Friday, June 19, 2015

Life of a Writer: The Book Goes On Tour.


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Hello Friends and Colleagues,

I thought you would be interested in hearing about recent venues where I read from and talked about my novel, Would I Lie To You? As well as meeting new people, it was a real bonus to see so many family and friends there.

Paragraph Books in Montreal on April 15, 2015
Yellow Door Reading Series, also in Montreal, on April 16, 2015.

McNally Robinson Books in:
Winnipeg on June 2, 2015 and in Saskatoon on June 4th, 2015. The photo was taken in Winnipeg.

These are all wonderful bookstores and series that support and promote Canadian authors. I was very pleased to have an opportunity to read at all of them.
And to meet and share the podium with interesting authors. Loren Edizel in Montreal, Pam Galloway in Winnipeg and Joan Spencer Olson in Saskatoon. Each author came from somewhere else, including Toronto, Regina and Vancouver. Great fun to learn what writers across the country are doing. Something I also did at the Writers' Union of Canada AGM that took place in Winnipeg just prior to the western readings. 

What's coming next? I like surprises so if you have ideas for an event, e.g. your book club or discussion group, please get in touch. In the meantime, I will read at Lit Live in Hamilton on October 4th and in Chatham on a date yet to be determined. Oh yes, there is a private celebration of friends in July in Toronto. I have also just been asked to speak at a book club in Toronto in November. And then there are the dreams ... the Provence garden and a cruise are still possibilities on the horizon.

At the moment, it will soon be summer holiday time! I am going to the Jazz Festival in Montreal with friends for a few days and then on to visit another friend on the St. Lawrence in rural Quebec.

Have a wonderful summer!

Mary Lou

 
p.s. If you have a moment, check out the video. Created by John Lofaso and posted on the Inanna Publications website.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Life of a Writer. Reading Tour. Heading Home.


Heading home from Saskatoon. Sitting in the airport pondering the last few days when I attended the Writers Union AGM in Winnipeg and read at McNally Robinson Books in bothWinnipeg (with Pam Galloway) and Saskatoon (with Joan Spencer Olsen). A very full and satisfying time when I also saw family and friends. There were many highlights including hearing my friend, Dianne, deliver an inspiring homily on non violence and peace. She used the example of Jesus being labelled as having 'lost his mind' when he preached unusual views  difficult for many to accept. And in this context revealed that any violent, militaristic approach left her deeply troubled as well as angry and that she would not conduct any future services that honoured these symbols. Another highlight...a cruise on the river that divides Saskatoon (the bridges join it) on what turned out to be the first event for Gay Pride in Saskatoon. Such a joyful event when we were welcomed when we turned up to find the cruise we were hoping to take had been reserved by Gay Pride for the opening event of Pride week there. Not part of the group, we enjoyed the welcome invite that eventually was extended to us to join the trip and once aboard, were also invited to share food. As well as some conversation with the party-goers, we enjoyed the views and highlights of Saskatoon.

In Winnipeg I was able to visit my brother's grave. This was a journey I wanted to take. As well as to visit all his family who live in the area. Lovely that most were also able to come out to my reading there, as did my friend in Saskatoon.