Cristy Watson's Blog
November 12, 2021
Author Interview with Lois Peterson
Shelter: Homelessness in Our Community
I remember back in 2009, being invited to participate in a writer’s group with Lois Peterson. Together, with other wonderful writers, we workshopped both of our books, Benched and Beyond Repair, which were released in early 2011, as part of the Orca Currents. Later that year, my second novel, Living Rough was released; a fictional account of a homeless youth living with his Dad in a tent. I did a fair deal of research for Living Rough back in 2010, and I remember in one chapter my main character, Poe, was in Social Studies when a student mentioned that over 200,000 people could be homeless in Canada on any given night.
Can you share with us how you researched for Shelter – Homelessness in Our Community, a new release in the Orca Think series for middle-grade readers? How have things changed in the past ten years in Canada?
I did have the advantage of having a bit of an ‘insider’s view’ when I started this book, as I was working for a homeless shelter in Nanaimo at the time. That said, to fully understand the issue in both Canada and the US I still had to immerse myself in the topic, reading studies reports, following news items, staying in touch with what many organizations working with people affected by homelessness were doing ‘on the ground’. Luckily, there are a lot of resources out there – most notably, the Homeless Hub website of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, which was invaluable during my research. www.homelesshub.ca
And no. I don’t think the homelessness situation has changed… in fact it may be worse with more poverty, less affordable housing everywhere and many complex issues still being unaddressed, despite the efforts of so many people and organizations trying to help.
This is your ninth book with Orca Publishers, and it is your first non-fiction title. How did preparing to write this book differ from writing your works of fiction?
This took much longer than most of my fiction… I had to document sources of everything I learned, search for multiple sources to verify some of the facts, follow leads without always knowing where I would end up, interview a number of people, and work really hard to ensure I covered the topic from a number of perspectives. I had to ‘get out of my own head’, which is where I spend much of my time when I’m working on fiction – although as you know, some research is often involved to ground fiction in fact.
What drew you to writing about this important topic?
Working in community service in the homeless sector, I had come to understand how much misinformation there is about the causes and effects of homelessness. As children get much of their information – and many opinions – from the adults in their lives, I wanted to give them insights and facts to learn more, form their own opinions, and develop empathy for people whose lives might be very different than their own.
Taryn Gee did the wonderful artwork and illustrations for this book. Can you comment on how that process works – do you have an opportunity to work together and talk about your visions for the pictures?
I did see ‘roughs’ of some of Taryn Gee’s sketches early in the process, but there was no collaboration as such. It was quite thrilling to see how her vision of what the book might look like was revealed as I saw drafts of the finished book quite late in the process. The one thing I get the most comments about from readers is the cover image, which I feel is very powerful.
Congratulations on becoming one of the all-stars for Canadian Children’s Book Week, 2022. What advice do you have for authors applying next year?
This will actually be ‘only’ my second time touring during The Children’s Book Centre Book Week. I toured Southern Saskatchewan in 2013, but this tour will be online rather than in person.
I don’t think there’s a science in applying successfully. But I do think it’s a good idea to talk about outcomes in applications – what you hope students will gain from your presentations – just as much as you describe what you will actually do in the workshops. Also, make sure not to miss the application deadline which is usually in mid-October! #CCBCBookWeek2022
What are you planning to write next? I also know you are painting – will that factor into any upcoming stories?
Some days I have trouble deciding between writing and painting!
As always, I have a number of fiction works on the go. In fact, just last night I got a new idea for a picture book while watching a TV quiz show. But currently, I am putting together a proposal for another midgrade nonfiction book – this one is about creativity. Something that has always been a big part of my life, one way or another, and something that I think is vital to our development as human beings in a challenging and changing world.
Thank you, Lois Peterson, for sharing your thoughts with our readers! We look forward to enjoying your new book.
Thanks, Cristy. I always enjoyed having the opportunity of sharing our writing journeys.
