tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100593132024-03-12T17:41:50.435-07:00LIVING THE WRITER'S LIFEHow I became a writer and what adventures happened along the way.Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.comBlogger427125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-54905238609562828392019-04-29T18:17:00.001-07:002019-04-29T18:17:42.823-07:00HERE'S THE LATEST BIG NEWS!<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/UCYB91EqvH-4jY_NCk0-TA0vxqOCueKjbOvq-3rj1c4nC9uNl5qIFGAZ7vtAHIPyfR7bafW1EXgSVVEGYlcXq6FAiEHo9LU" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Add to Technorati Favorites" border="0" src="http://static.technorati.com/pix/fave/btn-fave2.png" /></a>Finally I can report that my novel SHADOW OF THE LION is up on Kindle ebook - the entire novel!<br />
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R7QD483/ref%3Dsr_1_3?keywords%3DSHADOW%2BOF%2BTHE%2BLION%26qid%3D1556576557%26s%3Ddigital-text%26sr%3D1-3%26fbclid%3DIwAR2SgerUNouvfocwyt0Hs7wWCgXjTlbpNlsWpJ_lEkbT9iHQvkXnnGmey1E&source=gmail&ust=1556673338692000&usg=AFQjCNFl2g2UfOnxI-h9K3OC0TkS6S3ViA" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R7QD483/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=SHADOW+OF+THE+LION&qid=1556576557&s=digital-text&sr=1-3&fbclid=IwAR2SgerUNouvfocwyt0Hs7wWCgXjTlbpNlsWpJ_lEkbT9iHQvkXnnGmey1E" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/<wbr></wbr>B07R7QD483/ref=sr_1_3?<wbr></wbr>keywords=SHADOW+OF+THE+LION&<wbr></wbr>qid=1556576557&s=digital-text&<wbr></wbr>sr=1-3&fbclid=<wbr></wbr>IwAR2SgerUNouvfocwyt0Hs7wWCgXj<wbr></wbr>TlbpNlsWpJ_<wbr></wbr>lEkbT9iHQvkXnnGmey1E</a><br />
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You can now take the whole book with you on Kindle.<br />
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Enjoy! <br />
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It was previously published in UK by Media Aria CDM in two hard-cover volumes:<br />
SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON (2014)<br />
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SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES (2017)<br />
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I also appeared on a panel for CARPediem (Zoomer Magazine) Joy TV, discussing staycations for senior travelers.<br />
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But the BIG thrill this month is being featured in OPAL WRITERS MAGAZINE.<br />
<img src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/55EE3kKHpLygKbXW0U_zUMO4dETZ3ricH04LtOiUotL_l5et8oWGXmaA5PnsKFBH4aI1Noa8yCu1UGLvqjrZk5brwVqJnqTGYyYTcLS35CYvvKWUJkT6D_rGNFUZhprs7FjfYm8uYw_RNd3YMPCDuRoVC4e2LiT63Dg=s0-d-e1-ft#https://gallery.mailchimp.com/3b47890cdbda9fdbea129f449/images/650a74a7-b905-4cf3-8484-9c86ba48927d.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 14px;">Available For Downloading</span></b></div>
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PDF: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://opalpublishing.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D3b47890cdbda9fdbea129f449%26id%3D17e359a4fa%26e%3Daf6eb98d68&source=gmail&ust=1541204079346000&usg=AFQjCNHRLcSgWZ7lrXuyetEP59QUd2rcrw" href="https://opalpublishing.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b47890cdbda9fdbea129f449&id=17e359a4fa&e=af6eb98d68" style="color: #202020; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="Opal Writers' Magazine November">https://www.<wbr></wbr>opalpublishing.ca/wp-content/<wbr></wbr>uploads/2018/10/OWM-NOVEMBER-<wbr></wbr>SV.pdf</a></div>
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I am grateful for this opportunity to publicize my two-volume novel SHADOW OF THE LION<br />
Its seems as if lately my stars are aligning and I am looking forward to more events in the future. Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-8209089541608445652018-09-09T19:03:00.006-07:002018-09-09T19:06:51.911-07:00A READING OF SHADOW OF THE LIONI recently did a reading for the Dominion Reading Series in Vancouver B.C.<br />
It included a time to discuss my writing process as well as a Q&A period.<br />
The evening was a big success for me with an enthusiastic audience.<br />
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Here's the link to the YouTube video of me reading.<br />
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DU0oBzQK9leE%26t%3D171s&source=gmail&ust=1536631214072000&usg=AFQjCNFUk0Pf6mviIfr26GrrKZTkf4QZSw" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0oBzQK9leE&t=171s" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr></wbr>v=U0oBzQK9leE&t=171s</a>Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-11106279978397417572018-08-22T15:33:00.002-07:002018-08-22T15:33:18.121-07:00PROMOTING MY BOOKS AND POETRY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So far this year (2018) I've been doing a lot of book promoting, readings, workshops and even some poetry readings. My two novels<b> SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON</b> and the sequel subtitled <b>THE FIELDS OF HADES</b> are both available on Amazon.com and The Book Depository. I have prepared the full manuscript to be an ebook on Kindle and that should soon be posted on Amazon.com<br />
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My travel book <b>ATHENS AND BEYOND </b>is also available on Kindle.<br />
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During the year so far, one of my poems <i>Precious Moments on the Beach</i> was published in an anthology with proceeds going to Syrian refugees. In January I also became the host of a reading series IN THEIR WORDS, held bi monthly, where readers choose a favorite author, poet or playwright, tell about how they are influenced by this peson's work, and read some of their work. It's a really fun series with lots of variety.<br />
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In February I participated in the series Tellers of Small Tales another series promoted by the Royal City Literary Arts. I also was a feature poet at the Poetic Justice series and presented my novels at Spoken Ink, Burnaby Writer's group.<br />
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In March I went on a fun weekend (comp) to the Westin Bear Mountain Resort on Vancouver Island. I invited three friends along and we had a ball! It was a good opportunity to do a travel article which I posted on my travelthroughhistory blog.<br />
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In April I was invited by Pandora's Poetry Collective to read with another poet in their Poetic Pairing Series. This was also a lot of fun. <br />
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During this time I was also instructing my writing groups at the Heritage Grill in New Westminster (Mondays) and Brock House in Vancouver (Wednesdays).<br />
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On May 12, the Vancouver Public Library held their yearly WRITE ON VANCOUVER and I had a table there where I could promote my books. This is also a fun event and you get to meet lots of other writers and speak to people who are interested in your writing. Later in the month I also did a Travel Writing Basics workshop at the Anvile Centre.<br />
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At Write On Vancouver</div>
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I decided to make a little road trip in June to visit two friends in the Interior. And while there, I decided to book some readings/workshops. I read for a writer's group in Kamloops and did a workshop on Creating Characters. this one didn't go that well when I was rudely interrupted after about 5 minutes of reading (from Shadow). The reading at the Vernon Public Library was better. I had a good reading of my novel and then I did a workshop on Travel Writing Basics (explaining how a lot of my travel stories result from research trips from my novel.) Later in the month I also did another Travel Writing Basics workshop for the BC Travel Writers Assoc. meetup group.</div>
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Another enterprise I'm involved in is the Theatre in the Raw's annual one-act play contest. I help adjudicate the plays. The Theatre in the Raw produced my play "The Street" back in 2000. So over the months I was busy reading plays. Of course, I'm also invovled weekly with my SCRIBBLERS writer's critique group. So most of my time is spent in writing or writing related events and projects.</div>
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This month, August, was no exception and I was asked to participate in the Dominion Reading Series on Aug 17 where I read and discussed my novel as well as my love of travel with a very attentive audience. I read alongside two other very talented local poets. </div>
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Reading at the Dominion Reading Series.</div>
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I haven't done much travel writing this year (waiting for two stories to be published in EuropeUpClose) but tomorrow, Aug 23, I'm going on a riverboat cruise to Pitt Lake where I understand there are some historical things to view. Looking forward to this - and a chance to be on the water out of the humidity. And Friday I meet with a friend to discuss her in-progress novel. </div>
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September things will get real busy with classes starting up, including 3 weeks at Century House. I have a reading at Renaissance Books on Sept 19 as well. </div>
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The biggest event booked so far for the Fall, is a reading at the Victoria Public Library for October 6. Preregistration is necessary because if I don't get a big enough audience they will cancel. I am also hoping to books some other readings and workshops while I'm there. I contacted several of the Victoria area writers groups but so far have had no response.</div>
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That's a pretty good start to the Fall season. Still waiting to hear from a writers group in Kitsilano, Vancouver, who asked if I could take over instructing their group. And I'm hoping to get a few more workshops lined up. </div>
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Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-32794178995571627482017-12-26T17:09:00.000-08:002017-12-26T17:12:23.345-08:00THE WRITER'S REPORT FOR 2017<a href="http://technorati.com/faves?sub=addfavbtn&add=http://travelthroughhistory.blogspot.com"><img alt="Add to Technorati Favorites" src="https://static.technorati.com/pix/fave/btn-fave2.png" /></a>
Well, 2017 is drawing to a close and it's time to recap the year with all the writing related and travel that I did. It was a busy year, partly because mid-way I had to move out of the place where I'd been for the past year which was unsuitable, unsettling and a hindrance to my creativity. Fortunately I was able to find a quiet place in Sapperton, the old part of New Westminster which is the city next to Vancouver. It is a quiet, serene place in a friendly neighborhood and finally I was able to get back to my writing.
