It's a publishing phenomenon. A kid's book, not for kids that is sweeping the globe: Go the F__ to Sleep.
Yes, that "F"-word. If it offends you, please read no further.
Hundreds of thousands of copies of this book were pre-ordered and now it has hit store shelves. If you haven't yet got your copy, and even if you have, I have a gift for you:
Samuel L. Jackson reading it to you.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Last Days of Pennywise
The number of days remaining for you to visit Pennywise Books are now into the single digits, but there is no shortage of news to share with you.
Starting immediately, all remaining stock is 75% off the lowest sticker price! With this discount, hundreds of books are available at $1 or less. We still have lots of books, with new ones still hitting the shelves daily. You will never find a better book-shopping deal.
On Sunday, May 29, join us from noon to 6 p.m. for our "Good old-fashion bookstore-closing party." There will be a $2 cover charge in support of Words Alive, but you get to leave with a book. Come and chat with fellow book lovers, sharing memories and gossip.
The next day, Monday, May 30, beginning at 4 p.m. is the auction of all remaining books, fixtures and miscellaneous items. There will be incredible deals to be had! Spread the news, as this will be a spectacle not to be missed.
Finally, I have been getting lots of questions about when the Pennywise online store will be available. Over the past few weeks, we have been working on getting a solution in place, and we are happy to announce that Phase I of the store will be available for public use by the end of the month (barring any unforeseen complications). Details will be posted here when it is set to launch.
I hope to see all of you at the closing party, the auction, or both.
Starting immediately, all remaining stock is 75% off the lowest sticker price! With this discount, hundreds of books are available at $1 or less. We still have lots of books, with new ones still hitting the shelves daily. You will never find a better book-shopping deal.
On Sunday, May 29, join us from noon to 6 p.m. for our "Good old-fashion bookstore-closing party." There will be a $2 cover charge in support of Words Alive, but you get to leave with a book. Come and chat with fellow book lovers, sharing memories and gossip.
The next day, Monday, May 30, beginning at 4 p.m. is the auction of all remaining books, fixtures and miscellaneous items. There will be incredible deals to be had! Spread the news, as this will be a spectacle not to be missed.
Finally, I have been getting lots of questions about when the Pennywise online store will be available. Over the past few weeks, we have been working on getting a solution in place, and we are happy to announce that Phase I of the store will be available for public use by the end of the month (barring any unforeseen complications). Details will be posted here when it is set to launch.
I hope to see all of you at the closing party, the auction, or both.
Friday, March 18, 2011
CLOSING OUT SALE CONTINUES!
The big closing out sale continues!
This Saturday, March 19, receive a 35% on any regular stock item you buy (excluding consigned items). However, purchase 10 books or more and receive a whopping 50% off your purchase!
Books are flying out the door, so if there is a book you've been putting off buying, now's the time to get it. Once it's gone, it's gone!
See you all on Saturday!
This Saturday, March 19, receive a 35% on any regular stock item you buy (excluding consigned items). However, purchase 10 books or more and receive a whopping 50% off your purchase!
Books are flying out the door, so if there is a book you've been putting off buying, now's the time to get it. Once it's gone, it's gone!
See you all on Saturday!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Pennywise Books Closing Its Doors at the End of May
(Brandon Sun article - February 10, 2011)
Downtown Brandon will close another chapter and bid adieu to one of its champion retailers, Pennywise Books, this spring.
Over its six-year tenure at 1031 Rosser Ave., Pennywise Books’ owner T. Keith Edmunds endeavoured to bring excitement and activity to the downtown core through community events like Words Alive, Brandon’s annual literary festival.
The storefront will close its doors at the end of May.
However, the business will continue to exist online, Edmunds said.
Sales have been tarnished by the advancement of powerhouse web retailers like Amazon and the growing popularity of e-books and Edmunds says he has simply grown tired of “treading water.”
“I’m not being forced into closure by any means. It’s just that the book industry is going through a lot of changes and things are getting tighter. I was having to do more work to tread water,” Edmunds told the Sun.
Simply selling the business to a fellow book lover just wasn’t an option, Edmunds said.
“I built Pennywise from the ground up and I sort of want it to live and die with me,” he said. “There are things that have come out of it that will live on beyond, and I’m very proud of that.”
Brandon’s annual literary festival, Words Alive, and a local writers’ group, will continue beyond the closing of the store.
Plans for the fifth annual Words Alive literary festival are in the works right now and Edmunds says he will continue to look to the future and see how the event can grow bigger and better.
As a proponent for downtown development, Edmunds says he sincerely hopes his departure won’t have an impact on the momentum gathering throughout Rosser merchants.
“I don’t want (my closing) to be a reflection of downtown. The location of the store had no impact on my decision, it’s more of an industry-wide thing,” he said.
“There’s a lot going on in the industry and I was tired of trying to scramble to keep up with all of these changes for something that operated as primarily a hobby business.”
From Feb. 15 to the end of May, all regular stock will be deeply discounted. In addition, there will be ongoing sales and surprise daylong specials.
Follow Pennywise on Facebook or check out pennywise-books.com for updates on exciting sales.
Downtown Brandon will close another chapter and bid adieu to one of its champion retailers, Pennywise Books, this spring.
Over its six-year tenure at 1031 Rosser Ave., Pennywise Books’ owner T. Keith Edmunds endeavoured to bring excitement and activity to the downtown core through community events like Words Alive, Brandon’s annual literary festival.
The storefront will close its doors at the end of May.
However, the business will continue to exist online, Edmunds said.
