Elaine Cougler
Posts by Elaine Cougler:
Margaret Laurence, Jean Little and My Writing Journey
This past June I was lucky enough to attend a writers’ conference in downtown Toronto, Ontario. Such a plethora of choice sessions to attend made my two days there very interesting but the best for me was going to hear Jean Little give the Margaret Laurence Lecture which is always entitled “A Writer’s Life”.
I knew this would be interesting as Jean Little’s writing helped send me on my own writing journey. I well remember sitting on my back porch and finishing Listen For the Singing, one of Little’s books I read for a Children’s Literature course I was taking at the time. As I closed the book the tears came and I remember wishing so hard that I could write that well that I couldn’t stop crying. You see, Jean Little is almost blind but has risen to the top of her profession. What an icon she is.
Now the second thing which made me want to attend Little’s lecture was the name of the Canadian author whose name graces the event. Margaret Laurence. As a young stay-at-home-mother searching the local library for books, I found Laurence’s Jest of God. And my mother lent me her copy of The Fire Dwellers. Both of these books seemed to reach right into my soul and know what I was thinking and feeling. The first is about a single school teacher in the Canadian prairies and her sad struggle to find a life and to recognize who she is. The second deals with her sister suffering through a less than perfect marriage in Vancouver, both sisters shaped by their prairie upbringing with an undertaker father and the down sides of living in a small town. I could relate to all of this even though my own story is nothing like these.
With every new book that Laurence produced, I went further into my own coming of adult age. The woman just seemed to pick topics so current and so poignant that they touched me. Later I was lucky enough to teach The Stone Angel to my senior English classes, and the story of Morag Gunn came to life in The Diviners. Laurence wrote several other novels and many short stories but The Stone Angel is the one for which she is revered even though it was, at one point, removed from school curricula as a result of extremist book banning actions.
It took me a lot of years to find the exact right combination of life circumstances to reach out and become a writer myself but these two women certainly egged me on. When my son asked me if there was anything I wished I had done in my life so far, I said, “Write a novel.” It just popped out. He replied with all the reasons he thought the timing was perfect. “If not now, when?” he asked.
Elaine Cougler’s website: www.elainecougler.com
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London Chapters Mecca for Readers
Have you ever wanted to write a book or to meet published authors face-to-face? On Civic Holiday, Monday, August 1, 2016, you are invited to meet 6 London area authors, face-to-face, and peruse their books at a fabulous event hosted by Chapters, Wellington Road, and the London Writers Society.
You Are Invited
What: The London Writers Society Inaugural Authors Day. Six featured local authors will speak about their writing and be available for book signings.
When: Civic Holiday Monday (Aug. 1) from noon to 3:00 p.m.
Where: The Chapters Book Store, 1037 Wellington Road, London, Ontario (519) 685-1008
Who: Six local authors whose storytelling and writing matches that of best selling authors. Featured authors will be:
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Pat Brown, prolific author of gritty detective mysteries and historical fiction.
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Elaine Cougler, award-winning author of an historical fiction trilogy based on the Loyalists.
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Colin Forbes, writer of a thought-provoking autobiography about his work as a physician on four continents.
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Rita Hartley, author of a compelling memoir about trekking back from loss to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
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John Matsui, award-winning writer who’s won critical acclaim for his urban fantasies and thrillers.
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Aldous Richards, author of acclaimed sci-fi literature
Why: Fans around the world know these talented writers. The London Writers Society wants to introduce their works to a wider local audience.
What reviewers are saying about:
KRONOS DUET by Aldous Richards- “it will leave you breathless.”
LATE BITE by John Matsui- “Kept me up all night.”
LONG CLIMB BACK by Rita Hartley- “Clever and witty and inspiring throughout.”
FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART by Dr. Colin Forbes- “(Forbes is) deserving of the word – humanitarian.”
THE LOYALIST’S WIFE by Elaine Cougler- “Her storytelling ability is awesome.”
L.A. HEAT by Pat Brown- “Brutal, Thrilling, Romantic and HOT.”
So now you have all the info. Here’s the blatant promotion part: Please come and say hi to these six authors. We’ll be delighted to chat with you and tell you all our tricks. You can see how extraordinarily different we all are. You can even buy our books! 🙂
The Link Between Books and Beauty
From time to time I get emails in relation to my Pinterest account and the boards I’ve shown interest in. One of those boards is libraries and I have many lovely library pictures from around the world.
