SARA, a Canadian Saga is now an Ebook on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YDQXZK   is the link that will take you to Amazon.com where you will find my first novel SARA, a Canadian Saga now an Ebook.

This is a brand new adventure for me and I think it will be quite a ride. I'm hanging on and think I will enjoy the journey on this new learning curve.

I hope you will want to read SARA and if you are willing to share your review of my book on Amazon.com it will be very much appreciated.

Special thanks to Maggie Kirton at Wynterblue Publishing Canada.

And tomorrow it is off to the Elliot Lake Trade Show once again for the final day of sales.  Thanks to all friends who stopped by for a visit last evening and again today.  Special thanks to all who bought a book or two.

Paperback copies of Sara, a Canadian Saga are also available.  Your copy is just an email away.

Another day at the Elliot Lake Trade Show

I enjoyed a wonderful time at the Elliot Lake Trade Show last evening.  What a joy to share the "Local Authors' Booth" with Blair Sterling and Susan Krupp.  

The launch of Susan Krupp's new book titled Fretta and Thin  is happening this weekend.  Be sure to pick up your signed copy today.

There are many interesting and exciting  booths set up at the show. 

Book lovers are invited to our booth.   I am there with copies of Sara, a Canadian Saga;  Reawakening;  and The Silent Star plus a dozen.   There is a free draw.  You may win a copy of my first novel, SARA.

In addition to Fretta and Thin  Susan has some beautiful Pholage on display, framed and ready to hang.   She also has some lovely give-aways.  

Blair Sterling is there with copies of two of his books.

Gotta rush!  It's nearly time to get over to the arena.

Hope to see you there!

Elliot Lake Trade Show this weekend

I spent yesterday in hospital with someone near and dear who fortunately is home once again today but yesterday was a good reminder for me that regardless of the goals, the dreams, and the plans to be fulfilled; everything comes to a dead stop when health is in jeopardy.

And this afternoon it will be time to get to work with the hustle and bustle of setting up for the Elliot Lake Trade Show starting at 5 pm this evening at the local arena.  The Trade Show carries on throughout the weekend finishing Sunday at 3 pm.

I'll be there with my books.  And at theTrade Show the launch of Susan Krupp's Fretta and Thin is taking place.

The sun is shining once again in Elliot Lake.  Come on out and enjoy the Trade Show.

Elliot Lake Writers' Fall Festival - October 22,2011

Elliot Lake Writers' Workshop is overjoyed to announce that in addition to Ontario Arts Council Funding for our Elliot Lake Writers' Fall  Festival, the ELWW Grant application has been accepted and approved by Community Funding Development Corporation; CFDC.

Our Festival's success now depends entirely upon the motivation and hard work of our members and, as Co-chair of our Festival Committee, I know we will reach and, indeed, surpass our goals.

It will be an amazing day with guest workshop faciilitators.  Brian Henry will offer his workshop on How to get Published.   Dr. Ross Pennie will offer his workshop on Memoir Writing.

Our Festival will offer in-place flash writing competitions for adults and children & there will be prizes awarded.

We will have an Open Mic throughout the day for authors to read their works.

Vendors tables will be set up for writers to sell their books and this will be a big day for Elliot Lake Writers' Workshop members who will celebrate the launch of the first ever Elliot Lake Writers' Anthology of Short Stories and Poems entitled  Penpourri

Pianists, Denis Morel and Ken Little, will be there to provide entertainment throughout the day.

Members of ELWW are overjoyed and very grateful to our local sponsors.

J.Breen Coffee will be available for sale and an amazing coffee maker will be awarded to the winner of the draw.

Elliot Lake Writers' Fall Festival commences 9 a.m. at the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre and celebrations continue throughout the day until at 5 p.m. we move across the road to the Renaissance Centre for Cash Bar and then our Gala Dinner will take place at 6 pm.  After dinner keynote guest speaker is Dr. Ross Pennie; Medical Mystery Novelist.

Mark your calendar!  All of this and much more will be happening to make Saturday, October 22nd, a memorable day for everyone.

Today we offer a special thank you to OAC and to CFDC for their encouragement and support.

   

SARA, a Canadian Saga will soon be an E-book ....

I received a phone call from Wynterblue Publishing Canada this morning.  The exciting news is that they are publishing my first novel, Sara, a Canadian Saga, as an E-book.  SARA will soon be available through Amazon.com; possibly as early as next week.

