What difference does a border make? A big one, unfortunately. Five years ago, Alaska-born Ellen Bielawski published a major work of creative nonfiction about the diamond mines of Canada, based on her own experiences as a negotiator in the incredibly high-stakes minerals game. Called ROGUE DIAMONDS: Northern Riches on Dene Land, it was published in […]
Border-crossing Ellen Bielawski on Canadian books and publishing Read More »
Several days ago, I was met at the entrance of our local Borders by an Alaskan author signing copies of his first book. A sincere and no doubt talented man, he engaged customers as they came through the door, offering facts about how long he’d spent writing the book and a few tidbits about his
I know I’m going to get choked up on Tuesday, because I already got choked up watching this. Awesome job, Team Alaska. I’m so sorry I was out of town and missed this, but I’m incredibly proud to pass it on.
Alaska Women for Obama on Youtube Read More »
I am envious. A lot of people are getting ready to have some fun, and I’m watching from the sidelines this year. The fun I’m talking about is NaNoWriMo — National Novel Writing Month, during which writers of all kinds (including people who have never written before) attempt to write a novel of 50,000 words
National Novel Writing Month starts in less than 3 days — and kids can take part, too! Read More »
For my next book (Picture This, Alaska: Historic Photographs from the Last Frontier, Sasquatch, 2009), I got to sort through 25,000 photos from Alaska’s archival collections to select 110 crisp, well-composed, emotionally evocative pictures to tell the story of how our state grew up. In the process, I developed (no pun intended) a huge appreciation
PICTURES FOR WORDS Read More »
A few other awards with which to compare my/our “Chinooker” idea for a Pacific Northwest regional award, or an Alaska-specific book award: The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Assocation presented six awards in January (none of them to an Alaskan, unfortunately). There were 200 nominees. A quick scroll through past winners reveals that Seth Kantner won one
Still thinking about that Chinooker idea… Read More »
On Sunday I had the delightful experience of listening to Alaskan storyteller Brett Dillingham tell the tall tale of a pet fish that drowned. With Alaskans suffering more than their share of tall stories from politicians who do one thing and say another, it was refreshing to enjoy a real fish out of water whopper.
My first Alaskan book project wasn’t really mine. Even though I was a first year teacher, principal (and now artist) Michael Murray entrusted me with an oral history project he’d begun with our students under the supervision of Ann Vick, working with Doubleday’s Anchor Press. The result of our collective efforts was The Cama-i Book,
TELLING OUR STORIES Read More »
I haven’t yet read the recently announced Booker prize-winning WHITE TIGER, by debut novelist Aravind Adiga. (Have you?) But I have appreciated other recent Booker winners and nominees, which I probably wouldn’t have read except for the publicity and international distribution made possible by the 40-year-old award. I enjoyed Anne Enright’s 2007 winner, THE GATHERING
Do we need a “Chinooker”? (About literary prizes…) Read More »
If you’ve ever wondered why you hear lots about some books and not so much about others, this week’s guest blogs by Michelle Moran and M.J. Rose, for agent Nathan Bransford, are required reading. You’ll get the inside scoop on what authors should spend on PR, publicist pros and cons, dealing with bad reviews, cover
ALASKAN AUTHORS WEEKLY ROUND-UP Read More »