During the summer I didn't do much book promo but I did have my book launch for <b>SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES </b>in June and later a table at Greek Days to display it.
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At the first of July I had a table at a book festival in Fort Langley, a suburban town outside of Vancouver. Since then I've done a couple of readings but now the new year approaches I'm making more effort to apply for readings and workshops.
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Meanwhile, I'm working on my other novel <b>DRAGONS IN THE SKY</b> and would like to complete it for sure this year! I have also negotiated with my publisher to try and get him to put SHADOW OF THE LION (both volumes) into soft cover but the plan he has proposed is not suitable so I am facing this big decision for the first of the year of what will happen. I am not going to rewrite it or chop it to pieces to put it into an 'Abridged' version, but I will try to get it published as an ebook.
I also still instructing a couple of writing group and I'm considering advertising for others including more travel writing workshops.
My travels were limited this year to three weeks in Greece so I haven't done much travel writing. I am sorry to say that the Greek Islands ebook I worked on for over a year came to a halt suddenly when the American publisher dropped all contact with me. I will eventually publish it myself when I get time to finish it. My other ebook ATHENS AND BEYOND is avaiable on Kindle.
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The highlights of my time in Greece were the three readings I did, one at the Canadian Institute, one for the Athens centre and I read to a grade nine class of 50 students at the Athens Community School as well as giving a writer's workshop for a smaller group of older students.
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The biggest thrill of all was my three day visit to Iraklion Crete when I finally got to meet one of my writer/mentor's in person after many years of being only in contact on-line. Dr Jack Dempsey is an authority on the Minoans and has been a great supporter during my writing and publishing of SHADOW. We spent a wonderful afternoon together talking and sharing our writing stories and adventures. I'm hoping to see him again next year as he now lives in Crete (was originally from US).
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So this about wraps up the activities and plans for the future in my writing career. And I hope to be more diligent in posting blogs in the coming year as well. Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-82283303226032367682017-11-03T16:34:00.001-07:002017-11-03T21:22:36.018-07:00ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO GREECEThree weeks was hardly long enough, but I made the best of it. I spent three days at my favorite place, the Maragas Camping on Naxos.<br />
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From there I took the sea-jet ferry to Irakleion, Crete.<br />
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<b>Venetian harbor</b></div>
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<b>The Lion Fountain</b></div>
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I visited some of the sites, including Knossos, and met my writer/mentor friend Dr. Jack Dempsey, for the first time in person. (We've been communicating for a number years on-line). We spent a wonderful few hours talking about our writing at a seafood restaurant by Iraklion's Venetian Harbor. He's an authority on the Minoans and has written two books about them: <i>Ariadne's Brother </i>and <i>People of the Sea. </i><br />
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<b>Jack and me</b></div>
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<b> KNOSSOS</b></div>
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I got around town there on the hop-on-hop-off bus which took me to several sites over two days including the Archaeological Museum and the Natural History Museum.<br />
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<b>Finds from Knossos</b></div>
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<b> Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum</b></div>
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I also visited the grave site for writer Nikos Kazantzakis up on the city wall where he was buried because the Orthodox Church wouldn't allow his burial in the cemetery.<br />
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Then I returned to Athens for two busy weeks of book readings at the Canadian Institute and the American Community School where I read to a class of 50 grade nine students and conducted a writing workshop/reading with a smaller group of older students. The following week I did another successful reading at the Athens Centre with a lecture titled 'In Alexander's Footsteps'. All three centres have invited me back next year!<br />
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<b>Reading at the Canadian Institute, Athens. </b></div>
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<b> The class of Grade 9 Students at the American Community School</b></div>
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<b>Reading at the Athens Centre</b><br />
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My time sped by there. I didn't didn't get much chance to travel around. We did see the new Niarchos Community Centre in Pireaus.<br />
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Then I went to Salamina for a few days where I explored a few new archaeological sites.<br />
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<b>The monument to the warriors of the Battle of Salamis</b></div>
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Then it was time to head home. Too fast, but a successful trip nonetheless. And for sure I'll return next year! <br />
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Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-39379198313941941892017-09-11T16:42:00.001-07:002017-09-11T16:42:48.621-07:00BACK TO GREECE AND MORE WRITING<br />
I'm heading back to Greece for three week and while I'm there I am schedule to do three readings of SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES at the American Community School, the Athens Centre and the Canadian Institute. I'll read segments from SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON as well.<br />
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KNOSSOS</div>
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This year I'm not staying for as long as usual, but I still plan some trips - a few days on Naxos and then on to Iraklion, Crete where I want to visit Knossos and spend some time visiting with a writer/mentor friend of mine, Jack Dempsey who writes about the Minoans. The rest of the time I'll be in Athens and will make some short trips to Salamina and around Athens.<br />
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Plaka Beach, NAXOS</div>
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It's been a hectic last year with problems at my old home and a move mid July. But I'm all settled again in a quiet, peaceful apartment in a lovely suburban neighbouhood. During the past year I had little incentive work on my current novel DRAGONS IN THE SKY. Instead I spend almost a year writing an ebook on the Greek Islands for a US publisher, under contract. I was almost finished it and he suddenly abandoned me. So I have shelved the project and will finish and self-publish it later.<br />
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Now that I'm resettled, I have started back on DRAGONS after a year's break from it. A tricky project trying to get back into the cadence of the prose but I am forging ahead and after my trip I will dedicate all my time to it.<br />
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Be sure and order my SHADOW OF THE LION double volume novel. A good place to get it (with no shopping costs) is the Book Depository. But if you check prices you can sometimes get deals on Amazon including second-hand copies which are in almost new condition. One that I ordered had even been previously signed by me!<br />
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Meanwhile, you can also get my travel guide ATHENS AND BEYOND on Kindle.<br />
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<br />Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-72942145267306248972017-07-02T10:46:00.001-07:002017-07-02T10:47:18.831-07:00MORE BOOK PROMO On June 20 I had a successful book launch for SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES. It was held at the Kitsilano branch Public Library. A nice group attended including the new Consul General of Greece, Mr Thanos Ioannou and his wife.<br />
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Reading from The Fields of Hades </div>
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The Greek Consul General Mr Thanou Ioannou and his wife.</div>
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I've been doing a lot of book promo this past month. On June 25 I had a table at GREEK DAYS on West Broadway in Vancouver and spent a long day ( 11 am - 9 pm) enjoying chats with passersby and a friend I'd invited to join the table with me. Lots of people stopped to ask about my books and I sold three which was great.<br />
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GREEK DAYS</div>
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On Canada Day (July 1, Canada's 150th birthday!) I had a table at the Book Fair at Ft. Langley.<br />
I shared the table with Wayne Gatley from my Scribblers group. It wasn't as busy as Greek Days but a few people stopped by to check out my book, no sales though. But it was a nice way to do promo and I enjoyed the day.<br />
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More readings coming up. On July 15 there'll be another table display at Queens Park in New Westminster and on August 5 I'm dong a workshop/reading for the Pt. Coquitlam Tri-City Wordsmiths. Hope to get a few more readings/workshops ofer the summer as well.Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-17719358452596773282017-05-16T11:11:00.002-07:002017-05-16T11:15:18.357-07:00Book Launch and Readings: Promoting SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past weekend I spent a delightful day at the Vancouver Public Library at a Writer's event. We had tables to display our books and spent most of the day chatting to passersby. I did a short reading from the Epilogue of SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON.<br />
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My books didn't arrive on time but I had brochures printed up to advertise both volumes of SHADOW and this proved practical, as people who had books for sale weren't making many sales. It was a fun day though, hanging out with other writers. And a good chance to promote my books.<br />
