A literary evening, part of the Atlantic Book Awards week, is scheduled for Sydney on Tuesday, April 14 at McConnell Library, and hosted by CBC journalist Wendy Martin.
An exciting lineup is headlined by award-winning, Newfoundland-born, Donna Morrisey. Her latest book What They Wanted (Penguin) is shortlisted for the Atlantic Independent Booksellers' Choice Award.
Cape Breton's Douglas Arthur Brown, whose 2008 novel Quintet (Key Porter) is shortlisted for the Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction, will also appear alongside Robert Morgan, Susan M. Farrell and Dave Wilson.
Morgan's book Rise Again! (Breton Books) is shortlisted for the Dartmouth Book Award for Non-fiction and the Atlantic Book Award for Historical Writing. Dave Wilson's book about his years as host of Talkback is coming soon from Breton Books.
Susan Farrell's first novel Basement Suite (working title) will be published in the fall of 2009 by CBU Press.
The ABA Sydney event is co-sponsored by CBU Press, Breton Books, Cape Breton Regional Library and the Atlantic Book Awards Society.
Tuesday, April 14, 7 p.m.
McConnell Memorial Library
50 Falmouth Street, Sydney
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Congratulations Susan Young de Biagi!
Cape Breton novelists shortlisted for literary awards Sydney, NS – Two of three novelists shortlisted for this year’s Dartmouth Book Award for fiction are Cape Bretoners - again. And CBU Press continues to make the award’s shortlist.
Cibou, a historical novel by Susan Young de Biagi, a native of South Bar now living in British Columbia, is published by Cape Breton University Press. Quintet by Douglas Arthur Brown, Kempt Head, is published by Key Porter Books.
Cibou is set in 17th-century Cape Breton and is a fictional account of a young Mi’kmaw woman and her experiences with two of Cape Breton’s most colourful historical figures: Jesuit missionary Antoine Daniel (St. Anthony Daniel) and his brother Charles Daniel.
The novel is also shortlisted for an Atlantic Book Award for Historical Writing.
Readers and reviewers have called Cibou “a rich treasure,” says CBU Press Editor-in-Chief, Mike Hunter.
"It’s a marvelous tale about an earlier and seldom considered time in our history. It's fiction, but as good as fiction should be, it's completely believable, and told in a strong, lyrical and sensitive voice,” he said, quoting reviews.
Douglas Arthur Brown’s Quintet, an innovative novel released in February 2008, has also been met with critical acclaim. Mr. Brown’s previous books included a collection of short fiction published by CBU Press.
Last year, all three books shortlisted for the Dartmouth book award were by Cape Breton authors, including North of Smokey by David Doucette (CBU Press). It was won by Beatrice MacNeil for her novel Where White Horses Gallop. Frank Macdonald’s beloved novel A Forest for Calum (also CBU Press) was shortlisted for the same prize in 2007.
The Atlantic Book Awards ceremony will take place on April 15th at the Alderney Landing Theatre, Dartmouth.
Cibou, a historical novel by Susan Young de Biagi, a native of South Bar now living in British Columbia, is published by Cape Breton University Press. Quintet by Douglas Arthur Brown, Kempt Head, is published by Key Porter Books.
Cibou is set in 17th-century Cape Breton and is a fictional account of a young Mi’kmaw woman and her experiences with two of Cape Breton’s most colourful historical figures: Jesuit missionary Antoine Daniel (St. Anthony Daniel) and his brother Charles Daniel.
The novel is also shortlisted for an Atlantic Book Award for Historical Writing.
Readers and reviewers have called Cibou “a rich treasure,” says CBU Press Editor-in-Chief, Mike Hunter.
"It’s a marvelous tale about an earlier and seldom considered time in our history. It's fiction, but as good as fiction should be, it's completely believable, and told in a strong, lyrical and sensitive voice,” he said, quoting reviews.
Douglas Arthur Brown’s Quintet, an innovative novel released in February 2008, has also been met with critical acclaim. Mr. Brown’s previous books included a collection of short fiction published by CBU Press.
