Mixed Type Literary and Music Festival

Breakwater Books and Creative Book Publishing are proud to present Mixed Type – putting a twist on mainstream literary events in downtown St. John’s. Local authors and musicians will team up with host and award-winning author Chad Pelley to present a night of literature and music. Mixed Type will feature authors Linden MacIntyre, Patrick Warner, Gerard Collins, Sam Martin, Michelle Butler Hallett, and Kate Evans along with performances by Andrew James O’Brien and Pilot to Bombardier. All are welcome, and admission is free. Join us August 17th at the Fat Cat on George! The show starts at 7:00pm!

You can check our Andrew James O’Brien and the Searchers here.

And you can download a free album from Pilot to Bombardier here.

Agnes Walsh writes Plays from Tramore

Tramore Theatre, located in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the oral history and the cultural traditions of the area. The theatre was founded in 1999, and its sole writer and artistic director since its foundation has been Agnes Walsh. Last month, Breakwater Books published Answer Me Home: Plays from Tramore Theatre, a compilation of plays written by Walsh and performed at the theatre. Walsh has succeeded in bringing the history of the theatre are the culture of the Cape Shore to both the city of St. John’s and to the rest of Canada.

   The title, Answer Me Home, is a haunting expression from the area of the Cape Shore. When communities gathered to tell ghosts stories in the night, during a time before electricity, people would tell their host before leaving to talk until they arrived safely home.  As a way to ward off spirits, they would say, and as Walsh writes, “Answer me home, go on, keep talking. Okay, I’m home now. Goodnight.”

 

A packed Ship listens to a excerpt from Answer Me Home.

Author Agnes Walsh.

Pamela Morgan performs.

Breakwater Books recently celebrated the release of this title at the Ship. Hosted by actor, writer, and comedian Andy Jones, the event included musical performances by Pamela Morgan and Anita Best. An excerpt from the play was performed with beautiful accents that silenced the room by Christopher Young and Mildred Dohey.

You can purchase a copy of Answer Me Home: Plays from Tramore Theatre here.

NL Book Awards Shortlist Three Breakwater Titles

Three titles from Breakwater Books have been shortlisted for Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards!

Sick Joke by Glenn Deir is a finalist for the Rogers Communication award for Non-Fiction.

“I heard the news while eating a tuna sandwich. That turned into the best-tasting tuna sandwich ever. I’m thrilled to the irradiated marrow.” – Glenn Deir

Island Maid by Rhonda Pelley and Sheilagh O’Leary is also a finalist for the Rogers Communication Award for Non-Fiction.

“I am so happy for all nominated and for the opportunity to further profile the incredible lives of our outport women.” – Sheilagh O’Leary

“It is really wonderful to have your work recognized especially by your peers. I hope that the nomination focuses even more attention on the book and on the remarkable stories of the women we met during that truly transformative journey we made twenty years ago.” – Rhonda Pelley

And Where Genesis Begins by Tom Dawe and Gerald Squires has been shortlisted for the E.J. Pratt Poetry Award.

“I am simply grateful to be a finalist in such distinguished company.” – Tom Dawe

These awards honour excellence in Newfoundland and Labrador writing, awarding cash prizes of $1,500 to the winners and a prize of $500 to each runner-up.

A free public reading featuring the shortlisted authors will take place at The Ship Pub in St. John’s at 7:30 PM on May 17, 2011. Winners will be announced on May 18, 2011.

Patrick Warner – Ever hear a love story in reverse?

Patrick Warner’s Double Talk is garnering some fantastic reviews! Take a gander and don’t miss out on the book launch, April 19th at the Ship (265 Duckworth Street) from 7:00 – 9:00pm. Ever hear a love story in reverse?

“As a novelist, Warner is a literalist and an astute one, and he parlays this gift into telling a really good story, populated by characters whose lives are, by turns, comic and tragic. From the start, as this story begins to tell itself, and these lives are revealed, the book becomes hard to put down. Warner packs a lot of life into a fast-read of 235 pages, something he’s able to do partly [because] of the alternating points of view from which the story is told – Brian’s, Violet’s, omniscient. In this often racy story which spares us little in the way of detail, Warner crafts a satisfying first novel – simultaneously funny and sad, and, at times, wrenching.” – Darrell Squires, the Western Star. 

