Author Archive
Don Aker – YA Writer Profile
May 21, 2013 | 
Author
Don Aker – YA Writer
CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers) (repeat that with your eyes closed) asked me if I’d write a profile of the YA writer Don Aker for the Fall/Winter issue of their magazine, CANSCAIP News.
What fun it was! I read all I could find online about Don – along with all his YA titles, he’s also written for middle readers, One on One.
We talked face to face non-stop for three hours, then I wrote the profile.
This is a new venture for me. I think it’s called non-fiction. You have to stick to the facts. But I hope I will have conveyed my admiration and respect for a fine writer.
The Space Between is my favourite of all his books, and his too.
And then there’s The First Stone.
If you haven’t yet discovered Don, you have a treat in store.
Check him out at www.donaker.com
Posted in CANSCAIP, CANSCAIP News, Children, Children's book, Don Aker, Juvenile fiction, One on One, The First Stone, The Space Between, Young Adult fiction | 
Tags: CANSCAIP, CANSCAIP News, Don Aker, juvenile book, middle reader book, Middle Readers, writing books, YA Writer, young adult fiction | 
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My Week in Calgary – Part 3
I visited two of the Calgary Public Library branches on my trip out west – branches, so I was told by Anne O’Sullivan, who drove me to both of them, that only rarely got visits from authors. Thank you, Anne.
Glenmore Square Library
At the first, Glenmore Square, I was met by Suman Gangopadhyay, the branch supervisor – so much enthusiasm for her job and the community programs she was able to implement.
A class of grade fives arrived, some of whom had read The Nine Lives of Travis Keating.
I only had 45 minutes with them, not nearly long enough. A wonderful group of kids. In the Q/A, one girl asked me if I knew the ending of the book when I began…what a great question!
Shaganappi Library
The second day, in the Shaganappi Branch, I was greeted by Joey Sayer, also so helpful and kind. A mix of grades four, five and six.
One of the teachers had hooked the students on Nine Lives, and Joey had collected their questions for me. Somehow the conversation segued to how my grandson helps out with “techy” questions, including the intricacies of Modern Warfare, and how Stuart always beat me hands down. A lot of the boys there obviously knew about Modern Warfare, so I read the poem about it (swearword omitted) from Nix Minus One. It was really fun.
Libraries, as I must have said at least six times on this blog, are among my favourite places on earth. Where else can you be given access to so many books – and they’re free. Think on it. Free.
Posted in After publication, Alberta, Book publisher, Book Signing, Book Tour, Calgary, Calgary Alberta, Calgary Public Library, Children, Children's book, Glenmore Square Branch, Juvenile fiction, maritime author, New Juvenile Fiction Book, Newfoundland fiction, Nix Minus One, read books, Shaganappi Branch, The Nine Lives of Travis Keating, Young Adult fiction | Tags: Atlantic provinces, Book publisher, children's author, Children's book, children's books, jill maclean, juvenile book, maritime author, Martime authors, middle reader book, new book, new juvenile fiction book, newfoundland, Newfoundland book, Nix Minus One, The nine Lives of Travis Keating | No Comments »
My Week in Calgary – Part 2
More on my recent visit to Calgary, courtesy of Pajama Press.
A week ago Tuesday, we spent the day with Heather Parsons, a sales rep from Michael Reynolds and Associates. Bright, energetic, great sense of humour, and very very good at her job – thanks, Heather! I signed a lot of books that day.
Pixie Hollow Books in High River, Alberta
Our first stop was Pixie Hollow Books in High River, about an hour south of Calgary. A delightful store, with the best chai latte I’ve ever had.
And guess what? While I was there I found out that Martine Leavitt, whose writing I’ve long revered, lives in High River. She was kind enough to come to the bookstore, where she signed my copy of her brilliant, grim, and very courageous free-verse novel, My Book of Life by Angel. Such a pleasure to meet her! Thank you, Martine.
Owl’s Nest in Calgary
Owl’s Nest, Shelf Life Books, and Chapters in Chinook Mall took the rest of the afternoon, then in the evening I did a reading at Monkeyshines Children’s Bookstore – and was delighted when my daughter-in-law’s brother, who lives and teaches in Calgary, walked in the door. The only thing better than having a Newfoundlander present when you read from Nix Minus One is having family there.
