London Writers' Society blog

King Tut's Tomb Robbers by Miguel Carbonell

2010-04-29T09:27:00.006-04:00

Children’s Fiction
Nathan, a resourceful twelve-year-old boy, travels back in time to ancient Egypt, where he witnesses the suspicious events leading to King Tut’s death.

An adventure story for children nine and over, this book contains a wealth of historical details. Life in the time of the pharaohs comes alive as the protagonist travels with the king throughout his realm. The novel takes into account the latest scientific research conducted by Dr. Zahi Hawass and his team. The study determined that Tut suffered from physical abnormalities (e.g. a deformed foot) and carried DNA of the malaria parasite. In spite of his disabilities, Tutankhamun strives courageously to assert himself as the leader of his country.

Synopsis
In the year 2025, time travel is all the rage. Nathan and his sister, Lindsey, are looking forward to visiting ancient Alexandria, but something goes terribly wrong during the transfer back in time. Nathan lands alone near the palace of Tutankhamun in Thebes. Unless he can convince Nakhtmin, the captain of the guards, that he is not a tomb robber, a painful death awaits him. Nakhtmin introduces Nathan to the young king, who soon becomes his friend.

Nathan joins Tut’s court and learns about the life and politics of the palace. He witnesses firsthand the accident leading to the mysterious death of the boy-king. Lindsey tries to rescue Nathan, but his actions in the past threaten a major time paradox. To avoid the destruction of their entire timeline, they must become tomb robbers and retrieve an important object from Tutankhamun’s tomb.

About the Author
Miguel Carbonell worked for three decades as a telecommunications manager for a large telephone company. Since retiring, he has devoted his time to traveling, studying, writing, and recreational running. Miguel has two daughters and four grandchildren. He lives in London, Ontario, with his wife, Sarita. Please visit his website:

http://www.carbonellbooks.com/

Individuals can order a copy of King Tut's Tomb Robbers from the publisher at:

iUniverse Bookstore.

The book is also available for order at bookstores worldwide or from any of the major online booksellers, among them:

Barnes and Noble
Amazon.com or Amazon.ca
Chapters-Indigo Canada
Books-A-Million

…and many other sites!

Ontario Writers' Conference Press Release

2010-03-31T03:53:00.006-04:00

The Ontario Writers’ Conference is a one-day event on May 1, 2010. Cost for a non-member is $210. Conference attendees who stay overnight at the Ajax Garden Hilton will spend an exclusive evening at Port Perry’s Ocala Winery. The press release is below. ~ Clyo

DURHAM REGION, ON, MARCH 12, 2010:

Writers sure know how to kick off a conference. Delegates to the May 1st Ontario Writers’ Conference (OWC) staying at the Garden Hilton will start celebrating the night before at an private party cooked up by conference organizers and the Region of Durham. OWC delegates step on a bus that whisks them away to an exciting and exclusive evening at Port Perry’s Ocala Winery.

Best of all, it’s free!

Imagine: a starlit evening sipping Durham ’s finest fruit wines made from fruit grown a stone’s throw away. Nibbling on bite-sized morsels of home-grown local ingredients: herb sausage flavoured with Ocala black currant wine, roasted emu on baguette, pulled pork mini wraps, buffalo tacos in tortilla scoop, northern spy apple in homemade caramel sauce in a phyllo cup.

Host Irwin Smith escorts delegates on a vine-to-vintage tour of the winery and invites them to sample his delicious chardonnays and merlots. Afterwards, more time to mix and mingle, engaging in stimulating conversation with authors, local politicians and other guests, and visiting displays of local merchants’ wares. The lilting notes of a steel drum, played by Joy Lapps, “the princess of pan,” weave a mellow musical background. Finally, sated and content, the delegates step back on the bus for the trip back to the hotel.

This magical night, courtesy of Durham Region Tourism, awaits OWC delegates booking an overnight stay at the Ajax Garden Hilton.

----

On May 1, 2010, writers will flock from Ontario and beyond to Ajax for the Ontario Writers’ Conference (OWC)to rub elbows with world-famous authors like sci-fi giant Robert J. Sawyer and funny guy Richard Scrimger? Delegates enjoy a full of workshops, blue pencil session, networking and panel discussions, continental breakfast, buffet lunch and dinner, and the Festival of Authors, all for $210. Attendance at the Festival of Authors only is $10. Complete details, registration forms and online registration (PayPal and major credit cards) are available at www.thewritersconference.com

. To register by mail, forward form and cheque or money order to: Ontario Writers’ Conference, 85 Chambers Drive , Unit #5, Ajax , ON L1Z 1E2 .