Sales have been tarnished by the advancement of powerhouse web retailers like Amazon and the growing popularity of e-books and Edmunds says he has simply grown tired of “treading water.”
“I’m not being forced into closure by any means. It’s just that the book industry is going through a lot of changes and things are getting tighter. I was having to do more work to tread water,” Edmunds told the Sun.
Simply selling the business to a fellow book lover just wasn’t an option, Edmunds said.
“I built Pennywise from the ground up and I sort of want it to live and die with me,” he said. “There are things that have come out of it that will live on beyond, and I’m very proud of that.”
Brandon’s annual literary festival, Words Alive, and a local writers’ group, will continue beyond the closing of the store.
Plans for the fifth annual Words Alive literary festival are in the works right now and Edmunds says he will continue to look to the future and see how the event can grow bigger and better.
As a proponent for downtown development, Edmunds says he sincerely hopes his departure won’t have an impact on the momentum gathering throughout Rosser merchants.
“I don’t want (my closing) to be a reflection of downtown. The location of the store had no impact on my decision, it’s more of an industry-wide thing,” he said.
“There’s a lot going on in the industry and I was tired of trying to scramble to keep up with all of these changes for something that operated as primarily a hobby business.”
From Feb. 15 to the end of May, all regular stock will be deeply discounted. In addition, there will be ongoing sales and surprise daylong specials.
Follow Pennywise on Facebook or check out pennywise-books.com for updates on exciting sales.
Monday, November 29, 2010
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROFESSORS LAUNCH BOOKS
BRANDON, MB — Two new tomes have been added this fall to the Rural
Development Institute’s publishing arm. Dr. Doug Ramsey was one of the
editors of Geographical Perspectives on Sustainable Rural Change, while
Dr. Kenneth Beesley edited The Rural-Urban Fringe in Canada: Conflict &
Controversy.
"As publisher of these two publications, the Rural Development
Institute helps to illustrate the important role of research in
deepening our understanding of rural place and rural development. By
examining examples, practices and challenges not just across Canada, but
also in North America, United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia,
practitioners, decision-makers, politicians, policy analysts, along with
seasoned and new scholars, all gain new (insights) and confirmation of
existing initiatives,” said Dr. William Ashton, the director of RDI.
“These two volumes are examples of the Institute's on-going
commitment to transfer timely and essential knowledge in Manitoba,
across Canada, and around the world.”
Farms and farming, the remaking of rural communities and rural spaces,
and policy and action in rural development in North America, the United
Kingdom and Ireland, and Australia were examined in Geographical
Perspectives on Sustainable Rural Change. Also on the editorial team
with Dr. Ramsey were Dr. Dick Winchell of Eastern Washington University,
Dr. Rhonda Koster of Lakehead University, and Dr. Guy Robinson of the
University of South Australia.
“I was very pleased to be a part of this project. Since 1991, and based
upon invitation, rural geographers from Canada, the United States, and
the United Kingdom have met every four years. The purpose is to share
research on the latest theory and practice in the field of rural
studies. Brandon University was asked to take over the publication of
this volume due to cutbacks at Eastern Washington University that
included the closure of their press,” said Dr. Ramsey. “The book
includes preeminent rural geographers from each region as well as
emerging scholars and graduate students. Our sharing of ideas has been
central to the new paradigms adopted in our field.”
With a focus on Canada, The Rural-Urban Fringe in Canada: Conflict &
Controversy brings together the findings and ideas of established and
young scholars from across the country. There are contributions from
various disciplines — sociology, geography, planning, recreation,
tourism and rural development — each offering a different perspective on
the rural-urban fringe zones in Canada.
“I am thrilled to see this collection of research papers in print. Over
many years I have had extraordinary opportunities to work with, and
become friends with, some of the finest scholars in Canada. Most of
these people have a special interest in rural spaces and places, and
many have contributed to this volume on the rural-urban fringe,” said
Dr. Beesley. “I am very grateful for the support I have received from
the Rural Development Institute, the Department of Rural Development and
Brandon University generally for helping me see this project through to
fruition.”
The two books will be officially launched at 7 p.m., on December 9, at
Pennywise Books, a shop owned and operated by a former student of both
professors. Admission is free and refreshments will be served following
the presentation. Pennywise Books is located at 1031 Rosser Avenue.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Two Author Events for the end of November
The holiday season is closing in on us, and with it the need to buy gifts for all those hard-to-buy-for family members. Why not consider getting them a book? Even better, why not get them a book inscribed to them from the author? Why not get one for yourself?
Here's your chance! Over the next week, Pennywise is pleased to be hosting two fantastic Winnipeg authors.
On Wednesday, November 24 at 7 PM, David Annandale will be reading from and signing copies of his newest book "The Valedictorians."
Russian arms company Kornukopia is in flames, and the one-woman war machine, Jen Blaylock, is having second thoughts about letting CIA Deputy Director of Operations, Joe Chapel, live. From his hospital bed in northern Europe, Chapel, self-proclaimed saviour of the USA, plots to kill Blaylock and his former ally, Sam Reed, the President of the United States. To do his all-American duty, he enlists the help of South American dictator General Jorge Quintero. To stop him, Blaylock will have to raise her own army and wage war right to the steps of the Capitol building. The third episode in the Jen Blaylock series, this novel finds Blaylock torn between her need for retribution and her responsibility to Flanagan, her lover, and the men following her into the breach.
Will Blaylock drown in her unquenchable thirst for revenge, or find redemption with all debts paid? As the body count rises and the action explodes off the page, David Annandale’s epic action-thriller will have you glued to your seat until the dust finally settles.
