Finding Ways to Promote Your Work as an Author or Expert By Doreen Pendgracs

I learned from my previous book, Before You Say Yes … A Guide to the Pleasures and Pitfalls of Volunteer Boards, that finding speaking engagements to promote myself as an expert on volunteering for non-profit associations would net me more of an income than the royalties I was earning from book sales.

As I’m an extrovert and love interacting with people, I find the speaking engagements to be more fun than the solitary task of writing.

With my current book, Chocolatour, A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate, it’s even easier to line up events where I can talk about chocolate and sell my books at the same time. Everyone loves chocolate, and so, in the short time since I published my book, I’ve been able to create a nice variety of events that will augment my earnings from book sales.

Thanks to a suggestion from Manitoba member, Irene Gordon, I made contact with the person in charge of the Community Classroom program at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg and have a Nov 2nd event at which I will first have a traditional book signing in the store, followed by a chocolate dinner in the Community Classroom at which I will give a talk about chocolate. The event sold out so quickly that Mc Nally’s has scheduled a second similar event for April 12^th.

The events at McNally’s are great in raising my public profile and connecting with readers, but they are small small, at a capacity of 24 paying attendees. They have, however, opened up the door to larger, more lucrative events. I'm now booked to give a chocolate talk at a 100-person chocolate dinner at Rembrandt's Bistro in Lockport, Manitoba on Feb 6^th. There will be a chocolate art show by WAVE artists, in combination with an exotic chocolate dinner prepared by the Rembrandt's chef with a brief chocolate talk by yours truly in between courses.

For both the McNally and Rembrandt’s events, I am being paid $10 per attendee. I’d have to sell a lot of books to match the $1000 speaker’s fee I’ll receive from Rembrandt’s! So the key is to write about something for which you can establish yourself as an expert. Carve yourself a unique niche so that people search you out when they think of that given topic.

I’m also leading a group Chocolatour to Switzerland from March 20-April 8^th with the Worldly Women Travel Club, sponsored by Journeys Travel of Winnipeg. I will receive a free trip in exchange for helping them devise a taste-tempting itinerary and encouraging a group of women to enjoy chocolate. It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it! 

I have also taken my speaking abilities on the high seas and obtained a free cruise (and very inexpensive passage for my husband) in exchange for giving a series of talks on a cruise ship. My topic at that time was feng shui – not because I am an expert on the subject, but because I had written numerous articles about it and possessed a high level of enthusiasm. 

While reading this, did you think to yourself … I can do that! You bet you can! Just come up with a topic that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about. And if your speaking abilities could use fine-tuning, join Toastmasters International. I’ve been a Toastmaster for a dozen years and absolutely love it. And it has helped take my speaking abilities to the next level.

Good luck in developing your own marketing plan. I hope it helps you sell books, earn some incredible speaking fees, and have a lot of fun while you’re doing it.

Please visit my writer’s blog at http://doreenpendgracs.com/social-media-surviving-or-thriving/ and connect with me on any social media platforms you’re on. Social media has definitely helped me make global connections that have gotten Chocolatour into chocolate and book shops around the world. But that’s for another post! 

Thanks to Marie Powell for asking me to share this post with you. I've been a member of PWAC since 1997 and definitely credit past and present members of PWAC for inspiring and educating me on how to advance my career as a freelance writer and author. 

Looking for freelance writing work is not for sissies ...

by Colleen Biondi

PWAC Calgary Chapter

Looking for work is not for sissies.

It sounds pretty basic. Email editors to let them know you are available for projects and they will give you work. But what if we don’t hear back (and, in my experience, that is happening more and more – editors are busy apparently), then what should we do? As professional freelance writers, we can’t afford to sit back and wait for work to come our way. We could be waiting till the cows come home.

Do we call them by phone or do we send them a reminder email (as in, “I am following up on my email of last week.”) or another type of message (as in, “Since I haven’t heard back I will assume you are not in need of my services at this time.”)?

Freelance writing skills now include finessing the situation so that responsible follow up does not turn into quasi-stalking. My rule of thumb is to send a reminder email, followed finally and if necessary, by a message like that last one. I cannot tell you how many times, when I have said “Looks like you don’t need anything,” I have heard back from folks. Ironically, when I say something like, “I know you are busy, so no need to reply if you have nothing at this time. I will connect with you in a few months to see if anything has changed,” people tend to reply.