Last year, all three books shortlisted for the Dartmouth book award were by Cape Breton authors, including North of Smokey by David Doucette (CBU Press). It was won by Beatrice MacNeil for her novel Where White Horses Gallop. Frank Macdonald’s beloved novel A Forest for Calum (also CBU Press) was shortlisted for the same prize in 2007.
The Atlantic Book Awards ceremony will take place on April 15th at the Alderney Landing Theatre, Dartmouth.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Feature interview with Frank Macdonald
Frank Macdonald, author of the acclaimed novel A Forest for Calum, will appear on CBC Halifax's Nunn on One, at midnight, January 22-23 on CBC TV in Nova Scotia http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/program/nunn_on_one
Monday, January 19, 2009
Readers continue to share their thoughts
In an email to author Stewart Donovan, a reader of The Forgotten World of R.J. MacSween: a life recently commented:
"...The conclusionary writings you so skillfully linked with this man's poetic words left tears in [my] eyes and a deeply disturbed soul...."
Your last words "there was no sign of the man we'd known"... and [MacSween's] at the conclusion of "Learning," ("in the primary school of our last days"), hit this 73-year old as a spear to my heart and soul! You, Stewart Donovan, have made far more contribution to your readers than you could realize ... much in the manner of the man you wrote about."
"...feelings of joy that finally the Good Father was receiving his long over due---due!!"
D.C.
Check out a recent review of Susan Young de Biagi's Cibou.
"...The conclusionary writings you so skillfully linked with this man's poetic words left tears in [my] eyes and a deeply disturbed soul...."
Your last words "there was no sign of the man we'd known"... and [MacSween's] at the conclusion of "Learning," ("in the primary school of our last days"), hit this 73-year old as a spear to my heart and soul! You, Stewart Donovan, have made far more contribution to your readers than you could realize ... much in the manner of the man you wrote about."
"...feelings of joy that finally the Good Father was receiving his long over due---due!!"
D.C.
Check out a recent review of Susan Young de Biagi's Cibou.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
John Johnston to speak at SUNY
Historian John Johnston will give a talk on Endgame 1758, at State University of New York, Plattsburgh on Feb. 3. During that visit to SUNY, John will also give a talk on Mathieu Da Costa (Feb. 2).
Monday, October 27, 2008
Broadcast excerpts of Cibou now on-line
Cape Breton born Susan Young de Biagi came home to Sydney to launch her novel in early October. Cibou has been enthusiastically received by audiences coast to coast. In her (now) home town of Powell River, BC, a launch is planned for November 14.
You can listen to excerpts from Cibou that were broadcast by CBC Sydney the week of the launch. Read by Stephanie Johnson, of Chapel Island, the excerpts can be found at: http://www.cbc.ca/mainstreetcb/ by scrolling down to Oct. 6, 2008. There you will find four readings and an interview with Susan.
Pictured to the right are Susan and Stephanie at the book launch.
Gaelic poet in final days of Scotand tour
Famhair author Lewis MacKinnon and publisher Mike Hunter are in the final days of their book tour in Scotland. The book was launched at the Royal National Mod in Falkirk, then entertained audiences in Aberdeen, Stornoway, Sleat (Isle of Skye) and Fort William. Oct. 27 they are in Edinburgh, the 28th in Glasgow and then Lewis continues on to Ireland for a few days.
Above is a picture from the reading in Skye. We were very pleased to meet Mabou Ridge student Tara Rankin, who is studying at Sabhal Mor Ostaig.
The tour, entitled (in English) "The way we say it in Nova Scotia" is sponsored in part by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, as well as the Centre for Cape Breton Studies at CBU.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
New picture book features art by Marie Moore
Join us November 6 (4-6 p.m. at the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club) as we launch our latest book: Cape Breton Wonders: Featuring Art by Marie Moore.
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 Shirley Everett and Chris Augusta Scott have wondered why and the result is this charming little piece of Cape Breton for young and old alike. Marie Moore’s paintings, including two new ones, are the perfect way to illustrate, and to answer, 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 Shirley Everett and Chris Augusta Scott have wondered why and the result is this charming little piece of Cape Breton for young and old alike. Marie Moore’s paintings, including two new ones, are the perfect way to illustrate, and to answer, the question:
"Did you ever wonder why?"