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I have organized my book launch for SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES. This will be held at the Kitsilano library branch in the week preceding Greek Days on West Broadway. I wasn't able to obtain the room at the Hellenic Centre even though the Greek Consul agreed to sponsor me, because they were charging a lot of money for rent. But this library setting should be great and we will have an after party down the road at the Olympia Taverna afterwards<br />
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The launch is on Tuesday, June 20, at 7 pm. It's a small room so if you want to come, be there early to get a seat. I'm looking forward to reading from THE FIELDS OF HADES and seeing everyone!<br />
And thanks to my son, Steve, for making me this nice poster!<br />
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<a href="http://technorati.com/faves?sub=addfavbtn&add=http://travelthroughhistory.blogspot.com"><img alt="Add to Technorati Favorites" src="https://static.technorati.com/pix/fave/btn-fave2.png" /></a>Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-44439588739797488232017-03-09T12:05:00.001-08:002017-03-09T12:05:00.413-08:00SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES. <a href="http://technorati.com/faves?sub=addfavbtn&add=http://travelthroughhistory.blogspot.com"><img alt="Add to Technorati Favorites" src="http://static.technorati.com/pix/fave/btn-fave2.png" /></a><br />
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It's been a while since I blogged here and a lot has happened since my trip to Greece in Sept/October 2016. The second half of SHADOW OF THE LION was published in January 2017 and is now available on Amazon.com and the Book Depository (which doesn't charge shipping!)<br />
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The second half of the novel is subtitled SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES and it is an exciting end to the tale of the fall of Alexander the Great's dynasty with the battle lines drawn not only with the Successor who vie to take over the Empire but also the women who vie to take over the throne. I'll post more details on this but for now, here's the book as it is. I love the cover and I know you'll love the content.<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">As
the after-shocks of Alexander’s death bring disorder to his Empire from Macedon
to Persia, a deadly power struggle is waged over who will dominate to rule.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Alexander’s Generals ‘The Successors’, contest
who will emerge to rule the vast expanse of Alexander’s Empire. The ‘Royal
Women’ Alexander’s mother Olympias and niece Adea-Eurydike also vie for control.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES, is Book
Two of an epic story of political intrigue and ruthless ambition, complete with
all the ingredients of a Greek tragedy. It is also a story that happens to be
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<br />Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-86330472313941495682016-07-28T21:37:00.000-07:002016-07-28T21:37:28.007-07:00THE BUSY LIFE OF A WRITER <br />
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<b>Reading at the Canadian Institute, Athens, Oct. 2015</b></div>
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It's been months since I wrote in LIVING THE WRITER'S LIFE. And yes, it's a very busy life!</div>
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First of all, no sooner had Christmas and New Years passed when I was told I'd have to move from the suite I'd occupied for 10 years. This in itself was a trauma but when I started to look for a new place it was even more nerve-wracking and depressing. There is a crucial housing and suite shortage in Vancouver and it's all due to off-shore buyers snapping up houses and paying exhorbitant prices which locals could not afford. And everyone has gotten so greedy. Imagine asking $1200 for a basement suite! So for someone living on a pension and considered 'low income' it was a very stressful time. At first I thought perhaps I should put my stuff in storage and go back to Greece but I knew I'd have to soon start edits on Volume 2 of SHADOW so the timing wasn't right. I thought I'd end up in a shelter, then a travel writer friend intervened for me and I was shown a suite near where I had been living and I got it. I moved in the beginning of April but it took a good while to get used to the new place and especially all the traffic noise. But I have adapted and feeling more 'at home' now.<br />
Finally I am able to get back to some more writing, although I have been working on the Greek Island's ebook guide and have completed the Saronic and Ionian Islands part.<br />
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<b>Visiting the Cave of Eurypides on Salamina island</b></div>
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Last week I also started the final proof edits for <b>SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES</b> and it is due to be published in October. If' you've read Volume One BLOOD ON THE MOON I know you must be anxious to get this second part of the book. And I can assure you it is one that will keep you turning the pages!<br />
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<b>The Temple of Poseidon</b></div>
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<b>I got some inspiration from Lord Byron when I was visiting Cape Sounion</b></div>
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Meanwhile, I am planning a trip to the Islands, starting with Corfu. Flying to London first, on September 4, and visiting briefly with cousins in Caerphilly, Wales, then on to Corfu and a bit of Ionian island hoping until I reach Athens. Then later I hope to visit Crete and a few other islands including my favorite island, Naxos.<br />
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<b>Temple of Apollo, Naxos.</b></div>
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<b>Naxos Sunset</b></div>
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It's nice to be back in blog writing mode and I hope you'll see more of me in the future. <br />
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<br />Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-22533670574442345312015-12-21T16:42:00.000-08:002015-12-21T16:42:48.232-08:00THREE CONTRACTS IN THREE YEARS!I'm feeling very proud of my writing accomplishments these days. I've just signed about contract which means it's the third one in three years! This is a contract for an ebook about the Greek Islands, to be published by Hunter Publishing,US. I'm really looking forward to the adventures this is going to lead me on. I've already visited 25 of the hundreds of Greek Islands, and written many stories about these visits. But there are several, namely Crete and Thassos, that I'd like to revisit and also several I'd like to visit for the first time. So it looks like my next trip to Greece will be Island Hopping. Should be great fun! Like ATHENS AND BEYOND it will not only contain tourist information but stories about the various islands that I have visited.<br />
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<b>Signing the contract for the Greek Island e-book, December 2015</b></div>
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A few months ago my second e-book was published, ATHENS AND BEYOND published on KINDLE, Amazon by Hunter Publisher. I signed the contract for that one December 2014. It is available following this link: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Athens-Beyond-W-Ruth-Kozak-ebook/dp/B017PKSQZ8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1450742135&sr=8-2&keywords=ATHENS+AND+BEYOND">http://www.amazon.com/Athens-Beyond-W-Ruth-Kozak-ebook/dp/B017PKSQZ8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1450742135&sr=8-2&keywords=ATHENS+AND+BEYOND</a></div>
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I had fun doing this book too. Of course I have lived in Athens and travel there almost every year so I already had a lot of background stories about the city and surrounding areas. The ebook contains not only tourist information but stories about various places I have visited in the city or for daytrips.</div>
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<b>Signing the contract for ATHENS AND BEYOND, December 2014</b></div>
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My first and biggest book signing agreement was in August 2013 when I signed the contract for my two-part novel SHADOW OF THE LION. Because of the novel's length the published MediaAria-CDM from Bristol England, chose to divide it into two book. So in fact, I was signing a two-book contract. </div>
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The first edition was out in July 2014 SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON and the second volume will be produced in 2016 SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES</div>
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This is a historical fiction novel based on a historical time-line that is about the fall of Alexander the Great's dynasty. I did a lot of traveling in Greece and Asia Minor while researching this book and it took a long time to write it with the help of the Greek Ministry of Culture and many academics and archaeological Institutes in Greece.</div>
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<b>Signing the contract for SHADOW OF THE LION, August 2013</b></div>
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<b>Available on Amazon or at high street book stores, Barnes & Noble, Chapters, etc. </b></div>
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So I'd say as we enter 2016 I've gathered a pretty good track record. Meantime I've got another historical novel on the go and hopefully will have it finished before long. Who knows, maybe I'll have another book contract to sign in 2016?</div>
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Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-10401377947631421152015-10-20T13:04:00.000-07:002015-10-20T13:04:13.836-07:00BACK IN ACTION!Well here I am again after several months absence! I left my home the end of August for an extended trip to Europe, starting with London which included a walking tour of the Cotswolds. Then on to Caerphilly Wales to visit cousins. From Cardiff I flew to Alicante Spain and was met by my travel writer friend Inka who hosted me at her home in Torrevieja for several days. Then I traveled by bus to Malaga where I stayed with friends from Vancouver who run an English school there. On Sept. 10 I flew to Athens, Greece where I spent the rest of my vacation which was partly fun and partly writing related work. I went to Naxos for a week of rest and meditation, staying 3 days in a bed-tent at Maragas beach and 3 days in a lovely hotel near Agia Ana. Managed to draft 5 poems and the beginnings of a new chapter for my current w.i.p. Dragons in the Sky.<br />
