Tag Archives: SK

What has this author been up to since April 23?

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Leaving on a jet plane

I did a bit of travelling at the end of April and visited with my sister and her family in British Columbia. Even though we are in the same country, Canada is so very different from Europe with countries near each other. I left Regina at 6:10 one morning and flew to Edmonton.  I was to catch my connecting flight in Edmonton and then  arrive at my destination at 9:30 am. However, the plane circled Edmonton and couldn’t land because of fog, so we flew to Fort McMurray, topped up the fuel and flew back to Edmonton where I was booked on a later flight to Calgary and then to my destination in BC. I arrived safely but a little tired at 4:30 pm. My destination was the sixth city I had visited that day. Regina, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Calgary, and finally BC. I read Doctoring the Single Dad by one of my favourite authors, Marie Ferrarella. I have to admit I purchased this book used at a church book sale. The author doesn’t benefit but the church does.

 

I love riding my bicycle.

While in BC, I received an early birthday present from my niece. I love bags to carry many things. This one held my printer which I had to take to the store for repair. The life of a writer!

 

 

 

 

 

I gave myself a birthday present and advertised in the May 10 issue of RWA e notes.

The short story collection Wanderlust, Stories on the Move was launched in McNally Robinson Booksellers in Saskatoon to about forty people. I have two short stories in this collection, Beating the Devil and Hello in There. Byrna Barclay wrote a script which dramatized a story by each contributor. The seven of us hired a director, Julianna Barclay, to help us perfect our performance presentation.

Reading from my story,
Beating the Devil

Anthology Contributors:
Byrna Barclay
Brenda Niskala
Linda Biasotto
James Trettwer
Shelley Banks
Kelly-Anne Riess
Annette Bower

 

 

 

Fearless Destiny was a nominee in the Contemporary: Sweet category in the In D’Tale Magazine RONE Awards.  I advertised and garnered votes from May 15-21 as this is the

The badge for Nominee

fans’ opportunity to vote and support their book and help it move into the finals. And my fans, family and friends voted. I crossed my fingers and toes that I worked hard enough to garner votes. It can be intimidating for people not familiar with online requirements to go through the registration process and vote. I thank each and everyone who took the time and assisted Fearless Destiny.

 

 

Wanderlust: Stories on the Move, was launched at the Cathedral Village Arts Festival on May 25, 2017 in the Artesian to a full house. Missing Byrna Barclay.

Six of the seven contributors performed their script to a full house.

On May 27, 2017 I went to Coles Bookstore in Brandon to sell and sign books.

I was captivated by the number of people who browsed in the bookstore. So very many customers purchase gifts.

I was invited and honored to be part Chapters/Indigo Regina to celebrate Canada’s 150 celebration.

A fantastic opportunity to celebrate Canada 150 with Regina authors.

My station to meet and greet customers was near the journals, notebooks and lovely writing paper and pens. I wanted to be the recipient of so many thoughtful gifts purchased by customers for those they held special in their lives.

On June 5, 2017, I discovered that Fearless Destiny did indeed final.

I’m so excited to have this opportunity.

I received this opening in my email letter: “CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your book is a finalist in the 2017 RONE Awards and has moved on to the final judging round. It is in the process of being read and rated by a panel of professional judges which will determine the winner of the “Best Indie or Small Published book of 2016”.

“Winners will be announced and presented at the RONE awards ceremony and gala on October 14th, 2017 at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in conjunction with the InD’Scribe Con and Book Festival (http://www.indscribe.com).  We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend this informative and fun conference, and the amazing RONE Gala Event Ceremony! It will be an exciting time for one and all, and we would love to see each and every one of you there!”

I also had an opportunity to visit a grain farm on the coldest day in May. I’m researching for my new novel.

I didn’t get too far away from the ladder that could take me down again.

 

And to bring this right up to date.

Karyn Good and I read at the Glenavon, SK Library Tea.

I’m reading from Fearless Destiny. Karyn Good read from Exposed.

And this is almost exactly how and what happened and I’m sticking to it.

Please join me next time I post and thank you so much for staying with me. If you check out my newsletter archive issues you will see more. Go to my home page and either sign up for my once a month newsletter or just hang out and read the old issues.

