Dressed as hero Jessica Fletcher for Halloween.
The end of October has been extremely busy, which is to be expected. After all, October’s a busy time for a book publicist, Dial M for Morna is kind of a Halloween book (which resulted in a lot of book events and happenings) and I love Halloween in general (see my costume this year in the photo to the right). So I’ve fallen a bit behind in reporting on my mega-fun goth portrait session at Type Books (more on that in a later post), and the many other interviews I’ve done and reviews Dial M for Morna has received recently.
Rather than drag those out into a series of web posts, I’m collecting them all below, with short excerpts and links to the full articles or reviews on the sites and blogs they originally appeared on. (Sorry. I’m lazy.) Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!
RECENT INTERVIEWS
The Hazlitt Offensive:
(In which the website asks me about my least favourite song, the funniest people and the worst thing I’ve ever called someone.)
4. What is your favourite song?
That changes from day-to-day, but currently it’s Q-Feel’s “Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-bop).” Not only is it a) one of the best dance songs that the 1980s produced, and b) anchor to classic teen movie, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, it’s a song about how stoked this guy (and, to a lesser extent, his mom) is about being the first person to dance in outer space. They don’t make songs like this anymore! If I had more free time, I’d be editing together a fan music video of the song using clips from Gravity.
More at www.randomhouse.ca/hazlitt.
At the Desk interview at Open Book Toronto:
(In which the website focusing on books by Ontario publishers asks about where I write.)
I kneel like a penitent monk before the side of the bed whenever writing. I’m not sure when this started — my early teens, I think. At first, my mother thought I was praying, which I’m sure confused, but pleasantly surprised her as a Catholic who had never taken her children to church.
Read more at www.openbooktoronto.com.
RECENT REVIEWS
Lili Lost in a Book:
(In which one of my favourite bloggers, Lili – she gave the first book a nice review, too – highly recommends Dial M for Morna.)
Our leading lady October is great… very funny with all her sarcastic remarks! She is also very loyal to her ghostly friends and so very caring for her sick dad. Speaking of which, there are two very strong subjects in the book that are important: bullying and depression. Just thought I’d point that out.
Read more at lilli-lost-in-a-book.blogspot.ca
Canlit for Canadians:
(In which reviewer Helen Kubiw talks about the postmodern aspects of Dial M for Morna.)
Evan Munday will draw you in so subtly that you’ll be snagged before you realize it. However, never think that you are just a reader, the vesicle into which words are poured from the page, when reading Dial “M” for Morna. Evan Munday breaks down the fifth wall, speaking directly to his audience of young readers, enlightening them, reassuring them, humouring them, apologizing, and even hinting at plot developments.
Read more at canlitforcanadians.blogspot.ca.
Bookish Notions:
(In which another of my favourite bloggers, Danielle, uses my favourite word, ‘edutainment.’)
Not only was the historical information quite interesting but it didn’t feel pedantic. If this book had been published when I was in school, it definitely would have been on my grade 7 teacher’s class shelf. I hope teachers today will take note of this series and add it to their own class libraries.With off-beat narration, funny pop culture references and some sneaky history lessons, Dial “M” for Morna is great edutainment.
Read more at bookishnotions.wordpress.com.
