When I finished my novel-in-progress at the end of August, I found myself on memory lane, taking stock of my writing journey-to-date.  The result is a series of 12 blog posts, which will appear each Tuesday until Nov 17th. Today is installment # 3, Exodus – Part Two.  Here’s the full schedule.

Sept 1       Genesis

Sept 8       Exodus – Part One

Sept 15     Exodus – Part Two

Sept 22     A Stab at Murder

Sept 29     A Book!

Oct 6         Moving On

Oct 13       Critique

Oct 20      My Short Story Binge

Oct 27      A Second Stab at Murder

Nov 3       Mystery, Suspense & Surprise

Nov 10     Raising the Stakes

Nov 17      How to Write a Novel in Your Spare Time

Lethbridge Word on the Street, Sunday, Sept 20th.

I’m looking forward to Word on the Street on Sunday, September 20th, in Lethbridge, AB. I’ll be at the Crime Writers of Canada table and participating in two events.

At 1:00 PM, I emcee Grab a Coffee with Killer Some Writers, featuring readings and conversations with mystery authors David A. Poulsen, Garry Ryan and Sharon Wildwind. At 2:00 PM, at It’s Not CSI: A police sergeant and mystery writer’s perspectives, Police Sergeant Robin Klassen and I discuss how a mystery writer approaches writing about crime and police work, what the day to day life of a police officer is like and how fact and fiction differ.

When I’m not at presenting or at the CWC table, I’ll be checking out the festival’s featured guests: Kelley Armstrong, author of numerous fantasy and paranormal books, Maureen Jennings, author of the popular Murdoch Mysteries series and Sharon Johnston, wife of our Governor General, who will recount the struggles of veterans adjusting to life in Canada after WWI.

Let’s hope for warm, sunny weather and a fabulous turnout at this sixth year of the Lethbridge festival.

Last weekend’s When Words Collide writers and readers conference was a blast. I took in activities for three days, but managed to pace myself so that I didn’t feel exhausted at the end. I sat on two panels, read from my short story in the crime writing anthology, AB Negative, stayed up past my bedtime for two parties and attended numerous sessions where I picked up tips and insights into writing and publishing. I’ve already registered for next year – only $45 if you sign up by December.

Calgary’s When Words Collide writing conference is less than a week away. I’ll be sure to get there in time for the keynote addresses on Friday night (August 14th). These are always a great introduction to the conference’s special guests and are sometimes quite creative. If I’m up to it, I’ll stay on for the Noir Bar Evening Social in the hotel’s Boomtown Lounge.

My events are all scheduled for Saturday, August 15th. At noon, I’ll be moderating a panel on Does the Mystery Protagonist Drive the Novel? – my first experience as a panel moderator. At 2:00 PM, I’ll be reading from my short story “Freezer Breakdown” at the book social for the Alberta crime anthology, AB Negative. Then at 3:00 PM, I’m on a panel that will discuss Thrillers vs. Traditional Mysteries. Again, if my energy sustains I’ll attend the Crime Writers Fandango party that evening.

For the rest of the weekend, I’ll be free to chat with people I run into, browse the booksellers’ tables and attend sessions that strike my fancy. I’ve looked at the WWC  program and, as always, it will be hard to choose from the varied and exciting offerings.

Stacey Kondla captured this photo at the AB Negative launch Tuesday night, at Owl’s nest bookstore. I look kind of goofy, but the picture doesn’t lie when it shows me having fun during my reading.

In today’s Calgary Herald, Eric Volmers wrote a great piece about AB Negative, the new Alberta Crime Anthology that will be launched this Tuesday at Owl’s Nest Bookstore. There’s even a line in it about me. I hope to see you at Owl’s Nest this week.

On Tuesday, August 4, 7:00 PM, I’ll be at Owl’s Nest Bookstore in Calgary to help celebrate the launch of the new Canadian crime anthology AB Negative (Coffin Hop Press). Alberta crime short stories by Alberta authors. Joining me will be contributing writers Jayne Barnard, Robert Bose, Axel Howerton, Brent Nichols and Randy McCharles. I’m thrilled to be part of the pack.

Owl’s Nest Bookstore, 815A 49th Avenue SW (Britannia Shopping Plaza), Calgary. Tues, August 4, 7:00 PM. For more information, phone Owl’s Nest: 403-287-9557 or email: owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca. Free. Everyone welcome.

I’m so happy to have my short story included in AB Negative, an anthology of Alberta crime writing. The book will be available August 6th and featured at Calgary’s When Words Collide writing conference.

What a brilliant title and cover for crime stories by and about Albertans.

In this week’s post about author John Ballem’s story featuring the Stampede parade, Shaun Hunter makes a connection to a former Canadian prime minister. On Friday, I enjoyed the parade in shady comfort despite the heat. With a federal election coming up this fall, all the leaders of the major parties are in town. If any rode in the parade, I missed them.