The Ontario Writers' Conference is a premier arts organization that conducts educational, challenging and interactive workshops, panels, roundtables and other writing-related events, led by writers, arts-related facilitators and industry professionals. The Ontario Writers’ Conference endeavours to connect, educate and inspire writers everywhere.

The Ontario Writers’ Conference thanks its many sponsors and partners, including Amplified Communications

, Phanta Media

, the Ontario Arts Council

, InStore Products

, the Writers’ Circle of Durham Region, and Blue Heron Books.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Barbara Hunt
Ontario Writers' Conference
bhunt(at)thewritersconference.com
905-985-4409

Sarnia Spoken Word Events

2010-03-31T03:26:00.006-04:00

Award-winning poet Debbie Okun Hill has sent us the following event schedule for Sarnia's Spoken Word.

OUT-OF-TOWN EVENTS (TAKING PLACE IN SARNIA):

April 16

Special guest London poet Andreas Gripp will read from his new book The Fall during a Spoken Word/Open Mic Reading at Urban Nature Centre, 184 Christina Street N. (inside the Energy Exchange Building beside Themptations) in Sarnia, Ontario. Start time at 7:30 p.m. Open mic to follow. For more information www.spokenwordsarnia.wordpress.com

April 18

Hamilton writers and award-winning poets from Sarnia will celebrate National Poetry Month by launching five new books including And Left a Place to Stand On: Poems and Essays on Al Purdy. Start time: 1 p.m. at Lawrence House Centre for the Arts in Sarnia, Ontario. Open mic to follow. For more information www.lawrencehouse.ca

April 30

Sarnia's Spoken Word is the last Friday of the month from 8 to 10 p.m. in the Walter Petryschuk Turret Room of the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, 127 Christina Street South in Sarnia, Ontario. For more information www.lawrencehouse.ca

May 28

June 25

Pat Brown's Recent Successes

2010-03-31T03:15:00.004-04:00

Pat Brown has had some recent successes. Since I'm putting them in the April 2010 LWS newsletter, I'm adding them here as well. ~ Clyo

Pat Brown’s novel L.A. Heat won the Rainbow Award for Best Mystery/Suspense novel and took second place for Best Overall Gay Novel of 2009.

Her novel L.A. Boneyard has been nominated for the Arthur Ellis award for Best Canadian Crime Novel and for the Daphne du Maurier award for Best Mystery/Suspense.

Her latest release, L.A. Bytes, has received a very positive review at Literary Nymphs.

Pat was also a guest blogger on the book review blog Love Romances & More where she wrote about her passion for "the dark lady" known as Los Angeles. Congratulations Pat!

Novelist John Passfield shares experience in turning local stories into literature

2010-03-23T15:11:00.000-04:00

John Passfield spoke about turning local stories into literature, with examples from his London novel, Victoria Day, at our March 18 general meeting.

Here's how our March 2010 newsletter described John, in advance of his presentation:

John Passfield's approach to writing and publishing is unique. He publishes a companion journal for each novel in which he documents the day-by-day decision-making that went into the novel's development. He also chooses compelling subject matter.

In Grave Song, he explored one man's loss of his family to the 1930's cholera pandemic.

In Jumbo, he explored public reaction to the death of the circus elephant in 1885, a loss that reverberated around the world.

In Pinafore Park, he explored the response of St. Thomas residents to the drowning of children in 1925.

In Rain of Fire, he explored how an inquiry tried to assess responsibility for a deadly train crash in 1887.

Now, in Victoria Day, John weaves together themes explored in previous works as he tells the story of the sinking of the steamboat Victoria in London on May 24, 1881.

How did he do it? John will discuss his process and share his thoughts about how local history and literature can shape each other and enrich our understanding of both.

Nov. 26 seminar on niche writing

2009-10-29T17:23:00.001-04:00

Posted at the request of the London & Southwestern Ontario Chapter of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC).

The London & Southwestern Ontario Chapter of PWAC is excited to announce that it will be holding another "Learn & Earn" seminar on November 26. For this session, three of its distinguished chapter members, Jeffrey Reed, Melanie Chambers and Suzanne Boles, will discuss niche writing.

Come out to the seminar to learn:

How to make money writing about what you love.
How to carve out a niche for yourself as a writer.
How to market yourself as an expert in a specific field.

Details are below. This seminar will also provide you with an opportunity to ask the presenters any specific questions you may have about niche writing.

