Came across this article I wrote in 2012 while working on a draft of what would later become Rise of the One-Eyed King.
Category Archives: kc dyer
Merry Christmas to Whedon fans and, well, to everyone else as well!
Thanks to kc dyer for pointing me in the direction of this video, and also thanks to Alanna Torres, whoever you are, for creating it!
I hope all of your Christmases are full of joy and peace and a lots of good food.
Road Trips
I’m certainly no stranger to the road trip. In 1997 (still can’t believe it was 11 years ago), I took a road trip in a ’68 Beetle from Vancouver to Kelowna, then over to Banff, up to Jasper, across to Edmonton, then down to Calgary through Drumheller, and over to Winnipeg.
The entire way I slept in a tent, and ate food that I cooked over an open fire. (I had a Coleman stove, but couldn’t ever get it to work.) It was the best time I ever had, and probably the most adventurous thing I’d ever done.
Back then, my goal was to inspire myself as a budding writer. I wanted to find my creative spark, and to get in touch with my creativity so that I could one day be an author. Though my friends and family thought that was a little far-fetched, I did it anyway.
Here I am, 11 years later, with three books published – one that’s going into reprint and a fourth due out this Christmas. Life is pretty awesome. The best part – I’m planning another road trip! Granted, there will be some changes this time around. First, I won’t be going on it alone. kc dyer, friend and fellow scribe, will be sharing the experience with me! Second, I won’t be sleeping on the hard ground in a tent. Comfort all the way!
The best part of this trip is that we have destinations planned. Stops in Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Banff, Cochrane, Calgary and Red Deer. We may even have one more to completely fill our itinerary.
Another difference from that first trip is that Comic Life will be along for the ride! kc dyer and I will be blogging our trip through comic, using this easy and fantastic program. (It’s what I used to create my book video, and many of my past posts.) Comic Life has agreed to let us give away a copy of its program to each of our stops – not a bad value for those who come out to our events! Hear two popular authors, eat some chocolate, and be in a draw to leave with a free copy of Comic Life! 
SPRING BOOK HATCHING 2008
MEDIA RELEASE
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Come Celebrate Children’s Literature at the Second Annual
Just in time for summer reading, the Children’s Writers and Illustrators of BC (CWILL BC) is pleased to announce the second annual Spring Book Hatching, a special event to celebrate the release of the latest books by local authors and artists.
Spring Book Hatching will be held June 14, 2008, from 1-3 pm in the Peter Kaye room and lower level at the Vancouver Public Library.
This free event promises to have something for every young reader, with picture books, juvenile fiction, and young adult books all being showcased. The afternoon will feature live presentations, free autographs, displays, door prizes, a book sale and—best of all—the chance for lovers of children’s literature to meet their favourite BC author or illustrator.
“We have some incredible, award-winning authors and illustrators in this province,” says CWILL BC president James McCann. “We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to gather so much of our local talent together in one room. Last year, this event was an incredible success, and we can’t wait to show the public what we’ve all been up to since last year.”
To date, the following authors and illustrators are scheduled to appear at Spring Book Hatching:
Caroline Adderson, Sue Ann Alderson, Ann Alma, Dan Bar-el, Lillian Boracks-Nemetz, Julie Burtinshaw, Kristin Butcher, Izabel Bzymek, Norma Charles, kc dyer, Lee Edward Födi, Patricia Godwin, James Heneghan, Shelley Hrdlitschka, Vi Hughes, Melanie Jackson, Katarina Jovanovik, Shar Levine, Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Laura Langston, Meomi, James Mccann, Gina Mcmurchy-Barber, Michelle Mulder, Rachel Dunstan Muller, Maxwell Newhouse, Jacqueline Pearce, Robin Stevenson, Crystal Stranaghan, Joan Betty Stuchner, Nikki Tate, Meg Tilly, Kirsti Anne Wakelin, Irene Watts, John Wilson, Kari-Lynn Winters, and Pam Withers.
CWILL BC is a lively group of published writers and illustrators for children. With close to 150 members across British Columbia, we exchange information about creating literary works for young people, we support one another and we help promote our books. Our volunteer, cooperative organization also communicates with other arts groups, schools and libraries in BC and Canada. Spring Book Hatching is hosted by CWILL BC, Pandora’s Collective, and the Vancouver Public Library.
