by Sylvia McNicoll | Jul 29, 2023 | Sylvia McNicoll
This is the room that attracted me when we bought our house 30 years ago. Mostly I Zoom to classrooms and meetings from here and I’m often asked whether my shelves are real or a faux background. There’s a stupid pail in the foreground that I must put away, so you know this is real.
Recenty I flipped through a home design magazine and admired some built in shelves which seemed to lack something. They had the odd empty vase but otherwise they were so bland and blank. What was missing? Books!
“Find the things you want to keep,” says Marie Kondo. “identify the things that make you happy.” Am I going to read any of these books again? There’s that possibility and I love the possibilities in life. Mostly they give me a sense of peace.
by Sylvia McNicoll | Jul 24, 2023 | Sylvia McNicoll
Reviewers used to be paid to write erudite thoughts about books. Now we rely on you, the reader. Much as Shoppers Drug wants to know how they did selling you toothpase–we want to know how much you loved our work. You don’t have to summarize plot; just say what you liked about the story and rate it with stars. Here’s a guide to what the stars mean to us.
1 Star–You’re a mean-spirited 1 cent tipper who is scoring revenge on the publisher who never took your book.Or you got a free net galley read and it’s totally not for you.
2 Stars–Does any one ever give two stars? I don’t think so.
3 Stars–Meh, the book was readable but you didn’t love it. Or you loved it but you’re a hard marker. Nothing gets more than 3 stars.
4 Stars–Most often means the book is brilliant. Nothing is perfect so you can’t deign yourself to give a full 5 stars. Go watch the Barbie movie, imperfection is beautiful.
5 Stars-You are the publisher, or a best friend. Or wow, a true lover of this read. Thanks Marsha!
by Sylvia McNicoll | Jul 15, 2023 | Sylvia McNicoll
Teachers and librarians sell books–dogs do not. I post photos of cute canines, with profound advice inspired by their posture, along with my book cover because it’s fun. But if a teacher or librarian holds my book up, reads a chapter or shelves it in a special way,that “sells” books. It sells reading, too, and reading inspires empathy and resilience. Reading also relaxes more than yoga. Google it. Or ask your librarian.
by Sylvia McNicoll | Jul 8, 2023 | Sylvia McNicoll
Busy, busy. Coding, maker space, Terry Fox Day, report cards–who has time to host an author too?
But it’s so easy and Ontario Arts Council is fully funding a few visits per author.
The new phonetic approach may teach the ability to read but for kids the currency is always fun. An author can bring that fun to reading and writing.
Who had time? Mr. Lucas Boluk, the principal of St. Peters School said it would be a wonderful gift. Mr. Craig Enns made sure all the technology performed and brought all the students to me. A real live author in person. Engaging and exciting. A wonderful gift for me, too, to meet my future readers. Thank you Ontario Arts Council and Mr. Boluk and Mr. Enns.
by Sylvia McNicoll | Jul 2, 2023 | Sylvia McNicoll
Dogs enjoy the basics of life. Food, shelter, a walk, some play and us. My rescue terror, I mean terrier, Banjo loves me more than anyone I know. Doesn’t matter how my latest book What the Dog Knows does on the awards lists or library shelves. I am his person. Note beside him in this video is Worf. the dog Diesel is based on. One of the little side lessons in this story is that If we pay attention to our dogs,( or even our cats) maybe we, too, can be happier with the simple things in life.
Diesel and Banjo want you to know, no dogs stay dead in this story. Whoo, big plot giveaway!
Recenty I flipped through a home design magazine and admired some built in shelves which seemed to lack something. They had the odd empty vase but otherwise they were so bland and blank. What was missing? Books!
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