Don Calame's Blog, page 8
January 12, 2011
ALA Best Fiction For Young Adults
Every year the American Library Association (ALA) puts out a list of the Best Fiction for Young Adults. It's a very exclusive club. Only 99 books (from the thousands that were published throughout the year) made the list.
And guess what book made the list this year.
That's right, our very own BEAT THE BAND has been chosen as one of the Best Fiction for Young Adults titles this year and I couldn't be more excited.
I think I'll just leave it at that.
Oh, and here's a link in case you want to see what other books made the cut: ALA Best Fiction For Young Adults
And guess what book made the list this year.
That's right, our very own BEAT THE BAND has been chosen as one of the Best Fiction for Young Adults titles this year and I couldn't be more excited.
I think I'll just leave it at that.
Oh, and here's a link in case you want to see what other books made the cut: ALA Best Fiction For Young Adults
January 9, 2011
Virtual Classroom Visits
I just did my first Skype classroom visit to a school last Thursday and it was a lot of fun. The kids in the White Pine Reading Club at Bayside Secondary School in Belleville, Ontario where super cool and had some really insightful questions. Their teacher/librarian Karen Morrow had them extremely well prepared. I was incredibly impressed with the organization and ease of the whole session.
I was a little nervous at first because there was a slight delay over the internet and so when I'd tell a funny story and there was dead silence for a few seconds, I thought I was in trouble. But then the room would burst into laughter and I breathed easier. I would definitely do more of these virtual visits in the future. If any teachers or librarians would like to set something up, please contact me. It's a fantastic use of the technology and works really well.
If you'd like to read a little about the session and see some short clips, check out the BSS link here: Bayside Secondary School
Normally, during a visit, I will do a reading from my book, but I didn't think that would work so well over Skype and so we just stuck to questions and answers. Still, the hour we spent together just flew and we had a great time.
To top it all off, I even scored a French translator out of the whole deal. One of the students wrote to me afterwards to let me know that some of my French grammar is not entirely accurate in Valerie's dialogue (darn translator programs!). And so, I must apologize to any of my French speaking readers out there. Anyway, I asked her if she wouldn't mind helping me with the translations in the third book (and hopefully any reprint of the second book) and she agreed. Thanks so much, Laurence!
Tomorrow, I have my second Skype visit with a book club at the fabulous Christianne's Lyceum of Literature and Art in Vancouver. Christianne's groups are always great to talk to because they read a ton of stuff and really think about the material.
Also, I am planning on attending the OLA Superconference on February 3rd and 4th, so if there are any teachers or librarians in the Toronto area that would like for me to visit their school or library around that time, please contact me or Author's Booking Service in Ontario.
Okay, now, it' back to the writing. But not before I give you a final holiday gift. A picture of Scooter looking none-too-pleased dressed as Scooter Claus. Enjoy!
I was a little nervous at first because there was a slight delay over the internet and so when I'd tell a funny story and there was dead silence for a few seconds, I thought I was in trouble. But then the room would burst into laughter and I breathed easier. I would definitely do more of these virtual visits in the future. If any teachers or librarians would like to set something up, please contact me. It's a fantastic use of the technology and works really well.
If you'd like to read a little about the session and see some short clips, check out the BSS link here: Bayside Secondary School
Normally, during a visit, I will do a reading from my book, but I didn't think that would work so well over Skype and so we just stuck to questions and answers. Still, the hour we spent together just flew and we had a great time.
To top it all off, I even scored a French translator out of the whole deal. One of the students wrote to me afterwards to let me know that some of my French grammar is not entirely accurate in Valerie's dialogue (darn translator programs!). And so, I must apologize to any of my French speaking readers out there. Anyway, I asked her if she wouldn't mind helping me with the translations in the third book (and hopefully any reprint of the second book) and she agreed. Thanks so much, Laurence!
