Debra Komar's Blog: National Post

"Ballad of Jacob Peck" now on Audible

My first book, "The Ballad of Jacob Peck" has just been released as an audio book on Audible. Check it out at http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B071Z3...

"Bastard of Fort Stikine" now on Audible

Audible Books has just released "The Bastard of Fort Stikine" in audio form. Check it out:

http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B07141...

Maisonneuve Magazine Interview

Maisonneuve Magazine just posted an in-depth interview regarding my first four books. Please take a look - https://maisonneuve.org/post/2017/05/....

Black River Road a finalist for Arthur Ellis Award

My latest book, "Black River Road," has just been made a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Nonfiction. Thanks to the Crime Writers of Canada for nominating the book.

Review of "Black River Road"

"Canada's History" magazine has a nice review of "Black River Road" in this month's addition (the Vimy cover). Check it out.

You have got to be kidding....

I am not sure what algorithm serves as the basis for Good Read book recommendations but today's synaptic misfire blew my mind.

I am currently reading "13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl," a chick-lit novel about body issues. Seeing my reading choice, Good Reads (in its infinite wisdom) recommended I try Wallace Stegner's "Angle of Repose," arguably the least chick-litty book ever written.

Maybe if I started reading "Mien Kampf," Good Reads would recommend I try "Chicken Soup for the Soul."

Get your act together, Good Reads.

Berton House Library

Among the great things about Berton House is the library. In addition to every single thing Pierre ever wrote, each of the visiting authors has left their books, and it is an impressive collection. One of the first must-reads I found was the only Andrew Pyper book I haven't read - "Kiss Me" - an early blast-from-the past that is hard to find south of 60. Many of these authors also left their airport book purchases behind and the result is a library that has taken over all available shelves, tables and flat surfaces. If I read a book a day for my entire stay, I wouldn't scratch the surface.

Authors on Eight

What are the odds that three of Canada's most acclaimed writers - Pierre Berton, Jack London and Robert Service - would all live within spitting distance of each other on the same unpaved road in the same tiny town of Dawson? Each is now commemorated with an historic house (or cabin) and many plaques, statues and interpretive signs. The locals call it "Authors on Eight", a reference to the section of Eight Street that was the home to all three.

There is something about this place that begs to be put on paper, in words, paintings or photos. It is unlike any place on earth, and nothing like the rest of Canada.

"Strange things done in the land of the midnight sun." - Robert Service.

Greetings from Dawson City, Yukon

I have arrived in Dawson City to begin my three-month residency here at Berton House and it is everything I could have hoped. The town is magical - a jewel of Yukon Canadiana - and the house has been lovingly renovated by the HGTV home guys. It's comfy and warm and well-equipped.

The best parts are: a) the unfinished bottle of "Writer's Tears" Irish Whiskey in the office and b) the writer-to-writer letters that each departing author leaves behind for the incoming author. It is a "who's who" of Canadian literature.

I had the pleasure of meeting the outgoing author, poet Claire Caldwell, and see her reading in Whitehorse. Gorgeous stuff - check out her poetry collection "Invasive Species."

If I can figure out how to add photos to this, I will try and show you all a bit of the town. Follow me on Twitter @DebraKomar1 for updates on my adventures in the great white north.

Black River Road book tour heads west

I am on the road again, with stops in Ottawa and the Thin Air Festival in Winnipeg and then on to Whitehorse. Thanks to the Crime Writers for hosting the event in Ottawa. If you live near by, please come check out an event.