Sunday, October 19th was another awesome book launch day for me. Well, not exactly for me... more so, for author, Jessica Outram. Jessica was launching her book, "The Writing Spiral: Learning as a Writer" published by Sunshine in a Jar Press, located in Cobourg, Ontario. The unique cover art was designed by Livia Tsang. The book design was by Janet Boccone.
There were thirty writers who contributed to this book, and I was one of them! Therefore, I consider it to be one of my book launches too!
Also, I will note, that there were four people from Owen Sound that contributed to this little masterpiece... all of which, are part of my Ascribe Writing group. Their writing contributions can be found on the following pages within The Writing Spiral.
Kelly Babcock ~ A Song In My Heart (Page 77)
Helena Chenier ~ Writing Prompts (Page 59)
Andrée Levie-Warrilow ~ The Process (Page 72)
Lori Twining ~ Alone In The Crowd (Page 245)
Thirty writers share poems, stories, memoirs, and essays as demonstrations of the themes. The contributors include: Lynda Allison, Kelly Babcock, Erika Bailey, Mona Blaker, Ken Bond, Helen Chenier, Heidi Croot, Phyllis Diller Stewart, Sacha Farrell, Catherine Graham, Barbara E. Hunt, Shane Joseph, Ruth Latta, Andree Levie-Warrilow, Nancy Melcher, Dee Miles, M.J. Moores, Lori Pearson, Gwynn Scheltema, David Sheffield, Felicity Sidnell Reid, Pat Skene, Lesley Strutt, Erin Thomas, Lori Twining, Christina Vasilevski, Lynn Vieira, Ruth Walker, Brenda J. Wood, and Collette Yvonne.
Jessica Outram introducing the readers during the Book Launch in Cobourg.
This book is the perfect gift for someone who writes. Basically, it is a book on writing for writers, with contributions from real writers. The praise is already pouring in for the book.
"The Writing Spiral is an inspirational and motivational book for those involved in the practice of writing. It deals with practical matters such as how to avoid getting stuck in a writing project, how to behave in a writers' group, and how to go about finding a safe community in which to test ideas. But it is also a philosophical book that meditates on the meaning of one's life, learning how to see, and adapting to solitude and self-awareness. This text wonders about writing, and includes pieces by other writers involved in the same experience, and I recommend it for all those who wonder about writing too and want to get even more engaged in the life of writing. It will also help spur those just starting out on this path."
~ Antanas Sileika, Author of Underground and Director of Humber School of writers
"In The Writing Spiral, Jessica Outram uses the pattern referenced in her title to explore ways in which writing and learning impact and affect each other. Through a series of reflections, exercises, essays and the generous inclusion of other writers' writing about writing, the author spirals through investigation, discovery, and delving ever more deeply into the questions this book addresses. How do we write? How are we changed by our writing? How can we direct our writing toward revelation and resolution? An engaging and inspirational book designed to challenge each writer to follow their own spiralling line of ink into authentic discovery."
~ Susan Lynn Reynolds, Writer, Creative Writing Teacher and Therapeutic Counsellor
My contribution, Alone In The Crowd, was regarding my experience with writing alone in many different places versus writing in one room with thirty-nine other people breathing in the same air. I try to explain the differences and the excitement of trying something new. If you are fearful of joining a crowd, I can totally relate. Sometimes, you have to put your "brave coat" on and charge into a new experience. Four years ago, I did just that. I walked into a room of writers, all of which I did not know, and tried to write a novel during a 72-hour writing marathon... the Muskoka Novel Marathon in Huntsville, during a hot long weekend.
A terrifying experience turned into something that is hard to explain. It was like being reborn. The energy inside me, burst through my fingers and words flew into my manuscript. During those 72 hours, I not only walked away with a wonderful first draft of a novel, but I captured the hearts of many people, who became friends...very good friends. These people quickly became my second family. We keep in touch with the help of email and social media, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Hangouts and talk with one another, almost on a daily basis. I couldn't be more happy with that decision to attend the writing marathon. Stepping outside my comfort zone was a blessing in disguise.
Anyway, my blurb in The Writing Spiral, touches on my experience of attending the Muskoka Novel marathon. If you get a chance, you should read it...and maybe, I'll see you at next year's writing marathon?
To order a copy of The Writing Spiral: Learning As A Writer, you can pick one up from me at $20/book, or you can order online and pay $20 + $8 shipping fee. Here's a link to order: Sunshine In a Jar Press
Or in person from Jessica, who will be attending these events:
A terrifying experience turned into something that is hard to explain. It was like being reborn. The energy inside me, burst through my fingers and words flew into my manuscript. During those 72 hours, I not only walked away with a wonderful first draft of a novel, but I captured the hearts of many people, who became friends...very good friends. These people quickly became my second family. We keep in touch with the help of email and social media, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Hangouts and talk with one another, almost on a daily basis. I couldn't be more happy with that decision to attend the writing marathon. Stepping outside my comfort zone was a blessing in disguise.
Anyway, my blurb in The Writing Spiral, touches on my experience of attending the Muskoka Novel marathon. If you get a chance, you should read it...and maybe, I'll see you at next year's writing marathon?
To order a copy of The Writing Spiral: Learning As A Writer, you can pick one up from me at $20/book, or you can order online and pay $20 + $8 shipping fee. Here's a link to order: Sunshine In a Jar Press
Or in person from Jessica, who will be attending these events:
- Saturday, November 8: WCDR Breakfast Meeting, Ajax
- Saturday, November 22: Bookapalooza at UOIT Oshawa
- Saturday, November 29: The Writing Spiral Workshop Part One
- Saturday, December 6: The Writing Spiral Workshop Part Two
- Saturday, December 13 from 1-3 we are hoping to do an event at Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge
My supply of books for sale. $20/book.
RSS Feed