SBH+CWC=CBD*

*Crazy Busy Day, of course.







I accidentally double-booked myself for the day, and had planned to bring my Creative Writing for Children (CWC) class to Spring Book Hatching (SBH -- at last, all acronyms explained!), but alas -- it didn't work out.

As I was bolting from the library after helping with the SBH decorating, en route to Port Coquitlam to teach the class, I happened to glance up. (I nearly caught a rope in the face, otherwise, it would have been a bee-line straight for the car.)

The rope was attached to the folks in the picture. Apparantly this rappel-dance is in celebration of the cultural Olympiad. It was pretty darned astonishing, I can tell you that.

I managed to shoot a couple more pictures (on my iPhone, so the quality is not the best, I'm afraid) and you can see them HERE on my Flickr photostream under the category of Nothing But Cool).

And speaking of nothing but cool, here's a peek at Shelley McDonald's CWC class today -- a very cool group of reading and writing experts.


Good taste in books, eh?

Thanks for making me so welcome, gang!

~kc

Spring Book Hatching, 2009

This Saturday, Vancouver Public Library Downtown, 1-3 pm. Tons of authors, loads of new books, lots of fun!


~kc

Weekend Winners

First -- the BC Book Prize winners (including CWILL BC member Katarina Jovanavic).


Next, more internationally...the Nebula Award Winners.



And finally, (and most importantly, of course) the Darby Speaks Skateboard Haiku Contest winner!

~kc

News, a winner and the best cat videos evah....

First the news:

I'll be signing books at the opening of the new Indigo store in White Rock tomorrow from 11:00 am to sometime in the early afternoon. If you're around -- drop by and say hi! They are giving away free bookbags to the first 1000 visitors -- come and fill one with books!

Then the winnah:

The skateboard haiku contest on Darby's Blog has a winner. Check it out!

And finally, a frivolous feline Friday post, courtesy of Darren Barefoot. Same cat -- different boxes...





~kc

I'm Torn...

...torn, I tell you.

I just found the funniest book promotion video ever. However, as the audience for this blog also includes a certain segment of my youthful readership I daren't embed it here.

So, instead, I will link to it. HERE.

The book is titled ETCETERA AND OTHERWISE, by Sean Stanley and looks to be a bit of a love story.


A couple of caveats -- while the contents are rude and the language is generally not safe for work, it's all talk, really. And for those of you teenagers who think this is a license to watch -- bear in mind that it is a parody of the plight of the Canadian author. A political statement.

No good stuff.

=)

I had never heard of Tightrope Press before today, but I'll be buying this book for sure.

~kc


PS The picture? It's a shot my girl secretly took of herself on my computer, and put in place as my wallpaper before she left for her first year of university. Is that not love?

She comes home this weekend. I am thrilled.

A Less bloodthirsty Earth Day post...

First, the Big Blue Marble, courtesy of the 1972 Apollo space craft (and Wikipedia...)


And next, a beautiful piece of evidence that the world over, voices can raise in harmony. (This one is via Cory Doctorow on boingboing.) Make sure you check out Playing For Change, the people who put this video together...





Happy Earth Day!

~kc

Eagle Takes Seagull

This week, whilst walking with my son and my dogs at Ambleside (below the north side of Vancouver's famous Lions Gate Bridge), I watched a flock of seagulls tormenting a pair of eagles.

The tables turned.

This is pretty typical behaviour when springtime nests are threatened, but in this case, the whole thing took place over the waters of Burrard Inlet. We watched as members of the seagull flock swooped around and over the pair of eagles (bald eagles, fully mature, white heads and tails). The eagles usually are pretty good at ignoring this behaviour, but at some point the focus shifted. the two eagles began to dive bomb one of the seagulls from the flock. As we watched this interchange, one of the eagles swung from below up to the seagull, claws extended and plucked it right out of the air. The other eagle flew off.

The hunting eagle dropped straight to the water, wings spread, with its heavy prey. The eagle never stopped flying for a moment, but rearranged its trajectory along the surface of the water. It flew along slowly for maybe 2-3 full minutes, wingtips touching the water with each stroke, and drowned the bird in its claws.

The eagle continued along the surface of the water, and made land on the lighthouse sandbar off the beach at Ambleside, where he ignored all the little birds flying in to take a look, and ate his seagull snack.

I spent the whole time wavering between marvelling at the hunter and kicking self for not having camera.

These shots are taken of birds on Howe Sound.