You can follow Lois Peterson on social media: http://loispetersonwriter.ca https://www.facebook.com/LPwords https://twitter.com/lpwords
I remember back in 2009, being invited to participate in a writer’s group with Lois Peterson. Together, with other wonderful writers, we workshopped both of our books, Benched and Beyond Repair, which were released in early 2011, as part of the Orca Currents. Later that year, my second novel, Living Rough was released; a fictional account of a homeless youth living with his Dad in a tent. I did a fair deal of research for Living Rough back in 2010, and I remember in one chapter my main character, Poe, was in Social Studies when a student mentioned that over 200,000 people could be homeless in Canada on any given night.
Can you share with us how you researched for Shelter – Homelessness in Our Community, a new release in the Orca Think series for middle-grade readers? How have things changed in the past ten years in Canada?
I did have the advantage of having a bit of an ‘insider’s view’ when I started this book, as I was working for a homeless shelter in Nanaimo at the time. That said, to fully understand the issue in both Canada and the US I still had to immerse myself in the topic, reading studies reports, following news items, staying in touch with what many organizations working with people affected by homelessness were doing ‘on the ground’. Luckily, there are a lot of resources out there – most notably, the Homeless Hub website of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, which was invaluable during my research. www.homelesshub.ca
And no. I don’t think the homelessness situation has changed… in fact it may be worse with more poverty, less affordable housing everywhere and many complex issues still being unaddressed, despite the efforts of so many people and organizations trying to help.
This is your ninth book with Orca Publishers, and it is your first non-fiction title. How did preparing to write this book differ from writing your works of fiction?
This took much longer than most of my fiction… I had to document sources of everything I learned, search for multiple sources to verify some of the facts, follow leads without always knowing where I would end up, interview a number of people, and work really hard to ensure I covered the topic from a number of perspectives. I had to ‘get out of my own head’, which is where I spend much of my time when I’m working on fiction – although as you know, some research is often involved to ground fiction in fact.
What drew you to writing about this important topic?
Working in community service in the homeless sector, I had come to understand how much misinformation there is about the causes and effects of homelessness. As children get much of their information – and many opinions – from the adults in their lives, I wanted to give them insights and facts to learn more, form their own opinions, and develop empathy for people whose lives might be very different than their own.
Taryn Gee did the wonderful artwork and illustrations for this book. Can you comment on how that process works – do you have an opportunity to work together and talk about your visions for the pictures?
I did see ‘roughs’ of some of Taryn Gee’s sketches early in the process, but there was no collaboration as such. It was quite thrilling to see how her vision of what the book might look like was revealed as I saw drafts of the finished book quite late in the process. The one thing I get the most comments about from readers is the cover image, which I feel is very powerful.
Congratulations on becoming one of the all-stars for Canadian Children’s Book Week, 2022. What advice do you have for authors applying next year?
This will actually be ‘only’ my second time touring during The Children’s Book Centre Book Week. I toured Southern Saskatchewan in 2013, but this tour will be online rather than in person.
I don’t think there’s a science in applying successfully. But I do think it’s a good idea to talk about outcomes in applications – what you hope students will gain from your presentations – just as much as you describe what you will actually do in the workshops. Also, make sure not to miss the application deadline which is usually in mid-October! #CCBCBookWeek2022
What are you planning to write next? I also know you are painting – will that factor into any upcoming stories?
Some days I have trouble deciding between writing and painting!
As always, I have a number of fiction works on the go. In fact, just last night I got a new idea for a picture book while watching a TV quiz show. But currently, I am putting together a proposal for another midgrade nonfiction book – this one is about creativity. Something that has always been a big part of my life, one way or another, and something that I think is vital to our development as human beings in a challenging and changing world.
Thank you, Lois Peterson, for sharing your thoughts with our readers! We look forward to enjoying your new book.
Thanks, Cristy. I always enjoyed having the opportunity of sharing our writing journeys.
You can follow Lois Peterson on social media: http://loispetersonwriter.ca https://www.facebook.com/LPwords https://twitter.com/lpwords
April 24, 2020
Recent Post on Books and Such
Please check out my recent post on my blog, Books and Such: https://cristywatsonauthor.wordpress....
January 2, 2020
2010-2020
Living RoughBenchedA decade of time has passed and what have I done?