“Although the books opens, seemingly, at the end of the relationship, there’s still a tension and drive to the narrative, an evocative dynamic to the descriptions and settings, and a nimble and unflinching touch to the characterizations. It moves. It’s a page-turner.” – Joan Sullivan, the Telegram.

“Double Talk is more than a simple he-said/she-said account of a doomed marriage. It’s an exhilarating (and sometimes terrifying) look at the murky complexities that lie under the surface of all relationships.” –Michael Crummey, author of Galore, River Thieves, and The Wreckage.

You can purchase a copy of Double Talk here.

Lots of Great Reviews for Glenn Deir’s “SICK JOKE: CANCER, JAPAN & BACK AGAIN”

ABOUT THE BOOK
Sick Joke is one quirky travelogue. Glenn Deir spent two years happily stumbling through the conundrums of Japanese culture. Then he got tonsil cancer and less happily stumbled through the conundrums of medical culture. Sick Joke is a tale of two journeys told simultaneously that will make you laugh out loud.

Reviews:
“Writer and broadcaster Glenn Deir takes us on a personal health journey that begins — as many often do — with the discovery of a lump. Writing with brutal, laser-like honesty and rare humor, Deir takes us from Japan to Newfoundland to the famed Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, to that dark place where we’re forced to contemplate our mortality. And to that place where we surrender control of our bodies and make that leap of faith to trust our healers. This is ‘medicine, from Deir’s side of the gurney.’ If you’ve ever entertained a doubt that your doctors actually know what they’re doing, this is the book for you.”
-Dr. Brian Goldman, host of CBC’s White Coat, Black Art & author of The Night Shift (2010).

“Everyone who has ever battled cancer or known someone who has should read Sick Joke.” You will finish it with a renewed respect for what the human spirit can endure, and what a lust for life can get you through. Thanks, Glenn. Your book just might save somebody’s life.”
-Pam Frampton, The Telegram

“The book is funny – often hilariously so – because of Deir’s readiness to laugh at himself. But Deir is no clown; his voice is dignified, and comes across as true.”
-Darrell Squires, The Western Star

“As a funny, honest memoir about cancer, this book is really good… There aren’t enough funny books about cancer, and this is a good one.”
-Trudy Morgan-Cole, Compulsive Overreader

“Sick Joke is [Deir's] humourous – sometimes hilarious – account of his fight against cancer. In this memoir he shares the details of his battle in a commendable, vulnerably comical – p’raps witty is a better word – fashion.”
-Harold Walters, Southern Gazette

TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THE BOOK CLICK HERE OR HERE!

 

Major Rights Deal – The Widows of Paradise Bay

The Widows of Paradise Bay

Author Jill Sooley

Breakwater Books is pleased to announce they have sold German rights for the debut novel, The Widows of Paradise Bay by Jill Sooley. The deal was signed after a lengthy auction to btb Random House, based in Munich. Btb Random House publishes authors from around the world including Margaret Atwood, Frank McCourt, and Haruki Murakami.

The Widows of Paradise Bay is a comedic first novel that follows a young woman, who is recently separated from her husband, from Toronto back to her hometown in Newfoundland. Her mother, in an old-fashioned and misplaced effort to spare her daughter humiliation, takes out an obituary for the husband. When the “dead” husband comes to rescue their son from trouble, the whole town is left reeling, with more questions than answers.

Author Jill Sooley said on Friday, “I’m thrilled with the Germany deal. Random House is a major player on the international publishing scene, so it’s wonderful to be recognized by such a respected organization. It’s also heartening to see that novels set in and about Newfoundland can not only hold local and national interest, but can appeal to an international audience as well.”