I love where I live.

~kc

In a classic case...

...of opposition highlighting the best in each, HERE (via the delicious Bookninja) is a list of this year's Pulitzer Prize winners. [I think George may have the Orange Prize recipients up now, too...]

And here via, who knows where, a version of Oceans 11 I would pay good money to see:




~kc

Catching Up Whilst Battling Microscopic Demons

Hey -- cool news! Waterloo Public Library picked A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW as one of their Sizzling Staff Selections.

Just what I need to help me in my battle with this Epic Germ I have now been jousting more than a week. I am beyond behind in reporting events, so a quick precis follows...



Last night I dragged my sorry, coughing self out the door to catch Robert J. Sawyer's book signing at White Dwarf Bookstore in Vancouver. Rob read (in true SF form, from his Blackberry!) to a rapt group of standing room only fans. His new book, WAKE is the first in a planned trilogy. (This is a shot of Rob mid-stream in his reading -- see the Blackberry?)



After collecting my signed copy from Rob, I hightailed it over to Gastown to catch the end of this month's Shebeen meeting. Raincoaster (alias Lorraine Murphy) had facilitated a spirited discussion led by Monique Trottier of Boxcar Media on the subject of 'Old Publishers Have a New Think Coming.' I arrived too late for the talk, but in time to connect a bit with those in attendance. I'm excited to report that Monique and Lorraine will both be coming to SiWC this year for our special social media stream -- more on that later, she sez, mysteriously.



Working backwards, last Saturday I went with a group of CWILLers to help celebrate the nominations of fellow writers at the BC Book Prizes soiree. This year's event was partially sponsored by the Canadian Authors Association. Here is a shot of Kathie Shoemaker and Irene Watts -- the two nominated CWILL members in attendance -- along with Margaret Hume and Anthony Dalton, CAA members. (Left to right: Kathryn Shoemaker, Anthony Dalton, Irene Watts, Margaret Hume).



I admit to feeling very sad as I post these pictures. Last year, I sent the pics from this event to Derek Weiler for the Quill & Quire blog. Derek died suddenly last week at the unconscionable age of 40, and the wee publishing community of this country has been rocked by the loss. (You can read more details on the Q&Q site HERE.)




There is much more to report, but this blog post is as packed as I dare make it for now.

More soon, no doubt.

~kc

Battling the Germ...

... and I'm winning, so far, but at some cost to my energy levels. Thus, a brief (and yet somehow entertainingly informative) blog full of fascinating information, not all of it arcane.




Apologies to all whom I owe email. (There are at least 159 of you out there...) Will be back to you as soon as I can!

And now, the news...


Darby has a new contest up at her blog. Full details will emerge tomorrow, but apparently she's looking for a haiku -- featuring a skateboard. Prizes will be good, though, guaranteed! (I stole the cherry tree pic from her, too...)

A few April events to note:

April 18, 2009. My friend Linda's birthday. (She'd kill me for that, but she never reads my blog, so I'm safe. Ha! Some friend, eh?) Also the soiree for the BC Book Prizes. I'll be there along with a whole pile of other local BC authors who like free parties. (You'll need a ticket to attend the actual prize banquet). At the Metropolitan Hotel on Howe.

April 20, 2009. 7 pm. Science Fiction phenom Robert J. Sawyer will be signing (and reading, I believe) from his new book WAKE at the White Dwarf bookstore in Kits. 3715 West 10th Avenue.
I'll be there!

April 25, 2009. 11 am. Chapters is opening a new store in White Rock this month, and I'll be joining in as a part of the celebrations. Love to see you!


And to finish, a dogblog, of course. I've seen canine singers, but never one who accompanies himself on the keyboard... (tip of the hat to a Raincoaster tweet for this one)




~kc

Joyous Noise

A little non-secular inspiration for your Easter Sunday. Not embeddable, for some reason, but click HERE for some joyous noise.





~kc

Fantastic Friday

Forget Good Friday -- this day is going to be a Fantastic one -- at least for one winner over on Darby Speaks. For today -- this very evening -- the draw takes place for the winner of a copy of A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW (my latest opus), and NEVER A STRAIGHT LINE, a wonderful book of poetry by Canadian author Bernice Lever. In order to get your name in the draw, you were required to submit a poem -- a limerick, to be exact, on the subject of skateboards and boarding.

I'll be posting the winner's name shortly -- did you enter?