A few days later, on Saturday, November 27 at 2 PM, local favorite Michael Van Rooy will be reading from the third book in his "Criminal" series.
Michael Van Rooy’s writing is fast-paced and highly entertaining with a mix of quirky humour and dry wit. Spine-tingling moments alternate with edge-of-your-seat action in his Monty Haaviko crime thriller series.
In this third instalment, Monty faces a new kind of criminal like nothing he has ever encountered – and he’s seen plenty already in An Ordinary Decent Criminal (ODC) and Your Friendly Neighbourhood Criminal(YFNC). Monty is tangled in political intrigue, blackmail, corruption, and a long-standing feud in which he becomes a pawn. At the same time, a serial killer threatens the love of Monty’s life – his wife Claire, and soon, escape seems impossible.
After a wealthy businessman encourages Monty to run for an elected position on the city’s new Police Commission, Monty learns his backer has another agenda. A rival businessman is backing his own patsy for the Commission, and stands to gain a fortune if his man wins – with Monty’s hired assistance.
But Monty almost calls calls it quits when Claire starts getting mysterious gifts and flowers, and they discover her admirer is a wanted serial killer, who will stop at nothing to reach his victims.
These books will make great gifts for those on your Christmas list, or a wonderful present to give yourself. If you have any questions about either of these events, don't hesitate to call us at 728-BOOK (2665) or email us at pennywise@wcgwave.ca.
We look forward to seeing you all soon!
Here's your chance! Over the next week, Pennywise is pleased to be hosting two fantastic Winnipeg authors.
On Wednesday, November 24 at 7 PM, David Annandale will be reading from and signing copies of his newest book "The Valedictorians."
Russian arms company Kornukopia is in flames, and the one-woman war machine, Jen Blaylock, is having second thoughts about letting CIA Deputy Director of Operations, Joe Chapel, live. From his hospital bed in northern Europe, Chapel, self-proclaimed saviour of the USA, plots to kill Blaylock and his former ally, Sam Reed, the President of the United States. To do his all-American duty, he enlists the help of South American dictator General Jorge Quintero. To stop him, Blaylock will have to raise her own army and wage war right to the steps of the Capitol building. The third episode in the Jen Blaylock series, this novel finds Blaylock torn between her need for retribution and her responsibility to Flanagan, her lover, and the men following her into the breach.
Will Blaylock drown in her unquenchable thirst for revenge, or find redemption with all debts paid? As the body count rises and the action explodes off the page, David Annandale’s epic action-thriller will have you glued to your seat until the dust finally settles.
A few days later, on Saturday, November 27 at 2 PM, local favorite Michael Van Rooy will be reading from the third book in his "Criminal" series.
Michael Van Rooy’s writing is fast-paced and highly entertaining with a mix of quirky humour and dry wit. Spine-tingling moments alternate with edge-of-your-seat action in his Monty Haaviko crime thriller series.
In this third instalment, Monty faces a new kind of criminal like nothing he has ever encountered – and he’s seen plenty already in An Ordinary Decent Criminal (ODC) and Your Friendly Neighbourhood Criminal(YFNC). Monty is tangled in political intrigue, blackmail, corruption, and a long-standing feud in which he becomes a pawn. At the same time, a serial killer threatens the love of Monty’s life – his wife Claire, and soon, escape seems impossible.
After a wealthy businessman encourages Monty to run for an elected position on the city’s new Police Commission, Monty learns his backer has another agenda. A rival businessman is backing his own patsy for the Commission, and stands to gain a fortune if his man wins – with Monty’s hired assistance.
But Monty almost calls calls it quits when Claire starts getting mysterious gifts and flowers, and they discover her admirer is a wanted serial killer, who will stop at nothing to reach his victims.
These books will make great gifts for those on your Christmas list, or a wonderful present to give yourself. If you have any questions about either of these events, don't hesitate to call us at 728-BOOK (2665) or email us at pennywise@wcgwave.ca.
We look forward to seeing you all soon!
Thursday, October 07, 2010
A cavalcade of authors!
The line-up for Words Alive 2010 has been announced. Head over to the Words Alive website for details.
As a teaser, however, there will be: Craig Russell, Pat Johanneson, Anita Daher, Danishka Esterhazy, Michelle Berry, Thomas Trofimuk, Kathryn Borel Jr., and Joseph Boyden. What a line-up!
Also at Pennywise, on October 16, between 12:30 and 1:30 pm, Stuart Houston will be signing copies of "Tommy's Team," a look at over 30 people who surrounded Tommy Douglas, helping make him one of the greatest Canadians of all time. From the doctor who saved Tommy's leg from amputation to the Japanese-Canadian evacuee who became Tommy's foremost economic advisor to well-known Brandonian Fred McGuinness, these are the stories of the contributions of the individuals who stayed out of the spotlight, but who were movers and shakers in their own right.
On the horizon are more authors for November. Stay tuned and I hope to see you all soon!
As a teaser, however, there will be: Craig Russell, Pat Johanneson, Anita Daher, Danishka Esterhazy, Michelle Berry, Thomas Trofimuk, Kathryn Borel Jr., and Joseph Boyden. What a line-up!
Also at Pennywise, on October 16, between 12:30 and 1:30 pm, Stuart Houston will be signing copies of "Tommy's Team," a look at over 30 people who surrounded Tommy Douglas, helping make him one of the greatest Canadians of all time. From the doctor who saved Tommy's leg from amputation to the Japanese-Canadian evacuee who became Tommy's foremost economic advisor to well-known Brandonian Fred McGuinness, these are the stories of the contributions of the individuals who stayed out of the spotlight, but who were movers and shakers in their own right.