Paperback copies of SARA are also available. To buy your copy I'm just an email away.

Now I need to educate myself about the E-book business.  I don't own a Kindle but guess that will be my next step.  There is a lot to learn.

Guess I'd better hang on tight.  I'm flying into the face of my book's future.

SARA, a Canadian Saga is enjoying its 3rd print run ......

I'm overjoyed to tell you that Sara, a Canadian Saga is now enjoying it's third print run.  Copies of Sara are available directly from me. 

Let me share some feedback from readers of SARA.

"Your well-written  book brought memories of actual places and people to me.  I was a child growing up on Prince Edward Island in the dirty thirties." K. Austin

"I've read your book already and loved the story. It reminded me of the stories my parents and grandparents used to relate about the 20's and 30's, Your story will sell very well with the older audience and educate the younger ones.  They were not easy days for anyone." Judy Donovan-McDonald.

"I received SARA on Tuesday and cóuldn't wait to read it.  I couldn't put it down.  I really enjoyed the story especially the streets in Toronto.  It brought back a lot of memories.  It is good for the soul to remember the past.  Could that be why we call them the good old days?  Looking forward to a sequel.   Maureen Jones-Motchan.

"I truly enjoyed reading SARA.  At times I laughed and at other times I felt tears welling up.  It was such a good story, well written and I loved it." Eleanor Lambert.

I just finished reading "Sara."  

I took the book to work with me where I was teaching a grade 7 class.  The children were directed to write about a time when they or someone they knew, demonstrated perseverance.  I held up the book and used "Sara" as an example of a woman who demonstrated perseverance.  I also spoke to the fact that the author demonstrated this quality in her determination to have her story published.  You would not believe the response from these kids - many wanted to know if they could get it at Chapters.  This story is uniquely Canadian and should be marketed to adolescents as part of their Canadian heritage.  "Sara" is a narrative that figures in the histories of Canadian families everywhere.  I will be passing this on to my son!

The line that cracked me up and drew me in for good: 

"Their mother set the steaming bowls of vegetables in the centre of the large, old, wooden table that no amount of wax and polish could dignify." (p. 11) 

I won't over-analyze why this struck me as hilarious, it just did.  What sad, sad state Rebecca was in over her table.    This table is a silent witness to generations of love, hope, fear, strife, courage, ignorance and finally, understanding. What a beautiful metaphor for an old scratched up, banged around history that none of us can escape and our fear of endlessly repeating it. 

Thank-you for inviting us to the table.

Karen.

 

This is  just a taste of the amazing feedback I have received from some readers of SARA.    Cover design by Yuneekpix.com        To order your copy I am just an email away.

Elliot Lake Trade Show - April 29th - May 1st incl.

All the excitement of the Elliot Lake Trade Show will soon be ours to enjoy again this year.  I look forward to having my book table with copies of Sara, a Canadian Saga; Reawakening; and The Silent Star plus a dozen on display and I anticipate the joy of book signings and, hopefully, lots of sales.

The beautiful book cover designs are created by Susan at Yuneekpix


Susan will also be there at the Elliot Lake Trade Show this year to celebrate the launch of her own book titled Fretta and Thin.   She will be on hand for book signings and sales.

The Elliot Lake Trade Show is happening at the local arena starting Friday, April 29th 5 pm to 9 pm; continuing Saturday, April 30th 10 am to 5 pm and again on the last day Sunday, May 1st from 10 am to 3 pm.

There are lots of displays to see and activities to do at the Elliot Lake Trade Show.  It is always an exciting weekend

Susan and I will both be there. We hope you will stop by for a visit,

enter the free draw, 

and maybe buy a book or two.

Easter Sunday ................

HAPPY EASTER!

He is risen.  He is risen indeed.

In an ideal world ..........

In an ideal world writers, publishers and promoters would come together to celebrate the joy of writing.

I'm a writer and I've recently joined Facebook, Twitter and I have created this blog to call together other writers in order that we can assist each other in celebrating not only the joy of writing but also the joy of publication and the joy of selling books.

I confess I don't quite understand the publishing world.  I'm not sure how one writer gets noticed while hundreds more do not. 

Every writer seeks acknowledgement. Every writer dreams of success.