Well, I was a Faculty Advisor at UBC in 2010 when we hosted the Winter Olympics here in Vancouver. It was the second time I got to see the running of the Olympic Torch up close and personal! I was beginning my teaching career in Calgary in 1988, when they hosted the Winter Olympics.
In 1988, being a published author was a dream of mine. In 2010, that dream became a reality as I signed my first book contract with Orca Book Publishers in Victoria. A part of the reason I was able to celebrate this wonderful event was because of a simple New Year's Resolution a few years before 2010.
At a few minutes to midnight 2008 and 2009, I decided that my resolution needed to be about writing, and becoming a published author. So, I set a goal to finish my novel and workshop it in a writer's group. The next year I said I needed to write a second novel (because I successfully finished my book in the required time, even if was just minutes to midnight when I wrote 'the end') and send off the first one. I did.
And by 2011, I was eagerly waiting for the February release date of BENCHED and the October release date for LIVING ROUGH. I remember the elation I felt when I opened my first boxes of books. Just a few weeks ago, I received a package in the mail from Orca saying that BENCHED has gone into its FOURTH reprint and LIVING ROUGH is now in its FIFTH reprint.
I am finishing the book I started in NANOWRIMO (book two of a fantasy trilogy) and I am now sitting with eight published novels on my shelf. Does it pay to make resolutions about WRITING (#amwriting #amediting #writingcommunity)?
YOU BET!!
Happy New Year and New Decade to all!! And best of luck everyone with your writing pursuits!!
Well, I was a Faculty Advisor at UBC in 2010 when we hosted the Winter Olympics here in Vancouver. It was the second time I got to see the running of the Olympic Torch up close and personal! I was beginning my teaching career in Calgary in 1988, when they hosted the Winter Olympics.
In 1988, being a published author was a dream of mine. In 2010, that dream became a reality as I signed my first book contract with Orca Book Publishers in Victoria. A part of the reason I was able to celebrate this wonderful event was because of a simple New Year's Resolution a few years before 2010.
At a few minutes to midnight 2008 and 2009, I decided that my resolution needed to be about writing, and becoming a published author. So, I set a goal to finish my novel and workshop it in a writer's group. The next year I said I needed to write a second novel (because I successfully finished my book in the required time, even if was just minutes to midnight when I wrote 'the end') and send off the first one. I did.
And by 2011, I was eagerly waiting for the February release date of BENCHED and the October release date for LIVING ROUGH. I remember the elation I felt when I opened my first boxes of books. Just a few weeks ago, I received a package in the mail from Orca saying that BENCHED has gone into its FOURTH reprint and LIVING ROUGH is now in its FIFTH reprint.
I am finishing the book I started in NANOWRIMO (book two of a fantasy trilogy) and I am now sitting with eight published novels on my shelf. Does it pay to make resolutions about WRITING (#amwriting #amediting #writingcommunity)?
YOU BET!!
Happy New Year and New Decade to all!! And best of luck everyone with your writing pursuits!!
November 2, 2019
ROOM 555
Just this time last year I saw the cover for ROOM 555 for the first time. Always exciting as an author to see the cover for your book, as it means the book will be out soon! Now, a year has passed and I just discovered that Roonie 'hip-hopped' her way to #29 in Dance Books for Children on Amazon.ca. She is in the top 100 for the category. Not #1 but not bad for a day's work... Okay, maybe a few days work!
August 3, 2019
US Release Date
August 1st was the US Release Date for LOCKED UP, one of four books in a box set by Lorimer Publishing: http://www.lorimer.ca/sidestreets/sid...
Karen Spafford-Fitz's PUSH BACK is in the series, as well as COLD GRAB by Steven Barwin, and ON THE RUN by Marilyn Holman. In September, Steven Sandor's, SPIN OUT will be available. While these books have been out in Canada individually, I am excited to see that they will be part of a series in the US. Having books that are accessible to all teens is so important and I am thrilled that Lorimer supports these books with realistic themes that youth can relate to and dig into with reading levels to suit all readers.
