Interviewing the Auroras

A heads-up for SFF readers:

In the next few weeks I'll be running a series of short interviews with pals of mine who are also on the Prix Aurora Awards ballot for the best in Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy.

This isn't an exhaustive list by any stretch as 

a) I don't personally know all the authors on the ballot (but since last weekend at When Words Collide - Calgary's most vibrant multi-genre lit-fest - I can also count Fonda Lee among my personal acquaintances), and

b) an exhaustive list would have required me to start interviewing the day the ballot was announced, at which time I was otherwise occupied with attending the Saskatchewan Festival of Words - my first time back to Moose Jaw in 18 years - and launching the first in my contemporary crime novels 

(When the Flood Falls, by J.E. Barnard, released by Dundurn Press in July 2018)

So, watch this space and give thought to which stellar works of Canadian SFF you'll vote for on September 8th. 

Or, if you haven't already done so, buy your CSFFA membership ($10) and get yourself registered ASAP. There's still time to read the entries for some categories - or maybe you've read some of the nominated works already - and make your informed choices on some or all of the ballot categories.

A Post-Festival Post

Photo credit to AJ Proc

What a wild and wonderful weekend! 

From finally shaking hands with Sam Hiyate of The Rights Factory (my agent Olga's boss) at his seminar on Thursday through to a last meal with friends from far away at Sunday suppertime, it was one ever-flowing meet-and-greet with eager readers and other writers. all  passionate about their work and their genres. 

There were many more panels and presentations than I had a hope of getting to, and many great authors I either didn't get to meet or only nodded to as we rushed past each other in the hallways. This really is an amazing festival-slash-conference-slash-freewheeling party; one person can never see, let alone participate in, everything. 

My fun with panels began with a hilarious set of mysteries plotted from audience suggestion at "Who Killed this Character" ably moderated by Mahrie G. Reid of Calgary Crime Writers. Tying together parakeets, goats, blackmail and an air traffic controller with a victim and a murderer in under 15 minutes was no easy feat!

Photo credit to AJ Proc

Presenting this season's books with other Tyche Books authors was a blast. Time travel and kidnapping, ghosts and baseball, deep-dark Noir to light-bright Steampunk, Tyche has reading for every taste and age. Check out Axel Howerton's FURR, EC Bell's DYING ON SECOND, Simon Rose's TWISTED FATE,  Pat Flewwelling's upcoming HELIX: SCOURGE OF BONES   and of course MADDIE HATTER AND THE GILDED GAUGE.

Pat Flewwelling setting up her reading from her second HELIX book.

Later Saturday afternoon I had a howling good time debating all aspects of writing paranormal mystery with fellow panelists EC Bell, Erin Lindsey, and SG Wong: Ghosts and Fae, mythical and mystical dangers, magical systems and their limitations, and how to throw a challenging obstacle in the path of a character who can throw a fireball back. The audience of mainly mystery writers asked great questions and kept us on our toes. Panelists' personal ghost stories had us on the edge of our seats and shivering with the chill of the unknown.

SG Wong's latest!

Sunday's Elements of Suspense panel - featuring members of Sisters In Crime Canada West - was a real thinker. Old WWC hands SG Wong and Eileen Bell and me, along with newcomer Merrilee Robson, wrestled with the differences between suspense and tension and how to express them through our characters, plots, and settings. 

EC Bell, hiding her wicked wit behind a pale, cool facade

We all threw out examples of writers who do it well, and how we think they manage it. And we gave a collective whoop of delight at learning that the inimitable Deanna Raybourn will be coming to When Words Collide in 2018. #fangirling 

Photo credit to Constantine K

At the end of the day, Sisters in Crime Canada West presented Women of Mystery, moderated by the sparkling SG Wong (our chapter's president). We fabulous four presented our new books, told jokes, threw candy and gave away prizes. 

Look for SG Wong's  DEVIL TAKE THE HINDMOST and Merrilee's MURDER IS UNCOOPERATIVE as well as my second Maddie Adventure and Eileen's Marie Jenner mystery series (4th one, DYING ON SECOND, is coming out in September). 

The Maddie Hatter Adventures and I would also like to thank all the people who threw their coins and bills into my collection box for Girls Not Brides. The weekend total came to nearly $200 over just 4 panels, adding to the money raised at my Calgary and Edmonton book launches.