If not, you'll have another chance next week, but with a format change. In honour of National Poetry Month (NaPoMo), Darby will be asking for a haiku (though I do believe you'll be spared the struggle of waxing poetic on the subject of skateboards this week...). Check over on Darby Speaks to find out more!

In other news, there's a couple of new posts up at the Surrey International Writers' Conference blog, as things progress apace for the early opening of registration this year. Find out more HERE.

Now, let's see...just for fun. Found this very cool site via Mark Frauenfelder (of boingboing fame) -- it's by Chrome Experiment, and is a lovely musical amusement to take more time out of your day.

And if that isn't enough to pique your fancy, how 'bout a live cam view of a nest of hatching eaglets? The Hancock Wildlife Foundation has their webcam up, and the eagles are parenting one baby so far, with hopefully more to come. I spent a lot of time watching last year... hope you enjoy.

Finally, the picture (above) is of a very cool door Lee Fodi and I spotted in False Creek building (NOT a church) en route to the opening of his friend Alex's art show last week. As the title of my latest book attests, I'm particularly fond of interesting portals, and I have a strange feeling this one just may show up again sometime...

More on Alex Walton and his artwork soon, too.

~kc

Daffodil Yen & Other Artsy Nonsense

I've had a yen for a few days to get a pic of the newly bobbing daffies by moonlight. I'm pretty sure they don't close at night like the tulips do...

Anyway, here's the proof; not by moonlight, but by streetlight, outside Palki in North Van on a fine (if overcast) April evening.




It's an iPhone pic, so a trifle grainy, but still, proof of spring in the nicest possible way. Hoping for some cherry blossom pix tomorrow -- the trees were awash in bloom downtown tonight, but out here in the more mountainous coastal environs, our cherries are just now taking a first peek skyward.

Speaking of pictures, I want to upload this one of Jian Ghomeshi, interviewing singer Divine Brown on the set of Q live. Jian survived an interview from hell with Billy Bob Thornton today with grace and good humour. You can see the interview HERE. Personally, I think Jian should have thrown the bum out -- his bandmates were clearly mortified -- but he kept his cool. Here's to you Jian!



(Once again a crappy iPhone picture -- must remember to bring my Pentax with me to these things!)

In other news, author Robert J. Sawyer is embarking on a North American tour to celebrate the publication of his new novel WAKE. Here are his dates -- check it out to see if he's coming to a venue near you...


Borderlands Books
866 Valencia Street
San Francisco, California
Monday, April 13, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
http://www.borderlands-books.com

White Dwarf Books
3715 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
Monday, April 20, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
http://www.deadwrite.com/wd.html


Sentry Box
1835-10th Ave SW
Calgary, Alberta
Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
http://www.sentrybox.com


Audrey's Books
10702 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Thursday, April 23, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
http://www.audreys.ca


Librairie Paragraphe Bookstore
2220 McGill College Avenue
Montreal, Quebec
Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
http://www.paragraphbooks.com

Ottawa Book Launch Party!
The Clock Tower Brew Pub
575 Bank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Perfect Books
http://www.clocktower.ca
http://www.perfectbooks.ca/index.html

Toronto Book Launch Party!
Dominion on Queen (pub)
500 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Bakka Phoenix Books
http://www.dominiononqueen.com
http://www.bakkaphoenixbooks.com


McNally Robinson
1120 Grant Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 2:00 p.m.
http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/winnipeg-events


Waterloo Entertainment Centre
24 King Street North
Waterloo, Ontario
Thursday, May 21, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by Words Worth Books
http://www.wordsworthbooks.com


Chapters
1425 Kingsway Road
Sudbury, Ontario
Monday, May 25, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/home/storeLocator/storeDetails/935


McNally Robinson
3130 8th Street East
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Thursday, June 4, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
http://http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/saskatoon_events

Book & Brier Patch
4065 Albert Street
Regina, Saskatchewan
Saturday, June 20, 2009, 2:00 p.m.
http://www.bookbrier.ca

I'm planning to be at the White Dwarf event in Vancouver -- see you there!

~kc

A little behind....

Okay -- time to close a few tabs. My computer screen is starting to look like my binder in high school...


First, a note from author extraordinare and CompuServe Books & Writers Forum section leader --

Ann Featherstone, longtime editor with Fitzhenry & Whiteside and formerly with Orca, will be the guest editor on Compuserve's Books and Writers Community forum for two weeks,
starting April 13. In the first week, she'll answer questions.
In the second week, she'll give virtual blue pencil sessions to a number of
submissions. Here's what she'll give feedback on:

The first page of a children's or YA novel, or the first page of a
picture book text
or
A query letter
or
A pitch

She will select from those submitted, not necessarily the best, but the ones that exemplify something in particular. She will also select the three best submissions and award prizes to those three.