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There were many highlights of this wonderful trip but mainly I want to refer to those related to my writing. That is, the excellent reading I was invited to do at the Canadian Institute on Oct 7 in Athens. This was quite a thrill for me. A week earlier I'd been introduced to a group of Greek academics at the Hellenic Institute for Strategies and was treated like a visiting celeb. Many of them attended my reading of SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON at the Canadian Institute.</div>
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I have been so well received by the Greeks and by these organizations in Athens who invited me to read. The Canadian Institute has invited me to return next year when book two THE FIELDS OF HADES is published. And I also received another invitation from the Athens Centre where I read last year.</div>
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I had many adventures on this trip and most of them were related to finding new travel writing ideas. I'll be posting on my http://travelthroughhistory.blogspot.com soon but here's one of the highlights from Greece related to historical writing.</div>
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<b>A visit to the Cave of Euripides</b></div>
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The Greek poet/dramatist Euripides was born on the island of Salamina and live for a while in cave up on the mountainside. When I went to visit my friend on Salamina she told me about climbing to the cave but said it was a steep climb. This year I was determined to make an attempt to reach it. It turned out to be not as difficult as I'd anticipated as it was a switchback trail. What a thrill it was to stand outside the cave where this renown writer had penned some of his famous dramas! Apparently there were nine rooms in the cave. You aren't allowed to venture in now as it would be dangerous because of some erosion. But just to stand there and take in the magnificent view down the mountain toward the sea was an inspiring experience for me.</div>
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I'll post more writing news here soon. I'm scheduled to go on a radio program next week for World Poetry to talk about my adventures and the book. SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON has been well received and I'm anticipating the next volume to be ready by next year. Hope to start the final edits on it soon! While I Athens I also visited some bookstores to inquire about translations and gathered a bit of info for my publisher. The Greeks are very anxious to see this novel translated so I hope this eventually will be possible.</div>
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Meanwhile, the book promo goes on. This week I'll volunteer at the Surrey International Writer's Conference which will give me a chance to schmooze and make some new literary contacts.</div>
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My writing classes have resumed and soon I hope to be offering some more workshops.</div>
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Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-41317538083663682382015-07-26T13:33:00.000-07:002015-07-26T13:33:15.432-07:00LIVING THE WRITER'S LIFE: CATCHING UP!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well my goodness! It's been months since I posted here. I hadn't realized just how remiss I had been. The reason, of course, was that I have been busy with other blogs, stories and writing events. Most importantly though, I have been doing a lot of promoting for <b>SHADOW OF THE LION; BLOOD ON THE MOON </b>and this has included various readings and presentations which included writing workshops. I presented a workshop on Travel Writing Basics for the Royal City Arts Society last November and also presented a workshop on So You Want to Write a Historical for the Lit Fest in New Westminster in April 2015. More recently I conducted a travel writing workshop at my home in the Spring and this weekend did one on Travel Writing Basics for the VPL which was attended by a huge, enthusiastic group of would-be travel writers. <div>
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<b>The "Empowered Writer" award from World Poetry Assoc.</b></div>
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I have also been actively trying to catch up on my travel blogs which you can find here at </div>
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And planning my next adventure, leaving here Aug 28 for England, Wales, Spain and, of course, Greece. I had run out of travel writing material for one thing and needed some new destinations to write about. And I also love visiting my cousins in Wales, will see some friends in Spain (Torevieja and Malaga) and reunite with all my friends in my adopted city, Athens. </div>
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Meanwhile I am also working on my Celtic novel <b>DRAGONS IN THE SKY</b>, which is moving along rather slowly these days because of all the other distractions. And yesterday I did a Travel Writing Basic's workshop for the Vancouver Public Library which was hugely successful.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So...I HAVE been living the writer's life. And now I'll share a few of the adventures I've had with SHADOW. There's been many great comments about the book and some very good reviews posted on Amazon and Goodreads which I appreciate. After the book launch, I did a reading to a book club group on Vancouver Island thanks to my cousin Lynette. Then I did a reading/workshop for Grind Writers and Burnaby Writers Spoken Word. I was invited to read at the Vancouver Public Library in June for Greek Heritage Month and also at the Kitsilano Library. The day I read at the VPL (June 10) happened to be the exact date of Alexander the Great's death. Both these library readings were well attended and successful. I more recently read for Surrey Muse at the Surrey Public Library, to a small but enthusiastic audience.</div>
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<b>Showing my book off to cousins in Wales, 2014</b></div>
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<b>Showing my book off to friends in Athens, 2014</b></div>
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I've been doing a lot of book promo on-line which includes queries to as many local writer's groups (and some across the line in Washington State) in regards to reading and workshops. I have also sent out notices to as many independent book stores I can find across Canada and to Writer's festivals as well as university classical studies departments. Unfortunately I have not hear anything back as yet. I really don't know what it takes here to get yourself noticed and invited to these events. I can be rather discouraging when you get no replies at all! But I will continue to press on with this and hope that eventually a bit more notice will be taken and sales of the book will increase. (SHADOW is available on Amazon as well as by order through other bookstores such as Barnes & Nobel, Chapters/Indigo etc). </div>
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I am pleased to report that the Canadian Archaeological Society of Athens is planning a book reading for me on October 4. I'm really looking forward to this and will also be contacting other associations there for the possibility of more readings.</div>
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<b>Reading at the Kitsilano Library, June 18, 2015</b></div>
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So that's all the book news I have for now. I will begin posting bits and pieces about DRAGONS again soon. Currently, I'm trying to catch up on a few blogs and those will include blogs for the novel which can be found at http://shadowofthelion.com </div>
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<b>Reading at the Athens Centre, Sept 2014</b></div>
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<b>Reading at the Athens Community School, Oct 2014 </b></div>
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<b> Books on display, Burnaby Writers' Spoken Ink, November 2014</b></div>
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<b>Book launch, Hellenic Community Centre, Vancouver January 14, 2015</b></div>
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<b>VOLUME TWO, SHADOW OF THE LION: THE FIELDS OF HADES</b> is due to be released in 2016 by my publisher, MediaAria-CDM, Bristol England. </div>
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Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-11642082094982927692015-02-12T13:02:00.000-08:002015-02-12T13:15:56.728-08:00SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON IS LAUNCHED!<br />
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After a fifteen year journey <strong>SHADOW OF THE LION</strong> is finally launched into the world. The first volume of two, <strong>SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON</strong> was introduced at a very successful book launch sponsored by the Greek Consul at Vancouver's Hellenic Community Centre on January 14,2015. I couldn't have even dreamed of the reception I got, with a packed house, standing-room-only crowd of fans and supporters.<br />
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Mr. Ilias Kremmydas, the Greek Consul spoke highly of the book. He calls it "Greek's answer to Game of Thrones, only it's a true story!" I have to thank the Greek community, especially the Consulate, for all the support they have given me going back to 1993 when they sent me to Greece to do research.<br />
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<b>Mr. Ilias Kremmydas, Consul of Greece </b></div>
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Here is the opening speech I made, thanking them and to my friends who have supported me and participated in this wonderful event:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THANKS TO MR
KREMMYDAS</b> FOR SPONSORING THIS EVENT & THANKS <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ELENI KERASIOTIS AND THE STAFF OF THE HELLENIC COMMUNITY CENTRE</b>. A
WELCOME TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TO THE LAUNCH.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MY APPRECIATION TO
THE GREEKS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ME IN THE WRITING OF ‘SHADOW OF THE LION’.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My relationship with the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Consulate of Greece</b> began in February 1991 after a letter I had
written to the Vancouver Sun was published defending the Greek’s Macedonian
history. The consulate sent me a book about Macedonia as a way of thanks.
