CBC radio and me (short story) (2 of 2) by Leanne Dyck

Did you miss the first part of CBC radio and me? Would you like to read it again? Here's the link... CBC radio and me (1 of 2)

Continuing the story...

(click on the image to embolden) ldyck

I still have the acceptance letter. Along with acceptance, I was sent an invitation to the book launch. The venue was a swanky hotel. The event would be recorded live for radio. In order for me to attend, I needed to stay overnight in Vancouver. 

The bed was comfortable; the room quiet. But I barely slept. I was way too excited.

In the morning, my husband helped me navigate the streets, and we arrived earlier than many. Under crystal chandeliers, the tables had been removed to make room for rows and rows of chairs. At the front of the room, two round tables held microphones and other recording stuff. CBC radio magic would happen in that room, in front of my eyes.

As a way of saying thanks, I'd brought a gift for radio personality and host of the book launch, Rick Cluff. But how would I get it to him? The thought of meeting him made me way too nervous.

I noticed a tall woman opening boxes and organizing stuff. 

"I'm an avid fan," I told her, and handing her the parcel, added, "This is for Mr. Cluff. It's a toque I knit."

"I'll make sure he gets it," she told me as she pulled a copy of the cookbook out of a box. "And this is for you."

Buy this book

"Thank you, um...er?"

"My name is Shelia Peacock."

Sheila? Peacock? I'd just met the co-creator of the cookbook and the show's producer. And I'd asked her to run an errand for me. Red-faced, I returned to my husband.

"This is it. This is the cookbook. Isn't it beautiful?" I breathed in that new book smell. A bookmark shaped like a chef hat marked page 130—Mom's recipe alongside my story. My words were in a book. It blew my mind.

More contributing authors arrived, and we all buzzed with excitement at being in that room, about having that book. 

"I'm on page 10," someone told me.

"I'm on page 96," someone else said.

The entire room cheered when Mr. Cluff arrived. "Good morning," he said, and we were on the air.

During the first break, a man with a microphone wound through the crowd and, to my surprise, came over to me. "I'd like to interview you."

I gulped. "Me?" I whispered. Me on CBC Radio?

"Go for it," my husband encouraged. "But remember to speak loudly."

"Yes, speak loudly into the microphone," the man said, and before I knew it, "We're on the air."

He spoke into the microphone, "I'm standing here with..."

I leaned in and said, loudly, "Leanne Dyck."

I must have been too loud because he quickly pulled the microphone away. A moment of dead air. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Leanne. Do you have a recipe in the cookbook?"

I nodded. Then I remembered that I was on the radio. "Yes. I submitted my mom's recipe for Vinaterta. Vinaterta is an Icelandic-Canadian prune cake." I was about to tell him that she made it every Christmas, that she was a talented cook, a skilled baker, that she... But I needed to wait for him to ask the questions. So I took a breath and waited. 

"Your mother's recipe?"

"Yes." Short and sweet.

"When was the first time you made... you used the recipe?"

"Um...er...well, that is to say...um...I never really used the recipe."

"Pardon me."

"I don't cook," I confessed, but quickly added, "But my mom was a good cook. Knowing my skills in the kitchen, or lack of any, she wrote the instructions so that it would be easy for me to follow. She made Vinaterta all the time. Every Christmas. That's how I know it's good."

"Oh, I see." He laughed.

Later, he interviewed Shelia Peacock and her co-creator, Joan Cross, and they put out the fire I'd lit. "We carefully test-cooked all the recipes," they assured the listeners.

Too soon, Mr. Cluff said, "Dark and early"—and I knew he was signing off. I waited until the path was clear, gathered all the courage I possessed, and walked up to Rick Cluff. "I'm a big fan."

"Well, thank you." He had a genuine warmth that put me at ease. "Would you like a photo?"

"You'd..."

"Of course," he said and made room for me at the CBC radio table.

My husband captured the moment...

'Notice my stylish haircut—not. I'd just donated my hair to cancer survivors'

On my way back to my husband, a woman stopped me. "I'm so pleased to meet you," she told me. "I wasn't planning on attending this book launch, but after hearing you on the radio, I knew I had to meet you."

