No, Will and I aren’t reporting on local hikes or being interviewed about my books on Global News. We toured the studio during Doors Open YYC last Saturday. I found it fascinating to get an inside look at news broadcasting.  In another life, I could see myself pursuing this career.

Looking forward to this Reading with some of my favourite writers.

Today’s my day to post on my publisher’s author Insider blog. This month I talk about my preparations for this October’s Bouchercon World Mystery Convention in Toronto.

What a busy and fun weekend at Calgary’s When Words Collide Festival  for Readers and Writers. A highlight was the Saturday evening banquet. My friends and I got into the mood, with our flapper costumes for the event’s Roaring Twenties theme.

Sherry kicked up her legs to dance the Charleston.

Pam posed provocatively.

Two ladies grabbed me for a photo of ‘three women in red. ‘

But WWC wasn’t all about frivolity.

I sat on a number of panels, spent a few hours guarding the Writers Guild of Alberta information table, learned things about writing and promotion, and sold a few books.

I’m already thinking of ideas for next year — after a needed return to normal.

This weekend, I’m enjoying my seventh straight year at Calgary’s When Words Collide Festival for Readers and Writers — three full days of seriousness and fun.

Today I blog about my experiences at the festival on the Books We Love Insider Blog.

I’m gearing up for this year’s Whe Word’s Collide Festival for Readers and Writers, which takes place Aug 11-13 at the Delta Calgary South. This year I’ll be on six panels, all of them in the hotel’s Tower building:

Beyond Traditional and Self-Publishing, Fri 3 pm, Fireside room

Aging Series Characters, Sat 10 am, Parkland room

The Mystery of Mysteries, Sat 12 pm, Bonavista room

Absolute Mystery Basics, Sat 3 pm, Willow Park room

Fragility & Mental Illness Within Story, Sun 2 pm, Bonavista room

The Thrill of the Smoking Gun, Sun 3 pm, Parkland room

I’ll also be doing a shift or two at the Books We Love authors table in the Merchants’ Corner and attending the Mass Autograph Session (Sat 8-10 pm) and Roaring Twenties themed banquet.

It’s shaping up to be a fun and hectic weekend. Hope to see you there!

Today’s the day for my monthly post on my publisher’s website and I’m blogging about our Calgary Stampede.

More pictures from our June 29th pre-Stampede Side-saddled reading and discussion.

Great fun last night our joint reading Side-saddled: Local Writers Take on the Stampede. I was awed by the turnout – about 80 people. Everyone seemed enthused and interested in the readings and discussion about all aspects of the Stampede, from mini-donuts to animal treatment. I learned so much and will now be more observant of our annual happening. Several people who attended told me they found it the perfect launch into the Calgary Stampede season.  Many thanks to the Calgary Public Library and Wordfest for hosting, and for Shelf Life books for bringing our books for sale.

Happy Canada 150 Day!

I’m gearing up for my first event of the Calgary Stampede season Side-saddled: Local Writers Take on the Stampede. I’ll be reading from my novel Ten Days in Summer, set during the Stampede, and chatting with local authors Aritha van Herk, Emily Ursuliak, Kris Demeanor and emcee Shaun Hunter about all things Stampede.

The event takes place  Thursday, June 29 at 7 PM – 8:30 PM, in Memorial Park Library’s lovely second floor presentation room, 1221 2 Street SW, Calgary.

You can register on the Calgary Public Library’s website, but this isn’t necessary.