tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77116892990456127902024-02-19T02:34:09.120-08:00Paula Johanson Booksthe author's website with links to her books Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-17626583529514905192020-12-17T21:48:00.002-08:002020-12-17T21:48:13.976-08:002020 Giftmas Blog Tour<p> On the 2020 Giftmas Blog Tour, this website is one of several
websites supporting a fundraiser collecting donations for the Edmonton
Food Bank. You can <a href="https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/2020-giftmas-fundraiser/" target="_blank">click here to find out more</a>
about the 2020 Giftmas fundraiser, and make a donation. It's really a
good idea to click so you can read what organizer Rhonda Parrish has
written about how food banks and food hampers can make a difference for
families and individuals. Because of the Edmonton Food Bank's purchasing
power, each dollar donated here is enough to provide three meals.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZGyHoBEsYk1T83M46SQE4uZiENeRuXSZNo5Dh9Cqfym4m4AG2EIbcsqaDP-Hj1F_fZjkTss37P8tomoM60jMRCk_-PnAFEsIhpopINRfnB3MycV3CNyfaXkQh6wThseeIOHcqWF8Rac/s1600/giftmas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZGyHoBEsYk1T83M46SQE4uZiENeRuXSZNo5Dh9Cqfym4m4AG2EIbcsqaDP-Hj1F_fZjkTss37P8tomoM60jMRCk_-PnAFEsIhpopINRfnB3MycV3CNyfaXkQh6wThseeIOHcqWF8Rac/w400-h225/giftmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The
2020 Giftmas Blog Tour is happening during the coronavirus pandemic, so
"emergency" has pretty much become "ordinary" over the course of this
year. Here in this fundraiser is one way to cope with one part of the
ongoing emergency: contribute <a href="https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/2020-giftmas-fundraiser/" target="_blank">at this link</a> to a program supporting those of us who are vulnerable.</p><p>As
someone who lived near Edmonton for 15 years, who has family and
friends there, I can confirm that when vulnerable in Edmonton, any help
and support are needed and appreciated. Rhonda Parrish has set up a
fundraiser with achievable goals, that supports a needed service. You
can read more about Rhonda at her website <a href="http://www.rhondaparrish.com/" target="_blank">at this link</a>.<br /></p><p>In
the history of the Giftmas fundraisers, there's been a steady climb in
the amounts raised by donations for the Edmonton Food Bank. </p>
<p>2016 -- $521 raised out of a $500 goal</p>
<p>2017 -- $1,094 raised out of a $522 goal</p>
<p>2018 -- $1,127 raised out of a $750 goal</p>
<p>2019 -- $1,355 raised out of a $1000 goal</p><p>2020 -- with two days to go, we've already passed the $1000 goal. That's 3,000 meals! <br /></p><a href="https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/2020-giftmas-fundraiser/" target="_blank">Click on this link</a> to donate today. Thank you!Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-28668326091151481172020-08-13T15:42:00.000-07:002020-08-13T15:42:02.689-07:00Group Book Launch at When Words Collide<p> </p><p> On Friday, August 14 at 2:00pm MDT, Paula Johanson's newest title from Doublejoy
Books will be launched at When Words Collide literary festival. Look
there for info on Island Views, a short novel with elements of romance
and mystery. <br /></p><p>During the coronavirus pandemic, everyone is
re-inventing social events like book launches and writers conventions.
This August, When Words Collide literary festival is a free and virtual
event with all-online activities at no charge. One of these activities
is a Group Book Launch, taking place not in a hotel conference hall but
as a Zoom meeting with nine different authors and their new books. You
can learn about the When Words Collide festival at their website <a href="https://www.whenwordscollide.org/" target="_blank">http:whenwordscollide.org</a>
On the page's Menu the link What's Happening takes you to the festival
program, where the Group Book Launch is listed on Friday August 14 at
2pm Mountain Daylight time.<br /></p><p>Among the books being launched at this Group Book Launch is <a href="http://books2read.com/b/islandviews" target="_blank">Island Views</a>,
the newest title to be released from Doublejoy Books! It's available
now as an ebook from many online vendors. Check it out now, and on
Friday August 14 we'll see you at the launch.</p><p>
</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Group Book Launch</span>
during When Words Collide, http://whenwordscollide.org</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">on Friday August 14 at 2pm MDT</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Twitter #GroupBookLaunchWWC</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Twitter moment
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://twitter.com/i/moments/1292900948319248384">https://twitter.com/i/moments/1292900948319248384</a></u></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Susan Forest</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Flights of Marigold</i>, second in
the series <i>Addicted to Heaven</i>, is launching Saturday at 2pm.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://speculative-fiction.ca/">http://speculative-fiction.ca</a></u></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Jane Glatt</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Sailors & Spies</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
book 3 of the </span><i>Intelligencers</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
series </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Dagrun
and Calder are leading the desperate mission to replenish the food
stores of Tarklee before winter sets in. On the journey, they run
into Calder’s father, a man with many secrets and knowledge of the
plots against the Fair Seas Treaty Alliance.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Meanwhile, Nadez assumes
leadership of the remaining Intelligencers. Schemes against the
Alliance are still in motion, and her small trusted cadre of
Intelligencers are running ragged trying to protect the new Grand
Freeholder.</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But the forces united
against the Alliance are deeply entrenched and have considerable
power. To counter the threat, the Intelligencers must forge alliances
of their own: with the countries of the Sapphire Seas, with their own
citizens, and with each other.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://tychebooks.com/jane-glatt">https://tychebooks.com/jane-glatt</a></u></span></span>
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://tychebooks.com/sailors-spies">https://tychebooks.com/sailors-spies</a></u></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Sandra A. Hunter
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Daughter of Earth and Fire, The
Fledgling</i> book one of the <i>Dragon's Heir</i> series</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1999102924?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1999102924?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860</a></u></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Paula Johanson
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">New this month from Doublejoy Books is
a short novel, <i>Plum Tree</i>, a ranobe with time travel.
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://books2read.com/b/plumtree">http://books2read.com/b/plumtree</a></u></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Doublejoy Books is also launching at
WWC a short novel of romantic intrigue, <i>Island Views</i>
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://books2read.com/b/islandviews">http://books2read.com/b/islandviews</a></u></span></span>
This mystery is made lighter with a little sweet romance and a
real-life setting on Saltspring Island!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Rounding out the season is <i>Small
Rain</i>, a story collection of ecogothic fiction that “Reads like
a spec fic Raymond Carver,” according to Ira Nayman.