Gaelic poetry launched in Scotland
Falkirk - Following a launch at lomall a' Mhòid today in Falkirk, Lodaidh MacFhionghain, Lewis MacKinnon, embarks on visits and readings at Aberdeen, Stornoway, Sleat, Fort William, Glasgow and Edinburgh (see details below).
Famhair agus dàin Ghàidhlig eile (Giant and other Gaelic poems), is the first book of its kind in Nova Scotia: the first collection of contemporary poems by a single author in the local Gaelic. MacKinnon's poems address a variety of contemporary perspectives—language, culture, politics and matters of the heart.
The book is central to a number of titles being promoted by Cape Breton University Press in Scotland during the next few weeks. The promotion is called "The way we say it in Nova Scotia," a reference to language and music traditions once of Scots origins, but with Nova Scotia's unique flavour.
The tour is sponsored in part by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, through its industry development program, the Centre for Cape Breton Studies at Cape Breton University and by publisher Cape Breton University Press.
Aberdeen, Monday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m., New King's Hall, Room 10
Sponsored by the University of Aberdeen
Stornoway, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m., An Lanntair, Kenneth St., Stornoway
and Wednesday, Oct. 22, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis - Ness Historical Society
Sponsored by Lews Castle College UHI
Sleat, Isle of Skye, Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., Seòmar Cruinneachaidh, Arainn Ostaig
Sponsored by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI
Fort William, Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m., Fort William Library
With the assistance of Highland Council
Edinburgh, Monday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m., Canon's Gait, 232 Canongate, Old Town
Sponsored by University of Edinburgh
Glasgow, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m., 16 University Gardens, Room 5.
Sponsored by University of Glasgow
Famhair agus dàin Ghàidhlig eile (Giant and other Gaelic poems), is the first book of its kind in Nova Scotia: the first collection of contemporary poems by a single author in the local Gaelic. MacKinnon's poems address a variety of contemporary perspectives—language, culture, politics and matters of the heart.
The book is central to a number of titles being promoted by Cape Breton University Press in Scotland during the next few weeks. The promotion is called "The way we say it in Nova Scotia," a reference to language and music traditions once of Scots origins, but with Nova Scotia's unique flavour.
The tour is sponsored in part by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, through its industry development program, the Centre for Cape Breton Studies at Cape Breton University and by publisher Cape Breton University Press.
Aberdeen, Monday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m., New King's Hall, Room 10
Sponsored by the University of Aberdeen
Stornoway, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m., An Lanntair, Kenneth St., Stornoway
and Wednesday, Oct. 22, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis - Ness Historical Society
Sponsored by Lews Castle College UHI
Sleat, Isle of Skye, Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., Seòmar Cruinneachaidh, Arainn Ostaig
Sponsored by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI
Fort William, Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m., Fort William Library
With the assistance of Highland Council
Edinburgh, Monday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m., Canon's Gait, 232 Canongate, Old Town
Sponsored by University of Edinburgh
Glasgow, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m., 16 University Gardens, Room 5.
Sponsored by University of Glasgow
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
John Johnston to speak Oct. 9 in Wolfville
John Johnston will be giving a public lecture in Wolfville at Acadia University on Oct. 9th, at 7:00 PM, in the Beveridge Arts Centre, BAC Room 236.
TOPIC OF THE LECTURE: "Louisbourg: The Last Decade."
This will be an illustrated hour-long talk on the dramatic and far-reachingevents at Louisbourg during its final decade, focussing on the siege of1758. The emphasis will be on how the collision of two European empires inAtlantic Canada played out during the Seven Years War and what long-lasting impacts that struggle was to have.
TOPIC OF THE LECTURE: "Louisbourg: The Last Decade."
This will be an illustrated hour-long talk on the dramatic and far-reachingevents at Louisbourg during its final decade, focussing on the siege of1758. The emphasis will be on how the collision of two European empires inAtlantic Canada played out during the Seven Years War and what long-lasting impacts that struggle was to have.
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