I Love Canadian Authors discussion

Meet our authors and feel free to ask us anything. We're not shy. I'm Renee, I like reading, writing(obviously), scary gory icky stuff, and Doritos.

I think I've covered everything.

Oh, this looks like it will be a great group! I see some familiar faces already (Renee I have your Q&A scheduled for Aug 21st, by the way).

Although I recently moved to the Detroit area, I am Canadian, having lived in Toronto, London and all over SW Ontario.

I am fairly new to GoodReads so I very much look forward to 'meeting' all of you, and especially appreciate the opportunity to connect with writers from The Motherland. Ha.

Thanks to Renee and Ali for getting this started.

Lori A. May
www.loriamay.com
http://loriamay.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/loriamay

Thank you for joining, and for sharing, Lori!

I look forward to chatting with you here, and to visiting your blog!

I hope you have a great time with this site...I know I certainly have been!

Sincerely,
Ali :)

Hey Lori, that sounds great. I'll post it on my site so everyone I know can know about it. Thanks.

Hello, I've managed to wander back here after being absent and neglectful.

I'm from Nova Scotia and I write speculative fiction under the name A. F. Stewart (the A stands for Anita and the F for Faye). Most of my stuff is fantasy (slightly twisted I've been told), but I also write poetry and dabble in the genres of horror, sci-fi, mystery and non-fiction.

Lori, nice to see you here.
If anyone wishes to check out the review I did of her book, or the interview she did on my blog you can check them out here:
Interview
Review

Hi, I'm the author of the recently released SPIN. You can check it out on my author page here or at www.catherinemckenzie.com

Nice site Catherine, and the book sounds like something I'd enjoy. I've marked it to read. You must be so excited. Still doing the happy dance?

The same Catherine of the recent Globe & Mail piece ... you shouldn't have written that -- now we've all tumbled to yer game. ;)

Thanks, Renee. Yes, I do a happy dance every morning. Ah, yes, A J the Globe & Mail piece. Well, it's all part of being "authentic"!

Globe and Mail? Now I have to know.

And Catherine, authentic is good. I'm big on 'what you see is what you get'. No surprises. Well, maybe some. But I figured 32 year old crazy mom living in the sticks was far more interesting than 90 year old grandma with only one original tooth and a terrible case of gout. No one likes my habit of inviting children to my cottage to fatten them up. It's not like I eat them, I'm not a witch, I just think kids should be chunky and healthy. Their parents, well that's another story.

Oh, now you know my secret.

It was an article on promoting yourself through social media, as an author.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/...

I recognized the name. So being in the Globe still carries more weight than being on Twitter, I guess. ;)

I love the article. you make some interesting and valid points Catherine. And just so you know, I'm not an auto-follower. Drives me nuts. I follow people who I find interesting and several who give me a laugh when I check in for my five minutes each morning. The first 10 or so are autos, because like you I was lost. I didn't know how it worked.

Did you know you can cut your 'social networking' time by linking it all together? Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Myspace, and your website. One post, all updated. I love that. I just discovered it so I'm telling everyone I know.

By the way A.J., the Globe should carry more weight than Twitter.

Thanks for posting Catherine's article in the Glove AJ. I was curious too.

Thanks for the comments, Renee. Made me laugh more than once. I did know that about linking together all the sites, though I use Facebook and Twitter a little differently. Got a lot of response with that Globe article, which was neat (cannot think of better word) - nice thing about all this social networking is the instant feedback you get on your work. Kind of like watching a movie you wrote with an audience. Scary, but rewarding.

I agree. I started posting bits of unpublished work on my website, a couple of chapters here and there and the feedback has been awesome. I've even changed and rewritten a couple of parts based on the feedback. Very cool.

Very scary though, posting up there is not at all like having family or even a writing partner read it. It's like tons of people who could care less if they hurt your feelings. That's the best feedback anyway.

