Dirty Laundry

And the nominees are…

Me.  At least one of them.  SWIM THE FLY has been nominated for Best Book for Young Adults from the YA branch of the American Library Association!!! 

Hooray!!!

And more exclamation marks!!!!!!!!

Here’s the link:
BBYA

Posted by Don Calame on 5.5.09 at 11:13 am in Prattlings. (5) Comments

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year…

Well, one of them anyway.  And, while I love Spring and Summer (the weather, the flowers, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, reading on the beach) what I love at least as much is Summer Movie Season.  Yes, I am a sucker for all those superhero flicks and giant robot movies and teen comedies that seem to bloom like tulips this time of year.  There will certainly be the disappointments but there are usually a handful of really fun films which make it all worth it (not always, but usually).  I’ve already seen X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which has about as many holes as a pegboard but still manages to be a ton of fun.  Lots of action and explosions and scowling (you definitely get your money’s worth in scowls).  This summer promises not to disappoint with the likes of Terminator: Salvation, Star Trek, Drag Me to Hell (Sam Raimi goes back to his Evil Dead roots), Up, Land of the Lost, Year One, Public Enemies, Harry Potter, Bruno, Inglourious Basterds, and on and on.  Pop that popcorn and turn on the air conditioning, because here I come.

Posted by Don Calame on 5.5.09 at 07:49 am in Movies. (0) Comments

Audiobooks!!!

I recently got some very fun news.  It looks like SWIM THE FLY as well as my next book (that’s still being written) has been picked up by Brilliance Audio.  Which means you will soon be able to listen to Matt’s exploits while you’re out jogging, or fishing, or doing your gardening, or power walking, or cooking dinner, or driving to school or work, or strolling with your dog, or window washing, or waiting for the bus, or whatever it is that you do when you’re not at home reading. 

I have no idea who will be doing the recording but in my dream of dreams I’d always wanted James Mason to record an audiobook for me.  Of course, he’s dead now, but how awesome would it be to hear him read the words, “Coop busies himself trying to embarrass me by waggling his churro around like it’s his schlong.”  I’d pay good money for that, let me tell you.

I suppose there’s always Christopher Walken. 

IN OTHER NEWS…

I will be signing books at the Strawberry Hill Chapters in Surrey from 1 - 4 pm tomorrow, Saturday, May 2nd.  It’s their 10th anniversary so come on down and celebrate!!!

Oh, and here’s a pic of Scooter wearing his new saddlebags.  He’s gotten fat and now I need to make him work.  If only he could do the same for me.

Posted by Don Calame on 5.1.09 at 11:15 am in Prattlings. (0) Comments

Booksellers For Breakfast and Why Life Is Good

This week saw the Vancouver Canucks finish off the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the playoffs in just four games.  If that wasn’t enough, my writing seems to have jumped into high gear as I race toward the finish line of the new book (hear the sound of my wonderfully patient editor sighing relief - wait until she hears what I’ve retitled it.)  And of course, there was that little thing in Publishers Weekly which I won’t mention again (A STARRED REVIEW - cough, cough) that really kicked the week off in fine fashion.

Right there, you have the makings for a pretty good seven-day-stretch. 

But what really made the week shine was a booksellers breakfast on Wednesday at Elixir in Yaletown set up by my awesome Canadian publicist, Nicola Makoway and hosted by the fabulous Carol Greenwood.  Nicola told me that Carol was a wonderful host and she wasn’t lying.  We had a table filled with enthusiastic, sweet and kind booksellers from around the lower mainland and Carol kept the atmosphere light and the conversation flowing.  I strategically ordered the French Toast because I wanted to be able to talk and still be able to eat without having to pay too close attention to my food, but honestly I was lusting after several of the eggs benedicts that showed up at the table.  All in all, it was a really nice time.  Carol asked some great questions and the booksellers couldn’t have been more warm and welcoming.

And just a reminder.  I will be signing copies of Swim the Fly at the Grand Opening of the White Rock Indigo on Sunday April 26th between 1-2:30.  If you’re in the area, stop by and say hello.

Posted by Don Calame on 4.25.09 at 09:23 am in Prattlings. (2) Comments