Second and third prize will be an editorial critique of an entire first chapter and outline. First prize will be that too, plus a phone conversation with Ann so that she can go into more depth with her comments.

In order to participate, go here:

http://community.compuserve.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=MyForums&webtag=ws-books

You will have to sign up, but it's free. Once you get there, scroll down to the YA/Children's section for complete instructions.

And at last, a meaningful glossary -- apparently this was first posted in 2006, but it deserves a revisit now. Please note the definition of 'author'...

And finally -- This is what I get for not sleeping enough...







~kc

Pee Ess

Don't forget the Skateboard Limerick Contest over on Darby Speaks. Closes Friday!

Darby Walks Through....Guelph

A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW had a short mention in the Guelph Mercury recently:

In A Walk Through a Window (Doubleday, $14.95 softcover), British Columbia writer kc dyer tells the story of Darby Christopher, who is stuck in a small town for the summer, living with her grandparents and feeling that there's little to do.

When Darby walks through a magical window, however, she's swept into several dramas from the past, including the Irish Potato Famine and the crossing of the Bering land bridge to North America by the Inuit.

More...HERE

~kc

Thursday Thunder

Heading off in the morning to St George's School -- very excited to visit Jody Unger's classes again this year. She's an amazing teacher and the boys there are so lucky to have her -- great ideas and lots of enthusiasm for books and reading!

(Won't it be amazing if we get a sky that colour for my visit tomorrow?)


Don't forget to add your limerick to the contest on Darby Speaks -- win a signed copy of A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW, plus a volume of Canadian poetry (in honour of NaPoMo).


In other news, I'm working madly to design a spanking new website -- will keep you informed of the progress! We're almost ready to announce the presenter roster for SiWC 2009 (am WAY behind in my blogging on that site -- must make it up soon!). And finally...






don't forget our SPRING INTO FANTASY event this weekend at the Strawberry Hills Chapters in Surrey. Sunday, April 5, 2009. 1-4 pm.

There will be cupcakes, crafts, refreshments, digging in dirt and signing of books. What more can one ask of spring-time? (I've also heard that there is NO snow forecast to fall !)

See you there, I hope.

~kc

Spring Into Fantasy

The Strawberry Hills Chapters (Surrey) event is nigh!

This Sunday, as you can see from the poster above. Featuring authors James McCann, Lee Edward Fodi and myself.

Where: Strawberry Hills Chapters, 12101 72nd Ave, Surrey, BC
When: 1-4 pm, Sunday April 5, 2009.
Who: Lee, James and kc
Why: To have fun while selling our new books
What: cupcakes, refreshments, games, draws, and books galore

I'd love to see you there...

~kc

Pee Ess

If you're in the mood for a limerick -- Darby's got a contest going on her blog! Spread the word and win...

Tor.com Wins the AFD Honours

It's 2 pm ish now, and April Fool's Day is officially over, being as it's only a half-day, and so on. I spent far too much time today chasing down the best AFD stories, and no doubt in my mind that Tor.com (or, as they are now to be known: TÖRdötCÖM) are the winners, hands down.

With stories on Alan Moore's beard, Neil Gaiman's desireablity (or lack thereof), and Anne Rice's proclivity for Jesus fiction, it was a stellar day for them all around. Well done TÖRFolk!

~kc

Rare Were-Bunny Sighting

Romping through the snow in Lions Bay, scattering chocolate eggs.





If only it were an April Fool's joke. Sadly -- he's out on the deck right now, barking madly at the snowflakes...

Happy April 1, everyone! And can someone PLEASE arrange for it to stop snowing?

~kc

These Eyes....

Are going to show their true colours over on Darby Speaks, just moments from now.

But in the meantime, much to do, many tabs to close.

The first month of celebration is coming to an end for the arrival of A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW, but the fun does not end here. This Sunday I'll be doing a book signing with authors James McCann and Lee Edward Fodi at the Strawberry Hills Chapters in Surrey, BC from 1-4 pm. I'll put a copy of the poster up here tomorrow.

We're thinking up something fun to make it a special event -- hope you can make it!


