What I'm doing

Normally I only blog when I have something interesting to say. I don't stick to a schedule for the sake of a schedule. And usually that means I post about once or twice a week.

But holy smokes - I've just noticed how long it's been!

So here's what I'm doing:

Revisions
ICE DOGS is kicking my butt with the final copy due in to my editor in September. Turns out, the work is NOT done once you've sold your manuscript. It has just begun.

Author Questionnaire
Once you sign with a publishing house, you normally get a multi-page document asking about you, your marketing plans, etc. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is keeping me on my toes.

New writing
I've just completed a new outdoor adventure loosely based on my own experiences working as a Park Ranger for twelve years in Quetico Park. Stay tuned.

New website
In honour of my new book coming out, the fabulous Maddee of Xuni.com is creating a serious work of art for me. I can't wait to show you.

Work
Since I'm about to spill the beans on my new website, I'll say now that I actually have a full time job as a Conservation Officer. I've been busy protecting our natural resources (ie. in spring this usually involves the walleye run)

Play
I've been getting in lots of camping and fishing this spring. And I've been planning our next kayak expeditions for the summer. Please check back again for more rugged Lake Superior coastline photos and near-death tales of adventure.

My man last weekend while we trolled for trout. No fish were harmed in the taking of the this photo.

The reason why being an author is awesome

I haven't talked about Dogsled Dreams for a while, but felt the need to mention I found this little gem thanks to Google Alerts.

Imagining my book being read out loud in a classroom,
and those kids actually liking it so much, they don't want the teacher to stop,
and then those kids reading it again ON THEIR OWN

and then having the totally awesome teacher,
who not only reads to her class, but also blogs about books,
take the time to post this about my little book ...

well, there are no words.

photo credit





just smiles.

Read any good books lately?

While waiting for my revision package from my editor, I've been on a reading frenzy.

Perhaps it's a YA burnout, or just my mood, but I'm not having much luck in my choices this year.

I don't like talking about books that I didn't care for, so here's a few that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED

I've read 26 books this year. This is a small percentage.

So I'm looking for your help in finding my next book crush. I'm considering Anansi Boys on audio. I've heard it's a great audiobook and I've just discovered the joys of driving and listening.

I'm looking forward to others that are coming out soon - Bitter Blue, The Drowned Cities, The Calling, Endure. I'll be purchasing all of these.

Any advice? What's your book recommendation?

lucky seven meme

I've been tagged by Rena in a Lucky Seven meme. I don't normally do memes. And considered for a while how brave I was going to be, but it's only seven sentences, so decided to share this rough draft.

Here's an excerpt from my wip - WILD WOOD THUNDER.
Page 77, seven lines down, seven sentences.

"Logan!" I yell, and stumble forward.

            He's face down in the gravel with the water rushing around his legs. I place a hand on his back and feel it move with a breath. I let out a sigh of relief. A dark oozing blood trail soaks down the side of his pants from his knee. His lips are blue. I realize he must have gone through the second set of rapids as well.


And you know I have to post a photo to match. Since this is a canoeing survival story, here's a few from my archives when I worked as a backcountry Park Ranger in Quetico wilderness park.

Me and Taiga in the rain

winner

The winner of my latest book giveaway ...


is ...

Theresa Milstein!!

Thanks everyone for all your comments about how awesome dogsledding books are! What fun to read!

and, because I love pictures, here's a random photo from our trip in Georgian Bay last year. Paradise.

Another giveaway

Truth by Julia Karr ARC
Lost Voices by Sarah Porter
(from my publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Isn't that a stunning cover?)
My Big Nose and other natural disasters by Sydney Salter
My Very Un Fairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszweski

One commenter wins all four books. Randomly selected.

Simply leave a comment telling me why dogsledding novels are awesome.
And I would love it if you added ICE DOGS to your goodreads list.

Ends March 25.

