Back from the Fringes

Ahti Tolvanen's play Wealth Secrets will be back in Thunder Bay after touring the fringe festivals.  You can see it at the Hillcrest Auditorium on August 2 at 8 pm.  This might very well be your last chance to see a fine and thought provoking play.

Ahti Tolvanen writer and director of Wealth Secrets

Summer Give-Away

Summer is moving to its height, which for me is always the long weekend at the first of August. The holiday without a name.  I know that many of you think of one thing only, - getting out to camp (or cottage) with book or e reader, ready for the deck or patio, the Muskol and sunscreen handy, the coffee or maybe the gin and t.  Or the concoction below.

I tried a new concoction - a jigger of gin, and fill tall glass with half ginger ale and half rhubarb juice.  Delightful and refreshing, And an incentive to clean out the rhubarb patch and boil up the stuff with some sugar to make the juice. PS the juice goes well mixed with orange juice too.

I have two signed copies of Everything is So Political to give away and one copy of Keeping the Peace: stories by the wonderful Colette Maitland.  Both books are treasuries of short stories.  The first three e mails to joanbaril@gmail.com gets a book .  Just tell us blogsters the name of your favourite summer read and I will send or deliver your book.

Colette Maitland, author of Keeping the Peace

Many readers of this blog tell me about their summer books. Many of you are avid readers.  Some also combine reading with gardening. What a combo.

  I am reading The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. A fantasy and a great summer book. The two mythical creatures find themselves in New York in 1899 and they must learn to pass for real people. Maybe this isn't so fantastic when you think about it.  An unusual story and compulsively readable.

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wrecker

Sue Blott, Poet, Reads on You Tube with the Book Girl

Here it is. Sue Blott on You Tube. Her interview with The Book Girl (aka Debbie Metzler) on LU Radio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmfy_wgEiI8&feature=youtu.be

Sue's poetry reading opens with my favourite poem, one I kept on my fridge for a couple of years. Great poetry from a great poet.

I read at the Calgary launch wearing my Everything is So Political sweat shirt - OK, it was too big but I wore it anyway.

A big thank you to all the reviewers who have made Everything is So Political a success. And a bigger thank you  to all you book buyers and readers who are the reason for the success.

A letter from  Curran Ferris of  Roseway Publishing and Fernwood Publishing  confirms my happiness.

 Dear Joan   We’ve had some excellent reviews come back from Atlantic Books Today, Salty Ink (who actually did a feature on Fran Kimmel’s piece) and the Winnipeg Free Press.  The Halifax Media Co-Op gave it a rave review. We’ve also seen it mentioned on Bella’s Bookshelves, a great literary review blog, and Michelle Butler-Hallett did a great interview on Kate Robbins’ blog, Into the Highland Mist.

The launch in Calgary was really well attended. Though we haven’t seen the final sales numbers for the evening, the book was listed on the Calgary Herald’s bestseller list. It was also featured on the Northern Woman’s Bookstore bestseller list on Open Book Ontario. openbooktoronto.com.

 

I want to share an e mail of the kind that warms a writer's heart.  Michael Donahue wrote: I just wanted to gush how much I loved your story in Everything Is So Political. 

Grace Street, 1946 was in my top two favourites. I loved how it worked on several levels -- people, race and politics (the union). It's all political, and you bundled it all into one story soooo well!

 

Wow. Great writing!! Well done.

 

Thanks Michael so much.

Here are a couple of review examples among many.

 

Brimming with wild imagination and stunning variety, this is one of those literary anthologies that comes along once in a generation.” - Lee Henderson, short story writer

"a  good collection with a great concept, full of new voices" Salty Ink.

Editor Sandra McIntyre, who is responsible for the Everything is so Political  and its success At Pages Kennsington book shop in Calgary.

Blockbuster Summer Reading

Paris, by Edward Rutherfurd is a door stopper book, dealing with the history of Paris told in a series of fictional stories.  I loved it.

I once attended a workshop by thriller novelist Steve Berry.  He laid down several rules for writing a novel but stated most strongly that a writer should never resort to back story.  I had to smile, wondering to myself what Alice Munro, a woman who plays with time as if it were putty, would make of this rule.