Just in time for the US release, Kirkus Review had this to say about the series: "Each of these stories focuses on remorse, forgiveness, and change. Most of the titles feature ethnic diversity... and the stories highlight important subjects such as treatment within youth detention centers and difficulties experienced by immigrants. High-action, high-concept stories for reluctant readers who want grit. (Fiction 12-18)."
There was a great turn-out for my local book signing at Chapters Indigo and I know they still have copies available for purchase. You can also find these titles at our publisher (follow the link above) and at Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=lorimer+sid...
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lorimer+si...
Change needs to occur in our juvenile system in both Canada and the US and these stories highlight some of what brings young people to these places and sheds hope on the future.
Karen Spafford-Fitz's PUSH BACK is in the series, as well as COLD GRAB by Steven Barwin, and ON THE RUN by Marilyn Holman. In September, Steven Sandor's, SPIN OUT will be available. While these books have been out in Canada individually, I am excited to see that they will be part of a series in the US. Having books that are accessible to all teens is so important and I am thrilled that Lorimer supports these books with realistic themes that youth can relate to and dig into with reading levels to suit all readers.
Just in time for the US release, Kirkus Review had this to say about the series: "Each of these stories focuses on remorse, forgiveness, and change. Most of the titles feature ethnic diversity... and the stories highlight important subjects such as treatment within youth detention centers and difficulties experienced by immigrants. High-action, high-concept stories for reluctant readers who want grit. (Fiction 12-18)."
There was a great turn-out for my local book signing at Chapters Indigo and I know they still have copies available for purchase. You can also find these titles at our publisher (follow the link above) and at Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=lorimer+sid...
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lorimer+si...
Change needs to occur in our juvenile system in both Canada and the US and these stories highlight some of what brings young people to these places and sheds hope on the future.
December 9, 2017
Two Days To Go...
There are only two days left to enter my Christmas giveaways of Living Rough, On Cue and Dead To Me. Be sure to enter for a chance to win a signed copy for the middle-grade/young adult on your Christmas list!
September 8, 2017
Thanks to all who entered...
Thank you to all the folks who entered my recent Goodreads Giveaway Contest. I was shocked to discover that over 1,000 people entered the contest. WOW! I do need to apologize to the five winners for the delay in getting your books to you. The novels just arrived and were sent on August 31st. Thank you for your patience and I hope you enjoy the read!
To the remaining contestants, I hope you pick up a copy of EPIC FAIL and I hope you enjoy it, too. I have six books now, all aimed at a YA hi-lo audience. The novels are great for getting young people 'into' reading and they are a wonderful resource for students learning the English language. Librarians say that my books are flying off their shelves - this is great news to hear as an author!
To the remaining contestants, I hope you pick up a copy of EPIC FAIL and I hope you enjoy it, too. I have six books now, all aimed at a YA hi-lo audience. The novels are great for getting young people 'into' reading and they are a wonderful resource for students learning the English language. Librarians say that my books are flying off their shelves - this is great news to hear as an author!
June 17, 2017
Goodreads Giveaway
Please consider entering my giveaway for EPIC FAIL, due out August 1st. In order to win one of five signed copies of my new book AND a signed copy of your choice of one of my other novels, you MUST answer this question: What is something/someone similar in all my novels? PLEASE don't give the answer on here or my author Facebook page, as I want it to be challenging and fun for everyone! Good luck to all!
Cristy Watson
Cristy Watson
August 7, 2016
Hit the 50 Mark!
Thank you to the readers and reviewers who have taken the time to post their ratings and comments on Goodreads! CUTTER BOY just reached 50 ratings. I know that doesn't sound like much, but considering its been available in Canada for just over five months, that's not bad! Of course, it's nothing like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which received over 160,000 ratings within a week of its release, but I am still happy.
To have this kind of response for a hi-lo title aimed at reluctant readers, is pretty exciting. The novel has received mixed reviews but a number of the readers who posted lower ratings suggested it was because they wished the story was longer. I love writing hi-lo realistic fiction because I hope the books are picked up by reluctant readers and help to shape them into book lovers!
But it is tough to write within the low word count restrictions. Still, I wouldn't trade my five recent titles for any other books. DEAD TO ME is also hi-lo realistic fiction with a tight word count. It will be released this month from Lorimer Book Publishers.
