Review Wednesday – Hellucination

In this prequel to Dialogue with the Devil, we meet a younger Stephen, who, after an eventful childhood, makes a living selling bootleg videos and is addicted to hallucinogen drugs.  Like many people, he could have gone on leading this kind of existence for the rest of his (short, no doubt) life if it were not for a sudden revelation: drugs open the door to another plane of existence, drugs can lead to God.  With his poison of predilection, Stephen sets on a quest that will give him much more than her bargained for.   After...

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Wild Writer Literary Festival – Canlit Brunch

To end this wonderful weekend of literary pleasures, a brunch panel was held at the Walper hotel.  The three  invited authors, Catherine Bush, Elizabeth Ruth and Michael Winter, discussed their latest books and their writing process.  From Newfoundland to Afghanistan, they made us travel through titillating conversation. Elizabeth Ruth (about her latest book): Matadora is set in 1930 Spain and Mexico and tells the story of Luna, an indentured servant.  It's not exactly a novel about Canada, but the topic really excited...

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Stolen Words – Tea

This week's work was predictable, don't you think?  This is our last word of Chinese origin.  Where would you like to go next week?  Leave you suggestions in the comment section! Sagwa character property of Cine Group and Sesame Works...

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Author Interview Series – T.B. Markinson

Today ATUA has the pleasure to be one of T.B. Markinson's stops on the her blog tour.  Markinson is an American expat living in England and the author of two novels. Giveaway info will follow the interview. Have you always known that you wanted to be a writer or did that come later in life? In the sixth grade we had to write a short story. My teacher loved my story and wrote a small note at the top of my paper. It read: When you grow up, you should be a writer. That was it. I was hooked and wanted to write. Over the years I would...

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Review Wednesday – Marionette

Paige Alexander is one of the daughters of the rich and famous Alexanders.  What looks like a blessing from the outside is actually a curse; Paige and her twin sister are estranged and their parents are nothing short of tyrannical.  After a fail suicide attempt, she starts college, away from home.  She escapes her parents only to find herself in the throes of rising anti-gay sentiment on campus.  Will she manage to find solace and triumph over those who would see her fall? Marionette, T.B. Markinson's second novel, is...

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Wild Writer Literary Festival – Saturday Night Speakeasy: Crime and All That Jazz

After a nice day of workshop and panels, the guests of the Wild Writer Literary Festival were invited in a local pub for a night of mystery.  Between a great panel of suspense writers (Andrew Piper, Mary Jackman, Brad Smith) animated by David Worsley of Words Worth Books and the live jazz of the Joni NehRita Quartet, the evening was promising. David Worsley: Were you a crime writer early on? Mary Jackman:  I am Liz Walker, my main character. The novel is about my restaurant and the people I would like to kill.  So I started...

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Stolen Words – Long time no see

This week's borrowed word really surprised me.  I had never really imagined something we used so much could have come from another language.  Then again, I guess that goes for ketchup as well...   Sagwa character property of Cine Group and Sesame Workshop...

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Write Your Heart Out – Contest and Call for Submission Round Up

Room presents 37:3 Geek Girls What: Short fiction, Poetry Length: 3500 words or 5 poems Deadline: January 31st Details Taproot V: Call For SubmissionsWhat/Length: fast fiction, anecdotes, monologues (500 words or less), creative non-fiction (2500 words or less), short stories (5000 words or less), poetry (maximum 3 poems, totaling 150 lines or less)Deadline: January 31stDetails  Call for Submissions: Our Canada magazine What: Short fiction, creative non-fiction Length: 1200 words Details The Danuta Gleed Literary Award What: Short Fiction...

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The Resolution Zero Project – Month 1: You didn't hear it from me

Last week, I discussed resolutions and how most of them are unrealistic and quickly abandonned.  This week, I want to share with you a TED talk by Larry Smith.  In his short discourse, he manages to illustrate the importance of achieving greatness in life.   Greatness is different for each and everyone of us and it's not the scale that matters; its the accomplishment itself.  That is why you must not compare yourself to others.  You don't know what goes on in their lives, only what they choose to show you. ...

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Dreamers Interview Series – Tania Mignacca : Answers and Giveaway winner!

You've been waiting for it!  I'm pleased to announce that Tania's giveaway winner is...  But first, the answers to your questions! Meg Hanna asked Tania, I have got to commend you on your original and optimistic take on the city that we call home. Vibrant colours, hard hitting issues, a promising message and cute characters - you most certainly have the winning recipe! I've been following Ponto for a while now and as a municipal employee starting out, I can relate to this universe that you have created. You have no idea! That...

