Suzanne Alyssa Andrew's Blog: The PROCESS blog, page 13

On the necessity of a strong work ethic

“People think that being an artist is an easy thing, but it’s not. It’s a lot of work. People go to an exhibition and think, ‘well, I could do that,’ but you didn’t, I did. I try to keep my mind open to the potential of what’s out there, and what I can discover as an artist.” Barbara Astman, photographer.

I interviewed Astman as part of the artist profile series I’m working on for OCAD University. Keep posted for more details about that!

Here’s one of her works, from “The Newspaper Series”

Sell your book!

I’m pleased to announce “Sell Your Book: An Author’s Guide to Publicity and Promotion,” the guide I wrote on behalf of The Writers’ Union of Canada is now available to download!

Here’s the official description for the guide: This publication provides ideas for publicity and promotional activities that work, including a blueprint for your own personal book marketing plan. It features tips from authors Claire Cameron, Chris Chambers, Farzana Doctor, Christine Fischer Guy, Maria Meindl, Lana Pesch, and Russell Smith, with industry advice from Dundurn Press’s Margaret Bryant, Quill & Quire’s Sue Carter, and McNally Robinson’s Chris Harrow. 

It’s free if you’re a member of the Writers’ Union, or you can purchase the PDF download for $9.99 CDN.

Preview the table of contents

Wrapping up Q1

I’m off to a busy freelance year, and took a moment today to look back on what I’ve worked on as I wrap up Q1 this week! So far this year I’ve written about book marketing, poet Katherena Vermette and indigenous online activism, artist studio space, the Toronto Comics Anthology, gender identity, self harm, emotional abuse, drugs and alcohol, bullying, discrimination, teen health, sexual orientation, body image, suicide, mental and emotional health and relationships. I also did narrative design for a secret project, submitted a story for consideration and wrote 11,000 words of new fiction. 

Watch for updates to my portfolio of client work coming soon. In the meantime, Here are some of my recent published pieces of journalism:

The Faces of Poetry in Taddle Creek

Katherine Vermette profile as part of Sue Carter’s Quill & Quire feature, How three indigenous authors cut through the noise of social media to become online activists

The Hustle: How indie creators are making it work right now in Broken Pencil 

Can You Really Marie Kondo an Art Practice? in Canadian Art

I’ve been in my writing studio a lot lately! Enough to capture a photo late one night of my studio lights when I realized I was staring up at them, thinking.

The Hustle

How are indie creators making it work right now? That was the research question I pitched to Broken Pencil magazine in late 2016. The editor was as as curious as I was, and the result was an investigative piece I researched and wrote for the Winter, 2017 issue.

I profiled eight indie creators from across the country, and found out it really is tougher than ever, but not impossible. Read the article for inspiring survival tactics, advice and reality checks from:

Author Doretta Lau
Writer, playwright and poet Adam AbbasMusician, actor and producer Ava MarkusGraphic novelist, illustrator and storyteller Elisha LimGame and movie writer/producer and novelist Jim MunroeBass player and band manager Michael SmallMusician and writer Tariq HussainAuthor Tom Cho

Katherena Vermette profile

I profiled Winnipeg Métis poet and author Katherena Vermette as part of Sue Carter’s feature, “How three indigenous authors cut through the noise of social media to become online activists” for Quill & Quire magazine. 

Vermette used filmmaking and Instagram storytelling to draw attention to the strength of the indigenous community and to keep her brother’s memory alive. 

The Faces of Poetry

As associate editor for Canada’s beloved literary magazine, Taddle Creek, sometimes I’m also a contributor. For the winter, 2016-2017 issue, I interviewed the lovely artist and poet Melanie Janisse-Barlow about her Poets Series of paintings.

The Shadow Side of Success

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak on a panel at the 2016 Canadian Writers’ Summit in Toronto in June. We talked about the challenges inherent in the writing and creative life, to an amazing reception. It took a bit of bravery to be honest and vulnerable about certain realities in front of a crowd, yes, but it was standing-room only for our talk, and afterwards many authors had stories of their own to share with us.

My lovely and talented author friend Heidi Reimer took the initiative to turn our talk into an interview-style article for The New Quarterly. It’s a long, in-depth read, and we’re hearing other authors say how much it resonates with them, too. Within the writing community there a lot of issues that aren’t easy to talk about, but it’s important now, however, more than ever, to speak up.

Data protection for my freelance clients

As a freelancer with a tech and digital industry background I take the protection of my clients’ data very seriously. I know this is important to you, especially when we’re working on the pre-launch/embargo-for-release stages of a project, or you’ve sent me sensitive, confidential files. If you’ve asked me to sign a non-disclosure agreement with you, it also makes sense for me to help ensure none of your data will ever leak from my office network.

Whether I’m working at my desk or remotely, I take care to protect the files you send me. 

I’m happy to announce I’m using Toronto’s TunnelBear VPN service on all my devices to help keep any project data you share with me safe. 

Art therapy at Come Up To My Room 2017

The Gladstone Hotel’s annual Come Up To My Room art exhibition is always thought-provoking, engaging and fun. I knocked off work early today to wander through before it was busy, so I had a chance to chat with a few of the artists. On a bleak, rainy day in Toronto at the start of potentially ominous times, it felt like art therapy. It was a good reminder, no matter what’s happening, to see some art, if you can. Engage your mind. Make some music. Make some noise. It all helps. Self-expression and creativity always survive. 

Here are some of my favourite pieces from this year’s show:

Home-Made by 302Collective

Elan Vital video installation by Marian Wihak

Queer Army by Rey Midax

Best cheer-up songs of 2016: #1

My #1 best cheer-up song of 2016: “Superstellar” by Honey Beard. It’s what I danced to before every show I played this year to get in the zone and not get too nervous. It works! Plus this is my new mantra for 2017: “I won’t go down without a fight. I won’t go quietly. As long as there is love in my heart I won’t give up." 

#electronicmusic #electropop #synthwave #indiepop