Smuggling, Piracy and Highway Robbery

I've been continuing to research smuggling, piracy and highway robbery, only to discover that any ideas I come up with are not half as imaginative, crazy, daring and colourful as some of the things that actually took place in the 18th and 19th centuries. So when I finally (finally!) finish writing my stories, and a publisher says, 'Joan, this is too far fetched,' I shall say, 'On the contrary, dear publisher. Not even a tiny bit far-fetched. The truth is way wackier than the fiction.'

Writing My Travel Journal in Ravenna, 2011

Looking Ahead to 2014 and (I hope) 2015.

The trend is changing. Without intending to I've written more than my share of books with food in the titles. Now it seems I'm moving to the animal kingdom. Well, strictly speaking hens are birds - although I understand they used to be dinosaurs. Now I'm moving on to the canine world. My next book, all being well, will be about a dog with obedience issues. In fact, if all goes REALLY well, the one after that will be the sequel. So hang in there. These things take time. You can't rush a publisher. Meanwhile, back to my pile of unfinished manuscripts.

Can Hens Give Milk? - Now in Paperback.

For those of you who can't get enough of those amazing Chelm hens, my last book is now in a softcover version. Can be bought, or ordered, through you local bookstore - assuming you live in Canada or the United States. Otherwise it's Amazon.

Details, details. But not too many.

I've been working on my historical novel about smugglers. I have to keep reminding myself that this is fiction, and not a history book (thank you Stephen King for reminding me). Authentic details - such as the price of oatmeal and bar soap - should not take centre stage. No one is interested in reading two pages describing how sheep are sheared, or how barrels are made. In the meantime I'm actually excited as I write, as if I'm the reader not the writer (well, I guess I'm both).
          I can't wait to find out what happens next?
          I love it.

News and Information

Great news. I just found out that an audio version of Can Hens Give Milk? is in the works.
Also - artists keep asking me how to get into the book illustration business. I'm not an artist, but I do know how this works and how it doesn't work.

Do not ask a writer to collaborate on a book unless you are both well known in the field. Publishers like to be in control and to match a writer with an illustrator.

Do go to the local library, or bookstore, and find this year's edition of Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market.* See what each publisher wants, and how to submit samples of your work - and then go for it.

Do ask an illustrator for advice and tips.

*This is where the apostrophes are in some of the Google sites. It's a bit ambiguous, isn't it? I've settled on the above.

Word on the Street

Vancouver held WOTS downtown today around the central branch of the VPL. It was a good feeling to walk around in the sunshine and see books, publishers, writers, librarians, teachers and readers. An inspiring afternoon.
And it's also Sukkot, the Jewish thanksgiving/harvest festival. We can be thankful for food and books. It's all nourishment. My friend Pam lives in Malta and her village of Zejtun just celebrated an Olive Festival. Now and then we need to be grateful for all the good things we have.
Enjoy reading, writing and eating. Cheers.