This article (by Inigo del Castillo) and delectable photo, however, came through Facebook and its splendor caught my attention immediately. If you read through the article, at the bottom you’ll find many more shots of what is touted as the second most beautiful bookstore in the world.
I’ve been to a couple of gorgeous renovated theatres with wonderful frescoes painted on the ceiling over the proscenium arch so I recognized that feature immediately. Makes me wonder what Da Vinci’s back was like after he painted the Sistine Chapel.
Turning this old theatre into a stunning bookstore, however, is a new concept to me. I could browse there for days although the management probably wouldn’t let me take in the shopping cart I’d need for all my book choices.
Just a couple of weeks ago I went into the local Chapters/Indigo store with a wonderful gift certificate from my daughter. Yay! I could indulge myself. Ha! Half or more of the store is taken up with candles and wraps and fuzzy animals and the like. Usually I find more books I want than what I can afford. This day I searched for substance among rows of flimsy flights of author fancy, none of which interested me. I couldn’t find much I would even consider reading let alone buying. I’ve never had that experience in a bookstore before. When I finally settled on a book, Stalin’s Daughter, I headed for the cash.
The path to pay is a veritable gauntlet of non-book items. Of course those are useful to keep the would-be purchaser occupied while waiting in the inevitable lineup. Do you think stores do this on purpose?
The contrast between the bookstore shown above and my latest experience here in Canada is vast and while my sympathy is with bookstore owners’ need to make money, I wonder if there is a way to make the store itself the magnet. I do realize that this topic is far broader than my small blog’s scope but I’ll keep longing to visit those fabulous bookstores of the world and buying as many good books as I can. I’d like others to experience the quick rush of tears I felt a few years ago in Dublin’s Trinity College library as I beheld the very old Book of Kells, surrounded by floors of beautiful shelves of books. Fabulous.
A Summer Day Trip in Ontario
This morning I’m writing my weekly blog post while on a bit of a car trip with my husband. We are driving down highway 401to Windsor early this warm and humid day in southern Ontario in connection with hubby’s STEM Camp duties.
All along the flat lands surrounding Chatham and Tilbury and beyond, rows of hydro-producing wind turbines stretch farther than I can see. Part of me loves this new technology for producing electricity but another part abhors the blight on the farming landscape.
It is mesmerizing. Slowly the giant tri-armed monsters rotate at the same pace, but not in sync. Always the author, I think in metaphors. I think of writing and the slow journey each of my books has been. And the way each day is just a few more pages written or facts found or ideas hatched, and sometimes all three at once. And when I’ve completed enough of these days, the books are done.
The wind turbines, costing millions of taxpayer dollars, diligently turn, turn, turn, and in the homes and businesses across Ontario lights burn, factories churn, and we all spurn the days gone by when two hands and a strong back took the place of all this power. But there is no completing the task for these giants. Our hunger for more and more power just grows.
These days the debate rages about reading itself and about paper versus electronic books with the camps on either side of the debate, sure their viewpoint is correct. I like both. Just now I’m delighted to be sitting in a Tim Horton’s with my water and my iPad writing this post. Traveling is my favorite time to read electronically.
I’m usually old school when it comes to reading. I love to touch the pages, to see physically how far I’ve read, and to organize my favorite books on my shelves, by author and/or subject. Before we downsized I treasured over 1500 books in my very own library, part of which I’ve kept.
I see no reason why we readers can’t enjoy both ways of reading, according to our tastes and circumstances. And I haven’t even mentioned audio books! Just now we’re putting the finishing touches on the audio version of The Loyalist’s Wife. More on that in the weeks to come.
How many of you are like the wind turbines, bit by bit fueling your own valuable creations? And what do you think of running our lives through this type of electricity creation?
Oops, time to hit the road back home again!
20+ Ways to Make Your Book Table a Book SALES Table
Here’s a book display I did early on in my new-author-selling-books career. It’s not bad but below is a list of things I’ve learned along the way and I hope some of them are useful to other authors.
20+ Ways to Make Your Book Table a Book SALES Table
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Plan ahead. The morning of the event is too late.
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The number of copies of books you have should correspond to the size of the event. Extra books can be stored under the table or in your car, just in case.