Following the letter, a story I wrote, “Macedonia, Greece: The Spirit of
Alexander” was published in the Vancouver Province.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This story further piqued the interest of the
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Greek Consul, Helen Sourani-Potamianos,</b>
and she invited me for coffee. During this meeting she expressed thanks that a
non-Greek person should support the Greek cause reading the Macedonian
question. She was a Greek Macedonian herself and appreciated that I would
support this through my writing. I explained that I had studied this history
since I was a teen-ager and was just beginning to research and write my novel
SHADOW OF THE LION. I had also lived in Greece from 1983 – 87 and had intended
to return to Greece when the first Gulf War broke out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mrs Sourani-Potamionos suggested that the
Consulate would help me return to Greece so I could do further research and she
arranged this with the Director for Canada of the Greek National Tourism.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once I arrived back in Athens, a Greek journalist friend got
me an appointment with the Ministry of Culture and in turn, they arranged for
me to go to Thessaloniki to meet with the Society of Macedonian Studies. I had
an interview with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dr. Prof. Theresa
Peutzopoulou</b> who was the secretary at the time and she also arranged for me
to meet with a professor from the Aristotle University regarding the history
surrounding Alexander the Great. However, he was unavailable, but kindly sent
me a bibliography list of book I could use for research. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For most of the ‘90’s I lived in Greece for six months at a
time doing research with the help of various <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Classical scholars, the Finnish Institute</b> who arranged for me to
have a museum pass, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Norwegian Institute
</b>and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">British School library and
Gennadius Library</b> where I did some research. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through the years I’ve kept in touch with the Consulate here
in Vancouver to inform them of the progress of the novel, finally its
completion and acceptance by MediaAria-CDM publishers. When <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. Kremmydas</b> received my letter he
immediately contacted me and suggested that we meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has taken a genuine interest in my work,
both the novel and travel writing about Greece and links have been posted on
the Facebook page of Greece in Canada. I have even been invited, if possible,
to do some readings back East while the current exhibit “From Agamemmnon to
Alexander the Great” is on display.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have always appreciated the help, encouragement and
enthusiastic response for my writing that the Greek people have shown and the
generosity of the Greek Consulate in helping me forward my dream, assisting
with my research and promoting my novel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I was in Greece this past September I was invited to
read from SHADOW at the Athens Centre and they provided a reception in the
courtyard. I was also invited to Larissa to present my book at a conference for
World Poetry, and when I returned to Vancouver, the World Poetry organization
here awarded me with an ‘empowered writer’ award.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also read to two classes of grade 9
students at the Athens Community College. The Greek people have warmly welcomed
me to their country which I consider my ‘second home’ and for this I am
grateful. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thank you, Greece. This book
is for you!</b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">THANKS TO MY
SUPPORTERS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To my 2 children, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Alexandrea
Evans and Steven Kozak</b> to whom the book is dedicated and my late friend
Roberto Hallberg who was such a great support while I was writing and
researching in Athens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To my <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Scribblers
Writers Critique group </b>some of whom, like my friend <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Susan Lundhal </b>who spoke on my behalf tonight, were with me from the
beginning of this 15 yr journey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To my Critique readers:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ingrid Klassen and Renate Ford </b>who
meticulously plowed through the whole 1700 page of the original manuscript and
helped me see where I could correct and cut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To my editor, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joyce
Gram</b>, who is the best editor in the Lower Mainland and whose excellent
skills were noted by my publisher, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MediaAria-CDM
</b>of Bristol England<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>to whom I am
also so grateful. When the publisher first read the novel he fell in love with
it, being a huge fan of Mary Renault. Because it was such a long novel he suggested
we split it into two parts. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blood on the
Moon </b>is the first part of the story and the second half, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Fields of Hades </b>will be published
in 2016. You will also note in the book my acknowledgments to writers <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Steven Pressfield, Scott Oden and Dr. Jack Dempsey
</b>who were my mentors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks also to my friend, and talented artist <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PATRICK MCFARLANE </b>who worked diligently
on the artwork which unfortunately wasn’t used to its advantage other than the
back cover, much to his and my disappointment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks to my brother-in-law <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">JIM NIELSEN </b>who kindly offered to be my publicist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And my writer friends <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MARI KANE </b>who agreed to handle the slide show for me, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">DIANNE MAGUIRE</b> for her introduction.
And <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PETER PRONTZOS</b> who generously
offered to write a review on SHADOW for the Vancouver Sun and participate in
this launch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And thanks to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">all the
writing community </b>including our guest reader, award-winning poet <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MANOLIS ALIGIZAKIS. </b>I had the privilege
of attending a book launch for Manolis in Thessaloniki last September.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">THANKS EVERYONE FOR
COMING TO THIS EXCITING EVENT.</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My son Steve Kozak and me </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I was in Greece last September, I purchased a Grecian style gown to wear for this important occasion. I also bought some gold Greek patterned earrings to go with the expensive Macedonian style gold necklace that I had bought previously. My hair stylist, Jackie Love, even did my hair for me (free!) that day. So I really felt like a kind of 'celebrity' and especially with the grand reception I got and the lineup of people later wanting to buy a signed copy of my book. (I could have sold three times as many as I had on hand!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So now the launch is over, I am busy promoting the book, lining up book readings and other events. It required dedication to get it all done but it's worth every minute of my time! I can't express how happy I am about the book finally getting published, and I look forward to volume two THE FIELDS OF HADES which will come out in 2016. Then we get to do this all over again! </span></div>
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Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-30336601242925008212014-12-30T22:20:00.002-08:002014-12-30T22:20:41.575-08:002014: An Amazing Year of Accomplishment!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>Signing the contract for the Athens Guide e-book</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here we are at the end of the year and on the brink of new
opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2014 has opened new doors
for me and I know, as I enter the New Year that the way is cleared for me to
follow. It’s going to be even more exciting than this year has been.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It all started last February when I received an unusual
phone call from Montreal offering me a trip to Egypt (which at first I thought
was a scam). It was true, though. I was offered a trip to Egypt by Egyptian
tourism to write favorable travel stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>None of it seemed ‘real’ right through until mid March when the dream
trip came true and I found myself sailing down the Nile, crossing the Sahara,
lounging by the Red Sea,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>visiting the
amazing pyramids of Giza and finally, a specially arranged trip to Alexandria. </span></div>
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<strong>Visiting the Temple of Hatshepsut</strong></div>
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<strong>Me and Alexander at Alexandria</strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can read my Egypt blogs here: </span><a href="http://travelthroughhistory.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://travelthroughhistory.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was barely catching my breath from that amazing adventure
when, in August, my novel SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON was published.
Wow! It had been a long, 15 year journey to finally see it in print. (Second
volume comes out in 2016). And the incredible thing was, it came out at the
same time the archaeologists in Greece announced the discovery of the huge tomb
in Amphipolis, which happens to be the setting in part of my story. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was so excited to get my book that a friend drove me down
to the States to pick up one she had ordered at Pt. Roberts. What an exciting
day that was!</span></div>
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<strong>The book has arrived!</strong></div>
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<strong>My book, SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON!</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the end of August I set off for England and Wales, first
to visit my relatives in Caerphilly and then to attend the Historical Novel
Writer’s Conference in London. While at the conference, who should I run into
but Margaret George, one of the famous historical writers who I had spoken to a
couple of years ago at the Surrey International Writer’s Conference. At that
time she had told me not to worry about the length of my novel, just to keep
writing it. (Her books are at least 1000 pgs long!). So imagine how surprised
she was when I spoke to her again and told her I ended up with a two-book
contract because my book was too long. She was very pleased and we had a nice
chat about our writing. (She said she is now being asked to keep her current
work in progress down to 400 pages!)</span></div>
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<strong>The statue of Alexander in Thessaloniki </strong></div>
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<strong>Relaxing on the beach at Asprovalta</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After my stay in London I headed for Greece. First I headed
up north to Thessaloniki to attend local poet/friend’s book launch (Manolis
Aligazakis is a Greek/Can award winning poet and will be reading at my book
launch in January). I spent a couple of days exploring Thessaloniki and then
headed for a few days by the beach at Asprovalta. My purpose for going there
was, it was close to Amphipolis and i wanted to see if I could visit the tomb.
