Get the scoop on self-publishing at OPL

The Ottawa Public Library and Capital Crime Writers are joining forces to bring in industry experts to help you publish your work,  boost sales, use social media effectively, and choose an editor.

When and where

When: Saturday, October 24, 2015, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Ottawa Public Library, Main Auditorium, 120 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, ON
Sponsors: Capital Crime Writers and the Ottawa Public Library

Speakers and schedule

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Self-Publishing via Kobo Writing Life

Mark Leslie Lefebvre
Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Have you heard all the hype about self-publishing? Interested in checking it out but not sure where to start or whether it’ll be worth it? In a two hour session, Kobo’s Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations, Mark Leslie Lefebvre will describe the current state of the publishing industry, including the many different options available for authors. In the first hour, he’ll summarize various traditional publishing options and describe what types of author projects might be best geared towards indie publishing.

In the second hour, Mark will offer advanced tips and advice for authors who are already self-publishing and are looking to increase their sales across multiple sales channels. He’ll also provide specific strategies that will help authors maximize their global sales via Kobo.

About Mark
Mark Leslie Lefebvre oversees Kobo Writing Life in his role as Kobo’s Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations. He draws upon three decades worth of bookselling and personal writing experience in this insightful, informative and entertaining presentation. Mark also is published in non-fiction and horror fiction under the name Mark Leslie.

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Doing Social Media the Right Way

Linda Poitevin
Linda Poitevin

It’s pretty much a given that authors need to be on social media these days, but if you’re subjecting your followers to a constant barrage of “buy my book,” you may be doing your marketing efforts more harm than good. Join local author and social media enthusiast Linda Poitevin for a look at how to maximize your online presence the right way – and pick up some new social media marketing tips along the way.

About Linda
Linda Poitevin is a writer possessed of both a light side and a dark one. On the dark side, she’s the author of the Grigori Legacy, an urban fantasy series featuring a hard-as-nails cop caught up in the war between Heaven and Hell. In her lighter moments, she writes the sweet and funny Ever After contemporary romance series.

2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Editing for Self-Published Authors

As an author who has self-published multiple books, Linda Poitevin knows firsthand how expensive self-publishing can be—and how tempting it can be to skip certain steps in taking your book to market. She also knows all the reasons why a professional edit should never be one of those skipped steps. Drawing on experience and observation, Linda will share with you why the all-important edit is so important, and offer suggestions on where to look for an editor that will fit with your needs and your budget.

Stacey D. Atkinson
Stacey D. Atkinson

Do you need an editor for your self-published book? In this panel session local editor Stacey D. Atkinson will discuss the four types of editing, costs, time frames, and resources available to you. She’ll also describe the role of the editor versus the role of the author/publisher. Learn about the editorial process followed by a question and answer period.

About Stacey
Stacey D. Atkinson is a freelance editor and award-winning author. She began Mirror Image Publishing in 2012 with a goal to offer writing, editing, and publishing services to authors, bloggers, and the business community. Previously, Stacey spent over a decade working for the federal government in the areas of sustainable development and arts funding. Stacey is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association and a board member of Editors Canada.

Cozy up to murder with Crime and Cupcakes

Capital crime-writing mavens, Vicky Delany, Mary Jane & Victoria Maffini, and Linda Wiken join forces to launch their books under their respective noms-de-plume. Nothing pairs better with fictional murder than light refreshments, wine, cupcakes and some lively discussions.

Join the authors on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Library and Archives Canada (2nd floor) at 395 Wellington St, Ottawa.

Delany as Eva Gates
Delany as Eva Gates

Delany, writing as Eva Gates, takes readers back to the Outer Banks with her second book in her Lighthouse Library trilogy. In Booked for Trouble, protagonist-librarian Lucy catalogs the clues in a bid to find the killer of her socialite mother’s archrival before her materfamilias is thrown behind bars. This is Delany’s third release this fall in different crime trilogies. There are plenty of reading options from this Capital Crime Writer just in time for winter hibernation.

Mary Jane and Victoria Maffini as Victoria Abbott
Mary Jane and Victoria Maffini 

Mary Jane and Victoria Maffini are the mother-daughter writing duo behind the Victoria Abbott novels. Marsh Madness is their fourth installment in the Book Collector Mystery Series. Lured to a country club and spa by the possible acquisition of  first edition Ngaio Marsh books, Jordan, Vera and Uncle Kev find that they are not only victims of a scam, they are scapegoats for murder. Next up in the series will be The Hammett Hex.