Many writers have taken matters into their own hands and are using alternative publishing means.  Writers are using print on demand; writers are creating E-books; writers are doing all they can think of to be heard, to be recognized, and, most important, to be read.

As I said, I don't understand the large publishing companies.  They do make it very difficult for a writer to be published in the traditional way.

What I ask is this.  If a writer has self-published a book; is enjoying some sales; is receiving excellent feedback on what they have written; why is a publisher not buying a copy of this writer's book?

And if they like the writer's book why don't they contact the writer and say, "hey, let's make a deal."

I mean why not?

Why not at least read my book?  If you are a writer, then why do they not at least read your book?

If I were a major publisher that's exactly what I would do.

From the Beatles, "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

No, I am definitely not the only writer who just wants to write and sell books; you are not the only one.

You and I are not alone.

There are many of us; many writers who share the same dream.

I am Calling all Writers.  I am suggesting, "Why don't we work together?

Sometimes when a person makes it big in the writing world, whether that person is a writer or a publisher or a promoter, they forget what it was like for them when no one had ever heard of them or their name or their work or their words.

You will notice on Facebook they do not offer the facility to become their "friend".   On Twitter there is rarely a means to directly "message" them. We can but follow and follow we do.  But do they "follow" back? 

I'm relatively new to  Twitter so I must say I don't know yet if any of these people who have "made it big" will follow back.

In an ideal world people, even writers and publishers, would help each other.

If we worked together do you think we could create that "ideal world?"

Good Friday is a good day for me.......

Another Good Friday and definitely a good day for my family. While the turkey roasts in the oven hands are kept busy preparing the soups, salads and veggies; not to mention the desserts that will complete the meal.

Traditionally we would share this special meal together on Easter Sunday but our celebration is early this year.

Any day is a perfect day for a family get-together. 

Good Friday is also Earth Day. 

Local celebrations are taking place at Westiew Park.  This is a beautiful sunny spring day for the special event.   

Good Friday ....

In the Christian faith Good Friday commemorates the crucifiction and death of Jesus.  It is the Friday before Easter Sunday.

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is a Christian observance in Canada. The day falls on the Thursday before Good Friday and commemorates Jesus Christ’s last supper. It also commemorates the initiation of the Eucharist, which is observed in many Christian churches.  The Eucharist is a Christian sacrament that involves consecrating (or making holy) bread and wine. It is also known as Holy Communion. Many of the Maundy Thursday church traditions come from practices that took place in Europe for many centuries.

What do people do?

Many Christians in Canada attend Maundy Thursday church  evening services which usually reflect on the story of the Last Supper, which is told in the Christian bible. Communion is offered to the congregation, prayers are made and oils are blessed.
Some priests or ministers wash parishioners’ feet in memory of the story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. It is also common practice for altars to be stripped bare on Maundy Thursday. Some churches offer a light supper for congregation members after the Maundy Thursday service, where donations for the meals are used for charitable causes. It is also a time for some Christians to donate money to the poor.

Fretta and Thin ........

Book launch of Fretta and Thin by local author, Susan Krupp, takes place at the Trade Show happening in the Elliot Lake Arena, the weekend of Friday, April 29th through to Sunday May 1st inclusive.

Author will be in attendance for book signing and sales.

Writing Competitions .........

I enjoy entering writing competitions.   In my view the simple act of entering makes one a winner because these contests keep us motivated to write creatively.
I particularly enjoy the Wynterblue Publishing Canada WynLit 24 and WynLit73 competitions.  I win some and I lose some........but it is the joy and the challenge of writing that is important.  You can check these competitions out by visiting Wynterblue's website.

The Canadian Writers' Contest Calendar 2011  is a wonderful magazine listing hundreds of writing contests taking place throughout the year.   This magazine can be purchased from White Mountain Publications.   Check out their website.

And while you are placing your order for the Canadian Writers' Contest Calendar check out the  annual poetry competition hosted by White Mountain Publications.  

I don't consider myself a poet but on some rare occasions I do feel the urge to write a poem.  I enjoyed some success and some poetry published by White Mountain back in 2008.   And I've entered a poem in this year's competition.......never know my luck!   But one thing I do know and that is if we dón't enter a contest we will not win.    So check it out.

We all like to win. That's a given.  But the most important part of writing competitions is that they keep one motivated to write.   Writers write and these competitions offer the encouragement to keep on writing.