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The poster can be downloaded here (letter size) and here (tabloid size)
Panel Discussion on Writing for Children and Teens
From the Canadian Authors Association Website:
Date: May 7, 2008 – please note date change
Time: 7 pm to 9 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
Place: Alliance for the Arts & Culture, Suite 100, 938 Howe St., Vancouver.
Cost: CAA Members free; Non-members $5 ; Students (with student ID) $2
Our panel includes three authors who write for children and teens. There will also be a special tribute to the 100th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables.
Born in Calgary, kc dyer now lives with her children (and other animals) north of Vancouver BC where she works as a freelance writer, speaker and conference coordinator for the Surrey International Writers’ Conference. The author of a number of books for young adults published in North America and the UK, kc has a secret fondness for inducing nausea in teens and can often be found sharing some of the greatest grotesque moments in history with large groups of high school students. Unable to see the folly of her ways, kc continues to write and most days can be found sitting at her desk, searching for the perfect word… Website http://www.kcdyer.com.
James McCann is the author of Rancour, Pyre, and the upcoming third book in the series, Dawn. Growing up on the icy plains of Manitoba, he spent most of his time as a teen reading comics and playing Dungeons and Dragons. Both of his hobbies taught him his storytelling tools that he now uses as an author and creative writing instructor. Unlike the creatures of the night of which he writes, McCann lives peacefully in the daylight with his Shih Tzu, Conan. He is currently working on his fourth novel, Kane.
Meg Tilly is the author of two adult novels: Singing Songs and Gemma. Her first YA novel, Porcupine, was released by Tundra in Sept. 2007. Porcupine is shortlisted for the Shelia Egoff Children’s Literature award and was chosen as a “The Top Ten Best Bets, 2008” for middle grade readers by the Ontario Libraries Association. Tilly is also known for her work in her former career as a film actress. Some of her better known films include The Big Chill and Agnes of God, for which she won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar. At present she is working on her second YA, Try and Stop. She lives in Vancouver BC with her family. Website: http://www.officialmegtilly.com
For more information see the Canadian Authors Association Website.
Indigo Signing
kc dyer and I had our first holiday signing at Park Royal Indigo in West Vancouver last night. Here are a few photos to share!
There is one more signing to go! See the post below for information on our event at the Strawberry Hill Chapters in Surrey!
kc dyer and James McCann @ Chapters and Indigo Books
Cybils nominees kc dyer and James McCann will be signing books at the Park Royal Indigo store this Friday afternoon (December 14th) from 2:30 to 5 pm, and at the Surrey Strawberry Hill Chapters store Sunday, December 16th, starting at 1:00 pm.
All are welcome!
We’ll provide the chocolate, you provide the chat! Join young adult authors kc dyer and James McCann as they show their appreciation for readers with chocolates, refreshments and their latest novels.
kc dyer is the author of the historical fiction Eagle Glen Trilogy SEEDS OF TIME, SECRET OF LIGHT & SHADES OF RED, and now the contemporary novel MS ZEPHYR’S NOTEBOOK.
A former teacher, kc now spends her days surfing the time-space continuum for inspiring stories from both past and present for teens and adults.
http://kcdyer.blogspot.com
James McCann is the author of RANCOUR and now its exciting prequel PYRE. As a teen he read comics and played Dungeons & Dragons, both hobbies giving him the tools for storytelling. Now he’s a voracious reader, author and creative writing instructor. His goal is to write books that engage even the most reluctant-reader.
http://www.jamesmccann.info
Chocolate & Chat
kc dyer and I had our final four installments of the Terrific Teacher Appreciation Travelling Roadshow at Chapters across Metro Vancouver. The first two were on Sunday, and were in Surrey and Langly. The final two were on Monday, and were at Park Royal and Broadway&Granville.
The staff at Chapters showed us a warm welcome, with a table filled with our books and announcements that let everyone know we were there. The days couldn’t have gone better, with kc and I finishing them off feeling on top of the world!
Chocolate and Chat!
Join James McCann and kc dyer as they show their appreciation for teachers by sharing chocolate and an introduction to their latest novels.
All are welcome! Bring your favourite teacher!
All are welcome! Bring your favourite teacher!
3083 West Broadway, Vancouver – Thursday, August 23rd @ 7:30pm
3040 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver – Sunday, August 26th @ 2pm
(click picture to enlarge)
