"Poor Me," some thoughts on Adele's “Someone like you” by Susanne Toito

We'e all been through it: heartbreak. The stuff of all the best love songs and love stories. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, they live blissfully for an undetermined length of time that of course seems to stand still, then one leaves for some tragic reason and the other is left to wallow in self-pity until the next adventure begins.

Why do we fall for these depressing, soppy songs and stories? They are like the tissues we use up, crying over our lost loves: soggy, disgusting and useless. But deep down we relate to them.

We have all wallowed in the same feelings of self-pity. And what’s even more attractive is what these songs create – something we all would have loved to have gotten in those moments of self-pity: the pity of others. People to hear our story and think: “Poor you…” with a tear in their eye.

This, is what Adele’s "Someone like you" attempts. The song starts out innocently enough, with her nostalgic memories of the lovers’ time of their lives, their glory days that nothing could possibly compare to.

Ah yes, this is the stuff of our own memories of first love. But then, the lovers are torn apart, for reasons Adele conveniently perhaps omits. He finds someone else, settles down, and "is married now."

What does this woman do? Move on like any level-headed, self-respecting woman? No, she comes back into his life (she’s ba-aack), as if that is not bad, she even admits to coming back uninvited. If this is not the makings of a full-fledged stalker, I don’t know what is.

Adele repeated reminds us how he begged her not to forget him, but do you really think he was asking for a home wrecker? We all say things we don’t mean in relationships - cut this guy some slack, Adele.

Oayk, you would think we can still find some empathy for her. She is looking for closure – "for me, it isn’t over" – she's a woman, deeply hurt. But let’s look at his point of view: this guy went on with his life, found someone else, and got married. Heck, even Adele says "his dreams came true" and that perhaps this other woman "gave him things" she didn’t give him (like a sane, decent reciprocated love relationship, maybe?).

Why on earth would she want him back? What was she expecting? That he see her face, "be reminded" of his love for her and by some magic drop his dream come true to live with this self-pitying Jekyll and Hyde?

Yes, Jekyll and Hyde, because she takes us through her bittersweet memories, makes us feel her pain, then reveals that she is stalking him – yet she still wishes him the best. I cannot help but hear the threatening tone when she wails out “Never mind, I’ll find someone like you.”

Which brings me to the question: does she mean she will actually go on with life and find someone like he has done (and any sane person would do), or as the freakish nature of the song suggests, will she find someone just like him and do it all over again?

You can watch Adele perform “Someone Like You” on YouTube here.

Susanne Toito lives and works in Oakville, Ontario. Her love affair with the language and written word began as she bloomed into adolescence, in Mr.Clancy’s grade seven classroom. She enjoys writing poetry and short fiction, and has plans to complete a novel in the near future.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Marie Lamba of The Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency seeks middle-grade and YA fiction, women's fiction & memoir

Jennifer DeChiara Agency
31 East 32nd Street
New York, NY 10016
http://www.jdlit.com/

The Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency is a full-service literary agency founded in 2001. The agency represents children’s literature for all ages – picture books and middle-grade and young adult novels – but also represents high-quality adult fiction and non-fiction in a wide range of genres.

The categories we are most enthusiastic about agenting are literary and commercial fiction; mysteries, thrillers, celebrity biographies; humor; psychology and self-help; parenting; health and fitness; women’s issues; men’s issues; pop culture; film and television; social issues and contemporary affairs.

Marie Lamba is the newest member of the team. Marie comes from the writing side of the business; she's the author of the young adult novel, Over my Head. As an agent, Marie is looking for young adult and middle-grade fiction, along with general and women's fiction and some memoir. Books that are moving and/or hilarious are especially welcome.

She is not interested in picture books, science fiction or high fantasy (though she is open to paranormal elements), category romance  (though romantic elements are welcomed), non-fiction, or in books that  feature graphic violence

Some recent favorite titles on Marie's reading shelf include: Searching for Caleb Anne Tyler, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, Paper Towns by John Green, The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger, Twenties Girl by Sophia Kinsella, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gayman, Shug by Jenny Han, and Doing It by Melvin Burgess. Marie also admits to watching many, many chick flicks. Marie blogs here.

Submissions:Query Marie at marie.jdlit@gmail.com
Put "Query" in the subject line of your email. For queries regarding children's and adult fiction, please send the first twenty pages in the body of your email, along with a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis.

For queries regarding a non-fiction book, please attach the entire proposal as a Word document (the proposal should include a sample chapter), along with a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis of your book in the body of your email.

Brian Henry will be leading a "How to Get Published" workshop on Saturday, June 9, in Brampton with guest Monica Pacheco of The Anne McDermid literary agency (see here).

Also, Brian will lead "Writing for Children and for Young Adults" workshops in St. Catharines on January 14 (see here) and in London, Ontario, on April 21. See here.

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

The Blotter's long form fiction contest, for novels, novellas and linked stories

The purpose of this contest is to provide a venue for writers to have their work read and commented on by our editors and judges. Additionally, the winner of this contest will have his/her work published on the Blotter. And last but not least, the winner will receive a monetary prize! (Award monies are provided by the prize sponsor and the entry fee for the contest helps offset The Blotter’s costs.)