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://books2read.com/b/smallrain">http://books2read.com/b/smallrain</a></u></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Susan Mayse
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">winner of the Arthur Ellis Award for
True Crime and the Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-style: normal;">re-release
of her acclaimed 1990 book, </span><i> Ginger: The Life and Death of
Albert Goodwin</i></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://harbourpublishing.com/products/9781550178913">https://harbourpublishing.com/products/9781550178913</a></u></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Awen</i> (hardcover EWU Press 1997;
re-released as an ebook by Holdfast Books, 2020)</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Awen-Susan-Mayse-ebook/dp/B08DH81W2D/" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.ca/Awen-Susan-Mayse-ebook/dp/B08DH81W2D/</a></u></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/awen-2" target="_blank">https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/awen-2</a></u></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://susanmayse.ca/books/" target="_blank">https://susanmayse.ca/books/</a></u></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Luke R.J. Meynard
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>The Season of the Plough</i>,
Travalaith Saga Book 1</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Coming of age as the supposed Chosen
One was hard enough for Aewyn when she believed the prophecy checked
out. The sleepy frontier town of Widowvale was founded to be a safe
haven far from the civil war and the ancient Horrors lurking in the
dreamlike woods. It was a wonderfully dull place, and a hard town to
grow up in as a fairy-blooded foundling of mysterious birth.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But when her ancient mentor stands
accused of treason and his dubious reading of the prophecy begins to
fall through, the formerly supposed Chosen One faces a choice of her
own: will she flee to fulfill the destiny she's been given, or
sacrifice it all for one chance to save her village and her friends?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>The Season of the Cerulyn</i>,
Travalaith Saga Book 2</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The women of the Mages' Uprising were
never known to take civil war lying down. But Catrine and her fellow
war-widows are determined to do just that, avenging their lost
husbands, lives, and innocence by engaging in a sustained campaign of
seduction and espionage against the Travalaithi Empire that could
change the course of the war.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">But when Catrine falls in love with her
hapless mark, and both of them are thrown into a deadly conflict
involving Aewyn and her roguish band of outriders, the lovestruck spy
must choose once and for all where her true allegiance lies—and
decide whether her heart belongs to the living or the dead.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.cynehelm.com/">http://www.cynehelm.com</a></u></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Ursula Pflug
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Seeds and Other Stories</i>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Open Sans, Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
these stories seers and vagabonds, addicts and gardeners succeed and
sometimes fail at creating new kinds of community against apocalyptic
backdrops. They build gardens in the ruins, transport seeds and songs
from one world to another and from dreams to waking life. Where do
you plant a seed someone gave you in a dream? How do you build a
world more free of trauma when it’s all you’ve ever known?
Sometimes the seed you wake up holding in your hand is the seed of a
new world</span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.inanna.ca/product/seeds-and-other-stories">http://www.inanna.ca/product/seeds-and-other-stories</a></u></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Marie Powell
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the
YA Fantasy series </span></span></span><strong><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Last
of the Gifted</b></span></span></span></strong><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.
</span></span></span><strong><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Spirit
Sight</b></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></span></span></strong><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and
</span></span></span><strong><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Water
Sight</b></span></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></span></span></strong><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">will
be released this summer and fall, thanks to funding from Creative
Saskatchewan.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a name="m_569378200640793623LPNoLP554616"></a>
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://mariepowell.ca/young-adult-2/last-of-the-gifted/"><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://mariepowell.ca/young-adult-2/last-of-the-gifted/</span></span></span></a></u></span></span><span style="color: #717273;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">L.A. Smith
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Bound</i>, second title in <i>The
Traveller's Path</i> trilogy</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The story begun in <i>Wilding: Book One
of The Traveller's Path</i> continues!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Seventh century Northumbria is a long
way from home for 20-year-old Thomas McCadden. Having travelled
through time and discovered that he is a Fey Traveller with wild and
untamed powers, Thomas must now deal with an even more unexpected
surprise: his father has returned to his life.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://lasmithwriter.com/books/bound">http://lasmithwriter.com/books/bound</a></u></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Suzy Vadori
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Wall of Wishes</i></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Save the fountain or risk being erased.
Hidden deep in the woods is a fountain that has granted St. Augustus
students' wishes for nearly a century, including the wish responsible
for Ava's very existence. When she learns that the woods will soon be
destroyed to make way for a new road, Ava must do whatever it takes
to save the fountain, or risk her own life being erased. New girl
Courtney knows more about the school's magic than she's letting on
and has something to gain from the fountain's destruction. Joining
forces with Courtney seems the only way to stop the road, but Ava and
Coutney share a thorny past. Trusting her is impossible, but if she
doesn't, Ava could disappear forever.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://books2read.com/wallofwishes">http://books2read.com/wallofwishes</a></u></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://bookmanager.com/1675575/?searchtype=keyword&qs=vadori&qs_file=&q=h.tviewer&using_sb=status&qsb=keyword">https://bookmanager.com/1675575/?searchtype=keyword&qs=vadori&qs_file=&q=h.tviewer&using_sb=status&qsb=keyword</a></u></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-27304093165109941862020-07-11T10:52:00.000-07:002020-07-11T10:52:31.863-07:00Interview in Sooke News Mirror<div>The Sooke News Mirror ran an interview with me about my newest book, Small Rain. Check it out below or on the newspaper's<a href="https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/community/sooke-author-launches-science-fiction-novel/" target="_blank"> website at this link</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 class="entry-title">Sooke author launches science fiction novel</h2>
<p class="lead">Paula Johanson draws inspiration through ordinary life, science and technology
