Fiction365; Nothing Sacred Review; Open mic night

Got word that a story of mine is set to appear in the online journal Fiction365. They feature a different story every day -- hence the title, as my kids would say. My story will be up in about a month's time. I'll post here once I get the details.

Also just discovered that in July a review of Nothing Sacred by Andrea Ledding ran in The R-Town News Online, out of Wolseley, SK. Scroll down to page 4 to read it if you're interested. Thanks very much, R-Town News and Andrea Ledding!

Looking forward to Open Mic night hosted by The Alexandra Writers Centre Society and Owl's Nest Books, at 815A 49 Avenue SW, in the Brittania Shopping Centre. That's Wednesday, October 26, at 7 PM. I understand there's the possibility of enjoying a beverage later, too. Sounds like too much fun!

More Freshwater Pearls news; Open Mic nights!

Nice to see the Freshwater Pearls anthology at number two on this week's Calgary Herald Calgary Bestseller list! I've had a chance to read several of the pieces so far -- very fine work! Congratulations again to the Alexandra Writers and all the contributors, both in the book and the online supplement.

Speaking of Freshwater Pearls, I'm going to be part of an encore reading from the book along with Lee Kvern, Susan Carpenter, Frances Hern, Kari Strutt and Julie Lockhart. That's taking place 7 PM, Wednesday, November 23 at Owl's Nest Books, in the Brittania Shopping Centre at 815A - 49 Ave. SW. Looking forward to it!

And speaking of the Alexandra Writers and Owl's Nest Books, AWCS has started holding open mic nights the last Wednesday of each month at Owl's Nest. I was sorry to miss the first one, which I understand was insanely fun, but I will be at the October 26th edition for sure. Come on down and read your work and buy a book from our friends at Owl's Nest.

Well, back to work...

Love Minus Zero Review

I'm grateful to Carrie Mumford, who reviewed Love Minus Zero at her blog. Getting press is one of the biggest challenges for most authors, and most of us really love it when you talk about our books.

Thanks again, Carrie!

Freshwater Pearls; Banff; Writing in the Works 5

Thanks again to the Writers Guild of Alberta and Shelf Life Books for hosting my talk on The Writing Life last Wednesday night. And thanks to everyone who came out for the event! I had fun talking about my journey so far as a writer and fielding some pretty challenging questions. It was also fun to decamp to the Rose and Crown later for a beverage.

Last night's launch of Freshwater Pearls was a fantastic time. The anthology is being published to honour the Alexandra Writers Centre Society's 30th anniversary, and it was quite a party. Enjoyed readings by some of the contributors, live music, food, wine and a tribute to AWCS' beloved Shirley Black, who took it all in stride. Thanks to everyone who organized the eveniing!

Speaking of anniversaries, it was our 20th wedding anniversary this week. Can you believe it? We got married when I was eight. And here's where we went to celebrate:

Yes, the Banff Springs. We have had a drink (one drink) there the odd time, but never stayed before. Well, it was magnificent. Hope to go back someday.

Coming up: Karen Willsey Bass launches her new YA novel Drummer Girl at Monkeyshines Books this Saturday, Sept. 24, at 2 PM.

Looking quite far ahead, we're in the planning stages of next year's installment of Writing in the Works. Can't believe this is our fifth year! The show is planned for Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Memorial Park Library, 1:30 - 3:30 and features readings by Rita Bozi, Jane Cawthorne, myself, Rea Tarvydas and Robin van Eck. Already looking forward!

The Writing Life, etc.

Had a great time at Brian Brennan's launch last week -- it was a very warm and musical evening. Also had a great time at Naomi Lewis' launch of her residency at Calgary Public Library. She'll be doing programs and manuscript consultations at Memorial Park Library for the next three months -- check the information on CPL's Writer-in-Residence page if you're interested in consulting with her.

Just putting the finishing touches on the presentation I'm doing tomorrow night. That's The Writing Life at Shelf Life Books, 1302 - 4 St. SW. We're starting at 7, there'll be a Q & A session after my talk and then we're retiring to the Rose & Crown for a beverage later. Looking forward to it!

Also looking forward to the Freshwater Pearls anthology launch, 7 PM, Wed., Sept.21 at the Alexandra Centre. It'll also be a 30th anniversary bash for the Alexandra Writers Centre Society, so it should be quite a party.

Finally, tonight's my first creative writing class for continuing ed at Mount Royal University. I'm very much looking forward to teaching at MRU. And I'm sure it will be fun.

Over and out for now.

Fall season begins

Back from a couple of weeks on Vancouver Island, which always refreshes me. It takes me a while to drop out of Calgary mode and get into Island mode, but by the time we come back I always feel different. And as they say, different is good.

So as usual, the fall literary season is shaping up to be a busy one:

• I'm going to the launch of Brian Brennan's new book, Leaving Dublin: Writing My Way From Ireland to Canada, at 7 PM this Tuesday, Sept. 6, at Christ Church Calgary, 3602 8 St. SW
• On Saturday, Sept. 10 I'm going to my friend and colleague Naomi K. Lewis' launch of her term as writer-in residence at Calgary Public Library. That's at 2 PM at Memorial Park Library, 1221 - 2 St. SW
• Then on Wed. Sept. 14 at 7 PM there's my talk on The Writing Life, hosted by the Writers Guild of Alberta, at Shelf Life Books, 1302 - 4 St. SW.
• The Alexandra Writers Centre Society is hosting the launch of the Freshwater Pearls Anthology on Wed. Sept. 21 at 7 PM at the Alexandra Centre, 922 - 9 Ave. SE
• And on Sat. Sept. 24th Karen Willsey Bass launches her new YA novel Drummer Girl at Monkeyshines Books, 113, 2215 - 33rd Ave SW

And that's just the stuff I'm definitely attending. Lots of other readings and launches going on. Looks like a good fall!

Speaking of the Calgarian Hotel...

... FFWD ran an excerpt this week from Sam Sutherland's forthcoming book on Canadian punk. The excerpt focuses on the late, great Calgarian Hotel, home for some time of Calgary's punk scene. Sam talked to old school punks across Canada, including me, and I'm really looking forward to his book, Perfect Youth, which is coming out from ECW next year.

Cool!