On today’s Books We Love Author Blog I discuss my process for naming story characters.

Today I guest post on the BWL Insider Blog about how my short story “When a Warm Wind Blows Over the Mountains” was turned into a book-as-art.  Here’s Sylvia’s description of how she decided to incorporate the words into her work:

1. I contemplated for many hours on how to include the written words in my Print(ed) Word book. It wasn’t plausible to hand write the entire book, so I wrote only the lines that inspired the images. The words are written on delicate hand ripped Kinwashi rice paper. Although tricky to write on, I love the beautiful texture and how the words frame a ghost of the print that shows through from the next page.

My publisher, BWL, is always looking for new ways to promote our books. From now until December 17th, you can purchase an ebook of Ten Days in Summer through  Smashwords for $2.99 USD using the coupon code RX82T.

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.