September Recommendations
Upcoming Events
The highlight of my writing year is coming up. The Whistler Writer’s Festival is celebrating it’s 20th year with the theme “A Celebration of Words and Stories”. Every year I feel surrounded by ‘my people’ at the festival—lovers of reading and writing from all over the world. Our festival director, Stella Harvey, and her mighty team are never ones to shirk from a challenge. After putting on an amazing virtual festival last year, they’ve decided to go hybrid this year in order to be as inclusive as possible.
I’ll be leading two free events this year:
Difficult Truths: Providing Children & Youth Context for Tough Topics. With Tanya Talaga, Rebecca Wood Barrett and Xiran Jay Zhao. Moderated by Sara Leach.
Whistler Public Library
October 17 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. PDT | FREE In-person or Online (RSVP)
Why is it important to tackle tough topics and ideas when writing for children and young adults? Acclaimed children’s author and moderator Sara Leach delves into the discussion with children’s and YA authors whose stories and non-fiction involve systemic racism and the failure of policing and justice systems; bullying, loneliness and unusual friendships; and the sacrifice of young women pilots in a misogynist, dystopian world.
Write for fun! Workshop for young writers
With Sara Leach
Whistler Public Library
Sponsored by: Vision Pacific
October 17 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. PDT | FREE In-person or Online (RSVP)
Writers 16 years old and younger are invited to explore writing for fun and enjoyment. We'll practice writing snappy dialogue and characters that jump off the page. No grades or pressure to share. Just come and write!
And here's one of the many reading events I plan to attend:
Thrills, Chills and Authors Who Kill: A Murder Mystery and Discussion with Five Thriller Writers
Gail Anderson-Dargatz, Linwood Barclay, Bill Deverell, Joy Fielding, Linden McIntyre
Sponsored by: RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate
1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. PDT | Online $10
The full event schedule can be found here.
Adult Book Recommendation
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson
Ever since my son did a project on CRISP-Cas9 gene editing five years ago, I’ve been intrigued by possibilities it opens, so I leapt at the chance to read this book about the science, politics and ethics that surround it. The book was readable, thought provoking and inspiring. I especially recommend this for any teenager (especially girls!) interested in science.
Children’s Book Recommendation
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
Audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker
Aven Green is a feisty, funny 13-year-old who was born with no arms but has never let it stop her. Up until now the kids at her school have always accepted her. But when her family moves to Arizona to manage Stagecoach Pass, a Western-style theme park, she has to navigate a middle school full of kids who only see her disability. Things start to look up when she befriends Connor, a boy with Tourette’s, and together they discover that Stagecoach Pass holds a bigger mystery than she could have imagined. I listened to this one on audiobook, and Karissa Vacker’s narration amplified the humour. I giggled all the way up the highway as I drove home. The book also made me think differently about how I react to people with disabilities and taught me a lot about Tourette’s.
Behind the Scenes
Warm Up
The idea for this book sprang to mind when my editor at Orca Book Publishers reached out to tell me they were starting a new series about the performing arts and asked if I’d like to pitch an idea. I leapt at the chance because I danced recreationally and competitively for twenty years. It was one of the easiest books for me to write for two reasons. My dance background meant I had details about dance classes, studios and the strong emotions felt by dancers readily available. Also, I had to submit a chapter-by-chapter synopsis before the book was approved for publication, so when I sat down to write each day I knew exactly what scene to write next. You’d think after that experience I would outline all my subsequent books, but somehow I’ve never been able to do such a detailed plan for any book since.
Professional Resource
The WWF has been my main source of professional development for the last 20 years, and has been an integral reason for my publishing success. I’m also on the board of directors, so I may be biased, but I think our festival is the best. We consistently get rave reviews about the quality of instruction, and attendees love how accessible our visiting authors are. Since this year is a hybrid event, everyone can join. Some more events to highlight: On Thursday, October 14: The day-long Publish Like a Pro workshops; on Friday: Insights from Insiders: Trade Publishing in Canada Today and Speed Dating: Pitch Your Book Idea to Publisher; on Saturday: Worldbuilding for Children’s and YA Books.
I hope to “see” you there!
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