Tomorrow, I have my second Skype visit with a book club at the fabulous Christianne's Lyceum of Literature and Art in Vancouver. Christianne's groups are always great to talk to because they read a ton of stuff and really think about the material.
Also, I am planning on attending the OLA Superconference on February 3rd and 4th, so if there are any teachers or librarians in the Toronto area that would like for me to visit their school or library around that time, please contact me or Author's Booking Service in Ontario.
Okay, now, it' back to the writing. But not before I give you a final holiday gift. A picture of Scooter looking none-too-pleased dressed as Scooter Claus. Enjoy!
January 1, 2011
Happy New Year! And Why Not?
January first always brings with it a swirl of emotions for me. On one hand, there's the inevitable holiday hangover (not necessarily alcohol related, but not necessarily not, either). The decorations must come down, the cardboard boxes from all the presents recycled, the Christmas CDs tucked away in a drawer, the refrigerator cleared out of leftover leftovers. There's the looking back on all the things you planned on accomplishing that maybe you didn't exactly get to. The resolutions broken. The extra pounds you put on that must be dealt with (or not). And so on and so forth.
On the flip side, though, there's the excitement of a new year, a fresh start, a pressing of the reset button, a clean slate. So what if you didn't read as many books as you wanted, write as many pages as you'd hoped, sorted through all those digital photos you took on your vacation, put on five of the seventeen pounds you'd lost? It's a new day and you can start over. Make a whole slew of new resolutions that you won't necessarily get around to. Take even more pictures you may never look at again. Buy books to add to the pile of books you still have to get to.
And so, what does 2011 have in store for me this year? What goals would I like to set for myself (that I may, or may not actually get to)?
First and foremost I need to finish the third book in the Swim the Fly series (my editor will be happy to see that at the top of the list, I'm sure).
Then, there will be much book touring, both virtually and physically. I will be doing several online classroom visits this year as well as travelling to Toronto (twice) for Swim the Fly's White Pine Award nomination. And then there's a real possibility I will be visiting Kansas City to do some library and school visits. Finally (well, hopefully not TOO finally) I will be travelling to the UK to promote the publication of Swim the Fly overseas.
Beyond that, I actually do hope to sort through the thousands of photos I've taken over the last several years and get them out of my computer into the real world.
Also, I'll need to get back on the exercise/healthy eating wagon (break out that super iPad app again) so that I can re-lose five of the seventeen pounds I shed last year.
I'm going to try to blog a bit more as well. I probably said this last year too (don't remind me if I did). We'll see how this one works out.
All right, enough with the New Year's blather. I need to wrap this up so that I can get to my writing so that I don't feel guilty watching the Winter Classic later (which, in case you don't know already, has been postponed until 8:00 EST because of the weather in Pittsburgh)
In lieu of a rosy cheeked Baby New Year, how about I offer you a few more pics from my trip up the Rhine with my mom (I'll spare you my commentary just this once):
On the flip side, though, there's the excitement of a new year, a fresh start, a pressing of the reset button, a clean slate. So what if you didn't read as many books as you wanted, write as many pages as you'd hoped, sorted through all those digital photos you took on your vacation, put on five of the seventeen pounds you'd lost? It's a new day and you can start over. Make a whole slew of new resolutions that you won't necessarily get around to. Take even more pictures you may never look at again. Buy books to add to the pile of books you still have to get to.
And so, what does 2011 have in store for me this year? What goals would I like to set for myself (that I may, or may not actually get to)?
First and foremost I need to finish the third book in the Swim the Fly series (my editor will be happy to see that at the top of the list, I'm sure).
Then, there will be much book touring, both virtually and physically. I will be doing several online classroom visits this year as well as travelling to Toronto (twice) for Swim the Fly's White Pine Award nomination. And then there's a real possibility I will be visiting Kansas City to do some library and school visits. Finally (well, hopefully not TOO finally) I will be travelling to the UK to promote the publication of Swim the Fly overseas.