</p> <ul class="author-meta"><li><a class="byline" href="https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/author/dawn-gibson/" rel="author">Dawn Gibson</a></li><li>Jun. 19, 2020 10:00 p.m.</li><li><a class="byline" href="https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/community/">Community</a></li></ul></div><div><p>Science fiction admirers are in for a literary delight.</p>
<p>Sooke author Paula Johanson is releasing a book, <em>Small Rain and Other </em><em>Nightmares</em>,
at the end of June. The science fiction book is comprised of a
collection of short stories, with a running “eco-gothic, fantasy” theme
throughout.</p>
<p>“The stories are all a bit darker than much of my other fiction, but
they all fit well together because they were inspired from nightmares,”
Johanson said. “I woke up and had to write it.”</p>
<p>Johanson will publish two other books this summer as well, one is titled <em>Island </em><em>Views</em>, a novel with elements of mystery and romance.</p>
<p>The third book, <em>Plum </em><em>Tree</em>, is more of a subtle
science fiction novel. Johanson described it as a coming of age story
about a depressed teenager, who while on a drive to her aunt’s house,
goes through an internal change.</p>
<p>“It’s all about being in transition instead of having arrived,” said
Johanson, noting the girl in the story experiences a form of time
travel.</p>
<p>Johanson has published about 42 books, both fiction and non-fiction,
and has worked as a professional writer for 35 years. She teaches
writing workshops, has freelanced and worked for newspapers, as well as
worked on various personal projects, such as a small magazine she made
with her spouse and friends.</p><p>Ordinary life is where Johanson draws her inspiration from, whether
it be out walking her dog, or in line at the grocery store, ideas for
stories are all around. The author said she loves to learn about science
and technology, and to see the way knowledge is put to action in the
world by people.</p>
<p>“I don’t work as a professional biologist, or rocket engineer, but
when I learn a little interesting fact about nature or science, I blend
that together with what people get up in the morning to do,” said
Johanson.</p>
<p>“Science is fascinating, technology is interesting, but what people do with it, is what inspires me.”</p>
<p>The three books will be published as e-books, and she expects the
first book to be printed in hard copy by October, depending on the
distributor. The e-books can be found on <a href="https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/community/sooke-author-launches-science-fiction-novel/Books2read.com/b/4Xnok7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Books2read.com/b/4Xnok7</a>.</p>
<p>Johanson said her goal is to have 10 books published in the next
three years, and is on track to achieve it. She isn’t particularly
concerned with selling an outrageous number of copies, rather than
feeling good about her products, and finding success in reaching her
target audience.</p>
<p>“I think the world would be a better place if anyone who thinks they
would like to write a book, gives it a try,” said Johanson. “Don’t get
too negative if you are not Margaret Atwood, and allow yourself to be
the best darn person at writing the book that is yours.”</p></div><div><br /></div>Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-86508064546066660862020-06-26T23:29:00.000-07:002020-06-26T23:29:12.267-07:00Online Book Launch June 30<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XVsj0dUdmoFtppNjGCVKlasCBFa4eX8Dwzp088AwTab_DXhOVSX9WWI3P9cKwin9mPGr5KcD0Sdu-iV4ZKLMyUkQdHQ8iv-629OCeN9l_RsHfd9OLmMus99K2lSvxAjSj66T9ydv724/s2250/Small+Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XVsj0dUdmoFtppNjGCVKlasCBFa4eX8Dwzp088AwTab_DXhOVSX9WWI3P9cKwin9mPGr5KcD0Sdu-iV4ZKLMyUkQdHQ8iv-629OCeN9l_RsHfd9OLmMus99K2lSvxAjSj66T9ydv724/s320/Small+Rain.jpg" /></a></div></div><div>My newest book will soon be released! Tune in soon to the Virtual Book Launch for my first title from Doublejoy Books, a collection of stories. <i>Small Rain and Other Nightmares </i>will have an online book launch when sales go live on June 30, 2020. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3jphxzmhFZ9FMLEC7y5wAzKDbCa7mRnIWtL4U7iOCMUjRuw-K_iG5QK9HY4ToiPVO4YVO3a5yiSNBtuxuRHD6wbwFYEinLtOIk3kZHAhY_dqfs1JRK3osi8ieon5Cpe1-qdPNTI83c8/s1788/strawberrydrink.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="1006" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3jphxzmhFZ9FMLEC7y5wAzKDbCa7mRnIWtL4U7iOCMUjRuw-K_iG5QK9HY4ToiPVO4YVO3a5yiSNBtuxuRHD6wbwFYEinLtOIk3kZHAhY_dqfs1JRK3osi8ieon5Cpe1-qdPNTI83c8/s320/strawberrydrink.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/198608931393533/" target="_blank">Click on this link for the Facebook event</a>, and be sure to bring a photo of your party drink! <br /></div><div>Look <a href="https://twitter.com/i/events/1274452300447154177" target="_blank">on Twitter at the Moment</a> and participate by using the hashtag #SmallRainBookLaunch in your tweets. <br /></div><div>There
will be some buzz on the Doublejoy Books website and by email. As well,
an informal video will be posted on YouTube from a Zoom session at<a href="https://amazingcon.org/" target="_blank"> AmazingCon</a>, where Paula Johanson read two stories from the collection.</div>See you at the launch!Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-77827950565120450612020-05-06T11:47:00.001-07:002020-06-21T12:08:21.722-07:00New Book Plans<br />
It's always exciting to make new plans about books. In the past, I've
been able to make plans for new book assignments from publishers, or for
books in genres new to me. Now, I have entirely new
projects from a brand-new publisher releasing my books. <br />
<br />
<br />
During the coronavirus pandemic, many book projects have been postponed. Tours, book signings, and visits to schools or libraries -- these kinds of book events have been cancelled or changed to online equivalents. Though nothing is exactly like holding a book in one's hands or meeting an author in person, there are terrific things being done with e-books, podcasts and online events, and correspondence. I'm particularly glad to hear of bookstores continuing to order books for pickup at their doors.<br />
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There are many book projects going ahead, with optimism. I'm proud to be part of one of them. Look for my new books coming out in 2020 through Doublejoy Books. This publisher of eclectic books will be releasing in June my collection of speculative fiction stories, <i>Small Rain and Other Nightmares</i>. There will be other projects from <a href="http://www.doublejoybooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doublejoy Books</a> later in the year, and in future.Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-45940307410826511542018-03-21T14:41:00.001-07:002018-03-21T14:41:52.690-07:00Death of Larry KwongIt is with sadness that I share the news of Larry Kwong's death. He passed away peacefully, at home in Calgary, aged 94. Donations in his name are being accepted by the Rotary Foundation in Calgary.<br />
This fine gentleman is well eulogised by the CBC article <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/larry-kwong-calgary-nhl-1.4582793" target="_blank">at this link</a>. <br />
It was a great experience as a writer, writing his biography for Five Rivers Publishing. Plus, getting to meet one of my dad's hockey heroes was a blast! He will be remembered.Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-14796829374172233622017-02-08T17:19:00.004-08:002017-02-08T17:20:34.038-08:00Context for Kwong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BpjCAxA9PfiM_5bz1RtBHWdo3xNNnxAVgNNxSYmcJBFqYCXfI_cDtAGr-tHZpYGsNw0x7D-9wwhc1x9M0st-rCiMDY02LKyssB3oHAf3WzHfcdmSyeC5bPYGXKe-_-FyLsbxmmfxYos/s1600/kwong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BpjCAxA9PfiM_5bz1RtBHWdo3xNNnxAVgNNxSYmcJBFqYCXfI_cDtAGr-tHZpYGsNw0x7D-9wwhc1x9M0st-rCiMDY02LKyssB3oHAf3WzHfcdmSyeC5bPYGXKe-_-FyLsbxmmfxYos/s320/kwong.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a great experience, writing a biography of Larry Kwong, the star hockey player who was known as the "China Clipper" back in the day. (<a href="http://paulajohanson.blogspot.ca/p/biographies.html" target="_blank">Click here for a link </a>to my website's Biographies page and scroll down a little to read all about King Kwong.) Since then, I've been keeping up on the news about him. He's in his nineties, and there's <i>still</i> news about him, or connected to him.<br />