Hello My name is Gregg Seeley and I am the author of a fun-filled action adventure geared for the inquistive and reluctant reader entitled BIG BOBBY BOOM! AND THE MARBLE MAYHEM I am into writing of course, Reiki, channelling, getting crazy with my kids and just being way too immature for my age. Please feel free to check out my latest release at
www.mooshidebooks.com
www.chapters.ca
or just search the title and you'll find all kinds of fun stuff about me. Big Bobby Boom! and the Marble Mayhem

Welcome to the group Gregg, I added your books to my list, don't worry, I go through at least once each month and order one or two, slowly it is getting smaller, but then it grows, neverending. Never mind. I have some kids here who would love it. The boys that I babysit complain I have very few 'boy' books. I'm afraid with two girls we're overloaded with Barbie, Princess, and all of those 'girly' tales.

Thank you very much for the great advice on the other page and I do hope that you order this book for the Boys , they'll love it. I have done some school visiting and the questions are awesome and the whole interacting is a great experience. My next question to you might be. I write for a small independent house (Not a vanity press whatsoever) How would I bring this book the attention of a bigger house such as Penguin or Hyperion voice to purchase the rights and take on the sequel, There are three books in this series? Any thoughts on the subject are very welcome.

I'm not sure about that. I think first of all it depends on the your current contract with your publisher and all that wonderful stuff.

Gregg, I think you'd normally need an agent to pitch your work to the big publishers. Perhaps you can put together a package, including reviews of the already-published books, copies of the books, and outlines of future titles, and see if an agent will take you on.

Stuart

Thank you for the terrific advice. I will get that started as soon as I complete the final edit for the sequel in two weeks.
Nice to meet you!

Hi Gang,

I went searching for new Canadian friends here on goodreads, and was real happy to find this group!

I'm a fan of Brad Smith (Busted Flush, etc.), Douglas Coupland, and "classic" authors like Ian Fleming, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Steinbeck and Hemmingway.

I'd love to learn of any Canadian authors who write in comparable genres, if anyone could recommend some.

My first novel, Owe Nothing, combines blue collar family drama, adventure with intense drama. Basically, realistic, sympathetic people dealing with bizarre, unrealistic situations. It's all set in Motels and car washes along Kingsway, in Vancouver's east side.

All the best,

E. John Love

Owe Nothing

Hi there, EJL —

You might also really enjoy Tom Walmsley's novel Dog Eat Rat (full disclosure: I acquired and edited the book for Mansfield Press, but obviously that means I love it!) and the novels of Denis Bolen published by Anvil Press.

Stuart

Catch the interview about Big Bobby Boom! and the Marble Mayhem and Author Gregg Seeley today on Blog talk radio! 3 Pm eastern time.

The National Writing for Children Center
http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com
Here is the link for the interview!

I guess I missed this discussion when setting up my profile a while back.

I'm Kathy, a mother of four, teacher of more, and an occasional author. My first novel, Regression, was released last year and the sequel will be released on 10/10/10. Regression is science fiction with time travel, hidden underground cities, and impending disaster all mixed in. Lots of other novel ideas are floating around in my head and I think my next project is going to be about 2012...heh, a popular topic and I just came up with what I think is an awesome spin on it!

If you would like to hear an interview with Gregg Seeley author of the hilarious juvenile fiction series Big Bobby Boom! and the Marble Mayhem on the Author show go to February 22 2010 at TheAuthors Show radio at http://www.theauthorsshow.com Click on the children's author tab. Thank you

Hi all! I'm the author of the novel "The Last River Child" and wanted to let you know there is a giveaway of my book going on until the end of March. Quick, get over to the giveaway page and sign yourself up! I'm also hosting a Q & A group here on Goodreads until the end of April. I'm answering questions about my book and the writing life - but, hey, I'm willing to give dating advice, swap vegan recipes or discuss favourite coffee shops.

Hi there!

My book, Buying Cigarettes for the Dogs, has been shortlisted for the Alberta Readers Choice Award, and the voting is now in the public's hands.

If anyone is interested in checking out the contenders, you can vote at http://www.albertareaderschoice.ca - and you can vote every day!

Stuart

THat's awesome Stuart. I'll definitley go check it out.

hi all I guess since I gave away one of my books as a freebie I should tell u all who I am.
My name is Karen and I love to write comedy and I have two Books published

|7698349]Dead Comic Standing

I live in Peterborough ON with my hubby Jimbo and our Kitty

Great group! Hi all. I've written 4 historical novels, one of which is out of print, but just came out as an E-Book. I'm working on the third book in my "Muskoka Novels" series, this one set during the 1920s. The first two, The Summer Before The Storm and ELUSIVE DAWN took place during WW1.

