A Conscientious Canadian Maverick

I just found out I’m a finalist for Chatelaine’s 2011 Women of the Year Awards, which is very exciting! While I was originally nominated for the 20-Under-30 category, when the finalists were announced, I’d been switched to “Mavericks.” I had to pause: me, a maverick? According to their criteria, women in this category are “Trailblazers,Continue reading “A Conscientious Canadian Maverick”

Making Aviation History Sexy: The 2011 CAHS Conference

Aviation history – indeed history in general – is often seen as a little dull by the general public. While there are those who love lists of dates, facts, and might even have a footnote fetish like I do, most people do not. I think most of us do like humour, gripping stories, and specialContinue reading “Making Aviation History Sexy: The 2011 CAHS Conference”

On Women and Work

I’ve been busy organizing and running a conference the past month (more on that soon), and so have been remiss in my blogging, but that doesn’t mean the world stopped or the ol’ wheels in my head ceased turning. Lately I’ve had a string of encounters involving women of all ages, that has made thoseContinue reading “On Women and Work”

21st Century Publishing, New Niches and Transmedia Storytelling

The afternoon of May 7th I found myself attending two more sessions at the Edge of Print Conference that raised a lot of questions for me. The first was “The Multi-Niche Writer: Spinning Your Idea through Genres and Media” with Judy Schultz. Judy is an accomplished writer and tv host, and certainly knows how toContinue reading “21st Century Publishing, New Niches and Transmedia Storytelling”

Growing Pains in a Digital Age

So in my last post on the Edge of Print Conference that took place in Edmonton May 6-7th, I mentioned the keynote set the stage for a day of debating the pros and cons of e-publishing, social media, and other 21st century writerly dilemmas. The first panel discussion I attended only fueled the fire. MadeContinue reading “Growing Pains in a Digital Age”

Writing and Publishing on the Edge

Another weekend, another writing conference! This last one was Get Publishing’s Edge of Print event, and it was a heavy-hitter of sessions, panels, and pitch camps, plus lots of time to network. The day opened with a keynote from Minister Faust (aka Malcolm Azania, aka Captain E-Town) called “Honing Your Edge.” As his bio says:Continue reading “Writing and Publishing on the Edge”

Getting Creative About Nonfiction

I wrote a whole post about going to the Creative Nonfiction Collective Conference in Banff, Alberta, but a glitch killed it and somehow all that came through were the photos! I don’t have the spirit to re-write the post, but have included some links to great sites, authors and works I learned about this weekend.Continue reading “Getting Creative About Nonfiction”

Crushing on Colleen

I have a crush. It doesn’t happen often, but I am completely intellectually smitten with Colleen Fitzpatrick after sitting in on her sessions this past Sunday at the Alberta Genealogical Society convention. Dr. Fitzpatrick (she has a PhD in nuclear physics) is a forensic genealogist, author, and speaker, now that she isn’t doing contracts forContinue reading “Crushing on Colleen”

From Princess to Coupon Clipper

There are a fascinating array of reality shows out there dealing with the vagaries of personal finance. My favourites so far include Gail Vaz-Oxlade as quirky yet hard-ass host of Til Debt Do Us Part and Princess (still haven’t been able to catch the TDDUP Home Edition on HGTV since I gave up cable, though!Continue reading “From Princess to Coupon Clipper”

Working Out with What You’ve Got

When I lived in Wyoming I was spoiled fitness-wise. Sure, it could get cold in the winter – especially with the wind – but it was sunny most days, I could shovel the snow with a broom, and there were lots of wide open spaces for hikes with the dog. The recreation centre also hadContinue reading “Working Out with What You’ve Got”