 Girls Not Brides empowers young women everywhere

Since Maddie herself was a runaway to avoid being pressured into marriage, it seemed fitting to collect for this very reputable organization that helps girls all over the world stay out of early/forced marriage and in school, learning whatever skills they need to become healthy, productive, independent citizens. I am thrilled that so many wonderful attendees at When Words Collide supported the cause, and wish to shout out to fellow crime writers SG Wong, Eileen Bell, and Erin Lindsey, who amplified my meager effort in word and in deed.

All in all, it was a marvelous weekend, one I'd happily repeat a lot sooner than this time next year. For now, farewell and happy reading/writing/listening to stories of your choosing.

For up-to-the hour news on Maddie's Adventures and my own, follow us onnFacebook or Twitter

When Words Collide 2017 - August 10-13 in Calgary

It's August again, and you know what that means: it's time for When Words Collide, Calgary's wildest wrangling of genre-crossing literature, a Festival for Readers and Writers.

The convention has been sold out since June but there are a few areas open to the public. Check the website at When Words Collide to learn what events you can access from outside.

I'll be appearing on several panels to discuss the amazing alternate-Victorian world of Maddie Hatter, how to plot the perfect crime, who my favourite paranormal authors are, and other topics of interest to readers and to writers of crime and/or speculative fiction.

My Schedule:

Friday, August 11th 

* at 7 p.m. in the Canmore Room (Atrium Building): When, Where, Why and How Would You Kill This Character?  Audience participation as writers brainstorm. With only a setting, character, and motive, how will each panelist kill the character and hide the body?

* at 9 p.m. (room TBA)  Tyche Books Ltd and Steampunk Arts & Sciences Society (SASS) present their annual  absinthe and Scotch tastings. Learn about malts from true aficionados  and watch a perfect absinthe drink created from the fountain manipulated by the Commander's experienced hands.

Saturday, August 12th
(all in Tower Building from here on unless specified)

* 12 noon in the Fireside Room:   Tyche Books Presents their annual book social with editors and authors presenting the 2017 collection. Panel discussion and Q & A. 

* 2 p.m. in Bonavista Room: Paranormal Mysteries by subtype and style. How much woo-woo is too much? What authors do it well?

* 8 p.m. in the Parkland Room: Mass autograph session, where I'll be signing my two Maddie Hatter Adventures, two Enigma Front anthologies, and whatever other anthologies or old magazine stories of mine readers bring along.

* 10 p.m. in a semi-secret location: Bundoran Press's combined party and triple book launch. I'm just going as a spectator and cheerer-on of the authors.

Sunday, August 13th

* 2 p.m. in the Parkland Room: Elements of Suspense (a Sisters-in-Crime panel), in which we discuss what keeps readers turning the page and sleeping with the lights on.

* 4 p.m. in the Fireside Room: Women of Mystery (a Sisters-in-Crime panel), in which 4 long-time mystery writer/readers discuss their favourite new and established female crime writers, and reveal a few secrets of our own.

Looking forward to seeing lots of friends old and new!

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When Words Collide: a run-down of my weekend

What a busy and wonderful weekend! So many friends came to Calgary for When Words Collide (August 12-14, 2016) that it was a constant social whirl. Many thanks go to the ever-inventive Convention Committee, who make presenters' tasks simpler and keep the program moving through three challenging days. They won another Aurora for their efforts, and well deserved it is, too.

My scheduled duties began with another presentation of that popular 50-minute workshop I do with EC Bell on how to give great public readings. As usual, no photos survive, which is probably a good thing as I spend a significant part of that time waving my arms and contorting my face to demonstrate ways to warm up the chest, neck, face, and voice. EC Bell (Eileen) has the more dignified role, imparting information on bookstore etiquette and other essential matters of organization.

My second job was a panel, "Around the World in 80 Murders." Our crime writers' tribute to the Steampunk theme of ‪#‎WWC2016‬, featured Mystery Guest of Honour Ian Hamilton along with Calgary writers Sharon Wildwind, Gary Renfrew, and me. We didn't quite make it to 80 places in the world where we've committed (fictional) crimes, but came close. Thanks to Constantine K for the pinning and Susan Lawson for the photo.
 
Kevin collected my first-time-nominee pin for me at this charming Aurora ceremony in the Atrium (I was in the 80 Murders panel), and re-pinned me later that evening in the Tyche/SASS party surrounded by my friends.  Here he is receiving the pin from the delightful Julie Czerneda (who also MC'd the Prix Aurora Awards the following evening). 