<br />
Chad Soon, who made a film about Larry Kwong, is my major source for these news stories. He posted on Facebook this wonderful vintage photo of Kwong's father, Ng Shu Kwong. (When he ran a store in Vernon BC, Mr Ng put his given name Kwong on the sign. Many of his children later came to use Kwong as their family name.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeOJ6jfa0_IXsXe9yKLELo24otpot0RS5ehcjSCJbvUFYmGdTfjnXaUXi6tJOx2Yjuk0W9yHvKaCQJHeU2zo80qTHA92AWg2cbLgTCyPr9eS9gGoPp17NjWa-xohkJqWFoymbH9cheOc/s1600/ngshukwong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeOJ6jfa0_IXsXe9yKLELo24otpot0RS5ehcjSCJbvUFYmGdTfjnXaUXi6tJOx2Yjuk0W9yHvKaCQJHeU2zo80qTHA92AWg2cbLgTCyPr9eS9gGoPp17NjWa-xohkJqWFoymbH9cheOc/s400/ngshukwong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Chad Soon brought the photo to the attention of Larry Kwong's daughter, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158069473635532&set=p.10158069473635532&type=3&theater" target="_blank">writing on Facebook</a>:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Hi
Kristina, Last weekend your grandfather was in the Vernon Winter
Carnival parade! This poster was part of the museum's float which won
Best Overall. The photo will now be displayed at City Hall. Also, your
family will be included in a new museum exhibit called "Gold Mountain
Dream," a joint project with the Royal BC Museum, from Oct. 16-Feb. 28.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Context is <i>everything</i> in biographical studies! It's terrific to see Larry Kwong's father celebrated as a "Prominent Businessman" from the history of the city of Vernon. And now I've got another reason to visit the Royal BC Museum in the fall, to see the exhibit.</span></span>Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-53079394315368779482016-12-12T09:59:00.000-08:002016-12-12T09:59:08.749-08:00Trudeau book reviewed by Barbie ThompsonToday Canadian writer Barbie Thompson sent a quick review of my latest book, a biography of Pierre Elliott Trudeau. You can learn a little about Barbie and her writing on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/barbie.thompson.37" target="_blank">her Facebook page.</a><br />
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<br />
Barbie had this to say about the book:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I congratulate you on a wonderful book on Trudeau, pointing out, as you
rightly did, the great things that man accomplished which many Canadians
oft choose to ignore or on which they were never educated. Your series
will go far in improving Canadian school childrens' knowledge of their
great leaders and this great country. I wish I had had such a valuable
resource when I was in school. </blockquote>
Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-71685017098401624632016-12-02T16:11:00.002-08:002016-12-02T16:11:37.909-08:00Trudeau biography released from Five RiversToday my newest book has been released from <a href="http://fiveriverspublishing.com/?page_id=2888" target="_blank">Five Rivers Publishing</a>. It is a biography of Canada's fifteenth prime minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau. There's always something new to bring to a study of the life of such an active person. I'm particularly proud of pulling together so many moments in his life as an enthusiastic canoeist!<br />
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<img alt="cover of Trudeau book" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig8ApS_22dmxcMl3ajAyoMoR4xvRemkda8rO18DSxRM9Ld5JVjYm1FdFG7QKnFFv1wa_2rU0LqJCyvAS5JkRQKkV9HDMBZT8hQqgkE4aXTx2TsOGrCzRo7WY_CyLd0Zw_YSDEJR57wAw/s1600/doubleTelliott.jpg" title="cover of Trudeau book" /></div>
<br />
<br />
This book is my third from this expanding press based in Ontario, and either my thirty-first or thirty-third overall .. time to check and update my C.V.Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-53884716122331972582016-11-25T22:06:00.004-08:002016-11-25T22:06:45.015-08:00Roosevelt and the Black TroopersI promised to post again about the information on the regiments of Black Troopers which I was able to bring to the revision of my book <i>The Spanish-American War</i>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11Bs5TezwEdvp21pqE4PrfaWZckSPqnhOzsjYs5GvLhTdRTUdomz61Af6PWsgHYnd0e8SV1xHGHukWA4KNhNj-gMjYmw994e_ZhtMYK0zswZ2UoUeMso36wmmIM-0GB1_w4_Awb_o6x0/s1600/spanishcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11Bs5TezwEdvp21pqE4PrfaWZckSPqnhOzsjYs5GvLhTdRTUdomz61Af6PWsgHYnd0e8SV1xHGHukWA4KNhNj-gMjYmw994e_ZhtMYK0zswZ2UoUeMso36wmmIM-0GB1_w4_Awb_o6x0/s320/spanishcover.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now available in hardcover or e-book formats, through Amazon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stories of Theodore Roosevelt and his hastily created cavalry regiment of Rough Riders tend to dominate most commentaries on the Spanish-American War. But they were
out-performed time and again by the experienced regiments of African-American soldiers, the 9th and 10th cavalry and the 24th and 25th infantry, who were known as Black Troopers. A sergeant from the 25th infantry, Mingo Sanders, even shared B Company's hardtack rations with the unprepared new regiment, when Roosevelt came to him and admitted he'd set out for Cuba without checking if there were any food supplies packed for his Rough Riders.<br />
<br />
Sergeant Mingo Sanders was partially blinded when the 25th Infantry came under heavy fire at El Caney. Because of his record later in the Philippines, Colonel A. S. Burt, the regiment’s commanding officer said, “Mingo Sanders is the best non-commissioned officer I have ever known.”<br />
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And eight years later, when Roosevelt was president, his life crossed paths with Mingo Sanders once again. In Brownsville, Texas, the 25th Infantry was accused of a shooting incident. President Roosevelt sent officers to conduct an inquiry, who could find no witnesses. Roosevelt ordered the men to be given dishonorable discharges without any kind of trial, including Sergeant Sanders, the man who had shared food and a daring battle with him. He waited to order the discharges until November 7, 1906, one day after Congressional elections, so that black voters would not abandon the party. The discharges were not forgotten in later years. President Taft appointed Sanders to federal positions as an anti-Roosevelt reminder. Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-26810218687715209392016-11-04T10:36:00.000-07:002016-11-04T10:36:56.684-07:00Yippie ki yay, a history bookEver hear much about the Spanish-American War? Most of the little that's taught about it these days focuses on Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. But there's a helluva lot more going on in that story than one battle on Kettle Hill. Even that battle got that name only because nobody wants to brag about fighting on "Washtub Hill." The other option for naming the battle was "I thought this was <i>San Juan</i> hill -- <i>damn</i> this lousy map" which didn't really work either.<br />