Later, when my husband and I were alone, I told him about the woman and asked, "What do you think she meant? Why do you think she had to meet me?"

"I have no idea," he told me but grinned like he knew why.

Writing that short story didn't attract a publisher to my writing, but attending Flavours of Vancouver's book launch was an exciting step in my author journey.

photo by ldyck

Next post:  Sunday, June 17th
Iceland Independence Day
at approximately 5 PM PST

Knowing my Icelandic roots, a friend lent me her copy of Halldor Laxness' Independent People. And to celebrate Iceland Independence Day (June 17th), I will publish my book review.

"my dog, Abby"  ldyck

Sharing my author journey

Short Story: CBC radio and me (1 of 2) by Leanne Dyck

This short story was written about an event that happened in 2005.

A radio with silver knobs and in a brown vinyl case sat on a shelf beside a potted plant in my parents' kitchen. It was permanently tuned to CBC radio. As a result, my parents raised a CBC radio devotee. And so it's not surprising that I heard the call. Something like...

"my radio" ldyck

"BC is a multiethnic province. Nowhere is this more evident than in Vancouver. In celebration, we, your broadcasting network, are writing a cookbook—Flavours of Vancouver. Please send us your family recipes along with a brief anecdote."

But, as I've never felt at home in front of a stove, it was surprising that I heeded the call.

What can I say? I was called to represent Icelandic-Canadians. If only to honour my mom. My round-faced, fair-haired mother had been a talented cook, a skilled baker.

A tin box held index card recipes. I'd inherited the collection from Mom. And I knew among the cards I'd find Vinaterta—a seven-layer prune cake. My husband entered mid-search.

He used the same tone you'd use with a serial killer who was searching for a knife. "What are you doing?"

I told him about CBC's plan to write a cookbook—Flavours of Vancouver—and my plan to send them a recipe and a story.

And he said, "The title is Flavours of Vancouver, and we live on Mayne Island. See the problem?"

I thought about it for a few minutes. "They'll notice my return address. I'll let them decide. And besides, they want me to write a story. A publisher will read my writing. It could be my big break." I clicked my pen and wrote...

When I was growing up, Christmas was a joyous time of family gatherings, traditions, good cheer, and food. Delicious smells poured forth from Mom's kitchen. This was her opportunity to showcase mouthwatering talent. Two desserts were at the centre of these festivities: English pudding to celebrate my dad's heritage and my mom's recipe for Icelandic vinaterta. Not surprisingly, Mom had been given the roots of her recipe from her mother, Grandma Olafson. Grandma's recipe loudly proclaimed its Icelandic heritage with its strong ethnic taste. Mom slightly toned down the recipe to make it more palatable for her husband. I, too, far preferred Mom's recipe. Years passed, and I fell in love. Christmas was the test for my Mennonite boyfriend. How would he react to my large extended family? To Vinaterta? To my delight, he seemed at home in the company of my family. Next, he was served a piece of Vinaterta. The first bite was foreign to him. He turned the tastes around in his mouth. Would he finish his piece?

"It's okay if you don't finish it. It's a unique taste," my mom offered.

"Oh no, I like it." He finished it. "May I have another piece, please?"

We were married several months later. Vinaterta was our wedding cake.

I put my story in an envelope along with a copy of Mom's recipe and affixed a stamp.

photo by bdyck

Part two of CBC radio and me

"Abby the beachcomber" ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

Writing advice to my younger self by Leanne Dyck

Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons in 1992

The Artist's Way:  A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron is a twelve-week program that will inspire and inform your creative journey. It inspired me to write...

Dear younger Leanne,

You know those stories that you’re working on. Well, you might think that you can just throw them out—unfinished. You may think that because they belong to you, you can do whatever you want with them. Well, you’re wrong. You can’t. You can’t because they belong to me—older Leanne—not you. So, instead of tossing them away, you better file them away for safekeeping. You better or else…

Oh, yeah, and another thing, you might think that by writing all those stories you’re just having fun. WRONG! You’re doing important work. However, you’re only doing half the job. You also need to get someone who can spell and knows grammar to edit them. Ask Mom; she’ll help you. Then you need to send them to literary journals or short story contests. 

