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  • Tag: david albertyn

    • Catching up with David Albertyn

      Posted at 1:37 pm by TheAuthorsBookClub
      Jan 2nd

      Guest Post by Syeda Shanzay Kamran

      It’s been a year since David took a break from The Authors Book Club, an initiative he co-created in January 2019. In this interview, we catch up with him to see how he’s been doing.

      Photo credit: David Albertyn

      Shanzay: Undercard, released in 2019, was on the Crime Reads 2020 must-read list of 8 Debut Novels, was a finalist in the 2020 Evergreen Award, and one of 49th Shelf’s top fiction titles of 2019. How has the journey into the writer’s world been? Were you surprised by anything?

      David: Coaching tennis has basically been my day job since I finished university, and transitioning from that to focusing on writing my book was a big change. After the release of Undercard, I was suddenly doing interviews and things like that. It was a lot of fun, but at times overwhelming. I did put quite a lot of pressure on myself. Maybe this was because I was a first-time author, but I felt very grateful to my publisher for giving me that opportunity, and I felt this great responsibility to sell a lot of books. I think perhaps I shouldn’t have put so much pressure on myself in that regard and instead, just experienced it.

      Another thing is, when you’re unpublished, your first book is your door to entering the industry. It is kind of a weird mix of you getting this incredible opportunity; you want to capitalize on it to make sure that you have a long-lasting career. But at the same time, it’s a big thing, and it is something that you should just experience, so I think balancing that is a skill. This wasn’t something I had an understanding of going in.

      Shanzay: In an interview with Fiona Ross, you shared that we might be seeing Undercard on the big screen? Can you share any updates?

      David: For sure! The big difference between that and writing is that with a book you have an agent either accept your work or not. Whereas in screen work, it seems as if there are countless little steps along the way. The project has moved quite a long way. They got a screenwriter and they are developing it. I believe it’s close to being a series. Hopefully, we should know by next year. It’s fascinating because there are lots of people and a lot of production companies attached to it. It’s really exciting!

      Shanzay: You mentioned in an interview with Tom Sumner that you’re working on a new book about the tennis world and crime fiction.

      David: It’s grown quite large. I’m not sure if we will end up doing a large book, or maybe it will be divided into more than one book. It’s funny because when I started, I thought of it as humour, drama, murder mystery revolved around the tennis club world. Undercard was intense, so I thought something comedic would be nice. One of the characters, Antoine, who is a pivotal character, is intense. It was quite emotionally taxing to write it. By the end, I was like, this is a lot more than I thought. It’s not the same as Undercard, though it is still more relationship-based. It’s been a lot of work. By this summer I hope to have a nice solid manuscript.

      Shanzay: You shared that you did a lot of research for your first book, Undercard, on boxing and how that world works. Do you enjoy the process? How do you weave your research into the storytelling? Is that easy or challenging?”

      David: Weaving research into your story, I would say, is almost like a puzzle. It is sort of this complex puzzle of information about things you find interesting, that are important, that are maybe not being discussed enough. Or there may be interesting things that are just useful for people to learn about and are potentially valuable, especially an intriguing discussion that comes from academics or journalists. I find weaving that in extremely challenging, but in a fun way. I find that it is one of my favourite parts of writing.

      Not only that, but I find that it is one of my strengths to take my research and weave it organically into my work, in a way that flows. If someone is reading my book purely for entertainment, it should be captivating and should have a flow to it.

      Shanzay: Out of curiosity I wanted to ask, how do you take a fact and turn it into something that has depth enough for both your characters and your reader to feel?

      David: One thing that works for me is when I am writing, I don’t like to have my research notes with me. I try to recall my research and just go with the flow. Then, when I’m in the editing process, I return to my notes and see where I can add my research. I sometimes feel like, in books and/or fiction, you come across a scene, and you can just tell that this person liked this part of their research and put that in there.

