The story begins:

The term freelance was first used by Sir Walter Scott to describe a medieval mercenary warrior, (a “free-lance”) in his novel Ivanhoe. The freelance would fight for whoever needed him. Science journalist, biographer, critic, singer, actor, and Aurora-award winning author of science fiction and fantasy Edward Willett is a freelance if ever there was one.

Oct. 20 the Regina-based writer paid Nipawin a visit, speaking to Ms. Grandfield’s seventh grade class at Central Park library’s Alex Wright conference room. Willett talked about writing, art, and creativity, burst into song on one occasion, and described how his own childhood motivated him to become a writer.

Read the whole thing!

Whyte proved to be a natural raconteur and therefore easy to interview. I had a chance before hand to go over my line of questioning, and he said we probably wouldn’t get to half of the questions I’d outlined. Sure enough, the available 35 minutes or so swooshed by, he read for a few minutes (a scene from the upcoming third and final book in his Knights Templar trilogy), and that was that.

Afterward I heard from several people in the audience that they’d enjoyed my interviewing as well as Jack’s very entertaining replies, so it was a success all around. The theatre wasn’t full, but there was a good-sized crowd and I think they went away happy.

Jack’s memoir, 40 Years in Canada, proved to be a Godsend; several of the questions I asked were based on what I had read in that book just that morning, after buying it at the Festival on Friday.

Afterward I made sure to get my copies of Jack’s books signed, and then he bought a copy of Marseguro from me, so win-win all the way around.

I wish I could provide more details about the interview itself, but of course I was in no position to take notes, and for some reason the Festival does not record its sessions. So I guess you had to

be there. Or read his memoir, which will certainly give you the tenor of what he had to say.

Last night we took it easy at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa (that’s the view of it from our room at right), where the Festival put me up. While my wife and daughter enjoyed the hot mineral water, I took the opportunity to bang out another 1,200 words or so of Magebane, which I finally feel is back on track.

Then this morning I had my second reading, this time alongside mystery writer Gail Bowen (that’s the third photo). I read a different bit of Terra Insegura, and it seemed to go well.

And that was that. There was a wind-up luncheon, but although I had a pass to it, my wife and daughter needed tickets which weren’t to be had, so instead of going to the lunch, we poked around the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery, took a walk through the park, visited the playground, then finally went for lunch at a downtown coffeehouse, bought some ice cream, and headed for home.

In a way I wasn’t very plugged into the Festival of Words, being focused mainly on my own presentations and not attending any others. Another time, maybe I’ll take in more. But I had a great time, and really enjoyed interviewing Jack Whyte in particular. The Festival of Words is truly a fabulous Saskatchewan event, and if you have any interest in writing or writers, it’s well worth a visit.

As is Moose Jaw itself, of course. That’s a bit of lovely Crescent Park to finish off with.

I actually began my time in Moose Jaw eating at one of my favorite places, the Hopkins Dining Parlor, located in a heritage home–that’s it in the first photo–where I was a bit startled to be recognized by another diner as a science columnist and asked a question about the space shuttle (which I couldn’t answer with authority, alas, so I may have lost some credibility there!).

Then I went to a coffee shop and worked on Blue Fire for a while before making my way to the library for my joint reading/presentation with children’s author Linda Bailey (in the second photo). She gave a presentation about her books and read a few snippets, and then I mostly talked about my favorite subject–me!–and read a very little bit of Terra Insegura.

The room was packed, with the audience consisting almost entirely of women, mostly middle-aged or older (third photo), with just a couple of gentlemen tucked in around the edges. Still, it was an appreciative audience–after all, they paid to be there!–and it’s always nice to have a full room instead of just three or four people in attendance.

After that I went down to the room where books were on sale and signed a couple of copies of Marseguro and Terra Insegura for some readers, then went off to write on Magebane for a while before going to the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre for the Saskatchewan Writers Guild reception. I saw lots of people I knew there, and got a chance to meet Jack Whyte ahead of today’s interview I’ll be conducting on-stage at the Mae Wilson Theatre. I was also amused to discover a photo of myself circa 1987–scraggly mustache, thick glasses, big wavy hair–among the endless loop of photos from the Guild archives on display on a big-screen TV.

Back today for the Jack Whyte interview: I discovered his memoir, Forty Years in Canada, in the book room yesterday, bought it, and have skimmed through it this morning in preparation. I’m glad I found it, since it has a lot of biographical information I was unaware of and should make it easier to ask interesting questions.

Tomorrow I have a morning reading with Gail Bowen to wrap up my Festival of Words duties. Stay tuned for a final report!

Don’t go looking for me on the schedule just yet, though; the only schedule posted is from last year’s festival. Presumably there’ll be one for this year soon.

I’m thrilled to be a part of this great writers’ event at last. Hope to see you there!

The first signing will be at the Regina Chapters on Saturday, May 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. The following Saturday, May 30, I’ll be at Book & Brier Patch from 2 to 4 p.m.; this is the official book launch, and if there are enough people I’ll do a reading there as well. Plus there’ll be refreshments!

Then, on June 3 at 7 p.m., I’ll be up in Saskatoon for a reading and signing at McNally Robinson Bookstore.