So I took a taxi and the driver showed me all around. I’d been there twice
before but this time I was shown more archaeological sites including a distant
view of the famed tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<strong>Distant view of the tomb, Amphipolis</strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back in Athens I was warmly received by my friends as well
as some of the Greek people who had heard about my book (thanks to my friends
who had done some promo work for me!) So I was invited to do a reading at the
Athens Centre which included a nice reception in the courtyard. A good crowd
attended including people from the Canadian Archaeological Society.</span><br />
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<strong>At the Athens Centre.</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After that I went up to Larissa where I had been invited to
present my book at a World Poetry Peace Conference. That was another special
event thanks to Ariadne Sawyer who had introduced me to Chryssa Velissariou who
heads World Poetry in Greece. </span></div>
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<strong>Young musicians perform at Larissa World Poetry Peace Conference'</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it was time for some leisure, although I had work to do
for the Athens Guide e-book that I was working on so I spent a lot of time
checking out new places around Athens including some nice restaurants and wine
bars. Meanwhile also doing more book promo, going with my friend Dina to the
New Acropolis Museum library, Finnish Institute and checking out other places
that might be interested in my book. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>hostess at the Villa Olympia (Carole) kindly purchased 10 books so there
were some available to friends in Athens who wanted to purchase one. </span></div>
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<strong></strong> </div>
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<strong>My Friends in Athens</strong></div>
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<strong>Dina and her family, the two Andreases and young A's girlfriend.</strong></div>
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<strong>Zoe and me</strong></div>
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<strong>Carola, Chris and Kim</strong></div>
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<strong></strong> </div>
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<strong>The whole gang at To Kati Allo</strong></div>
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<strong></strong> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While in Greece I visited a few days on the island of
Salamina (where the famous Battle of Salamis took place in the 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
century BC between the Greek and Persian navy). Christina and I went explore to
find some of the archaeological sites and one of the big thrills was coming
upon a ‘dig’ and talking in length to the archaeologist who was very interested
in hearing about my book. </span><br />
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<strong>Christina and me</strong></div>
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<strong>The archaeology site, unearthing a memorial to Ajax.</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks to my friend Zoe, I was put in touch with the
principal of the American Community School in Athens and he was happy to
arrange a reading for me with the students. So I did two readings at the school
for two double-sized Grade 9 kids who were very receptive and appreciative.</span></div>
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<strong>The students gave me a beautiful silk scarf</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I returned to Canada in October after a few days stop in
Germany to see my friend Patrick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
arranged with his friends for us to go on a tour of the Rhine castles and we
also went to the city of Worms so I could gather more travel story material.</span></div>
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<strong>Patrick, Juergen and me</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since returning I have done a couple of book readings thanks
to my writer friend Eileen Kernaghan (we shared readings) and have made other
contacts including that of the Consul of Greece, Ilias Kremmydas, who will
sponsor my book launch in January.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After I returned I was also awarded an ‘inspired writer’s’
award from the World Poetry – a mini gold Oscar. That was another cause for
celebration! And in December I was invited back on Ariadne Sawyer’s World
Poetry radio show for another interview. (That was the second time this year!)</span></div>
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<strong>At the awards.</strong></div>
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<strong>On the Air</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My three morning classes “Write from the Heart” went well
this past term and will begin again in January as well as (hopefully) a couple
of night-school classes thru Langara. I am also doing one-on-one writing
coaching and plan to do a travel writing workshop at home. And, I was just
offered a job editing a non-fiction manuscript. So I enter the New Year with a
lot of interesting things to look forward to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year I published 22 travel articles. Got my book
published (volume one). Was elected president of the BC Assoc. of Travel
Writers. I joined the Canadian Author’s Assoc. and was accepted as a
‘professional’ writer. ( I will soon join the Writers Union of Canada too. ) Finished
the Athens Guide e-book for Hunter Publishing US and I look forward to lots
more writing in 2015. Mainly I want to finish my current work-in-progress
“Dragons in the Sky”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
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<strong>You can order my book on Amazon.com or ask at your local bookstores</strong></div>
</span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I’m looking forward to most now is my official book
launch on January 14 at the Hellenic Community Centre, sponsored by the Greek
Consul. This is such an honour for me and very exciting! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone is invited: 7 pm at the Hellenic Community Centre
4500 Arbutus behind the Greek Orthodox Cathedral.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s to 2015!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
doors are opening wide! Let’s hope it’s another year of great opportunities and
success! </span></div>
Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-12847618818469411202014-10-29T22:00:00.000-07:002014-10-29T22:00:41.225-07:00A SUCCESSFUL BOOK PROMO TOUR TO GREECE & MORE ACCOLADESMy first stop overseas was a visit to my cousin's in Wales. One night we had a small get-together in a pub and one of my cousins brought her copy of <strong>SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON</strong> for me to sign. That was a thrill, signing my very first book, and with my special golden Horus pen that I'd bought in Egypt.<br />
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After attending the Historical Novel Writers Conference in London (Set 5,6) I went to Greece to visit, promote SHADOW and do some research for the Athens Guide e-book I'm working on for an American publisher.<br />
<br />
My first stop in Greece was a quick trip up to Thessaloniki where I attended a poetry book launch of a Vancouver Greek/Can poet friend Manolis Aligizakis. The next day I delivered a copy of SHADOW to the Society of Macedonian studies and then I toured around the city. This included a stop at the statue of Alexander the Great at the harbour of course, and later a tour around to see Kamal Ataturk's house and some other sights.<br />
<br />
I was very fortunate to be received so heartily by the Greeks and was invited by the directors, in particular Joanna Theiakou, to do a reading at the Athens Centre (Sept 24) after which there was a reception. There was a very good attendance and this included some people from the Canadian Archaeological Institute. I have to thank my friend Zoe Loukopoulous for setting this up for me and putting me in touch with the right people.<br />
<br />
Two days later I headed up to Larissa where I was invited to present my book at a World Poetry Peace conference. I spent a delightful evening there with Chryssa Velissariou, my hostess and friends. Then back to Athens on the train the next day. That contact was thanks to Ariadne Sawyer who is in charge of World Poetry here in Vancouver. I have been on her radio program and she introduced me to Chyrssa through FB.<br />
<br />
Also thanks to my friend Zoe, I was put in touch with Steve Madeiros, dean of the American Community School in Athens. We had a meeting and he was enthusiastic about me coming to read to the students. So on my last day in Athens I went and read to two double-sized grade nine kids. They were very receptive, asking interesting questions. All the staff at the school were so warm and friendly and I really enjoy my morning there. <br />
<br />
Most of my time in Greece was spent in Athens either planning the readings or doing research for the Athens Guide. I did make a 3 day visit to Salamina and enjoyed exploring archaeological sites with my friend Christina. And one day my friend Carole Barkas, hostess of the B&B where I was staying, invited me to join her on a senior tour up the coast to visit 3 volcanic islands off the north tip of Euboeia. Carole had also invited me to read for a couple of her reading group friends. And she was very helpful in promoting the book, even ordered a box to sell for me there.<br />
<br />
I stopped in at Mainz, Germany for a couple of days enroute home to visit my friend Patrick and do more touring for travel articles material. Then home. And the excitement continued.<br />
<br />
On Oct 19 I was awarded an 'empowered writers' award at the World Poetry Peace Poethon here in Vancouver. I have a certificate and cute little golden 'Oscar' which sits on the coffee table by SHADOW. That was thanks to Ariadne Sawyer who nominated me for the award. A big honour!<br />
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Meanwhile the publisher says he has sent a copy of the book to Oliver Stone because so many people say what a great movie or TV series it would make! And the Greek Consul, Mr Ilias Kremmydas, has been helping me organize my official book launch which will be on January 14 at the Hellenic Centre here in Vancouver. Meanwhile he told me to send my info to the Greek attache in Ottawa and she has responded with an invitation for me to come to the East (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto) on a reading tour as there are large Greek communities there. I am definitely going to plan for that and will organize something with her for later in the Spring. <br />
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<div style="line-height: 14.75pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.prbuzz.com/books-publishing-literature/264384-consul-general-of-greece-to-host-book-launch-for-shadow-of-the-lion-blood-on-the-moon.html">https://www.prbuzz.com/books-publishing-literature/264384-consul-general-of-greece-to-host-book-launch-for-shadow-of-the-lion-blood-on-the-moon.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
I did one reading here when I got back, and there's another coming up in two weeks. I have been busy sending out promo material about the book and will be seeing my brother-in-law this weekend as he has offered to be my publicist. Lots to do even though the book is published so there seems no end to it and I'll appreciate the help.<br />
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Remember you can get the books at local bookstores if you ask them to order it. In the States or UK they may be on the shelves of main bookstores. In Canada Coles or Chapters will order them. Or get them thru Amazon.com The local libraries will also be stocking them. <br />