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Make up a price sign and get a plastic display case to hold it upright on your table. This saves people the embarassment of having to ask.
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Get your photo taken for marketing and display it on your cards or other handouts.
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Do not put candies on your table. Too messy. Give out bookmarks and/or other items instead. (business cards)
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Take a tablecloth that matches your covers well in case the venue has nothing on the tables.
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Have a signup form for your list, either soliciting through a free draw or inviting those who buy your books. (MailChimp)
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Maybe put a pick up sheet of Raving Readers’ Comments on your table.
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Dress the part. Maybe a costume if you want and it’s applicable but definitely nicely.
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Bring your smile. A friendly face will go a long way to getting people to stop at your table.
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When they do, have a good opening question ready. I use several such as “Are you a reader?” “Do you like historical fiction?” “Enjoying the event?” Anything that shows you’re human and approachable. And don’t look desperate!
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If people are reading the back of your book, let them. Especially if they seem not to want to talk.
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Get there early to set up.
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Remember not everyone is a reader or a reader of your genre. It’s okay.
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Make people feel welcome whether they buy or not.
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If they are rushing by, let them.
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Know about the other vendors and their books so you can help them sell, especially if you’re talking to someone who loves science fiction and you sell children’s books. Direct them to your fellow author’s table.
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Autograph books ahead of time, then add a personal note if they ask. Saves loads of time.
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Your autograph is a selling feature. Emphasize that you have personally autographed books for sale.
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Take your banners with you and use them if there is room. You can’t put them up if they’re at home.
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There are many ways to have success at your table. Getting readers to sign up for your list, having readers notice you and your books, getting a query about speaking gigs, and, of course, making a book sale right then and there.
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Take your Square gizmo so that you can accept credit cards. Lots of people don’t carry cash so be ready for them. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to turn away a sale becaue you’re not signed up for Square.
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Good Luck! Of course you’ll make most of your own luck.
More exciting new things coming next week. In the meantime you’re welcome on my Goodreads author page. Come and visit!
Charlene Jones Interview
Today I’m interviewed on Charlene Jones wonderful Soul Sciences site via a podcast. Charlene interviewed me at her home north of Toronto late last spring when The Loyalist Legacy was nearing the end of its journey to publication. Of course today the book is out, the launch parties are in full swing, and this blog tour is finishing its second week of a three-week stint. Click on this link for the podcast itself and on this one to go to Charlene’s wonderful website. Sit back, put your feet up and listen to two women talk about writing, The Loyalist Legacy, life and our place in life.
This finishes up week two of The Loyalist Legacy Blog Tour. One More Week! Watch for the last day surprise!
Five Reasons To Celebrate!
This day has been a long time coming, this day of relief and smiles. No, I’m not talking about the two books in my arms although they’re part of my joy. Today I’m writing my first post for my updated blog on my brand spanking new website. So that’s my number one reason to be ecstatic today and, I hope, for a lot of days to come.
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My new website is finally up and running after months of struggles. Thanks to the two people who came to my rescue. We’ll have more changes and updates and upgrades but the site is live today.
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My audio book of the first in my trilogy is all recorded and just waiting for me to have a spare moment to finish off the packaging details. Now The Loyalist’s Wife will be available to accompany listeners in their cars, their showers, and on their iPods. So great for those who have trouble finding reading time. Here’s a blog post listing great reasons for authors to create audio books.
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A re-edit of that first book is moving along nicely for the second edition coming out this summer along with a new cover to match the others in the trilogy. For some reason the e-version ended up with a lot of formatting errors so I’ve taken the opportunity to do a second edition for both print and electronic formats. Of course the audio book is of this updated version and will have the new cover on the CD versions.
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Book trailer number two for The Loyalist’s Luck is almost here, too. I might even have it next week. If you missed the first one, here’s the link. It takes a minute and a half to watch.
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My revisions for The Loyalist Legacy are well underway with all but one of my beta readers having finished and returned the manuscript to me. These wonderful people are from varied places and have a multitude of experiences to bring to this very important job. I love that they each see the work differently and am so thankful to have their help. Today is the day I’ll start going through their comments and suggestions, on track for publication in November.
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As always if I can help you in any way please email me through the Contact button at the top. Now join me in a figurative sip of champagne!