      I would say in terms of details, I find that the least interesting part. That’s something where you can refer to your research, especially in the editing process. Throw a detail in there just to give the reader a sense of the world without going overboard.

      Shanzay: How did 2021 impact your writing? Do you plan on including these years in your books in the future?

      David: Recently I was watching Salman Rushdie, and he was saying that young writers shouldn’t feel like they have to write about the pandemic. But for me generally, my ideas take a long time, so by the time I’m writing something, it has already happened a long time ago. The current book is set in 2018/2019 because I started writing it before the pandemic started, so it made no sense to include it. But I think at some point I might be writing about this period.

      In terms of how it affected me, I think 2020 wasn’t as productive as I would have liked it to be. There was so much going on. I had a couple of people close to me who were having a rough time, and I was trying to be there for them. It slowed me down and my writing. But otherwise the year has been quite productive.

      Shanzay: Are you reading anything now? What books would you say are “must-reads for 2021”?

      David: I’m re-reading Watership Down by Richard Adams. I really love it. I started reading Alice in Wonderland just because I was watching Westworld, the TV series, and it is a recurring theme in it. A book for writing that I always go back to is Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall. I love that book. I just love her style. I’ve read the whole series. My favourite is probably the middle one, Bring Up The Bodies. When I’m stuck writing, I go back to the opening chapter and think that this is how I want to write. I’m also reading Dubliners by James Joyce, which is a book of short stories. When I’m writing, I like to read people whose styles match mine.

      This interview has been edited for length and clarity.


      Syeda Shanzay Kamran is a co-op student with The Soap Box Press. Her vision is to bring comfort and happiness through her work.

      Posted in Recommended Books | Tagged ann y.k. choi, Canadian author, canadian book clubs, CanLit, david albertyn, Fiona Ross, the authors bookclub, Undercard
    • Plots & Pandemic: Virtual Meet & Greet with Ann Y.K. Choi

      Posted at 9:30 am by TheAuthorsBookClub
      Nov 7th

      Join us on November 15, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET. We will begin with a short reading followed by a group discussion and Q & A. The focus of this event will be the need for diverse stories: why representation in children’s books matters now more than ever.

      Register for this exclusive free event by emailing us at info@theauthorsbookclub.ca. Spacing is limited to 12 guests.

      Ann Y.K. Choi immigrated to Toronto from South Korea. Although she majored in English as an undergrad, she didn’t actively pursue a writing career until twenty years later when a Creative Writing instructor suggested that Ann turn a short story she was working on into a novel. The story, set in the 1980s, was inspired by Ann’s experience working in her family-run variety store. The novel, Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety, went on to become a finalist for the Toronto Book Award. Once Upon an Hour, Ann’s debut children’s picture book was released in October 2020. She is the co-founder of The Authors Book Club.

      Visit Ann’s website. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook, and Instagram.

      Posted in Recommended Books | Tagged ann y.k. choi, Canadian author, Canadian children's book, Children's Books, david albertyn, DiverseCanKidsLit, Fiona Ross, New Releases, Once Upon An Hour, Plots and Pandemic, The Authors' Book Club
    • Plots & Pandemic: Virtual Meet & Greet with Dennis Bock

      Posted at 9:00 am by TheAuthorsBookClub
      Oct 4th

      Join us on October 18, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET to meet and chat with author Dennis Bock. We will begin with a short reading followed by a group discussion and Q & A.

      Register for this exclusive free event by emailing us at info@theauthorsbookclub.ca. Spacing is limited to 12 guests.

      Dennis is an author, travel writer, book reviewer, and creative writing lecturer. His books have been shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Amazon/Books in Canada First Novel Award, and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. He has been a writer-in-residence at Yaddo, the Banff Centre, Fundación Valparaíso in Spain, and Santa Maddalena in Italy. His short stories have won several awards and have appeared in Glimmer Train, The Penguin Book of Canadian Short Stories, and The Journey Prize Stories. Bock lives in Toronto.