I was assigned a book to revise for a series on <b><i>The United States at War,</i></b> from Enslow Publishing. This assignment was a revision of an existing book by Robert Somerlott, so I wasn't starting from scratch. I was able to bring to the book some particularly interesting material about the Black Troopers, who were an important part of the American troops. The American army was not integrated in 1900, but there were regiments for men of colour, who were known as the Black Troopers. Two regiments of infantry and two of cavalry served during the Spanish-American War, as well as several men in the American navy, which was integrated.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgj6yUM8bF3ai-gOg6v58cxYDUN1MAWTb_0VB95KLqREUEaRbxHnnTvLaSbqDnvaIrtg_cJuR5M5a5_pbFJXAcRIiA-MS8w-JHPjp3Umr_1i8z9tkq0IHhLRpw4tUmpocCdH49qwMmKo/s1600/spanishcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgj6yUM8bF3ai-gOg6v58cxYDUN1MAWTb_0VB95KLqREUEaRbxHnnTvLaSbqDnvaIrtg_cJuR5M5a5_pbFJXAcRIiA-MS8w-JHPjp3Umr_1i8z9tkq0IHhLRpw4tUmpocCdH49qwMmKo/s320/spanishcover.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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The war was part of what brought Teddy Roosevelt to the American presidency, and there are many connections between him and the Black Troopers. From the mustering in Florida, the landing in Cuba, and the battles on Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill, Roosevelt and his hastily created regiment of Rough Riders were out-performed time and again by the Black Troopers, who even shared their own rations with the unprepared new regiment. And in years to come, when Roosevelt was president, there was an incident that really takes more time to tell than I can today. I'll post about it in the future.<br />
For now, ask your library to order in a copy of <a href="http://www.enslow.com/books/the_spanish_american_war/419551#.WBzCN_S9hf4" target="_blank"><b><i>The Spanish-American War</i></b></a> from Enslow.Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-91469023268892252662016-10-18T19:39:00.000-07:002016-11-04T10:13:28.687-07:00Blog Tour -- Flames of Nevyana by Edward Willett<br />
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<a href="http://rebelight.com/?page_id=798" target="_blank"><img alt="catalog listing for this book" border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NyZZBeHnbXti7I64JjLDsqGE_uvTaU3C07RT1s5ZkkUVmQyFOOksNXvlyIvoTci7n3Z1RthyC4RFX1dkhc96llWgCkMNUaT65V0tcmVxbK6jAsiJ_67zk9hhvo03Lak89GrKC_MEeK4/s400/FlamesofNevyanaTour.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's always a treat to find a new book by Edward Willett. He's a
Canadian writer who can be relied on to put narrative -- story, if you
prefer -- before anything else in his books, whether fantasy, or science
fiction, or even the nonfiction writing he's done. As a friend of
Edward Willett's, I'm pleased to be
able to participate in his promotional blog tour this October. I've been a fan of his work since before <a href="http://edwardwillett.com/books/science-fiction/andy-nebula/" target="_blank"><i>Andy Nebula: Interstellar Rock Star</i></a> was first released!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrtbz9PduUShf4ZxFd6KKdulUs6mgzCZX1crrWu2gZjpmxSIkjRpWNARlIgRQVVh5Y8GVAGmsQySMbYG1gM3tLDPg05dDtmbXihPylMN1ynxc5grNiQi5nD3VdL4FAk1xuI1Umpo0_nc/s1600/Edward+Willett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrtbz9PduUShf4ZxFd6KKdulUs6mgzCZX1crrWu2gZjpmxSIkjRpWNARlIgRQVVh5Y8GVAGmsQySMbYG1gM3tLDPg05dDtmbXihPylMN1ynxc5grNiQi5nD3VdL4FAk1xuI1Umpo0_nc/s320/Edward+Willett.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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Willett's newest fantasy is <b><i>Flames of Nevyana</i></b>, from <a href="http://rebelight.com/" target="_blank">Rebelight Publishing</a>. Though many YA fantasies are coming-of-age novels, this one is different in that perhaps its time not only for the young protagonists to take on active, responsible roles, but for their communities at large to leave behind old behaviours and interactions. <a href="http://rebelight.com/?page_id=798" target="_blank">Click here for a link</a> to this book's listing in the publisher's online catalog.<br />
In a few images, Willett presents the differing communities of his protagonists, making these young people and their surroundings distinct and memorable.<br />
<br />
One very young woman lives in a community like gypsies or Travelers: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Amlinn might have been imagining it, but it seemed to her that the gathering twilight darkened at the same instant that Samarrind touched the rod to the sigil of the Keystone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a crackle, the Fence sprang instantly to life and a wall of glowing blue light surrounded the Freefolk camp. The hair on Amlinn’s head and arms stirred as though alive, and a sharp smell assaulted her nostrils. Some Freefolk claimed to hate it, but she loved that smell. It meant the Fence was working. It meant the Nightdwellers couldn’t get in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It meant tonight, no children would lose their parents to the monsters of the forest as Amlinn had when she was four.</span></blockquote>
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There's a different barrier, but of a similar magical kind, surrounding the temple Petra is patrolling:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Occasionally, the gloom was lit by distant lightning-like flashes of blue from atop the dark bulk of the Temple. All around City Primaxis, magical Hearths took in that Blue Fire and turned it into the light and heat Petra was currently in such desperately short supply of. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As he and Cort passed each other at the gate, the rain redoubled its efforts to drown them. Even through the tin-roof patter of the drops on his steel helmet, Petra heard the Curtain hiss like a giant teakettle. Vast clouds of blue-tinged steam rose from it into the night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The icy water poured over Petra’s helmet and down his neck. Useless and sodden, his blue woolen cloak hung heavy as lead from his mail-clad shoulders. His boots squelched with every step. His damp leather trousers chafed his thighs. He couldn’t even feel his fingers: they’d gone numb inside his soaked gloves eleven circuits ago.</span></blockquote>
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And when Jin dares to stand outside his warren for a few moments at sunrise, one of the other boys tells him:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I thought your head was on fire.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jin laughed. “My fur wasn’t even singed.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The truth was, in the last thirty seconds he had stood under the brilliant glare of the sun filled with both pride and terror, he had felt something—but not the agony Scrollkeepers swore would befall any Nightdweller touched by the unholy rays of Arrica’s sun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No. All he’d felt had been warmth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A pleasant touch of warmth.</span></blockquote>
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Anyone who can write with such immediacy about light, rain, and mystic discipline has my attention! If this book is the first in a series, I'm up for reading any book with the same subtitle: <i>A Voltpunk Novel</i>. There are steampunk elements in many kinds of science fiction, but Willett is ringing his own changes on the charm and appeal of the technology of electricity as it is introduced to people of differing cultures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0YRbl0OcV2Y_d_k4jCzRI1RaRBa_CxUrfJo_GBOXFqbqxwMdMMT3YdcjKyzm4cpyfQI2nDeYuT9oKGf3TmUMmGi2PVeafV4rr2luKtwy7ikGZi4YvihJ-rIc1v6KLp5H1G31u-wrCJs/s1600/Flames+of+Nevyana+Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0YRbl0OcV2Y_d_k4jCzRI1RaRBa_CxUrfJo_GBOXFqbqxwMdMMT3YdcjKyzm4cpyfQI2nDeYuT9oKGf3TmUMmGi2PVeafV4rr2luKtwy7ikGZi4YvihJ-rIc1v6KLp5H1G31u-wrCJs/s400/Flames+of+Nevyana+Cover.png" width="252" /></a></div>
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I've read this book only in e-format, not in print format, but I've got to say how much the cover art pleased me. A lot of books available as e-books have "cover art" that doesn't work for me, either as art or as the cover of a book. There is considerable tradition about how to present information on a book cover, and what to expect from the art elements -- and I am impressed with the design choices for this book cover. Clear lettering for the author's name is a good choice, and imaginative serifs on the lettering for the title told me to expect a fantasy element even in a story subtitled: <i>A Voltpunk Novel</i>. The interlocking gears of the art reminds me of how technology can seem magical, and how magic is intended to fit together effectively.<br />
