Greg McVicker's Blog
June 16, 2014
COMPLETELY HUMBLED!
As a lad from Northern Ireland and one who has often been told as having the
Gift of the Gab,
it often goes without say that I am very seldom left speechless. That however, became a reality for me on Saturday, June 14, 2014.
I had provided a wonderful bookstore called McNally Robinson with softcover copies of my book to stock. This company is one of the greatest champions of Authors from the Prairies, and host events such as readings and book launches. I hope to have a launch there in the coming months.
Upon visiting this retailer to take a photograph of my book on a shelf somewhere within the store, I almost fell over from a state of shock as to where it had actually been placed. It was not just in one section of the store, but two!
The first location was the Canadian Biography section which was interesting, as a book from an Irish author was placed beside one of Canada's greatest news anchors, Lloyd Robertson, one of Canada's greatest broadcasters in politics, Don Newman, and one of Winnipeg's greatest advocates for social justice for marginalized populations, Nick Ternette (RIP). A warm glow overcame me as I snapped a few pictures.
Prior to leaving the store, a sales clerk did a profile search and saw that my book was also listed in the General Biography section, and brought me to where it was located. It was here that I almost collapsed from a state of shock, but one of overwhelming pride. There, in front of me, were copies of Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child sitting right beside Angela's Ashes and 'Tis by fellow Irish and acclaimed author, Frankie McCourt, along with 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup, as well as Long Walk to Freedom and Conversations With Myself by international world leader and crusader in his efforts to end apartheid, Mr. Nelson Mandela.
What I found to be awe-inspiring about this moment is that the last reflection I wrote for my book was penned on the day of Nelson's Mandela's passing, was written about and dedicated to the life and memory of this warrior of peace and is called Godspeed, Madiba.
Thus, if you are in Saskatoon or Winnipeg, please stop in at McNally Robinson bookstores and pick up a copy of Angela's Ashes, 'Tis, 12 Years a Slave, Long Walk to Freedom, Conversations with Myself, or, Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child.
Needless to say, to have my own book showcased in its first bookstore and to have it share shelf space with the likes of these courageous and brilliant men, has left me completely humbled!
I had provided a wonderful bookstore called McNally Robinson with softcover copies of my book to stock. This company is one of the greatest champions of Authors from the Prairies, and host events such as readings and book launches. I hope to have a launch there in the coming months.
Upon visiting this retailer to take a photograph of my book on a shelf somewhere within the store, I almost fell over from a state of shock as to where it had actually been placed. It was not just in one section of the store, but two!
The first location was the Canadian Biography section which was interesting, as a book from an Irish author was placed beside one of Canada's greatest news anchors, Lloyd Robertson, one of Canada's greatest broadcasters in politics, Don Newman, and one of Winnipeg's greatest advocates for social justice for marginalized populations, Nick Ternette (RIP). A warm glow overcame me as I snapped a few pictures.
Prior to leaving the store, a sales clerk did a profile search and saw that my book was also listed in the General Biography section, and brought me to where it was located. It was here that I almost collapsed from a state of shock, but one of overwhelming pride. There, in front of me, were copies of Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child sitting right beside Angela's Ashes and 'Tis by fellow Irish and acclaimed author, Frankie McCourt, along with 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup, as well as Long Walk to Freedom and Conversations With Myself by international world leader and crusader in his efforts to end apartheid, Mr. Nelson Mandela.
What I found to be awe-inspiring about this moment is that the last reflection I wrote for my book was penned on the day of Nelson's Mandela's passing, was written about and dedicated to the life and memory of this warrior of peace and is called Godspeed, Madiba.
Thus, if you are in Saskatoon or Winnipeg, please stop in at McNally Robinson bookstores and pick up a copy of Angela's Ashes, 'Tis, 12 Years a Slave, Long Walk to Freedom, Conversations with Myself, or, Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child.
Needless to say, to have my own book showcased in its first bookstore and to have it share shelf space with the likes of these courageous and brilliant men, has left me completely humbled!
May 30, 2014
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?
May 30, 2014.
Have you ever found yourself to be in the right place at the planned time but the strangest thing happened? Is this what some deem to be a "coincidence?" Or, was this actually a moment in time that is already a part of your destiny in life that makes you think back and laugh at how something all so innocent can seem all so wrong.
I found myself in that very moment tonight yet while it was happening, I was completely oblivious to it. A mate of mine named Jeff called me and asked if I could meet with him, his wife Jennifer, and their five-week-old baby daughter, Avery, while on my way home from work as he wanted to get copies of Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child. My son Ciarán was with me so I figured we would only be a few minutes.
Upon reaching the car park, Jeff and I stood and chatted whereby he let me know his sister, Sherri, also wanted copies of my book and was making her way over.
Now, picture this. After ten minutes, Sherri arrives. As a group of adults standing in a car park, Sherri has the trunk of her car open and along with Jennifer, are standing with money in their hands. I have a box (of books) on top of my trunk while personalizing copies. Unfortunately, Jennifer had accidentally locked the keys in their truck after feeding Avery. As such, Jeff decided to break into his own truck to rescue the keys.
All the while, a police car had pulled into the same car park as us and was watching from a short distance what was going on. A "break-in" was in progress, one vehicle had its trunk open, another vehicle had a suspicious box on top of it, two woman standing with money in their hands, and me leaning over a vehicle making some sort of transaction.
