Surrey International Writers’ Conference – Last Day
A s for the last day of the conference it was like the other days….and I’m pleased to say that I made my table money on all three days. First time for that. My new line of bookmarks seems to be paving the way for a fresh look at my books and people definitely did stop to check them out. I sold a total of 17 of the beauties along with a few books, a couple of mini reads and several pairs of earrings made from the same beads as the bookmarks. By the time I packed and got home mid-afternoon I was exhausted and felt I deserved the rest of the day off so I took a mid-afternoon nap. I LOVE those. I’m one of those people that a 20-minute nap refreshes me. Monday I had an appointment with the Newton Branch of the Surrey Library. In April, 2012...
3rd Day is a Charm
 This will be my third day at the Surrey International Writers Conference and up until very late in the afternoon yesterday I had sold only bookmarks. I was okay with that because the first day of bookmark sales paid for the table for the three days – money is money after all. The last sale at my table was for 2 of my little mini reads and one bookmark. Good – I was happy with that. At the author’s signing in the evening I wasn’t really expecting any sales but, of course, we can always hope. I sold one bookmark as soon as I sat down and my last sale of the day was to a playwright. Earlier in the evening he was talking to my tablemate – Bruce Dowbiggen – a journalist of Calgary and after Bruce left and I was packing...
Surrey International Writers’ Conference
I always look forward to the 3rd week of October and this year it’s from the 21st to the 23rd of October for the Surrey International Writer’s Conference. Even though I’ve been there several times now I always combine it with Thursday evening at Chapter’s Book Store in Strawberry Hill, Surrey for an evening listening to several authors read their work. I try to sit front row center. I’m also the first one with their hand up to ask a question or two. Diana Gabaldon, one of my VERY favorite authors, is always on hand. I have attended a couple of her classes at the SIWC. I have listened to her reading at Chapters every year and was absolutely stunned recently when I looked at her website. I really thought that once you make...
October News and Views
O ctober definitely has shaped up to be a winner. Although the Surrey Arts Council craft show turned out to be a bust I did make my booth money back and for this neighborhood that’s all I can really expect. I won’t be doing many events in Newton. I did hear again from Chicken Soup for the Soul and I should be receiving the 10 copies of O Canada within the next 2 weeks. I can also purchase case lots (20 in a case) at half price but I’ll pass that.   I am so excited and I think I have finally realized WHY it is so exciting. Normally I write the book, get it edited, contact my computer guru Brion from www.bookcreatives.com for the cover. Then I print, bind and flog. It’s non stop work, work, work. Chicken Soup for the Soul...
Welcome to October
H ard to believe that the summer is over and from August to yesterday I was delighted to be home, keeping myself busy with writing, beading, selling and enjoying my friends. October is going to be a busy month and that started yesterday – although I must confess it started with a whimper rather than a roar. Yesterday was day 1 at the Surrey Art’s Council craft show and for me, and most of the other vendors – except for the hot dog guy outside – it was a bust. We had non-stop (and way too loud) entertainment that was (except for a couple of acts) mediocre at best. We couldn’t talk to our potential customers without screaming. They promised it would be lower today with 10 to 15 minute intermissions. Today it is only 4 hours...
Leavenworth Washington Camping Rally
W ell, my first camping rally in over 5 years is over and I have a few thoughts on the subject. I’ll start with the end result. Normally I head south for the winter and north for the summer. This was the first time EVER that I loaded up for a 4 day jaunt and discovered that it is as exhausting going for 4 days as it is going someplace for the winter or summer. That said – it was a great experience. I left Thursday morning, stayed overnight at the Wal Mart in Marysville, Washington (right on highway 5 and 6 miles before Highway 2 and my turnoff to Leavenworth). Friday morning I drove the last hundred miles to the Icicle River Campground. The first ladies that I was introduced to were (1) bead makers and (2) potters. We immediately started...
September Update
W e are in the second week of September and the weather remains spectacular – have to admit I’m a little tired of the heat. Jumping into the pool every afternoon is rather pleasant but I have no energy for anything else and I want to start moving around without water around me. Edith and I have done our fair share to keep the bead companies in business. Last week we went out to Michael’s in Langley, had a good look around and decided that they were DEFINITELY much to expensive. Left empty-handed, went to Boston Pizza for lunch and just as we were pulling into the parking lot I spotted a Fabric Land in the middle of the parking lot. I asked if they had beads and we decided to take a few minutes, walk over and have a look. To make a long...