Come to one, come to all, buy books for everyone you know! You know you want to…

I attended a terrific event today at Regina’s St. Gabriel and Jack MacKenzie schools. Called World Book Day Saskatchewan, it was a celebration of Saskatchewan authors.

Besides myself, Alison Lohans, Anne Patton, Dave Glaze, Deana Driver, Glenda Goertzen, Jean Freeman, Judith Silverthorne, Linda Aksomitis, Lori Punshon, Mary Harelkin Bishop, Maureen Ulrich, Mercedes Montgomery, Myrna Guymer, Sharon Plumb Hamilton, Warren James and Wilfred Burton took part, with kudos for the organization of the event (which we hope will be only the First Annual) going primarily to Judith Silverthorne (who took the picture of me above, speaking to a group of Grade 7s and 8s first thing this morning).

We each had about 45 minutes to spend in a “breakout session” (which is what I’m doing in the photograph), just informally talking to kids and answering their questions. My group was vewy vewy quiet (perhaps they were hunting rabbits–hey, this blog used to be called Hassenpfeffer, so it would make sense), so I mostly talked, giving my usual spiel about how I became a writer and making up my own questions about how much I get paid (not enough), cover art (hit and miss–nothing I can do about it), where I get my ideas, etc.

While some of us were in the breakout rooms, others were giving 10-minute readings. I read twice to two different groups, both times from my award-winning 2002 fantasy novel Spirit Singer; there’s a great scene that’s just the right length and ends with a cliffhanger (rather literally, since the action takes place on a cliff). Hundreds of kids from several different schools attended, and since the authors ran the gamut from picture-book writers to YA writers, there was something for everyone. (And for the authors at lunch–pizza!)

We didn’t sell as many books as we would have liked, but we sold some, and there’s always next year. I enjoyed it and thought it really, for something quite complicated, went off like clockwork. And more than one youngster came forward and asked one of the writers about how to improve their writing and eventually get published. (“Don’t do it! I don’t need the competition!” is not, apparently, an acceptable answer, so I tried to do better than that.)

Oh, and I also got in one performance of “Me” from Beauty and the Beast, which I’ll sing at the drop of a hat, so all in all, a good day!

You can read the chapters and download MP3 files here, or just click the players below to listen now.

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Once I have my own copies of the book, I’ll be launching a giveaway similiar to the one I ran when Marseguro launched. So keep checking back–you’ll be able to enter a weekly draw for a free copy sometime soon!

You can read the whole thing here, but here’s how it starts:

Regina-based science fiction author Edward Willett isn’t your average writer. Actually he’s not average at all.

The literary dynamo and actor stopped by the Meadow Lake Library during the evening of November 15. He did a reading from one of his books, but also interacted with the crowd and answered questions.

Willett has been a freelance writer for several years, and has been living in Saskatchewan for nearly three decades.

He said he got into science fiction after following in his older brothers’ footsteps.

“I always liked to read, and they kind of got me into reading science fiction,” he said to the crowd of people assembled in chairs at the library.

“They say ‘write what you know,’ and I really had a keen interest, so that’s where I set my sites. I wrote my first science fiction story as a teen.”

If I’ve ever been here before it was with the late lamented Prairie Opera well over ten years ago, and frankly the drive from North Battleford looked completely unfamiliar–but spectacular: “Land of Living Skies,” our provincial motto, in full effect with a fascinating variety of clouds, patches of sun on snow-covered hills, frozen lakes reflecting the light, and the startling discovery of a lighthouse on a hill outside Cochin (the only lighthouse in Saskatchewan!).

The reading/presentation at the Meadow Lake library went well. There were at least a dozen people there, which isn’t bad (I only had one at my reading at World Fantasy, remember!), and they seemed to enjoy my talk. I basically blathered on about myself (my favorite topic) and my writing for half an hour, then read my Saskatchewan-set ghost story “The Wind,” then answered questions. An hour went by in a flash and then there were snacks and coffee. Oh, and I sold three copies of Marseguro. So all in all, a successful trip! (Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, of course.)

Tomorrow, of course, I have to make the long drive back. But it was still worth it.

P.S. Oh, all right, since you insist. Here’s the story of the lighthouse:

The famous Cochin Lighthouse with its rotating beacon light is perched atop Pirot’s Hill on the northern side of Cochin. As a major tourist attraction, visitors hike 158 steps to reach the top of the 11.5-metre structure and the observation deck. In true lighthouse fashion, its rotating beacon light is visible for miles around. Serving no seafaring purpose, the lighthouse is a fascinating landmark on the prairies providing a spectacular view of the many lakes, beaches, and resorts in the area.

Tom Archdekin, the first Mayor of Cochin, initiated construction of the lighthouse as a tourism project in 1988. On November 23, 1988, a committee was formed to plan the prairie structure. Enthusiastically supported by the Village Council, the Provincial Community Tourism Assistance Program, and the Pirot family the project received approval in March of 1989. Don Pirot, landowner, requested that the 150-foot land rise lighthouse site be named Pirot Hill. With a collective effort and in the true spirit of ‘community’, local residents erected the magnificent structure and built a walkway to the Cochin Lighthouse. It is the only lighthouse to be found in Saskatchewan.