Each time I do a massive culling of the “treasure” in our house, I come upon this relic; this 10x15 cm block of marble has a fountain pen attached with a magnet that allows it to rotate on the stand. At the bottom, a gold plate is engraved: BETTY JANE HARKE Presented by Jr. Crest … Continue reading So I Became a Junior Oddfellow

https://tinyurl.com/ywv6p7x6 I frequently get Google alerts directing me to piracy sites where my books are for sale at bargain prices. The physical book is reproduced in its entirety, printed and sold without permission, and with e-books, the electronic file is simply stripped of digital copy protection and uploaded. The author’s recourse—a feeble cease and desist, … Continue reading Generosity vs Piracy

In the process of culling a lot of other possessions to make for a less cluttered home, I eventually ended up at the bookcases. Some years back, it seemed like sacrilege—me, professing to be a disciple of words and story—to discard books. Pass along so others can enjoy them, donate to book sales, pack away … Continue reading Keeping the Grass Green; making sure the sun shines on beautiful books

We need to say the names, to light candles, to remember Some years ago, I was at the Banff Centre on December 6th.  During breakfast, women in different corners of the dining room, artists in residence, began to stand one by one and say the names.  It was the twentieth anniversary  of the Montreal massacre. … Continue reading Say Their Names

(previously published in AlbertaViews magazine, and A Crack in the Wall  (Oolichan Books 2008) Storm Warning Jess has been staring at the ceiling for hours, possibly all night. But it’s only since dawn she’s noticed the water stain in the corner above the window. A dark blot that starts on the ceiling and trickles down the flowery … Continue reading An old story re-run, just because it’s the stormy season

I keep saying that I don’t review books, but what a pleasure it is to read and join the chorus of characters in praise of a book whose author I know well. I have just finished Audrey Whitson’s new novel, The Death of Annie the Water Witcher by Lightning (NeWest Press 2019).  In fact, I … Continue reading The Death of Annie the Water Witcher by Lightning

Jack Pecover died today, and I feel a deep sense of loss. Although we only met in person perhaps ten times over the years, we carried on a long epistolary conversation.   A letter from Jack was a time to sit down, get my wits about me, smile, laugh and hear his voice in my mind … Continue reading The Work of Justice

Today is the anniversary of the 1989 massacre of fourteen women at  École Polytechnique, an engineering school affiliated with the Université de Montréal.  Marc Lepine’s name is indelibly written in this tragic piece of history. Today is the day to remember the names of the victims. While I was doing research toward writing The Boy, driving … Continue reading The names that become infamous; the names forgotten

I read a review of Writing Alberta; Building on a Literary Landscape, edited by George Melnyk and Donna Coates ( U of C Press 2017) in AlbertaViews quite recently and it has been on my "to read" list. Essays by or about Alberta authors and their work are always of interest. Yesterday, I discovered in … Continue reading Writing Alberta

For three weeks, I’ve shopped, baked and decorated. I am building Christmas for my family. Today, I have one last purchase to make for each child; one special present to add to the practical pyjamas, sweaters and socks and the books, games and CDs. I’m stuck in traffic, making one last trip to the mall. … Continue reading The Top of Toy Mountain (1999)

My good friend, Susan Toy, dedicates a large amount of time to promoting books and authors, and offering advice on “the business.” She also finds time to write and publishes her work and that of others under her own imprint, IslandCatEditions. Susan is a splendid cook and an inspired one.  A recipe she created for … Continue reading One Woman’s Island

I know I am not alone in my dread of promoting my own books. It’s not only the obviously shy or tongue-tied who cringe at the idea of sitting behind a table in a bookstore, trying to catch the attention of the people who pass by deliberately avoiding eye contact. Or reluctant to approach event … Continue reading Promotion; the key to selling books, and the pain and the shame

I launched a new book this year, so I’m eager for reviews, and at the same time take a deep breath before I read them. I’ve known authors who simply do not read reviews of their books and theatre people who don’t read reviews of their plays. I’m just too curious to take that position, … Continue reading This Author’s Thoughts on Book Reviews