique new series produced by author Micol Ostow and published by Simon and Schuster. Talk about a new media juggernaut -- these books are IT. Video book trailers, character blogs, websites and twitter -- these books are taking the internet by storm.






As a Y/A author (and lover of all things bloggable) I've was interviewed recently and you can find a guest blog post up on their site today.

Many thanks to Simon Pulse Editor Anica Rissi for the opportunity! And congratulations to Micol Ostow for her new series.

~kc

iPhone Fog

Spent most of the day in a tech-induced fog, engaged in communication (if you can call it that) with two telecom giants in an ultimately successful bid to get my new iphone to work.


It's a very cool little piece of equipment, and perhaps one day (if I give up writing and any other shot at gainful employment) I may figure out how to use the thing.

For now I am just messing around with it.

If you have any unbeatable suggestions for Apps, feel free to note them in the comments. I am weak. I'm sure I'll have to give them a try...

Two other things of note: the geek-fest I have been looking forward to for a whole year is here again -- Northern Voice Blogging and Social Media Conference runs this weekend up at UBC. (I am still looking for a ticket for Saturday, so if you've got one give me a shout...)

And the Tuesday tell-all is up at the CWILLblog -- citing (of all things) my messy desk as inspiration for the week's topic of choice. Hop over and have a look!

I just remembered a third thing -- my author buddies Lee Edward Fodi and James McCann are en route to Korea on high-powered Secret Agent business this week -- have a great time, guys!

~kc

Roald Dahl's Desk

My desk is a mess.


Not much new in that -- every once and a while I need a good excavation to clear things away, and now is pretty much the time.

Writing spaces are always interesting -- currently my desk is filled with paper (natch) and arcana -- gargoyles, a model of a tower in Portugal where I set a chase scene in SHADES OF RED, my steampunk clock, a rubber bat, a few skulls, a little sumo given to me by writer Linda Gerber many years ago, pictures, sketches, driftwood, crows, rocks, spiders, swords, rats, books on weaponry, plus all the techie paraphenalia and so much more I don't dare even list it.

I'm in awe of those who can write in spartan spaces -- don't really understand how it is done, but admire 'em all the same.

Just for fun, here's a writing space that might interest you ... a pretty plain little spot for the creation of so many marvellous stories!

Roald Dahl's Writing Hut

Someone tweeted this link to me, but I've lost the attribution. Sorry...

~kc

PS Happy Valentine's Day to all who engage in that sort of thing. Click HERE to add a little sugar to someone's day...

Calling all Guildies...

As I type these words, my son sits beside me, deep in battle on World of Warcraft.

I can hear you now -- shock emanating from every pore -- spluttering: "How can you allow this? It's an insidious game, taking your sweet boy away from his first true love -- his studies."

Ah. Well, perhaps your thoughts are not quite along those lines. And it's possible that his studies don't exactly qualify as the boy's first true love. (Just for the record, there's no school today...)

All this to say that perhaps I might have some small [teeny] interest in the game myself. But since my life presently doesn't allow me to immerse myself in RPG, instead, I sit beside the boy as he slays monsters, and once a week I indulge in The Guild.

Brain child of Felicia Day, it's an internet program about what happens to the lives of a group of on-line players when they meet on the outside. The final episode of the second season is due on Tuesday, so my gift to you is a chance to catch up on any missed episodes before the season finale, HERE.

Felicia is a colleague of Joss Whedon (having appeared in both Buffy and Dr. Horrible), and Joss's show Dollhouse premieres tonight.

So, if you'll just excuse me, I have to gather with my Guildies, and go watch...

~kc

Right Way Around...

Okay, here we go. New baby, right way 'round.









And now for something completely different... since the new book has left me feeling kinda chipper.

I'm a failure at memes. I just don't have it in me to pass on inanities about myself. I continually let all my friends down with meme-refusal. And don't even get me started on chain letters.








Luckily, my buddy Bill doesn't share the same limitation.









