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Dante Mottillo

An Ornate Observatory

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Booktalking: Red Maple Award and White Pine Award Reading Program @ OLA

If you haven’t heard me preach this principal before, I am sure you have been told from any writer you have ever known, that “constant reading is the writer’s most beneficial tool in his/her toolbox.” And is it not?

Bask in some of the most recent triumphs in young-adult fiction and non-fiction. Kenneth Oppel will be discussing his novel Half Brother, which won the Red Maple Award. Kelley Armstrong returns to the events blog yet again, with The Gathering, a recipient of the White Pine Award for fiction. And finally, Neil Pasricha will be discussing The Book of Awesome, a bestseller and recipient of the White Pine Award for non-fiction. So dive in for some new reads and insights by these authors.

When: November 22, 2012; from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm
Where: York Woods TPL branch: Teen Area; 36 Brentwood Road North
Register: Call 416 395-5980

Author’s Spotlight: Colonel Mustard in the Library: Author Sheila Dalton

Never have I seen so many fantastic opportunities to hear author’s discussions so close together. The Colonel Mustard in the Library series returns with author Sheila Dalton, who will be discussing her mystery novel, The Girl in the Box, the story of a Guatemalan girl who is suspected of murder after being traumatized by the violence all around her.

When: November 27; from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm
Where: Mount Pleasant TPL branch: Program Room; 599 Mt. Pleasant Road

Scholarly Discussions:Writing the East End: Authors Discuss their Works

And if you can’t make either of the two above events, don’t fret! Yet another slew of author’s thoughts will be coming your way during the beginning of December.

Jennefer Laidley and Gene Desfor will discuss the award winning book Reshaping Toronto’s Waterfront, a look at how the waterfront is poised as a crucial economical point.

Shawn Micallef presents Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto and Full Frontal T.O., an analysis of what Toronto’s modern “look” truly is.

And Mark Osbaldeston concludes with his Unbuilt Toronto: A History of the City That Might Have Been and Unbuilt Toronto 2: More of the City That Might Have Been. Both have been noted as revolutionary additions to the concepts of architectural analysis.

When: December 4; from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Where: Queen/Saulter TPL branch: Program Room—Ralph Thornton Centre; 578 Finch Avenue

Stepping Forward While Looking Back

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Groovy Groups: Canada: My New Home—Literature, Art, Culture and Traditions

Hopefully these explorative blogs have thus far reached out to a vast audience, because this week I bring a writing opportunity that targets writers that are fairly new to the country. Run by the YMCA Newcomer Information Center, all newcomers are invited to the library to discuss the culture of Canada, and even bring stories from their own culture. Help diversify Canadian literature with your own take on creative writing.

When: Every Monday; from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
Where: Centennial TPL branch; 578 Finch Avenue

Author’s Spotlight: Author Reading. Grace O’Connell reads from Magnified World

Released earlier this year was a particularly inspirational story of a daughter recuperating after her mother committed suicide by walking into the Don River, pockets filled with zircon. The author, Grace O’Connell, will be reading and discussing her novel in more detail. Hopefully this story will inspire all attendees, as it draws from a seemingly raw pain that many other great novels contain.

Upcoming dates: November 6; from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Where: Deer Park TPL branch: Program Room 2nd Floor; 40 St. Clair Avenue East

Inquisitions and Insights: The Curiosity of Schoolwith Author Zander Sherman

How have we been formed in our lives? Are there any particular moments that we can recall with which someone or some institution has tried to mould our future?

These are a few questions that Zander Sherman analyzes in his latest book. The educational institutions from the early-mid 19th century are analyzed, all the way to current standardized testing, and are brought together in a clever and rational light that will question the very idea of having an education. And just to be clear, he will not be saying that the education system is to warp our minds into stationary robots—no matter how bold and hilarious that would be. Hoping to one day become a teacher, I think that what Sherman has done is a great way to see how our society has viewed education over time, and how much the education process has actually developed over time.

When: November 13, 2012; from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm
Where: Brentwood TPL branch: Program Room; 36 Brentwood Road North

Gleeful Groups and Warming Words

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Groovy Groups: The Joy of Writing

The artistic word has always been—and hopefully will always be—made for the enjoyment and discussion of the general public. Join every Tuesday for a warm and welcoming group of fellow writers, and join in the amusement that is the written word. Read from your own work and critique others. This group is targeted towards the young adult audience.

When: Every Tuesday; from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Where: Queen/Saulter TPL branch: The Ralph Thornton Centre, Mezzanine Level; 765 Queen Street East
For more info: Call Lucille Barker (416) 392-6810

Personal Touches: Memoir Writing Group

Through my own growth in writing, I have learned that the most vital apparatus in a writer’s toolbox is his/her own life. Although creative non-fiction doesn’t appeal to everyone, it is quite difficult to string together the extraordinary if you cannot see the beauty of the extra special things in the most ordinary life. So come and practise with writing small or large excerpts from your life. Go deep into your memory and you will find a treasure trove of creativity. Now all you have to do is resuscitate it with an injection of fresh inky-blood.

Upcoming dates: October 22, October 29, November 5; from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Where: Lillian H. Smith TPL branch; 239 College Street

Author’s Spotlight:The eh List Author Series: Jan Wong—Out of the Blue

Every journalist hopes to discuss the hard-pressed and motivational stories. Jan Wong, a well-known journalist, came to such a story before it came crashing down on her like a wave. Following writing about a school shooting, Ms. Wong was faced with the repercussion of violence and death threats, which pushed her into a tragic depression. Her book, Out of the Blue, expresses the troubles she faced and her rise back into an ever hopeful normality. Such a story makes a fine addition to the eh List series.