Storm of the season

Over a foot of snow in 24 hours with high winds = no power for two days. But we've dug out, we're back on, and we're ready for the next one. Bring it!

and then the sun came out

Tongues and Teeth and stuff



Photo by Alaskaphotography.com

The Iditarod begins tomorrow - March 3. For all your doggie goodness news, check out some of these links

 the Official site here

Race Talk forum
Backstage Iditarod

New Web Cam sites

Iditarod Start
Nome (the finish line)


For more amazing pictures of tongues and teeth check out Alaska Photography

including this short video of a crash. omg. I've so been there.




Enjoy!

Catch Fire

My dear blogger friend Alex J. Cavanaugh is celebrating his new release today. Alex is a true champion of the writing community giving his time and energy to supporting authors in every stage of the writing journey. And today the cosmos are smiling for his turn.

The goal is to help CassaFire “catch fire” on the best seller charts and achieve the success of the first book, CassaStar. There’s also a special package of prizes being given away at the author’s blog as well as book giveaways during his two-week blog tour.

See Alex’s site for details

CassaFire

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Available today!

Science fiction - space opera/adventure

CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

Buy the book:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Kindle

Why Do They Run?

It's eighteen days away.

Every year, I sign up for the Iditarod Insider to get the latest news and videos. I pick the free option, but if you are a teacher, or huge fan, you can choose to subscribe to the whole package. It's a fun way to be part of the race, without the travel.

Check out my favourite video so far this year here and click on THE DOGS OF THE IDITAROD for a one-minute clip that will make you smile.

Or, if you just want to know WHY THEY RUN, check out my book, DOGSLED DREAMS.

It's all about love.

Goodreads

sled dog central

OMG - my book has magically appeared on Goodreads.

ICE DOGS

It's alive! 

I would love it if you added it to your list

May B winner

Little late getting this post out due to the skate skiing conditions across the lake. SPECTACULAR! What a day.

and so,

Winner of the ARC of Caroline Starr Rose's May B is ...


Susan Fields

YAAAAYYY   *Kermit arms waving

Random photo from here so there's something to look at in this post.

Thank you to everyone who entered.

Giveaway May B

Lots of buzz lately over Caroline Starr Rose's brilliant novel in verse MAY B. 

My five star review on goodreads.

I'd like to help celebrate by offering an ARC giveaway. Randomly selected. Just leave a comment here before Feb. 4 and you will be entered to win.

Please include your email if it isn't linked to blogger!

Winner announced Feb. 5


Speaking of survival stories - has anyone seen the new release, The Grey, with Liam Neesen?  Besides being full of annoying Hollywood-ized untruths about wolves, it's a great adventure. Leave a comment, I'd love to chat about it.

Wolves and Bears and Contracts, oh my!

Thought it's time to share the story of when I got my offer from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

And when you live in the middle of a wildlife preserve, most everything is a story...

dramatic recreation.

There were two publishers interested in making an offer for my YA novel, ICE DOGS. So we knew the date it was to happen. As you can imagine, I was a bit of a basket case that day.

Hubby was hanging around, not helping with the nerves, so before it all went down, I suggested he take the dog out for a walk.

At the exact moment the offer came in, I glanced out the window to see my dog running for her life down the driveway with a freaking Timber Wolf on her tail. The wolf got right to the bottom of the stairs of the deck before it wheeled around and ran off.

And my man was missing.

So forget about the fact I just had the offer of a lifetime, and all my dreams come true. Instead of celebrating, I had images of my man surrounded by a wolf pack somewhere.

I think my exact words were, "Gotta go... the wolves!"

Turns out, while on their relaxing walk, the dog spotted a bear with two cubs, began a chase that didn't really work out for her, and came running back to my Hubby. All Hubby saw was teeth coming at him.

He scrambled up the closest tree and stayed there to wait it out. The dog continued running home, and somehow picked up a wolf along the way. (I swear, I'm not making this up!)

So the dog got chased by a bear AND a wolf on the same walk!

Leave it to MY DOG to steal my thunder!

Ever wonder where deer sleep in a snowstorm?

... on my snowshoe trail apparently!

We had a mother of a storm here yesterday. When I went snowshoeing today, I found these deer beds on my trail. You can see where they dug down, and then how much snow fell while they were all comfy in bed.



see the frozen indent made by the deer's leg in the middle of the bed?

What cool things have you found on your trail?