Sunday, March 10, 2019

Authors in a Pub (short story) by Leanne Dyck

This short story was inspired by a Monty Python sketch--We were so Poor. I started writing it early--way too early--on January 28th. Days, weeks, months, I slaved away writing and re-writing. (well, for at least a day) I hope you enjoy it.


photo of the author by T Welch

Authors in a Pub



Three mid-list authors sit on the deck, in the sun, at their local pub sipping beer and talking about writing.

The first author takes a sip. "They are so naive. They think all they have to do is put their bums in their chairs at the same time each day, and the words will magically drop out of the heavens. What they fail to understand is that writing is work. I have to pace the floor day after day, toss and turn night after night to write the first chapter."

The second author takes two sips. "You get to walk? I have to sit in a comatose state—without food, without sleep. The only thing that moves is my pen over reams upon reams of paper. Most of those pages are only fit for the recycling bin. And after endless days of this, I'm lucky if I get a paragraph."

The third takes three sips. "Paradise. Par-a-dise. You get to live. I have to puncture a vein and drain my body. When I'm dead, my ghost uses my blood to write the first word of what I hope will be a story."

The first author finishes his pint and sets the mug on the table with a thud. "Try to tell them that, and they won't believe you. Whoever is spreading those lies that writing is easy and fun should be shot. It's hard."

"Damn hard," they all agree.



Next Post:  Sunday, March 10 at approximately 5 PM PST

Book ReviewWashington Black by Esi Edugyan

A captivating story written by a master storyteller about a sympathetic character on an epic adventure.

Sunday, March 3, 2019

12 Picture Book Publishers in Canada accepting manuscripts (list) by Leanne Dyck

A collection of small presses and large publishing houses--from British Columbia to Manitoba to Ontario to Atlantic Canada. 

me and a friend


Picture Book Publishers in Canada

the link will take you to the publisher's submission page 
(when available)


Greystone Books kids 
imprint of Greystone Books
British Columbia
currently not accepting submissions (March 2023)
no rhyming or anthropomorphized animals
feminist-inspired books 
Ontario 

Nimbus Publishing
publishes books about Atlantic Canada
Whitney Moran, Senior Editor
temporarily closed for submissions (March 2023)

Rocky Mountain Books
Don Gorman, Publisher
British Columbia

Red Deer Press
Peter Carver, Publisher
Ontario

Tradewind Books
Michael Katz, Publisher
British Columbia
No submissions by email

Pajama Press
is NOT currently (March 2023) accepting submissions
Ann Featherstone, Editor
Ontario 

Annick Press
Ontario

Orca Book Publishers 
British Columbia

Owlkids Books
is accepting submissions until March 17, 2023
Preschool to Kindergarten 
non-fiction
Ontario
non-rhyming picture books
distributed by Hachette Book Group 
Ontario


Tundra Books and Puffin Canada

Only accepting submissions from underrepresented communities
'If you identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a person of color, LGBTSQI2S+, having a disability, or have ever had refugee status, we want to hear from you!'

imprints of 
Penguin Random House Young Readers
Ontario

Scholastic Canada

'interested in reviewing unpublished material by writers from underrepresented communities, including indigenous writers, writers of colour, writers with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ writers and writers who identify with other marginalized groups'

Others are encouraged to seek representation from a literary agent.

Picture Book authors wishing to submit to the following publishing houses require literary agent representation.

Groundwood Books
is NOT currently (March 2023) accepting submissions
imprint of House of Anansi
Ontario