The Book Broads

(Angela here) June Gilbank, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Amigurumi, offers great advice for crochet-lovers to create the darling miniature animals and objects of this yarn art form.  Obviously, June and I share a publisher and it was a thrill to share in the excitement of another Canadian author’s book launch. As we got to know each other better on-line, I promised June I’d take a crack at crochet.  I haven’t manage that quite yet (a broken arm will do that to you) but I wanted to share this video I made based on the advice in June’s book. It’s a great introduction to the supplies needed to make your own adorable amigurumi. Once I get the arm back in full swing, I promise to post again with an  update on my first project.

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(Kim here) Peggy and I live in mid-Vancouver Island… really nice spot! We are also volunteer members of  Nanaimo-Ladysmith Community Literacy Council. One of the initiatives for the Council is a great website called, www.myreadingtree.com, it provides local information about events, literacy programs, resources, games and tools, cool links and there are audio books for all ages. One of the other things it does is it features community members and the book they are reading. This month the website features two local Mayors! Below are pictures of the Mayors taken by Nanaimo’s own, Lance Sullivan. Press release below too.

Mayor Hutchins

Mayor Ruttan

March 2011- Nanaimo, BC – What are our local Mayors reading? Lantzville to Ladysmith’s www.Myreadingtree.com, an initiative of Nanaimo-Ladysmith Community Literacy Council, finds out. This March we hear what Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan and Ladysmith Mayor Rob Hutchins are reading… and why reading means so much to them.

Rob Hutchins tells www.myreadingtree.com, “I remember falling in love with reading while in grade five. I devoured books as a teenager and as a young adult. When our children were young we collected a small library of excellent children’s literature and now many of those same books are being read to our grandchildren. “  What’s Mayor Hutchins Reading? Plan B 4.0 – Mobilizing to Save Civilization by Lester R. Brown.

Mayor John Ruttan says. “The book that I just finished was Maps, Mountains & Mosquitoes by Nanaimo author Ms. Katherine Gordon. It details the history of the McElhanney group of surveying, engineering and mapping companies through years of service and work in Western Canada. It is a fascinating read of the growth of one of the largest surveying companies in British Columbia.”

Every month, the non-profit website, www.myreadingtree.com, highlights local people and what they are reading. Some great stories are shared by people like: Bruce Williams, David Gogo, The Kerpunks, Joelle Rabu and others!. The soon-to-be one year old, www.myreadingtree.com, also provides local information about events, literacy programs, resources, games and tools, cool links and there are audio books for all ages.

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The Book Broads are thrilled to be part of the Writers’ Trust Fundraiser featuring Margaret Atwood. We will be doing PR, podcasts, blogs and more to let people know about this event. Below is the press release that will give you more details.

Writers’ Trust Fundraiser Features Margaret Atwood in Vancouver, BC

Writers’ Trust Fundraiser Features Margaret Atwood

Renowned Canadian writer Margaret Atwood will narrate a theatrical performance based on her best-selling novel, The Year of the Flood, at a gala fundraiser in Vancouver for The Writers’ Trust of Canada an organization she helped to create in 1976.

The event, called “Margaret Atwood in Vancouver” will take place on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The event starts at 7 pm. Presenting Sponsor is Raymond James, media sponsor is The Vancouver Sun and the wine sponsor is Mission Hill.

The theatrical performance will dramatize Ms. Atwood’s novel, The Year of the Flood, with singers and actors from the original 2009 production reprising their critically acclaimed roles.

A cocktail reception in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s rooftop ballroom will precede the performance. Guests will have the opportunity to mingle with celebrated Canadian writers including Ms. Atwood and fellow Writers’ Trust co-founder Graeme Gibson, author of The Bedside Book of Beast. Further literary guests will be announced closer to the event.

The event will feature a two-part auction of exciting collectors’ items.  Auction lots are one-of-kind items created by the donors, and include:

• A disposable camera filled with photographs taken by Margaret Atwood and signed by the author.

• 12 postcards of short imagistic poems by Lorna Crozier sent once a month, for one year, to the auction winner.
• A framed photograph of one of Karen Connelly’s Burma images, which have been exhibited in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and France, accompanied by handwritten text in a window beside the photo.

Preceding the event selected items will be auctioned through the online auction service eBay with some lots held back to be auctioned live by Maynards Auctioneers on the night of the event.

A limited number of tickets are available at the price of $175. Tickets can be ordered online at www.writerstrust.com, by phone toll-free 1-877-906-6548 or email ggunn@writerstrust.com

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For more information, please contact:

Genni Gunn, Writer’s Trust director at ggunn@writerstrust.com

Kimberly Plumley at Publicity Mavens at 250-390-9285 or via email at kim@publicitymavens.com

Ms. Atwood and Mr. Gibson are available for interviews.

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We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner (in Canada we have ours in October – our friend Val, has a whole story on why, but that is for another day). We had a whack of people over: adults, kids and teens. Our teens, who are social and anti-social at the same time, brought their phones of course, but one of the teens brought, gasp, a book!

Not only did Netanya bring a book, she picked her outfit to coordinate with her book. She is such a clever girl. I had to get a picture of this book-loving fashion plate…

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The Word On The Street, or WOTS as it’s also known, was the subject of our most recent podcast. We promised to share Kim & Angela’s tips for enjoying this fabulous literary festival as both are seasoned WOTS attendees. From comfy shoes to a sturdy book bag, the Broads share their advice so everyone will have a great time at this free family event.