Beyond that, I actually do hope to sort through the thousands of photos I've taken over the last several years and get them out of my computer into the real world.
Also, I'll need to get back on the exercise/healthy eating wagon (break out that super iPad app again) so that I can re-lose five of the seventeen pounds I shed last year.
I'm going to try to blog a bit more as well. I probably said this last year too (don't remind me if I did). We'll see how this one works out.
All right, enough with the New Year's blather. I need to wrap this up so that I can get to my writing so that I don't feel guilty watching the Winter Classic later (which, in case you don't know already, has been postponed until 8:00 EST because of the weather in Pittsburgh)
In lieu of a rosy cheeked Baby New Year, how about I offer you a few more pics from my trip up the Rhine with my mom (I'll spare you my commentary just this once):
December 12, 2010
Some Early Christmas/Hanukkah Presents
Growing up, my family celebrated both Christmas and Hanukkah. And honestly, when the two holidays overlapped it could seem a little schizophrenic lighting the menorah and reciting the Hanukkah prayer with the sparkling lights of the Christmas tree in the background. But when you factor in the twelve days of Christmas and the eight nights of Hanukkah, well, you're talking about a pretty nice haul of presents there. So, as a kid, you never heard me complaining.
These days it's the coziness of family and the traditions that I love the most, though, honestly, I won't turn my nose up at the presents, either.
Which brings me to a few very nice early gifts I've received in the form of rave reviews for BEAT THE BAND.
And since I was always taught to share, I'll do that right now by posting some links for you to enjoy:
Teenreadstoo
Guys Lit Wire
Whatchamacllit Reviews
Book Page
Teen Reads
San Francisco Book Review
And now, for all you patient people out there, a few gifts for you. Some pics from my recent trip along the Rhine River (with many more to come)
For all those castle lovers out there.
Photography lesson #376: Try not to photograph landmarks straight on. Instead, use them as if they were an afterthought.
Just in case you missed out on autumn.
Just in case you simply can't see enough pictures of castles.
Me with a castle for a hat (see rule #376)
The reason I threw away my point and shoot and bought a DSLR.
Photography lesson #892: Place something large and ivy-ish in the foreground whenever possible to give a sense of depth.
And one more, because I heard you were good this year.
These days it's the coziness of family and the traditions that I love the most, though, honestly, I won't turn my nose up at the presents, either.
Which brings me to a few very nice early gifts I've received in the form of rave reviews for BEAT THE BAND.
And since I was always taught to share, I'll do that right now by posting some links for you to enjoy:
Teenreadstoo
Guys Lit Wire
Whatchamacllit Reviews
Book Page
Teen Reads
San Francisco Book Review
And now, for all you patient people out there, a few gifts for you. Some pics from my recent trip along the Rhine River (with many more to come)
For all those castle lovers out there.
Photography lesson #376: Try not to photograph landmarks straight on. Instead, use them as if they were an afterthought.
Just in case you missed out on autumn.
Just in case you simply can't see enough pictures of castles.
Me with a castle for a hat (see rule #376)
The reason I threw away my point and shoot and bought a DSLR.
Photography lesson #892: Place something large and ivy-ish in the foreground whenever possible to give a sense of depth.
And one more, because I heard you were good this year.
December 2, 2010
London Calling
So, some really cool news on the writing front. It seems that Templar Publishing has picked up the UK rights to my first two books (SWIM THE FLY and BEAT THE BAND). Not only that, but next May they are flying me over to do two weeks of touring at schools and book festivals. So, I will surely have more fabulous photos of England to share with you in the not so distant future.
On top of this I recently received School Library Journal's review of BEAT THE BAND in which they call it a "very funny sequel to SWIM THE FLY" that is both "gut-wrenching and touching." So, there you go. If you haven't picked your copy up yet, I'm pretty sure that should seal the deal for you. Who doesn't love a bit of "gut-wrenching and touching" over the holiday season?
