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CanWrite! 2014: How to get published with Halli Villegas, June 21
There was no panel discussion on Saturday and at breakfast, one of the organizers asked me if I’d host Halli’s workshop in the afternoon. I said sure, but I was a bit nervous. I even asked Halli how...
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Review of Ursa Unearthed by JL Madore
What Amazon says: Mika’s life has never been normal, but it’s hers. After being told by the Great Spirit that her destiny is to stand up for the Earth Mother’s children and “save the great species...
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CanWrite! 2014 wrap post
It’s been a month and a bit of me posting on the weekends, but here we are, at last, at the end of the CanWrite! run. The CAA Literary Awards Gala This was held the night of Saturday, June 21st. The...
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Caturday Quickie: Calgary, I am in you
I’ve been waiting to say that for a long time. I’m such a nerd. To be brief: Thursday afternoon, Phil and I went to see Guardians of the Galaxy. I may have to post a Mel’s Movie Madness about it. For...
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WWC Day 1: On dialogue, building accents, and dialect
Disclaimer: These are my notes. I am human. As such, I fully acknowledge that my notes are imperfect. Feel free to correct me if you see any glaring errors or misrepresentations. Panelists: Axel...
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WWC Day 1: Anthology Jam
Panelists: Ron S. Friedman, Randy McCharles, Charles V. Prepolec Q: As a writer, how do you approach an anthology? How to you get in? RM: There are two kinds of anthologies, open and closed....
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WWC2014 Day 1: Successful self-publishing with Jodi MacIsaac
About Jodi MacIsaac: She grew up in New Brunswick, Canada. After stints as a short-track speed skater, a speechwriter, and fundraising and marketing executive in the non-profit sector, she started a...
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WWC2014 Day 1: The Perfect Pitch Package with Jacqueline Guest
Before we begin, some context Jacqueline publishes, and always has published, in the Canadian market. As such, she doesn’t have, nor does she need, an agent. Jacqueline pitches her publisher directly....
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WWC 2014, Day 1: Doctor your book with Randy McCharles
Randy McCharles is active in Calgary, Alberta’s writing community with a focus on speculative fiction, usually of the wickedly humorous variety, with short stories and novellas available from Edge...
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WWC 2014, Day 1: Evening keynotes
Here we are at the end of day 1 (for me–I know others partied into the wee hours). At other conferences and conventions, guest of honour keynotes are generally spread throughout the event, often at or...
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WWC 2014, day 2: Blending science fiction and fantasy
Panellists: Stacy Dooks, Nina Munteanu, Greg Bechtel, and Ian Alexander Martin SD: Genres are breaking down. Clarke’s third law states: Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from...
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WWC 2014, day 2: An hour with Mark Leslie
Mark is a writer, editor and bookseller who was born and grew up in the Greater Sudbury Region, spent many years in Ottawa and currently lives in Hamilton, Ontario. Find him online at markleslie.com....
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WWC 2014, Day 2: Have pen, will travel, with Jacqueline Guest
You can find out more about Jacqueline at her web site. When I was young, two books saved my life: A Child’s Book of Bible Ethics, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Don’t give up. If you have the...
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WWC 2014, Day 2: An hour with Jack Whyte
Jack is simply fabulous. You can read more about him on his web site, camulod.com/aboutjack. When I wrote The Sky Stone, I was called by the Historical Society to speak to a bunch of academics. Do...
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WWC 2014, day 2: Business planning for creative people with Sandra Fitzpatrick
Write first. You don’t have a business without something to build it around. The Business Plan Executive summary Industry and market analysis Competitive analysis Marketing Operation Financial Let’s...
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WWC 2014, Day 2: YA and the tough stuff
Panellists: Kimberly Gould, David Laderoute, Aviva Bel’Harold, Michell Plested Q: What language do you use? DL: Keep your audience in mind. MP: Look at Harry Potter. The Dursleys made him...
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WWC 2014, Day 3: Querying your YA novel
Panellists: Jacqueline Guest, Danielle L. Jensen, Jessica Corra, Shawn L. Bird, Karen Bass Q: Do you query a trilogy? DJ: It depends on your genre. Some say your novel has to be a standalone, but I’ve...
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WWC 2014, Day 3: Marketing your book with Jodi McIsaac
Jodi McIsaac grew up in New Brunswick, Canada. After stints as a short-track speed skater, a speechwriter, and fundraising and marketing executive in the nonprofit sector, she started a boutique...
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WWC 2014, Days 2 and 3: All the Brandon Sanderson
Photo by Nazrilof If you want to find out moar about Brandon Sanderson, please visit his eponymous web site. I attended several of Brandon’s sessions at When Words Collide, but I didn’t take notes in...
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Review of The Occasional Diamond Thief by Jane Ann McLachlan
What Amazon says: On his deathbed, Kia’s father discloses a secret to her alone: a magnificent and unique diamond he has been hiding for years. Fearing he stole it, she too keeps it secret. She learns...
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