The award is open to all book-length fiction such as novels, novellas, collections of linked short stories, and manuscripts that merge genres. The first year’s winners included a literary manuscript, a crime novel, and a linked collection of short stories.

Prizes include $500 for first place and $125 for second place. Over $1,000 in books is split between the first through third place winner. All winners also receive a certificate. Winning entries are published in The Blotter’s print and internet versions.

Deadline: January 31, 2012. The entry fee is $25; all entry fees are used to offset the costs of the contest by the magazine. Entries consists of 10 to 20 pages, double-spaced, without the author’s name. A separate cover sheet should include the author, snail and email addresses, phone number, title of the entry, and a one-page synopsis. Full contest rules here.

Regular submissions:
The blotter also accepts regualar submissions of personal essays, short stories, ultra-short ficiton, poetry, etc. Full submission guidelines here.

Visit the Blotter's home page here.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Writing for Children and for Young Adults workshop, Saturday, April 21,London

"Writing for Children & for Young Adults ~ the world's hottest market"
Saturday, April 21, 2012
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
London Central Library, 251 Dundas Street, London, Ontario (Map here.)

Whether you want to write the next best-selling children’s books or just want to create stories for your own kids, this workshop is for you. Learn how to write stories kids and young adults will love, and find out what you need to know to sell your book.

Special option: You may, but don't have to, bring 2 or 3 copies of the opening couple pages (first 500 words) of your children’s book or young adult novel. (Or if 1,000 words will get you to the end of your picture book or to the end of your first chapter, bring that.) If you’re not currently working on a children’s story, don’t worry, we’ll get you started on the spot!

Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He is also the author of a children’s version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Tribute Publishing Inc).

"Brian’s the real deal. He isn't just an inspiring teacher – he's plugged into the publishing world! He got me an agent who sold my first novel, Bitten, to publishers around the world. Recenlty, my young adult novel, The Awakening, hit number 1 on the New York Times bestsellers' list. And Random House Canada, Bantam U.S. and Little Brown in Britain have contracted my next seven books."
~ Kelley Armstrong, Aylmer, Ontario, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Calling and other supernatural thrillers for teens and adults.

Fee: $38.94 + 13% hst = $44 paid in advance
or $42.48 + 13% hst = $48 if you wait to pay at the door

To reserve a spot now, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca  

Photos: Two books by Brian's students – The Calling, a young adult novel by Kelley Armstrong and Business in Bangkok, a picture book by Lynn Westerhout.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

"Just Pack Up and Go" by Matthew Oldridge and "Life in Hand" by Brenda Buchanan

Congratulations to Matthew Oldridge from my Wednesday night class and to Brenda Buchanon from my Tuesday afternoon class: They've both had pieces published on CommuterLit this week
- Brian

Just Pack Up and Go
by Matthew Oldridge“You can go somewhere in your armchair you know – just pack up and go.”

Dave Goodchild always said that with a chuckle and a laugh like it was the funniest joke in the world. He was always up for staying at home, in his favourite worn reclining armchair, remote control in his lap, bag of unsalted pretzels and bottle of diet ginger ale beside him.

“The travel shows they’ve got nowadays, they’re just as good as being there. I actually feel like I’ve been all over the world, but without the trouble of travelling, and the annoyance of getting on a plane. Think of all the money we’ve saved!”

That’s what he told his wife, Mary. She had practically all of his favourite lines memorized... more

 

Life in Hand
by Brenda A. Buchanan
The suitcase carousel stood frozen as people migrated toward it. Soon containers full of holiday dreams and business fortunes would drop from above. It’s like a strange birthing machine, Jane thought.  A bumpy ride into this new world but soon the suitcases would be paraded about, chosen then whisked away.

Jane stood waiting for her neatly packed suitcase — full of business suits, appropriate scarves, perfectly pressed and buttoned blouses. Boring, she thought. How boring my suitcase is. How reflective of my life.

Jane spotted a young woman in a bright orange t-shirt, wrinkled shorts, sun-bleached hair. I bet her suitcase isn’t full of boring clothes. Bet her life isn’t boring either.

As the mechanism started to hum and the carousel started to turn Jane got an idea ... more

For information on submitting to CommuterLit, see here.
For information on my upcoming creative writing classes see here.
 
See my full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

“Garden Gambit” by Charlene Jones

My neighbour

Things might be returning to normal. I am unable to decide which of the garden implements hanging around the backyard works for shifting which bit of a soil. The hose looks impossibly long once more, and where exactly the water has to go for the new lawn to grow best seems a question of imponderable depths.

I mosey down to the dock and stand regarding yesterday’s results. Sod lies in appropriate places across the top of the hill behind our beautiful dock and gorgeous lake. When I turn around toward the water, it is in time to avoid stepping on one of the gifts of summer, dropped in appallingly large quantities by the chevron flying symbols of Canada itself, geese.

That soothes me. One cannot be expected to do anything with bits of nature’s own richness lying about getting in the way of a foot or a lawn chair’s leg. No, it is vital I leave, rise again and go, not to Innisfree, but to the top of the hill where the lane with its newly laid surface of 3/4 lime crush and its short distance to my house on its other side offers sanctuary for my eyes.

