News and Notes from the Field

Crafty Sister of the Traveling Chocolate calls me up the other day – SOTC: What’s up for you this week? Me: Not much. But Tech Support is heading to Kalamazoo. SOTC: Kalamazoo… I know that name… Wasn’t the guy ... Read More  

Back spasm results in a lot of hours on the couch with a heating pad, and when my eyeballs get tired of reading, it’s movie time. Tech Support and I tried to watch Highlander (1986), a fantasy about a ... Read More  

Every autumn, monarch butterflies make an amazing journey.  They fly from their summer homes in the northeastern United States all the way to Mexico.  The trip takes two whole months, and it is dangerous.  But if they make it, monarchs ... Read More  

In 2000, I was lucky enough to spend six weeks in various parts of Europe. My travel buddy, now answering to the name “husband,” was confused by the fact that, while I’ve never been religious in a traditional sense, ... Read More  

Is Throwback Thursday still a thing, or am I totally behind the trend (as always)? Either way, here’s another piece pulled from the depths of my hard drive – an essay I wrote about the most embarrassing moment of ... Read More  

It was Science Literacy Week last week, a Canada wide celebration of science and science books. *emerges from whirlwind* *plucks twigs from hair* *empties biscuit crumbs from pockets* *collapses in heap*   I visited one school and three branches ... Read More  

I’m at Word on the Street today, at the Halifax Central Library. If you’re in town, come check out this amazing free literary festival. I’ll be reading at 2pm in the BMO Community Room. Stop by and say hello! ... Read More  

Earlier this week, Kristen Lamb wrote a blog post about the fashion industry’s unwillingness to believe that 90% of women are not, in fact, waif-thin teenagers. Every woman I know has a story about the time she tried to ... Read More  

So apparently this happened, and I totally missed it: Did anyone see it? I am a sucker for fairy tale retellings, but the IMDB ratings are not favourable. Would love opinions from people I trust. Read More  

Well, it’s that time of year again. The time when proud kindergardeners and tearful parents say goodbye. The time of new clothes and annual teeth cleanings, and mattresses piled up outside of college dorms. The time when my schedule goes ... Read More  

In Part 1, I talked about factors influencing book sales that the author has little or no control over.  Today, as promised, the Ways In Which You, As The Author, Can Help Rock Your Own Sales Read More  

If you had any exposure to the Rio Olympics at all, you probably noticed the giant hickeys several athletes – most notably Michael Phelps – were flaunting all over their events. Attacks by enormous octopodi? Nope. Cupping bruises. If ... Read More  

Due to an unfortunate incident with a spilled glass of iced tea, I had to buy a new laptop. Is it just me, or is the hardest part of setting up a new computer figuring out what to name ... Read More  

Every writer needs a day job.  Supportive spouses, after all, can only take you so far.  After it became clear my back up plan (PhD/research scientist) was killing my creativity, there was only one choice left - what better ... Read More  

  When I gave up a career in science to be a starving artist, I knew, without doubt or reservation, that I was doing the right thing.  I also knew it was a thing that would be difficult, if ... Read More  

What’s the most trouble your book love has gotten you into? An out-of-control TBR pile? A spouse or parent wondering where all your money has gone? A concussion from walking into a street lamp while reading? Mine happened when ... Read More  

I’ve blogged before about the importance of fact checking sources when researching nonfiction for kids. This post is about a slightly different research challenge that, in the age of the internet, is becoming a huge problem. I sometimes teach ... Read More  

Is anyone else getting a little tired of superhero movies? With the exception of next year’s Wonder Woman, which not only looks awesome, but puts a female hero in a starring role, I am getting pretty burnt out on the ... Read More