A little drizzle didn’t diminish my enjoyment of Sunday’s Literary Walk of old Calgary hosted by the Creative Nonfiction Collective Society to wrap up their 10th anniversary conference weekend. Here’s writer Shaun Hunter talking about Calgary’s near-forgotten painter and author, William S. Bates, and his connection to the Grain Exchange Building (1909), now the home of Freehand Books. 
After the walk, we warmed up in the James Joyce pub.
Lots of fun, companionship and laughs at our Arthur Ellis Short-list announcement event at Owl’s Nest Bookstore on April 24th.
A bonus was having one of our readers – Axel Howerton – make the short list for Best First Novel.
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My novel-in-progress, Ten Days in Summer, is a finalist in The Sandy Writing Contest, Thriller/Suspense/Mystery category. Winners will be announced at the Crested Butte Writers Conference in June. I wish I could be there. 
I feel especially good about this because Sandy was the name of my family dog.
Good News. My long short story “Pandemic” was a finalist in the December 2013 Glimmer Train Fiction Open Contest. “Pandemic” was inspired by my trip to Italy five years ago. I wrote the story mentally for several years before committing it to computer screen, seeking feedback, revising and sending it out. Many thanks to the following people, who read all or part of the manuscript: Brian Brennan, Barb Howard, Shaun Hunter, Lee Kvern, Marilyn Letts and Deborah Willis.
Arthur Ellis Awards for Excellence in Canadian Writing
Short-list Announcement Party
April 24, 2014 7-9 PM
Owl’s Nest Bookstore
Britannia Shopping Centre at Elbow Drive and 49th Avenue.
815A 49th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB
Crime Writers of Canada members Axel Howerton, Kirk Layton and Darlene Quaife will read from their writing, muse on the theme of ‘short’ and discuss the difference between writing a short story and novel. Music by Alastair Robertson. Emcee Susan Calder. At the end, we’ll reveal the short lists for this year’s Arthur Ellis Awards, Canada’s national mystery and crime writing awards. Winners will be announced at a Toronto banquet in June. Come learn who’s hot in Canadian crime writing.
Light refreshments provided by Owl’s Nest books. Free. Everyone welcome.
For more information contact Owl’s Nest Books 403-287-9557
403-287-9557 or owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca
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aturday, 9 November 2013, 2:00pm
The Mystery of War
Join members of Crime Writers of Canada for an afternoon of readings and reflection
From the innermost struggles of the lone individual through the most intimate of domestic battles and on up to the conflagrations that consume civilizations, War is an enduring fact of human existence. Six Calgary-area crime writers read from their works and reflect on the nature of war, of sacrifice, of history and memory. Readers: Stephen Legault, Linda Kupecek, Jayne Barnard, Darlene Quaife, Sharon Wildwind and Susan Calder. Owl’s Nest Bookstore, Britannia, Calgary.
War and Mystery readings at Owl’s Nest Book Store on Saturday afternoon, Nov 9, in honour of Remembrance Day. Stay tuned for details. I’ll be reading new work.
The Calgary Public Library has some excellent programming coming up in the fall including free workshops on phenomenal plots and captivating characters (Sat. October 26) plus “write-in” sessions (Sat. November 9th) with Calgary Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) inspiring you to craft your novel during November.
Here is the registration link – these adult programs are FREE with a library card. This link gives full details and registration. Fall Nanowrimo programming at Calgary Public Library
This is Doors Open weekend in Alberta. When I was in Banff last week, I noticed some historical buildings were open to the public. Calgary is offering a number of events today and Sunday www.doorsopenyyc.org. This afternoon, Will and I did the tour of the Epcor Centre. It ended at a costume sale hosted by Epcor’s theatre companies. This would have been a great place to shop if we were going to Hallowe’en party, but a lot of the offerings were normal clothing worn in shows set in everyday, modern times. We bought two tuques and three pairs of winter gloves/mitts for $5. Unfortunately, the sale was only on today. Something to look for next fall, as well as next year’s Doors Open.