My other neighbour

Usually I cannot fathom the kind of queries my neighbors, for instance, seem bent on exploring: how to rebuild their house, what is needed to restore their septic situation, how to lay a new lawn, where to put a new deck, hand-built shed, or play house for their kids – after of course they build said deck etc with their own hands.

I am slightly imbecilic. I need help working a manual can opener. When confronted with grass – lawn to some – I have to consider virtues involving the potential of dirt to house insects, or other creatures. I must think about how the slant of my backyard invokes a sort of growth pattern of exotic grasses, unnamed weeds, wildflowers, bushes and shrubs of genesis incognito, of elementals and elves, trolls and...

The mind, or at least mine, does not stop, but my body more than compensates. I sit down at this point and write. Or think. Usually that is.

Yet this summer, so far much has been accomplished (in the parlance of those who do such things). An old fence came down, a fence dating back to pre-neighbors, back into the time when my parents were alive and lived here on this property instead of resting in their final abode just across the yard, safely snug beneath some flowers, tulips I think, which come up only in spring, quickly giving way to varieties of odd greenery, the fence itself green in summer and red in the fall from English Ivy belting its every plank.

Me

Now my yard is so open that my kind neighbors, who put up with my deficiencies around building in much the same way I imagine they help their kids grow out of strange phases, with encouraging phrases and knowing looks cast back and forth between the two adults, these kind neighbors can see me in the morning. And speak to me. Which of course means I have to both see and speak back, nicely when possible.

Since last week I have risen, dressed in old blue jeans, and spent each day driving to the store, fetching sod, returning, raking, laying and watering. Over and over, along the way pushing new sod in with my booted feet, regarding the sight of both yards, naked of fence, exposed to summer sun, I have acknowledged that my participation in this event means the yard has won. It will be tended. I will attend to that tending.

At least, that seemed to be its intentions.

But this morning, if it is not too soon to say, I have arrived once more at the bumbling, inept state of inner confusion so comforting, so long part of my psyche when it comes to all things outdoors. I have wandered around, yes, placed the damn hose where a morning hose must be placed, looked to the arrangement for the next hour and considered watering, then boot crushing the top of the hill across that lane. I have done all this.

And now I have returned. Rather than consider more alternatives, which flowers, where sod, how water, and what next year might bring by way of changes, I sit, sipping my coffee, writing this confession of my inadequacies. I have returned to my accustomed state of contemplation, my preferred state of pondering. Truly, it’s more comfortable to consider the physical world only from a distance.

Charlene Jones has been a practicing psychotherapist and meditation teacher for thirteen years. In addition, Charlene writes for the Musselman’s Lake Residents Association website (here), is the Musselman Lake Correspondent for the Stouffville Free Press, and is at work on her first novel. She has two books of poetry to her credit, as well as several individual poems published in many North American magazines.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond

Love letters

Hi, Brian.
My dream has finally come true. My novel, When Hearts Collide, a medical romance is being published by Soul Mate Publishing. It will be released in November of this year (in a couple weeks!) as an ebook and a few months later in print.

It will be available here from soulmatepublishing.com and through Amazon and Barnes and Nobel. And yes, "Kendra James" is me.

Kendra can be reached at kendrajames@rogers.com. Her website, www.kendrajames.net is up and running, too. Please do not confuse Kendra with the porn star of the same name. I cannot attest to the other Kendra's writing skills, and I won't even go there about comparing any physical attributes.

Thank you for all the help and support over the years.
Bev Irwin
Update: Just wanted to let you know that I just got an offer of another contract! This one is for Ghostly Justice my youth ghost story from Black Opal Press. Now I'm doubly excited!!

Andrea Seto

Hi Brian!
Just emailing you to let you know about the latest development in my efforts to get my first book published. I've received a request from Andrea Seto at the Beverley Slopen agency to see my entire manuscript. They liked what they read of my first five chapters and I owe you a lot of the credit for that. It wasn't until after I'd started taking your workshops that my writing really started improving. Thanks for all your help :) I'll keep you updated!
Larissa Benfey
For information about submitting to the Beverley Slopen Literary Agency, see here.

Hi Brian,
Just wanted you to know that with your encouragement I submitted a short memoir to Canadian Stories. It was one I began during your creative writing class in Georgetown. I received word from the editor today that it will be published in either the December or February issue. How fun!
Cheers,
Val Cureton
For information on submitting to Canadian Stories, a literary folk magazine, see here.
For information about upcoming weekly creative writing courses, see here.


Hi Brian,
just wanted to let you know that I have another item published. It's in this month's issue of Mississauga Life Magazine.
It's called "Lest we Forget," and it's a tribute to our veterans in honour of Remembrance Day. I hope you enjoy reading it. Looking forward to your course in January.
Ann Ivy Male
You can read the beginning of Ann's piece here. The entire piece is on page 18 of the magazine here. You can read another story by Ann here.

Hi Brian,
It's small but it's a start. The Citizen, a rural newspaper in Huron County, is publishing three articles (Remembrance Day feature) that I wrote on members of my family who are serving in the Canadian military.

Your workshops/classes have been an excellent resource for me as I continue to learn about the writing world. Thank you!

