Tag: memoir

Book Launch and Tea

I’m excited to announce that I’m heading back to my home province of Saskatchewan for not one, but two book launches of Tales from the 44 Trail! The first will be where it all started – in Yellow Creek. Join me for a book reading, sharing of memories and a few laughs in the Silver Halos room of the former school on Sunday, June 2nd starting at 1PM.

The second launch will take place in Saskatoon at the Refinery Arts & Spirit Centre, 609 Dufferin Ave. on Wednesday, June 5th starting at 7PM. Do NOT come early as a Zoomba class will be in full swing upstairs until 7 – that is, unless you enjoy loud music. My event will take place downstairs and will be much more subdued.

If you’ve already purchased my book, many thanks! Come anyway and say hello. I’ll be happy to autograph the book for you. And if you know someone who might be interested in attending either or both events, pass on an invite to them.

I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

September Book Launch

E-book launches on September 8, 2023.

Yes, that’s little me on the book cover of my newest memoir! And my childhood home still stands (just barely) in those trees in the background image behind me. A brief summary of the book is as follows:

“Imagine growing up in the middle of nowhere in rural Saskatchewan, Canada with no electricity, no running water, no car and no telephone. No problem for prairie-born and raised Irene Pylypec. For siblings Irene and Bobby, their small, 160-acre, self-sustaining farm, located four miles from the village of Yellow Creek, is the centre of their universe. From searching for tadpoles in one of many sloughs to playing hockey with frozen horse turds, there’s always something for these two to do. That is, after all the chores are done, of course.

In this memoir, the author shares sometimes poignant, but mostly humorous tales of life on a 1960s prairie farm. From her earliest memories as a three-year-old to her senior year in high school, Irene entertains the reader with her many adventures and misadventures.”

The digital version of my newest memoir launches on September 8th. The paperback will launch shortly afterwards. I’m working with a designer in creating the final cover, so I’m hoping he will provide it sooner rather than later. If you can’t wait to read my story, you can pre-order the e-book from Amazon TODAY! On September 8th, it will appear on your Kindle, just like that. It’s magic!

Free Book Giveaway

ebook
Here’s what you can win. The book only (not the props)!

This Sunday, September 18th, I will be giving away TWO FREE copies of my most recent memoir, An English Teacher in Mexico.

For your chance to win, all you have to do is ask me a question or two. That’s right! I will be in the hotseat ALL DAY to answer your questions, starting at 11:00am MDT. If you are not yet a member of the fabulous Facebook group, We Love Memoirs, who are promoting this Spotlight Sunday event, be sure to join today so you can participate. You’ll be glad you did.

Helping the Children of Ukraine

You’ve all been watching the news. You know what’s happening. You know children in Ukraine are suffering. There is no need for me to repeat this information. What you may not know is what you can do to help. Here is one small way that you can.

Nashi, which means “Our Children”, is a Canadian charity that seeks to educate people about human trafficking. The organization has a safehouse for at-risk young girls in Ukraine, however all the girls have been temporarily evacuated to Poland due to the war in Ukraine. Starting from today and until further notice, I am contributing 100% of my royalties from my memoir, A Squatter in London, to this volunteer-run organization. That includes the e-book as well as the paperback version. Buy the book. Tell your friends. Share this post.

Despite references to my Ukrainian heritage and culture, the main theme of my book, A Squatter in London is not about Ukraine or Ukrainian children. However, if you are interested in reading about my travel experiences to then-Soviet Ukraine in 1982, I have contributed a chapter entitled Meeting My Grandmother to another author’s book. If you enjoy non-fiction, in particular autobiographies and memoirs, pick up a copy of Wish You Were Here. The book is an anthology of 20 different travel stories, expertly-curated by Alyson Sheldrake.

Pick a Pic. Win a Book.

I have a dilemma. And I would really like your help. I was photographed recently and have a number of really fabulous photos to choose from, but I can’t decide which one to use.

The photo will be used in my soon-to-be-published memoir as well as in my social media accounts.

Select the one you like best (A, B, C or D) and win a digital version of An English Teacher in Mexico. The lucky winner will be chosen by random draw.

Top, left to right: Photos A, B, C Bottom: Photo D

True Crime Book Review

Operation Julie – the Inside Story by Stephen Bentley

I don’t usually publish book reviews, but this one is just too good not to share.

Stephen Bentley is an undercover cop. Steve Jackson is a hippie drug dealer – or is he? In order to infiltrate a global drug ring – the characters manufacturing and distributing LSD in the UK, a clandestine group of detectives need to live a double life. This raw, captivating account of working deep undercover in 1970s UK is told by a detective who lived it.

This true story describes not only the intricacies of an undercover operation but also the difficulties detectives experience in adjusting to “normal” life after the project is completed. The author does not hold back in describing the toll it took on his personal life, especially the effects on his mental health at a time when there was little understanding from superiors during an undercover operation and no support afterwards. And, to this day, the author remains conflicted about relationships he established in the past as he asks himself, “who am I?”

As someone who lived in the UK and Ireland while this investigation was going on, I wonder how close some of my acquaintances at that time were to Operation Julie detectives. One of the addresses given in the book was a stone’s throw away from a London squat I lived in.

A great read, but I think it could have ended sooner. All the rambling points at the end sound more like the author trying to convince himself. We, the readers already get it. Case closed. 5 Stars

Paperback Sale

Only 3 days left to get my paperback memoir, A Squatter in London, on sale! On March 1st the price goes up. Check it out on:

Amazon Canada      Amazon US      Amazon UK

E-book also available for purchase but you’ll miss out on vintage 1970s photos. Be sure to tell your non-fiction, like-the-feel-of-paper, reader friends before it’s too late!