lian goodall writing course

In the new year, author lian goodall will be teaching a new general interest Creative Writing/ Children’s Book course for the York Region District School Board, Continuing Education. Classes will be held at Huron Heights Secondary School, 40 Huron Heights Dr., Newmarket, beginning January 24 on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The course lasts 8 weeks and costs $110.

To register or for more information contact Site Supervisor Gisella Linney at (905) 884-3434 ex 931 or 1-877-280-8180 ex. 931.

Brenda Chapman book signing

On Saturday, December 2nd, Brenda Chapman signed books at Shirley Leishman bookstore, Ottawa, Ontario. Photo by Katherine Hobbs, Capital Crime Writers.

Heather Kirk is on the move ...

On Tuesday December 5, 2006, Napoleon author Heather Kirk will be at the Barrie Chapters store from 6 to 9 p.m. She is helping to raise money for the library of Central Collegiate in Barrie.

New Brenda Chapman article

Word Wizard at Work

by Sarah Poirier, Health Canada Intranet
November 9, 2006

With seven novels written, Brenda Chapmanis doing what she loves -- writing. As an acting senior communications advisor in the new Public Affairs, Consultations and Regions Branch, assigned to Health Policy Branch, Brenda is a strategic thinker and writer during the week, and a budding author on the weekend.

For 15 years, Brenda was a special education teacher and loved interacting with youth, but she also wanted to work in the writing field. After completing a casual writer/editor term at the Pest Management Regulatory Agency nine years ago, she wrote her first book for her daughters, Lisa and Julia, who were 12 and 9 respectively at the time. When Julia finished reading the manuscript, she said, "Mom, you write just like a real author!" and Brenda thought she might be able to get it published.

Many authors say that the best writing comes from writing about what you know. Brenda has been able to draw from her experiences growing up in a small town and moving to the city. "I enjoy being able to draw from my past growing up in northern Ontario, which is where the second book is set," says Brenda.

Two novels, Running Scared and Hiding in Hawk's Creek, have already been published by Napoleon Publishing in Toronto, and a third, Where Trouble Leads, is due out in spring 2007. These three novels are part of a series that centres around an adolescent girl named Jennifer Bannon. "Her parents have separated and her father reappears in town after being gone for two years," explains Brenda. "Her mother works as a nurse, and Jennifer is often left to babysit her 10-year-old sister, Leslie. Not only does Jennifer have to cope with her parents and sister, but she's also starting high school and not doing well."

Since the three novels are mysteries, revealing the rest of the plot would spoil the suspense. A fourth novel in the series is currently with the publisher, pending acceptance. Brenda's agent is also looking for a publisher for two adult mysteries, and Brenda has also just completed a stand-alone mystery, set in Minnesota and Ottawa.

After nine years in the government, Brenda is used to a lengthy approval process and many revisions for the communications products she develops at work. Creative writing is a simpler process, a negotiation between her and the editor, with Brenda having the final say. On weekends, Brenda wakes up early and devotes most of her time to creative writing. Usually she's lucky and the words simply flow from the tips of her fingertips onto the computer screen. But, she admits, "Sometimes the housework suffers."

Brenda's thoughts on the most misused phrase today: "When people say something is 'really unique'. There is no degree to uniqueness - it's either unique or it's not."

Brenda's thoughts on how new technologies influence reading habits: "I think people like to read and hold a book in their hands ... video books are fine on occasion because they allow you to do work around the house or drive your car.... I don't think I would ever read an e-book."

You can find Brenda's novels in major bookstores like Chapters, Indigo and Barnes & Noble, and smaller stores like Collected Works, Leishman Books and Prime Crime Books. On December 2, 2006, from 1 to 3 p.m., Brenda will be signing books at Shirley Leishman Books in Westgate Mall, Ottawa, Ontario. For more information, visit the
www.brendachapman.ca Web site.

Brenda Chapman interviewed

Brenda Chapman was recently interviewed by Karen Syed of Echelon Publishing, Maryland, USA. The interview can be found here:

http://teen-seen.blogspot.com/2006/11/mysteries-for-young-at-heart-interview.html

Stolen Away launch a great success!

On November 15th, Napoleon author Christopher Dinsdale launched his new young adult adventure novel "Stolen Away" at Chapters in Newmarket, Ontario. Here are some photos from the event. Congratulations, Chris!

Prose Workshop with Karen Krossing

Teens aged 12 to 19 are invited to join young-adult author Karen Krossing at her Prose Workshop, held at the North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street (at the North York Centre subway stop) on Tuesday, February 20, 6-8 pm. Work on your creative writing endeavours, meet other teen writers, and consider submitting your work to Young Voices, Toronto Public Library's magazine for teen writing and art. Space is limited. To register, contact Ken Sparling at ksparling@torontopubliclibrary.ca or 416-397-5970. For more information about Young Voices go to www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ramp.