On the horizon are more authors for November. Stay tuned and I hope to see you all soon!
Friday, September 03, 2010
Attention writers! A message from CBC.
The following email was received this morning. I post it here for any writers who may be interested:
A message from the desk of the CBC LITERARY AWARDS
Only 2 months left until the deadline for this year's competition!
Greetings writers!! It's that time of the year again. Time to compose or polish off those works destined for this year's CBC Literary Awards competition. The Awards Team is anxiously awaiting your original and unpublished works (short story, poetry, and creative non-fiction) by November 1, 2010.
Submit online!
Join us on Facebook!
The CBC Literary Awards are Canada's only literary competition celebrating original, unpublished works in both official languages. There is a first prize of $6,000 and a second prize of $4,000 in all 3 categories courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts. In addition, the winning texts are published in Air Canada's enRoute magazine and on our website, and the authors and their winning entries will get exposure on the CBC.
Visit our new website (www.cbc.ca/literaryawards) and get inspired! There you find regularly updated writing tips from the pros, as well as interviews with former winners and jurors. You can also read last year's winning entries and find resources in your province that can help you with your writing. We hope to make our website a wonderful resource and place to connect with other participants. So be sure to bookmark the page and check back often!
We look forward to receiving your submissions!
The Awards Team
Literary_Awards@cbc.ca
1-877-888-6788
A message from the desk of the CBC LITERARY AWARDS
Only 2 months left until the deadline for this year's competition!
Greetings writers!! It's that time of the year again. Time to compose or polish off those works destined for this year's CBC Literary Awards competition. The Awards Team is anxiously awaiting your original and unpublished works (short story, poetry, and creative non-fiction) by November 1, 2010.
Submit online!
Join us on Facebook!
The CBC Literary Awards are Canada's only literary competition celebrating original, unpublished works in both official languages. There is a first prize of $6,000 and a second prize of $4,000 in all 3 categories courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts. In addition, the winning texts are published in Air Canada's enRoute magazine and on our website, and the authors and their winning entries will get exposure on the CBC.
Visit our new website (www.cbc.ca/literaryawards) and get inspired! There you find regularly updated writing tips from the pros, as well as interviews with former winners and jurors. You can also read last year's winning entries and find resources in your province that can help you with your writing. We hope to make our website a wonderful resource and place to connect with other participants. So be sure to bookmark the page and check back often!
We look forward to receiving your submissions!
The Awards Team
Literary_Awards@cbc.ca
1-877-888-6788
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Fast Fiction 2010
Fast Fiction, Brandon's 24-hour short story writing contest returns for 2010! With growing interest over the past few years, this year's contest promises to be one of the most exciting yet.
For readers unfamiliar with Fast Fiction: writers are presented with a story element that must be included in their final entry. Twenty-four hours later, entries are due. Style, length and content are left to the whim of the writer. There is no age restriction for entry, nor is there an entry fee.
The 2010 edition of Fast Fiction will kick off at 5 p.m., on September 25, at Pennywise Books. At that time, a required element will be divulged. Writers will then have 24 hours to write their submission and deliver it to Pennywise Books by 4:59 p.m. on September 26. E-copies will be accepted.
Winners will be announced at Words Alive on October 15 and 16.
Visit www.wordsalivefestival.ca for complete contest rules.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Winners of CBA Libris Awards 2010
TORONTO (29 May 2010) – It was Atlantic Canada’s year, as Newfoundland-born author Linden MacIntyre and Halifax bookstores Bookmark II and Woozles Ltd. found themselves among the big winners at Canadian Booksellers Association’s(CBA's) Libris Awards 2010 Presentation, which took place on May 29, at theDelta Toronto Airport West Hotel during CBA’s National Conference, in a gala event hosted by CBC Radio One’s Shelagh Rogers.
Unique in their commitment to acknowledging the best among the talented professionals who deliver great books to Canadian readers, and nominated and voted on by members of the Canadian bookselling community, CBA Libris Awards honour outstanding achievement by authors and editors, sales reps and distributors, booksellers and publishers.
Linden MacIntyre was the night’s only double-winner. His critically acclaimed The Bishop’s Man won the Fiction Book of the Year Award, and he won Author of the Year honours for his outstanding literary work and his contribution to Canadian culture and support of the bookselling industry. Winning in this year’s revised children’s book categories—Picture Book and Young Readers’ Book of the Year—were When Stella Was Very, Very Small (Marie-Louise Gay, Groundwood Books) and Vanishing Girl: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Third Case (Shane Peacock, Tundra Books).
In the Non-fiction category anthropologist Wade Davis’ exploration of the wisdom of the world's indigenous cultures, The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World (House of Anansi Press), came out on top.
This year’s Sales Rep winner, covering the Prairies, was Kate Walker & Company’s Rorie Bruce, and the Editor of the Year recipient (for the second year in a row) was Cormorant Books’ Marc Côté.
In the Bookseller categories, winners include Specialty Bookseller of the Year honouree Woozles Ltd. (Halifax) and The Book Store at Western (London, ON), which took The Campus Bookseller of the Year title. The industry’s pick for Bookseller of the Year is Bookmark II (Halifax).
In the publishing arena, the reigning Small Press and Publisher of the Year are Toronto’s Coach House Books and House of Anansi Press, respectively, while Raincoast Book Distribution has earned Distributor of the Year bragging rights.
This year’s ceremony featured the presentation of a brand new award: Chase Paymentech Young Bookseller of the Year, recognizing outstanding achievement from a bookseller under 30, which was awarded to Mandy Brouse from Words Worth Books in Waterloo, ON.