Follow up often bears fruit. The other day, an editor replied to say, “Thanks for getting back. I did get your follow up message and I apologize for not getting back to you faster.” Another said, “I was waiting to have my editorial meeting, so didn’t get back to you before now. I’d like to assign you a story and consider you for another in our fall issue.” Further to querying a national magazine, a follow-up phone call resulted in – nada. Well, you can’t win them all.

But when we follow up respectfully and in a timely fashion, at the very least we are, albeit briefly, front and centre in that editor’s mind. We have also demonstrated how we would approach a freelance assignment – with professionalism. And, of course, we might even get work out of it.

Would love to hear thoughts from my fellow writers. What do you do to keep that dialogue going? And if there are editors reading, do you have some comments about my approach or other viable suggestions about how to keep the work chugging along?

Guest Blog on upcoming Edmonton Event, Words in 3 Dimensions ...

by Rusti Lehay 

It might have been me with a book deal …

I well remember Cynthia Dusseault, head of Pitch Camp at the Get Publishing Communications Society (GPCS) “At the Edge of Print” 2011 conference, ask me, “Do you want to take a Pitch Camp slot with Rose Scollard from Frontenac House? I chose to set aside my poetic aspirations and instead pitched to Darren Boisvert, editor of community newspaper the Rat Creek Press. Deborah Lawson, a fellow PWAC member, took the slot with Rose Scollard and landed a contract with Frontenac House.

Although it may have been a missed opportunity, I also believe all things are meant to be. I now live in Darren Boisvert’s editorial community for the Rat Creek Press. He offers incredible mentoring, editorial guidance, thorough feedback and respectful editing for writers open to the process. He is super appreciative of professional writers and offers whatever he can to compensate for … yes … low pay. Generous with his praise, he says, “You have wicked interviewing skills. You spend six months with us, and I promise, you will be able to freelance to any newspaper in Canada.” Priceless. Best editor relationship I have ever enjoyed and I owe it to Pitch Camp at the GPCS conference.

I am having a blast writing a feature article a month and doing the monthly restaurant review. We call my reviews the Food Quest. The first quest was for great pub food and the best poutine. The second quest was to learn about Ethiopian food with Edmonton’s Habesha the unknowing teacher. More than fun, the quest is proving to be quite edible.

The best part? The Rat Creek Press and Boisvert gave me my first shot at an article that mattered and free reign to present the issue as I saw fit. It felt like the first time I wrote something of import. My article on Idle No More made the front page in March.

So while it might have been me signing a poetry book deal with Frontenac House, I am thrilled it is Deborah Lawson. I have long admired her poetry and will be first in line to buy her book when it comes out.

This year’s GPCS conference on May 24-26^th is a three-way collaboration, thus the “Words in 3D” theme. GPCS is partnering with the Writers’ Guild of Alberta and the Editors’ Association of Canada-Prairie Provinces Branch to host Words in 3 Dimensions. There are a number of PWAC members on the organizing committee including Deborah Lawson, Cynthia Dusseault and me.

What a conference it is going to be! Registration is rapidly filling up so register soon. We will see you there!

Volunteering Can be Great for Your Spirit ...

Volunteering Can be Great for Your Spirit, Your Resume, and for Our Association   by Doreen Pendgracs, PWAC Vice President

Greetings to all my PWAC friends from across the region. PWAC RD Prairies and the North, Michelle Greysen, has been kind enough to ask me to write a post for this blog for two reasons:

1) I have been a long-time volunteer for PWAC—in the Manitoba chapter as membership chair and on the national conference committee in both 1998 and in 2008, as regional director from 1999-2003, as PWAC’s rep on the Access Copyright from 2003-2009, and then as your national vice-president 2011-2013.

2) I wrote a book about volunteerism—“Before You Say Yes: A Guide to the Pleasure and Pitfalls of Volunteer Boards” and over the past 30 years, have served on a number of boards in various capacities.