Window display for Nix Minus One in Monkeyshines Children’s Bookstore, Calgary
My thanks to Sue Hill of Monkeyshines for a terrific window display and lovely treats.
Reading from Nix Minus One
Signing Sue Hill’s Authors’ Wall – I was in very good company!
Posted in After publication, Alberta, Book publisher, Book Signing, Book Tour, Calgary, Calgary Alberta, Children, Children's book, Jill's Travels, Juvenile fiction, maritime author, Martine Leavitt, Monkeyshines Book Store, New Juvenile Fiction Book, Newfoundland fiction, Nix Minus One, Young Adult fiction | Tags: Atlantic provinces, Book publisher, book signing, children's author, Children's book, children's books, jill maclean, juvenile book, maritime author, Martime authors, middle reader book, new juvenile fiction book, newfoundland, Newfoundland book, Nix Minus One, young adult fiction | 2 Comments »
My Week in Calgary – Part 1
Pajama Press, my publishers for Nix Minus One, flew me to Calgary last week. And what a week! So much went on, that there’ll be at least two instalments to this blog.
The major event was the Calgary Children’s Literature Round Table on the evening of the 22nd.
Supported by United Library Services, the event was billed as “Two Celebrated Canadian Authors.” I spoke first, followed by Ken Oppel – now he is a celebrated author.
I’d reread Silverwing before I left Halifax, and read Sunwing on the flight to Calgary – and enjoyed both so much. Imaginative, original, and exciting. So it was a real pleasure to meet Ken, listen to his talk, and exchange ideas on how we write.
Illustrating my talk with excerpts from Nix, I spoke about the power of experience and of imagination to shape our narratives.
Keep reading – we writers need you!
Posted in After publication, Book publisher, Book Signing, Book Tour, Calgary, Children's book, Children's Literary Roundtable, Jill's Travels, Juvenile fiction, Kenneth Oppel, maritime author, New Juvenile Fiction Book, Newfoundland fiction, Nix Minus One, read books, Reading, reviews, school visit, United Library Services, Young Adult fiction | Tags: book launch, Book publisher, book signing, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, children's author, class visit, jill maclean, juvenile book, maritime author, Martime authors, middle reader book, new book, new juvenile fiction book, newfoundland, Newfoundland book, Nix Minus One, school visit, young adult fiction | No Comments »
On the road again….
I had a wonderful morning in Bedford South School the week before last. The grade four students had each written a short book about an animal of their choice, all the way from a squid to a red-eyed tree frog.
The teacher – what a woman! – had arranged a group book launch, with parents and other classes invited. And I was invited, too. Such fun to see everyone’s wonderful writing and drawings, a very creative class. Thank you, grade fours!
Another good review for Nix Minus One, this one in the Calgary Herald.
You can find it on Nix’s home page on my website.
I’m in Calgary this week, so the timing of the review is great.
Monday, I’m at the Children’s Literary Roundtable, with Kenneth Oppel – very exciting.
On Tuesday we spend the day at bookstores in Calgary and Pixie Hollow, an hour or so south of Calgary.
On Wednesday and Thursday, library readings, with grades four, five, and six.
Home on Friday.
A busy week!
It’s supposed to snow while I’m there. So here – as an antidote – are the crocuses in my garden
Posted in After publication, Book Signing, Book Tour, Calgary, Children, Children's book, Children's Literary Roundtable, Jill's Travels, Juvenile fiction, Kenneth Oppel, maritime author, New Juvenile Fiction Book, Newfoundland fiction, Nix Minus One, read books, Reading, school visit, Young Adult fiction | Tags: book signing, Calgary, children's author, Children's book, children's books, Children's Literary Roundtable, class visit, jill maclean, juvenile book, Kenneth Oppel, maritime author, Martime authors, middle reader book, new book, new juvenile fiction book, newfoundland, Newfoundland book, Nix Minus One, Pixie Hollow, school visit, young adult fiction | 2 Comments »