And now onto the real meat of things. It's December. In case you didn't notice. And why is December one of the twelve greatest months of the year? Could it be all those festive lights on everybody's house? Or the holiday music playing in every store? Could it possibly be the anticipation of tearing into all that wrapping paper? Or eating inhuman amounts of turkey, and cookies, and candy?
I suppose that's all part of it. But the real icing on the cake is all of the amazing hockey that gets played in December. Not only do you get the copious amounts of regular NHL games, but up here in Canada you get extensive coverage of the World Junior Championships where you are treated to the sight of tomorrow's stars today. And to top it all off, there's the build up to the Winter Classic on New Year's Day. Who doesn't love December?!!!
I should have some great photographs for you soon as I've just returned from a river cruise along the Rhine. My wife and I took my mom as a special treat (she's never been to Europe before) and I took around a thousand shots (don't you just love digital cameras?). Just need to wade through the detritus to get you the real gems. Be patient. I know you will be.
On top of this I recently received School Library Journal's review of BEAT THE BAND in which they call it a "very funny sequel to SWIM THE FLY" that is both "gut-wrenching and touching." So, there you go. If you haven't picked your copy up yet, I'm pretty sure that should seal the deal for you. Who doesn't love a bit of "gut-wrenching and touching" over the holiday season?
And now onto the real meat of things. It's December. In case you didn't notice. And why is December one of the twelve greatest months of the year? Could it be all those festive lights on everybody's house? Or the holiday music playing in every store? Could it possibly be the anticipation of tearing into all that wrapping paper? Or eating inhuman amounts of turkey, and cookies, and candy?
I suppose that's all part of it. But the real icing on the cake is all of the amazing hockey that gets played in December. Not only do you get the copious amounts of regular NHL games, but up here in Canada you get extensive coverage of the World Junior Championships where you are treated to the sight of tomorrow's stars today. And to top it all off, there's the build up to the Winter Classic on New Year's Day. Who doesn't love December?!!!
I should have some great photographs for you soon as I've just returned from a river cruise along the Rhine. My wife and I took my mom as a special treat (she's never been to Europe before) and I took around a thousand shots (don't you just love digital cameras?). Just need to wade through the detritus to get you the real gems. Be patient. I know you will be.
October 28, 2010
OLA Forest of Reading White Pine Award Nomination
That's right. You read that correctly. Another award nomination for SWIM THE FLY. The OLA Forest of Reading White Pine Award
How exciting is that? I'll tell you how exciting. Very.
And the best part about the Ontario Library Associations White Pine Award is that it is voted on by teen readers from all across Ontario. So they will be voting for the book they enjoyed the most. And really, when you get right down to it (even though I'm sure the other nominees are all very good) how could you actually enjoy any book more than SWIM THE FLY? Unless of course you happen to be reading BEAT THE BAND. And then it's just a toss up. Either one will leave you thoroughly satisfied. Not that I'm biased or anything.
Anyway, if you want to check out what amazing work the Ontario Library Association is doing with their Forest of Reading Program check out their website: OLA Forest of Reading
I want to shout out a big thank you to the Ontario Library Association for including the book on this list.
How exciting is that? I'll tell you how exciting. Very.
And the best part about the Ontario Library Associations White Pine Award is that it is voted on by teen readers from all across Ontario. So they will be voting for the book they enjoyed the most. And really, when you get right down to it (even though I'm sure the other nominees are all very good) how could you actually enjoy any book more than SWIM THE FLY? Unless of course you happen to be reading BEAT THE BAND. And then it's just a toss up. Either one will leave you thoroughly satisfied. Not that I'm biased or anything.
Anyway, if you want to check out what amazing work the Ontario Library Association is doing with their Forest of Reading Program check out their website: OLA Forest of Reading
I want to shout out a big thank you to the Ontario Library Association for including the book on this list.