      Dennis’s newest novel, The Good German, was released in fall 2020. Visit his publisher’s website to learn more about his books.

      Visit Dennis Bock’s website. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

      Posted in Recommended Books | Tagged ann y.k. choi, Canadian author, canadian novel, CanLit, david albertyn, Dennis Bock, Fiona Ross, New Releases, Plots and Pandemic, The Authors' Book Club, The Good German
    • Plots & Pandemic: Virtual Meet & Greet with Farzana Doctor

      Posted at 12:10 pm by TheAuthorsBookClub
      Sep 8th

      It’s September! We’re happy to host our next Plots & Pandemic Series event! Join us on Sunday, September 20, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EDT. Guests can interact with Farzana Doctor and with each other. We will begin with a short reading followed by a group discussion and Q & A.

      Register for this exclusive free event by emailing us at info@theauthorsbookclub.ca. Spacing is limited to 12 guests.

      Farzana is an author of four novels: Stealing Nasreen, Six Metres of Pavement, All Inclusive, and Seven, which was released in September 2020. Farzana was recently named one of CBC Books’ “100 Writers in Canada You Need To Know Now”. She is also an activist, part-time psychotherapist and amateur tarot card reader.

      Visit Farzana’s website.

      Follow here on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

      Posted in Recommended Books | Tagged ann y.k. choi, Canadian author, canadian novel, CanLit, david albertyn, DiverseCanLit, Farzana Doctor, Fiona Ross, The Authors Book Club
    • Authors, tell us a bit about yourselves … (more author interviews!)

      Posted at 10:00 am by TheAuthorsBookClub
      Sep 7th

      Check out our latest Author Interviews!

      Hannah Mary McKinnon
      Sister Dear
      Lisa de Nikolits
      The Rage Room
      Kelly S. Thompson
      Girls Need Not Apply
      Vanessa Farnsworth
      The Haweaters
      Brent Van Staalduine
      Boy
      See more videos!

      Visit our YouTube Channel to see more author events!

      Posted in Recommended Books | Tagged ann y.k. choi, author interviews, book clubs, Brent Van Staalduinen, canadian, canadian authors, canadian book clubs, Canadian books, CanLit, david albertyn, Fiona Ross, Hannah Mary McKinnon, KellySThompson, Lisa di Nikolits, The Authors Book Club, vanessa farnsworth, Youtube interviews
    • For your viewing pleasure!

      Posted at 11:30 am by TheAuthorsBookClub
      Aug 13th

      Our ongoing uncertain times have inspired us to get creative! We want to keep supporting authors and to find opportunities to engage them with readers.

      We are now on YouTube! Check out what we’ve been doing so far:

      • Plots & Pandemic: Interactive Meet & Greet for Authors and Readers
      • Virtual book club launches
      • Author Interviews


      As well, each of us has our own little space in our YouTube community:

      Ann’s Corner features videos for writers and readers interested in the writing world.

      Fiona’s Corner focuses on book clubs and the reading community.

      The Caledon Women’s Book Club with guest author Farzana Doctor

      David’s Corner will be a series of entertaining videos for writers. More info to come soon.


      Is there something specific you’d like to see? We’d love to hear your ideas. Is there an author from our list you’d like to see interviewed or featured in any of our events? Let us know. Email us at info@theauthorsbookclub.ca or comment below.

      Posted in Recommended Books | Tagged ann y.k. choi, book clubs, canadian authors, CanLit, david albertyn, Fiona Ross, online book clubs, Plots and Pandemic, The Authors Book Club, virtual book clubs, virtual book launch
    • I still get it wrong: judging a book by its cover

      Posted at 9:30 am by TheAuthorsBookClub
      Jun 18th

      Post by Fiona Ross

      One of the biggest benefits of a book club (book clubs) is that you don’t get to always pick the books, other people do.  Now, let me tell you, as a teacher and librarian it’s not easy giving up that control or the power, but if you do, when you do, you may discover some happy surprises.

