Ok Ok…I’m being a bit facetious with the “15 Minutes of Fame” reference – I was interviewed recently by a journalist named Ben Bulmer of InfoNews (Okanagan based online news site), as he was doing some research for an article on William Bernard Lepine. As there is limited information out there on WBL, Ben borrowed elements from my story “The Mass Murderer and the Old Dutch Potato Chip Truck” and stuck in a couple of photos (youngish Georgie and his older, wiser counterpart)…so, if you haven’t heard the story before (or seen a picture of me with long flowing red hair)…have a read** or, better still, buy my book!😂
I’m going to be reading from my new book “All Roads at Any Time” this Friday May 24 from 2pm until about 3:30pm, at Shavasana Gallery & Café on Mayne Island.
I’m planning on reading one story from my book**, then taking a short break to give everyone a chance to grab a coffee or tea while I field any questions that may arise.
Following this, I’d like to read a new short story that I wrote recently called, “The Panic Attack” which will – hopefully – make it’s way into Volume 2 – the follow-up book of story stories that I am currently working on. After this we’ll stop for a little Q & A session.
As a self-published author I can also field any questions that the audience may have about the self-publishing process and what to expect after that…writing and publishing are – as I am discovering – the first 2 steps in a rather long and circuitous journey (but…it’s worth it! 😅)
**a little follow up addendum to this announcement. Both readings were recorded by Mayne Island TV, here’s the first reading:
I feel that this post must contain an apology and an explanation.
Because I don’t understand – completely – how my Posts, or changes to my website, reach those of you who subscribe to, or look at, or stumble into this site, I apologize if this information is redundant to anything you’d received in the last few months. My confusion revolves around not knowing if a change to my website menu (in this case, the creation of a dedicated “Page” for my new book which I created in November) went out as an announcement or not. As I’m fairly certain that these Posts (Journal/Blog) are sent out to all who follow this site, I thought it best to at least be thorough, cover all the bases, and send out this – possibly – new info.
Part of the problem lies in not knowing who subscribes to this site. I did an email blitz recently, announcing my new website link, but that was to friends & family whom I know. Communicating via website is a little like speaking to the void – with the exception of the occasional comment, kudo, critique that comes in.
So, without belabouring the issue, here are the salient points contained in my recent group email (and again, if you’ve already received word of this, stop now and accept my humble apology, I’m not trying to spam you😊)
“This email is primarily to announce my book to the uninformed, and to let all of you know that I have created a link on my website through which the book can now be purchased.
The Book is called “All Roads at Any Time”, and is 12 short stories/memoirs, that I have written over the last 5 or 6 years and posted on either of my two websites (this one) or http://www.shavasana.ca ) or have possibly read on my Podcast: http://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca …and now it is available in paperback format and can be purchased for $19.95 (plus mailing).
Here’s the link which describes the book, and through which you can obtain it via either of the two payment links – Square & PayPal.“
Yes…I’ve just completed this project, managing to wade through the complexities of self-publishing using Amazon KDP, and am happy to announce that my book of short stories (twelve in all), “All Roads at Any Time”…has been published in paperback form, and is now available for purchase.
What’s it about? Here’s a little descriptive from the back cover:
“This collection shares the experiences of a young long-haired wanderer dodging mass murderers, muggings, revolutions, drug overdoses and other narrow escapes in the 70’s, to the unexpected heroics of a New Wave dilettante in Ottawa, and young dad in Vancouver in the 80’s. It navigates its way through some of the unanticipated side-effects of the long journey to sobriety, and ultimately drops you off on a sweet island of bliss and healing in the current era.”
Writing, which I enjoy, was the easy part. Formatting a WordDoc and cover design were beyond my ken, and I was saved from these struggles by Deborah Strong and Teresa Gustafson of TG Design respectively – for which I am most grateful.
I haven’t yet started work on the eBook version, or the Audiobook, but if you’d like to pick up a paperback copy of “All Roads at Any Time”, there are currently 3 ways to do so. The first way, would be to go to Amazon and buy it directly, just click this link:
Or, copies will be available at Shavasana Gallery & Café https://shavasana.ca/ a little Gallery Café that I run on Mayne Island, B.C. at 457 Village Bay Road (usually open Saturday through Monday)…I was surprised and delighted to see this happen last weekend when I put out a stack of books:
Or, thirdly, you could order a copy (or copies) through me and I will get it to you either directly (if we are in close proximity), or via mail. The book is $19.95 Canadian and I imagine postage will be $4 or $5 (I haven’t calculated that yet). To reach me directly you can either send me a message through this website, or via email at: gbathgate@telus.net , or give me a call or text at: 604-418-3846.
I spend a considerable amount of time on Mayne Island where I have my Studio/Gallery. The island has a substantial indigenous deer population, and a rather large tribe of Fallow Deer which were brought here many years ago as commercial farm animals. There is some debate amongst islanders as to whether the Fallow deer escaped from their pens or were secretly released to wreak their insatiable and indiscriminate eating habits on the unsuspecting gardeners of this fair isle. Regardless…we have a surfeit of Cervidae which can leap unexpectedly from the roadsides into the path of oncoming cars, leading to unpredictable results, which range from frightening to fatal – if not for the islanders themselves then for our furry fallow friends.
Realizing the plight that we face here on our winding Bambi-infested roads, the good people at the “Ministry of All Things Perilous” got together with some lads at the “Department of Hamlets and Slippery Roads” to design the sign which you can observe in the photograph below….
“All Roads at Any Time” …As a ceramic mask maker and oft times artist who uses deer antlers and dried hooves in his work, I have developed a fondness and quirky reverence for these graceful and timid ruminants. As my interest also extends to depictions of deer, I was immediately drawn to the image of the leaping black deer. As someone who has also experienced his fair share of random, chaotic and quixotic events, I was struck by the universal message of the sign and now consider it to be a metaphor for life...All Roads at Any Time …it may be a truism, but I think it doesn’t hurt to be reminded – anything can happen (the Black Deer Event) at anyplace and anytime.
I have wanted to create some form of art in honour of this small synchronistic revelation …my first effort can be seen towards the end of this short 2 minute video
Clay & Bone 