The Writers’ Hub: Local authors share their words
— Linda Williams photo — Hugh Macauley photo
Gracie & I at the Arts Crawl Part of my first audience for a Gracie mini-reading
— Heather Conn photos
I had fun last weekend introducing Gracie the goldfish, the star of my new children’s book, Gracie’s Got a Secret, at the 2011 Sunshine Coast Arts Crawl in British Columbia, Canada. I was one of 15 local authors who was on hand at The Gumboot Café in Roberts Creek to chat with both residents and tourists, give mini-readings, and sell books, of course.
Shelley Leedahl gives a mini-reading
I enjoyed reading the first few pages of my book to young readers who sat on the steps in front of me at the microphone. Since this is my first children’s book, this is a whole new audience for me to reach. Shelley Leedahl, a poet, fiction, and creative nonfiction author newly moved to the Coast from Saskatchewan, also read from her delightful children’s book The Bone Talker. Published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside in 2005, and with images by Bill Slavin, one of Canada’s top book illustrators, this poignant story has won the Saskatchewan Book of the Year Award.
Michael Maser, author of Learn Your Way!
Our Writers’ Hub event, organized by Creek author Jane Covernton, featured the “soft” or unofficial launch of three local books: Gracie’s Got a Secret, Jane’s own Healing Herbs to Know and Grow, and Michael Maser’s Learn Your Way! The published works of these additional local writers were also available: Terry Barker; Shelley Harrison-Rae; Gillian Kydd; George Payerle; Dorothy Riddle; David Roche; Andreas Schroeder; Dot Scott; Marina Sonkina; and Susan Telfer. I shared a table with volunteers from the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, who were selling their book The People’s Water, and their photographic calendar.
Jane Covernton reads her poetry, with her new herb book, visible to her right.
From poetry and prose, to self-published work and books of international acclaim, this two-day literary event celebrated the voices of independent publishers and the power of meeting and hearing authors in person – fresh and first-hand storytelling, rather than just reading a tale on a screen. Besides locals and friends, we had visitors from California and Seattle. Collectively, we sold 92 books over two days, from display tables available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thanks, Jane, for all of your hard work in organizing and setting up such a successful event. Since writing can often be a lonely pursuit, it was wonderful to connect with other scribes and share our written words with others.
October 29, 2011 at 4:29 pm
November 7, 2011 at 9:59 amMalcolm Fullwood
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Informative blog,but are you aware that the gospelrock plan for Gibsons, the 70% park for 30% allowable devolpment on the water front that is being touted as good comprimise, is in fact part of the total 5% pakland that the town has a legal right too, the total park area requested by the town exceeds 6% the other1% plus must be either bought at market value or other inducements offered to the developer/// This alone is a major reason to research and vote on election day, reminder once gone we have lost a piece of paradise forever.
Malcolm