I am thrilled that so many reviewers recognized the need for a book like CUTTER BOY in this genre. My aim is to offer hope and help to those struggling with, or supporting mental health. But, 50 ratings alone don't guarantee that this book will get into the hands of those who need it. If you enjoyed CUTTER BOY, perhaps consider voting for it on any one of the three lists readers have added it to on the book page for this novel.
To have this kind of response for a hi-lo title aimed at reluctant readers, is pretty exciting. The novel has received mixed reviews but a number of the readers who posted lower ratings suggested it was because they wished the story was longer. I love writing hi-lo realistic fiction because I hope the books are picked up by reluctant readers and help to shape them into book lovers!
But it is tough to write within the low word count restrictions. Still, I wouldn't trade my five recent titles for any other books. DEAD TO ME is also hi-lo realistic fiction with a tight word count. It will be released this month from Lorimer Book Publishers.
I am thrilled that so many reviewers recognized the need for a book like CUTTER BOY in this genre. My aim is to offer hope and help to those struggling with, or supporting mental health. But, 50 ratings alone don't guarantee that this book will get into the hands of those who need it. If you enjoyed CUTTER BOY, perhaps consider voting for it on any one of the three lists readers have added it to on the book page for this novel.
January 28, 2016
Thanks, NetGalley!!
I need to give a shout out to NetGalley.
https://www.netgalley.com/
I didn't know about them until a few weeks ago, when early reviews popped up on Goodreads for my yet to be released novel, CUTTER BOY. Lorimer, my publisher, hosts e-copies of the book's ARC edition on NetGalley, with a precursor about the intended audience. Folks can download a version to their preferred device for free, in exchange for a review.
BENCHED, my first novel (with Orca Publishers) came out in February, 2011 and the first review of an ARC edition went up on Goodreads January 17th, - just a few days over five years ago. In that time, it has garnered 32 ratings (it was a 3.23 a few days ago - sadly, a slight decline in total since then), 10 reviews and has been added by 60 people.
In less than five weeks, CUTTER BOY (my first novel with Formac/Lorimer) has received 14 ratings, the same number of reviews (10) and has already been added by 43 people. Interestingly, the first review went up on Jan. 17th, 2016. I don't know if it will sustain this momentum, but it is a great start and most definitely, a wonderful way to be sure it gets into the hands of its intended audience, a hi-lo YA group of readers we hope to introduce to the love of reading, but also for those youth who are struggling with real-life issues, it may offer a window of hope.
My ratings are going up and down like a Yo-Yo but the story is being read! Thanks, Lorimer and thanks, NetGalley. Can't wait to get my first hard copy of the book, set to be released on February 12th, a month before my launch date!
https://www.netgalley.com/
I didn't know about them until a few weeks ago, when early reviews popped up on Goodreads for my yet to be released novel, CUTTER BOY. Lorimer, my publisher, hosts e-copies of the book's ARC edition on NetGalley, with a precursor about the intended audience. Folks can download a version to their preferred device for free, in exchange for a review.
BENCHED, my first novel (with Orca Publishers) came out in February, 2011 and the first review of an ARC edition went up on Goodreads January 17th, - just a few days over five years ago. In that time, it has garnered 32 ratings (it was a 3.23 a few days ago - sadly, a slight decline in total since then), 10 reviews and has been added by 60 people.
In less than five weeks, CUTTER BOY (my first novel with Formac/Lorimer) has received 14 ratings, the same number of reviews (10) and has already been added by 43 people. Interestingly, the first review went up on Jan. 17th, 2016. I don't know if it will sustain this momentum, but it is a great start and most definitely, a wonderful way to be sure it gets into the hands of its intended audience, a hi-lo YA group of readers we hope to introduce to the love of reading, but also for those youth who are struggling with real-life issues, it may offer a window of hope.
My ratings are going up and down like a Yo-Yo but the story is being read! Thanks, Lorimer and thanks, NetGalley. Can't wait to get my first hard copy of the book, set to be released on February 12th, a month before my launch date!