Wiken as Erika Chase
Wiken as Erika Chase

Wiken, writing as Erika Chase is launching Book 5 in the Ashton Corners Book Club Mysteries. In Law and Author, retired police chief and member of the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society, Bob Miller sees his 21-year-old (and heretofore unknown) granddaughter enter his life followed shortly thereafter by the murder of a stranger. Miller and the amateur sleuths in the book club work quickly to solve the murder before other deaths are written into the plot.

 

Meeting: Author of Inspector Ramirez series kicks off CCW season

Ottawa author Peggy Blair
Ottawa author Peggy Blair

Peggy Blair, author of the Inspector Ramirez series, kicks off the 2015/16 season of the Capital Crime Writers on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2015.

The worlds of Havana and a northern First Nation reserve converge in Peggy’s third book in the series, Hungry Ghosts. Inspector Ramirez and First Nations Detective Charlie Pike join forces to stop an international serial killer.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Honeywell Room (second floor) at Ottawa City Hall at 110 Laurier Avenue West.

The dues for 2015-2016 are $40.00.  Elizabeth (our Treasurer) will be accepting cash or cheques at the meeting and will issue receipts.

Whellams latest thriller takes retired British sleuth to the desert

Whellams_book_verdictOttawa author and CCW member David Whellams has released the third volume in his Peter Cammon series.

The Verdict on Each Man Dead takes retired Chief Inspector Peter Cammon to the Utah desert in search of a terrorist and murderer. Along the way he must strike alliances with local police, corrupt officials, Mexican drug lords and even the Unabomber himself in order to stop a psychopath intent on reviving his terrorist ways.

The book is now available in all formats.

Join Whellams at his official book launch on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Whispers Pub (249 Richmond Rd.).

2015 CCW SHORT STORY CONTEST WINNERS

Congratulations to this year’s short story contest winners!

FIRST PRIZE:  “Revenge By Any Other Name…” by Jennifer Jorgensen
SECOND PRIZE: “The Caretaker” by Wynn Quon
THIRD PRIZE: “Snow Day” by Gladys Galay
HONOURABLE MENTION: “Urban Renewal” by Ken Nyhuus
HONOURABLE MENTION: “The Unsolvable Case of Somebody’s Finger” by Tavis Maplesden

2015-2016 CCW Executive

Our new executive takes office as of July 1, 2015.

PRESIDENT: Katherine Hobbs
VICE PRESIDENT: Darlene Cole
PAST PRESIDENT: Michael Murphy
PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Michael Murphy (assisted by Joe Italiano & Glenda Stewart
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Patti Murphy (assisted by Jeff Ross)
SECRETARY/MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR/TREASURER: Elizabeth Hosang

The contacts page will be updated within the next few days, to reflect these changes.

Debra Komar presentation, June 24

871-9_KOMAR_OTTAWA_EVITEDEBRA KOMAR AT OTTAWA PUBLIC LIBRARY:
Debra Komar will launch her new book MURDER AT FORT STIKINE: SOLVING A CENTURIES-OLD CRIME IN THE HUDSON’S BAY COMPANY on June 24, 2015, at 7 pm.  It takes place at the Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe St, in the auditorium.

Debra Komar has worked as a forensic anthropologist in the US, UK, and Canada for over twenty years.  She has investigated human-rights violations resulting in violent deaths for the United Nations and Physicians for Human Rights, testified as an expert witness in The Hague, and acaross North America, and authored the authoritative FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY: CONTEMPORARY THEORY AND PRACTICE for Oxford University Press.

She is also the author of THE LYNCHING OF PETER WHEELER and THE BALLAD OF JACOB PECK

“Solitude Creek” with Jeffrey Deaver

Tuesday, May 19, 7:00 PM, Christchurch Cathedral, 414 Sparks St, Ottawa: Jeffery Deaver presents “Solitude Creek”

Jeffery Deaver, “the master of manipulation” (Associated Press) and “the most creative, skilled and intriguing thriller writer in the world.” (Daily Telegraph, UK) makes his Ottawa Festival debut with Solitude Creek, the new, long-awaited, Kathryn Dance thriller.

http://www.writersfestival.org/events/spring-2015/solitude-creek-with-jeffrey-deaver