What better spot than a wing place to launch a book boasting a pigeon on its cover?
On Wednesday, November 20th, 2013, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., please join me as I launch my short collection of stories, Where Pigeons Roost, at Wild Wing, 431 Yonge Street in Toronto, just south of College subway station.
Those attending the launch will get half price appetizers with the purchase of a drink, and a copy of the book for over 10% off the cover price.
See you there!
Very excited to announce that I have approved the proof of my short story collection, and that Where Pigeons Roost and other stories is now available through me and through Amazon!
In Where Pigeons Roost, four women trapped in worlds of their own making journey between obsession and redemption.
« Feather and Gaelyn reached the foyer, not yet knowing that each would remain disappointed by her life while being secretly pleased her twin would fare no better. They did not yet know that their final competition – whom would outlive the other – would be moot, the winner forever undeclared. » – Excerpt from Stalemate, from Where Pigeons Roost
The book’s official launch will be held in November in Toronto, Canada. Details to follow!
In April, I submitted my sci-fi short story about spacefaring unicorns to an online independent authors competition.
Readers were invited to read each of the seven stories, then vote for their favourite.
At the end of the month, my short story, Alicorn 2108, had gathered nearly 65% of the vote – for the win -, and numerous positive comments from readers, some of which I’ll copy here:
« I did read all the stories, and there is really no contest. [Alicorn 2108] is far and away the best (even though I am not generally a fan of science fiction.) » – Ron P.
« [Alicorn 2108] was the best by far – a good story by any standards. » – Dave M.
« I loved [Alicorn 2108] – I also loved one of the others but I can’t remember the title – these are interesting & up-and-coming writers. [A.M. Matte] has a great imagination & talent. Also excellent language. » – Helen G.
« Wow I am impressed – I love the flow of [A.M. Matte’s] writing. She really takes you there. And the votes – everyone else is majorly impressed. » – Sheila B.
Thanks to D.R. Racey for holding the competition, and thanks to all who read and voted.
Having met new fellow authors on Twitter this month, I was inspired by the UnknownJim Writers Unite challenge to « write what you REALLY want to write about. »
This month, while I couldn’t choose between concentrating on my English writing or on my French writing, I’ve not quite finished either piece, but I can still share an excerpt. Here is the opening of my short story Ms. Perceval’s Lover:
Ms. Perceval had long considered Owain Montblanc her type, but accepting the position of vice-principal last year impeded matters slightly. Now his superior, she could no longer express interest – not that she ever would have, anyway – lest it be misconstrued as sexual harassment by an authority figure. Hardly the way to begin her management career.
So, when Owain collapsed while teaching history class, Ms. Perceval at first hesitated to give him mouth to mouth resuscitation. She could hear the students’ nervous whispers behind her as she kneeled next to her prone colleague with another second’s hesitation. Then, she went to work. Ms. Perceval thought she heard a shocked, stifled giggle and considered withdrawing, but the prospect of Owain expiring on her watch was more than she could bear. She took a breath and bent down, pressing her lips against his, in their first, unlikely kiss.
She had imagined this moment – well, not this moment, the moment when she’d kiss Owain – many times before. She made up romantic, clichéd scenarios: a beach at sunset, the Eiffel Tower under a light rainfall, by Victoria Falls… She didn’t waste time figuring out how she and Owain would end up in these places – she simply inserted herself there, and in her lover’s arms.
Ms. Perceval blushed. She felt the students’ intent gazes pierce the nape of her neck. Could they guess what she had in mind?
While I won’t be participating in NaNoWriMo this year, it will be to concentrate on my short stories, so I hope to be further along with this and other stories by the end of the year.
Writers Unite!