Broken Keys Publishing's Blog, page 17

Coles Bayshore, Book Signing!

Book signing at Coles Bayshore, May 26th

St. Patrick's Day Weekend Lineup

It's going to be an awesome weekend! Two titans of Ottawa's literature scene will be at Perfect Books Ottawa!Saturday, March 17th - Horror-author, dark poet, and 2018 Faces of Ottawa Award Finalist for Best Male Author, Michel WeatherallSunday, March 18th - 2018 Faces of Ottawa for 2018 Best Female Author Award, Barbara Avon2018 is the Year of the Indie-Author

We Live in the Shadows

I was surprised at myself. For a relatively short book (112 pages) I was a bit taken back by how long it actually took me to read it. It isn't that it's uninteresting or poorly written. It was neither. Well written and articulating various homeless people's stories, essentially becoming a voice for the voiceless. It is not a book meant to be entertaining. It is not about you. It is not for your pleasure. I'll be honest: It is a short yet difficult read. Difficult because these are not fictions. These are real people's stories. Difficult because some stories touch us too. Difficult because we all too often are uncomfortable when we're confronted with the plight of others. We need to see the darkness, the hopelessness before we can see the light and embrace Hope. But this is the heart of compassion, something I fear our society is sore need of. Something that - as I get the privilege to know Brigitte better and better - she has an ample supply of. Compassion isn't sympathy or pity. Compassion has legs. Compassion does something - it takes action. It owns the issues that confront it. It does not sit idly by and do nothing. It would be a severe understatement to call Brigitte Lord simply a writer; only an author. An activist for Ottawa's homeless, she does not just write about these people, she doesn't simply reports their stories. She knows these people. She engages them, speaks with them, her outreach brings them food, conversation and I would like to believe, succour.All the proceeds and profits of this book's sales go to support various charities for the homeless. Acknowledged by Mayor Jim Watson for her work, Brigitte is truly passionate and driven. I found "We Live in the Shadows" is a strangely horrible and beautifully enlightening dichotomy of a book. It bring the darkness that has been forgotten and abandoned onto the light of day. But on the very same note, it also gives me a great sense of hope in humanity. Difficult to rate this book, because let's be honest, it is not a stand-alone book. It is only one small piece of a much larger endeavour. It transcends a typical book's ratings. It warms my heart to not only see Ottawa's local literary talent succeed, but to lift up and better our wonderful city, and Brigitte Lord, through "We Live in the Shadows" does exactly this.Well worth the read. Don't let this gem pass you by. Go out now and get a copy on your hands. Do it. Do it now.

The Frankenstein Condition

The Frankenstein Condition"Stop making monsters and start enjoying life!"Once again, featuring yet another local Ottawa indie-author, Robert Smith has addressed a wonderfully fantastic topic without being bogged down in its darkness.Stunningly gorgeous book, this one will catch your eye!But beyond its 'curb appeal', there is substance to its writing and Robert Smith's insight on life digs deep into what ails us all.This is a fantastic introduction to each and every one of our Frankenstein monsters - erroneous reflections we've created out of bits and pieces, a shattered mirror we stare into, somehow hoping to becomes something impossible and, ulimately, monsterous.Robert Smith introduces this idea and avenues to abandon these false images. Frank, honest and heartfelt, Smith bring an overwhelming hope and freshness to an otherwise dark topic. It is with excitement and baited breath that I await its sequel!(I've heard unconfirmed rumours it could make titled "Sucksess")5-Stars

Fractures

A New Series from Michel WeatherallFracturesBook 1: Ngaro's SojourneyBe Prepared: Worlds Will Collide

Ottawans Are the Best!

The best thing about being an author are the fantastic people I get to meet!Local indie-authors Brigitte Lord and Robert SmithSarah Scriver and Danielle AllardDanielle Allard CKCU's Tonya PriceDylan BlackJack Briglio - comic book writer and creator of Dominion Jack!!Metallica tribute band, Misery (pictured with Stu Ellis (lead guitarist) and Memnoch LeDiable (lead vocals)) Jeff Larocque of CKCU 'tic' of CKCU The fantastic and amazing Yasmin Asgarali (photographer), whose work appears in my latest novel, The Refuse Chronicles Fellow local author Liam Gibbs Mayor Jim Watson Councillor Allen HubleyCouncillor Marianne Wilkenson Retired hockey legend Doug Smith Olga Dwar Sylvia Corzato of Success in Steps Jessika Lacroix, photographer/artist/founder of NobaddaysHistorian and Maori-cultural expert Dr. Rongo Wetere (AND Maori!) and his wife Marcia KrawllThe incredible Lisa McCoy of Chapters Kanata! (promoting my latest novel, The Refuse Chronicles!)

Local Authors Gain Popularity

2018 is definitely the year of the indie-author! Fact and figures are beginning to back up this statement!Fantastic news!Chapters Kanata (one of the more supportive book stores for local literary talent!) has expanded their Local Author's Section:Celebrate Local Authors section!

2018: Year of the Indie-Author

I've been saying it since the 2018 Faces of Ottawa Awards!2018 is going to be the year of the Indie-Author!Ottawa, be prepared. We are on the rise!A special thanks needs to be extended to Daytime Ottawa and the incredible Dylan Black for being instrumental in bringing Ottawa's local authors into the spotlight!Liam Gibbs (In a Galaxy Far, Far AwRy) Brigitte Lord (We Live in the Shadows)Barbara Avon (The Gift)Robert Smith (The Frankenstein Condition)Michel Weatherall (The Symbiot-Series)

Guest Speaker at SCWG

Thursday, March 8thRound table discussion for current and considering members. Speak about your writing, hear from other writers about their work and upcoming plans. Explore why joining a writing group might be an excellent idea! Guest Speaker: Local horror-author, dark poet, and 2018 The Faces of Ottawa Awardsfinalist for Favourite Male Author, Michel Weatherall Michel will speak on the topic of Ottawa's changing literary landscape, the phenomena of the rise of the indie-author and associated sub-industries, venues, distribution, events and radio (exclusively featuring and promoting local indie-authors)! An open discussion will follow!

2018: Year of the Indie-Author

I've been saying it since the 2018 Faces of Ottawa Awards!2018 is going to be the year of the Indie-Author!Ottawa, be prepared. We are on the rise!A special thanks needs to be extended to Daytime Ottawa and the incredible Dylan Black for being instrumental in bringing Ottawa's local authors into the spotlight!Liam Gibbs (In a Galaxy Far, Far AwRy) Brigitte Lord (We Live in the Shadows)Barbara Avon (The Gift)Michel Weatherall (The Symbiot-Series)