Oh, yeah, and don’t just do it once and think you’re done. 

Don’t just say, “Oh, well, I submitted it. I didn’t win. I don’t have to do that again.” 

Don’t think, I tried, failed, and now I’m done. The only way you failed is by being done. 

Simply by continuing to submit your stories, you’re proving that you are a winner.

If you don’t continue working until the job is done, well then you’ll leave all that work for me. And trust me, I won’t be pleased.

Oh, yeah, and the most important thing, you may not think you’re smart, but I do. I know how talented you are. And you’re doing a grave disservice by not sharing your talent. So do it. Do it now!

Love,

Leanne

If you've enjoyed reading The Artist's Way, you may also like...

Big Magic:  Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert is a book of essays in celebration of the creative life. 

Published by Riverhead Books:  

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC in 2015

Note to Self:  A Seven-Step Path to Gratitude and Growth by Laurie Buchanan is a personal exploration to guide you in developing a healthier you. 

Published by She Writes Press:

a division of SparkPoint Studio, LLC in 2016

Next post:  Book review:  Are You Seeing Me? by Darren Groth
Published on Sunday, June 25 at approximately 5 PM PT.
If you enjoyed reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon, you enjoy Are You Seeing Me?

How to get an unsolicited manuscript read

 Some authors are fortunate to have the assistance of a literary agent. But I'd wager that the majority of us don't. So we are left to navigate the publishing industry labyrinth by ourselves.

rock art by my husband, photo by me

Since I started keeping careful records, in 2014, I've sent 400 submissions to publishing houses. Over the years, I learned some valuable lessons. One of the most important was how to properly address a cover letter. 

Dear Sir or Madam
or 
To Whom It May Concern

This is the equivalent of standing on the street corner, waving your arms in the air and shouting, "Hey, you!"

Someone may hear you. But the chance that she will be the right person are slim.

Dear Publisher
or
Dear Editor

Visit the publishing house website and carefully study the submission guidelines. (Some submission guidelines give you all the information you require. Others don't.)

Small publishing houses may tell you to send your submission to the publisher. All publishing houses have at least one editor. So there is a chance that your submission will get to a publisher or an editor. But there's no guarantee that it will get to the right publisher or editor. Moreover, addressing your submission in this manner shows that you didn't do your homework and that you may not even know who the right publisher or editor is.

How do you find the name of the right publisher or editor?

Roll up your sleeves and click those computer keys. You want to find not only the contact's job title but also her name. 

'If [the publishing house] has multiple editors, approach an assitant editor, associate editor, or senior editor (Generally avoid managing editors, who oversee the daily operations but often don't read unsolicited manuscripts)' -How to stay out of the slush pile

Other reference sources...

-books in your genre -- read the acknowledgment section. Sometimes authors will thank their editors. 

-join genre associations or genre specific writing groups -- members may be able to supply you with the name and job title

Dear Kathlene Witherspoon, Assistant Editor

"Bim" photo by ldyck

Next Post:  March 19 at approximately 5 PM PT 

Book review:  Note to Self by Laurie Buchanan (self-help) 

Book comparisons: why make them? by Leanne Dyck

photo by LDyck

Why prepare a list (one to three) of published books that are similar to your manuscript? Why do a book comp?

-it's an abbreviated way to present your book to an editor or an agent.

-it shows editors or agents that you have your finger on the pulse of the genre you're writing -- that you're current, that you know what's hot, that you've done your homework.

-it shows that there is a potential readership for your manuscript

-it helps the publisher see where your book might fit in their catalogue

-it helps the editor or agent pitch your manuscript

-it helps you locate the right publisher -- they published that book they may be interested in publishing yours.

-finding and reading that other book might inspire you to rewrite your manuscript or may inspire you to write another manuscript

-it verifies that your manuscript is fresh and original

-it keeps you motivated. You get to see, feel, smell a book that is similar to what yours might look like.