More on Brenda Chapman

Brenda Chapman has been featured in the Lakehead University alumni news here:

http://magazine.lakeheadu.ca/page.php?p=53&i=7

Stolen Away out now!

Napoleon author Christopher Dinsdale celebrates the launch of his latest young adult adventure novel, "Stolen Away".

Brenda Chapman in Ottawa

Napoleon's Brenda Chapman will be signing books at Shirley Leishman bookstore in Westgate Mall (Ottawa) on Saturday, December 2nd from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

More from lian goodall

On Saturday afternoon, August 19, Napoleon author lian goodall met visitors at the Elman Campbell Museum in Newmarket as part of their Nova Scotia Day. lian showed images and chatted with visitors about the life of Nova Scotian contralto, Portia White. Elsewhere in the museum, her husband, Derek Cooke, shared his experiences as curator at the Fortress of Louisbourg.

On Tuesday evening, October 3rd, goodall returned to the Elman Campbell Museum. This time she helped kick off Women's History Month with a talk based on her Napoleon book Singing Towards the Future: the Story of Portia White. It was interesting to meet people in the audience who were descendants of Black Nova Scotians!

'Stolen Away' launch

'Stolen Away' by Christopher Dinsdale

Launches: November 15th at Chapters Newmarket

Come to Chapters Newmarket on November 15th and help Mr. Dinsdale launch his brand new novel Stolen Away! This is Christopher Dinsdale’s second historical action adventure novel with Napoleon Publishing. It follows on the success of his first award-winning novel 'Broken Circle'.

When purchasing this novel, you will also be supporting Clearmeadow Public School. Chapters Newmarket has agreed to give 10% of all sales of 'Stolen Away' to Clearmeadow Public School. On this special day, they have also agreed to give Clearmeadow 10% off all other regular-priced merchandise as well!

See You There!

More from Heather Kirk

Napoleon author Heather Kirk will be signing copies of her book about Mazo de la Roche at Benares Historic House in Mississauga on Sunday December 17, 2006 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Heather Kirk news and events

Napoleon author Heather Kirk gave a day-long seminar on writing for children at Georgian
College in Barrie, Ontario on Saturday September 29, 2006.

At the Barrie Chapters store on Thursday October 5, 2006, Heather signed
copies of her newly released book: Mazo de la Roche: Rich and Famous Writer,
published by XYZ Publishing of Montreal. This biography is for teens and
adults. Heather's book signing was part of Teacher Appreciation Day at the
Chapters store.

Heather is giving a course on creative writing at Georgian College in Barrie
on Monday evenings from October 16 to December 4, 2006.

Heather will be giving an illustrated talk on Mazo de la Roche to the Aurora
Historical Society at Hillary House in Aurora, Ontario on Wednesday November
15, 2006 at 8 p.m.

Christopher Dinsdale signing at Chapters

Here is a photo from Chris Dinsdale's Teacher Appreciation Day signing at the Chapters store in Newmarket, Ontario, October 1st, 2006. Books were sold to teachers visiting from as far away as the Bruce Peninsula and Midland, many of whom had heard what a terrific classroom resource "Broken Circle" and its teacher's guide are. The word is out!

Chapters Newmarket will also be hosting the launch of Chris' latest Napoleon novel, "Stolen Away", in November. Stay tuned to this space for further details.

Joanna Emery presents ...

Napoleon Publishing author Joanna Emery will be presenting her book, "Caring For A Colony: The Story of Jeanne Mance" throughout the day at the 16th Annual Heritage Book Fair -to be held on Saturday, November 18th, 2006, 9:30am to 3:00pm, St. James United Church, 306 Parkside Drive, Waterdown.

Brenda Chapman has the power!

Brenda Chapman has accepted the position of chairperson for Capital Crime Writers. Congratulations, Brenda!

More Brenda Chapman news and events

Thursday, September 14 -  CKCU 93.1 FM
Brenda will be in conversation with Jane Crosier in Literary Landscape from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.

October 17 - 1:15-2:00 -
Visiting author at the Alta Vista Branch of the Ottawa Public Library .

Tuesday, November 7 -
Brenda is a presenter at the Literacy Can Change Lives national conference at the University of Toronto.

Brenda will be one of five judges in the Telling Our Stories contest, an initiative by the
Federation of Ontario Public Libraries to celebrate the magic of public libraries in our
communities.

Listen to Brenda Chapman's CBC interview

Brenda Chapman's August 2nd interview with the CBC's Mary-Jean Cormier can now be streamed from http://www.brendachapman.ca

lian goodall to give lecture

To kick off Women's History Month, Napoleon's lian goodall will be giving a lecture on the life of Portia White on Wednesday, October 4th at:

Elman Campbell Museum
134 Main Street South
Newmarket, Ontario
L3Y 3Y7
905.953.5314

lian will be at the same museum on Saturday, August 19th with a Portia White booth as part of their Nova Scotia day.

