Leap Night Open Mic; Groundhog Day; Upcoming

I'm heading out to the special Feb. 29 edition of the Alexandra Writers' Open Mic Night. That starts up at 7 PM at Owl's Nest Books, located in the lovely Brittania Shopping Plaza at 815A 49 Ave. SW. Readings, refreshments, fun, all that sort of thing. And if you're one of those people who like books, it so happens Owl's Nest has those, too. Plus I understand there's some talk of beer involved.

And yeah, Groundhog Day. What's up with that, Lori, you're thinking. Wasn't that like a month ago? It was indeed. I refer to Groundhog Day the movie, wherein the characters are doomed to live out the same day over and over and over again. I feel like my novel-in-waiting is in a bit of a Groundhog Day thing, here. But soon enough, something will have to happen, I suppose.

Up next: Writing in the Works 5, at 1:30 PM Saturday, March 10 at Memorial Park Library, 1221 - 2 St. SW. This year's lineup of readers is Rea Tarvydas, Robin van Eck, myself, Jane Cawthorne and Rita Bozi; hosted by Rona Altrows. Always a good time!

And then another multi-reader event the evening of March 15: When Cowgirls get the Blues, 7 PM at Shelf Life Books, 1302 - 4 St. SW. Readings that night from me, Lee Kvern, Betty Jane Hegerat, Barb Howard and Nerys Parry. There will also be wine and some of Lee's famous and suggestive cupcakes. Yee-haw!

Well, back to work. Hope to see you at an event!

Writing in the Works 5; When Cowgirls Get the Blues

The FreeFall Magazine launch was a most excellent time! Big crowd, big readings, lots of laughs and wine and cheese. Thanks to everyone who came out, and thanks also to Owl's Nest for hosting, and Micheline and Lynn for organizing.

Coming up next are a couple of readings I'm taking part in next month. Writing in the Works 5 is Saturday, March 10, 1:30 PM, at Memorial Park Library, 1221 - 2 St SW. Here's the press release: Back for a fifth year of luscious literary samplings, Writing in the Works, Memorial Park Library, and emcee Rona Altrows are proud to present Calgary writers Rea Tarvydas, Robin van Eck, Lori Hahnel, Jane Cawthorne, and Rita Bozi reading from books in progress, books coming out soon, and books on the prowl for publishers. Writing in the Works was created by Rona Altrows and Lori Hahnel in 2008 to celebrate the  writing process and showcase works in progress by local writers. Right after that is an event I'm doing the evening of March 15th at Shelf Life Books, When Cowgirls Get the Blues, poster below. Cool! Looking forward to both these readings very much.IRLS

FreeFall launch; Freezing

I'm going to be reading at the launch of the latest issue of FreeFall (Winter 2012), in which I have a piece of creative nonfiction. Other readers include Juleta Severson-Baker, Barbara Parker and Naomi Lewis. That's 7 PM, Thursday, February 2 at Owl's Nest Books located at 815 49th Ave SW in Britannia Shopping Plaza. Good readings, good company, and wine and cheese! Come on out and enjoy.

Well, I suppose I can't let this ridiculously cold weather pass by without some comment. Especially now that I'm recovered from falling on my head on some ice last week. I mean, the temperature's been hanging around -29 all day. Really. I wish I was back in California. Maybe I'll have to set my next book there.

Over and out for now. Stay warm.

End of 2011; Here's 2012 already

There's crazy, sleazy, wonderful Hollywood Boulevard on December 30th. Yeah, hard to believe with the snow swirling outside my window, that I was there a mere eleven days ago.  We had a great time in Hollywood, Santa Monica, La Jolla and San Diego, though I have to say it didn't really seem all that much like Xmas. And now it's all beginning to seem like a long time ago.

So 2012 is in full swing already. Tonight it's back at my Creative Writing courses at Mount Royal University. I have non-fiction pieces out in the January / February edition of WestWord and the Winter 2012 edition of FreeFall. I'm looking ahead to a couple of readings in March -- one is Writing in the Works 5 and the other is a multi-author event at Shelf Life Books, more about which later. And I await word on my new novel.

Keeping the fingers crossed, as usual. Here's to a good 2012!

WGA Xmas Party; Annual Holiday Wind-Down

Thanks to Samantha Warwick and Carol Holmes of The Writers Guild of Alberta for organizing last night's really enjoyable Guild Xmas party, and many thanks to the Rose and Crown for hosting. There were fine readings by Barb Howard and Jeramy Dodds, door prizes, food and lots and lots of chat. A good time was had by all, I think!

Tomorrow night is my last creative writing class for the fall term at Mount Royal. However, I'm back in the Winter Term to do it all again. Have really been enjoying my classes and my students.

So, getting close to the holidays. Looking forward to taking a break with family and friends and getting back to some real writing in the New Year. Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

"Impatient to be Free"

My story "Impatient to be Free" is today's featured story on Fiction365.  Check it out!

Freshwater Pearls Encore Reading Wed. Nov. 23; Coming to Canada

This Wednesday, November 23rd at 7 PM is the  Freshwater Pearls encore reading, featuring  Lee Kvern, Susan Carpenter, Frances Hern, Kari Strutt, Julie Lockhart, Robin van Eck, Richard Gorecki and me. Excellent Christmas shopping op, folks! That's at Owl's Nest Books, in the Brittania Shopping Centre at 815A - 49 Ave. SW. What better way to Occupy Calgary than by supporting your local indie bookstore (and indie writers and publisher)? Plus awesome readings and amusing banter! 


But before that,  tomorrow afternoon I'm braving Calgary's first real blast of winter for Coming to Canada, readings and panel discussion about immigration with Frances Hern and Brian Brennan. That's at Shelf Life Books, 1302 - 4 St. SW at 1:00. I understand there will be coffee and cookies. Sounds good!