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. Â Thanks Marsha!
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.
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.
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!
Probably the funniest book I've ever read, Captain Skidmark also delivers some highly emotional punches. Will Stone thinks he's a loser and the world mirrors back these feelings. Hockey is everything in his family and he's just not into it. He doesn't have the confidence to tell his dad or to stand up for his true passion and skill. Bullies, crushes, uncontrollable spontaneous erections, over- the-top awkward situations will make you cringe and laugh out loud.
The real dog who inspired this story consented to star in this video about What the Dog Knows. Worf is now about 10 years old and very well behaved. He used to be that dog that wagged his tail and threw over glasses. He’s best friends with my way smaller dog Mortie. Together they used to raid the counters when the humans were out. Their favourite steal was a pound of butter. We imagine that they collaborated, Mortie climbing onto Worf’s back for the buttery heist. We’d find the wrappers lying around later. But It wasn’t only butter, nothing was really safe, a loaf of bread, a tupper ware full of cupcakes.
Their favourite thing to do together was to chase a stick into the water. They would swim, side by side, carrying the stick back, one end in each of their mouths.
Both of them are older now. You can see the grey on Worf’s muzzle. So when you read What the Dog Knows, imagine Worf without the grey as Diesel.
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