CHRISTMAS WITH MUSKOKA’S MAIN STREET

ByLee Ann

Please join me on Sunday November 25 at Brantim Country Garden Centre Christmas Open House. Brantim is Ottawa’s premier grower of superior outdoor plants, and their seasonal hanging baskets are renouned throughout the region.

I’m thrilled to bring Muskoka’s Main Street to this annual event! Local vendors of fresh quality baking, Christmas crafts, candles, jewelry… and of course you can find a stunning outdoor winter arrangement or wreath, swag, or table arrangement!

So plan to take a drive in the country, just minutes from Scotia Bank Place. The greenhouses are truly gorgeous; you can browse from 9am to 4pm with a cup of coffee or apple cider. There’s even a draw for a $200 Brantim gift certificate.

I’m sure you will find something for everyone on your list. Hope to see you there!

MUSKOKA’S MAIN STREET IN THE NEWS

ByLee Ann

The latest press coverage for Muskoka’s Main Street appeared in The Muskokan newspaper (September 21) and in The Weekender (September 28). These weeklies are widely distributed across Muskoka, providing great exposure for the book. Along with the feature article in the August issue of Muskoka Magazine, plenty of seasonal and permanent residents of the district have now been alerted to the book’s publication!

The goal for any publicity is to get a book into the hands of as many readers as possible. The challenge for any publisher or author is to identify who the readers are and get the word out to them. Local media is an exceptional method for this. I’m delighted with the support  and exposure that Main Street has received so far.

A “MAIN STREET” EVENT FOR MUSKOKA’S MAIN STREET

ByLee Ann

This Saturday, September 15, is the Shades of Autumn Antique, Classic and Custom Car Show in Huntsville. Main Street downtown – which is of course the Muskoka Colonization Road – will be closed off for the event. And Muskoka’s Main Street will be available for sale at the elegant Veranda Home and Garden Collection, 72 Main Street East, thanks to Elise Bélanger, the store’s owner.

What a great opportunity to wander along part of the Muskoka Road and see the kinds of verhicles used by earlier travellers!

And what a great example of a creative way Muskoka Books publisher Patrick Boyer is bringing the book to another set of readers. The very first “vintage” car to putter along Main Street is featured on the front cover: a 1905 two-cylinder, sixteen horse-power Rambler. According to the driver, Jack Milne, the car “created quite a show in Huntsville.”

BOOK LAUNCH!

ByLee Ann

Please save the date! The Ottawa book launch for Muskoka’s Main Street takes place Thursday, September 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bistro Fifty-Four at Amberwood, 54 Springbrook Drive, Stittsville. Snacks and cash bar will be available, and you can also call to reserve a table for dinner, outside on the patio or inside overlooking the golf course and marsh.

I’ll be there with a glass of wine in one hand and a pen in the other to sign books! Hope you can join me in the celebration.

Media and Presentations

ByLee Ann

Watch this blog for upcoming information on a flurry of personal appearances to promote the new book. If you’d like to set up a presentation or interview regarding Muskoka’s Main Street, please contact me directly.

In the meantime, here’s a summary of my past public presentations.

Dialogue With Diversity Radio Program, October 13, 2010

Dr. Qais Ghanem, host of this weekly program on CHIN-FM radio, attended one of my workshops and then invited me to speak about my Hungarian ancestors’ immigration experiences.

Perth Writers Guild, May 20, 2010

I was invited to speak at the Guild’s monthly meeting, where I presented a customized version of my workshop, “Prepare to Publish.”

WOT (Women On Top) e-zine, February 2010

I was interviewed for the “Authors in their Own Write” column.

Canadian Authors Association podcast, January 2010

I was interviewed for a podcast, talking about my book, Strength Within: The Granger Chronicles.

Perth Writers Guild, Snowsuit Fundraiser, October 16, 2009

I was a featured author and spoke about “Finding Treasure in Family History and Memoir.”

Lake 88 Radio, August 29, 2009

I was the featured guest on the program “All About the House” discussing how to write family history.

Stittsville News, March 26, 2009

A news article, “Family History Leads to Miracles and Secrets” reported on my talk at Goulbourn Historical Society.

Goulbourn Historical Society, March 19, 2009

I was the guest speaker at the monthly meeting, presenting “What You Really Need to Know About Writing Family History”.

Women in The New Century Conference, 2009, 2008, 2007

I presented the workshop, “Writing Family History and Memoir, Even if You’re Not a Writer” for three years at this charity event, organized by Ottawa’s WEBB (Women’s Educational Business Breakfast).