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Reading Pledge 2014

If you're an avid reader chances are you keep track of the number of book you read every year.  There are many websites that offer the possibility to flaunt your fast-reading skills.  But how about the number of pages you read?  Have you ever thought how many of them your eyes devoure? Last year, I pledged to read 8 000 pages.  When I met my goal, I upped the game to 14 000.  It was a lot of fun to see the numbers go up and to compare my progression with friend's.  This year, my reading pledge is 15 000 pages but...

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Wild Writers Literary Festival Series – Writing Narrative: From Concept to Creation

Here's the fifth installment of the Wild Writers Literary Festival.  Missed the previous one?  No problem, you can read them here #1, #2, #3, #4.    This workshop, led by Helen Humphreys (poetry, novel and creative non-fiction author,) was an exploration of the process of moving an idea forward using practical ste^-by-step approach.  I have to say it was one of my favourite craft class. Humphreys talk was structured around the different questions you should ask yourself when writing. Are you obsessed...

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Stolen Words – Chinese – Ketchup

This week we continue our exploration of English words of Chinese origin.  Chop chop!  Pass me the ketchup! Sagwa character property of Cine Group and Sesame Worksh...

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Write Your Heart out – Contest and Call for submission round up

Canada Writes – CBC Creative Non-Fiction Contest What: Unpublished work of non-fiction Lenght1200-1500 words Deadline: February 1, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. ET   Details 9th Annual ACCENTI Writing Contest What: Unpublished and not under consideration by any other publication work of fiction non-fiction or creative non-fiction Lenght: 2000 words Deadline: February 7th Details The Writer's Union of Canada – 21st Annual Short Prose Competition for Developing Writers What: Original and non-publish work of fiction or non-fiction. Lenght: 2500 words Deadline:...

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The Resolution Zero Project – Month 1: Identifying the problem

This year is going to be my year! This year is going to be different. This year I will make it happen.  Rings a bell?  Each year 45% of Americans make resolutions. Popular goals include but are not limited to weight loss, staying fit, spend less and learn something new. The concept of promising to do an act of self-improvement in the New Year goes backs as far as 2000 BC, when the Babylonians offered resolutions to their Gods. However, the format we’re familiar with was born and evolved in the 20th century. (For a more complete...

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Dreamers Interview Series – Tania Mignacca

 Today I have the immense pleasure of hosting visual artist extraordinaire Tania Mignacca.  I've known Tania for a few years now and I've had the chance to see her goregous art soar to impressive levels.  I'm very grateful that she accepted to be featured on ATUA for she is a source of inspiration for me. Giveaway information will follow the interview. Tell us a bit more about what you do.  I'm a freelance illustrator, graphic designer and comic artist based in Montreal. I work with clients and do my own personal...

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Review Wednesday – Price of Justice

Detective Jason Scarsdale of Austin PD didn't think is life could get any worse after the death of his beloved wife.  He was wrong. As the high profile murder investagation he's been assigned starts to spin out of control, Scarsdale finds himself entangled in a web of deception, murder and revenge.  As the tension rises, the clock starts ticking and the investigation becomes personal, will Scarsdale manage to remain the good cop? Price of Justice by Alan Brenham is a compelling story that kept me glued to the pages. It has all...

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Wild Writers Literary Festival Series – How to Kill a Man: The Secrets of Mystery Writing

Here is the fourth installment of the Wild Writers Literary Festival Series.  Missed the previous ones?  Read them here #1 #2 #3! This workshop was animated by Brad Smith, author of the Virgil Cain mystery series.  It took the form of a casual chat between the participants and the writer.  Here is what emerged from the exchange. The writing process is much more important than where the idea came from.  Chances are authors will prefer being asked about the former rather than the latter. Newspapers can be a great...

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Stolen Words – Chop chop

This year, we set aside the hipster lingo and we educate ourselves on the borrowed words of the English language.  Each month, we'll travel to a different country to see what terms we've stolen from other languages around the world.  In January, Chinese words! Sagwa character property of Cine group and Sesame Worksho...

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The Sunday Special – Feel Good Factor in 30 days

"I can only describe this part of my journey to be like peeling layers of an onion off one by one – there are lots of them, they are difficult to peel and at times it may make you cry!"  With the New Year, a lot of people decide to make a fresh start.  For some, it's time to get serious about losing weight, for others it's time to change their take on life, to create a new mindset.  For these people, the Feel Good Factor in 30 Days might be just the book they need.  This short work by Andrea Morrison is the result...

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Review Wednesday – Dialogue with the Devil

"You can call me whatever you want; a self-deluded fool, a Christian, a madman, a classic case of paranoia with schizophrenic tendencies, a visionary or even a prophet of utter magnitude that can pierce through the heart of understanding." Stephen Biro used to be an atheist until he found God after having been deceived by the Devil.  This whole experience was recorded in his first book, Hellucination.  In Dialogue with the Devil, Stephen recounts his second encounter with the Devil, a meeting through which Satan tried to get him...

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