This is where I will try to share with my buddies the books that I have read, recently or long ago. It would be rare for me to NOT like a book… nearly all have redeeming qualities – and I have been known to read the back of a cereal box with no complaints. So… Continue reading Books I Have Read
If I could save time in a photo, the first thing that I’d like to do….
… with apologies to the late Jim Croce of “Time in a Bottle” fame… I’d save all my photos where they would be kept and shared and become a source of wonder: Did they really squeeze toddlers into clothes that were too tight? Or that had to be rolled up or cinched in? (Yes, they… Continue reading If I could save time in a photo, the first thing that I’d like to do….
100 years ago: strange fires at Caledonia Mills
Jan. 16, 2022 One hundred years ago today, tales of ghostly fires at a tiny community south of Antigonish reached the ears of the local Halifax Herald reporter. “Do you want a story?” Harold Whidden, a First World War veteran and business man, queried of his editor. And so, the story of a fire-setting spook… Continue reading 100 years ago: strange fires at Caledonia Mills
I wasn’t going to get political but…
I have been so upset with what’s going on in the world that I hate to even hear Trump’s voice or see his orange face. Or see Putin’s prim, smug smile. Or see more violence in my living room. And so on. I feel defeated, sad, powerless. Then, a couple of hours ago “Pledge for… Continue reading I wasn’t going to get political but…
My friend Art
In another effort to procrastinate on my “great Canadian novel,” I spent a few days this past week sorting through an excessive number of prints of paintings by Canadian artists, trying to decide which I would frame for the walls. I don’t have enough walls for all of it, nor do I want the house… Continue reading My friend Art
Attention young writers!
Hello,The Amazon Canada First Novel Award, co-presented with The Walrus, is currently seeking submissions for the Youth Short Story category and we would love your help getting this message out to young, hopeful writers across Canada. Authors between the ages of thirteen and seventeen are invited to submit a short story under 3,000 words. Instructions on how… Continue reading Attention young writers!
I got lost in the details
This is one corner of my messy office, where I store/hide/treasure everything that is not suitable for anywhere else in the house. (in other words, my family doesn’t want to look at it). I am lost in the details of the place where I try to write. (Note words “try to.” I’ll get to that… Continue reading I got lost in the details
In Case You Missed It
My 2013 book, Fire Spook -The Mysterious Nova Scotia Haunting, is featured prominently in a TV series “Fire Ghost of Caledonia Mills.” The show, a four-part mini-series (I guess you’d call it – I write books, not TV ads), aired on Bell Fibe1 beginning January 8. I tried to watch it on my “smart TV”… Continue reading In Case You Missed It
Books for Christmas
Everyone should get books for Christmas! I have copies here of some of my books: Senior Moment: Navigating the Challenges of Caring for MomThe Great Maritime Detective: The Exploits and Adventures of the Notorious Peachie CarrollThe Historic Town of PictouBluenoseHistoric New Glasgow, Stellarton, Trenton & WestvilleIn the Spirit I also have marked-down copies of Scotch… Continue reading Books for Christmas
Governor General Award Winners
https://ggbooks.ca/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GGBooks-2024-%E2%80%93-Winners-Announcement-%28EN%29&utm_source=Envoke-0—General-List-%28EN%29&utm_term=The-2024-Governor-General%E2%80%99s-Literary-Awards-winners-have-b#winners Congratulations to Jordan Abel, Niigaan Sinclair, Li Charmaine Anne, Chimwemwe Undi, Caleigh Crow, Jean E. Pendziwol & Todd Stewart, Marie Claire Blais!
Marketing My Books
The most difficult thing for me to do as a writer is sell my books, for a few reasons. One: it’s a time-sucker. It takes time away from writing – that’s a biggie. Another: I don’t like to brag about my work. It seems unprofessional even if it is a realistic need in this industry,… Continue reading Marketing My Books
Books! Books! Books!
Next Saturday, May 25, you can find me at WRING in the Spring, at Glasgow Square Theatre in New Glasgow. There will be a bunch of us meeting and greeting readers, selling and signing our books and – most likely – schmoozing. It’s Just one of the best things about such events. This is all… Continue reading Books! Books! Books!
Terry Fallis’ statement on the economics of writing
https://open.substack.com/pub/terryfallis/p/the-immutable-economics-of-writing?r=277cey&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email Award-winning author Terry Fallis wrote the essay represented by the link above. Terry is a successful writer, with multiple best-sellers, TV shows and awards to his credit. I am a fan of his work. He’s a funny guy, and quite approachable – a good fellow. He’s been in this race for a while. He… Continue reading Terry Fallis’ statement on the economics of writing