Where do you find these potential comps?

-your bookshelves

-your local library

-your favourite bookstore

-publishers' catalogs

-Quill and Quire magazine

-Publishers Weekly

-Amazon

-Other reviewers who read your genre

Heather Ann Burnell (Submissions 101 - Finding Comparable Books) writes:  Use 'titles that are recent [within 10 years] and are in the same category or genre, have the same target audience, and are not so obscure that that the person reading your query has never heard of it' or so popular that you're seen as arrogant or lazy.

Guest Post: Submitting Manuscripts by Jami Macarty

Jami Macarty's workshop Get It Out:  A Writer's Guide to the Submissions of Literary Works for Publication was information-rich and generated more questions for me. So I asked Jami to answer them on this blog and she kindly accepted my invitation. 

How many submissions should you send to a publisher per month?

Jami Macarty: Every writer has her own rhythms, preferences, timing, and goals; because of that, there’s no one submission prescription or quota. What I suggest is that a writer figure out if her goal is to publish her work or not. If it is, then I encourage her to take seriously and commit herself to this aspect of her writing life. That’s step one. The second is to set up a submission schedule that suits her writing rhythms, preferences, timing, and goals. The writer might ask herself: what’s realistic and doable? For some writers, what’s realistic may be to submit once per month; for others, it may be one submission per week. The pace and mode of submissions should flow from, rather than dictate, the work. This approach encourages reflexive engagement and a deepening relationship with writing practices, processes, products, and priorities. Love alliteration!

The rule of thumb is that you should send submissions to more than one publisher. Yet some publishers request that you tell them if you are sending simultaneous submissions. Do you think those publishers view simultaneous submissions in a negative light?

Jami Macarty: First, let me speak to the notion that there’s a “rule of thumb” to simultaneously submit your work. The fact is, some publishers accept simultaneous submissions and some do not. It is the responsibility of the writer to understand the difference and to follow the guidelines of each publisher to the letter. Publishers work hard to bring our art to eyes and ears. They deserve respect for simple requests. If a publisher requests that a writer say whether or not the submission is simultaneously submitted, then give that information to the publisher. The fact that publishers make the space for simultaneous submissions is an indication that they are on the side of the writer. Let writers also be on the side of publishers by providing the information requested. Publishers are likely making this request with intentions to bring more and better work to their readers, not to dampen submissions. If they love a short story or poem and have the knowledge that it’s simultaneously submitted, they’re likely to act more quickly to secure the writing. They may also be collecting information about the practices of writers who submit to them in order to access the importance of simultaneous submissions to the submission process. It may be useful to acknowledge that in many fields simultaneous submissions are strictly forbidden.

If a book is out of print should I still mention it in my publishing history? What if it is my only traditionally published book?

Jami Macarty: Yes to both questions. A publication is a publication—and most are hard won over a protracted period of time. Who’s to say when or if something previously published is no longer valid?

A magazine I was published in is no longer circulating should I still mention it in my publishing history?

Jami Macarty: That depends. If you have other magazines/journals to mention, I’d forgo mentioning one that’s no longer circulating. If the magazine/journal is well-known or recently defunct, my inclination is to include it. To me, it’s all about presenting and re-presenting who you are as a writer, artist, professional, etc. Why exclude any tools for doing so?

Should I include credit for nonfiction in my fiction submission?

Jami Macarty: Yes, absolutely. The idea here is for a writer to support herself as a writer and an artist. To think holistically, to be inclusive of herself, and to share the whole of herself and her artistic accomplishments with a would-be publisher. Let a writer’s biography include all that she writes—whether fiction, nonfiction, poetry, reviews, a blog, etc., as well as other artistic pursuits, e.g. photography, illustration, painting, musical and expressive arts endeavors, etc. All human gems have numerous facets and we cannot know which will sparkle at a given moment.

Thank you for visiting, Jami. Your answers added clarity to my submission plans. I wish you continued success.

