Toronto - Bloody Words with a Montreal post script

The next day, I exchanged the excitement of the Arthur Ellis awards for the frenetic pace of Bloody Words, Canada's premier mystery conference. This was the sixth time for the annual conference and the fifth time it was held in Toronto. In 2003, a score of us took on the onerous task of organizing it for an Ottawa venue. We're still recovering. So full marks to Caro Soles, Cheryl Freedman and a cast of others in Toronto for sticking with it over the years. I don't know where they get the energy. Muchos accolades to Cheryl and Caro and everyone else for putting on yet again one heck of a good conference.

Writing is a very solitary profession. We hide away in a place where interruptions are few and immerse ourselves into the worlds we are creating. Most of us have little opportunity for contacts with other authors or fans. So a conference like Bloody Words provides the perfect venue for catching up with the happenings of our fellow crime writers and to meet with those whom we are writing for, the mystery reading fans.

This year's BW was no less fulfilling. I had a chance to renew my friendship with Californian writer Taylor Smith after a break of almost 15 years, when she and her family left Ottawa. Amazingly both of us, despite our very different career backgrounds, have ended up writing mysteries. It was great to see Lou Allin looking in the peak of health, despite her recent health problems, which unfortunatley delayed the publishing until 2006 of her 4th Bella Palmer mystery, 'Murder, Eh?' I also met up with a couple of 4MA'ers, Tina Hutchinson and Jan Long. And for those of you not familiar with 4 Mystery Addicts, it is one of the best mystery readers forums on the Internet at groups.yahoo.com/group/4_Mystery_Addicts. I must admit though, that I have been a rather recalcitrant member lately. I unfortunatley found the endless messages too addictive, which in turn intruded on my writing time, so I am now just a lurker.

This year's BW's panels were no less exciting, particularly, if I say so myself, the one I was on, Shamans and Shamus; natives as sleuths. Very ably moderated by short story writer, Jane Burfield, she lead David Cole, Lorna Schultz Nicholson, --- and myself through a very lively discussion about the various native characters we have in our respective mystery series. Needless to say I talked about Eric Odjick, Marie Whiteduck and other members of the Migiskan Algonquin and my desire to bring alive to my readers not only the challenges facing the Algonquin today but also the traditional ways that they are slowly reclaiming.

For me, though, the highlight of the conference was 'Books with Legs', a Caro Soles inspiration. It was a hoot watching the different authors, some more reluctant than others, strut down the runway sporting a fitting head apparel and the cover of their latest book. This was the only BW event I took pictures of, so please check out the album. For a more comprehensive album of the conference check out Tania's blog.

The banquet was no less exciting, for I'd ended up sitting at the same table as the three Boney Pete winners, Coleen Smith(1st), Jane Burfield(2nd) and Sheila Gallant-Halloran(3rd). Needless to say our table was quite jubilant as each in turn went up to receive their award. It was also a fitting end to a super conference.

But my busy travelling June didn't end with Toronto. I had one more trip back to Montreal, where I had a terrific signing the following Saturday, June 18, at the Chapters in Pointe-Claire and where I also met 11 year old Sarah, who dreams of someday becoming a writer.

Last but far from least - Toronto - part 1

The day after Montreal I hopped into my Jeep and drove the long boring 416/401 drive to the whirlwind of crime writing happenings in Toronto. About the only thing you can say for this multi lane route, is it is fast. Fortunately I have a sister living in Pickering who kindly offered me a free bed and family company for a couple of days, before I moved into the downtown Toronto hotel for the Bloody Words conference.

The Toronto events started off with a book signing on the evening of my arrival, June 8, at the Chapters at Kennedy Commons. Although I discovered that Wednesday nights are not exactly spilling over with customers, I did meet some new fans and even signed a book or two. I love book signings. I love meeting new people and talking to them. And I particuarly like it when a person shyly confesses they too like to write, which invariably leads to a discussion on writing and their dreams of becoming published. I had a couple of such conversations that night. I wish them both good luck.

The following night was for me the big event of the week, the annual Arthur Ellis Awards dinner and my first attendence at one. I'd come especially because two of my friends were up for awards, Mel Bradshaw for best first novel and Barbara Fradkin for best novel, both of whom happen to also be fellow RendezVous Press authors. You can imagine the tension felt at our publisher's table where we all sat in hopeful expectation and the joyous exhaltation expelled when Barbara's name was announced. A well deserved moment to savour. 'Fifth Son', her fourth in the Inspector Green series, is a fascinating mystery about the effect a single tumultuous event had on a once happy family.

