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Celts in the Americas “a real contribution”: review

Posted by Mike Hunter on July 15, 2015

Gosh, how did we miss this one?!

Great review of Celts in the Americas, by Michael Newton, in the Journal of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, vol. 16 (2013). Subscription to Proquest through your library is necessary to read the whole review, but here are a few of our favourite points.

“The book defines ‘Celtic peoples,’ in a linguistically centred way, a move that I applaud vigorously.” It’s “a direct engagement with the way that Celtic peoples have experienced mobility and integration … very much a new-world discussion.”

“The return to language as the thing that balances cultural diversity and cultural rootedness provides a way forward for small cultures everywhere. Celts in the Americas is a real contribution to that kind of progress.”

Review by Jerry White

Last year, Michael Newton published the best-selling The Naughty Little Book of Gaelic: All the Scottish Gaelic You Need to Curse, Swear, Drink, Smoke and Fool Around (CBU Press 2014).

Michael’s next contribution along the theme of Scottish Gaelic studies is scheduled for release in late September (2015):

Seanchaidh na Coille / The Memory-Keeper of the Forest: Anthology of Scottish-Gaelic Literature of Canada with a foreword by Diana Gabaldon, author of Outlander.

Gosh, how did we miss this one?! Great review of Celts in the Americas, by Michael Newton, in the Journal of… Continue»

“A very welcome addition to Celtic studies”: review

Posted by Mike Hunter on June 24, 2015

Just as we’re putting the finishing touches on Michael Newton’s next book (more about that below), we found this great review of his edited collection: Celts in the Americas, in e-Keltoi, Journal of Interdisciplinay Celtic Studies.

“This book is a very welcome addition to the field of Celtic studies, given its emphasis on diasporic issues, which have tended to be overlooked in the Celtic countries and elsewhere, [indicating] new and exciting directions for the future of Celtic studies.”

“This volume adds new and refreshing considerations to the field … and contemporary issues for speakers of Celtic languages in the Americas.”

Link here to read the full review.

Michael Newton is the author of the best-selling The Naughty Little Book of Gaelic: All the Scottish Gaelic You Need to Curse, Swear, Drink, Smoke and Fool Around.

In September, we will be launching an exciting new anthology of the Scottish Gaelic literature of Canada – Seanchaidh na Coille / The Memory-Keeper of the Forest – in Toronto and at Guelph University (Sept. 25 and 26 respectively).

Just as we’re putting the finishing touches on Michael Newton’s next book (more about that below), we found this great review of… Continue»

CBC interview with Oak Island author

Posted by Mike Hunter on

We are delighted that CBC Radio One Cape Breton’s Information Morning broadcast an interview (June 24, 2015) with Joy Steele, author of The Oak Island Mystery, Solved.

CBC has kindly archived the interview. If you missed it, you can link to the interview here: http://bit.ly/1BAJ8FZ

We are delighted that CBC Radio One Cape Breton’s Information Morning broadcast an interview (June 24, 2015) with Joy Steele,… Continue»

Léirsinn exhibit now at Highland Village for the summer

Posted by Mike Hunter on June 2, 2015

We finally had a chance to see Léirsinn: The Exhibition on Sunday (May 31) as it was officially opened at the Baile nan Gàidheal / Highland Village, closing out Gaelic Awareness Month in Nova Scotia.

We’re stealing the description of the exhibit from The Casket (May 21, 2015).

Léirsinn (layr-sheen), meaning perspective, insight, or vision, is NSCAD University (Nova Scotia College of Art and Design) student work created in the 2015 Designing for Cultural Restoration class.

Led by associate professor Marlene Ivey, in collaboration with Baile nan Gàidheal / Highland Village, NS Office of Gaelic Affairs and the Comhairele na Gàidhlig / Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia, thirty pieces of poster visual art were created representing three themes: Òigridh (youth): using beàrnan brìde (the dandelion), as a metaphor symbolic of the Gaels renewal, hardihood and resilience; seanfhaclan (proverbs), the Gaelic wisdom system; and Na h-Òrain, Nova Scotia’s living Gaelic song tradition.

Course director Marlene Ivey and two of her students were present for this opening and we were most impressed with the calibre of the work. You can view the digital collection at: http://bit.ly/gaelicposters.

The Highland Village opened today, June 1, for the 2015 season and notice the new name and branding! “Made of Stories” – like us!

CBU Press has published a large number of titles serving Celtic/Gaelic studies over the years.

We finally had a chance to see Léirsinn: The Exhibition on Sunday (May 31) as it was officially opened at… Continue»

Author columnist Pat MacAdam dies at 80

Posted by Mike Hunter on May 25, 2015

We learned just this morning that author/columnist Pat Macadam died in Ottawa on May 19. Macadam, the author of Big “Cy” and Other Characters was a long-time columnist and Tory insider.

A farewell column in the Ottawa Sun (May 23) reads in part: “A quick rewind of the tape on Patrick MacAdam. A native Cape Bretoner, he had made his home in Ottawa since 1959, having paid his way through St. Francis Xavier University by writing for back home newspapers such as the Sydney Post-Record, the Halifax Chronicle Herald, and the Fredericton Daily Gleaner.

“He spent three summers in the Canadian Officers Training Corps at Ontario’s Camp Borden, and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps.

“Pat MacAdam helped elect two prime ministers: John Diefenbaker and Brian Mulroney; and unload another in between, Joe Clark.