Photo by Vincent Wong

Jami Macarty teaches contemporary poetry and creative writing at Simon Fraser University, serves as a Poetry Ambassador for Vancouver's Poet Laureate, edits the online poetry journal The Maynard, and writes Peerings & Hearings--Occasional Musings on Arts in the City of Glass, a blog series for Drunken Boat. Her poems appear, or will, in 2016 issues of Blood Orange Review, The Fiddlehead, Grain, Minola Review, Prism international, Rabbit Catastrophe Review, and Vallum. Also, this good Year of the Monkey, she's been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, won the Real Good Poem Prize, and Landscape of The Wait, her poetry chapbook, has been published with Finishing Line Press.

Sending manuscripts to publishers--Jami Macarty's workshop notes by Leanne Dyck

'Sure ways to avoid the slush pile' 

After reading that description of Jami Macarty's workshop--Get It Out:  A Writer's Guide to the Submissions of Literary Works for Publication--I knew I had to attend.

But really what could I learn? After all, I've been sending submissions to publishers on a steady basis since 2014 (a total of 242 to date). If anything this workshop would serve as a review of what I already knew.

But I'm so glad I did walk through that door. I gathered some very helpful information.

For example...

Before the workshop, if I had a question, after reading the submission guidelines, I'd keep them to myself. I mean I didn't want to bother the editor. She's too busy.

After the workshop, I realize it's far less of a bother to the editor if I ask the question and send the correct information.

Before this workshop, if I found a mistake in the submission I simply re-sent that page.

After the workshop, I know I have to send a letter of withdrawal and then send my revised submission.

Before this workshop, I downplayed my publishing history. Self-publishing? E-books? That's nothing, right?

After the workshop, I have newfound pride in my writing.

Jami Macarty's workshop was interactive, information-rich, empowering, and inspiring.

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Next post:  Sunday, October 9th (published around 5 pm PST) 
On October 10th this blog turns six. Thank you so much for helping me care for my baby. 
To celebrate, I've written an article titled What Did I Learn This Year? 
Like what?
Well, like the importance of LinkedIn (how it can help build your career).

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Picture books in Canada

'Pemmican Publications is a book publisher with a mandate to promote Metis authors, illustrators and stories. It is a not-for-profit company that operates as an arm's-length affiliate of the Manitoba Metis Federation. Pemmican publishes on average five to six new titles per year, with titles ranging from cultural studies and autobiographies to illustrated titles for children.' -from Pemmican's website

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Sharing my Author Journey...

Writers write. But what else do writers do?

No MFA? Submit to these literary magazines by Leanne Dyck

In her article -- What Your Writer's Resume Says About Your Chances for Recognition -- Sharon Bially outlines steps authors can take to keep their manuscripts out of the shredder and increase the likelihood that your potential publisher will read it. Among these steps, Ms. Bially recommends submitting short stories to literary journals. 

To this recommendation, Paula Cappa wrote:  'My question is how does a serious writer break into literary magazines without writing or academic credentials already established? Would you be able to give us a few names of lit magazines that you know to be open to new writers who don't have MFAs or a list of previously published short stories?'

Canadian literary magazines that are open to new writers who don't have MFAs or a list of previously published short stories...

The Fiddlehead

From their website:  'Work is read on an on going basis, the acceptance is rate is around 1-2%'
Welcomes international submitters.


The Malahat Review 

From their website: 'It publishers poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction by new and established writers mostly from Canada as well as reviews of Canadian books, and the best writing from abroad.'

Room

From their website: '[P]ublishes orriginal work by women.'

Prism International 

Welcomes international submitters.

The New Quarterly

From their website: 'Please be advised that we only publish writing by Canadian citizens (whether living at home or abroad) and landed immigrants.'


Grain

From their website: '[I]internationally acclaimed literary journal that publishes engaging, surprising, eclectic, and challenging writing and art by Canadian and international writers and artists.'

Prairie Fire

Welcomes international submitters.

Capilano Review

Welcomes international submitters.

This list was last updated on February 15, 2025.

All of these journals pay contributors. In 2014, I submitted a manuscript to each of these journals -- at least one, some more than one. I haven't been published, yet -- but I've come close.
Submitting to literary magazines is like dating: you should have fun, be polite, and get to know each other. Not all of them will be a good fit, but you'll meet some nice people.