<br />Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-51695063046293815072016-09-15T19:39:00.000-07:002016-09-15T19:39:31.268-07:00My latest science book from Rosen PublishingIt's always interesting to write a book on science for Rosen Publishing. This time, my assignment was to write about archaeology, the science that studies early humans. My book is called The Paleolithic Revolution, and it focuses on that time in the Stone Age when humans began using a variety of tools, and speaking fluently. Though the book is listed as published in 2017, copies are available now and can be ordered from the publisher, or through Amazon, or by placing an order at any bookstore.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0ZdHkqp_Wqd60lxXxWzgtubENXFELPi_u3rD2Hj_euOujCii3K044Q8hXJpsBJzS4LxFFTC4HQ8XgijjSKsDb-k6npdzMEdK4TCSV5GIJhl1r60-47VFqCtgHxSqUPb6YalCNvYwIWY/s1600/paleocover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0ZdHkqp_Wqd60lxXxWzgtubENXFELPi_u3rD2Hj_euOujCii3K044Q8hXJpsBJzS4LxFFTC4HQ8XgijjSKsDb-k6npdzMEdK4TCSV5GIJhl1r60-47VFqCtgHxSqUPb6YalCNvYwIWY/s400/paleocover.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Paleolithic Revolution</b></span></i><br />
from the series <i>The First Humans and Early Civilizations</i><br />
Rosen Publishing 2017<br />
<span class="small-meta-item-label">ISBN :</span> 978-1-4994-6316-3<br />
available as a library bound book, or an e-book<br />
Includes: Bibliography • Detailed Table of Contents • Full-Color Photographs •
Further Information Section • Glossary • Index • Primary Sources •
Sidebars • Timelines • Websites <br />
- <a href="https://rosenpublishing.com/title/The-Paleolithic-Revolution" target="_blank">click here for a link </a>to the publisher's website, where this book can be ordered -<br />
- <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Paleolithic-Revolution-Paula-Johanson/dp/1499463162/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473992506&sr=8-1&keywords=paleolithic+revolution" target="_blank">click here for a link</a> to Amazon -<br />
<br />Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-8079139184024988392016-07-30T20:39:00.000-07:002016-07-30T20:39:19.323-07:00Smashwords Sale Ends Soon!We're at the last couple of days for the <a href="http://ow.ly/tms9301UVvD" target="_blank">Smashwords sale</a> of the ebook editions of my books from Five Rivers Publishing. If you're needing some good ebooks to read this summer, look <a href="http://ow.ly/tms9301UVvD" target="_blank">here</a> for not only my novel <i>Tower in the Crooked Wood</i>, and<i> King Kwong</i> (my biography of hockey hero Larry Kwong), but my biography of Pierre Trudeau that's due to be released in December.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL4TmLX367KZQcaY46rxoG3j5HdGkNl-zrWMayoGSP_VkCtT0KDG-QzCsGOPQxMi8tG_3eH_xy3YsNCJANRsryS8iL9MfhjS0fYO6eVPQuIa5DwOwmTKrftTKpW245e5rNxVwFOkAEPI/s1600/pierre-elliot-trudeau-cover-199x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL4TmLX367KZQcaY46rxoG3j5HdGkNl-zrWMayoGSP_VkCtT0KDG-QzCsGOPQxMi8tG_3eH_xy3YsNCJANRsryS8iL9MfhjS0fYO6eVPQuIa5DwOwmTKrftTKpW245e5rNxVwFOkAEPI/s1600/pierre-elliot-trudeau-cover-199x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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It's always fun to have plenty of ebooks on a reader. When you go to the link, be sure to look at the other fine titles from Five Rivers too!<br />
Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-19750524703369094632016-07-07T10:51:00.001-07:002016-07-07T10:51:49.604-07:00Smashwords Sale of My Books at Five RiversAnother great ebook sale for this summer! Five Rivers Publishing <a href="http://fb.me/4L8chWBZ4" target="_blank">has just announced </a>a half-price sale of all their ebook titles on Smashwords, for the month of July. Time to load up on summer reading.<br />
The ebooks on sale include my novel <i>Tower in the Crooked Wood,</i> which makes excellent summer reading as a novel short enough to read while you can still remember the beginning. Or if you're into print copies, it's a book slim enough to fit into your lunch bag or beach bag.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJ2Q-1SHVLEAVUKU17WDNIw9BDQYGXCPzY2M1AOzJHKaO6rmZCetKXYUlQwXxuMnjFEydF7Ua0JUnK20qD9s7-tpGh4mS2Pm7YzzlOf1KeyhXi9aUjlLatF7E6q14GRpVWa-6QZ9vCGg/s1600/kwonggif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJ2Q-1SHVLEAVUKU17WDNIw9BDQYGXCPzY2M1AOzJHKaO6rmZCetKXYUlQwXxuMnjFEydF7Ua0JUnK20qD9s7-tpGh4mS2Pm7YzzlOf1KeyhXi9aUjlLatF7E6q14GRpVWa-6QZ9vCGg/s1600/kwonggif.gif" /></a></div>
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For those who are more sports oriented, my bio of hockey hero Larry Kwong will score. <i>King Kwong</i> is also available in print copies that fit neatly into a sports bag for moments when you're sitting around waiting for the game to start or your ride to get there.<br />
<br />Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-19724874754651203402016-06-24T21:48:00.002-07:002016-06-24T21:48:54.444-07:00Kobo Sale of my books at Five Rivers!Five Rivers Publishing has announced a <a href="http://fiveriverspublishing.com/?p=2992" target="_blank">Kobo Sale</a>. All their titles are being sold at 50% off during June 25 to 27. This is an excellent opportunity to pick up e-book copies of my two books at Five Rivers. One is my novel <i>Tower in the Crooked Wood</i>. The other is <i>King Kwong</i> the biography I wrote of Larry Kwong, the Canadian hockey hero. <a href="http://fiveriverspublishing.com/?p=2992" target="_blank">Here's a link</a> to Five Rivers Publishing's announcement of the Kobo Sale. Don't miss it!Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-46981164952584323932016-06-03T10:04:00.000-07:002016-06-03T10:04:31.362-07:00Trudeau Biography Announced!Good news came today! My biography of Pierre Trudeau is scheduled for release from Five Rivers Publishing. They've got a great cover for it, one that fits well into their series <b>Prime Ministers of Canada</b>.<br />
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What can you say about a prime minister for whom suspending civil liberties with the War Measures Act wasn’t even his
most controversial decision? At least, it wasn't to those folk who are still
stuttering mad about his National Energy Program or White Paper on
Indian Affairs, forty years later and counting. This book was fascinating to write! I hope that canoeists and outdoor enthusiasts will like the focus on Trudeau's wilderness interests.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://fiveriverspublishing.com/?page_id=2888" target="_blank">Click here for a link</a> to their listing. The book will be available December 1st, 2016, but orders can be taken now. Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-84842269198171405242016-05-31T12:50:00.003-07:002016-05-31T12:50:48.268-07:00<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rocket
ships, telescopes, and astronauts! My computer brings me NASA's <a href="http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html" target="_blank">Astronomy Picture of the Day</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/content/nasa-rss-feeds" target="_blank"> Image of the Day</a>.</span> NASA's space program has been fascinating since I was a
child. These days, it's interesting in more ways, and the information
is much more accessible than it ever was. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8JEUnGIpKSD4KOuaR9LmOi5WfKgKgkNiIKaTFQhy_Ylc370DNXMIGP1RFdbZmeCJEv1U6SXRDfObiAuhSHR8BkCJT-61bF8Xaxy1Ir4MQtjihpUojTR8x5RCCJZf2DDfJU6341OhYRAN/s1600/michael_collins_training_apollo_11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8JEUnGIpKSD4KOuaR9LmOi5WfKgKgkNiIKaTFQhy_Ylc370DNXMIGP1RFdbZmeCJEv1U6SXRDfObiAuhSHR8BkCJT-61bF8Xaxy1Ir4MQtjihpUojTR8x5RCCJZf2DDfJU6341OhYRAN/s400/michael_collins_training_apollo_11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mike
Collins </span></span>in a command module simulator on June 19, 1969
during a practice rendezvous</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and docking maneuver with the lunar
module<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/content/former-astronauts-recall-historic-first-moon-landing" target="_blank">Credits: NASA</a></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Did