Seminar Date: November 26, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Dundas Street Centre United Church, 482 Dundas Street (Dundas at Maitland). Use the ramp entrance on Dundas Street.
Parking: Ample free parking available next door (east), compliments of Pedec School of Esthetics (formerly Marvel Beauty School).
Pricing: Students $12 in advance ($15 at the door); Non-PWAC members $15 in advance ($20 at the door). Cash only at the door.
Pre-registration information: Please contact Kevin Glew to pre-register. Phone number: 519-453-9745, E-mail: kevin.glew@sympatico.ca

Book launch

2009-05-19T09:38:00.001-04:00

My book launch for L.A. Heat will be held at Seven Club on Clarence Street on June 30th starting at 7:00 PM. You can see the invitation here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=87663853320

There are 3 other writers of gay mysteries who will be on hand to read from their works. It would be great to see everyone there.

I'm going to try to get down to Chaucers at the end of the month, too.

Come on over and visit my web site, see my latest book trailer and read all about the books.

http://www.pabrown.ca

New contract

2009-04-29T11:07:00.001-04:00

I'm really happy to announce 2 new contracts with MLR Press. One is a novel, Geography of Murder will be out this summer and the other is a novella Angel Light that will be published in the anthology To Die For in the fall of this year.

Blurb for Geography of Murder: Detective Spider has secrets, not the least of which is his yen for bondage and willing partners. Jason, with his past criminal record is forbidden fruit. But this is one cop who has never played by the rules. He's used to taking what he wants and moving on to his next playmate. He may have met his match with Jason. Can these two find a common ground and build a future together?

Blurb for Angel Light:

City boy Nathan Robertson is lost in a blizzard in the high Sierra Nevadas. Near death, he is rescued by the mysterious rancher Miguel Trevino-Ortez. The attraction between the two is immediate, but something is holding Miguel back. What secrets haunt his life? And what exactly are the meaning of the dreams Nathan is having. Dreams that leave him aching with need and mourning a loss he doesn't understand.

Find out more on my web site: www.pabrown.ca

Intro from Pat Brown

2009-04-04T22:49:00.001-04:00

I want to say hi to everyone. I just joined the LWS and look forward to getting to know everyone. I'm the author of 2 in print mysteries, L.A. Heat and L.A. Mischief, and several upcoming books. To date all my books take place in Los Angeles, mostly because I lived there for 8 years. I've been writing since I was in my teens, when I lived in London. My first story was published in 1999 and my first book in 2006.

Recently I was in Hawaii for the Left Coast Crime, which was a lot of fun. I'm on the committee for next years LCC, which is taking place in L.A., so in a sense I get to go home. (or at least one of my favorite places)

You can check out my web page at http://www.pabrown.ca

If you want to read about my time in Hawaii, it's at http://www.pabrown.ca/lcc.htm

Looking forward to our next meeting.

Facts & Arguments (Globe and Mail)

2009-01-30T16:56:00.001-05:00

I'm delighted to have received word that I will have a Facts & Arguments essay published in the Globe and Mail in the near future. My essay, "My Real Age," was also selected to be recorded for podcasting on the G&M website and iTunes. No word on a publication date yet, but the recording will take place this weekend.

Jennifer Baetz Chester

WeLoveAikido.com Launch

2009-01-15T12:34:00.000-05:00

How wonderful it is to see this blog grow and grow as our membership claims the successes they so richly deserve!

I'm excited about sharing my own news: the launch of a new website (WeLoveAikido.com) to promote my writing about Aikido, a martial art that I have been practicing for some years now.

Some of the content is sober and reflective but the vast majority is humorous, poking fun at the clunkiness of the learning process and what results when things go awry. To that end I've teamed up with a talented cartoonist (Jon Oaker, a fellow aikidoka) and we have debuted the first of a series of eBooks:

I hope you'll drop in and browse around - and please share your feedback!

Best regards,

Kevin Love

Cezanne's Carrot To Publish Story By Clyo Beck

2008-11-10T04:04:00.000-05:00

I'm delighted to announce that my creative non-fiction story, How To Get A New Roof, was selected by the editors of Cezanne's Carrot as a finalist in their Journeys contest.

For those unfamiliar with this U.S. literary periodical located in Sante Fe, New Mexico, Cezanne's Carrot publishes a volume of fiction and non-fiction stories quarterly on each Equinox and Solstice.

As a result this memoir, which is so dear to my heart, will be published in the 2008 Winter Solstice Edition of Cezanne’s Carrot.

In addition, my story has been forwarded to the contest's guest judge, Tamara Kaye Sellman, who will select the winner of the category. The winner will be announced when the issue goes live on the Winter Solstice.

