October 25 . Issue 173

Song for Autumn by Mary Oliver

In the deep fall
don’t you imagine the leaves think how
comfortable it will be to touch
the earth instead of the
nothingness of air and the endless
freshets of wind? And don’t you think
the trees themselves, especially those with mossy,
warm caves, begin to think
of the birds that will come – six, a dozen – to sleep
inside their bodies? And don’t you hear
the goldenrod whispering goodbye,..  to read the full poem by Mary Oliver check out: The Poetry Foundation 

Hello and welcome to my monthly journal. This is the place where I keep you updated on what is happening in my life, my so-called writer’s life. We are now well into the Fall season, a time of change and one of beauty, transition, and renewal. The featured picture is for the upcoming children’s book promotion featuring two of my books.

1. I have a new book release and an e-book promotion. For this promotion, I have two books featured: my new early reader chapter book, Life on the Beaver River, and Samba in Switzerland, the third book in the Samba Dog series. Get both of my books before the promotion ends.

The “Books to Spark Young Imaginations” promotion has lots of great authors with fantastic stories ready to offer that spark for young readers and young readers at heart.

2.  My next author event is scheduled for November 2nd at the Richmond Hill Public Library’s central branch in celebration of Indie Author Day. I will be doing a book reading, reading a couple of chapters from the new book Life on the Beaver River. All of my books will be on sale at Indie Authors Day special prices.

The new book, Life on the Beaver River received some great 5-star reviews from the folks at Readers Favorites Book Reviews and Award Contest. 

3. My last event, aptly titled Collingword, took place in Collingwood, Ontario, in celebration of Library Month. 

I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful organizers and volunteers, the library staff, and all the people who attended.

The event, which started at 10 AM on Saturday, October 19th, saw me reading my book to an attentive audience. Later in the day, I introduced Tasneem Dairywala, a wonderful children’s author and illustrator, to a workshop group interested in the how-to’s of creating a children’s book.

Before the end of the event, I sat on a panel of authors discussing the writing life. I am all too familiar with this life, having lived it for the past 7 years. The facilitator and the 14 or 15 audience members asked some great questions. 

One of the panel questions was, “What are the obstacles facing a writer?” My reply was time: finding or making the time to do what you want and need to get done. From marketing your books to creating a newsletter, attending events such as this one, writing new books, and creating additional things, such as audiobooks, the list goes on. There are so many things to be done, and simply not enough time to get them all completed.

The resolution, or the solution, is to wake up every day and tell yourself it is a beautiful day. Set about your tasks and be happy with what you actually accomplish

I’m looking forward to participating in this fantastic event and experiencing Collingword once again next year.

4. My event list is filling up. I am looking forward to the Indie Author Day event at RHPL, followed by the Link Winter Market in Sutton, Ontario. And then the Wasaga Beach Public Library and their Woven Word Symposium.

There may be more events in-between these listed events. I will keep you informed. It is good to be busy.

5. After reading my book Scratchy the Squirrel: A Time For Friends to the great delight of the audience at the Collingword event, I’ve decided to get to work on an audiobook. 

Many people have told me this seems involved. However, in speaking with recording engineers and sound technicians, I think it’s simply a matter of having the correct equipment.

I have been told you need a pro-sounding recording device, a mixer, a recorder, a recording software program, and a decent microphone. I will keep you updated on my progress.

Thanks for reading. If you know of someone who may be interested in this Monthly Journal, please share. Be sure to check out my newest book, Life on the Beaver River, an early reader chapter book. I also have a children’s picture book, Samba in Switzerland, and a middle-grade reader, Dojo in the Woods. All my books are readily available online through your favorite bookstores.

Be well, stay safe, and keep reading and writing.

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