A book club read Woman of Substance

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Women with substance discussed Woman of Substance

Women with substance discussed Woman of Substance

About six weeks ago Shirley contacted me and asked if her book club choose Woman of Substance http://www.amazon.com/Woman-of-Substance-ebook/dp/B00AN9TE8W/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1355464106&sr=1-3&keywords=annette+bower would I have some questions for them.

I said, of course, although I had not formulated any questions specific to my book, nor had I ever attended a book club meeting. But I was thrilled.

Readers will discuss the theme, characters and setting of Woman of Substance

Readers will discuss the theme, characters and setting of
Woman of Substance

I researched of course. I asked women who were in book clubs what they discussed about a book. I formulated questions and offered to attend the meeting if the club wanted.

Shirley contacted me and said that the members unanimously chose Woman of Substance. http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/woman-of-substance

As the day drew closer, I had trepidation. What if they didn’t like it? I put all the doubts aside because readers were willing to purchase the book, borrow the book, spend time reading it and wanted to discuss the theme. I could only benefit from such generosity.

The day arrived, I took a trial run to the address because I didn’t want to get lost.

Shirley had suggested I bring a few print copies just in case members wanted to purchase a book. On my way, I realized I forgot change for a book priced at $12.99. I usually come prepared with 1, 2 and 5 dollar change. I wheeled into a grocery store, chose and item and paid with a fifty and requested 1, 2,and 5 change.

I was ready. Or as ready as I would ever be.

These women with substance welcomed me and discussed my questions about Woman of Substance http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/woman-of-substance-annette-bower/1113954859?ean=9781619352254 with knowledge, attention to detail and kindness. Did they like everything about the book? No they had some reservations and questions. Which is what discussion is all about.

But as discussion evolved I learned many things. I learned about the Be Astonished Inc program at the University of Regina. http://www.beingastonished.com/about-us/our-story/
 which works towards inclusive community for young adults with complex disAbilities.

I learned about no bake chocolate, oat cookies and the names which were used in different families but the recipes are the same. They are also a favourite in the University of Regina, Luther Campus cafeteria.

I learned how suspicions are acted up when it appears that power theft may be in action for grow-op situations.

I learned about hospital volunteers, their dedication and age.

I learned about the J.C. Campbell School in North Carolina. https://www.folkschool.org/

I learned about the Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers fundraiser dinner coming up: http://grandmothers4grandmothersregina.com/

And Kick Biking: http://www.kickbikeamerica.com/
and an offer to try one.

I also learned about an author Sierra Dean. http://www.sierradean.com/

In between all of these discussions we talked about my motivation for writing this story and was it a good reason to write it.

We talked about using a character who dressed up as if she was fat rather than using a woman who was.

We talked about Jake and his motivations. But we also talked about the difference between romance genre and women’s fiction. Because Woman of Substance is women’s fiction with romantic elements, Jake doesn’t get equal billing in his character development.

We evaluated the basis of friendship for love.

And we talked about using Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina,_Saskatchewan for a setting versus perhaps a larger city in another part of the world.

In the end, I didn’t need change because they paid by cheque or correct change for books.

My very first book club adventure was a huge success.

Thank you women with substance.

Women with Substance: Shirley, Betty, Connie, Sandi, Karen, Donna

Women with Substance: Shirley, Betty, Connie, Sandi, Karen, Donna

Romance transcends boundaries

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A lake has the same appeal round the world

A lake has the same appeal round the world

Moving On, A Prairie Romance is a sweet romance that takes place in Regina Beach, Saskatchewan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Beach,_Saskatchewan

The above picture is a lake in a park. Regina Beach looks similar to this and therefore Robin and Nick’s story also translates to different parts of the world.
I hope you drop over to Flurries of Words for April 18, 2013 and read about the story and a review too!.
http://flurriesofwords.blogspot.ca/2013/04/book-of-day-moving-on-prairie-romance.html or http://flurriesofwords.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/book-of-day-moving-on-prairie-romance.html

Photo courtesy of alesia17 stock.xchng http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1396054