Ayelet Tsabari's Blog, page 8

Mini-Tour in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa and Other News

Exciting news! I’m going on another mini-tour on the first week of February. I will be reading from The Best Place on Earth and speaking about my experience as an Israeli of Yemeni descent and about writing Mizrahi stories. There will also be some time for a Q & A and books for sale. Oh, and did I mention that it will take place in licensed venues? So you can have a glass of wine and a snack with it?

The event is called “Say it Again, Say Something else,” after one of the stories in the book....

Two Workshops in Israel

I’m excited to be doing two writing workshops in Israel this month! As a Hebrew-speaking Israeli writer who writes in English I’m in a unique position. I still feel strongly and deeply connected to my Israeli identity, but I don’t really belong in the Israeli literary community. I’ve learned to accept it, and realized that I can be Israeli first and still be a Canadian writer, but a part of me—reminiscent of the young girl who grew up in Israel, wrote in Hebrew and dreamt of publishing a book...

Why I Choose to Only Read Books by Writers of Colour in 2014

When I came across, “Why I Only Read Books by Women in 2013,” by Lilit Marcus, I wished that I’d thought of it. The meme of listing ten books that made the most impact on us had just gone viral on Facebook and I was saddened by the number of lists dominated by white, male writers. When I wrote my own list on FB, I listed only books by women. Not because I wasn’t influenced by male writers. I was. Hugely. Chekov, and Garcia and Nabokov all blew my mind when I was growing up. But because everyo...

A Holiday Story in Stylist Magazine

Stylist Magazine, based in the UK, asked me to write them a Christmas story. I had four days, and I was flying across the world on the day it was due. But of course I said yes. Because apparently I work well under pressure, and because it seemed like an opportunity not to be missed. I’m in great company, too. Authors Fay Weldon, Naomi Wood, Kate Griffin, Chibundu Onuzo and Jenny Colgan all contributed a story. And Stylist has a good track record with publishing short fiction: for their summer...

A Month in Photos (Yes, I’m a Bad Blogger)

Granville Island, home to the Vancouver Writers’ Fest.

I’ve been waiting for the right time to write in great length about my amazing trip to Vancouver, describe my time at The Vancouver Writers’ Fest, which was as unforgettable and dreamy as I had hoped. I wanted to write about the panels and how well they went, the parties and late nights at the hospitality suite with my new friends (Saleema Nawaz, Theodora Armstrong, Angie Abdou, Shaena Lambert) and my dear old friends (Nancy Jo Cullen, Naz...

Humber College Book Club

On Wednesday, after my reading at the Toronto Public Library’s Author series, The Eh List, two different audience members told me that The Best Place on Earth had been their book club pick. “You should have invited me,” I told one and she seemed surprised. “You would have come?” “Of course!” I said. There’s nothing more exciting for a writer than to have a conversation about their work with intelligent readers.I also found a mention of a book club in Winnipeg that read The Best Place on Earth ov...

Cover Girl! (Sort Of)

The Jewish Independent interviewed me for their cover story! Their questions were insightful and interesting and I enjoyed answering them. The online version is posted here.

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I’m back in Ontario (more about my amazing time in Vancouver soon!) thrilled to be taking part at the Wild Writers Festival in Waterloo this coming weekend. I’ll be doing two panels on Saturday, November 9.How Geography Defines the Writer, at 11:10withTamas Dobozy, Christine Pountney, and Donna Morrissey, andWr...

Wordless Wednesday

© Ayelet Tsabari

A Weekend in Victoria

At the Regent Hotel

Ahhhh, Victoria. I adore this city. Probably because it is Sean’s hometown, where he was born and raised, and where his family still lives. And the mild weather and natural beauty sure don’t hurt. After a decade of regular visits, I now have my own history in the city, so when we drive its streets I spot my own landmarks and memories, see old versions of myself everywhere. For example, the first time Sean took me to meet his family for Christmas, he and I had lunch at Café...

My West Coast Mini Book Tour

I’m thrilled to be heading to Vancouver and Victoria for a mini-book tour in a few days. Vancouver is one of my homes (I’ve written about it here). I lived there for eleven years and I still miss it. When I got my book deal I promised my friends in the city that I’d fly there to launch my book after I do my Toronto Launch. But then I ended up having a baby instead. The Best Place on Earth is now six months old, a little old for a launch, but I still wanted to celebrate it with my BC people. S...