Now that I've had my first book launch--which everyone tells me went very well, though I was so nervous it's a bit of a blank--I thought I'd pass on three bits of advice for future launchers. First, you need more set-up helpers than you think. Bank on unforeseen delays. (It took me half an hour to cart everything from my car… Continue reading Book Launching Afterword
Author: Catherine Austen
I'm a Canadian author of books for all ages. My short stories are published in literary journals including The Fiddlehead and The New Quarterly. My books for young readers have won multiple awards, including the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award and the Quebec Writers Federation Prize for Children's Literature. I live with my family in Gatineau, Quebec.
Book Launching
I've been taking my time planning the launch of Walking Backward, to be celebrated at my local library on November 1st. Take note, all budding authors: don't try it alone. It's a surprising amount of work, so get as many people to help as you can. My publisher, Orca, designed beautiful invitations, saving me from… Continue reading Book Launching
Fictional Emotions
A friend of mine was surprised to read my last enty, in which I confessed to being deeply moved by a song about a lost cat. She has known me for years and never seen me cry. That's because I don't cry, except at the odd movie or song. Don't get me wrong: I like to cry. It's relaxing and good… Continue reading Fictional Emotions
Words and Music
I wrote Walking Backward to the Weakerthans. Something opened in my heart while listening to their song, "Virtue the Cat Explains her Disappearance." I have no idea why, but something in the song connected to my story in a way I don't understand. (The song is about a lost cat, which doesn't factor into my dead-mother novel.) If I wanted sad… Continue reading Words and Music
Walking into Ideas
Pooh Bear was onto something when he went on his think-walks. It never fails: no matter what mood I'm in, no matter how tired or headachy, no matter how preoccupied with other concerns, taking my dog for a good long walk always clears my mind and gets me thinking of writing. It takes about fifteen minutes for a… Continue reading Walking into Ideas
Catherine Austen 