Unique in their commitment to acknowledging the best among the talented professionals who deliver great books to Canadian readers, and nominated and voted on by members of the Canadian bookselling community, CBA Libris Awards honour outstanding achievement by authors and editors, sales reps and distributors, booksellers and publishers.
Linden MacIntyre was the night’s only double-winner. His critically acclaimed The Bishop’s Man won the Fiction Book of the Year Award, and he won Author of the Year honours for his outstanding literary work and his contribution to Canadian culture and support of the bookselling industry. Winning in this year’s revised children’s book categories—Picture Book and Young Readers’ Book of the Year—were When Stella Was Very, Very Small (Marie-Louise Gay, Groundwood Books) and Vanishing Girl: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Third Case (Shane Peacock, Tundra Books).
In the Non-fiction category anthropologist Wade Davis’ exploration of the wisdom of the world's indigenous cultures, The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World (House of Anansi Press), came out on top.
This year’s Sales Rep winner, covering the Prairies, was Kate Walker & Company’s Rorie Bruce, and the Editor of the Year recipient (for the second year in a row) was Cormorant Books’ Marc Côté.
In the Bookseller categories, winners include Specialty Bookseller of the Year honouree Woozles Ltd. (Halifax) and The Book Store at Western (London, ON), which took The Campus Bookseller of the Year title. The industry’s pick for Bookseller of the Year is Bookmark II (Halifax).
In the publishing arena, the reigning Small Press and Publisher of the Year are Toronto’s Coach House Books and House of Anansi Press, respectively, while Raincoast Book Distribution has earned Distributor of the Year bragging rights.
This year’s ceremony featured the presentation of a brand new award: Chase Paymentech Young Bookseller of the Year, recognizing outstanding achievement from a bookseller under 30, which was awarded to Mandy Brouse from Words Worth Books in Waterloo, ON.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tour Downtown for a chance to win $500
During the Memorial Cup, May 14 - 23rd, while shopping, eating or just visiting downtown merchants, you can enter a ballot for a chance to win $500.
From the Renaissance Brandon website (www.renaissancebrandon.ca):
From the Renaissance Brandon website (www.renaissancebrandon.ca):
Twenty-Five downtown businesses have organized the “Tour our Historic Downtown for a Chance to Win $500″ promotion within the Renaissance District to publically show support and participation of downtown Brandon merchants and Renaissance Brandon during the Memorial Cup and Manitoba Homecoming 2010. Manitoba Homecoming is a year long experience bringing former and current Manitobans, visitors, friends and families together for events, festivals and an all around great celebration.Visit Renaissance Brandon to see the map.The newly formed group of interested and motivated downtown merchants will use this unique to Brandon and Manitoba opportunity to showcase the district’s heritage and diverse selection of services.
5,000 copies of a downtown map highlight the 25 participating businesses along with some historic buildings within the Renaissance District. The downtown map is located within the Visitor Guide distributed throughout Brandon to hotels, Memorial Cup Village and two other information centers at Westman Communications Place. Anyone visiting one or more of the 25 downtown businesses can enter their name in a free draw. At the conclusion of the Memorial Cup a name will be drawn to determine the winner of the $500 grand prize. In addition, the Town Center Merchant’s Association will be making a $500 donation to the Wheat King’s Bursary Fund. The promotional event Starts May 14, 2010.
The following merchants are participating in this promotion:
1. Bromley‘s Menswear
2. New System
3. The Town Centre Merchant Association
4. Remington’s
5. Union Shoe Store
6. Gypsy Jive Dance
7. Samson Engineering Ltd
8. Pennywise Books
9. Double Decker Tavern
10. Black Orchid Beauty Salon
11. Catwalk Clothing Company
12. Olivier’s Bistro & Steakhouse
13. Ginger Cat Café
14. Chilly Chutney
15. TCM Goldsmith
16. Cinnamon Tree
17. Friends Fashion Boutique
18. Brandon Sewing Centre
19. Anna’s Indulgence
20. Westoba Credit Union
21. A Buck or Two
22. Zeke’s Jewellers
23. Troika Treasures
24. Clancy’s Eatery & Drinkery
25. Sub Shop – Town Centre
Monday, April 26, 2010
"Black Bottle Man" Book Launch - April 28
Craig Russell is well known in Brandon as a lawyer, actor and director of plays, and now, he can add novelist to that that list. His first foray in young adult fiction has been successful. "Black Bottle Man" was picked up by Great Plains Publications, one of four publishers that Russell approached with his manuscript.
"He's quite an amazing talent," said Great Plains Publications editor Anita Daher. "He's got such a sense of story. I'm very excited about his book coming out."
Thanks to her support, the novel underwent very few changes and was published within months, rather than years as is usually the norm.
"It was such a clean manuscript. It only needed a few months of going back and forth, and it was ready for publication. What was fast was the decision-making. From the very first read, it absolutely blew me away," she said. "It was one of those stories that I wanted to read from
beginning right through to the end."
She describes "Black Bottle Man" as very original with a distinctive and strong main character, great pacing, balance and very clean language.
"It isn't what you usually see in a first-time author," Daher said. "We sat down at an editorial meeting and I said: 'I love this!' and the boss said: 'Well, that's good enough for me.'"
Novelist Craig Russell will give a reading of "Black Bottle Man" at Pennywise Books, 1031 Rosser Ave., at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, April 28.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Removing the Hutterite Kerchief
Rebecca Hofer's controversial book "Removing the Hutterite Kerchief" is now in stock.