I am sure Edward Rutherfurd, the king of back story would have fallen over laughing if he had been in the audience. Rutherfurd never misses a chance to give you the history of the street, the building, the famous character or the controversy in long asides that never leave you in limbo but smoothly lead you back to the main story.

Rutherfurd is a superb teller of tales who creates dozens of interesting characters who, in some way, are connected to the great events that shaped the city of Paris. In many ways Rutherfurd follows James Michener who used the same structure to give the history of a place: Poland, Hawaii, etc. But in my opinion, Rutherfurd is a more compelling story-teller.

This is a great book to take to the camp or beach.  I took this book to camp in my truck, listening to the CD's (Random House Audio Bood)  as I travelled. The reading by Jean Gilpin was first rate.

A Letter from a great bookstore

Hot letter from Marg Phillips at Northern Woman's Bookstore. Plus a note about a couple of books by Canadian writers.  Both the novel Y by Marjorie Celona and The Antagonist by Lynn Cody got dynamite reviews from The New York Times this week . 

Hello Joan

 

We are well into summer here at the bookstore and that only means one thing: our annual summer sale has arrived!

Everything in our fiction section is on sale for 20% Off!  

This year we have also added a special sale corner, with lots of great titles 40% and 50% Off!

Our sale corner is currently home to Jane Urquhart's Away, Marjorie Celona's Y, and Johanna Skibsrud's This Will be Difficult to Explain and other stories.  We even have a few works by Toni Morrison including her novel Love, and her Who's Got Game? children's books.

Make sure to drop by the bookstore this week to pick up some great summer reading and to support your friendly, neighbourhood, independent bookstore!

 

The Fiction Sale runs from July 13 - 20th, and we will be open during our regular hours.  

--

Northern Woman's Bookstore
65 South Court Street
Thunder Bay, Ontario  P7B 2X2
Phone (807) 344-7979
Store hours: Wednesdays - Saturdays, 11 am - 6 pm

Visit us online! www.northernwomansbookstore.ca

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northern-Womans-Bookstore/219600684727008

 

Marjorie Celona, author of the novel Y

Amazon goes e-graphic

I like Graphic novels, always have. I am especially fond of Canadians Chester Brown and Guy  Delisle. Delisle  has travelled the world with his wife who worked for Doctors Without Borders. While he followed his cartoonist career he also looked after his young toddler and tried to create a stable home for the child in unstable places. His books on North Korea, China, Jerusalem, and Burma give a look at every day life.

 A friend lent me the generously illustrated Habibi by Craig Thompson, whose dramatic and sad story contrasts with the beautiful Arabic-style art work.

But now Amazon steps in announcing the start of Jet City Comics, a new imprint devoted to comics and graphic novels. The comics will be available digitally on the Kindle and will also have print editions sold on amazon.com and at other comic book retailers.

First up is “Symposium,” by Christian Cameron and illustrated by Dmitry Bondarenko. It is part of the “The Foreworld Saga.” A group of Medieval mystics and warriors who must turn back a Mongol invasion. Sound fine to me.

I am not sure if all illustrations will show up well on the Kindle but I am certain they will on a tablet such as I-pad.

It's a Date

Douglas Gibson is coming to town. He will present the second in his series, The Writing Life, his one man show, at the Valhalla Inn on October 25, and 26. Tickets 15$ - watch this space for info about the ticket sales. Gibson will also do a workshop at Mary J. Black Library on Saturday afternoon, October 26. More info later on registration.

Gibson tells stories and a master story teller he is. He read at the Sleeping Giant Festival in 2010 from his book Stories about Storytelllers and Thunder Bay loved him. The former editor who has met and worked with Canada's finest authors tells the tale:  Alistair MacLeod who would not hand in his manuscript, Alice Munro who he encouraged to keep writing and many more.

Alistair MacLeod

 "No one has done more for Canadian literature than Douglas Gibson".

I Can't Believe I'm on You Tube!!

I was thrilled when Debbie Metzler of LU Radio asked me to read a couple of stories on her program and chat about writing and the writing community in Thunder Bay. 

Debbie, also called Book Girl, has a book show every Thursday morning and now some of these programs are available on YouTube!!  I am simply  amazed to be on You Tube, a debut of sorts, but what a surprise! The link is below so I hope you will try it out.  The linking was done by avid lit/computer guys, Glen Ponka and Daniel Klein. Thank you lit guys.