A Christmas Story in April .... by Goldie Luckey

The weather forecast for Elliot Lake is for snow, snow and more snow in the next day or two.   If it looks like Christmas maybe this wonderful story by Goldie Luckey will create a Christmasy mood so we won't mind the spring snowfall so much.

Sharing a Christmas story in April....

By permission of the author, Goldie Luckey, Elliot Lake.

A 1952 Newfoundland Christmas

by Goldie Luckey Simmonds
                       
My name is Goldie Maxine, I’m nine years old and I just LOVE Christmas.   My  brother and I have a contest going to see who can cut the most Santa’s from the Evening Telegram.  Yesterday I was extra fast and got them all cut out  before Dad was even finished with the paper……I can’t remember exactly what he said but his face was some red!  I won’t be doing that again.


I can’t wait for Santa to come and fill my stocking.I hear that on the mainland they use store bought red felt stockings.They sound nice, but we’ve always used Mom’s nylons. I’m afraid Santa will think I’m somebody else and I’ll get scotch mints by mistake………I hate scotch mints! I have been warned though, that if I don’t watch my mouth all I’ll be getting in my stocking is a lump of coal.  I have been on my best behavior for two whole weeks now so I’m pretty sure I’ll get my usual big orange, big red apple and Purity Peanut Butter candy.  If I’m real lucky I’ll also get some Christmas ribbon candy, mom says they rot your teeth but Santa knows that they’re my favorite.
Mom has already baked her Christmas cakes including my favorite, walnut cake, and won’t even let me have a peck of it until Christmas.  Nan has made her blueberry wine, for medicinal purposes only she says (whatever that means).  All I know is that mom gets weak in the knees after a few sips.  Nan won’t let us have any though, only Purity syrup and cake for my brother and I. THEN I have to sit at the kitchen table, eat my cake like a good girl and not go wandering around.

Just before Christmas, Mr. Snow delivers our Christmas tree on his horse & sled.  He lives way in past Mundy Pond and delivers coal for Morey’s on the Southside.  My dad is the weigh-master at Morey’s.  One time when we were really little, my brother and I walked all the way over to the Southside to visit him.  After my Dad got over the surprise of seeing us so far from home, he weighed me on his big scale.  Even though he knew I was a big girl and could find my way back home, we got a ride home in a coal truck.
Our Christmas tree is always the best one on Lime Street…..…..it’s decorated by Santa you know, we don’t see it until Christmas morning.  Of course it will be smothered with all the toys from Eaton’s Catalogue.  I made sure our Santa lists included both the page and catalogue numbers, just to make it easier for Santa.  We don’t need to worry about our letters getting lost in the mail though, we gave them to Mom and she sent them up the chimney.
We been haunting Bowring’s Christmas window and I can’t stop thinking about the Barbara Ann Scott doll that’s right in the middle of it. She’s all dressed in red and white and has real blades on her skates.  I’ve GOT to have her!   My brother is dreaming about the big Lionel train set that goes in and out all the toys in the window.  I’ve been giving this a lot of thought, but unless Mom lets us use the kitchen too I don’t know how he’s going to have room for it.
I can’t wait for the turkey with savory dressing.  I hear that on the mainland they make dressing out of sage, can you believe that?  Dressing wouldn’t be the same without Mt. Scio Farm’s savory.  My Mom always makes peas pudding in with the vegetables and of course there’s always salt beef for flavoring.  It’s some good!   This year we have red, green and gold Christmas crackers to snap at dinner, they came in the box from our aunt in Montreal.  I wonder what will be inside of my cracker?  Probably a crepe paper hat as usual.
On Christmas Eve Mom lets my little brother & I sleep in my bed, not that we plan on doing much sleeping.  This year I am going to stay awake and catch Santa eating the syrup and cake we’ve left for him.  Some of my friends don’t believe in Santa they say their Dad buys the gifts.  I know MY Dad isn’t Santa…. he’s always too busy painting the kitchen on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to the children all over the world.  My sister says it’s a wonder we don’t all choke in our beds from the paint fumes

