Thanks to FreeFall Magazine and particularly to writer Jamal Ali for the review of my novel After You’ve Gone which appears in their current issue. The review itself isn’t online, but I encourage you to track a copy of the magazine down at a bookstore or through their website. Or Calgary Public Library.

Also included are reviews of new work by Lynette Loeppky, Beth Everest and Rea Tarvydas, as well as this year’s contest winning prose and poetry. Yay, FreeFall!

Regina author Anne McDonald is bringing her brand-new book, Miss Confederation: The Diary of Mercy Anne Coles, to Calgary! And I’m very pleased to be reading with Anne at Shelf Life Books, 1302 – 4 St. SW, at 7 PM on July 6th, along with Susan Cameron. Rea Tarvydas, of How to Pick Up a Maid in Statue Square fame, will host and after our readings there will be a panel discussion. I understand there will also be baking…and wine, more than likely. Come on down for some pre-Stampede fun and food for thought!

Thanks to Domesday Notebook for the review of my first novel, Love Minus Zero. There’s life in the old girl yet, as they say.

Read the review here: Dusting Off: Love Minus Zero

May is short story month, and I’m very pleased to be taking part in an all short story reading with some of my favourite writers: Barb Howard,  Astrid Blodgett and Lee Kvern; and our emcee for the evening’s events, Betty Jane Hegerat. Join us on Monday, May 15th at Owl’s Nest Books, 7 PM. We’ll be reading from old short stories and new, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some humour coming from this crew. There will of course be refreshments (read: wine!) and I am curating a playlist for the event.

Hope to see you there!

My story “Awkward Positions” appears in the new issue of The Bloody Key Society Periodical, a new litmag out of Montreal. Many thanks to Adam Kelly Morton and the other editors and readers at BKSP! It was a pleasure working with you.

Thanks to Shaun Hunter for featuring a scene from my first novel Love Minus Zero in this morning’s installment of her most fascinating blog,  Writing the City. In Writing the City, Shaun explores Calgary through the eyes of writers, and over the last couple of years she’s turned up some wonderful material. I urge you to visit and have a look around. Well worth your time!

I am very pleased to be part of the first episode of the Reading West Podcast. Many thanks to Lisa Guenther for using my recording of my story “Vermin”, which was published in Joyland and is now part of my new short story collection which is currently seeking a publisher. Also featured is Saskatoon author Todd Devonshire. You can listen to the podcast here or through iTunes.

Hope you enjoy!

…to at least start your Christmas / Yule / Holiday shopping, right? And what better way to do it than by taking advantage of Thistledown Press’ Holiday Sale? This week they’re featuring select novels, including my latest, After You’ve Gone, at 30% off. But act now — the sale only goes through Dec. 4th, while supplies last.

Canadian Authors Association is Canada’s oldest writers organization. Since 1921 they’ve been helping writers connect with other writers, hone their craft, and publish books in many genres. I joined Alberta Branch Canadian Authors in 2004, after writing book reviews for Canadian Author (formerly Canadian Author & Bookman) for six years. I’ve made some wonderful friends through CAA, attended excellent workshops at CAA’s national conferences and have gone on to lead workshops for them myself.

After helping writers all these years, Canadian Authors is now seeking donations so that it can keep helping writers. Join us — and members, please donate now.