Doucette to read at "Authors with Glasses"

The featured authors at this month's Governors Book Pub (the third Tuesday of the month at Governors Pub and Eatery) are two CBU Press writers: Wayne MacKay ( A Cast of Characters) and David Doucette ( Strong at the Broken Places and North of Smokey).

7 p.m., Governors Pub on the Esplanade,downtown Sydney.

"A Smashing Undertaking": Review

A recent review in the literary journal Canadian Literature, calls MacKinnon’s book of original Gaelic poetry and English interpretations “a smashing undertaking.”

The book is “remarkable as a symbol of Canada’s renewed interest in Gaelic,” the review continues, “whether in English or Gaelic, [Famhair] Giant is a delight.”

“Overall, this is an impressive first collection.” (Canadian Literature No. 203).

Read the full review: http://www.canlit.ca/reviews.php?id=14702

CBU Press book shortlisted for Atlantic Book Award

Sydney, March 2, 2010 – Finalists for the 2007 Atlantic Book Awards were announced today, and a Cape Breton University Press publication is among them

Sydney artist Marie Moore has been shortlisted for the Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award for Illustration for her artwork in the book Cape Breton Wonders, published by CBU Press.

Cape Breton Wonders is a children’s book for all ages by Shirley Everett, Chris Augusta Scott and Ms. Moore. The book consists of a series of Cape Breton curiosities all prefaced by the question: Did you ever wonder why?

“Did you ever wonder why... your mother re-washed the wash?” “Did you ever wonder why... the lighthouse lights, or why the miners risked their lives?” Educators Everett and Scott wondered and by teaming up with Marie Moore, they authored a charming little piece of Cape Breton for young and old alike.

“Marie’s timeless watercolour paintings proved to be the perfect way to illustrate, and to answer, the question,” says Mike Hunter, Editor-in-Chief at CBU Press.

“Her originals and prints cover a wide variety of subjects and have been popular among Cape Bretoners and visitors alike for many years. Accordingly, the book is as much a keepsake of Cape Breton as it is a children’s book,” he said.

“We are delighted with this new recognition for her work.”

Moore’s works hang in thousands of homes and offices across the country and around the world. Her work has also been featured in book illustrations and covers, calendar and numerous exhibitions.

The Atlantic Book Awards ceremony will take place Wednesday, April 14, 7 p.m., at Alderney Landing, Dartmouth, NS. In addition, there are numerous literary events in the week prior to and following the awards, including Sydney: Tuesday, April 13, 7 p.m., James McConnell Memorial Library.

Lillian Shepherd, a long-time buyer for former The Book Room in Halifax and life-long lover of books, died suddenly in 1997. Customers and authors visiting The Book Room were always put at ease by Lillian's ready smile and laughter, but her love of life shone through most clearly when she spoke of her husband Fred and their two daughters, Lynn and Cynthia. In 2002, Lillian’s legion of friends and colleagues from Halifax, Lunenburg and Bermuda created the Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award to applaud the book that combines Lillian’s love for illustrated children’s books and her affinity for locally produced work.


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Cape Breton Wonders www.cbu.ca/press/bookp.asp?book=978-1-897009-31-4

D.C.Troicuk appearance at Goevrnors Book Pub

Sydney's new literary venue — Governors Book Pub, third Tuesday of evey month — is a big hit and Loose Pearls author Donna Troicuk's reading on Feb. 16 was a big hit. "Tuesday" is one of thirteen stories in the collection.

CBC’s Shelagh Rogers to air interview with CB author

CBC’s Shelagh Rogers to air interview with CB author

An interview with one of Cape Breton’s best-loved writers will be featured on CBC Radio One’s The Next Chapter on the program’s two weekly airings February 22 and 27.

CBC personality Shelagh Rogers recorded the interview with Inverness native Frank Macdonald last fall.

Author of A Forest for Calum (CBU Press, 2005), Macdonald was the longtime editor and publisher of the award-winning Inverness Oran weekly newspaper, until his retirement in 2009.

Macdonald continues to write a column for the paper, but now devotes his time to writing, including a book for young readers forthcoming from Cape Breton University Press in June 2010.

A Forest for Calum was long listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the largest and most international prize of its kind, as well as the Dartmouth Book Award.

Identified as “a Canadian classic” by Globe and Mail reviewer, and “jaw-droppingly beautiful” by another, Macdonald’s world-class novel continues to move readers around the world.

The Next Chapter airs Mondays 1-2 p.m. and Saturdays 4-5 p.m. on CBC Radio One. You can also access a podcast of the program at: http://www.cbc.ca/thenextchapter/podcast.html

Authors to lecture at Butler U

Terry Gibbs and Garry Leech, authors of The Failure of Global Capitalism from Cape Breton to Colombia and Beyond (CBU Press, 2009) have been invited to give the 2010 Brahos Lecture at Butler University in Indianapolis on April 12, where their book is being used for a course.

Faculty and students from disciplines such as political science, journalism, history, sociology and anthropology and courses on social movements, gender, race, class and peace are aware of the work of Gibbs and Leech and are expected to take part in dialogues around the book.

Another book by Prof. Leech, Beyond Bogatá: Diary of a Drug War Journalist in Colombia (Beacon, 2009) is also being used at Butler.

Cape Breton Bound Presents...