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We were very excited to get this interview!  Chevy Stevens (www.chevystevens.com)  talked to us about her debut novel – Still Missing – which is out in July and promises to be one of the hottest books of the summer.  Honestly, pick it up! Great read, the characters are interesting and yes, it is intense.

Peggy and I got to meet Chevy here in Nanaimo (we channeled Angela as she was held hostage by BC Ferries). You can hear part of the audio interview below, where I gush and learn more about Chevy and her book – and yippee, she is writing another.

The audio interview starts off with us putting big giant headphones on Chevy…

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Peggy coined this phrase “Puppy Mill Publishing” a while ago. We have seen a lot of self-published train wrecks of over the years and it’s time to make some changes. Check out this interesting blog post we found: http://www.indiependentbooks.com/blog/2010/05/indie-vs-self-published-authors-which-one-are-you/ It is what we have been saying – when you write your book and self-publish, step up your game! Get help, be realistic!

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(Kim here) Today, I had the great pleasure to hear Sir Ken Robinson speak at a conference in Nanaimo, BC. The tickets were HARD to get. Sold out and it was like a mosh pit with people rushing to find the best seat. I am a keener and was there early and got a fantastic seat. I had seen Sir Ken Robinson talk on TED.com and I knew I could not miss his insight, his humour and his passion in person! I was not disappointed, nor were close to 800 others. (Another treat for the day, we also got to hear Shane Koyczan perform some of his poetry. I wept – he is so good).

I also had a chance to have a quick chat with Sir Ken Robinson when he was signing his books – The Element and Out of Our Minds:Learning to be Creative. I had heard that Out of Our Minds:Learning to be Creative was going to be revised and asked him about it. Check out http://sirkenrobinson.com/skr/read for more info on the books. Here is the video. I was more wrapped up on hearing him, that my questions cannot be heard, sorry!

I was giddy to have met him and to actually have talked to him – well, this is a day for me to treasure. I am so pleased he is getting people to honour creativity – music, dance, art and WRITING!

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John Edgar Wideman to Self-Publish New Book via Lulu.com
The acclaimed novelist experiments with self-publishing
Calvin Reid — Publishers Weekly, 3/5/2010 8:35:32 AM
Briefs, Stories for the Palm of the MindIn an unusual move for an established author, critically acclaimed novelist, memoirist and National Book Award finalist John Edgar Wideman is teaming up with self-publishing and print-on-demand service Lulu.com to release, Briefs, Stories for the Palm of the Mind, a new collection of his short stories. The new book will go on sale exclusively through Lulu.com beginning March 14 and will be launched at a series of live readings from the book that will be held in New York and Los Angeles.

Wideman is the latest established writer to experiment with releasing an original book in a nontraditional manner. His books have been published almost exclusively by Houghton Mifflin for years.

Citing changes in the publishing business and a desire for more control over the publishing process, Wideman said, “I’ve been thinking about alternatives for a long time. I like the idea of being in charge. I have more control over what happens to my book. And I have more control over whom I reach.” Wideman also noted his “distaste” for what he called mainstream publishing’s “blockbuster syndrome”–the tendency for large trade publishing houses to focus their resources on books with bestseller potential.

Wideman said the emphasis on blockbuster bestsellers, “has gotten out of hand. Unless you become a blockbuster, your book disappears quickly. It becomes not only publish or perish, but sell or perish.” The book is being published as part of Lulu VIP, a new customizable service aimed at luring established authors to the self-publishing service. Wideman is also making several of his backlist titles available for sale through Lulu.com.

Wideman described Briefs, Stories for the Palm, as a collection of “microstories” and said the book examines the nature of storytelling by using fictional voices that are eavesdroppers and diarists. He has also organized an elaborate series of live readings from the book that will held March 14 at SoHo House in New York City and at the Edye In Los Angeles on March 21. The readings will feature such prominent actors as Giancarlo Esposito, Lynn Whitfield, Roger Guenveur Smith and Lorraine Toussaint.

A two-time winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, Wideman has been a National Book Award finalist and is the recipient of a MacArthur Genius Award. He is the author of such acclaimed novels as Philadelphia Fire and Fanon as well as such nonfiction as Brothers and Keepers: A Memoir and Hoop Roots: Basketball, Race and Love.

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 Sarah Dunant [9:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (112)

I admit I am an author groupie – in the very biggest way. When I had a chance to meet Sarah Dunant, I was beside myself. She is the woman behind some fascinating books – the international bestseller The Birth of Venus, which has received major worldwide acclaim, In the Company of the Courtesan and most recently Sacred Hearts. What an honour to meet with her and talk about her research, writing and how to beat a cold when on book tour.

Sarah with touring North America and was doing interviews, book events and connecting with fans. It was a delight to see how gracious and open she was with everyone. It was very clear she had a great love for Canada and she does enjoy spending some quiet time on Hornby Island as often as she can.

You also get a taste of the music that was inspired by the book. Oh, so lovely.

Peggy Richardson and I (two of The Book Broads) caught up with Sarah in Nanaimo, BC before she headed to Denman Island for their Writers Festival. She actually had to record the interview twice due to some crazy technical thingy (don’t ask, I am not savvy with technology). Peggy Richardson, interviewed Sarah and I hope you enjoy the chat they had. I certainly did.

All the best,

Kim

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