“He worked the public relations desk at Expo ’67 in Montreal, was director of promotions and public relations at CJOH-TV in Ottawa, the CTV affiliate, and produced Question Period for the station.”

Pat Macadam was 80.

We learned just this morning that author/columnist Pat Macadam died in Ottawa on May 19. Macadam, the author of Big “Cy”… Continue»

Anne Renaud’s keen eye for a story

Posted by Mike Hunter on May 11, 2015

Westmount Magazine, Westmount, QC, recently published an article on author Anne Renaud (The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan) and her “keen eye for a story.” You can read the article here: bit.ly/1PBIUPV

Anne’s book about Anna Swan is on the shortlist for the Silver Birch Award (non-fiction). That award will be presented May 13 in Toronto. Break a leg, Anne!

Westmount Magazine, Westmount, QC, recently published an article on author Anne Renaud (The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan) and her… Continue»

Festival of Trees May 13 in Toronto

Posted by Mike Hunter on May 5, 2015

Two CBU Press books are vying for awards in Canada’s largest recreational reading program, the Ontario Library Association’s (OLA) Forest of Reading awards.

The novel Me and Mr. Bell, by Philip Roy, is among ten shortlisted books for the Silver Birch (fiction) Award. In the non-fiction category, The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan, by Anne Renaud, is on the list. Both books were published by CBU Press in 2013.

Me and Mr. Bell was also shortlisted the 2014 Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, part of the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards from the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. The book was on the Maritime Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award list and was shortlisted for the 2014 Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award.

The Forest of Reading consists of eight reading programs designed to cultivate a love of reading for people of all ages. More than 250,000 readers participate annually from their local school or public library.

In October, the programs are launched when the lists of nominated titles are announced by the OLA. Most schools and libraries start to run the program in December/January.

The winning books will be announced at the Festival of Trees in Toronto May 13, 2015.

The Silver Birch program, which includes the two Cape Breton books – now in its 21st year – is meant for readers aged 8 to 12, while the non-fiction focuses on Grade 5 and 6 readers. The Silver Birch Express category focuses on the lower grade levels and reluctant readers. The Forest of Reading is Canada’s largest recreational reading program. This initiative of the Ontario Library Association (OLA) encourages a love of reading in people of all ages

Two CBU Press books are vying for awards in Canada’s largest recreational reading program, the Ontario Library Association’s (OLA) Forest of… Continue»

Book on mouth music shortlisted for ECLA

Posted by Mike Hunter on May 4, 2015

Congratulations Heather Sparling, whose recent book on Celtic mouth music has been shortlisted for an East Coast Literary award.

The Evelyn Richardson Non-fiction award is presented annually by the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia.

Launched in Scotland in October, Reeling Roosters & Dancing Ducks: Celtic Mouth Music, brings together years of Sparling’s research about puirt-a-beul – the Scottish Gaelic term for mouth music.

The East Coast Literary Awards will take place June 6, in Halifax. Prior to the awards, Dr. Sparling will participate in a panel discussion in Wolfville on June 4.

Dr. Sparling is Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and Canada Research Chair in Musical Traditions at Cape Breton University.

Congratulations Heather Sparling, whose recent book on Celtic mouth music has been shortlisted for an East Coast Literary award. The Evelyn… Continue»

Frank Macdonald forthcoming readings

Posted by Mike Hunter on May 1, 2015

In the comings months Cape Breton author Frank Macdonald Frank will be giving readings across Nova Scotia.

June 23, 7 p.m., he’ll be at the Annapolis Royal’s ARTsPLACE gallery (396 St. George St. Annapolis Royal, NS). Inverness artist (and Frank’s partner) Virginia McCoy will be showing her work at the same time.

June 24, 7-9 p.m., Frank will give a reading at Vogler’s Cove Community Hall (8544 Hwy 331) near Liverpool, NS, hosted by the Liverpool Literary Society and the VCCH Read and Share Corner. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

August 20, 7 p.m., Frank will give a reading at LeNoir Forge Museum (708 Veterans Memorial Dr., Arichat), hosted by the Isle Madame Historical Society.

We’re sending Frank off with a recent review of Tinker & Blue ringing in his ears: “All the while there is Macdonald’s wily and warm wit and wisdom, accompanying his travellers like a cozy quilt of acumen.”

Celtic Life International, vol. 29, no. 2, (April 2015).

In the comings months Cape Breton author Frank Macdonald Frank will be giving readings across Nova Scotia. June 23, 7… Continue»

A.J.B. Johnston’s appearances this month

Posted by Mike Hunter on

It’s not our book, but he is one of our authors too, so we don’t mind helping to spread the word. A.J.B. Johnston is promoting his latest book, Grand Pré: Landscape for the World (Nimbus), with a series of appearances over the next few weeks. Here are a few we know about (be sure to ask him about his Thomas Pichon novels ;-)

Wednesday, May 13, 7 p.m., Volger’s Cove Community Centre (8354 Hwy 331), hosted by the Liverpool Literary Society and the Read & Share Corner.

Thursday, May 21, 10 a.m., Fairview Legion (Hillcrest and Main Aves.), hosted by the Probus Club of Halifax.

Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m., Colchester Historium (29 Young St.), Truro.

It’s not our book, but he is one of our authors too, so we don’t mind helping to spread the… Continue»