I have chosen to step down from PWAC’s national board in June (and not run for president) as I have considerable demands on my time right now that will take the majority of my time and efforts. My new book, “Chocolatour: A Quest for theWorld’s Best Chocolate” has become a series of books that will take my time and focus from here to eternity.

All kidding aside, when I embarked on the research for this book in the fall of 2009, I had no idea it would morph into such a major project and would take over my life. It has taken me six months longer than anticipated to write the book (I’m almost finished the first edition) and then I must turn my efforts to the printing and promotion of the book to the world at large. I have already begun writing parts of the 2^nd edition and eventually, there will be a third. I believe it was PWAC member Ann Douglas who said she considers each of her books to be a deposit into her RRSP, and I can really relate to that. Chocolatour has taken a huge amount of my time and effort, but I am hopeful that will pay off in a positive response to the book and brisk sales to provide me with some financial security for the years to come.

Have you considered volunteering for PWAC? Whether you choose to serve on a national committee, run for the national board, or serve your own chapter … each role is extremely important and critical to the success of our association. A non-profit association—be it a professional association such as PWAC, a community, special interest, or religious group—none can be successful without the untiring efforts of its volunteers.

We at PWAC are fortunate to have volunteers who have and will step up to the plate to ensure that PWAC continues to serve us well. Congrats to Michelle Greysen, who has served us well as Prairies & the North RD and has now agreed to run for national president. I am pleased to be one of Michelle’s nominators and am confident that she will do an excellent job.

I’m also thrilled to see that Marie Powell has agreed to let her name stand for the position of RD. I have known Marie since she joined PWAC and have seen her dedication to our association grow and help form a strong Saskatchewan chapter for PWAC. I know that Marie will do an excellent job in serving as RD if she is elected by our region.

You will have received the bulletin from the national office today asking for nominations to the national board. If you feel you would like to run, let nothing stop you. It would be great to have an election for all positions versus having an individual acclaimed. We have so many talented and insightful members across the Prairies and the North.  Let PWAC help you shine your light and develop skills you may not otherwise have found.

But know that volunteering for your own chapter or serving on a committee is equally important. I hope that each chapter is beginning to think about electing a new executive to take the helm come June. New people bring new ideas and a renewed enthusiasm for our great association. Please help make PWAC strong by giving your time and energy to helping us move forward in achieving our collective goals.

Thanks for the opportunity to have served you over the past two years on the national board. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Toronto June (4-7) for PWAC@MagNet 2013 and look forward to leading a toast to our new president.

Most sincerely,

DoreenPendgracs           

Harnessing the Power of the Web: The Adventures in Parenthood Project

Guest Blog by Meghan J. Ward, PWAC Calgary / Banff

Living in the Canadian Rockies where outdoor enthusiasts abound, the subject of how to pursue adventures with small children is common. As an outdoor adventure writer I often find myself at the centre of these discussions. Many outdoor enthusiasts struggle to brave the changes that would result from starting a family, fearing it would negatively affect his or her adventure-filled lifestyle.

"We announced our transition to parenthood with a photo
at the top of the Bear's Hump,
Waterton Lakes National Park" (photographer Paul Zizka Photography). 

Being one such adventurer, I was eager to dig into the topic and dedicate a large writing project to it (which I hope will someday become material for my first book).
So, back in May 2012 I started The Adventures in Parenthood Project and launched a website to support my research.

My intention with the project was to cover the spectrum of adventurers – from professional risk-takers to the people who quietly go about their outdoor activities – in order to discover what it means for these kinds of people to transition to parenthood.

Since that time I have interviewed over a dozen outdoor adventurers, conducted a survey with 442 respondents and had the opportunity to write some memoir components – all of which I have begun unpacking somewhat on the project’s blog. In September I announced that my husband and I were expecting a baby in March, which has brought the project’s topic even closer to home.

I have been blogging for many years, but not about very personal issues. However, the challenge of writing memoir components for the project has allowed me to dig into the material through my own experience and leave a record that I will be able to look back on. The process of writing some of these posts, including How (Not) to Cross a Glacier in a Thunderstorm While You’re Pregnant and The Ultimate Alpine Start, has given me the opportunity to work through some of my own feelings on the topic, and in some cases has opened up a lot of discussion through the website’s comments feature. All of this material, including the interviews, survey results, blog posts and comments, will be invaluable to me when it comes time to write the book.