And while we commisserated with Mel we were nonetheless proud of his nomination for the award for his wonderful historical novel 'Death in the Age of Steam'. Perhaps this is also the moment for me to confess that I was a teensy, weensy bit disappointed, no, scratch that out, quite disappointed when 'Death's Golden Whisper' wasn't nominated for the same award. So, muchos accolades to Mel. And of course, many congratulations to Jon Evans for winning the AE Award for Best First Novel for his book, 'Hard Places', a book, which I've since read and found very deserving of the award.

Third event of the busy week - The Atwater Library

In addition to doing lots of readings, book discussions and signings, I put a lot of kilometers on my Jeep during this busy June week. The first long drive was to Montreal with short story author, Liz Palmer to celebrate National Crime Writing Week in Montreal. Michael Blair, whose latest 'A Hard Winter Rain' is a terrific read, organized this evening of readings at the Atwater Public Library to showcase Quebec crime writers.

Now you may very well ask why I, an Ontarian, was invited. But those of you who have read 'Death's Golden Whisper' will realize it was a natural fit with its West Quebec wilderness setting. Besides one could say I'm a part-time Quebecer, for I spend half my time at my West Quebec log cabin, which is precisely where these words are being written.

In addition to Michael, Liz and myself, other authors included Peter Clement, reading from 'Inquisitor', his 7th medical thriller, Louise Penny, whose first book 'Still Life' comes out this fall, N.A.T. Grant, author of the Killer Race series, Richard King, reading from 'That Sleep of Death' and Neil McKenty. I should perhaps mention that Michael read from his third, soon to be published book, 'Overexposed', Liz from her Arthur Ellis shortlisted short story 'When Laura Laughs' and I, of course, from 'Death's Golden Whisper'.

We attracted a good crowd whom I'd like to think were enticed by the desire to meet some hot Quebec crime writers and not by the promise of wine and nibbles and door prizes. And since the applause was generous and the Double Hook staff busy selling our books, I believe we won over a few new fans.

And speaking of the Double Hook Book Store, unfortunately this was the last event they would be participating in, for sadly the tiny perfect book store, Canada's last Canadian only book seller, will soon close its doors. It will be missed by all of us authors who used to enjoy doing book signings or readings in the cozy, book-lined shop.

The photographer of this event was Michael's Pam, who has generously allowed me to use them in my blog. So please check them out.

Click to view the photo album

P.S. As mentioned I am writing this at Tamarack which is now in the full greenery of summer. Unfortunately with new growth comes pollen. And even as I write clouds of the yellow stuff, mostly from pine and spruce, are swirling past my window. Fortunately I'm not allergic to it, but it will mean having to spend considerable time wiping thick layers of it from my porch furniture.

The next event - CCW Mystery Cafe

Writing associations are a necessary and very beneficial part of a writer's life. I belong to several and have just been made Regional VP for Crime Writers of Canada for Eastern and Northern Ontario. But there is one association that has been near and dear to me since I began my writing life, the Ottawa-based Capital Crime Writers. Started in the late 1980's by a group of energetic women intent on becoming crime writers, it has blossomed to over 70 members, many of whom are published novelists and short story writers.

Needless to say this includes the original founders, who went on to become the Ladies Killing Circle, famous for their mystery anthologies. The latest "When Boomers Go Bad" is to be released this fall. The Ladies Killing Circle comprises Joan Boswell, Vicki Cameron, Barbara Fradkin, Mary Jane Maffini, Sue Pike and Linda Wiken, all of whom have either been nominated for prestigous awards or have won them. And I must not forget the late Audrey Jessup, who was a major force behind the formation of CCW as we affectionally call it.

CCW was established to nurture emerging crime writers through its monthly meetings, networking and critiquing groups. For me it has proven to be particularly valuable. It introduced me to a community of writers of similar interests and goals, many of whom have become friends. It offered me the opportunity to join a critiquing group that has become an essential part in fine-tuning my work for publishing. And it also offered the path that eventually led to the publication of 'Death's Golden Whisper', the first in the Meg Harris Mystery series.