Looking forward to seeing you on November 26th in Kitchener (for How to Make Yourself Write).
Warmly,
Shari Simpson

Hi Brian,
Just wanted to let you know that I have a (self-published) short story collection up on Amazon.com and one of the stories originated in your class. You suggested a writing exercise and I came up with a short story called "The Fortune Teller." I took it home, tinkered with it, and it eventually ended up in Sex, Death & Mind Control for fun and profit. (See here.)
Thanks for the inspiration. It worked out very well.
All the best!
Rob Chazz Chute

Hello, Brian.
We’ve just had news that Chapters at the Oakville Town Centre, off Dorval, will carry Dottie Flowers and the Skinner Gang, starting November 1. The address is 310 North Service Road. With the holiday season almost here, the timing could not have been better.
We hope that you’ll take the opportunity to buy the book for friends and family members. And please spread the word!
Sincerely,
Sheila and Ted Gale
For further updates, check Sheila's Website: www.sheilagale.ca. For a review of Dottie Flowers and the Skinner Gang see here.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Reading nights at CJ's ~ Here's your chance to read to an audience or to just come and listen

We have three nights of readings coming up:
Thursday, December 8
Monday, December 12
& Thursday, June 23

All three evenings start at 6:30 p.m.
at CJ's Café, 2416 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville (Map here.)

Besides coming to hear the readings, you're also invited to come as a participant, to give a public reading of your own writing – if you’ve ever published a piece on Quick Brown Fox (or you have a piece in the queue waiting for publication) or if you’ve taken any of my “Intensive,” “Intermediate,” “Extreme” or “Advanced” creative writing courses.

If you’ve done this before, you know what a charge it is. If you haven’t done it yet, don’t miss this opportunity! To reserve your spot on the readers’ list, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

We can have only a limited number of readers in an evening, so don’t delay, these nights will fill up!

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

New books: Otherworld by Erin Hatton & The Unraveling of Abby Settel by Sylvia May

A prostitute who thinks she's unlovable, a betrayed lover searching for his lost one, a love that transcends time and space... Otherworld, by Erin E.M. Hatton

Hi Brian,
I’m happy to say that I’ve self-published my first novel, Otherworld, with Word Alive Press, after garnering an honourable mention in their annual publishing contest. Thanks for all your help!
Erin E. M. Hatton
http://www.erinemhatton.com/Otherworld is available from Amazon.ca here.


Hi Brian,
I'm thrilled to be able to tell you that my first novel, The Unraveling of Abby Settel, is now available. It's published by Turquoise Morning Press, a small American publisher, and is available in both print version and as an e-book and can be found on Amazon and other online bookstores, or ordered through an actual bookstore since it is being distributed by Ingram's.

The Unraveling of Abby Settel
Abby Settel's well-ordered life is falling apart. Her son is behaving suspiciously, her aging parents are deteriorating, and her husband loses his job. His new position compels them to move hundreds of miles away, where Abby is plagued by guilt and loneliness. When she discovers a group of women facing the similar challenges, together they seek a way out of their unhappiness. This is a story of mid-life reinvention, letting go to embrace the present, and the importance of friends.

Best wishes to you, and all the writers who benefit from your wonderful workshops (like me),
Sylvia May
www.sylviamay.com
www.lucyarlington.com

The Unraveling of Abby Settel is available in print or as an ebook here.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt, reviewed by Francine Lee

House of Anansi Press, October 2011, hardcover 336 pages, $22.95 or $12.43 as Kobo download.

Winner of the Governor General’s Award for Fiction. Winner of the Writers Trust Fiction Prize. Shortlisted for the ScotiaBank Giller Prize. Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Amazon.ca’s Best Book of the year.

A mere glance at the cover of this macabre gem about two hitmen in the wild west. convinced me I wanted to leap into the saddle to read this new adventure at full gallop. What a remarkable ride it was!

It is said that scars heal but never fade entirely. In this paradoxical romp through the west, the two main characters are bonded by brotherhood, unusual and intense circumstances, and a pecking order that seems tried and true, not to be messed with. Well, Mr. deWitt intelligently and sympathetically messes with their bond, turns it on its ear, and leaves us trying to balance our emotions throughout the entire story.

As the events unfold the nameless faces of folks and animals encountered by Eli and Charlie, take on a dreamlike quality. Nothing is as it seems. Nothing is for certain. The characters who seem strong and resilient, are the first to drop, while the weak take on a role of heroic proportions. The clinical discussions that lead to truce after family truce, become disturbingly logical to the reader.

We learn about the life of these hired killers: Who they track, what they must live with, what visual vignettes they must take to their own graves. We expect to dislike them and empathize with their victims. Sometimes this is the case, but often not. I had as much pity for an injured horse as I did for any of the human wretches the brothers encounter.

The story changes pace, location, and loyalties. It launches us at times into the future and then recedes into the past. We collect details, like the fact that the brothers never use contractions with each other; thus the dialogue is often more formal between these two men than it is when they encounter strangers. They do not seem relaxed with one another, although all things are familiar. The theme of friendship surfaces many times. We find ourselves laughing along with the characters at things that are just not funny. Is it nervous tension or detachment?

I empathized with the absurdity, drawing to mind my own experience riding the Gold Rush Trail in British Columbia. A rather comical undertaking for me, with animal allergies having plagued me all of my life. It seemed ridiculous to attempt it, but I strapped myself into that saddle for the Fam Trip of a lifetime, complete with kleenex box wedged between my knees, long sleeves buttoned over my leather elbow-length gloves, scarves to cover my hair and face, jeans tucked into misfit boots.