Some of his thoughts:

1 Sometimes I Feele so trapp’d by iambic pentameter... Does that make me a Freake?
2 I haue been Knowne to cry at Bear-baiting.
3 I am not uery ticklish. I am Not. So prithee, do not euen try. Waste. Of. Time.
4 I cannot keep Lice, and know not why.

Care to read more?

The only worthy twenty-five random things about anyone... courtesy of Mike McFadden, HERE.

~kc

Weekend Arrival

Guess what I found on my kitchen table when I got home from Calgary?





A new baby!





It won't be out in the world until March 3, but I'm very happy with the first impression.

~kc

One more TED thought....

Seems I'm Not The Only One.







(Thanks to A Novel Woman....)

~kc

Jack and TED

Sunny morning in Calgary. This guy lives in and around my sister's lawn, though this is a picture from the last chilly time I was here. When I saw him on Friday, only the very tips of his ears were black -- the rest pure white. He scratches a little depression in the ground beside the rocks you can see in the picture and will sleep there in the coldest of weather -- remarkable.

February here might mean white jackrabbits and frozen toes, but down in the balmy south it's TED time again.

The TED lectures have been an annual event since...well, the date 1984 springs to mind, but that might be wrong, so I suggest you hie on over to the site and look it up for yourself.

TED stands for Technology Entertainment and Design and the talks that come out of this remarkable conference each year are astonishing in their scope. The TED folks are starting to put up this year's talks on-line right now, and if you go to the site, you can troll through more than 200 from previous years. To me, this is the best use of the internet -- the spreading of knowledge in its purest form, and the chance to hear thoughtful, reasoned and scientific ideas emerging from some of the most brilliant minds of our time. So the next time you read about how the internet is a waste of time, just smile quietly to yourself, crack open a diet coke and enjoy John or Natalie or Bill...at TED.

~kc

Publishing in Canada

This is my canine nephew, Ronan. He's 10 months old and Very Good Company to his dog-deprived visiting auntie.





Interesting little article in today's Globe (as handed to me by my sister, this morning...)

Publish and Perish...

Thoughts?


It's a sunny, blue-sky day here in Calgary, and I'm enjoying a quick weekend visit. My camera battery died last night, so these portraits of Roney-baloney are taken, at some personal risk, with photobooth. Until he got sleepy....




















~kc

SERENDIPITY is coming to town

It's that time of year again -- the Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable is sponsoring Serendipity. This year's featured speakers include Gillian Chan, Rukhsana Khan, Michele Lemieux, Pamela Porter, Perry Nodelman, Kidsbooks's own Phyllis Simon and N/F Canada Information Book award winner Rochelle Strauss.

The event will be held at the University of British Columbia on Saturday, February 28, 2009.
For all the details click HERE.

This year's event is called TELLING OUR STORIES and it's bound to be a good time for all.

~kc

Fire In the Sky

Another long, weird day. One that requires contemplation prior to articulation. But it ended with quite a show of fire in the sky, so I'll share that instead of verbiage tonight. Not sure which shot I like better... so you get both.


Wishing you peace and safety and the love of those you hold most dear.

~kc

A Fat Cat Kinda Day

Long day of planning, commuting, meeting, commuting again, plus dogs and kid and a bad driveway thrown in. At least I did not get stuck in an elevator in London, like Stephen Fry, but as he Twittered the whole experience, I did get to enjoy it vicariously.

So instead, this is for Boris and Kesia, with love from Fox and Socks.





Thanks to boingboing for the link.

~kc, who only appears if adorned in hair generously shed by her feline and canine companions...

The Conundrum of the Book Review

For my friend Anita Daher and all the other authors I know...
just read an interesting column on the process of reviewing books with excerpts from both John Updike and Dave Eggars on the Tor.com site HERE.




These thoughts are tender ones to me, as my newest book baby will be born on March 3rd. I both long for and dread reviews -- the whole process of selling books is one fraught with contradictory emotions for me.

As an author, of course I want people to read, love and connect with my book. But I find the process twists me -- I don't ever want to be in a position to have to sell the public on my work. I want to put it out there, set it free to be enjoyed. You can see where real-world values might clash with this artistic ephemera. I think I have to side with Updike and Eggars, here. What do you think?

~kc