The show was a lot of fun. Debbie is easy to talk to and we laughed a lot. I once lived in Kaministiquia and she did too so we had a lot in common and she was kind enough to say she enjoyed the Kam stoires I read. In my opinion, her choice of music was spot on: K.D. Lang and Van Morrison. Wow! Hope the music comes through for you. I am told by above lit guys that the music will probably not arrive if you use an I-pad but should work for a regular computer.

PS is this link does not work, please let me know at jbaril@tbaytel.net. I will be sure to pass the info on to Glen and Daniel.

Here's is the show. Single left click on the link and follow the instructions. Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gviXKsuHSig&feature=youtu.be

The Big Electic Cat Takes on the Mall

Duncan Weller's Latest

I met Duncan Weller outside Cole's Bookshop in Intercity Mall. He was signing books, specifically his newest kids' book, Big Electric Cat. Trade was brisk. This gave me a chance to pick up one of the books and look through it. Weller's artistry and inventiveness is usually top quality and the illustrations in this book are as good as any he has done. The cat alone is worth the cheap (5 bucks) price of the book. At first,  I did not notice the woman looking over my shoulder but she was murmuring a series of wow's as I turned the pages. MP John Rafferty(Thunder Bay-Rainy River)  dropped by to congratulate the author.

I don't know a kid who would not love this book. First, who can resist a cat and an electric cat as well? The cat is Canadian but at this moment, is living in Mexico.  Felix, a homeless boy, wants to find the Big Electric Cat, but is the Cat real? Of course he is, ..  The story unfolds among the most dazzling art work.

Weller is a governor-general prize winner for his book A Boy From the Sun. This year he also published The Love Ant. (now that's a title!) To see Weller's  complete works and to buy, check out www.duncanweller.com. IMO, the books are very reasonably priced.

I put down the Big Electric Cat wishing my children were little again. I know they would have loved that cat. I did.

Duncan Weller

A local book to honour local feminists.

Hello Joan,

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Northwestern Ontario Women's Centre. On October 18th, we will be holding an event to celebrate 40 years of fabulous feminism, and you are all invited.  Stay tuned for more information about our Localicious Just Desserts Party by visiting our newly revamped website at www.nwowomenscentre.org.

 

In order to mark the milestone and acknowledge the work of so many Northwestern Ontario women over the years in a less caloric way, we are also putting together a book called Forty Fabulous Feminists. This compendium of short biographies will profile the contribution of (at least) 40 NWO women to the feminist movement over the last 40 years.

 

If you would like to nominate someone or several someones (young or old, living or no longer marching) to be interviewed for this volume, please send us their names, contact info if you have it, and why you think they should be included, ASAP.  We are using our own funds to produce this volume, so If you would like to help finance this project, donations would be greatly appreciated.  We estimate it will cost approximately $5000 to assemble, publish and print the book.  Charitable receipts are available - please contact our Office Manager, Lori Gilbert (nowcadmin@tbaytel.net) if  you would like to contribute to the production of this book.

 

Thank you for helping us celebrate Forty Fabulous Years of Feminism!

Stay fabulous,

Gwen O'Reilly

Northwestern Ontario Women's Centre

 

Book Girl's Big Read - A Letter from Glen Ponka and a link

Local writer Glen Ponka sent me this letter and a link. to Youtube. Glen and Book Girl, Debbie,  talk about creativity and the craft of writing on LU Radio.  Glen gets inspiration from his two young children. In fact, the kids give him lots of writing ideas. This charming radio show wanders through a field of ideas. Fun stuff

 

Dear Joan,

 

 I was on the radio with Book Girl, Debbie Metzler, on Thursday morning.  I was able to pop it up on YouTube, if you missed it--if you're interested. 

Have a listen, if you like.

--Glenn Ponka

 

Dear readers, click anywhere on the link and follow the instructions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETVAp7O_jTY

 

Debbie Metzler, aka Book Girl.

Great opportunity for Local Writers November 2, 3.

DETAILS CONFIRMED FOR HUMBER SCHOOL FOR WRITERS WEEKEND WORKSHOPS

Two ten-hour intensive writing workshops will be held as part of IFOA Ontario in Thunder Bay , led by Humber School for Writers (HSW) creative writing teachers and authors Joe Kertes and Kim Moritsugu. Enrollment is limited.

