What has this author been up to since April 23?

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.

Twenty comments on the First Day of my tour

I woke up and brought my coffee to the desk little realizing that I wouldn’t leave for a while because I had comments and visitors. Wow!

Three comments I’d like to share from readers who have read Moving On-A Prairie Romance:
1. Mary Balogh Apr 30, 2012 11:02 AM
I can assure would-be readers that Annette’s book really is a good one. It is not a traditional romance. It is more what I would call a love story. The relationship between the hero and heroine develops slowly and sweetly and believably, and in the process we come to know them and care for them as persons. The background of Regina Beach and its inhabitants adds a richness of atmosphere that is often lacking in fiction. Give it a try! Mary Balogh

2. Karyn Good Apr 30, 2012 12:40 PM
Annette, your lovely way with description makes Regina Beach a character in it’s own right. I love small town setting!

3. Leeann Minogue Apr 30, 2012 01:08 PM
This is a great book, with a great Saskatchewan setting. Read it.

And now I must go to sleep because tomorrow’s stop is just hours away.

The Elsie Shirley Gallery was the perfect place for a reading

Love, Loss and Other Oddities: Tales from Saskatchewan

This book is now available in the Regina Beach Public Library

Reading at Elsie Shirley Gallery, Regina Beach, SK

Karyn Good and I read from our novels. Eunice Cameron introduced Karyn Good www.karyngood.com who read two exciting scenes from her book Backlash. Eunice introduced me next and I read from chapter 1 of Moving On A Prairie Romance.
We had a draw and Karyn’s book was won by Janey while my book was won by Duana. We hope both of them enjoy their reads.
The audience was supportive and friendly and asked many questions. I estimate that two of the audience used e readers regularly. One audience member used an i Pad, while two others read on their computers. The rest of the audience is still coming to grips with the idea of electronic publishing.
While Karyn Good’s book Backlash will be available print on demand, and therefore a traditional book can be purchased but her book will also be available in many places on electronic sites.
My book, Moving On A Prairie Romance is not available in traditional print. I wish it could be only because many of my friends and supporters continue to read in print and are not ready to move into the e reader. But perhaps when they are the book will continue to be available.
I have approached South East Regional Library about including a copy of my novel in their lending library. I have not have a response to date.

Karyn Good and I donated a copy of Love, Loss and Other Oddities: Tales from Saskatchewan to the Regina Beach Library.

I’ve practised my reading, my hair is done, I’m ready to read at Regina Beach

A story set in Regina Beach, SK

Tonight Karyn Good, author of Backlash, and I are reading at the Regina Beach Public Library.

It is exciting to read to friends and supporters from my novel Moving On A Prairie Romance, published by XoXo Publishers ™ because I set the story in the Town of Regina Beach.

I’ll give an update later and hope that the Lions supper doesn’t pull too many town friends away from the library. Hmmm, food for the stomach or food for the mind?