An integral part of CCW's program is the annual CCW Mystery Cafe. Held in June at a local pub, members and the public are invited to read a selection from their latest work, be it short story or novel, published or work-in-progress. This year's event took place on June 6 at the Royal Oak Pub on Echo Drive. Despite the heat of the non-air conditioned room, a packed room enjoyed a fun evening of intriguing readings by both published and pre-published authors, including Arthur Ellis Award winning author Barbara Fradkin and best selling author Peter Clement.

But as much as I enjoy the readings by published authors, the ones I enjoy most are by the aspiring authors. It takes a lot of courage to stand up in front of an audience of strangers and expose one's first words. I know. I've been there, when I read with my voice trembling a selection from the second draft of Death's Golden Whisper to a crowd of fellow aspiring authors at the Humber School of Writing's Summer Workshop. This year we had several from a reading of a newly completed thriller to a short story written to amuse grandchildren. We also had some of the winners of the Audrey Jessup Award for Best Short Crime Fiction, a contest intended for emerging writers.

And if you yourself are an aspiring crime writer living in the Ottawa area, keep the CCW Mystery Cafe in mind for next June. If you want to know more about Capital Crime Writers check out the website at www.capitalcrimewriters.ca.

Click to view the CCW Mystery Cafe photo album

A Very Busy Week - First, Bytown Bedlam

Last week, otherwise known as National Crime Writing Week, kept me hopping and my Jeep eating gas as the odometer racked up the kilometers.

Bytown Bedlam, Ottawa's NCWW celebration, kicked off the week on the Sunday night, June 5th at the Royal Oak Pub on Echo Drive. And we must've been a pretty hot event for we managed to bring on a heat wave. So while trying to think cool, seven local authors, including myself, read from our latest books. We had a fun time, even managed to attract a reasonable crowd despite the lack of air conditioning and we sold some books, a necessary part of a writer's life. A photographer from the The Ottawa Citizen took pictures of all of us for an upcoming article on Crime Writing. So check out the June 26 Citizen Weekly.

For the event itself, I nominated myself as the unofficial photographer. But, unfortunately because I was so caught up in taking everyone else's picture, I forgot to have someone take my own. The authors that participated in the event were Alex Brett, Vicki Cameron, Brenda Chapman, Thomas Rendell Curran, David Hoffman, Rick Mofina and myself. Sadly Mary Jane Maffini and Barbara Fradkin were caught up in an event in Toronto, otherwise they would've joined us. So please check out the photos.

Click to view Bytown Bedlam album

The Awakening Forest

At last Darren, my webmaster and I have unravelled our way through numerous technical solutions and have come up with one that looks like it'll do a good job of providing photos to my blog. The problem has been my Mac technology, technology I have been wedded to since trying my first Mac in 1985. There aren't too many photo/blog solutions out there that are designed for the Mac. But we have found one and it looks like a winner.

So here are some spring photos of the West Quebec wilderness that has inspired the setting for the Meg Harris mystery series. As you can see, they were taken in early May, when my husband Jim, our standard poodle, DeMontigny, and I headed out onto the trails to enjoy our first hike of spring. And what a glorious spring day it was. Hard to imagine that less than two weeks earlier these trails were still covered with snow.

Click to View Album

What's happening in the Meg Harris series

As you can see from my previous post, my plan was to bring you photos of the West Quebec forest that inspired the setting of the Meg Harris series, but technology has defeated me. At least the technology associated with this particular blog software. It won't let me reduce the size of the pictures. As a result a single photo more than fills the page and would take an age to download with a dial-up connection. And I had been planning on showing you 13 shots. So forget that. I think for the moment I will have my web-guy, who is an absolute wizz at this stuff, post the photos to my website until I find another solution.

In the meantime, however, that doesn't mean I can't use this blog. I think it is a terrific idea and it helps me get closer to you the readers of the Meg Harris series, which as you know debuted last fall with 'Death's Golden Whisper'.

'Red Ice for a Shroud', the next in the series, comes out in 2006. As the name suggests, it takes place in winter, early winter to be exact, when a nasty old man and a surprise blizzard put a crimp in Eric's plan to create a network of trails for the first ever Migiskan Ski Marathon and jeopardizes Meg's investment in the venture. But the calamity doesn't end with the snow. Meg and Eric discover the frozen naked body of one of Meg's trail clearing crew and another is charged with her murder.

And yes, Eric, is back as I'm sure you suspected from the ending of Death's Golden Whisper. But things are a little rocky between Eric and Meg, which leads Meg to cast her eyes elsewhere.

And that is about all I will say for the moment. So stay tuned for more news about 'Red Ice for a Shroud'.