 What an exciting honour for my first SFF book!

Congratulations to all the other first-time nominees, whose names are immortalized on the Prix Aurora site, and thanks to Ron Friedman for the photo of Kevin with Julie.

 After meals with friends, and several parties, and some sleep, I attended the launch social for Enigma Front: Burnt. 

My post-climate apocalypse story, "When the Tide Burns," is in excellent company with the varied SF and fantasy tales by a troop of talented authors from the Imaginative Fiction Writers Association.

Fifty Shades of Murder:

Between Dwayne Clayden, Mahrie Glab, Axel Howerton, and me, we spanned all four quadrants of crime fiction, from the cosiest character-driven tea party to the most blood-and-brains-splattered plot-driven grit. This was another audience-participation panel, with some debate about which quadrant which author's works landed.  (photo credit to AJ Proc)



Saturday evening saw the Steampunks descend on the Delta Calgary South for the Prix Aurora banquet. Almost every table in the hall featured guests in hats, spats, goggles, and other fantastical apparel. Seated next to me is fellow author Laini Giles (photo credit to Constantine K). 

 
A fun demonstration of Parasol Dueling accompanied the dessert. Two duelists and two Doctors (referees) from Madame Saffron Hemlock's Parasol Dueling Academy showed the ropes and elucidated the variants of this gracious Steampunk sport. The World Championships will be held in Calgary on September 10th, 2016.

Speaking of dessert, kudos to the kitchen staff of the hotel for their lovely array of gluten-free desserts. I gleefully indulged and can testify to their wonderful flavours and textures. This is Margaret's (my editor) much more restrained plate, to give you an idea what all was on offer.

And then the Auroras were presented, to much cheering. You all know how award ceremonies go, and the winners have already been announced (but if you missed it go here ) so I won't report in detail on that. Cliff Samuels kept the show moving with his usual exemplary efficiency, and the presenters illuminated many tidbits of SFF history.

After the mass autograph signing that followed the awards, there was more social whirl, more catching up with friends. Eventually, more sleep. 

Which brings us to Sunday.

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 My first afternoon panel was "Gaslight, Clockworks, & Steam" featuring editors Jeff R. Campbell and Charles Prepolec along with authors H. Leighton Dickson, Marty Chan (not shown) and me. Someone in the audience had just asked us a question none of us had anticipated, and the astute photographer (related to Charles) caught our unfiltered reactions. 

Apart from this moment, it was a lively discussion that covered everything from dinosaurs to colonialism, mentioned the movies and television shows all the panelists had watched faithfully during our formative years, and touched on the classic literature of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle and others, that is at the root of modern works of gaslight, clockwork, and steampunk literature.
  
My final panel at When Words Collide was a fascinating discussion on finding your way past (and through) disability to creativity. I learned a lot from the audience and from my fellow panelists: Valerie King (moderator), Aviva Bel'Harold, Catherine Saykaly-Stevens, and Adam Dreece. (photo credit to AJ Proc)

A great many panels, presentations, and workshops went on before, during and after my three days, given by experts in many fields and genres:  music and poetry through mystery, fantasy, and romance; making audiobooks; writing better hooks, and the mechanics of self-publishing. It's truly a one-stop shop for both writers and readers.

That was the end of my wonderful weekend, although many convention members hung on well into the evening. I'm already looking forward to next year. 

 The convention was sold out well in advance, and doubtless will be again in 2017. Don't wait to get your pass. See When Words Collide for prices and purchasing options.

Keeping Creativity Fresh

My friend and fellow YA Aurora nominee, Sherry Peters, has an excellent column this month in Coach's Corner at SPECULATIVE CHIC.

In "Dream by Day" she's advocating to allow ourselves off the purpose-driven leash once in a while. We can keep our creative selves fresh by letting go of the need to be productive with every activity, every hour, and just have fun with some of them. 

One of her examples was sewing purely for fun. It's clear from the description that she and I share an equivalent absence of skill in this arena.

True Confession #1:  I have to ask other people to thread my needle for hand sewing.

After turning in the manuscript for Maddie Hatter and the Gilded Gauge a couple of weeks ago, I filled in the brain-drained days before When Words Collide by attempting to sew one of those pretty, drape-y vests all the chic older women seem to be wearing these days. 