 

Kim Moritsugu is the author of five novels, including Looks Perfect, a romantic comedy shortlisted for the City of Toronto Book Award, and The Glenwood Treasure, a mystery that was nominated for the Arthur Ellis Best Crime Novel Award and serialized on CBC Radio's Between the Covers. And Everything Nice is her most recent novel.

 

Thunder Bay – November 2–3

Joe Kertes is Dean of Humber's School of Creative & Performing Arts. His first novel, Winter Tulips, won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Joe's latest novel, Gratitude, won the National Jewish Book Award both in Canada and the United States.

 

To learn more about the Humber School for Writers, or to register for the HSW workshops, visit humber.ca or call Hilary Higgins at 416-675-6622 ext. 3449.

Lit On Tour Info

 

For more information, visit litontour.com.

Questions? Comments?
Email us at litontour@harbourfrontcentre.com

Media inquiries? Contact Brenna Baggs at
bbaggs@harbourfrontcentre.com or Maeve O'Regan at
moregan@harbourfrontcentre.com.

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

 

Kim Moritsugu

International Festival of Authors in Toronto.

 

If you're in Toronto this fall, we hope you will be able to join us for the 34th annual International Festival of Authors. We've just released our preliminary line-up, featuring Margaret Atwood, Joseph Boyden, Anne Carson, Douglas Coupland, Stephen King, Sam Lipsyte, Lisa Moore and many more. Literary legends, debut novelists, international stars, captivating poets and mystery and thriller specialists will all take the stage at this year's Festival, which runs from October 24 to November 3, 2013.

Margaret Atwood

 

To The South of Things, English version

Dear Joan,   The Institute of Italian Studies at Lakehead University www.iislu.com is launching the English version of international poet Pasqualino Bongiovanni book of poetry "To The South of Things". Everyone is welcome! It was exactly a year ago that the poet Pasqualino Bongiovanni had just completed a launch in Argentina of the Spanish translation of his book. The English version is having its premier launch in Thunder Bay, then Winnipeg and the GTA. Bongiovanni's works got many awards in Italy and have been co...mpared with those of the greatest Italian poets of the twentieth century. Bongiovanni's poetry reaches a wider universal breath, which enables him to cross over his own cultural background. A biography of the poet and his works can be found on the links below. www.pasqualinobongiovanni.it https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pasqualino-Bongiovanni/104345099596908?fref=tsSee More

Italian Cultural Centre

132 Algoma Street S. Thunder Bay, ON, Thunder Bay, Ontario

View Map · Get Directions

A Post for History Nuts

You have to be a real history nut to enjoy reading Ulysses S. Grant’s autobiography with its minute descriptions of every battle he fought in the American Civil War. Well that history nut is me.  My husband, the late Captain Marc Baril of the Royal Canadian Signal Corps loved to read and discuss military strategy and tactics and so I picked up a love for this historical niche. I can understand very well why some adults play with toy soldiers or why a friend travelled from Kingston to Dakota to walk the field of Custer’s Last Stand.

That said, Grant’s autobiography is a model of clear, simple and elegant prose and is often listed as one of the best ever written.

But only a double history nut would tackle the Victorian curlicues of  The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams, the grandson of one American president and the great grandson of another.  Adams was writing about the same time as Grant but you would never know it. Adams pushed out the most complicated sentences I have ever encountered. As a young man, he travelled in Europe and during the civil war was secretary to his father, the American ambassador. I got very sick of Adams. He never calls a spade a spade; he just lets you guess it is there. I tossed him aside half way through, good history or not.

But then along came our Charlotte Gray, lolling in book form in a second hand book shop on Duckworth Street in St. John’s.  The book, Canada: A Portrait in Letters is a collection from the earliest years through the First World War, the Depression, the Second World War and on to the near present.  The letters record triumphs, hardships, battles, love affairs, loneliness, rough times and good times. Prime Minister William Lyon McKenzie King writes to a little girl, a prairie wife in the depression writes for help for her husband, a soldier in the trenches writes his last letter home. This is history at its finest. Thanks Charlotte.