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Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-64583115256773988172014-08-29T18:24:00.000-07:002014-08-29T18:24:50.249-07:00CELEBRATING SHADOW OF THE LION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To celebrate the publication of SHADOW (volume 1) I had a little reception and invited some of my most supportive friends to share the afternoon with me. Everyone was really thrilled to actually hold the book in their hands. It looks so impressive and I can hardly believe, when I skim through it, that I wrote all those words!<br />
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I'm just about to set off on another adventure, this time partly a book-promo for SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON, partly for new travel writing material including some research for the Athens Guide e-book I'm working on for a US publisher.<br />
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It's been exciting so far, planning the trip. First I'm going to London to attend the Historical Fiction Writer's Conference in London Sept 5 and 6. Between then and arrival Sept 1 I'll be in Caerphilly Wales visiting cousins. I leave London Sept 8 for Greece and immediately will go up north to Thessaloniki first to attend a Greek/Can friend's poetry presentation and then to visit the Society of Macedonian Studies and tell them about my book. <br />
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Then I'm going to stop by the archaeological site of Pella for some research for my current w.i.p. and retrace some of my research steps to Amphipolis where they have discovered the famous tomb (probably one of Alexander's generals). Part of book one and most of book two THE FIELDS OF HADES (to be published in 2016) are set in Amphipolis.<br />
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During my stay in Athens I'll be doing a reading at the Athens Centre on Sept 24 and then I'm going up to Larissa to a World Poetry Conference on Sept 27 to present my book there. I was recently nominated for an award by the World Poetry and will present my book when I return on Oct 19 at Simon Fraser Uni. downtown campus.<br />
<a href="https://www.prbuzz.com/books-publishing-literature/251047-w-ruth-kozak-nominated-to-receive-canadian-literary-award-for-shadow-of-the-lion-blood-on-the-moon.html">https://www.prbuzz.com/books-publishing-literature/251047-w-ruth-kozak-nominated-to-receive-canadian-literary-award-for-shadow-of-the-lion-blood-on-the-moon.html</a><br />
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Everything is happening so fast it's breathtaking. And I hope the book sells well. It should now be available through bookstores and libraries. If you don't see if on the shelves, ask if they can order it for you thru Amazon.com <br />
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Check out the blog for SHADOW at <a href="http://shadowofthelion.com/">http://shadowofthelion.com</a> Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-55341371089237490892014-08-08T14:35:00.000-07:002014-08-08T14:35:04.990-07:00SHADOW OF THE LION: Blood on the Moon, Now available on Amazon.com<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's the big news: </div>
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SHADOW OF THE LION, Blood on the Moon is listed on Amazon. Surprised it's a hard cover. Pretty exciting though! Official release day, August 11.</div>
<br /> <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/SHADOW-OF-THE-LION-BLOOD/dp/0992715512/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407528500&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=Shadow+of+the+Lion+Volume+1+Blood+on+the+Moon" href="http://www.amazon.com/SHADOW-OF-THE-LION-BLOOD/dp/0992715512/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407528500&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=Shadow+of+the+Lion+Volume+1+Blood+on+the+Moon" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/SHADOW-OF-THE-LION-BLOOD/dp/0992715512/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407528500&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=Shadow+of+the+Lion+Volume+1+Blood+on+the+Moon</a><br />
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<br />Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-6594643768361039582014-07-15T10:12:00.000-07:002014-07-15T20:10:25.674-07:00CATCHING UP<strong>What Have I Been Doing?</strong><br />
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<strong>Signing the e-book contract </strong></div>
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My goodness! It's been six months since I contributed anything to this blog. Meanwhile I have been posting on my travel blog at <a href="http://travelthroughhistory.blogspot.com/">http://travelthroughhistory.blogspot.com</a> But it's time to catch up here with all the news that has been happening which is part of the reason I've not taken the time to post blogs on Living the Writer's Life.<br />
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First, besides my book contract for SHADOW OF THE LION (Volume One "Blood on the Moon" will be out by mid August!) I also signed a contract to work on an Athens Guide e-book for Hunter Publishing, US. This is exciting as Athens is like my second home. I'll be returning there in September and while there will do more extensive research for the Guide. Meanwhile, I have most of it written and the publisher is pleased!<br />
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Unfortunatly, I haven't had any time at all to work on "DRAGONS IN THE SKY" my Celtic tale. But I'm about to start a new chapter just as soon as I can clear my writing desk of the various projects at hand. <br />
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<strong>Where Have I Been?</strong><br />
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<strong>A day at Giza</strong></div>
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I've been focusing mostly on travel stories, especially Egypt, since my wonderful, surprising and magical trip there in late March. This amazing travel writer's tour included a special side-trip to Alexandria for me because of the research I did for Shadow of the Lion. So far I've had three of the stories published, one is out to market now and there will be several more written in the next few weeks. I am writing the blogs first, then the articles so it takes a bit of time.<br />
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<strong>Alexander and me at the Library of Alexandria</strong></div>
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<strong>What's Happening Now?</strong><br />
My night school classes ended with the Winter term and will be no more. However I have still some morning groups, though only the WAVES writers is running now, on Monday mornings. The others will resume in mid October. Meantime I am doing a bit of in-home writing/coaching and this Spring I also did an in-home travel writing workshop. I plan to scout around for more venues to teach classes at and will also try to do more in-home workshops in the Fall.<br />
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<strong>What Are My Plans?</strong><br />
I'm going to England on August 31 and will visit family in Wales, then attend the Historical Novel Writers Conference in London Sept 5/6. I hope I can do some book readings in UK while I'm there. I fly to Athens September 8 and already have two book readings scheduled. I am planning to go up north to Macedonia -- Thessaloniki and around the area such as Pella, where I'll do some more research for my Dragons novel. I'm hoping to get in touch with the Society of Macedonian Studies who were helpful in my early research of Shadow and perhaps do a reading there. As well I am planning to attend a Greek poet friend's presentation in Thessaloniki.<br />
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I will be in Greece untill Oct 8. I plan to stop off in Germany en route home to visit my friend Patrick for a few days. Homeward bound Oct. 11<br />
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So that's all the updated news. I'll try to begin posting here again more frequently as soon as I clear my writing desk of projects and get some time to write more blogs.<br />
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<strong>Enjoying some souvlaki in Monastiraki, Athens.</strong></div>
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Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-63861120811449885952014-01-11T13:34:00.000-08:002014-01-11T13:34:51.817-08:00SOME EXCITING NEWS ABOUT 'SHADOW OF THE LION' <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I got a wonderful surprise when my publisher MediaAria-CDM posted an announcement on Facebook about the forthcoming publication of my novel 'SHADOW OF THE LION'. It is due to be published this year in two parts. The first part subtitled 'BLOOD ON THE MOON' will be released in August 2014. The second part subtitled 'THE FIELDS OF HADES' will be out in 2016.<br />
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They have sent the promotional information to their publicists and you can view it on the links below. You can also link to the blog I have for SHADOW on which I am posting various stories about the research, the characters and other interesting aspects of the novel<br />
<a href="http://shadowofthelion.com/">http://shadowofthelion.com</a><br />
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As well, you can download the publisher's ezine and see an article I wrote for them about how I became inspired and researched the book.<br />
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<span class="userContent">SHADOW OF THE LION - W. Ruth Kozak’s forthcoming debut historical novel, SHADOW OF THE LION, is due out this SUMMER 2014 and MEDIAARIA CDM are very pleased to announce that this epic work will be released in two parts. To read the Press Release and learn more, visit: <a href="https://www.prbuzz.com/books-publishing-literature/197472-shadow-of-the-lion-books-i-and-ii-titles-announced.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.prbuzz.com/books-publishing-literature/197472-shadow-of-the-lion-books-i-and-ii-titles-announced.html</a>.</span> </div>
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In addition, someone posted a very interesting article about how an archaeologist is investigating the cause of Alexander's death and attributes it to having been a poisonous plant added to his wine. This is exactly the theory I have pursued in the novel - that a potion was made of a poison plant and added to his wine while he was on a binge. His enemy, Kassandros, is allegedly suspected of doing this. </div>
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I found this fascinating and it also adds to the interest of the novel. </div>
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<a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11184474">http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11184474</a></div>
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I'll be posting more information on the progress of the publishing as the months go by. This is a very exciting time for me and I want to share every moment with you, my faithful blog followers. </div>
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Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-32070495371689924732013-11-12T20:48:00.002-08:002013-11-12T20:50:37.121-08:00The Celts and the Greeks: Connecting the Dots<img alt="Add to Technorati Favorites" src="http://static.technorati.com/pix/fave/btn-fave2.png" />In researching my work-in-progress novel '<em>DRAGONS IN THE SKY'</em> I have tried to connect the Celtic people with the Greeks. In the story, Olwen an acolyte of the Druids, is snatched from her village by a renegade chieftain after she witnesses him murder his brother. He takes her on a ship across the Narrow Sea using her as his talisman as he makes his was eastward across Europe and south toward Macedonia where he hears a king is recruiting an army. Near the boarder of Macedonia she is rescued by a young hunter who is Alexander. But how much connection was there between the people of southern Europe and the northern Celtic tribes?<br />
