Authors in Conversation at the Nelson Public Library
By Contributor
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 her new novel, Cambium Blue with an author reading and chat at the Nelson Library on Wednesday, May 4 at 7 p.m.
Cambium Blue is set in the British Columbia Interior. The story follows three residents as their lives intertwine and it’s an homage to resource towns, independent women and local newspapers.
Brownlee is forgoing the usual format of lone author reading at a podium and has invited Nelson mystery writer, Deryn Collier to join her in conversation.
Brownlee explains, “We’ll each read a bit, and chat about writing, and then open it up for questions about the books, writing and publishing.” Brownlee thinks readers and writers will enjoy the format, “I always say that the only thing better than writing is talking about writing.”
Deryn 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. Collier 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 pm to 4 pm at the Nelson Library. Brownlee 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.
Brownlee is the author of two novels, Cambium Blue (Harbour Publishing, 2022) and Loggers’ Daughters (Oolichan Books, 2013). A former journalist, she has also worked as an outfitter’s cook, a trail guide, a bookkeeper and an employment counsellor.