When: October 23, 2012; from 7:00 pm-8:15 pm
Where: Taylor Memorial TPL branch; 1440 Kingston Road

Bashful Starts, Supplements, and Secrets

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The Scoop! Tales of the Great Writer: Dangerous Work: The Young Arthur Conan Doyle’s Diary of Arctic Adventure

The brilliance of an author hardly stems from the words that they shed. Rather, I believe that a writer is truly brilliant when they are willing to take the path less travelled; it is when they venture to distant lands, creating stories that are vastly elusive to other artists. Before the famous tales of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle experienced such a journey as a ship’s surgeon on an Arctic whaler. During this time he kept a diary to record his epic voyage. Jon Lellenberg, a Doylean scholar and co-editor of Dangerous Work: The Diary of an Arctic Adventure, will be sharing with curious minds Doyle’s lost diary. I would expect avid fans of Doyle’s writing to attend, as you will be able to learn of both his real adventurous spirit.

When: October11, 2012; from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library TPL branch: Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium; 231 Yonge Street

A Festival of Creativity: Young Voices Writers Conference

Do you consider yourself an artist? It doesn’t matter what your form is, but all of you creative teens looking for some new inspiration, or maybe just another peer critique of a pending piece should attend the upcoming Young Voices Writers Conference. Although a main favourite of writers, the upcoming conference is looking for creativity in both the written and visual field.

Wondering what will be waiting upon your arrival? Peter Stebbings, filmmaker, actor, and producer, will be the keynote speaker, and will hopefully inspire you to create something spectacular of your own in the two workshops to follow. Not to mention the free lunch and door prizes that will be the little icing on a great day in the making.

Also, if you have any piece that you want to present, bring it with you and you can read it for the Open Mic.

When: October13, 2012; from 9:30 am-4:00 pm
Where: North York Central Library: Auditorium; 5120 Yonge Street
Register: Register quickly! Space is limited! Call 416-395-5784, or follow the link

Writers Helping Writers: Going it Alone: Adventures in Self-Publishing

If you’ve ever speculated about getting your book published PLEASE ATTEND! A whole slew of authors (Cory Silverberg, Bill Freeman, Christine Cowley, and Vivek Shraya) will be discussing how to jumpstart your writing to the next level. They will also be notifying you of the tell-tale signs if self-publishing is right for you, and the possibility of what the future industries may be looking for. This is also an amazing chance to have any questions or concerns you may have answered by not one, not two, not three, but four fantastic authors!

When: October17, 2012; from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Where: Lillian H. Smith TPL branch; 239 College Street

A Roundabout Celebration

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Impossible Words: Mariko Tamaki

From poetry to performance, the Impossible Words series passes the baton to writer and performer Mariko Tamaki. Ms. Tamaki has written numerous novels, has created her own graphic novel, and is developing a creative writing course for the University of Toronto. Hoping to light up the literary salon with her latest novel, (You) Set Me On Fire, Ms. Tamaki will be, in my opinion, headlining for a rather eventful weekend.

When: September 22, 2012; from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Where: The Academy of the Impossible Words; 231 Wallace Avenue (At Lansdowne) East
For more info: info@impossiblewords.ca; impossiblewords.ca; (416) 779-1448

Annual Acclamations: Word On The Street

I hope you have a clear schedule, because next weekend will be jammed with a smouldering load of books. Word On The Street is exactly as it sounds. The streets around Queen’s Park will be unleashing any book lover’s dream: amazing sales and new names to the writing world. Not to mention there are always great opportunities for writers. Last year, I found a booth that sold specially bound novels, and numerous others that were publicizing online zines for free publishing. And there will also be the TVO kids’ stage for the much younger children who also want a chance at some new books. I highly recommend attending, and if you’ve known me long enough, you would already have had this marked on your calendar.

When: September 23, 2012; from 11:00 am-6:00 pm
Where: Queen’s Park Circle; Downtown Toronto

Old and New, Writing New Classics

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A Burning Thought Exchange: Celebrate Dickens: Professor John Baird on Great Expectations

From the gates of hell to a gloomy churchyard, retired U of T professor John Baird takes us on another intriguing celebration of classic literature. Travel through this classic bildungsroman as Pip, and feel the rest of Victorian England come alive. Experience dreary nights and rainy mornings while some little goblin is crying outside your window. Live through the emotional toils of fear, guilt, pride, and shame, as you amass your wealth. Great Expectations was the first novel of Dickens that I ever read, and will always be one of my favourites. There is once again no registration required to attend this series, but I have grand expectations for the turnout of this event.

When: September 20, 2012; from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Where: Deer Park TPL Branch, 2nd Floor Program Room; 40 St. Clair Avenue East
No registration

Prescribed Publishing: Six Degrees of Writing

Publishing is always a tricky field, and little tips or tricks are definitely beneficial to the upcoming generation of writers. Catherine Rondina, published award-winning author, will explore the various factors that go into publishing your fantasies. She will discuss current market trends, the hot topic themes that sell, and most importantly, how to get your foot in the door with publishers. Prescribe your own future in the literary world with this two hour event!

When: September 22, 2012; from 2:30 pm-4:30 pm
Where: York Woods TPL branch, Meeting Room 2; 1785 Finch Avenue West
Register: In person or call (416) 395-5980

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