By putting The Adventures in Parenthood Project online I have opened it up to a much wider community. This has allowed me to benefit from new connections with other outdoorsy parents, and to network with new sources, ideas and websites, many of which I have now compiled in a list of Resources for readers. My ability to leverage all of my social media streams has been key to successful community building. 

I highly encourage other PWAC members to consider using the web as a platform for research ideas. You can never know what kinds of doors will open to you until you put your ideas out there. Finally, when it comes time to release your next book or publication, you will have already created a community that is eager to read and support your work.

I invite you to check out The Adventures in Parenthood and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter (@yaheweha), Google + and LinkedIn. My hub for all things freelance is meghanjoyward.com. 

Book Launch and Beyond ... By Anne Gafiuk

Thank you to Calgary PWAC member, Anne Gafiuk, for sharing her Book Launch experience ... 

In March of 2012, I drove south from Calgary to High River’s Museum of the Highwood to pick up a DVD with scanned photos related to the subject of my book, having met and talked with the director, Pat, a few weeks earlier to select photos from the museum’s archives. 

Knowing pictures are not cheap, from my experience with the cost of one photo from the War Museum of Canada, when I was handed the bill, I did a double-double take.....yikes, I thought...but I need them.  I could see Pat was also concerned about my reaction.  I handed over my VISA card and paid the invoice.

As I continued putting together Wings Over High River , a biography about Gordon Jones, pilot instructor during WWII, I stayed in contact with the museum’s director.  By the time the book was just about in production in the late fall, she proposed a book launch.

“A book launch?”

“Sure....we can host it here.”

I was not expecting this at all.  Pleased, surprised and a bit in shock, I replied, “We need to talk to the fellows in Nanton, too....as they are the publishers.”

Another meeting occurred with Pat, and Dave, one of the directors from the Bomber Command Museum plus me.  We agreed on a day – before Christmas – workable for everyone involved:  Saturday, December 1, 2012.  Both museums created press releases.  The ball started to roll. 

Local papers in the area picked up the story:  Nanton, High River and Okotoks.  Talk Radio QR77 in Calgary wanted an interview.  People were calling the Museum of the Highwood wanting more information.  Pat fielded the calls, emails being sent to me to keep me in the loop.  I couldn’t have asked for a better response.

The day of the book launch arrived.....but an interview was scheduled beforehand at Gordon’s home.  Gordon was in fine form and the question and answer period went well....back to the museum and all was set up:  my family assisted Pat and her fellow staff members with the cheese, crackers and little cakes while I was at the interview; Dave brought the sparkling apple juice; coffee and tea, cups and plates, napkins laid out.......people started to gather in the open spaces.....Gordon and his wife arrived....more people...and more people....the museum was filling up.  Then it was time for the programme. 

Pat was the emcee.  She rang a loud school bell to grab everyone’s attention....and the event opened.  Pat spoke briefly, then invited Gordon’s daughter to give a brief history of the family in the area....next:  the President of the Bomber Command Museum gave his short speech about Gordon’s contribution to aviation....then it was my turn!  I had rehearsed what I was going to say for days beforehand, in the car, in an empty house....I thanked so many people:  Gordon and his wife, first of all....then the directors of the museums....then my photographer friend....and everyone present....it was a collaborative effort all the way around.  Gordon had his turn at the podium, too.  Onward to the book signing – Pat kept the event moving right along.

Pat set up a table with books and pens.  (“I made sure they work, Anne,” she assured me.)  And people lined up for their copy.  (“A best seller at the museum,” I was told.)  Before we knew it, people were starting to head home, the museum quieted down.....then Gordon and I were asked for another interview with a reporter of the CBC Calgary Late Night News....

What a day December 1, 2012 was for me....and Gordon, too.  I had concerns the book launch might be anti-climactic....that the researching and the writing of the book would be more exciting.  Was it just like what people say about a wedding...months and months of preparation, planning....for one day...then it’s done?  Months and months of research....interviews...travels...meeting new people...is this where the high comes from?