On Christmas night we go for a walk around town with Dad to see all the Christmas lights.  We don’t have a car, but that’s ok, I love walking with my Dad.  I like the sound of the snow crunching under my feet and listening to the Christmas carols played by the bells of Wesley Church.
On Boxing Day, we exchange gifts with our friends and relatives.  Our favorite part is when Uncle Doug comes for a visit, he’s not married and lives by himself up on the Brow.   He always makes everybody laugh and even though my mom says it’s because he’s always three sheets to the wind, we love him. He has plenty of candy in his pocket for the kids and always manages to slip some money into our hands when nobody is looking.
Adults go ‘mummering’ at Christmas, which means they dress up in costumes, knock on doors and if they’re lucky get asked in for drinks and a bit of a celebration.  We don’t go ‘mummering’, but my friends and I knock on neighbor’s doors and say “Can I see your Christmas tree?”   After oohing and aaahing over the tree, no matter what state it’s in, we’ll probably get offered some syrup and cake or maybe some candy.  I’ve had some bad stomach aches after a day of looking at Christmas trees.
The saddest part of Christmas is Old Christmas Day when the tree MUST come down; it’s bad luck to leave it up after that date you know.  Mom takes the decorations off the tree and puts them away in a special place… a place  known only to her and Santa.

SARA, a Canadian Saga .....

I'm overjoyed to tell you that Sara, a Canadian Saga is now enjoying it's third print run.  Copies of Sara are available directly from me. 

Let me share some feedback from readers of SARA.

"Your well-written  book brought memories of actual places and people to me.  I was a child growing up on Prince Edward Island in the dirty thirties." K. Austin

"I've read your book already and loved the story. It reminded me of the stories my parents and grandparents used to relate about the 20's and 30's, Your story will sell very well with the older audience and educate the younger ones.  They were not easy days for anyone." Judy Donovan-McDonald.

"I received SARA on Tuesday and cóuldn't wait to read it.  I couldn't put it down.  I really enjoyed the story especially the streets in Toronto.  It brought back a lot of memories.  It is good for the soul to remember the past.  Could that be why we call them the good old days?  Looking forward to a sequel.   Maureen Jones-Motchan.

"I truly enjoyed reading SARA.  At times I laughed and at other times I felt tears welling up.  It was such a good story, well written and I loved it." Eleanor Lambert.

I just finished reading "Sara."  

I took the book to work with me where I was teaching a grade 7 class.  The children were directed to write about a time when they or someone they knew, demonstrated perseverance.  I held up the book and used "Sara" as an example of a woman who demonstrated perseverance.  I also spoke to the fact that the author demonstrated this quality in her determination to have her story published.  You would not believe the response from these kids - many wanted to know if they could get it at Chapters.  This story is uniquely Canadian and should be marketed to adolescents as part of their Canadian heritage.  "Sara" is a narrative that figures in the histories of Canadian families everywhere.  I will be passing this on to my son!

The line that cracked me up and drew me in for good: 

"Their mother set the steaming bowls of vegetables in the centre of the large, old, wooden table that no amount of wax and polish could dignify." (p. 11) 

I won't over-analyze why this struck me as hilarious, it just did.  What sad, sad state Rebecca was in over her table.    This table is a silent witness to generations of love, hope, fear, strife, courage, ignorance and finally, understanding. What a beautiful metaphor for an old scratched up, banged around history that none of us can escape and our fear of endlessly repeating it. 

Thank-you for inviting us to the table.

Karen.

 

This is  just a taste of the amazing feedback I have received from some readers of SARA.    Cover design by Yuneekpix.com        To order your copy I am just an email away.

 

 

Palm Sunday ....

Winter returned with a vengeance to Elliot Lake today.   I'm grateful to have enjoyed the peek at the promising pink crocuses before they were buried beneath a layer of that white stuff.  I'm sorry to have missed church service this Palm Sunday but grateful to have the time to create a post on this day which begins Holy Week in the Christian tradition.  
   Many thanks for the photo below. I have met the criteria for its use by the website from which it is taken.  Thank you for allowing me to use this photo on my blog today.

Today is Palm Sunday.  I type with the colour red to illustrate the passion of Jesus, the Christ.  Palm Sunday is the last Sunday of Lent and it marks the beginning of Holy Week which is the week before Easter, commemorating happenings in Jesus' last days of life on Earth. Easter Monday ends Holy Week.

We are told that Jesus arrives in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday for the Jewish Festival of Passover.  People were excited to greet him and they shouted "Hosannah" which means save us now.

They waved palm branches as they followed Jesus' procession into Jerusalem.