I was out of my element, felt like one of Shakespeare's fools, had no prior riding experience. That is exactly how I felt reading this book. That I did not belong, but was determined to persevere in my trespassing, and thoroughly enjoy the experience. Most of you will not need to go to such extremes. Just stay in the saddle and let the author take you for a most refreshing trail ride into a not so distant past. It is an honourable journey, with delightful dignity and searing wit. Well deserving of any and all accolades!

Francine Lee can be found most days on a picnic with her 4 kids, combining her 4 most cherished things: travel, nature, food, books!

Quick Brown Fox welcomes book reviews, interviews with authors and other book-related articles. Guidelines here.


See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Three agents at Transatlantic Literary Agency accepting new clients

Patricia Ocampo with author Kenneth Oppal
and his wife Philippa Sheppard

Transatlantic Literary Agency
72 Glengowan Road
Toronto, ON M4N 1G4
Canada
http://www.tla1.com/agents.php

Transatlantic Literary Agency has three literary agents who are looking for clients:

Patricia Ocampo will represent children's authors. In her first position in publishing, Patricia Ocampo divided her time between the children’s editorial departments at HarperCollins US and HarperCollins Canada, working out of the Toronto office. Since 2008, she has worked in sales, both at HarperCollins and Hachette Book Group.

Patricia is interested in children’s books only (early readers, middle-grade, young adult). Picture books will only be considered by referral from another TLA client or if you have been previously published. Absolutely no poetry or verse.

Please email complete manuscripts in PDF to: patricia@tla1.com
Submissions with only a summary or sample chapters will be immediately deleted. This applies to all submissions, not just picture books. The body of your email should include a short synopsis, your current place of residence, and an indication if it is a multiple or exclusive submission. Due to the volume of submissions received, further enquiries will be sent only for submissions being actively considered. If you have not received a reply within twelve weeks, you can assume there is no further interest.

Meghan Macdonald is accepting queries for adult fiction and nonfiction. She does not handle children's books, poetry, screenplays, YA, or YA/crossover manuscripts.

Meghan  lived in the UK for two years,working for literary agent David Grossman. Upon returning to Canada in 2009, Meghan began working for TLA as an administrative assistant, researcher and assistant to the agents. She has recently begun building her own list as a literary agent with TLA.

Meghan says: "I am accepting queries for adult fiction and non-fiction. I do not handle children's books, poetry, screenplays, YA, or YA/crossover manuscripts.

"My particular interests are in literary fiction, mystery novels, historical fiction (that has been impeccably researched but is still a fictional narrative), and topical exposé non-fiction that is persuasive and/or a sustained polemic. I am also interested in scholarly non-fiction, particularly historical treatments, that are intelligent but accessible without being simplistic (examples are Augustus by John Buchan, Apocalypse by Neil Faulkner, The Sea Kingdoms by Alistair Moffat, and Sailing The Wine-Dark Sea by Thomas Cahill).

"Initial queries should be sent via email to meghan.macdonaldtla@gmail.com 
Include your name and the title of the manuscript in the subject line (example: Query: John Smith - My Manuscript). Please send a 1-page cover letter in the body of the email and as an attachment, and attach a 1-page synopsis and the first 30-pages of the manuscript double-spaced, or thereabouts where a natural break occurs. Make sure all your attachments are free of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. I want to see a polished excerpt or manuscript, not your first draft."

Note: Meghan will be the guest speaker at How to Get Published, Saturday, May 12, 2012, in Newmarket. See here.

Marie Campbell has worked in children’s publishing in London, UK, and in Toronto for more than 20 years. As an agent, she specializes in children’s writers, with a particular interest in middle-grade fiction. She is not actively acquiring new clients at this time but is open to concise query letters via email. No non-fiction or poetry collections.

Query Marie at: marie@tla1.com
Highlight past publishing credits and/or referral from published authors/TLA clients. Do not submit further writing samples, either by post or email, until contacted. Due to the volume of submissions received, unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned. Replies will be sent only for submissions being actively considered.

Brian Henry will lead "Writing for Children and for Young Adults" workshops in London, Ontario, on April 21 (see here) and in Oakville on June 2 (see here). 

Brian will also lead "How to Get Published" workshops on Saturday, May 21, in Newmarket with Meghan Macdonald of Transatlantic Literary Agency (see here), Saturday, June 9, in Brampton with Monica Pacheco of The Anne McDermid literary agency (see here), and Saturday, June 16, in Hamilton with Carly Watters of P.S. Literary Agency (see here).

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Writer-to-writer: critique group wanted, services for self-published writers, co-author wanted...

Members of the Blank Page Writers in Gravenhurst

Writers' group wanted
I am looking for a writer's group for people writing for children who live in Ancaster or on the Hamilton mountain. If interested, please email me at jen.jormakka@sympatico.ca 
Thank you.
Jennifer

Line-editor wants work
I'm a retired English teacher willing to do line-by-line grammatical editing for authors seeking to self-publish. Reasonable rates. Contact Patricia at pstockc341@rogers.com  or 519-679-5229.