One person I met through the research of Wings Over High River posed to me, “What’s next, Anne?”   I’ve got a few ideas.....most of them connected to the BCATP....that acronym I had no idea existed nor what it meant....and had to practice saying....the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan....and the many men who joined the RCAF...and died for their country.

Two days after the book launch, I went to the post office to mail six copies of Wings Over High River....they were travelling, so to speak, across the country:  to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Saanichton, British Columbia and points in-between.  Since CBC’s The National covered the story in early January 2013, more book orders have been pouring in, including one from the US.  Gordon’s story has made aviation websites, newspapers, and the television, with online versions, too.

The book has taken on a life of its own.

“It’s grown amazing legs”, says Colleen Biondi, another PWAC member. 

Yes, that it has!

WINGS OVER HIGH RIVER - Conversations with A. Gordon Jones
by Anne Gafiuk

Is available at http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/store_publications.html

Book to Screen Workshop Review ...

 Book to Screen Workshop
by Anne Gafiuk (Calgary Chapter member Guest Column)

“Anne, skip the book.  Go straight to screenplay,” said my friend, Susan, back in November 2011 as I read her a couple of excerpts from a story I am writing. 

“You need to find a producer.”  This came a few weeks earlier from Paul, a colleague, with experience in television and film.

I thought:  “Me? Really?  My tale is worthy of consideration?  Friends and family have confidence in me and are supportive....but no...I’ll just wait...I’ll keep working on my World War II piece....and other projects, too.”

A few months later, on another author’s Facebook page, I see:  http://ampia.org/events/albertas-write-stuff-books-and-screens/ “Sounds like a great opportunity,” she wrote.

I click on the link and read:  ‘a coming together of Calgary/Southern Alberta television, film and digital platform producers with writers and publishers’.    Do I sign up?  Susan and Paul’s comments return to me.  I register!

For the next two days, I work on a synopsis and a mock-up of a movie poster, approaching family and friends again.  I need their feedback, guidance and assistance.  I submit the file.  And then I wait....and wait...and wait.   An email finally appears in my inbox.  I have not been selected to do ‘the pitch’.  Oh well, I think, go!  Listen and learn.  And:  I can have a good night’s sleep!

I show up about twenty minutes early, am chatted up by another attendee, both of us fresh and eager to discover the process.  We exchange business cards. 

About sixty people attend the workshop, including ten hosts/organizers/panellists. Quite a mix of individuals: playwrights, screenplay writers, producers, writers, novelists.  Why are they all here?  To have their book or story make it onto the small or big screen.  Some like me:  sitting, watching, and learning.  Others:  to offer support. And let's not forget: people are here to network....me, included.   The seminar begins.  I watch, I make copious notes and then feel relief I am not selected as one of the four people to present their pitch!  By the end of the three hour workshop, I am exhausted! 

The panels, made up of award-winning producers, stress the length of time it will take from concept to completion.  It could be years!  The timing might not be right for some themes, they say. The key:  have a producer lined up.  Make sure that this is someone who loves the project as much as you do....someone who is like-minded, someone who will invest the time and effort into the project. Do research as to what a producer produces.  The history and reputation of the writer, filmmaker, and producer also are major players.  (Yikes! I am an unknown!)  And go out to forge relationships!  Opportunity, preparation, and luck, too, play important roles. “Do not give up!” they advise.

The time arrives for the four pitches.  The audience has a certain anticipating energy.  A chair, the ‘hot seat’, I call it, is placed in front of us virtual strangers and next to the four panellists...all wearing dark clothing of various hues of black.  Is this an omen?

The first person to pitch was eaten alive for her presentation but then the panel seemed to like her story...had she only just told it.  The second admits to being “scared shitless”.  He is amusing, initially, and then his nerves get the best of him.  The panel likes his main character and tells him he needed to have rehearsed the pitch to know his story inside and out.  The third:  shy and quiet speaks to the outline provided by the organizers at registration, but also has been listening and learning.  The panel is not so hard on him.  They ask questions.  The fourth:  again, having the experience of the first three, wows the panel.  He delivers! All four individuals receive 'constructive criticism' and congratulations for their benefit and for us in the audience. 