Learn the rich diverse culture and social environment of a Hutterite colony in Manitoba and follow the traditions of its people.
Meet the families from Hutterite Barrickman Colony and see the story unfold when it becomes overpopulated. Observe how Samuel and Sarah Hofer's family were chosen to move to the new colony named Greenwald.
Immerse yourself in the true story of this Hutterite family at Greenwald Colony and watch the escalating and unbelievable conditions they endured for more than a decade by their Hutterite leaders.
From their dismal, secluded environment, on a cold winter day, these 40 men, women and children spanning three generations, half the members of Greenwald Colony, with only meagre belongings, did the unimaginable. They left their culture, heritage adn livelihood behind and moved into an unfamiliar and unknown world.
Learn the rich diverse culture and social environment of a Hutterite colony in Manitoba and follow the traditions of its people.
Meet the families from Hutterite Barrickman Colony and see the story unfold when it becomes overpopulated. Observe how Samuel and Sarah Hofer's family were chosen to move to the new colony named Greenwald.
Immerse yourself in the true story of this Hutterite family at Greenwald Colony and watch the escalating and unbelievable conditions they endured for more than a decade by their Hutterite leaders.
From their dismal, secluded environment, on a cold winter day, these 40 men, women and children spanning three generations, half the members of Greenwald Colony, with only meagre belongings, did the unimaginable. They left their culture, heritage adn livelihood behind and moved into an unfamiliar and unknown world.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Daily Planet's Jay Ingram speaking in Brandon
Come meet Jay Ingram, co-host of Daily Planet, as part of the 2010 Prairie Innovation Forum. March 16, 1:30 pm, Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.
Pennywise Books will be on hand, selling copies of his books: The Daily Planet Book of Cool Ideas ($28); The Science of Everyday Life ($24); and The Velocity of Honey ($22).
Listen to Jay's talk, buy a book and get it signed by the author.
To celebrate this engaging speaker's presence in Brandon, Pennywise will pay the GST on all books purchased at this event.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Writing Fiction course for Youth
WINNIPEG AUTHOR MICHAEL VAN ROOY ANNOUNCES HE WILL BE TEACHING A COURSE IN WRITING FICTION FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA
Winnipeg author Michael Van Rooy will be teaching a course in Writing Fiction for youths 16 to 19 at the Winnipeg Millennium Library.
The course will run from February 2 to May 11 and is organized by the Arts and Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba. The course is free.
Selected participants will attend sessions on Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 pm every other week from February 2 to May 4 with a launch of an anthology on May 11. Youths from the ages of 16 to 19 are encouraged to apply.
Instructor
Michael Neelak Van Rooy was born in Kamloops, British Columbia and has lived most of his life in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Michael’s first novel, An Ordinary Decent Criminal, was published in 2005 and his second novel, Your Friendly Neighbourhood Criminal, was published in 2008. In 2009 Michael won the John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer. In 2006 An Ordinary Decent Criminal won the Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book by a Manitoba Writer.
An Ordinary Decent Criminal has been published in Germany as Ein gewohnlicher Verbrecher by Verlagsgruppe Lubbe. It has also been optioned as a film by Frantic Films and Big Mind Productions. In July of 2010 An Ordinary Decent Criminal will be published in the United States by Minotaur Books. In 2011 Minotaur will publish Your Friendly Neighbourhood Criminal.
The third book in the Monty series, A Criminal to Remember, will be published by Winnipeg’s Turnstone Press in the spring of 2010.
Application Process
Interested students should:
1) Discuss their application with a ‘nominator’ (adult not related to you), who is one of your
present or former teachers or other leader in an artistic discipline and have him/her fill out the
Nominator’s Form, which is part of the Application Form. Ask that it be returned to you.
2) Fill out the application form - include a teacher’s signature, if you are in high school.
3) Submit completed form along with your resume. Applicants under 18 years of age require
the signature of a parent or guardian.
Submit to: ACI Manitoba Or by fax: 204 927-2789
501 -62 Albert Street
Winnipeg, MB. R3B 1E9
Call ACI Manitoba with your questions: 204 927-2787
Visit our website: www.creativemanitoba.ca
Friday, December 11, 2009
The dark side of the Kindle
(The following note is reposted from AbsurdIntellectual.com):
As a bookseller, I obviously have a bias against any sort e-book. To date, my argument has tended to be along aethestic lines — how a book feels, how it smells and the like — as well as toting the technological advantage of the traditional book — you can read it in the bathtub without too much worry, don’t worry about dropping it, no batteries to recharge and so on.
I still believe these to be valid arguments, but I have found another that might be more convincing to true technophiles. Blogger Dan Cohen found that Amazon has unwritten restrictions on downloads for the Kindle:
Given that Cohen’s post was written in June and I haven’t come across any other outcry, I wonder if this issue has been resolved or if it simply hasn’t come to a head yet.
In any case, I still don’t see the death of print in the near future, as the marketplace is becoming crowded with e-readers: Amazon’s Kindle, Sony’s Reader, the Barnes and Noble nook, and Samsung’s Papyrus, not to mention the multitude of ways books can be accessed through the regular old Internet. Until there is a industry standard, I think most people will shy away from making an investment in an e-library that might up and dissapate into the ether when their e-reader fails to make the cut.
Though the printed book may seem antiquated, sometimes the best technology is the old technology.
As a bookseller, I obviously have a bias against any sort e-book. To date, my argument has tended to be along aethestic lines — how a book feels, how it smells and the like — as well as toting the technological advantage of the traditional book — you can read it in the bathtub without too much worry, don’t worry about dropping it, no batteries to recharge and so on.