Co-author wanted
My name is Efim Cheinis. I immigrated to Canada in 1995 from Russia, where I worked in Saint Petersburg research institute as scientist and earned PhD degree.

In 2008 I published a book for immigrants “How to Find a Job in Canada. Common Problems and Effective Solutions” (See here.)

Now I have finished a new book for immigrants “Your First Year in Canada. Everything You Need to Know and Do to Overcome Immigration Barriers and Successfully Settle Down in Canada in 52 Weeks.” Also I created website www.firstyearincanada.com 

Unfortunately this new book and website both were created in Russian language only. Because of my limited English skills I need help to make this book in English.

I am looking for qualified co-author to make this book in English and create good book proposal, which will be sent to publishers. My co-author does not need to know Russian language, I will translate this book into English by myself, and my co-author has to edit English version.

Anyone interested in participating in this project, please email me. I will be happy to meet with you, show you a printed copy of this book and discuss our cooperation.

Sincerely,
Efim Cheinis,
workvision@sympatico.ca

Ready to Self Publish?
Linda Laforge, a graphic designer and illustrator with 15 years experience in marketing and advertising, is there to help you meet with success as a writer, publisher and marketer of your precious manuscript.

You’ve done it! You’ve proven yourself completely nuts by completing an entire manuscript. You might also have already spent lots of time and effort writing Query letters and contacting publishers and literary agents. I know I have!

Self Publishing isn't a new concept. Writers have been self publishing since publishing began. James Joyce self published Ulysses! John Grisham, author of A Time to Kill, was turned down by 15 publishers and 30 agents. He ended up publishing it himself. Dr. Seuss was even turned down 24 times. (Click here for a nice long list of famous self-publishers that will make you feel much better…)

It’s just been made easier since the internet has come along and matured before our finger tips. Amazon is making it even easier to be a credible online author, in any genre, from science fiction to personal memoirs. So, you have to ask yourself ~ is self-publishing the way to go for me?

Click here to discover "6 Things You Need to do to Publish your Own Book"

I can help you with:

- Book cover design
- Cover and interior illustrations
- Page layout
- Obtain Canadian ISBN number
- Get & place Bar Codes
- Website strategically designed to sell your books, including Blog set-up, Shopping Cart and Social Media programming
- Assistance setting up Amazon Accounts
- Design of Marketing Material to support book sales
- Writing and Distributing Press Releases
- Strategic Business Plan

Linda Laforge
artist@lindalaforge.com

“The Pink Glass Hen,” a true story by Suzanne Barteaux Burchell

I knew I was in trouble when Mom was waiting for us on the front porch with the wooden spoon behind her back. The look in her eyes said it all.

Mom had said she would take Diane, my best friend who was a year older, and me to the carnival that night.

“No, she won’t take us,” said Diane. “Your mom breaks promises all the time. So forget it, because they’re taking the rides down tomorrow and going to a new town.”

Diane knew a lot. She was a year older and in grade four. So it looked like now or never.

When Mom lay down for her afternoon nap, I decided it would be now. Dad’s pink glass hen in the china cupboard had plenty of change in it. Dad sailed ten months of the year but when he occasionally got home for a few hours, he’d deposit the contents of his pockets into the glass hen. No one would miss a handful or two, I thought. So when Mom lay down I dug in, careful to extract just the silver.

Diane and I filled our pockets and raced up the hill to the fair grounds. We heard the rides before we saw them. The merry-go-round organ music, the screams from the roller coaster and calls from the games spurred us on to our afternoon of sheer joy.

Diane put a pile of change on the ledge of the ticket booth. In return we got the longest string of tickets we’d ever seen – not like the short meany strings Mom bought when she took us to a carnival.

Off we went, first to the Ferris wheel where we rocked the basket until the man yelled for us to cut it out. No merry-go-round for us – that was for babies, and after all I was seven. Our fav was the Tilt-a-Whirl, which hurled us around and swung us backward till our necks hurt and we almost lost our grip.

Eat and ride, eat and ride and eat and ride. Diane picked the rides and I picked the eats. We gorged on candy floss, hot dogs and caramel corn. This was the best time in my whole life, and there were still tickets left and Mom was still asleep. This was heaven right here and now.

Five times we ran up the ramp of the Tilt-a-Whirl. Five times we gripped the dirty safety bar and shrieked our joy. But that fifth ride was our nemesis.

The tilting and the whirling got us screaming in no time but Diane started to make real strange gurgly sounds. Then whoosh – out it came all that floss and popcorn and hot dogs, all over the seat, and all over me and Diane.

We tilted and whirled and slid back and forth in a river of puke. Our little sear sucker dresses soaked it all up, and what our dresses did not absorb was smeared on the old leather seat. Diane howled, which made the ride man speed us up cause he thought were having so much fun and he saw we still had more tickets sticking out of our pockets.

The ride finally stopped. We staggered off, catching a glare from the man who realized what was on the seat when he smelled us. We tried to wash off the puke with a hose by the toss the ring game. Two kids walked by and we threw the remaining tickets at them.

Our walk home was grim. The heat of the sun dried the puke into stiff stained patches and seemed to increase the stench. It was hard to breathe in the fumes. Why did Diane have to get sick and end it all? And we’d still had tickets left!