The four nonfiction finalists for this contest are:

Devon Ward-Thommes for “On Beauty”
Diane Elayne Dees for “Summoning the Loa”
Robert Brandon Henderson for “Immersion”
Clyo Beck for “How to Get a New Roof”

~Clyo

The Caribbean Writer

2008-09-14T08:09:00.001-04:00

Hello all. I am pleased as punch to announce that the anthology The Caribbean Writer V. 22 is now available, featuring 2 of my poems! My 2 free copies have arrived and I couldn't be happier with the anthology. Copies are available from their website www.thecaribbeanwriter.org and are $15 USD each. I also believe the book will eventually be added to the London Public Library's catalogue, so will be available to take out in the future. - Vanessa

Story "Perfect Marriage" Published

2008-07-17T15:08:00.000-04:00

Fifty Something Magazine has published my short story "Perfect Marriage" in their summer 2008 issue. ~ Ruth Zavitz

RPG Adventure Published

2008-07-14T09:01:00.000-04:00

I am pleased to announce my first published effort. I contributed an adventure to the Magazine "Fight On!", a quarterly magazine dedicated to the spirit of old-school roleplaying. The editor is pleased enough that he has asked me to be a regular contributor. This is a small, independent magazine with a limited circulation - perhaps 1,000 readers.
- posted by John Hitchens

Novel makes long list

2008-07-05T09:40:00.000-04:00

The mystery novel SNOW CANDY made the (very) long list for a Relit Award, Canadian literary awards started by Kenneth J. Harvey to recognize books from Canadian independent publishers. The motto for the awards is: Ideas not money. For a sample chapter, visit www.carrollgroup.ca
Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful summer.
Terry Carroll

Two Little Articles On Writing Published

2008-07-05T04:24:00.000-04:00

I had a couple of articles on writing published in a minuscule Florida newsletter. The first article was entitled "So You Want To Write A Book Now That You're Retired" and the second "Editing Your Manuscript." ~ Clyo

"Snow Candy" Makes Arthur Ellis Shortlist

2008-05-05T15:35:00.000-04:00

LWS member Terry Carroll sent me this e-mail on May 1st:

"Hi Clyo,

Thanks for your wonderful publicity about the Writer in Residence program and Bloody Words and the Arthur Ellis Awards.

I thought you might like to know that my most recent mystery novel SNOW CANDY made the shortlist for the Arthur Ellis Awards for best novel from the Crime Writers of Canada.

More details and all the nominees are at: http://crimewriterscanada.com/cwc/index.html

All the best,

Terry Carroll"

http://www.carrollgroup.ca/index.php

"A fine plot with some nice twists." (Margaret Cannon, writing about SNOW CANDY in The Globe & Mail)

Congratulations Terry!!!!!!!!

Vanessa's poetry to be published in Calabash

2008-05-05T15:27:00.000-04:00

Poet VANESSA SIMMONS sent me the following e-mail on April 27, 2008. (Since I'm still tweaking things, I'll put it up:)

"Hello everyone! Yes, again! I am to be published in Calabash: A Journal of Carri bean Arts and Letters!! [ http://www.nyu.edu/calabash/ ] I'm not sure of the exact publication date - this was a surprise as I think I sent this off to them over 2 years ago, but I think it will be a summer publication. Will keep you posted :)"

Congratulations Vanessa!

IT'S ENERGIZING TO SEE SUCCESS...

2008-05-04T22:38:00.000-04:00

Dear Writers ~

I’ve set this blog up for you, the members of the London Writers’ Society, so you can come here and alert our community when you’ve had a publishing success because I am always excited to hear about someone else being published (or paid!) for their literary output.

So I’m thinking - maybe you’re like me - and it would give you an energy boost to read about the successes of people in our group. Then, when it’s your turn, you can have fun sharing your own news.

So I’ve started this for that purpose - encouragement. I’ll be e-mailing the user name and password to all of you - our LWS members - so you can come here and share.

I will begin - although it’s very old news now - with the fact that my play The Ten Commandos was selected by the Grand Theatre to be included as part of its January 2008 Playwright’s Cabaret - and I received payment! Seeing my play staged was a thrill and this acceptance took me back from the brink of thinking maybe I should hang up writing. (As if I could.) But now I think: hang in there. This is a long-haul journey, not a sprint. ~Clyo

An Alternative To Wordpress

2008-05-04T22:28:00.000-04:00

Since I'm not sure I like the blog over at Wordpress, I've established this one. I thought each contributor to the Wordpress blog could upload a thumbnail photo. I'm not sure that's possible. We'll see how this looks... ~ Clyo