      The books I have read because I have had to as a reviewer, or as a book club member, are too many to list.  As a reader, my tastes lean to historical fiction, literary fiction, Canadian fiction and memoir. I tend to really favour female protagonists.  As a secondary school librarian, I read social justice (diverse literature) and YA.  For my beloved SUCCESS program at school I also include picture books.  I read widely.  And here is the rub, even after all these books and all this time, I still get it wrong.

      For example, when I joined The Authors’ Book Club, David Albertyn, our co-founder, sent me a copy of his novel Undercard as a thank you. He even wrote a lovely dedication inside.  I read the blurb and the synopsis, thought, “that’s nice” and filed it on my book shelf.  To be fair, I did think I would show it to my husband or middle son, because it might appeal to them.  I mean boxing? Vegas? A thriller?  Not exactly my cup of tea.

      And here we are. Six months later, a global pandemic, David’s U.S. release and an Authors’ Book Club event where I am moderating.  I can’t exactly show up when I haven’t read the book.  And you know what?  I love it. It is a story of friendship, intrigue, passion, history, boxing, racism, policing, military and so many other issues all woven in.  Mostly though, it is a well-paced story with likeable characters who you want to follow on their journey.  And really, isn’t that it?  Characters we care about, on a journey we can relate to.  Isn’t  that the essence of good storytelling and what readers want in a book? 

      I don’t like boxing.  I have never been to Las Vegas.  I am not a supporter of the police, or the military, and on the surface that is what this book is about.  But dig beneath the surface and it is a fast paced, rewarding read with relatable, interesting characters, and that is what readers want.

      So, if someone in your book club picks a book that doesn’t appeal.  Or, if you get a book as a gift that you would never pick for yourself, take a chance, dive in and actually read it.  Take it from me, a seasoned reader, it could be worth the chance. Just read.


      Fiona Ross is teacher librarian and book club consultant with The Authors’ Book Club. From the time she read her first novel, Bimbo and Topsy by Enid Blyton at age 6, she was hooked on fiction.  Fiona is an avid reader, a teacher librarian, a current member of two book clubs and past chair of the Secondary Fiction Review Committee at the Peel District School Board.  She also serves on the planning committee at the Festival of Literary Diversity, (FOLD). Although her job demands lots of YA she occasionally tries to read a book aimed at adult readers. 

      Follow Fiona on Twitter.

      Posted in Recommended Books | Tagged ann y.k. choi, canadian authors, Canadian books, CanLit, david albertyn, Fiona Ross, The Authors' Book Club, Undercard
    • Plots & Pandemic: Virtual Meet & Greet with David Albertyn

      Posted at 9:51 pm by TheAuthorsBookClub
      Jun 13th

      We’re delighted to kick off our Plots & Pandemic Series with our co-founder David Albertyn. Join us on Saturday, June 20, 2020 to engage in a virtual face-to-face event where guests can interact with David and each other. We will begin with a short reading followed by a group discussion and Q & A.

      Register for this exclusive free event by emailing us at info@theauthorsbookclub.ca. Spacing is limited to 12 guests.

      Born in Durban, South Africa in 1983, David immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1993. A graduate of Queen’s University and the Humber School for Writers – where he received a Letter of Distinction – he has been writing stories since the age of six. A tennis coach who has competed extensively in both tennis and track and field, David’s goal is to write visceral novels that are both thrilling and meaningful. The result of all David’s interests, influences and efforts is Undercard (2019), which is infused with scrupulous research and the pulse of the times we live in. It immediately resonated with David’s Canadian publisher, House of Anansi, and went on to resonate with his international publishers, HarperCollins Germany and HarperCollins France, his World English audiobook publisher, Dreamscape Media, and the award-winning production company that optioned the film/TV rights, Shaftesbury. 

      Visit David’s website and the Reader’s Guide for Undercard.

      Contact David. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

      Posted in Recommended Books | Tagged book clubs, Canadian author, david albertyn, The Authors' Book Club, Undercard
    • So, you want to start a Virtual Book Club?

