Current & Past Articles » General News » News

Authors take over the “Hills of Mulmur”

September 2, 2016   ·   0 Comments

By Peter Richardson

 

The Dufferin County Museum was the place to be for mystery buffs this past Sunday, as it played host to the second annual Authors in the Hills of Mulmur literary series.

This year’s event, moderated by Ken Weber and entitled “Mystery and Mayhem” paid homage to the genre, with interviews and readings by three local mystery writers: Ian Hamilton, Steve Burrows and Inger Ash Wolfe, aka Michael Redhill.

Unfortunately, Mr. Redhill was taken ill, at the last moment, prompting well known owner of Booklore, in Orangeville and host for the event, Nancy Frater, to act as his alter ego, Inger Ash Wolfe, in his stead. She did an admirable impersonation and the event was thoroughly enjoyed by the sold out crowd. Moderator Ken Weber, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, and perhaps Canada’s most successful, unknown author, with over 52 published works, read in over 100 countries, conducted proceedings with aplomb and a dash of humour, as he interviewed each participant, before turning attentions to their respective readings.

Steve Burrows, himself an avid birder, brings a unique approach to his mystery series. His protagonist, a Canadian on a British police force, is also a birder, whose hobby plays a role in each story.

Burrows, himself of British extraction is a delightful story teller and brought the best laugh of the afternoon whilst recounting an anecdote about his first major speaking engagement, as an author.

Anticipating requiring time for Q&A from the assembled crowd, Steve cut his presentation short to allow for it, only to be horrified when no one had a question. Eventually, one lady at the back of the room raised a tentative hand and when recognized, promptly ask if Burrows was wearing a Tilley hat.

Steve was indeed and wears it to this day, perhaps so there will always be a stimulus for one question.

Steve read from his latest book, “A Cast of Falcons”, to the delight of all, before turning things over to Nancy Frater/Michael Redhill/Inger Ash Wolfe, to read from her latest in the Detective Inspector Hazel Micallef Series, “The Night Bell”.

During the Q&A it was revealed that Michael, who is a renowned poet, playwright and novelist, felt that his venturing into the mystery genre, required a new voice and so Inger Ash Wolfe was born. The pen name has worked well for Michael, unlike Robert Galbraith, the pen name chosen by J.K. Rowling when she stepped outside of the Harry Potter novels.

When the Galbraith ruse was leaked, perhaps purposely, the book went from selling some 1,200 copies, to becoming an international best seller!

Next up was Ian Hamilton, who chose a most unusual characterization for his protagonist, Ava Lee.

Ava, is a Chinese/Canadian lesbian forensic accountant. The highly successful eight book series sees the detective move between North America and China to solve her cases.

Ian read from his eighth book, The Princeling of Nanjing.

Many interesting insights into being a writer raised themselves during this year’s event, one of which was writers block.

None of the authors present had any experiences with the oft mentioned malady, but Ian had some great advice, once given to him; never stop writing at the end of a chapter. If you stop in the middle of a thought, you will always have a place to start the next day. You will know where you were going to go from where you stopped. This was met with solid agreement from the others.

There was also discussion about plotting out a book beforehand.

Ken Weber related going to Alex Haley’s home in Scarborough and seeing the entire plot of his famous novel “Hotel” storyboarded on his basement walls.

Ian Hamilton, on the other hand, never plots anything, but has it all in his head. Sometimes having the ideas for the next book or even two, laid out before he finishes the first one!

Following the questions and answers, the floor was turned over to Mulmur Councillor Janet Horner, whose brainchild the series was, to thank all those in attendance as well as the Museum staff and to invite everyone to enjoy the refreshments provided by the event sponsors, The Globe Restaurant, Southbrook Vineyards and Steamwhistle Brewery.

Mark your calendars for next year at this time and plan to attend the next Authors in the Hills of Murmur. It will be well worth the wait!

         

Facebooktwittermail


Readers Comments (0)


Sorry, comments are closed on this post.

Page Reader Press Enter to Read Page Content Out Loud Press Enter to Pause or Restart Reading Page Content Out Loud Press Enter to Stop Reading Page Content Out Loud Screen Reader Support