For some lovely pictures of legendary Muskoka, check out my book trailer on YouTube

For more info, here are links to my website and my blog

Hey, Karen, I grew up in Lindsay. : )

I love it. What an awesome idea. I've marked it to read, as soon as I get through a couple on this darn list that I've already bought, I'm definitely checking this out. My daughter would enjoy it.

Going to check out your blog now.

Awesome site and blog, Roderick. I'm really impressed with the focus on eductation and Canadian History.

True. I have a small daycare and I've had to pick up 'boy friendly' books so that they had something to read. My oldest daughter will read anything, so it works. I like that these are teaching them a little while they read.

Roderick wrote: "Hi Everyone,

I'm new to Goodreads and this was the first group I've joined. The Mystery of the Moonlight Murder: An Early Adventure of John Diefenbaker, was just released in the fall. This is Bo..."

Very cool, will check it out for my son too.

The new cover looks enticing to me, Roderick!

Hi, I'm Lynn and I've written a contemporary Christian YA novel set in a fictional southern Albertan town. You can check it out at Shoot The Wounded
It is great to connect with other Canadian authors!

Welcome Lynn. Thanks for adding your blog as well. I will take a look when I can...

Just like to share some news about my short-story collection Buying Cigarettes for the Dog. It's just been shortlisted in two categories for the Alberta Book Awards: Best Cover Design and Best Trade Fiction.

Meanwhile, voting for the Alberta Readers Choice Award is ongoing till April 30 at midnight at http://www.albertareaderschoice.ca - apparently my book is neck and neck for the lead!

You can see me reading from the book here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG4akj...

Thanks!

Stuart

Congratulations Stuart. That's exciting. I have that book marked as to read, it's moving up the list. I've watched a few of those 'readings', they scare the heck out of me.

I really enjoyed listening to you read "the Engagement". Good luck with the Readers Choice Awards.

Lori wrote: "Oh, this looks like it will be a great group! I see some familiar faces already (Renee I have your Q&A scheduled for Aug 21st, by the way).
-I read and write
Although I recently moved to the Detroit area, I am C..."

Hi Lori I am Karen I live in Peterborough ON -
I read and write mysteries I am told my style is sort of Evanovichish --quirky fun and not at all serious. welcome to the group.

Yeah, I tend to pop up a lot. It's part of the master plan...

Renee wrote: "Meet our authors and feel free to ask us anything. We're not shy. I'm Renee, I like reading, writing(obviously), scary gory icky stuff, and Doritos.

I think I've covered everything."

Hi Renee and everyone,

My name's Debra Purdy Kong and I'm a Canadian author who somehow missed this group until now. On the other hand, I don't spend as much time on Goodreads as I'd like to. I'm a mom with a day job and a book contract for a new mystery series. At the moment I'm in the midst of the editing process with a July 1st deadline. The latest in my Alex Bellamy, amateaur sleuth series came out two years ago and since then I've been promoting when I can but, as many of you know, it's a daunting task. Oh, and most important of all, I'm a huge fan of Canadian authors, but please don't ask me to pin down my favourite. Yikes!

Hello Renee and all,

I'm an avid reader and some of my favorite Canadian authors include Gail Bowen, Illona Haus and Margaret Atwood.

I'm also a bestselling Canadian author, and I'd be more than happy to participate in a Q & A session.

As Cheryl Kaye Tardif, I write suspense thrillers and YA. As Cherish D'Angelo, I delve into steamier scenes with romantic suspense--my award-winning debut, Lancelot's Lady, to come out on September 27th.

All the best to you all!

Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.cherylktardif.com
http://www.cherishdangelo.com

We'd love to have you Cheryl. I must check, but I do believe we're on June 4 for scheduling. Is that okay with you?

June works for me. Just let me know what day and time and what's expected. :-)

Cheers!

Cheryl

I'm also the creator of the Canadian Authors Network over at Ning.com. Since Ning will be switching to a paid service, we were going to disband. I'll let them know about this group. I believe some will join. :-)