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<strong>Pytheas of Massalia</strong></div>
In the 4th century BC, a Greek geographer and explorer from the Greek colony of Massalia (modern day Marseilles) made a voyage of exploration to northwestern Europe. In this voyage he travelled around and visited a considerable part of Britain. He's the first person on record to describe the 'midnight sun". The existence of an area where the nights are very short in summer and the sun does not set at the summer solstice was already known. Reports from this country of the Hyperboreans had been reaching the Mediterranean for some centuries, but Pytheas is the first known scientific visitor to report the arctic polar ice and information of the Germanic tribes. His account of the tides is the earliest relating them to the moon.<br />
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(this book is available on Amazon)<br />
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Pytheas was a Greek geographer. He wrote a book about his voyage but it has not survived. All we have are references in the works of later classic writers. Where he started his voyage is a mystery because in those days the Carthaginians had closed the Straits of Gibraltar for all ships from other nations. He may have travelled overland or sailed only at night. He travelled to Cornwall, w hich was then the source of tin, and there he studied and wrote about the production and procession of tin. He circumnavigated Britain, sailing north to an island called "Thule". It may have been part of the Norwegian coast although Iceland, the Shetlands and the Faeroes have also been identified by historians. He noted that Thule was an agricultural country that produced honey. It was the place where the sun went to sleep and the congealed sea began. He spoke of the waters around Thule being like a 'marine lung' which actually means jellyfish. Modern scientists believe that he tried to describe ice cakes that are formed at the edge of drift ice. He noted that the inhabitants of Thule ate fruits and drank milk and made a drink out of grain and honey (mead.) <br />
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After completely his survey of Britain (called Albion then), he travelled to the continental North Sea coast. He may have also visited the Baltic. And he visited an island which was the source of amber (probably Helgoland).<br />
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He wrote a book about his voyage but that has not survived. We only have the remarks of others, among them Strabo who (unjustly) called Pytheas a liar.Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-30300928891444921332013-10-22T18:02:00.000-07:002013-10-22T18:03:31.053-07:00UPDATES ON "SHADOW OF THE LION"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had to set aside "Dragons in the Sky" because I am working on a new Epilogue (for book 1) and Prologue (for book 2) of SHADOW OF THE LION, since the publishers have decided to break it into two books.<br />
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I spent a weekend stressed out over how I'd go about it (not as easy as I thought and they must be <u>perfect</u>! But since then I think I have a grip on it and have a pretty good draft of the Epilogue finished. Will work on the Prologue now, and then workshop both of them in my Scribblers' writer's critique group.<br />
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So far I am very pleased with my publisher <a href="http://www.mediaaria-cdm.com/">www.mediaaria-cdm.com</a> and their friendly responses. At the end of the year I'll be working with the director himself who will supervise the final edits ("an act of love" because he feels that Shadow is "an amazing artistic endeavour") <br />
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I have an artist friend designing the book cover. And so far the publisher has done lots of advance publicity. On my end, I have put up a blog especially to advertise and introduce the novel<br />
You can see it at <a href="http://shadowofthelion.com/">http://shadowofthelion.com</a> I'll be adding bits from time to time to keep the interest up.<br />
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This is a very exciting time for me. It still hardly seems 'real' that, at last, my novel will be published!<br />
I've been asked to do some readings in advance. This week I'm reading at a story time group and next month I'll co-read with a friend who is having a book launch at a local library.<br />
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Stay tuned in to this blog for further news and maybe even a bit more about "Dragons in the Sky" when I get these other tasks finished.<br />
<br />Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-69604187317692391232013-09-28T17:46:00.000-07:002013-09-28T17:47:50.828-07:00BATTLING WRITER'S BLOCK AND PROCRASTINATION<div align="center">
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<strong>Celtic goddess</strong></div>
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I just started instructing a new class last night, a four-week course in 'SURVIVAL TIPS FOR WRITERS'. Funny thing is, I need to take some of my own advice! I've been struggling with writer's block for weeks (well, since I returned from my holidays in July, other than a couple of travel stories I've written for publication.) And procrastination is also one of the big stumbling blocks right now that has prohibited me from moving on with work on <em>"Dragons in the Sky"</em> <br />
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I went as far as actually writing out editing notes from the parts I've workshopped in my writer's group, copying notes I'd made in my notebook, and working out a time-line for the next part of the novel. But I am stuck! <br />
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<strong>Alexander</strong></div>
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<strong>Philip</strong></div>
So far, Olwen has been rescued by the young Alexander, invited to Pella along with her new guardian Theon, and has been briefly introduced to Alexander's father, King Philip. What comes next? That is the question that has been troubling me. I'm planning (tentatively) a small segment where she meets Alexander's friend Hephaestion too. But perhaps that should have come earlier in the story? I have a vague idea of what might be coming next (according to my time-line) but I just can't seem to get on to it and every time I intend to sit down and work through it, I find myself distracted, procrastinating and not doing the work! And, and as writer, I have to DO THE WORK if I want to complete this novel.<br />
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<strong>Alexander and Hephaestion</strong></div>
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Here I am again today, home after an unsuccessful trek in a rain storm to attend a book launch downtown. As I made my way back home, drenched from the rain, I decided that perhaps this was a good time to stay home and get busy with the writing. Have I started yet? No! So I have decided that I'm not even going to think about going out again tonight and instead I will make a major effort to at least make notes and try to get myself motivated to actually write a few pages. </div>
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Or should I finish that travel article I started the other day?.....Hmmmm....Here I go procrastinating. AGAIN! Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10059313.post-42347740116870607492013-09-06T20:28:00.000-07:002013-09-06T20:32:40.862-07:00PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, AND UNWAVERING TRUST<img alt="Add to Technorati Favorites" src="http://static.technorati.com/pix/fave/btn-fave2.png" /><br />
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<strong><em>"There is nothing impossible for him who will try!"</em></strong> These are words written on a card a friend gave me when I had my wrap party to celebrate completion of my manuscript of SHADOW OF THE LION. Of course there was more work ahead. And for the next year my mantra was <strong><em>"Epimoni (persistence)" and "Ipomoni - patience" </em></strong>. The final editing took a good six months, and then came the months of sending out queries and playing the waiting game. But I trusted. I had Alexander on my side and he never lost a battle! In fact, on my tack-board I had this: <strong>ALEXANDER IS THE BEACON, THE LIGHT THROUGH WHICH I SHALL ACHIEVE SUCCESS.</strong> So I have to say "Thank you, Alexander. Evharisto poli. Because you have been with me for the long years of research and writing, stopping and starting again, writing pages and pages of your story. Twenty years in all. And I never gave up. So now, it's just a matter of time until <strong>SHADOW OF THE LION </strong>will finally make its debut into the literary world. And I feel sure it will be a success.<br />
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Here's my advice to novel writers<strong>. Don't give up. Be patient, persistent and have unwavering trust that you will get the book written and it will be published.</strong><br />
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<strong>Contract signing day!</strong></div>
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Meanwhile, <strong>DRAGONS IN THE SKY</strong> lies languishing on my table. I haven't done any new writing on it since before my vacation, although I did sit down the other day and sort out some time-lines.</div>
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This novel also has a long history. I actually began it back in the early 80's, typing on a manual typewriter as this Celtic girl, Olwen, began to tell me her story. I worked on it on-and-off, even during the time I went to live in Greece from 1983. However I got jumbled up with it, because a writer teacher I had at the time insisted I should be writing it in third person. So I kept switching back and forth and it simply didn't work. And also, some of the critiques I was getting for it from a group I belonged to were not that encouraging. So I shelved it.</div>
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After SHADOW OF THE LION was finished and I had started pitching it to agents and publishers, I got a good bit of advice from writer Steven Pressfield. "Start working on something new." So I took out my old manuscript of Dragons, and started to retype it into the computer. As I typed and the voice came back to me I realized that all along this was meant to be a first person narrative. It is almost like a past-life regression story and I think the roots of it were when long ago people started asking me how I knew so much about Greece and the people. (I had written an Alexander themed novel in my last year of high school). And in 1979 when I first visited Greece I had so many deja vus experiences I really began to believe I HAD been there before. Olwen's voice came loud and clear, telling me her story, how she had been brought up by the Druids, trained to be a healer and was an acolyte priestess, and after a great tragedy descended on her village was kidnapped by a renegade chieftain, taken across the Narrow Sea and across the Celtic lands as far as Macedonia where she is rescued by a young hunter (Alexander). <br />
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When I did the time-lines yesterday I realize that I am about half done this first draft and so far whenever I workshop it my writing group (The Scribblers) loves it. Some of the chapters are written as bardic verse, the rest in a lyrical prose style. Well, I think that just by writing this blog I have 'unstuck' myself from the writer's block that has plagued me lately. So look for most postings soon about Olwen and her adventures. Wynn Bextonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606284153866696343noreply@blogger.com4