AUTHOR VISIT AT CROSS LAKE, PIMICIKAMAK CREE FIRST NATION

Had a great school visit last month with several classes at D.R. Hamilton School, Cross Lake, Manitoba. I was telling the students that Canadian publishers are crying out for indigenous writers and suggested they write journals of their daily lives, hopes and dreams, collect stories from their parents and Elders, and create their own worlds and tales from their imaginations. As with all my school visits, I also told them a bit about myself, my Irish and Canadian identities, and my life and work as a writer. We had questions and answers, chats and laughter. I really appreciated the warm welcome I received from both staff and students. Ninâskomtin! In fact, I spent a week at Cross Lake and it was truly the highlight of my 6-week tour of Canada.  Website: www.crosslakeband.ca. Note: Go raibh maith agat to to Culture Ireland/Cultúr Éireann for partial funding of my trip. [Photos are of school gym and Cross Lake administration office.]

Nahanni River, Northwest Territories, Canada, August 2022

                                        

Well, that was one stunning experience, have to say. As you can see, I was pretty excited about it.   (Photo credit: Jeremy Flamand)

The Fairy Faith at Theosophical Society, Vancouver

Giving a talk on fairies this Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Blavatsky Lodge of the Canadian Theosophical Society, 365 Gilmore, south of Canada Way starting 10:00 a.m. and running till 2:00 p.m. Open to the public. See you there!

Old Songline - HMCS YORK

Returned after decades to my naval reserve unit - "stone frigate" - on the shore of Lake Ontario. Wonderful welcome from the new Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Smith. The stories he has to tell! Encouraging him to write a book, his autobiography for starters. L to R the Coxswain, Chief Petty Officer Kim Sanderson, O.R. Melling (moi), Commanding Officer Commander Paul Smith. (Masking protocol as per DND)

Book Club Interview

My second day in Canada, utterly jet-lagged but full of excitement, I was interviewed by my first & former Penguin Canada editor, Cynthia Good (who went on to be President & Publisher) for Good Books, Holy Blossom Temple Synagogue. Went over an hour, lots of chat & laughter.

From Ireland to Canada

 Great flight from here to there via Air Canada but they bashed my new suitcase and say "we'll get back to you in 30 days - maybe." Wandering around Toronto, forgot how beautiful this city is. Strange to be a visitor in a place I grew up in but it has been decades! Off to Parry Sound today to meet old friends.

Almost On My Way!

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go. Canada here I come! Hope to blog more regularly as I travel. Still finding my way around new tech toy android tablet. ☺️

 

Watched the trailer for Good to Luck to You, Leo Grande starring Oscar-winner Emma Thompson and this upcoming young Irish actor. Thinking he would be fabulous to play Finvarra, King of Faerie/King of the Night in the film version of The Hunter's Moon. My script is being considered at the moment by a very big American company. (Can't name yet. Loose lips sink ships, as we say in the Navy.) But fingers and toes crossed and watch this space. Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy was one of my models for this character when I wrote the book. See his video on youtube of "The King's Call" live. (Legs that go on forever!)