But it got even worse. There was Mom waiting on the porch wide awake with a wooden spoon behind her back. I knew one of her “good lickings” was coming. Why she said “good” I do not know, because they never ever felt good at all. She told Diane to go home that her mother was waiting.

Then the killer came when Mom said, “Wait till your Father gets home and you tell him what you did.”

Oh boy. Telling Dad would sting more than any old wooden spoon.

There on the kitchen table was the pink glass hen with a dent in the mound of coins. How did she know? Seems I had left the china cabinet door open.

Today, decades later, I still have that hen in my china cabinet. But I never put change in it, lest temptation return. I remember Dad’s look. And I have never been on the Tilt-a-Whirl again since that summer day of the pink glass hen.

Suzanne Barteaux Burchell has been a secondary school drama teacher for 37 years and a part-time lecturer at Brock University in Dramatic Arts. She has written a play and had it done publically in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. She is also an amateur story teller and has had four articles published in the Forum magazine for the Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers’ Federation.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

The Open Heart Poetry Competition

Poems must include at least one of the following Heart themes: Love won, Love lost, Love of family, Love of animals, Love of Humanity, Valentine poems, Bonding, Charity, Generosity, Compassion, Courage, Heart health problems, Heart wood, Broken heart, Heartache, Hard hearted, Emotions carried in the heart.

Poems not to exceed 36 lines, including stanza breaks. All styles welcome.

Deadline: December 25th, 2011

Fee: $5 for the first poem, additional poems $1 each.

Grand Prize: $100 for the best poem, plus $100 to be donated to the author’s favourite charity. Plus 18 Honourable Mention Awards. All winning poems will receive a fancy certificate, publication in a chapbook, and the winners will receive one free chapbook. On your cover page, state Charity and mailing address for the Charity of your choice. Additional copies of the chapbook will be available for $7 each (postage included).

Open to Canadian residents only. Complete rules at the the Ontario Poetry Society web page here.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Thistledown Press seeks short story collections and teen fiction

Thistledown Press
Allan Forrie: Publisher
118 - 20th Street West
Saskatoon, SK S7M 0W6
http://www.thistledownpress.com/

Thistledown Press started in 1975 as a publishing house for prairie writers, particularly poets, but has since expanded to become a broader general Canadian publisher of novels, short story collections and poetry and juvenile literature.

Thistledown's Current Publishing Interests:
Teen audience fiction
Juvenile audience fiction by writers who have previous book publications
Collections of short fiction by emerging writers who have publishing credits in journals and magazines
Novels by writers who have previous book publications and poetry collections by writers who have previous book publications

Submissions:
Do not send a complete manuscript.  All queries and follow-ups must be by post. Please do not phone or email.
All submissions must contain a writing sample  and an outline of the proposed publication. It is important that you let us know your perceived audience and your plans for assisting in the marketing of your work.
Novel samples should include a first chapter or significant representative sampling that highlights form and style
Short fiction samples should include two stories that demonstrate the collection’s audience target and subject range

Full guidelines here.
 
Brian Henry will lead a "How to Get Published" workshop on Saturday, December 3 in Oakville with guest Ali McDonald of The Rights Factory literary agency (see here).

Also, Brian will lead a "Writing for Children and for Young Adults" workshop in St. Catharines on January 14, 2012 (see here).

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Andrea Brown Literary Agency seeks juvenile lit

The Andrea Brown Literary Agency was founded in August 1981 and has offices in the San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The agency specializes in juvenile books. In fact, nearly 98% of projects are either juvenile fiction or nonfiction.

The two most junior agents (and hence the two most in need of authors) are Mary Kole and Jennifer Mattson:

Mary Kole, Associate Agent

Mary joined the agency in August, 2009. She has also worked in the children's editorial department at Chronicle Books and earned her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of San Francisco. Mary is passionate about exciting, high-concept story ideas and editorial work. With all of her clients, she uses her well-honed editorial eye to develop each project to its full potential. Mary lives in Brooklyn and operates the East Coast office of the agency.

At this time, Mary is only considering young adult and middle grade novels and truly exceptional, funny, quirky and character-driven picture books (she especially loves working with author/illustrators). She's seeking fresh, unique voices and idiosyncratic characters who, by book's end, are more flesh than fiction. Her favorite stories are upmarket, high-concept, character-driven and well-plotted...featuring a mix of fast pacing, emotional resonance, and beautiful writing. In essence: literary spark with commercial appeal.

While she's not interested in high fantasy (think Tolkien), she would love to consider realistic/contemporary, character-driven fantasy (think Graceling), urban fantasy, action/adventure, issue books, romance, light science fiction, and absolutely unique paranormal (no vampires or werewolves or Greek mythology), and humor manuscripts. She is especially looking for horror, ghost, mystery, dark/edgy, thriller and dystopian tales.

One of her favorite genres is magical realism: a story set firmly in our world, only with a twist—something that turns "reality" on its ear—to make things more interesting. Favorite themes include: family, home, unlikely heroes, discovering one's voice, and finding one's equilibrium after a big life event. Mary adores manuscripts that make her laugh, make her tear up or punch her in the gut. She also loves YA stories of friendship, romance, and betrayal; manuscripts full of those "first time" moments that make teenage life electric and unforgettable.