As I was busy signing books, I had no idea what was going on. The next thing Jeff, Jennifer, and Sherri knew was that the police came over to our vehicles to investigate. I am sure from a distance it must have looked like they would need to jump into action. However and upon slowing down and seeing me signing books, I believe Winnipeg's Finest gained a much better understanding as to what was actually "going down."
And so for my first mini public book signing, it was an experience that taught me a lesson: all is not what it seems to be. Moreover, it also gave me a chance to donate two softcover editions as part of a Silent Auction draw that will be held to help a charity that Sherri works with called Koffi's Children Organization, whose goal is to provide orphaned and disadvantaged children in Togo, West Africa, with Life Essentials.
What are the chances?
Have you ever found yourself to be in the right place at the planned time but the strangest thing happened? Is this what some deem to be a "coincidence?" Or, was this actually a moment in time that is already a part of your destiny in life that makes you think back and laugh at how something all so innocent can seem all so wrong.
I found myself in that very moment tonight yet while it was happening, I was completely oblivious to it. A mate of mine named Jeff called me and asked if I could meet with him, his wife Jennifer, and their five-week-old baby daughter, Avery, while on my way home from work as he wanted to get copies of Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child. My son Ciarán was with me so I figured we would only be a few minutes.
Upon reaching the car park, Jeff and I stood and chatted whereby he let me know his sister, Sherri, also wanted copies of my book and was making her way over.
Now, picture this. After ten minutes, Sherri arrives. As a group of adults standing in a car park, Sherri has the trunk of her car open and along with Jennifer, are standing with money in their hands. I have a box (of books) on top of my trunk while personalizing copies. Unfortunately, Jennifer had accidentally locked the keys in their truck after feeding Avery. As such, Jeff decided to break into his own truck to rescue the keys.
All the while, a police car had pulled into the same car park as us and was watching from a short distance what was going on. A "break-in" was in progress, one vehicle had its trunk open, another vehicle had a suspicious box on top of it, two woman standing with money in their hands, and me leaning over a vehicle making some sort of transaction.
As I was busy signing books, I had no idea what was going on. The next thing Jeff, Jennifer, and Sherri knew was that the police came over to our vehicles to investigate. I am sure from a distance it must have looked like they would need to jump into action. However and upon slowing down and seeing me signing books, I believe Winnipeg's Finest gained a much better understanding as to what was actually "going down."
And so for my first mini public book signing, it was an experience that taught me a lesson: all is not what it seems to be. Moreover, it also gave me a chance to donate two softcover editions as part of a Silent Auction draw that will be held to help a charity that Sherri works with called Koffi's Children Organization, whose goal is to provide orphaned and disadvantaged children in Togo, West Africa, with Life Essentials.
What are the chances?
May 24, 2014
FROM MY EYES, TO YOURS!
May 24, 2014.Blog. What a unique word to start my journey of not only being a newly published author, but in my hopes of further connecting with everyone who have become a part of the Belfast Child community. To be honest, I actually do not know what a blog is or the proper way of writing one. Is there such a thing? Regardless, I'll make the most of my first attempt.
Let me take you back a little. Belfast Child officially started with the launch of my Facebook page on July 15, 2013, which also happened to be my 43rd birthday . Yes, I've just aged myself and gave my birth date away!
Two weeks prior though on July 3, I had submitted my roughly drafted manuscript of 43,000 words to my publisher for review and feedback. I figured I was done at that point and was on top of the publishing world. Sadly though, I was about to be proved wrong in that my journey was really only just beginning.
The following evening on July 4, which happens to be the very same day that Americans celebrate their Independence, my beloved pet of sixteen years died within my arms. The loss associated to her passing dumped me into a such an abyss of grief that I ended up writing a ton more which included a reflection about Brandy and her life. Within two weeks of that, my manuscript had grown by almost 30,000 words. Yet it wasn't enough. I needed to keep on writing!
Even as a social worker, I've learned that through grief, loss, and the trauma associated with passing of a beloved family member including a pet is that I personally turn to what I know best and use as my coping mechanism - writing. As such, my manuscript had grown to 72,325 words within a two week timeframe but it continued to expand all the way up to 88,000 words. There had to be an end point. And so began the tedious task of editing.
Thankfully for me and while my editor was providing thoughts and revisions, a dear friend of mine, Marianne, who is also from Belfast but lives within eight hours of me here in Manitoba, took on the task of helping me through the editing process by providing a lot of constructive feedback. A task that would take almost another nine months to make this book seem just right.
With that said, it is with bittersweet emotion that after a three-and-a-half year journey and with this wee blog, I am finally able to announce the official release of my much anticipated book:
Through the Eyes of a Belfast Child - Life. Personal Reflections. Poems.
I should let everyone know that in addition to my Author Giveaway on the Goodreads website, I am also awarding three phenomenal, rare edition, Belfast Child Prize Packages that include:
1. An autographed softcover edition of the book!
2. An embroidered Belfast Child hoodie!
3. A silk-screened Belfast Child T-shirt!
These can be viewed on the Belfast Child Facebook page (posted on May 15)! Those interested in being entered to win must first Like the page itself, look for the post from May 18 and follow the instructions from there! Click on the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/ThroughtheEye...
Realistically, I am still up against a massive learning curve in this new world of being an author. I hope that many of you will come and join the Belfast Child community.
From my eyes, to yours,
Greg :)
