Submitted by the Nelson Public Library
In the spring of 2020, Valemount novelist Maureen Brownlee was planning a book tour to promote her new novel due out in the fall of that year. Like many things, the pandemic put a pause on it all. Now after almost two years, Brownlee celebrates the launch of Cambium Blue with an author reading and chat at the Nelson Library on Wednesday, May 4 at 7 p.m.
Cambium Blue, Brownlee’s second novel, is set in the British Columbia Interior. The story follows three residents as their lives intertwine. It’s an homage to resource towns, independent women and local newspapers.
Brownlee will forego the usual format of lone author reading at a podium and has invited Nelson mystery writer Deryn Collier to join her in conversation.
“We’ll each read a bit, and chat about writing, and then open it up for questions about the books, writing and publishing,” Brownlee says.
She thinks readers and writers will enjoy the format.
“I always say that the only thing better than writing is talking about writing.”
Collier is the author of the Bern Fortin novels Confined Space and Open Secret.
“I’m really looking forward to talking with Maureen about her new book and about how writing and publishing went for each of us during the pandemic,” says Collier, who will read a never-before shared excerpt from her manuscript A Real Somebody, a historical mystery set in Montreal in 1947.
Brownlee is also leading a free mini-workshop for beginner and experienced writers entitled Write Where You Are on May 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nelson Library. She will take participants through a series of exercises to help explore their writing habits and develop a sustainable creative practice.
To register for the workshop email hgoldik@nelson.ca or call the library at 250-352-6333.