October 13, 2010
TeenReadToo Interview
Hey all,
Why not head over to the TeenReadToo book club blog and check out the bizarrely fascinating interview I did over there. Plus, if you add a comment, you have a chance to win autographed hardcover copies of SWIM THE FLY and BEAT THE BAND. I already added two comments so my chances are pretty good!
Why not head over to the TeenReadToo book club blog and check out the bizarrely fascinating interview I did over there. Plus, if you add a comment, you have a chance to win autographed hardcover copies of SWIM THE FLY and BEAT THE BAND. I already added two comments so my chances are pretty good!
October 11, 2010
10/10/10
Yesterday was my birthday and my sister had to be the one to point out to me that it was 10-10-10, a very lucky set of numbers, indeed. Especially if you are a slot machine player. I'm not sure how I missed that, as I used to be so tuned into the numbers and birthday thing. When I turned ten years old it was a big deal to me because I was born on 10-10. But I guess because this was just "a middle-number birthday" I didn't look for the specialness in the date.
Anyway, my wife and I had a wonderfully relaxing day. She made me a sponge cake, got me an iPhone 4 and a beautiful travel bag, whipped up a tasty cheese souffle for lunch (didn't I tell you I had the best wife ever!), all followed by a trip to see THE SOCIAL NETWORK (interesting story, decent enough acting, not the jaw dropping experience some have made it out to be) and a quick bite for dinner at a local restaurant. For me, it was the perfect birthday. Simple, cozy, relaxing.
Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. Don't ask me what that means because I couldn't tell you. I grew up in the States and so Thanksgiving for me will always be the fourth Thursday in November and have to do with Pilgrims and Native Americans and The Harvest. It's probably something similar here in the Great White North, though they don't take it quite as seriously. Anyway, there will be turkey and stuffing and pies today, so what's not to love!
Finally, I hope all of you have been rushing out to grab your copies of BEAT THE BAND. I've already received some fantastic emails (keep them coming) from people who have enjoyed the book. Some even more than SWIM THE FLY! So what are you waiting for? Why not celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving AND my birthday by buying yourself and all your friends a copy of BEAT THE BAND. And if you'd like you can even write to me and I'll send you a free signed bookplate. How cool would THAT be?
Anyway, my wife and I had a wonderfully relaxing day. She made me a sponge cake, got me an iPhone 4 and a beautiful travel bag, whipped up a tasty cheese souffle for lunch (didn't I tell you I had the best wife ever!), all followed by a trip to see THE SOCIAL NETWORK (interesting story, decent enough acting, not the jaw dropping experience some have made it out to be) and a quick bite for dinner at a local restaurant. For me, it was the perfect birthday. Simple, cozy, relaxing.
Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. Don't ask me what that means because I couldn't tell you. I grew up in the States and so Thanksgiving for me will always be the fourth Thursday in November and have to do with Pilgrims and Native Americans and The Harvest. It's probably something similar here in the Great White North, though they don't take it quite as seriously. Anyway, there will be turkey and stuffing and pies today, so what's not to love!
Finally, I hope all of you have been rushing out to grab your copies of BEAT THE BAND. I've already received some fantastic emails (keep them coming) from people who have enjoyed the book. Some even more than SWIM THE FLY! So what are you waiting for? Why not celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving AND my birthday by buying yourself and all your friends a copy of BEAT THE BAND. And if you'd like you can even write to me and I'll send you a free signed bookplate. How cool would THAT be?
October 4, 2010
It's the Most Wonderful Time of The Year…
Yes, it's that time again, folks. Hockey season is just a few days away and no one is more excited than me. It seems many experts are predicting the Vancouver Canucks will win the Stanley Cup this year. And we all know what that means. Either they'll make it to the finals and lose (like the last two Canadian teams to make it to the finals) or they won't even make it into the playoffs. Because if I've learned anything as a hockey fan all these years, the experts are no psychics.
