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My book is in this store in Perth, Ontario.
In fact, someone from Saskatchewan
phoned them asking for a copy! |
I am always happy to talk to another author. The Book Nook was hosting
James K. Bartleman's book signing for his new novel. They don't carry my book, putting co-published or self-published books on a shelf in a small books store is nearly impossible.
Mine is available here and at the Book Worm in Perth, as well as a few other stores. They carry a nice selection of local authors. For that I am grateful!
I explained to Mr. Bartleman that it is hard to get *my* book into smaller bookstores, if you are not famous, as some want to save space for famous Canadians! He giggled!
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Dr. Goldman in my
kitchen/dining room! |
Unless you are with a big name publisher, it is very difficult to get air time, and media attention, as well. Local newspapers have been kind to me. The EMC has highlighted my recent air time on CBC's White Coat, Black Art. But despite a vivid web presence, and many interns at various news outlets phoning to pick my brains, there is little fame or glory!
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This man was picking Mr. Bartleman's brain,
wondering how to publish a book! |
I was excited to read in our local Perth papers that this former lieutenant-governor of Ontario, a foreign diplomat for 35 years, was doing a book signing in our wee town. An amazing man who has fought tirelessly for aboriginal peoples, he grew up in Port Carling, a small town, near my former home and cottage in
Bala, Ontario. (You can read about
Snowmageddon in Port, Dec. 2009.)
His incredible autobiography,
Raisin Wine, based on his childhood in Port Carling, is used in high schools, he tells me, to help give our young people an understanding of the history of central Ontario, and the embedded racism that Native Peoples faced as whites moved into their world. The horrible stories of institutionalization, and the impact on its people are a difficult part of Canadian history.
I am happy to say that I spent a great deal of time in my classrooms speaking of the truth. Part of the grade 6 curriculum, we
took our kids to the International Aboriginal Festival, back in the day. It was a meaningful time for me, as I enlightened my students.
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| The Book Nook – love these old buildings! |
In the store, there was a fair bit of Saturday afternoon traffic. Including one man who was asking about publishing a book. I
gave him a couple of suggestions!
I have done a fair amount of research on this for
my Pen Men, the creative writing classes I taught in Beaver Creek Penitentiary.