The deal with btb Random House was facilitated by Sandra Läderach of the Liepman Literary Agency and also includes Sooley’s untitled next book which she describes as “a new novel which will explore some of the intricacies of the modern-day family, and stepfamily. Like Widows, plan on meeting some strong female characters with their share of problems and triumphs.”

The German edition of The Widows of Paradise Bay is set to be published in 2011-2012. The English edition is currently available at fine bookstores across Canada and through the publisher, Breakwater Books.

For more information please contact Anna Kate Newman.
email: annakate@ breakwaterbooks.com    phone: 709-722-6680 / 800-563-3333www.breakwaterbooks.com

UPCOMING BOOK RELEASE: Danny Williams: A Profile

Press Release
From: Breakwater Books Ltd.
Date: December 3, 2010

Breakwater Books is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Danny Williams: A Profile in February 2011. This important book highlights the career of one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most prolific premiers.

From the campaign trail to the aftermath of Hurricane Igor, from meeting Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla to delivering his resignation address – Danny comes to life in over 150 striking images and evocative text describing his political career and achievements in office as well as the personal side his constituents know and love.

Breakwater President Rebecca Rose said on Thursday, “We’re thrilled to be releasing this book in the new year. It was originally scheduled to be published next fall, after the provincial election. With Danny’s recent resignation we didn’t see a need to wait any longer – we now have the final chapter.”

Multiple award-winning author and Editorial Page Editor of the Telegram Russell Wangersky enriches the photos with in-depth commentary, creating a portrait of Danny that is nostalgic, entertaining, and unforgettable.  Professional photographer Paul Daly’s photographs span the political career of Danny Williams and have been featured in news media across Canada including the front page of the Globe and Mail.

For more information please contact Anna Kate Newman.
email: annakate@ breakwaterbooks.com
phone: 709-722-6680 / 800-563-3333

www.breakwaterbooks.com

 

Book Launch Tue, Nov 2

Come join us for a book launch for “Sick Joke:  Cancer, Japan & Back Again” a memoir by author Glenn Deir.

The launch will be held at The Ship Inn at 265 Duckworth St. St. John’s, NL. The author will be present to read from this book and also to sign purchased copies!

ABOUT THE BOOK
Sick Joke is one quirky travelogue. Glenn Deir spent two years happily stumbling through the conundrums of Japanese culture. Then he got tonsil cancer and less happily stumbled through the conundrums of medical culture. Sick Joke is a tale of two journeys told simultaneously that will make you laugh out loud.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Glenn Deir is a Provincial Affairs reporter with CBC television in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He’s a passionate world traveler, and has never turned down any food he’s been offered. Once a year he’s transformed into a person he doesn’t recognize and becomes a hunter of caribou or moose. Sick Joke is his first book.

Glenn Deir signing copies of "Sick Joke"

Author interview: Sam Martin in conversation with Angela Antle (CBC)

Click here to listen to a podcast of an interview with Sam Martin, author of This Ramshackle Tabernacle and Angela Antle, host of CBC Weekend Arts Magazine.

Book Launch: Where Old Ghosts Meet

Please join us at Shamrock City (340 Water St.) in St. John’s on Tue, Sept 14 to celebrate the launch of Where Old Ghosts Meet, a new novel by St. John’s author Kate Evans at 7-9 pm.

Kate will be present to read from her book and also to sign copies. Snacks will be served and please stick around until 10 pm to hear Connemara play live.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Matthew Molloy, bright and educated, longs to leave behind his miserable existence on a small farm in Ireland. He yields to pressure and sets aside his dream until one day, he walks away, leaving his wife and small son to fend for themselves.

In the summer of 1971, his granddaughter Nora finds herself in Shoal Cove, Newfoundland, where Peg Barry reveals the secrets of Matthew’s reclusive life. The story slips back and forth between Ireland in the early 1900s, a country struggling to rediscover its identity and restore its nationhood, and Newfoundland in the 1940s, a country about to relinquish its nationhood and join Canada.