CBU Press is pleased to be involved with the fledgling organization Cape Breton Bound Presents. The group's first endeavour is a monthly literary event at Governors Pub in downtown Sydney .

Governors Book Pub will take place on the third Tuesday of each month beginning January 19. That night, guest emcee Wendy Martin of CBC Cape Breton will host: Dan Doucet (Rory's Rooster and Parables of Big Pond) and Susan Farrell (Basement Suite). PLUS, each month will feature an open stage segment where ANYbody can get up and read! Sounds like a lot of fun.

See you at Governor's Pub (upstairs, 233 Esplanade) January 19 and maybe every month. The Feb. 19 roster will include D.C. Troicuk and Susan Zettell.

Gaelic poet invited to read at StAnza

Gaelic poet Lodaidh MacFhionghain / Lewis MacKinnon has been invited to read at StAnza 2010 ( 17-21 March, 2010) in St Andrews, Scotland.

The only regular festival dedicated to poetry in Scotland, StAnza is international in outlook. Founded in 1998, it is held each March in St Andrews, Scotland’s oldest university town. The festival is an opportunity to engage with a wide variety of poetry, to hear world class poets reading in exciting and atmospheric venues, to experience a range of performances where music, film, dance and poetry work in harmony, to view exhibitions linking poetry with visual art and to discover the part poetry has played in the lives of a diverse range of writers, musicians and media personalities. The simple intention of StAnza is to celebrate poetry in all its many forms.

Have a look: http://www.stanzapoetry.org/index.php

Boston University prof. says Reading the Qur'an in English "Recommended"

Recommended.

“…useful insights … for all whose access is limited to the Qur’an in translation but who wish to acquire a fuller understanding….”

Merlin Swartz
Professor Emeritus of Religion (Islamic Studies), Boston University

Reviewer says book “of immense benefit"

2009. Islam and Muslim-Christian Relations 20(4): 478-80.

“…innovative and stimulating […] well-written and pleasingly presented…”

Campbell provides “an admirable pedagogical structure that will be of great benefit to the serious student—and a useful refresher to scholars.”

Reading the Qur’an in English is “of immense benefit to all teachers of Islam to English-speaking students […] always clear and succinct and so readily comprehensible [,] a unique resource.”

Douglas Pratt, University of Waikato, New Zealand

Check out the latest review of Basement Suite

Check out the latest review of Susan Farrell's Basement Suite in the Nova Scotian November 15. http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Books/1152896.html

CFUW chapter invites Dr. Campbell to speak

The Oakville chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women, will have as its guest speaker Dr. Robert Campbell, who will be speaking about his book Reading the Qur'an in English, on MONDAY, November 16 at 7 p.m. at the Operating Engineers Hall, 2245 Speers Road in Oakville, ON.

Eastlink to broadcast lecture

Eastlink television's Podium TV (weekly onThursdays at 9 p.m.) will broadcast Dr. Campbell's recent lecture on November 19 and 26.

Public presentation on reading the Qur'an

In a two-part talk, Dr. Campbell will give an overview of the Qur'an, its history and relevance to Islam - one of the great Abrahamic religions. Then he will provide guidance to experiencing the Qur'an on its own terms.

This public presentation is Wednesday, October 28, 7-9 p.m. and McConnell Memorial Library in Downtown Sydney.

Basement Suite Launch Party October 7

Join author Susan Farrell to celebrate the release of her first novel: Basement Suite.

Wednesday, October 7, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Governor's Pub, 233 Esplanade, Sydney.

Garry Leech keynote speaker to Council of Canadians

Garry Leech, co-author of The Failure of Global Capitalism from Cape Breton to Colombia and Beyond, will be a keynote speaker at the Council of Canadians annual general meeting October 23 in Saint John New Brunswick. The theme for this year's convention is "Turning the tide: A just economy for people and the planet.

Garry joins CoC nationa chair Maude Barlow and John Cavanagh, Director of the Institute for Public Policy Studies in Washington, DC.

Introduction to the Qur'an, Public talk Oct. 28 in Sydney

Robert Campbell, author of Reading the Qur'an inEnglish is scheduled to give a public talk at the McConnell Memorial Library on October 28, 7-9 p.m. Prof. Campbell's talk will be an introduction to the Qur'an, Islam's most important text, as well as some tips on how to get the most out of an English translation.

Sponsored by Cape Breton Regional Library. Admission is free.

"Sobering stuff" writes reviewer

A reviewer for the Halifax Chronicle Herald notes that Gibbs & Leech's book is filled with "sobering stuff." "...this isn’t another bestselling thriller but you should read it anyway. It might just knock you off your complacent 'everything is OK' butt." Read the whole review at: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Books/1123664.html

Weather subject of monthly CBC phone-in

CB Weather Watching author Bill Danielson is in the CBC Cape Breton studios on the third Monday of every month for an hour-long phone-in. Be listening to Information Morning as host Steve Sutherland and Bill take your calls and questions about the weather.

Human rights in Colombia subject of talk at OPSEU

Author and journalist Garry Leech will make a presentation to the Ontario Public Service union May 7, on the subject of the current human rights situation inColombia. The talk takes place at OPSEU offices on Wellsley Street in Toronto. Garry talk is sponsired by: Canadian Council for International Cooperation, Inter Pares, Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean (CERLAC), KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, Latin American Human Rights Education and Research Network (RedLEIDH), and Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).