But let's hope this is the year the experts are wrong (or right, depending on how you want to look at it). It would be super cool to have the Stanley Cup Finals here in Vancouver. And if I managed to score some tickets, I could check off another one of my "must do before I die" things. Earlier this year, as my regular readers know, I checked off another hockey dream by getting to go to the Olympics. And not just regular old Olympic hockey, but the gold medal game where Canada actually won gold.
Don't worry, though. Not everything on my bucket list involves hockey. Just, maybe, half of the hundred and one items.
In case you've been lying awake at night worrying (like I have) my wife is doing much better. She's actually finally ambulatory now after three weeks of intense self-inflicted physical therapy. My wife is nothing if not determined. I am indeed lucky to have her on my side. When she sets her mind to something there is nothing that can stop her. I can't tell you how amazed I am at her fortitude and bravery. If it were me I'd probably still be in bed hopped up on pain medication. But not her. She didn't even touch the prescription the doctor gave her. Now that's one tough cookie!
In other, less exciting news, I am just one and a half pounds away from my birthday goal weight (October 10th, if you were wondering). There's fifteen and a half less pounds of me walking around and hopefully by Sunday there will be another one and a half pounds less. Luckily, I'd lost enough weight by my step-son's wedding that I was able to fit into the suit I wore to my own wedding eight years ago.
And in other, other news, the writing of Book 3 in the Swim the Fly series marches on. As always in the writing process there are times I want to scream and yell and pull my hair out. And times that I actually do (which is why I have so little hair left). In fact, the last few weeks have been particularly hellish as I wrote myself right into a horrible corner that I couldn't seem to write myself out of. And so, things stalled. And I cried. And ate brownies. Which stalled my diet as well.
But alas, the corner has been turned (or escaped) and I am back on the path to writing happiness. That is, until the next block comes along, which it inevitably will.
I'll leave you with that for now. Remember, mark your calendars. Thursday, October 7th is the season opener!
But let's hope this is the year the experts are wrong (or right, depending on how you want to look at it). It would be super cool to have the Stanley Cup Finals here in Vancouver. And if I managed to score some tickets, I could check off another one of my "must do before I die" things. Earlier this year, as my regular readers know, I checked off another hockey dream by getting to go to the Olympics. And not just regular old Olympic hockey, but the gold medal game where Canada actually won gold.
Don't worry, though. Not everything on my bucket list involves hockey. Just, maybe, half of the hundred and one items.
In case you've been lying awake at night worrying (like I have) my wife is doing much better. She's actually finally ambulatory now after three weeks of intense self-inflicted physical therapy. My wife is nothing if not determined. I am indeed lucky to have her on my side. When she sets her mind to something there is nothing that can stop her. I can't tell you how amazed I am at her fortitude and bravery. If it were me I'd probably still be in bed hopped up on pain medication. But not her. She didn't even touch the prescription the doctor gave her. Now that's one tough cookie!
In other, less exciting news, I am just one and a half pounds away from my birthday goal weight (October 10th, if you were wondering). There's fifteen and a half less pounds of me walking around and hopefully by Sunday there will be another one and a half pounds less. Luckily, I'd lost enough weight by my step-son's wedding that I was able to fit into the suit I wore to my own wedding eight years ago.
And in other, other news, the writing of Book 3 in the Swim the Fly series marches on. As always in the writing process there are times I want to scream and yell and pull my hair out. And times that I actually do (which is why I have so little hair left). In fact, the last few weeks have been particularly hellish as I wrote myself right into a horrible corner that I couldn't seem to write myself out of. And so, things stalled. And I cried. And ate brownies. Which stalled my diet as well.
But alas, the corner has been turned (or escaped) and I am back on the path to writing happiness. That is, until the next block comes along, which it inevitably will.
I'll leave you with that for now. Remember, mark your calendars. Thursday, October 7th is the season opener!
September 15, 2010
New Teenreads Blog
Look who's a guest blogger on Teenreads.com today.
TEENREADS
TEENREADS