My pattern-reading comprehension is on a par with my needle-threading, but I managed, with help from my trusty assistant and my long-suffering partner, to cut something approximating the pieces required. Google provided a few tips I'd never learned, even back in my younger days of Theatrical Costuming classes. 

The fabric's colour and flow was a joy to play with. The result... well, as long as nobody looks too close and I never show the inner side of those little pleated panels to anybody, I can have a lot of fun wearing it.

True Confession #2: This is the inner side of those panels. Very messy.

This is the outside of that panel. My faux-pas in pinning the pleats was revealed AFTER I'd blithely sewed in two pleats too close together, thus leaving a highly visible gap. 

Thanks to my pack-rat tendencies, there were scraps of purple ribbon around to fudge a fix, because this lovely georgette is VERY unforgiving about having errant stitches picked out.

True Confession #3: While trying to tidy up the inner side of those pleats, I snipped a hole right through to the front.

More ribbon (and some clear nail polish) to the rescue!

Here's the finished product, which I wore, and felt great in, at When Words Collide last weekend. Someone, somewhere, may have a photo of me standing up, so you can see how long and float-y the sides are.

Thanks, Sherry, for validating my decision to keep poking away at this sewing project even though it often felt like 'wasting time' during the run-up to When Words Collide.

I wonder what form my creative play-time will take before When Words Collide 2017?

My Schedule for When Words Collide

Next weekend will be very busy for writers in Calgary, and writers visiting Calgary.

When Words Collide, running August 12-14 (with specialist workshops before and after) is an award-winning, genre-crossing lit-fest for readers and writers, with Author Guests of Honour in SFF, Romance, & Mystery and programming streams for all those as well poetry/songwriting, editing/publishing, and more. Although attendance was raised to 700 this year, it's been sold out for more than a month. A few events are open to the public, including a special Guest-of-Honour reading session in collaboration with Calgary Public Library. Check out the festival website at http://www.whenwordscollide.org/index.php to find out when and where.


Where you can find me:
Friday, August 12:

4 p.m. Giving a Great Reading - 50 interactive minutes with me and EC Bell  on what makes a great reading, with exercises to improve delivery as well as tips and tricks from the trenches, er, bookstores. Bring a page of your writing to practice with. Kananaskis Room 1

6 p.m.  Around the World in 80 Murders - panel discussion on the excitement and obstacles to setting crimes in far-off places; Mystery GoH Ian Hamilton (author of the Ava Lee series), me, G.W Renshaw and Sharon Wildwind. Parkland-Bonavista-Willow Park Rooms.

8 p.m onward - Tyche Books/ Steampunk Arts & Sciences Society whisky and absinthe tastings; other gatherings. Suite 318


Saturday, August 13:

 2 p.m. - Enigma Front: Burnt - anthology launch and celebration,

with readings, autographs, and door prizes. Acadia Room.

3 p.m. - 50 Shades of Mystery - Troll the mean streets and smoky bars in Noir and Police Procedurals. Taste the poisoned teacups and toy with tainted hearts in Traditional Mystery and Romantic Suspense. Panel discussion between me, Dwayne Clayden, Axel Howerton and Mahrie G. Reid. Bonavista Room.

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Steampunk Banquet - Parkland, Bonavista, Willow Park Rooms.

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Aurora Awards

Parkland, Bonavista, Willow Park Rooms.

8 - 9 p.m. - Mass autograph session. Parkland, Bonavista, Willow Park Rooms. 

9 p.m onward - Noir at the Bar YYC (Boomtown Pub); other social gatherings


Sunday, August 14th:

2 p.m. - Gaslights, Clockworks and Steam - panel discussion with Marty Chan, me, H. Leighton Dickson, Charles Prepolec, & Jeff Campbell. Authors examine the persistent allure of Victorian historical and fantastical tales, from Sherlock Holmes and HG Wells through modern Steampunk, and argue the balance between historical purity, paranormal, and techno-fantasy. Bonavista Room.

4 p.m. - Finding Creativity in Diversity and Learning Disabilities. panel discussion with Catherine Saykaly-Stevens, me, Adam Dreece, Aviva Bel'Harold, Val King. Writers discuss how disabilities (including physical and mental illnesses as well as learning disabilities) that once challenged us now allow us a unique perspective and distinctive creativity. Kananaskis 2.