Sharing my author journey...

Geist Magazine's writers' workshop notes by Leanne Dyck

This adventure began when I received an email from Geist Magazine...

Last Saturday I attended two workshops—back to back—in Vancouver. Yes, this little island gal went to the big city. Culture shock, anyone?

Vancouver is a pretty city. Being of size, it could be encased in concrete. It could be but it isn’t. City planners have made room for green spaces—trees, flowers, grass. My eyes danced merrily through the autumn colours. Add to this the backdrop of majestic mountains and picturesque ocean views. Now you know why I call Vancouver pretty.

Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre was the venue. Thankfully my volunteer driver was not only equipped to manoeuvre through the traffic but also could easily navigated through the city. We found it.

My next challenge was finding room 400. Room 400 must be on the fourth floor, I reasoned. So I took the escalator upstairs. I looked around and couldn’t see any room numbers, at all--none. The first workshop starts at 9 am. It’s 9:10 now. I need to find help and fast. I looked down at the first floor and spotted the Information booth. I’d walked right past it.

Escalators aren’t my thing. I have a reoccurring nightmare of stepping on and plummeting to my death. Admittedly it’s an illogical fear. But aren’t most fears? Time was ticking away and I had no choose, so I stepped on. Once again fate spared me.

Like a chicken with her head cut off, I flew to the booth. “I’m so late. Please you have to help me locate my room.”

The young man in uniform spoke slowly and calmly. “I’m happy to help you. What room are you looking for?”

“400. I’m here for the writers’ workshop.” Please…please…please…please…we…have…to…hurry…I’m…so…l

“Well, you’re not late. In fact, you’re the first one here.”

Why has it been cancelled? That’s just my luck I came all this way and…

“The workshop starts at 10 am. But I’ll show you to your room.”

True to his word, he took me all the way there.

Flash forward in time to the workshop…

Getting It Into Print 

 Billeh Nickerson

This workshop was information-rich. Here’s what I gathered…

Why submit to literary journals?

To fulfill a Canada Council grant requirement.

(Your stories must be published in four literary journals.)

(Or you must have written a book that was later released by a professional publishing house.)

Gets your name in front of editors/publishers

Why not to submit?

It’s not a good source of income.

Long response time—due to the number of hands your story must be passed to.

Advice

-Writers write so write—and then submit.

-Do your homework. Know what type of stories the literary journal is seeking. Know the name of the editor you’re submitting to.

-Don’t send simultaneous submissions to literary journals. Editors are pressed for time. They may plan an entire issue around your story. So when you phone them and say, “Ooops, someone else printed that story.” They won’t be pleased. What you could do instead is offer them the story exclusively for a short period (four months).

-Use the stamp of the country you’re sending to…

(USA stamp to USA) (Canadian stamp to Canada)

-Hire an artist accountant to do your taxes

-Practice writing your bio (around 3 sentences)

-If you write to the literary journal’s theme you will probably have more success at becoming published.

Things to mention in your cover letter

-Where you live (i.e. what province)

-Every literary journal in which your stories have been published

-If you’ve received a personal note from them (the literary journal you’re submitting to) regarding an earlier submission, mention it

The Art of the Sentence 

 Stephen Osborne

Occasionally you’ll encounter a writers’ workshop that rocks you to your very core. The Art of the Sentence did this for me. I heard Mr. Osborne’s warning.

I heard him say, “Get out of your own way. Write simply. Write a 5 Ws sentence.”

I heard him but I wanted to wow all. So I didn’t listen.

A 5 Ws has the following elements: who did what, when, where and why

Now that I have a refreshed mind and a peaceful atmosphere, I offer…

The movie star swooned on her bed after the leading man kissed her.

Who:  the movie star

What:  swooned

When:  after

Where:  on her bed

Why:  the leading man kissed her

Sometimes it’s more important to listen than it is to wow. Lesson learned—I hope.


Oh, yes and among the eager attendees where the newly published...