I make an appearance today on Liviania's In Bed With Books blog today. Stop by and leave a comment to grab a chance to win a copy of A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW.

And lastly, a link to the reason I am not flying Virgin Airways when I head off to the UK in May....HERE. (THE funniest airline letter ever...)

~kc

Winners!

Here we are at the end of launch month...what a ride it has been. Will announce the winners of this week's book prizes on Darby Speaks in a few minutes. Am seriously behind in everything, mostly email and blogging other info, so will attempt to catch up this weekend.

I've got one more mystery author guest for you -- we'll run his interview tomorrow on Darby Speaks, and then do the draw early next week.

And just because he is a mysterious kinda guy, here's a peek at his most expressive parts...




No wonder his nickname is McSteamy!




Now that Launch Month is over, Darby's blog is going to continue with a slightly different shape. She's gotten the journalistic bug with all this interviewing and wants to keep it up. But now she's had a good taste of authors...she'll be moving on to characters from other books -- a chance to interact off the page, so to speak.

If you've a yen to meet someone you enjoyed in the pages of a novel (stipulation: the author has to be living in order to give permissions, etc.) then let me know and I'll pass it along to Her Nibs.

In the meantime, if you'd like to guess the owner of these eyes...leave your name (and his) in the comments, and I'll enter you in the draw for a signed copy of his latest book!

And check out the other winners names at Darby Speaks.

~kc

Beneath the Butterfly...Revealed

But not here, of course.











To check if all your guessing is correct, head on over to Darby Speaks. The interview is now posted!



~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!

Teaser Today....

Winding down our final week of launch celebrations for A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW.

It's been quite a celebration.

I don't even have to mask this special author, as I luckily caught her on film (already in disguise) very recently.


Can you recognize the woman behind the purple butterfly?



Allow me to drop a single hint....


Her latest book, the seventh in the series, will Echo into print (and no doubt, straight onto the New York Times bestseller list) this fall.

That's it. That's all I'm going to give you.

If you'd like to make a guess, go ahead and leave your name in the comment section. And spread the word -- one of the commenters will be the lucky winner of a signed novel from our mysterious author!

Stay tuned for the interview with this Lepidopteric Author on Darby Speaks tomorrow!

~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!

Tuesday Mystery Guest -- Naked Author All Covered Up.

Blogging delayed by a meeting today...but the launch celebration for A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW continues now!



Today's mystery author is REALLY a mystery author. Yes, behind those rainbow-coloured glasses is one mysterious creature. Who writes mysteries.

Care to make a guess as to her identity?



Here's a hint...when she's not writing novels, she's a special reserve officer of the Los Angeles Police Force.

If that doesn't give it to you... [whispering] how about the fact that she's also known as a 'Naked Author'?

Want to find out more?

Head over to Darby Speaks and enjoy the fun as this mystery author bares all in her interview with Darby!


~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!

Whew!

Crazy weekend -- teaching at CWC, readying prizes to go out, answering email. The review that hit the Globe & Mail last Friday meant that my email box has overflowed -- if I owe you a reply, it'll be coming soon, I promise.

We wrap up the final week of this month's A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW launch celebrations with a special Mystery Monday author. She's the one on the left. No moustache.

Care to guess her identity? Here's a hint -- her novel SPIDER'S SONG was just nominated for a Manitoba Book Award. And she is the only author over whose beautiful hair I have waxed poetic. Now if THAT doesn't give it to you...

just click on over to Darby Speaks to learn all!

See you there...

~kc

Winnahs!

This week's Launch Month prize winners can be found HERE on Darby Speaks.

Congratulations to all!

Contrary to what I wrote in the blog I posted at an ungodly hour this morning, Jill Murray's winner will be chosen next week, to give her a fair shot at gaining comments (as has become our wont with all our Friday blog subjects in this most marvellous of celebrations).

And speaking of winners, Darby got a very nice mention today in the Globe & Mail. The review made me very happy.

Let's celebrate by giving away books!

~kc

Friday Mystery

She's breaking up -- she's breaking...




...oh.






She's not actually breaking up. In fact -- she may be just breaking on through...

Who is she?

Here is a hint or two: Her debut novel was aimed at young adult readers and dances through the subject of ...what else? Breakdancing! She also spearheaded Y-Eh.ca, an on-line resource for young adult writers in Canada.

Got it yet?

Post your guesses in the comments section and then hop over to Darby Speaks to find out the truth! The celebration of the debut of A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW continues...

~kc

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