While all this is going on, I cannot help but think of Dragon’s Den or So You Think You Have Talent.  I am so happy not to have been up there.  Then I realize: missing from all of the pitches is a visual...the movie poster or the book cover we were asked to create.  No one had one...and the teacher in me knows to always have a visual! 

We are given business cards as well as some literature from agencies:  Alberta Film www.albertafilm.ca , Canada Media Fund www.cmf-fmc.ca , as well as the Harold Greenberg Fund http://www.astral.com/en/about-astral/the-harold-greenberg-fund for further information.

In summary:

1. Be concise, clear, and appealing.  Try to capture ‘the pitch’ in 30- 60 seconds.
2. ‘The Pitch’ is all about the story.  And both had better be great!
3. Make your characters ‘real’.
4. Make sure the story is topical, as it could take between 2-4 years to bring the project to fruition.
5. Make eye contact with the panel.
6. Rehearse ‘the pitch’.  Time it.  Run it past friends and family.  Ask them to be brutally honest and have them ask questions.
7. Know your story inside out and backwards.
8. Come ‘ready to play’.
9. Create a relationship within the first three minutes of ‘the pitch’,
10. Never apologize.
11. Wear black!

So what did I come away with?  A great appreciation of what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ to bring text to the screen.  More knowledge...and that can’t hurt.  Now what do I do?  Work on my story, add some spit and polish....put me out there, and meet more people!  Oh, also get my name known by doing things like this guest column.  And don’t forget to wear black.

More from Anne Gafiuk at  www.whatsinastory.ca

Guest BLOG post by Karen Crowdis, PWAC Calgary Chapter

When ideas are in abundance, they ricochet off each other in my head until I finally put fingers to keyboard and put them down. That’s what writers do after all. But there are times I face barriers to getting down to the business of writing. Some days that very simple act of transfer from brain to paper seems like climbing Everest.

I would like to climb Everest; literally and figuratively. The literal climbing of Everest is impeded by very simple things: finances to pull it off and an irrational fear of heights. At least I can day dream about it.

Figuratively, I sometimes face Everest with my writing. The large blank space and blinking cursor on my laptop mock me. Just finish the query letter, I plead with myself. Thirty minutes later, I’m still here, still a blinking cursor on a blank page while I try to sort out my thoughts. Maybe some tea will help.

Make tea, check the weather, turn on music, put away some kid’s toys, start a grocery list, put some laundry in, reheat the tea and sit back down at the computer. Sip my tea, burn my tongue. OK, I’m ready to get rolling....except that I didn’t eat anything. I should have a cookie.

For sure, now I am ready to get down to it. My ideas are like the pinball balls that never find their way to the next level. They are bouncing and rebounding in my head, one leading to another. Yet they cannot find their way out the neurons of my brain to my fingertips and onto my laptop.

Deep breath and stretch. Maybe walking the dog will help me focus. Yes, a bit of fresh air will help and the exercise won’t hurt—get the blood moving. Come back, reheat tea again and sit down. Notice the dishes weren’t done last night. I should really do that and then come back to the writing. But it is lunch time so I will just eat something first, then dishes, then writing! 

I start to wonder if I might have a mild form of attention deficit.

Finish lunch, clean up, put laundry in the dryer, dust and vacuum. I sit down and the writing comes more easily, things start to flow as the distractions are silenced. At a pivotal moment my phone buzzes and beeps at me to remind me that I have an appointment in 30 minutes and then have to pick up the kids. Log off; tonight I will pick up where I left off unless I get caught up in some campy ‘reality’ TV.

Every week, I get updates on colleagues’ activities. New, exciting projects and I am happy for them...and a bit green. I could be posting great updates to my LinkedIn profile.  If I just had more uninterrupted time, I console myself; I could do those things too. I have too many obstacles to my writing time.

It occurs to me that maybe I’m the obstacle. I should go look into that...

Happening in the Region ...

Thank you to Calgary member Colleen Biondi for this guest post and stay tuned for future monthly updates on regional happenings from the Calgary Chapter!

