Canada's Bullying Awareness Week

Why not pick up a copy?

I am very proud and extremely honoured that Forever Julia has been included in the 49th Shelf's list of Young Adult titles that deal with bullying. 

If you haven't read many Canadian authors, this is a great place to start. You may be surprised by the breadth and depth of talent found north of the 49th parallel.

And a sincere thank you to Colleen Nelson who compiled this list. Colleen is an award winning author of Young Adult fiction who is getting our teens reading and talking about tough issues.

"Canada's Bullying Awareness Week runs November 15-21, this year with the theme, "Stand Up to Bullying." The focus of Bullying Awareness Week is not about influencing the actions of others, but rather about understanding what we as individuals and community members can do to address the problem of bullying. And one thing that parents, teachers and librarians can do is make the following books, selected by award-winning YA author Colleen Nelson, available to the young people in their lives.

These are stories that can empower readers to "stand up to bullying" once and for all. "

Read the entire article and find links to all the suggested book here!

*Colleen Nelson is an award-winning writer and teacher in Winnipeg. Although she was lured by the bright lights of Japan and New York City, she returned to the Prairies where she and her husband are raising their two sons. Finding Hope is her fourth YA book.

Colleen Nelson's Latest YA

All Aboard the Blog Book Tour for Forever Julia!

Yup, it is that time again! Time to ride the information super highway to promote my latest book, Forever Julia.

Launching at 7:00pm this Thursday in The Atrium at 

McNally Robinson Booksellers, 

I'll be appearing around the globe on various bloggers websites near and far from 

April 27th to May 10th!

What?! Never been on a BBT? 

I'll be posting my "itinerary" next week so you can take a peak and see what the hullabaloo is all about!

Blast Off to the Forever Julia Book Launch!

Thrilled to see this end cap!

Look out world! Forever Julia is launching next week at McNally Robinson Booksellers! 

There will be a wee introduction, a quick reading, chardonnay and Shiraz on hand, and even McNally's most famous Imperial cookies! Somehow they will work their magic and morph my book cover into a yummy treat.

Forever Julia hanging out with
Empty Cup and Enslavement!
Go Anitas, Go!

Now remember, peeps, Forever Julia is a far cry from Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food. Forever Julia is intended for audiences aged 13/14+, but your children are welcome to attend and hang with my girls, who will be model citizens enjoying every facet of the evening, sitting quietly, with ankles crossed, in the audience.

Or they will run like feral children through the store, acting like McNally's was built for their entertainment alone.  

My money is on the wild animal option.

I am donating $1 from every book sold at McNally's from April 16th to May 7th to Macdonald Youth Services. Macdonald Youth Services will be on hand at the launch to share information about the important work they do with at risk youth in Winnipeg. Please consider MYS, if you are looking for a new charity to support. The boys and girls they support are our neighbours and our community members, who desperately need love, kindness, guidance, and compassion. 

Hope to see you on Thursday, April 16th at 7:00pm 

in the Atrium of McNally Robinson Booksellers!

(1120 Grant Avenue)

Step 1,052 Complete! Forever Julia is off to Layout!

They say it takes a village to raise a child. I say it takes a community to support a writer.

Now, on the cusp of the publication of my second book, I am quite sure it takes 3 to 33 years, 385 pots of coffee, and 1,064 steps to publish a book. 

That's right, I have zero conclusive evidence, actual facts, or statistics to back that up. Call it a hunch, if you will. Or hyperbole. Whatever floats your boat, canoe, or catamaran.

All I know is that sometime in January I will load up Lexy with my family, including the dog, and head down to Altona to watch Forever Julia fly off Friesen's printing press. My mom is sure to scrapbook this milestone in my literary career. This is the only proven fact I have.