Light discussion

I am so freaking blessed.

Technically, my book released today, and people have been getting their hands on it all week. It's nerve-wracking, but in a good way. People have been really, really kind, like I said, and it's been a fantastic ride. If you've not yet got a copy, and you'd like to, hit up your local brick-and-mortar! For those of you in Ottawa, I'll be having a book launch at After Stonewall on Thursday the 24th of October, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, but M.J. already has copies there if you'd like to pick one up (or if you'd like me to sign one, they'll be the source, even if you can't make it to the event).

There's also Indiebound if you're not sure of your local brick and mortar. Or, right through the publisher itself, Bold Strokes Books. And, of course, there are the online options and/or chains near you.

Basically, it's everywhere now. Which is awesome, and humbling, and really, really cool.

The advance reviews of my novel, Light, have all been really solid. When Jerry L. Wheeler calls your book a a stylistic tour de force, really, there's nothing to be done but sit back and stare at the screen in wonder.

There have, however, been questions. Especially from the non-Canadians. In fact, The same questions have come up quite often. So, in the spirit of interaction and thankfulness for those who took the time to ask them, here we go:

What the heck's a loonie?

Ah. A while back, Canada got rid of the one-dollar bill, and put out a one-dollar coin. A loonie is that one-dollar Canadian coin. On the reverse from the Queen's head, there is a loon. So, in the vernacular, it's referred to as a loonie or a loony. Sort of like when I went to the States for the first time and wondered why everyone was asking me for a single like I could somehow conjure unmated individuals from thin air. Turned out they wanted a dollar, so I stopped pushing single friends on them.

Okay. Fine. But what the heck's a twoney?

So, then we got a two-dollar coin, and... Yeah. There you go.

But I thought it was spelled "toonie"?

Without opening a huge kettle of fish, there are multiple spellings of twoney/toonie/twony, and although "toonie" is what the Mint uses (and thus would be the most "correct" form), the decision was to go with "twoney" (the second most common spelling) because it had the clue in it via the numerical start to the portmanteau and might make more sense to a reader. It was totally my call, and apparently it didn't help. Just pretend it said "two bucks" if it really bugs you.

Colour is spelled with a U.

That's not a question, and now you're just being a meanie.

I don't get the "cat named Easter" thing. Am I missing something?

It's likely what you're missing is the experiences of a twenty-something straight woman (or queer guy) in the early nineties. It's okay. Allow me to suggest you go listen to Tori Amos's song "Crucify." Wait for roughly 1:45 and it will all become clear as mud. Also, she's brilliant.

DUDE! I read your acknowledgements and you totally promised to REDACTED!

Yes, yes I did. And yes, he already read it. So, yeas, that means REDACTED.

I hope that clears everything up.

You are just plain funny.

One more question: why the apostrophe in front of Nathan?

Ah! That's another question that comes up often enough. My given name is actually Jonathan, but it has never really suited. When I lived in BC a Russian teacher pointed out that I could drop the J and O and still have Nathan left over, and that day our English teacher was driven to distraction by some apostrophe abuse and explained it - again - to the class. The two clicked, and 'Nathan became a moniker.

Also, bless you for that lovely review. You truly made my day.

I figured I wasn't the first to ask that. And my pleasure on the review. I found your book through a review you posted for Jeff Mann, so it's all good karma. And I'm serious about my hope for an anthology of your stories.

...and then you made my day twice. ;)