      Posted at 2:09 pm by TheAuthorsBookClub
      Mar 28th

      Guest post by Hannah Mary McKinnon

      As an author, I’ve had the pleasure of being invited as a guest to a number of book clubs, in person and online. Each time has been an absolute pleasure, and what struck me the most was the camaraderie amongst the members, so much so that I decided to start my own book club earlier this year. 

      Enter the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures, which means in-person book club meetings must be postponed, and it might seem crazy to even think of starting a new club. Except we need human connections and something to look forward to more than ever right now, and a virtual book club could add to the comfort we so desperately need. The solution? A virtual book club. Here are some tips to get you started:

      1. Find members

      You can’t have a book club without members but where to find them? I posted in a local Facebook mom’s group and was immediately inundated with replies. Expecting a handful of participants, I couldn’t believe it when over 60 women indicated their interest. That number settled at 17 members after people couldn’t make it because of family and/or scheduling conflicts. 17 is quite a large number for a virtual book club, and I’d suggest having around 10 members so it’s easier to chat with one another online.

      1. Have an introductory meeting online

      Make it a “meet-and-greet” where you introduce yourselves, chat about the genre of books you enjoy (or don’t care for), and talk about the structure of the group. To do this, use a videoconferencing tool such as Zoom. A “pro” subscription for up to 100 participants per meeting costs $20/month, but maybe one of your members has already signed up, and they can set the meetings up and share the link with the members. Participants can mute their mic when not talking to minimize background noise.

      1. Figure out how to pick books

      In my book club, we decided to have five rotating selections: Book Club Picks, Suspense/Thriller, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction and “Wild Card” where anything goes. We plan the books two months ahead, members make suggestions on which we vote afterwards, so people have the chance to look up the books first. Having themes means we read a variety of genres, and don’t have the same one multiple months in a row. Alternatively you could have the host pick the book for the next (online) gathering, or go in alphabetical order instead. Maybe you pluck books out of a (virtual) hat. There are many different ways that allow each member to give input.

      1. Create a Facebook Group

      While I initially managed all communication via email, it was much easier to shift everything to a Facebook group. The group is hidden, meaning only members have access, and I scheduled all our events for the rest of the year. The group is also an easy place to share information about upcoming reads, where to find books, and to create the monthly book pick polls on which members can vote. information about upcoming reads, where to find books, and to create the monthly book pick polls on which members can vote.

      1. Invite authors

      Admittedly, this is easier to do when you’re an author yourself and you’ve made connections with other writers, but you might be surprised by how many authors love to be a guest at a book club. The wonders of technology mean you can beam them straight into your chosen location, again by using Zoom. Whether they charge for their time depends on the author, but regardless, sharing photos and reviews of their novels on social media will no doubt be greatly appreciated. Still unsure about inviting an author?  The Authors’ Book Club provides a list of Canadian writers who are happy to join your meeting—all you need to do is ask.

      Creating a book club has been a wonderful experience and an excellent way to find like-minded friends with whom I can share my love of books. We’re living through an unprecedented crisis, and many of us in isolation, feeling disconnected from the world. A virtual book club might be another way for you to make new online connections, and have a ready-made new set of friends you can meet IRL once the pandemic is over.


      Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the U.K., grew up in Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2010. After a successful career in recruitment, she quit the corporate world in favor of writing. Sister Dear is Hannah Mary’s fourth novel. She lives in Oakville, ON, with her husband and three sons.

      Visit Hannah Mary’s website. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

      Posted in book clubs, Guest Authors | Tagged ann y.k. choi, authors, book clubs, books, canadian authors, canadian book clubs, canadian writers, david albertyn, Fiona Ross, Hannah Mary McKinnon, online book clubs, starting a book club, The Authors' Book Club, virtual book clubs
    • Invite an Author to your Virtual Book Club Meeting!