you know that since it was founded, NASA makes heaps of learning
materials available for free? Fifty years ago, there were only
newspaper articles for me and my brother to read about the Apollo
program. We watched the moon landings on our family's black-and-white
television. Then in a science magazine we found the mailing address
for NASA. In reply to our questions about astronauts, NASA sent us
free pamphlets and posters and booklets. We sent blank videotapes and
got back recordings about Mars and Venus probes. We were the space
program experts at our school back then! </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> That
same feeling of “kid in a candy store” is what I get today at
NASA's website at <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/">nasa.gov</a> . It's
wonderful to see the photos and videos of images from telescopes and
from probes that visit other planets. Banners at the top of the
screen organize links to many pages on different topics. When I wanted
detailed articles to read on Curiosity Mars rover, it was easy to
find information. Social media links are there, for daily updates
from NASA on current events such as the Pluto fly-by. I even found
podcasts and ebooks to download for my phone and tablet, and ringtone
mp3s for my spouse to mix into Acid music loops! There is material of
interest for people of every age or reading level, and particular
attention is paid to teachers and students. For young children, there
are NASA Space Place at <a href="http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/">http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/</a>
and<i> </i><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/" target="_blank">NASA Kids Club</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVaJxrmgXn0P-gfxWsKcrZcCUv0FZdqZNk-GT76rZ4ArxBpas8jrGzuGxM3_qTJALXRHReDCl5ZGmyexX7NHNL1Peon_u92Wj43wqDr0obmP_rDdiVA4dJnw7nIfHT7LC3DnLCq0T9hUD/s1600/sandyselfie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVaJxrmgXn0P-gfxWsKcrZcCUv0FZdqZNk-GT76rZ4ArxBpas8jrGzuGxM3_qTJALXRHReDCl5ZGmyexX7NHNL1Peon_u92Wj43wqDr0obmP_rDdiVA4dJnw7nIfHT7LC3DnLCq0T9hUD/s400/sandyselfie.jpg" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
Jan. 19, 2016, self-portrait of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover shows the
vehicle </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">at "Namib Dune," where the rover's activities
included scuffing into the dune with a wheel </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and scooping samples of
sand for laboratory analysis.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/sandy-selfie-sent-from-nasa-mars-rover" target="_blank">Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I'll
never forget watching the dawn sky from an isolated farm north of
Edmonton as the space station went by, and feeling connected to the
space program because I looked it up at
<a href="https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/">https://spotthestation.nasa.gov</a>
. The information NASA gathers on Earth and in space is for everyone.
International scientists study data and draw conclusions that are
wide-reaching. Doctors in Canada's North use monitoring and
communications systems originally developed for astronaut safety.
Artists are inspired by images and ideas from programs that study the
solar system and galaxies. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
may never know how many people are helped by NASA making this
knowledge available. You can look at NASA's web pages on <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/topics/benefits/index.html" target="_blank">Benefits To You</a> to get some idea of the impact. The weather data alone is
priceless. As for my brother who made an astronaut costume for
Hallowe'en, he grew up to test computer games and security programs,
and edit <a href="http://www.neo-opsis.ca/" target="_blank"><i>Neo-opsis Magazine</i></a>. I'm the author of over two dozen<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="http://paulajohanson.blogspot.ca/">books on science</a> </span>for educational publishers. With my friends and
colleagues I write for our blog<a href="http://sci-why.blogspot.ca/p/science-book-list.html"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Sci/Why </span></i></a>which has a list of family-friendly science books you can find in the left-hand column on this page. Whenever someone
says they want to know more about astronomy and the space program, I
send them to <a href="http://nasa.gov/">NASA's website</a> for all
kinds of information.</span></span></div>
Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-76154891191656501532016-01-31T16:51:00.003-08:002016-01-31T16:51:50.740-08:00Vegan Brunch, or How I learned to stop worrying and promote my booksThere's a lot to learn about what a writer can to to promote book sales. One of the techniques that I've been working on is using social media to increase the chances that a reader will have heard about my books. As Cory Doctorow says, of all the people who didn't buy my book today, the majority didn't buy it because they never knew it existed.<br />
So I'm learning Twitter in hopes of helping people who are interested in books find out that my books exist. I'm finding it fun. There are some commercial comments people make, so I'm learning how to make them. That's why I posted on Twitter and here on my website a note about Kobo's ebooksale, with a link to my books.<br />
There are some funny & interesting comments people make, and when I know how to make them everyone will know it because my fame will spread far and wide on Twitter. So far, I've made <a href="https://twitter.com/kristadb1" target="_blank">Krista D. Ball</a> laugh once, so that's something.<br />
And then there are things I learn, such as the fact posted by<a class="account-group js-account-group js-action-profile js-user-profile-link js-nav" data-user-id="701267743" href="https://twitter.com/stats_canada"><strong class="fullname js-action-profile-name show-popup-with-id" data-aria-label-part=""> Stats Canada</strong>
<span></span><span class="username js-action-profile-name" data-aria-label-part=""><s>@</s><b>stats_canada</b></span></a><small class="time"><a class="tweet-timestamp js-permalink js-nav js-tooltip" href="https://twitter.com/stats_canada/status/693851402972495872" title="9:40 AM - 31 Jan 2016"><span class="_timestamp js-short-timestamp js-relative-timestamp" data-long-form="true" data-time-ms="1454262040000" data-time="1454262040"></span><span class="u-hiddenVisually" data-aria-label-part="last"></span></a>
</small>
<br />
<div class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" data-aria-label-part="0" lang="en">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The phrase "vegan brunch" is googled 74,000 times per minute in the Vancouver area</span></span></div>
<div class="TweetTextSize js-tweet-text tweet-text" data-aria-label-part="0" lang="en">
Sounds to me like a niche that needs to be filled with a book titled Vegan Brunch. Opportunity is knocking! I need to write a small ebook that's easy for someone to download and read on a phone. Now THAT'll be a fun thing to do.</div>
Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-70158139382219585652016-01-29T12:33:00.003-08:002016-01-29T12:33:59.288-08:00yay!50% off ebook sale! I just learned there's an ebook sale at Kobo that ends January 31!<br />
Go to <a class="twitter-timeline-link" href="http://bit.ly/1OV2EAb" role="presentation">bit.ly/1OV2EAb</a> for my ebooks & use code JAN1650 for 50% off my ebooks! This is your chance to read King Kwong! or Tower in the Crooked Wood! & more.<br />
The code works for other ebooks as well. Check 'em out!Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-38382741020910838582016-01-08T21:29:00.001-08:002016-01-08T21:29:23.568-08:00Selling Books at Craft FairsThis Christmas I did something I haven't done for the last few years: I had a table at a craft fair. Twice.<br />
Sure, my table was more than half-covered with big rolls of woolen quilt batting and some knitted hats, mitts, and baby booties. But the other half of the table had several copies of a few of my books.<br />
