Archive for August, 2010

The High Road: Chapter 14

Friday, August 27th, 2010

This week, Chapter 14, courtesy of McClelland & Stewart. In this episode, Angus tangles with the new Finance Minister, while Daniel attends a clandestine meeting with Bradley Stanton. Things start to heat up as the Throne Speech and Budget draw nearer.

The music that opens each episode of the podcast is Game Day, by Jon Schmidt, and is available at Music Alley. The voiceover at the beginning belongs to my friend, Roger Dey.

Heading up to Thunder Bay for Sleeping Giant

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

I’ll be on a plane tomorrow afternoon (Friday) for beautiful Thunder Bay for the Sleeping Giant Writers Festival. I’ll be reading with my friend and editor/publisher Doug Gibson, and with the wonderful Miriam Toews on Friday night. Then on Saturday, I’ll be delivering two workshops on how to build and sustain an audience for one’s writing. I’m really looking forward to it.

We’re now less than two weeks away from the official publication of The High Road.

20 Writerly Questions with BookLounge

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

A couple of weeks ago, Julie Forrest, leading literary blogger, digital maven at Random House, and all-around nice person, passed along a series of 20 questions on behalf of BookLounge, and asked for my responses. I was happy to oblige. If insomnia plagues you, please feel free to check out my not always thoughtful answers. (You can just click on the graphic below to get to the site.)

How surreal…

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

I’ve been blessed to have many wonderful and utterly unexpected experiences through my writing. I’ve spoken and/or read at nearly 100 events, from bookclubs to writers festivals, public libraries, to conferences. But I’ve never ever had my mug take up space on the front cover of a magazine… until now. I can only describe it as surreal, and hope that the photo doesn’t put readers off their lunches on the off-chance the mag is lying on the table next to theirs.

I’m floored and flattered that the Kitchener Public Library would take such a risk with their publication. This is all part of the amazing regional reading program, One Book, One Community, that chose The Best Laid Plans as their 2010 selection. By the way, my twin brother, Tim, actually took the photo. When I look at it, all I can think of is what a gigantic and still-growing forehead I have! (One mouse click on my head, and you can read the magazine.)

I’m realling looking forward to spending quite a bit of time in the Waterloo Region in late September for all the OBOC festivities. It won’t be long now…


The High Road: Chapter 13

Friday, August 20th, 2010

This week, Chapter 13, courtesy of McClelland & Stewart. In this episode, Angus and Daniel pull out all the stops to determine why the  Alexandra Bridge suddenly fell into the Ottawa River. They meet with the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Canada, and the new Liberal Prime Minister appoints his Cabinet.

The music that opens each episode of the podcast is Game Day, by Jon Schmidt, and is available at Music Alley. The voiceover at the beginning belongs to my friend, Roger Dey.

Back from BC and what’s waiting at home?

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

It always seemed so far off, but it’s finally time. I’m just back from two weeks in the wilds of BC with my family, and waiting for me at home from my publisher, McClelland & Stewart, was the very first copy of The High Road. It feels great and looks great, at least to my unbiased eye! We’re still a couple of weeks away from its broad availability in bookstores, but we’re right on schedule. At least I now know we’ll have copies for the Toronto launch on September 8th at the Dora Keogh pub on the Danforth. It’s going to be a busy fall

The High Road Podcast: Chapter 12

Friday, August 13th, 2010

This week, Chapter 12, courtesy of McClelland & Stewart. In this episode, Angus and Daniel hover up the frozen Ottawa River to examine the collapsed Alexandra Bridge, while the newly-elected Liberal Prime Minister and his Chief of Staff hatch a plan to keep Angus occupied and out of trouble.

The music that opens each episode of this podcast is Game Day, by Jon Schmidt, and is available through Music Alley. The voiceover at the beginning of each chapter belongs to my good friend, Roger Dey.

The High Road Podcast: Chapter 11

Friday, August 6th, 2010

This week, courtesy of McClelland & Stewart, Chapter 11 brings to a close Part One of The High Road as we experience the tension of Election day. Lots happening in this episode, including a last minute look at the numbers in C-P, a polling station photo-op, enduring the election returns on TV, and the Angus McLintock campaign party. But will it be a victory bash or a wake?

The music that opens each episode is Game Day, by Jon Schmidt, and is available at Music Alley. The voiceover at the beginning belongs to my friend, Roger Dey.

Cool new Facebook App from M&S

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

The New Canadian Library is a special series of books in Canadian literature started in 1958 by Jack McClelland and Malcolm Ross. If you’re looking for important works of Canadian literature, look no further than the New Canadian Library. A few months ago, M&S asked me to identify my five favourite books from the New Canadian Library for a new Facebook app being developed. I was happy to, and you can see my picks through the new app that’s now finally arrived. Check it out…