      Posted at 10:57 am by TheAuthorsBookClub
      Mar 19th

      As everyone struggles to make sense of the COVID-19 outbreak and how to stay safe, a Toronto-based writing group, The 11th Floor Writers, held its March meeting using Google Hangouts. This allowed its members to still “meet” face-to-face and engage in a productive meeting without leaving home.

      Virtual book club meetings with a “visiting” author might be one way for authors and book clubs to connect during these uncertain times. They allow book clubs to invite authors from across Canada. There is an abundance of technology that makes this possible. The key is to figure out which works best for individual book clubs and authors. With the exception of calling the author using a telephone, a virtual author visit requires an Internet connection, audio (speakers and microphones), a webcam, and a projector/computer so that the book club and the author can interact with each other. 

      Google Hangouts:

      To use Google Hangouts, one book club member (the host) needs to sign into a Gmail/Google account and go to Google Hangouts. There, hosts can invite members to be their contacts on Hangouts. They can only invite Gmail email addresses. Once the contacts are added, hosts can start a video chat and invite as many as 25 people to participate. 

      Tip: Hosts can also create a group of contacts to make inviting online book club members more efficient. While they can do all this through the web browser, they can also download the Google Hangouts app on any device and use the service that way, all of which is free. The drawback is that everyone involved in the chat must have a Google account, including the author.

      Other options that most of our authors use include Skype, FaceTime, and conference calling.

      Group Video Chat via Skype: 

      What you will need: The Skype app on a smartphone or computer.

      Benefits: Easy for group chats; (up to 50 participants); free.

      Cons: Video connection depends on your Internet connectivity (a slow or intermittent connection can lead to frozen screens or glitches).

      Learn more: Visit Skype’s website.  

      Group FaceTime:

      What you will need: iPhone, iPad or Mac desktop or laptop.

      Benefits: Picture-in-picture allows book clubs and authors to view each other (up to 32 participants); free.

      Cons: FaceTime is incompatible with non-Apple devices.

      Learn more: Visit Apple’s website.

      Conference calls: 

      What you will need: A phone with a speaker.

      Benefits: No need for any other technology/tech set–up.

      Cons: Book clubs and authors cannot view each other; long distance fees may apply.

      Etiquette for virtual meetings:

      • Test all technology before the meeting
      • Introduce everyone at the book club meeting to the author
      • Select a quiet area, free from distractions
      • Ensure all cell phones are on silent
      • Stick to your predetermined author visit time

      Some final tips for book clubs:

      Select one person to be the author’s key contact. Prepare for the virtual visit. Predetermine how long the visit will be (30-45 mins). Take into account any different time zones. Pick a format (e.g., do you want the author to read? Key talking points? Q&A?). Find out about any author fees or requests. Check the quality of your Internet connection, as well as the camera and sound. Have fun!

      Some final tips for authors:

      Check the quality of your Internet connection beforehand. Confirm your meeting times and the length of the online visit ahead of time. Discuss any author fees if applicable.

      If this is your first virtual book club, practise! Look at the camera and not the screen. This will allow you to look out at the book club members. Ensure the space is quiet with minimal background distractions. Avoid interruptions. Turn off your cell phone and let others around you know that you are working. Have fun!

      We’d love to hear from you!

      Share your virtual book club meeting experiences! Tag us on social media using the hashtags #theauthorsbookclub and #inviteanauthor, or email us at theauthorsbookclub@gmail.com.

      Thank you and Happy Reading, everyone!

      Posted in book clubs, General | Tagged ann y.k. choi, book clubs, books, canadian authors, canadian book clubs, Canadian books, CanLit, david albertyn, Fiona Ross, The Authors' Book Club, virtual meetings
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      • The Quotable Dennis Bock
      • Plots & Pandemic: Virtual Meet & Greet with Lee Gowan
      • Catching up with David Albertyn
      • An Interview With Ami Sands Brodoff
      • An Interview With Cathrin Bradbury
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