It's always nice to actually SEE someone pick up a book I wrote, instead of just imagining what my possible readers might do. There is one big difference between imagined possible readers and real ones. Real ones squint a little. I bet way more people kinda need reading glasses than would ever admit it.<br />
The craft fairs were a pleasant way to spend two of my weekend days this winter. I'll have to get more copies of my newer books, and be ready for more craft fairs in the future!Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-7092232676334484172015-10-23T11:27:00.000-07:002015-10-23T11:27:22.376-07:00Book EventIt's always nice to go to a book sale, whether the sale is of new books or of used books. I like to paw through boxes of old books or shelves of nicely-arranged paperbacks. What I hadn't known until my own books were in print was that it is also fun to attend book sales as an author.<br />
Maybe it would be less fun if I were trying to be The Most Famous And Popular Writer Ever. But I've always known that my books appeal to some people, not to everyone. Margaret Atwood can be famous and popular -- I'm glad to be HERE in the world of books with some works of which I can be proud.<br />
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Saturday October 24th I'll be spending the afternoon at <a href="http://classifieds.piquenewsmagazine.com/detail/60322D3118bc321091nTo1E46CAD/" target="_blank">Shirley Community Hall</a> some miles down the road from Sooke BC. It's a cheerful little hall where a used book sale is happening from noon to four pm. Next door is a picnic park and a lovely little restaurant. You can see the Hall's page on Facebook<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyBCBulletinBoard" target="_blank"> at this link</a>.<br />
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Come by and see copies of some of my books! I'll have a tablet and a Kobo there to show more of them. There won't be a lot of copies to buy, but there will be my cards with info you can take to any bookstore. My books can also be ordered from online booksellers or directly from the publisher.Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-73100661586610069032015-10-03T18:48:00.001-07:002015-10-03T18:48:20.817-07:00Book ReviewingI've always liked reviewing books, or writing articles about them. It's interesting to see how similar themes can be handled by different writers, or how one writer can show both consistency and variety from one book to another. Right now writing a few book reviews is helping me settle into my new place with some quick new writing projects.<br />
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As a reader, I'm looking for many similar things in everything I read. Maybe most of us don't judge fiction by the same standards as non-fiction... but I think facts and real life don't get in the way of a good story. They certainly don't in the science fiction and fantasy books I'm reviewing right now. Any novel is improved by the careful use of real facts. The book sitting on my desk is a new edition of a “trip to Mars” novel first released in 1972. A few edits had to be made based on scientific discoveries by the Viking lander on Mars, but surprisingly few changes were necessary to the setting – and none to the narrative. A strong story can work even in a profoundly changed setting,Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-30923337782461699952015-09-26T21:01:00.001-07:002015-09-26T21:01:14.585-07:00Books on Noteworthy LivesThe page here on my blog labelled <a href="http://paulajohanson.blogspot.ca/p/biographies.html" target="_blank">"Biographies"</a> has four of my books profiled. The most recent one is from Five Rivers Publishing -- <i>King Kwong</i>, a biography of Canadian hockey player Larry Kwong. If you're a hockey fan, you'll find plenty of hockey history in this book to catch your interest!<br />
Also included on the Biographies page are two books for a series from Greenwood Publishing. All of the titles in this series are telling about the lives of celebrities and famous people. The two I've written are on Lady Gaga and Lance Armstrong. One book on each of 'em, I mean. I don't think there's even a rumour linking these two famous people, and it would be hard to write TWO books about a rumour.<br />
The fourth book is for a series from Rosen Publishing, and it profiles author Will Hobbs. If you're looking for YA fiction, this is a name to find in your bookstore or public library. His heroes are virtuous, and in his adventures there is plenty of excitement with very little violence.<br />
It's interesting to be writing biographies. Recently I finished one on Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and I'm working on another about Charles Tupper, both for a series on Canadian Prime Ministers. It's not only famous lives that are noteworthy, though. When I teach writing workshops there are so many people working on a story or a book about the lives of their parents, or grandparents, or other relatives or themselves. Ordinary lives are worth living, and they're certainly worth reading about.<br />
<br />Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7711689299045612790.post-4746746554036555682015-08-05T13:05:00.004-07:002015-08-05T13:05:57.621-07:00King Kwong reviewed in Vancouver SunGood news! My biography of Larry Kwong, <i>King Kwong</i>, was reviewed in the <i>Vancouver Sun</i> today by Stephen Hume! As he says in <a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/Stephen+Hume+First+China+Clipper+hockey+phenom+from/11265808/story.html" target="_blank">his August 5 column</a>:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>B.C. writer and self-described lifelong hockey fan Paula Johanson
reminds us of the ephemeral nature of sports history in King Kwong, her
marvellous little biography of the whirlwind on skates who blew out of
the dusty interior 75 years ago.</i></span></blockquote>
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Hume gives a little context for Larry Kwong's sports career, and adds:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...Just as many Canadian kids before and since, Larry discovered the
pleasures of playing shinny with a frozen horse apple. One of the most
charming hockey photos of the many Johanson unearthed for her book is
one of Larry, his sister Betty and a couple of neighbour kids playing
shinny outside the Vernon family store.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Like many another hockey
kid, he wheedled skates out of his mom with a promise that when he was a
real hockey player, he’d buy her a house.</i></span></blockquote>
It's important to note that most of the photos which Stephen Hume calls charming were "unearthed" by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chad.soon" target="_blank">Chad Soon</a>, many of which came from the private photo albums of Larry Kwong. That particular charming hockey photo was contributed by Larry Kwong's grown daughter from her own family album.<br />
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Hume goes on to say:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>On March 13, 1948, he was called up by the Rangers for a game against
Montreal Canadiens. They only played him for one shift — less than a
minute — but the China Clipper had ended the era of whites-only hockey
in the NHL.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Johanson’s book with Five Rivers Publishing is aimed
at young adults but I doubt there’s a hockey fan who will be put off any
more than Larry Kwong was by his nickname as he dashed up the ice to
score the winning goal for the Smoke Eaters in that long-forgotten B.C.
Championship of 1946.</i></span></blockquote>
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You can read Stephen Hume's entire column<a href="http://bit.ly/1MbeOpB" target="_blank"> here at this link</a>.There's a bio note and a listing of some of his books<a href="http://www.harbourpublishing.com/author/StephenHume" target="_blank"> on a page of Harbour Publishing's website</a>.Paula Johansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15546604458659721403noreply@blogger.com0