I still believe these to be valid arguments, but I have found another that might be more convincing to true technophiles. Blogger Dan Cohen found that Amazon has unwritten restrictions on downloads for the Kindle:
Granted, this information is available to the customer — its right there in the small print of the legal agreement that we all love to ignore on a daily basis. And when I say “this information,” I mean the fact that there’s a limit. The specific limit is trickier:“Oh that’s the problem,” he [the customer service rep] said “if some of the
books will download and the others won’t it means that you’ve reached the
maximum number of times you can download the book.”
I asked him what that meant since the books I needed to download weren’t currently on any device because I had wiped those devices clean and simply wanted to reinstall. He proceeded to tell me that there is always a limit to the number of times you can download a given book. Sometimes, he said, it’s five or six times but at other
times it may only be once or twice. And, here’s the kicker folks, once you reach
the cap you need to repurchase the book if you want to download it again.
How many versions of the Kindle have come out to date? How frequently are Kindle users going to be expected to update their technology? Cohen suggests it might happen every couple of years, meaning sooner or later, all the previously purchased books will have to be repurchased. (Note: I have paperbacks I bought twenty years ago that I have not needed to repurchase, even though new editions have been released).“How do I find out how many times I can download any given book?” I asked. He
replied, “I don’t think you can. That’s entirely up to the publisher and I don’t think we always know.”I pressed — “You mean when you go to buy the book it doesn’t say ‘this book can be downloaded this number of times’ even though that limitation is there?” To which he replied, “No, I’m very sorry it doesn’t.”
Given that Cohen’s post was written in June and I haven’t come across any other outcry, I wonder if this issue has been resolved or if it simply hasn’t come to a head yet.
In any case, I still don’t see the death of print in the near future, as the marketplace is becoming crowded with e-readers: Amazon’s Kindle, Sony’s Reader, the Barnes and Noble nook, and Samsung’s Papyrus, not to mention the multitude of ways books can be accessed through the regular old Internet. Until there is a industry standard, I think most people will shy away from making an investment in an e-library that might up and dissapate into the ether when their e-reader fails to make the cut.
Though the printed book may seem antiquated, sometimes the best technology is the old technology.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Author visits and a new service
With the weather turning cooler, people in Brandon and the surrounding area may find themselves looking for entertainment options that take place indoors. At the same time, the holiday season is approaching and time seems to be in increasingly short supply. We at Pennywise Books are pleased to offer opportunities for both of these challenges.
Author Events
On December 8, at 7:00 PM, author Dale Brawn will be on hand to read and sign copies of his most recently released book entitled Every Stone a Story II: Manitoba’s Buried History, the follow-up to the popular Every Stone a Story. This much-anticipated book contains more stories gleaned from Manitoba’s buried history. Illustrated with black and white photographs, each story describes the life, death, and experiences of someone buried in a particular cemetery. The stories are often about the famous or infamous, but equally often they are about people little known outside their communities, but who have done something extraordinary.
Two nights later, on December 10, at 7:00 PM, join professional wrestler Vance Nevada as he talks about his new book Wrestling in the Canadian West, a thorough account of the history of professional wrestling in western Canada. Originally from Brandon, Nevada has competed in over 1,200 matches in his fourteen year career since his first bout at age seventeen.
The next evening, December 11 at 7:00 PM, co-founder of Amarok Society, Gem Munro will be discussing his new book South Asian Adventures with the Active Poor. Gem’s family will be in attendance to show video clips and converse about the family’s adventures in the slums of Bangladesh.
The Amarok Society is a Canadian registered charity operating in South Asia. Motivated by the suffering created by poverty and ignorance, the Amarok Society believes that education is the only way to permanently overcome poverty. This charity was founded in response to a critical need that wasn't being addressed - providing education to the many children who can never afford to go to school and whose own parents are illiterate.
Service
To assist with the time crunch, Pennywise Books is offering a free delivery service of book purchases to addresses within Brandon city limits. Prepaid purchases of $25 or more qualify to be delivered to the buyer’s home. Don't forget — Pennywise Books can order books that are not currently in stock.
Finally, until the 3rd week of December, we will be staying open until 9:00 PM on Thursdays to try and fit your schedule a little better.
If you have any questions, remember that we're always glad to hear from you. Call us at 728-BOOK (2665), or email pennywise@westman.wave.ca.
Hope to see you soon!
Author Events
On December 8, at 7:00 PM, author Dale Brawn will be on hand to read and sign copies of his most recently released book entitled Every Stone a Story II: Manitoba’s Buried History, the follow-up to the popular Every Stone a Story. This much-anticipated book contains more stories gleaned from Manitoba’s buried history. Illustrated with black and white photographs, each story describes the life, death, and experiences of someone buried in a particular cemetery. The stories are often about the famous or infamous, but equally often they are about people little known outside their communities, but who have done something extraordinary.
Two nights later, on December 10, at 7:00 PM, join professional wrestler Vance Nevada as he talks about his new book Wrestling in the Canadian West, a thorough account of the history of professional wrestling in western Canada. Originally from Brandon, Nevada has competed in over 1,200 matches in his fourteen year career since his first bout at age seventeen.
The next evening, December 11 at 7:00 PM, co-founder of Amarok Society, Gem Munro will be discussing his new book South Asian Adventures with the Active Poor. Gem’s family will be in attendance to show video clips and converse about the family’s adventures in the slums of Bangladesh.
The Amarok Society is a Canadian registered charity operating in South Asia. Motivated by the suffering created by poverty and ignorance, the Amarok Society believes that education is the only way to permanently overcome poverty. This charity was founded in response to a critical need that wasn't being addressed - providing education to the many children who can never afford to go to school and whose own parents are illiterate.