ADVANCE REVIEWS:
“Romantic and dark, full of intricate secrets, betrayal, bitterness, and redemptive love. Kate Evans vividly unveils the mysteries of family…. Here are passionate, complex characters, very much alive – they will last.”
– Lisa Moore, author of Alligator and February

“Kate Evans sends her protagonist, Nora, to Newfoundland in search of her long lost Irish grandfather but it is Peg Barry she finds. Peg is as complex and rounded a character as ever you would want to meet. Where Old Ghosts Meet is a familiar story, but few have told it in a language as rich and as precise as Kate Evans.”
-Lillian Bouzane, award winning author of In the Hands of the Living God

“A splendid, gripping story, a mystery, deftly told and with a fine sense of both Ireland and Newfoundland …. Nora is a character to love and Matthew Molloy is a magnificent creation, a maddening, intriguing fella to the end.”
– John Doyle, author of A Great Feast of Light and The Word Is A Ball

New Book Trailer for THIS RAMSHACKLE TABERNACLE

Click here to read more about Sam Martin‘s This Ramshackle Tabernacle.

This Ramshackle Tabernacle

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Great review for Breakwater’s RAVEN, STAY BY ME

Canadian Children’s Book News reviews RAVEN, STAY BY ME

“van Keuren weaves this beautiful tale around a collection of historical artefacts to bring this period of history to life for children. As her main characters mature, she reveals the roles and responsibilities teenagers carried out at the time – providing an excellent resource for comparison to the world our children live in today. Appropriate for children in the junior and intermediate grades, this novel would complement the study of explorers to North America. It is a fresh perspective that looks at the interactions of the Norse and Inuit and opens students’ minds to another period in Canadian history that is less traditionally discussed.”
-Sandra O’Brien, Canadian Children’s Book News

This book is available at chapters.indigo.ca right now for 24% off. Click HERE.

Tom Dawe wins CAA Poetry Award

Congratulations to author Tom Dawe for winning the CAA (Canadian Authors Association) Award for Poetry for his book Where Genesis Begins.

Open for Business

PRESS RELEASE
FROM: BREAKWATER BOOKS lTD.
DATE: JUNE 15, 2010

BREAKWATER BOOKS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

As a result of a fire occurring in the premises adjacent to Breakwater on June 12, our location at 100 Water Street is closed. We expect to announce a temporary location in the coming days. All employees can be reached at their regular e-mail addresses. To reach Breakwater by phone please call 709-722-6680 and your call will be directed to one of our employees.

Direct order fulfillment will resume once our temporary office is secured. In the meantime books are available for purchase through Downhome Distribution and at bookstores nationwide.

Downhome Distribution
(709) 726-5113
mailorder@downhomelife.com
www.shopdownhome.com

For more information please contact Breakwater:
(709) 722-6680
info@breakwaterbooks.com
www.breakwaterbooks.com
A Note from the President, Rebecca Rose:

Dear Friends & Supporters,

Thank you for all your support over the last few days. We have indeed been affected by the fire next door, but are extremely grateful to the fire department for doing such a good job at saving our building. Thankfully, we have a second warehouse located in St. Phillip’s and all of the books stored there are safe. In addition, we have most of our electronic files recovered. Over the coming weeks our offices at 100 Water Street will be professionally cleaned and we will take stock of what has been affected by the smoke and water damage sustained. We will in the coming days announce where our temporary offices will be located, but in the meantime you can still reach our staff at the numbers and emails you already have. There are many exciting things happening at Breakwater these days and though this fire will slow us down a step, we aren’t going anywhere. Breakwater has been in business for 37 years and will carry on with business as usual.

Best wishes,
Rebecca Rose, President
rebecca.rose@breakwaterbooks.com

Book Launch Going Ahead

Hey friends & supporters. Thanks for all the well-wishes these last couple of days. While we might be bruised, we’re not broken. Our books for tomorrow’s event were in our St. Phillip’s warehouse so the launch is going ahead as planned. Please join us in celebrating “This Ramshackle Tabernacle,” our latest book of short stories, by Samuel Thomas Martin. We’ll be at The Ship (265 Duckworth St., St. John’s) Tue. June 15, from 7-9 pm. See you there!