As a counter to my insight into rejection, I thought I’d present the yin to yesterday’s yang, that is, the reviews Shadow Song has received from media and readers. I’ve made my own conclusions. I leave you to form your own. Lorina Stephens has proven herself an engaging author.The (Hanover) Post The book, Shadow Song is as diverse as the woman who wrote it.Susan DoolanThe Barrie Examiner It is often the case with contemporary Canadian…
Every writer gets them, those dreaded letters, forms, slips of paper or, more currently, emails that either cryptically or in detail describe why it is their work won’t be appearing on that publisher’s list. Given the reviews and success I’m meeting as a self-published author, who grew weary with excuses and the ritual of the publishing world, I thought I’d post five of many rejections I received for my novel, Shadow Song. You may, or…
It’s been awhile since I’ve updated you on general news around here. Thought I’d take a moment this morning to do so. Recent Reading & Signing at Neustadt Public Library While it would seem I was prepared for the event Saturday, March 28 at the Neustadt Public Library, the local residents were not. Four people attended, one of whom was my dear, long-time friend, Vandy Simpson, who, with her husband, Darrell Markewitz, were coming for…
It never fails to amaze me how many Canadians make all or part of their living in the arts. We write, we paint, we sculpt, photograph and choreograph, compose and create, sing and act. We can’t seem to help ourselves. By day we may earn our bread and shelter by serving the retail sector, tallying numbers, upholding justice and caring for the infirm. We may labour in the cold on construction sites, submit ourselves to…
An old acquaintance of mine, Heather Dale, posted this insightful article on her blog recently, and I thought the parallels between indie music and publishing were quite remarkably similar. A decade ago when I started writing a series of articles called ‘IndieTips’, I called the first one “Label or Independent?” But in the 21st century, that title is no longer appropriate: every working musician these days has (or should have) a record label. The correct…