The University of Calgary’s Common Reading Program selection for this fall is Bitter Medicine: A Graphic Memoir of Mental Illness by Clem and Olivier Martini. Through this program, each first year undergrad student will receive a copy of the book, be able to participate in a discussion group online, have the opportunity to enter a “reflective response” contest and be able to meet the authors at a reading. What a wonderful way to celebrate an important book and get the chatter going on a critical topic. To find out more about the program call 403-210-9269 or email oweek@ucalgary.ca.

guest BLOG by PWAC B.C. member, Lyn Hancock ...

COMING SOON TO CALGARY, EDMONTON, BANFF AND AIRDRIE

APRIL 19-28

LYN HANCOCK

and her 20th book

THE RING:MEMORIES OF A METIS GRANDMOTHER

the story of Sam and Jane Livingston, Calgary's first settlers

Hi, fellow PWACers,

I'm on my way to your side of the mountains to present the culmination of a multi-decade history project on a family that I call the Forsyte Saga of Canada. A story that I feel merits some screenwriter to make into a documentary or feature film and where better to begin than in the Prairies or the North?

Can I tempt you with home-made bannock and buffalo jerky, Metis music, arts and crafts, photo displays and archival documents, slides, readings and lively conversation at one of my presentations in Calgary, Edmonton, Banff or Airdrie (schedule below) to hear about it? Of course, you can always buy the book or ask your library for it. And if you visit my blog The Perils of Self Publishing at www.lynhancock.com you'll find that the story of how it came to be is as tumultuous as the history of its hero and heroine. Actually, you could write a novel on how my website came to be and perhaps that tears-and-laughter drama could enfold over wine, coffee or a beer? And perhaps the ongoing saga of The Perils of Self Promotion to be written in a future blog.

Sam Livingston was a flamboyant Irish immigrant, a gold prospector (Forty-niner), buffalo hunter, fur trader and pioneer farmer who walked and rode across the American prairie from Livingston, Wisconsin (named after the family) to the California gold rush, up to the Rockies to the Northwest Territories, Fort Edmonton and finally made his home in what was to be Fort Calgary. Meanwhile, Jane Howse, a Metis girl from the Red River Colony and the granddaughter of Joseph Howse, the first HBC factor to cross the Rockies (Howse Pass) and build the first fur trading post, rode a Red River cart across the Canadian prairie to meet and marry Sam in Fort Victoria.

They had 14 children and their 13th child, unlucky Sam Livingston 11, died at 25, forcing his widow to give up their son, Sam Livingston 111, for adoption. His name was changed to Sam Letourneau. Lost for 64 years and never learning his true identity, he discovered his roots serendipitously in 1986 by reading a review in the Alberta Report onTell me, Grandmother, my precursor to The Ring. The magic of books. Read the website blog.

You'll find the Livingston name on many Calgary landmarks, a school, a fish hatchery, a federal building, two skyscrapers, a nature trail, the Big House in Heritage Park, a sculpture of his head at the airport - and even a beer. The Howse name is remembered in a river, a mountain and a mountain pass. Yet Tell me, Grandmother and The Ring are the only books written on this should-be-famous family. I don't want to write a screenplay but would you?

So it would be a privilege to see some of you in Calgary, Edmonton, Banff or Airdrie at a presentation or a private place. Anyone want to help with serving bannock and buffalo? If not, you can check out the book at Audrey's in Edmonton, or the Glenbow Museum, Fort Calgary, Heritage Park, Owl's Nest Books, Page's, or Monkeyshines in Calgary.

Yes, I am trying to bridge the generation gap. The book begins with the picture of one of Sam and Jane's great grandchildren playing with an orphan gibbon ape who spent a year with them in my grade six classroom in Victoria, BC. And that's how an animal book (for which I am mostly known..An Ape Came out of my Hatbox and Gypsy in the Classroom) led to a history book The Ring: Memories of a Metis Grandmother.

There's something for everybody as you can see in the schedule below. The one private presentation is on Sunday April 22 at the Beverley Centre long term care facility in Midnapore.

And now a picture is worth a thousand words, they say. Such are my lack of skills at the computer that you may find them inserted below or above on the attachment line. But don't forget to look at the schedule. Thanks for listening. And thanks if you can spread the word to media and your significant others!


For the complete schedule of Lyn's tour visit ...
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