Brenda Chapman returns from promotional tour

Brenda Chapman has returned from a successful promotional tour of the Thunder Bay area, including an interview on CBC radio, a Chapters book signing and appearances at several area libraries. Here are some photos from her trip. Way to go!

Peggy Dymond Leavey at Writer's Workshop

Napoleon's Peggy Dymond Leavey has been chosen as one of six authors and illustrators to participate in the MASC Young Authors' Workshops in Ottawa, Ontario in April 2007. Students from grades 4 to 8 are hand-picked from schools in western Ontario and eastern Quebec to participate in this unique workshop experience. Also included in the activities will be a book fair and autograph sessions. Have fun, Peggy!

Day's Lee on "Becoming an Author"

Day's Lee, author of "The Fragrant Garden", will be speaking at the Canadian Authors' Association on Monday, August 14th at the Westmount Library in Montreal. The topic of her talk will be "Becoming an Author."

Brenda Chapman on CBC Radio

Brenda Chapman will be interviewed on CBC Radio Thunder Bay on Wednesday, August 2nd between 8.15-8.30 AM. She will be discussing her latest Napoleon YA Fiction title, "Hiding In Hawk's Creek". Later that same day, she will be reading and signing books at the local Chapters. Have fun, Brenda!

Brenda Chapman is on the promotion trail

Brenda Chapman is having a very busy summer promoting her new Napoleon title, "Hiding in Hawk's Creek". Here is her current itinerary:

Monday, July 31st -- reading at Terrace Bay, Ontario public library

Tuesday, August 1st, 3pm -- reading at Port Arthur Library, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Wednesday, August 2nd, 6.30 pm -- book signing at Chapters, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Thursday, August 24th, 6.30 pm -- interview, CKCU 93.1 FM, Ottawa, Ontario

A teacher's review of "Hiding in Hawk's Creek" can be found at the following address:

http://www.cqsb.qc.ca/svs/434/ch/mgbb.htm

Good luck with all your engagements, Brenda!

A new short story from Peggy Dymond Leavey

Popular Napoleon author Peggy Dymond Leavey was recently commissioned by the United Church to write a short story for their website's children's page. Titled "The First Step", the story can be found at http://www.united-church.ca/play/library/stories.shtm. Way to go Peggy!

Mel Malton is on the move!

Mel Malton is doing a lot of travel this summer and fall in support of her new YA mystery title, "The Drowned Violin". Here is her itinerary:

July 8, 11 – 1: Signing at Loft of Books, Alliston

July 13, 6:30 p.m.: Reading at Huntsville Festival of the Arts Poetry Café, at The Porch restaurant

July 14, 6 p.m.: Launch of The Drowned Violin at the kick-off to the 5th annual Muskoka Novel Marathon, Stone House (Community Living Building), Huntsville

July 21 – 22: Reading/signing at Books By The Bay festival, Gullivers’ books, North Bay

July 28, 2 – 4 p.m.: Signing at Manticore Books, Orillia.

Be sure to check her out this summer if she's in your area!

On another note, Mel is appearing in Neil Simon's "The Dinner Party" at the Gravenhurst Opera House from July 31 to August 17. Is there anything this woman can't do? On September 9th at 9 a.m., she'll be involved in a creative writing workshop at Sundridge Library in Sundridge, Ontario, followed by a well deserved holiday in Newfoundland.

John Wilson's a blogger too!

Author John Wilson has his very own blog here on the blogger.com system. You can check it out by clicking the John Wilson link at left. Enjoy!

"Vivian Untangled" launch at Mabel's Fables

On June 6, 2006, Mabel's Fables in Toronto hosted the launch of Sarah Hartt-Snowbell's "Vivian Untangled". Pictured are Sarah with publisher Sylvia McConnell (bottom) and her grand-daughter (top), engrossed in a book. Congratulations on a successful launch, Sarah!

We always knew Heather had an encyclopedic mind ...

Heather Kirk, author of "Warsaw Spring" and "A Drop of Rain", has published an article on famous Canadian writer Mazo de la Roche in the Literary Encyclopedia online. Congratulations, Heather! The encyclopedia can be accessed via http://www.literaryencyclopedia.com.

Welcome to the Napoleon Publishing blog!

Wow ... look at us! Napoleon Publishing has joined the blogosphere!

This blog will be used to keep Napoleon Publishing readers and authors abreast of all the latest developments in the Napoleon world. Cool tidbits, news, photos, upcoming events, thoughts ... you'll be able to find it all here.

Check back often! We look forward to your comments.

Craig @ Napoleon