For all projects, voice and character development are absolutely essential, as is a high-concept or upmarket commercial premise. Make sure your manuscript is as strong and polished (revised, revised after feedback, revised again) as possible. She looks forward to reading your work!

Check out some of the books Mary is representing here.

Query Mary at mary@andreabrownlit.com
Paste the text of your picture book or the first 10 pages of your middle grade young adult fiction into your email. Author-illustratos should include 2 or 3 illustration samples (in jpeg format), and text of picture book, if applicable

Jennifer Mattson, associate agent

Jennifer comes to Andrea Brown Literary Agency after nearly five years of reviewing children's literature as part of the staff of Booklist magazine. That adds up to close readings of around 1,000 books, lending Jennifer a wide-angle view of the tastes of individual houses. Prior to Booklist, Jennifer was an Associate Editor at Dutton Children's Books.

In the picture-book arena, Jennifer is interested in authors and author-illustrators who bring a distinctive, well-developed point of view to their work; at this time, she is not acquiring illustration-only clients. She loves picture books that are story time-ready stories (no one-joke tales or mood pieces) that resonate with universal childhood experiences and concerns; fables and folktales aren't for her.

For the older set, she is drawn to richly imagined fantasies that depart from old-hat heroic quests (alternate realities, magical realism, and steam-punk are all styles/premises to have recently caught her notice). She has a special interest in dystopian fiction for middle graders and in sprawling, atmospheric tales with Dickensian twists and satisfying puzzles. But as much as high-concept novels pique her interest, the most mind-blowing premise can't hide a flat narrative that rarely reaches for unexpected descriptions, fully fleshed characterizations, or a zinging narrative voice.

Recent fiction sales include Tom Leveen's second contemporary-realistic YA novel Zero, following up Party (both Random House); and Jenny Meyerhoff's comic middle-grade The Barftastic Life of Louie Burger (FSG). Recent picture book sales include author-illustrator Gail Page's How to be a Good Cat, the latest entry in her picture book series about Bobo the dog (Bloomsbury); and Ten on a Sled, a picture book written by Kim Norman (Sterling).

Query Jennifer at: jmatt@andreabrownlit.com Paste the text of your picture book or the first 10 pages of other fiction into your email. Author-illustrators should include 2 or 3 illustration samples (in jpeg format), and text of picture book, if applicable.

Andrea Brown Literary Agencye home page here. Full guidelines here. 

Brian Henry will be leading a "How to Get Published" workshop on Saturday, December 3 in Oakville with guest Ali McDonald of The Rights Factory literary agency (see here).

Also, Brian will lead a "Writing for Children and for Young Adults" workshop in St. Catharines on January 14, 2012 (see here).

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Book Fair and launch of "Cassius: Blood Rights" by Heather Anne Lambert, Dec 2 in Newmarket

Calling All GTA-Plus Writers: Book Launch and Book Fair – Taking place December 2nd in Newmarket, Ontario

York Region author, Heather Anne Lambert, launches her action-packed page turner – Cassius: Blood Rights – in partnership with the Literacy Council York-Simcoe on Friday, December 2nd from 5-8 p.m. Includes a Book Fair with local authors.

For Writers:
• Take advantage of this great opportunity to sell your books in time for the holidays!
• 25 vendor spots available for local authors to sell their books right before Christmas!
• Vendor Fees - $15 of which $5 goes directly to the Literacy Council York-Simcoe. The remainder supports this event.
• Help create an event that could provide annual exposure (& Sales!) for your books.
• Contribute to a charity that supports adult literacy – our reading public.

Event Details:
• Launch of brand new vampire series, Cassius: Blood Rights – a book you can really sink your teeth into!
• Book fair features local authors who personally autograph and sell their work.
• The Book Launch and Fair supports local writers while offering the community a chance to shop for unique holiday gift items!
• Reception, book signings and refreshments – come mingle with our authors.
• Readings from Cassius: Blood Rights by author Heather Anne Lambert
To become a vendor at this exciting event contact: Heather Anne Lambert at halambertWriter@rogers.com  or 416.464.5513

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

The 2011 Canadian Tales of the Mysterious Short Story Competition

Writers of short fiction are encouraged to enter the 2011 Canadian Tales of the Mysterious Short Story Competition. To be considered, a story must have two things: First, it must contain an element of Mystery; second, it must be identifiably Canadian. An element of Mystery is self-explanatory, but what is ‘Identifiably Canadian’? If the story is written by a Canadian or written about Canadians or takes place in Canada, then it meets the ‘Identifiably Canadian’ condition.

Prizes and Publication:

First place pays $500. Second place pays $150 and the third pays $100. Ten Honourable mention prizes of $25 will also be awarded.

All winning entries will be published by Red Tuque Books in the upcoming anthology, Canadian Tales Of The Mysterious. Winners will alos receive a complementary copy of the anthology.

Submission Requirements:
Deadline: postmarked by December 31st, 2011.

The entry fee is $15 for one manuscript, $25 for two, or $30 for three. Three is the maximum number of manuscripts that can be submitted by any one author. The judging is blind, so it is possible for one author to have up to three winning entries.

All manuscripts must be original, unpublished fiction, typed and double-spaced, between 1,500 and 5,000 words. The word count is strict and stories that have been published online are considered previously published.

Full contest rules here. Visit Red Tuque's homepage here.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.