Other special days in Holy Week include:  Holy Thursday which is sometimes called Maundy Thursday.  This day marks the Last Supper and Jesus' betrayal by Judas;  Good Friday, sometimes called Holy Friday, marks the arrest, trial and crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus.

Holy Saturday is the Sabbath on which Jesus rested in the grave.

On Easter Sunday we celebrate His resurrection.

Twitter .....

I joined Twitter today.   It's taking me some time to find my way around the site but on a cold, rainy day such as it is in Elliot Lake this will keep me out of trouble and off the streets, yes?  

I am enjoying and feel truly grateful for local sales success with my books.  Of course, as it is for most Canadian writers, the dream of being more widely known is a big one.  Somehow fulfillment of this dream feels less elusive the more I allow myself to be vulnerable and available to the reading and publishing world at large.

If you are also a tweeter  then I hope you will connect on Twitter.  I've given my full name however I may be found in Twitter Search under the name audreyauthor.

I'm excited that the first print run of my latest publication Keeping it Simple  has sold out.

Reawakening; Sara, a Canadian Saga; and The Silent Star plus a dozen are available .   To learn more about each of these books check out my website.

All cover designs by Yuneekpix.com

Book Launch of "Fretta and Thin" plus exciting collaboration on "Ellen and the Hummingtree"

I have many writing-related projects on the go at this time; most exciting is a joint venture with author/illustrator, Susan Krupp.

Together we are creating a fictional work titled Ellen and the Hummingtree.  

Watch for this exciting book launch late fall 2011 or early winter 2012.

Ellen and the Hummingtree is written by Audrey Austin & illustrated by Susan Krupp.

On the weekend of April 29th the book launch of Fretta and Thin  written & illustrated by Susan Krupp will be taking place at the Elliot Lake Trade Show.  Author/illustrator, Susan Krupp, will be

available for book signings and sales.

The following is written by author, Susan Krupp about Fretta and Thin.

An odd little book...

Well, It's done!   Watch for Fretta and Thin published by Wynterblue Publishing Canada.

Fretta and Thin has been resurrected.  After years in hiding this manuscript, written in the early 80's, resurfaced and is now  available for sale.

It's an odd story that was written while traveling across Canada.  Its attention focuses on two emerging artists in the Toronto Queen Street West area, which at that time was the hub of the city's creative clump of misfits and genius'.. The characters live, love, go mad, and eventually explode in self destruction...all for the sake of ART.

Resurrecting Fretta and Thin was a bit of a painstaking process.  I had to scan every page and do some fine editing.  It's not your normal read..it's completely handwritten and is full of illustrations and comment inserts.  What makes it especially odd is that It comes with a magnifier..you may need it.  Some sections have literally dissolved and  it is a challenge in spots to decipher.  This makes the process of reading a creative experience as well.

To pre-order your copy of Fretta and Thin contact the author, Susan Krupp.

My reading of Fretta and Thin  written & Illustrated by Susan Krupp:

Fretta and Thin has arrived .........

Fretta and Thin, authored by Susan Krupp and published by Wynterblue Publishing Canada has arrived in Elliot Lake.

Recently it was my privilege to read this new book which is written by local writer and artist, Susan Krupp.

I loved the drama, the imagery and the artsy characters.  The black cape and the strange waiter gave great connectedness throughout....It's a page turner .....I didn't want to put the book down.

I shed a tear at the end.  Fretta and Thin is very strange yet intriguing.  I really enjoyed this unique story and the author's simplistic way of writing complex thoughts....and the newspaper clippings throughout are clever and appropriate.  Many of them gave me a good laugh.

BOOK LAUNCH will be taking place at the Elliot Lake Trade Show happening in our local arena throughout the weekend of Friday, April 29th.

Author, Susan Krupp, will be there for book signings.  

 

To pre-order your copy of Fretta and Thin contact the author.

Elliot Lake Writers' Anthology of Short Stories and Poetry ....

We enjoyed a wonderful Elliot Lake Fall Festival Planning Committee Meeting this afternoon.  The focus was on what will be the publication of our first ever   "Penpourri" Elliot Lake Writers'Anthology of Short Stories and Poetry in which 17 of our members will be sharing their creative literary talents.

Exciting thoughts and ideas were shared with our anthology cover designer, Susan Krupp, and, all in all, this afternoon's meeting was productive, cooperative and enjoyable.