Service
To assist with the time crunch, Pennywise Books is offering a free delivery service of book purchases to addresses within Brandon city limits. Prepaid purchases of $25 or more qualify to be delivered to the buyer’s home. Don't forget — Pennywise Books can order books that are not currently in stock.
Finally, until the 3rd week of December, we will be staying open until 9:00 PM on Thursdays to try and fit your schedule a little better.
If you have any questions, remember that we're always glad to hear from you. Call us at 728-BOOK (2665), or email pennywise@westman.wave.ca.
Hope to see you soon!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Author Reading - October 13
With the first hints of winter in the air, Pennywise Books has begun preparing for an extremely busy season of special events and author appearances.
The first guest, co-founder of Amarok Society, Gem Munro will be in the store on Tuesday, October 13 at
The Amarok Society is a Canadian registered charity operating in
For details about future authors and events, watch this website in the coming days.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
William Bolley - Reading & Signing
On Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 7:00 PM, local author William Bolley will be reading and signing copies of his first book, A Sobering Moment.
A story of tragedy, addiction, pain, courage and pursuit of the truth, A Sobering Moment is a combination of a dramatic adventure and the inner struggle of a man searching for the true meaning of life.
Mason Walls grew up an adventurous prairie boy full of wonder. But at age twelve, when the Walls family moves, his entire life changes. Thus begins Mason’s personal loss of confidence and the tragic destruction of his family. By seventeen Mason is forced on a desperate search to fill the emptiness inside. On the journey he meets many characters, some offering help, others inflicting pain. His spirit is tested, weakened, wounded and celebrated throughout the many trials he experiences. When Mason’s existence is in the final stages of despair his last hope is crushed. Hitting bottom he is forced to decide whether to live or die.
William Bolley is employed as a school social worker and has assisted children and their families for almost thirty years. During this time he has been exposed to a wide spectrum of suffering including loss, abuse, addiction and violence. However, in his capacity as a therapist he has also seen the incredible power and resiliency of the human spirit. Since completing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English, he has been interested in writing. A Sobering Moment is his first published work. Currently he is working on his second novel, Triangles, a dangerous love story. He is married with two grown children and lives in Brandon, Manitoba.
A story of tragedy, addiction, pain, courage and pursuit of the truth, A Sobering Moment is a combination of a dramatic adventure and the inner struggle of a man searching for the true meaning of life.
Mason Walls grew up an adventurous prairie boy full of wonder. But at age twelve, when the Walls family moves, his entire life changes. Thus begins Mason’s personal loss of confidence and the tragic destruction of his family. By seventeen Mason is forced on a desperate search to fill the emptiness inside. On the journey he meets many characters, some offering help, others inflicting pain. His spirit is tested, weakened, wounded and celebrated throughout the many trials he experiences. When Mason’s existence is in the final stages of despair his last hope is crushed. Hitting bottom he is forced to decide whether to live or die.
William Bolley is employed as a school social worker and has assisted children and their families for almost thirty years. During this time he has been exposed to a wide spectrum of suffering including loss, abuse, addiction and violence. However, in his capacity as a therapist he has also seen the incredible power and resiliency of the human spirit. Since completing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English, he has been interested in writing. A Sobering Moment is his first published work. Currently he is working on his second novel, Triangles, a dangerous love story. He is married with two grown children and lives in Brandon, Manitoba.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The future of the book
I recently attended the Canadian Booksellers’ Association Summer Conference. In addition to the renewal of old acquaintances, author visits, sales presentations and other sorts of activities you would expect to encounter at a professional conference, there was a panel discussion on the future of the book industry. Although this discussion touched on many of the issues affecting independent booksellers (the fluctuating Canadian dollar, reassessments of returns policies, the economy, big box discounters, etc), the most interesting topic, to my mind, was the mindset of various publishers regarding the rise of the ebook.
Even the idea of the ebook gives me a nasty crawling of the flesh. It isn’t that I am some sort of Luddite or that, as a bookstore owner, I have a vested interest in the survival of the book. My problem is that the ebook may eventually win out over the physical book, despite the fact that the centuries-old format is the superior of the two.
A cursory listing, in no particular order, of my arguments for this position include:
- Books have no requirement for electricity, battery or any form of power. Thus, they can be used in even the most primitive of conditions.
- Although ebook readers have improved greatly with the latest generation of products, the resolution of the book will be difficult to surpass.
- Transferability is less an issue for books than ebooks. While handing a book to a friend is rarely an issue (even if getting it returned is), sharing an ebook across different readers has, to date, been problematic.
- Books are a very popular gift. Ebooks do not possess that physical dimension that is often important in gift-giving rituals.
- Environmentally, books are superior. While much hue and cry can be raised around deforestation and the pollution resulting from pulp and paper mills, there are alternatives to these industrial practices. Electronic devices, in both production and disposal, are frightening with respect to what is released into soils and waterways.
Certainly, there are additional arguments and just as many counterarguments. Yet, because the general public has a love affair with hand-held electronic devices, publishers are looking to monetizing that small, but growing portion of the market seeking digital versions of new books.
The general consensus among the publishers present at the CBA conference was that ebooks will not likely play a significant role in the marketplace for at least 5 years. In that time, I cannot say how else the book industry will evolve as we are truly in a time of change.
In short, although the publishing industry is in a time of flux, it is almost certain that the book will survive.
(This post has been simultaneously published on both Absurd Intellectual and the Pennywise Books blog.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)