Thanks to all who attended.

"Penpourri" Elliot Lake Writers' Anthology of Short Stories and Poetry  will be launched at the Elliot Lake Writers' Fall Festival which will be happening at the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre, on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with gala dinner following at the Renaissance Centre.

Elliot Lake Writers' Anthology ........

Participants in the first "Elliot Lake Writers' Anthology of Short Stories and Poetry"  will be meeting tomorrow, April 14th, to discuss the anthology and to offer creative thoughts and ideas to our book cover designer, 

The meeting is happening at 2 pm in the board room at the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre.

Friends .........

I spent this afternoon with five beautiful, thoughtful, intelligent women and I am blessed to call these women my friends.

Whatever we accomplish throughout our short time on this planet; whatever we earn; whatever we give; whatever we do or don't do; there is nothing greater than the relationships we form with our families and friends.

 "I'll get by with a little help from my friends."  

I'm grateful for the wonderful people with whom I share my life.



Memoir Writing .........

It was a pleasure to attend the Volunteers' Social at Huron Lodge this afternoon.

Wonderful senior residents are a joy to visit.  They have colourful, interesting stories to tell.

And when I chat with them I am reminded of the importance of Memoir Writing in order that story treasures not be lost.

At the Elliot Lake Writers' Fall Festival taking place at the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre October 22nd of this year, Dr. Ross Pennie, will be a guest facilitator offering a 3 hour workshop on Memoir Writing.   This is a workshop I certainly plan to attend.   I hope you will want to be a participant too.

What may seem like a mundane life to the person living it can offer great comfort to close friends and family.  It's good to have these stories recorded before we grow too old to remember all the important details.

Reawakening... enjoying its second print run ......

I am thrilled that Reawakening is into its second print run.  Reawakening  is my second novel and I will share with you the comments written by Maggie Kurton, Executive Director of Wynterblue Publishing Canada.

"Every now and then a manuscript comes across my desk that completely captivates me. Austin has reached inside the human heart and removed all boundaries pertaining to everlasting love ... and her ability to play with the English language successfully is astounding.

Austin's Reawakening is a must read.  It will take you into a land not far from your heart and bring you back to earth again believing that all things are possible with love and hope."

To order your copy please email.

On being a salesperson ..................

Writers write, or so we are told.   Creative writing is my joy.

And selling books can be good fun. For example spending a good part of my Sunday at Collins Hall yesterday was a great opportunity to meet with some old friends and to make a few new ones.  And I am grateful for the opportunity to sell some copies of my books.

And I will be doing the same again throughout the weekend at the end of April when I attend, along with local authors, Susan Krupp & Frank Spence, at the Elliot Lake Trade Show happening at our local arena.

But these opportunities are not frequent.  

And selling books can be a job and a half.     I am very grateful for my small local fan base.......you reader friends know who you are and you know I love you.

But how to reach a larger reading public?    That is the question.

I will appreciate hearing from you if you are a writer who is successfully marketing your book(s) near and far.   Perhaps you are willing to share some of the secrets of your success thereby putting me and my creative writing friends onto a path to becoming  better sales people.    Thanks in advance. :-)

A great day at Collins Hall ........

Brian and I enjoyed our time at theT.G.I.S. Show & Sale at Collins Hall today.   I'm overjoyed to say that the first printing  of Keeping it Simple is now sold out.  Thanks to all who purchased a copy.

Congratulations to Barb Rutt whose name was drawn to win a free copy of Sara, a Canadian Saga.

Copies of Sara, a Canadian Saga; Reawakening, and The Silent Star plus a dozen also found a new home but I'm pleased to tell you that I still have copies available of these three books.

The next show in which I will be a participant is the Elliot Lake Trade Show taking place at our local arena throughout the weekend of April 29th.  Hope to see you there!

Preparing for Spring Show at Collins Hall .......

Tomorrow (Sunday) Thank God It's Spring Show & Sale at Collins Hall takes place from 10:30 to 3:00 p.m.

I'll spend part of today making sure I have books packed and everything I will need to spend my time at the table I've booked.  Copies of Reawakening; The Silent Star plus a dozen; Sara, a Canadian Saga;  and a couple of copies of Keeping it Simple will be available for sale.

I hope to see you there.  

Forecast is for a rainy day.  While Mom Nature is busy tidyng up all that sand & dirt left over from our long winter it will be a good time for you to come on into Collins Hall to see what all the vendors have to offer.

Keeping it Simple ......only 2 copies left

Wow!  I can't thank readers enough for all your positive feedback.   And now there are only 2 copies left of Keeping it Simple   which is a self-help manual about emotional healing through the trinity of Meditation, the Chakras and Psychospiritual Healing.

I will have these two books with me as well as several copies each of Sara, a Canadian Saga;  Reawakening;  and  The Silent Star plus a dozen  at the Spring Show happening at Collins Hall this Sunday, April 10th from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Fretta and Thin ..by Susan Krupp is available for sale

An odd little book...

Well, It's done!   Watch for Fretta and Thin

Fretta and Thin has been resurrected.  After years in hiding this manuscript, written in the early 80's, resurfaced and its author, Susan Krupp,  will soon be making it available for sale.

It's an odd story that was written while traveling across Canada.  Its attention focuses on two emerging artists in the Toronto Queen Street West area, which at that time was the hub of the city's creative clump of misfits and genius'.. The characters live, love, go mad, and eventually explode in self destruction...all for the sake of ART.

Resurrecting Fretta and Thin was a bit of a painstaking process.  I had to scan every page and do some fine editing.  It's not your normal read..it's completely handwritten and is full of illustrations and comment inserts.  What makes it especially odd is that It comes with a magnifier..you may need it.  Some sections have literally dissolved and  it is a challenge in spots to decipher.  This makes the process of reading a creative experience as well.

Contact Susan  to pre-order your copy.

Fretta and Thin is a work of art; not a book you will read once and want to put away but something you will treasure.        Place your pre-order now with author, Susan Krupp     

Preparing for Confab 4 .......

I'm very happy that two of my short stories written in WynLit 24 Competitions offered by Wynterblue Publishing Canada will be published, along with other short-listed competitors' stories, in an anthology titled Confabulation 4.

The launch of this anthology will take place June 3, 2011  at Grand & Toy in North Bay.

I've attended the annual anthology launch the past two years and I do hope we can make the trip again this year to meet with other Wynterblue writers and to share a hug with dear Mags, Executive Director of Wynterblue Publishing Canada.

Fretta and Thin has arrived .........

Fretta and Thin, authored by Susan Krupp and published by Wynterblue Publishing Canada has arrived in Elliot Lake.

Recently it was my privilege to read this new book which is written by local writer and artist, Susan Krupp.

I loved the drama, the imagery and the artsy characters.  The black cape and the strange waiter gave great connectedness throughout....It's a page turner .....I didn't want to put the book down.

I shed a tear at the end.  Fretta and Thin is very strange yet intriguing.  I really enjoyed this unique story and the author's simplistic way of writing complex thoughts....and the newspaper clippings throughout are clever and appropriate.  Many of them gave me a good laugh.

BOOK LAUNCH will be taking place at the Elliot Lake Trade Show happening in our local arena throughout the weekend of Friday, April 30th.

Author, Susan Krupp, will be there for book signings.

Only 4 copies left ............

Only 4 copies left of Keeping It Simple.

Thanks to all who have purchased a copy and special thanks for the wonderful, positive feedback.

Keeping it Simple is a manual about emotional healing through the trinity of Meditation, the Chakras and Psychospiritual Therapy.











Another sunny day in Elliot Lake; nothing but blue skies and a strong wind to blow Mr. Winter away.   Volunteering with my friend at Huron Lodge this morning was a joy.  Residents have wonderful stories to tell.  

And while we remember our stories, it is time to begin our Memoir Writing.   At Elliot Lake Writers' Fall Festival happening Saturday, October 22nd at the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre, one of the many highlights of this special day will be a three hour workshop offered by Dr. Ross Pennie on Memoir Writing.  It's a class I plan to take and hope to see you there.  Mark your calendar early.

T.G.I.S. Show & Sale at Collins Hall ...

The Thank Goodness it's Spring Show & Sale is being held this coming Sunday, April 10th at Collins Hall from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

I'm told by organizer, Don Moore, that 45 tables have been booked by various people and yours truly will be setting up a display to sell my books.

With me I will have copies of SARA, a Canadian Saga; Reawakening; The Silent Star plus a Dozen  and a very few copies of Keeping it Simple.

Hope to see you there.