Come to the
Comox Valley Writers Society
60th Anniversary Celebrations at
Anderton Gardens
2 to 5 pm 8 June
Author Readings at 4pm
Kim will be reading from her latest book
Canterbury and Other Tales
KIM'S UK BOOK TOUR
in SPRING 2024
To a nation that stands revered worldwide for its passionate ramblers, Canterbury and Other Tales: Treading Ancient Trails offers captivating accounts of six long-distance walks accessible to British adventurers. Whether you’ve already walked these paths or dream of doing so, be entranced by these lively tales. From avid walkers to armchair travellers, the breadth of the author’s adventures will entertain all. With a lighter environmental footprint, walking emerges as a sustainable and inspiring travel option during this time of climate crisis. A senior, the author opens the door to mature adventures, paving a way for meaningful exploration.
Public book launch events at
National Trust properties
At Mompesson House in Salisbury
From 1 to 3 pm on Friday 5 April.
Drop in to meet and chat with author.
At Lamb House in Rye
From 1 to 2:30 pm on Thursday 11 April.
Enjoy readings, Q&A and conversation.
At Knole House in Sevenoaks
From 1 to 4 pm Thursday 25 April.
Drop in to meet and chat with author.
For members of Comox Valley Elder College
www.nic.bc.ca >Continuing Education >Elder College
As listed in the Elder College “Connector,”
Saturday Lecture Series
Be a Traveller, Not a Tourist - CVEC-9010
Becoming a "tourist" has never been easier than it is today. Holiday "packages" can be had for almost any popular destination. Although this approach makes otherwise unaffordable destinations affordable, it can result in everyone seeing the same sights, taking the same photos, and having the same experience. What if your approach to travelling was different? Learn what can happen when you become a traveller and not just a tourist.
The Art of Slow Travel - CVEC-9011
Presented by Kim Letson, 10 Feb, 10 am – noon
Join author Kim Letson for an entertaining romp around the world - mostly on her own two feet, although sometimes by the odd horse, camel, bus, or train. Walking, humankind's most elemental form of travel, allows us to explore sensory details of a place through intimate exposure to geography, climate, and culture. Vulnerable to our surroundings, we are able to absorb the essence and improve our understanding of where we are.
***
Great Trip to Compelling Story - CVEC-5950
27 Feb – 21 Mar Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am - noon
By Zoom, this collaborative workshop discusses components of meaningful travel memoir and develops creative nonfiction writing skills. The importance of journalling, photography, steady writing practice, professional editing and publishing options will be explored. Participants will bring a favourite adventure tale and begin the process of creating a compelling written account. For those wishing to share, we will peer review short class and homework assignments.
Save the date!
Kim Letson is launching her latest book!
Canterbury and Other Tales: Treading Ancient Trails
Tuesday 28 November
2 to 4 pm
Comox United Church
Books will be available at the launch, but you may also purchase ahead of time at the Laughing Oyster bookshop at 286 Fifth Street, Courtenay or by ordering through any independent bookshop.
For members of Comox Valley Elder College
www.nic.bc.ca >Continuing Education >Elder College
As listed in the Elder College “Connector,”
my two winter semester offerings via Zoom:
Great Trip to Compelling Story
CVEC-2345
Feb 9 - Mar 30 Wed, 8:30 - 10:00 am
Discuss components of meaningful travel memoir and develop our creative nonfiction writing skills. The importance of journalling, blogging, photography, steady writing practice, professional editing and publishing options are explored. Participants will bring a favourite adventure tale and begin the process of creating a compelling written account. For those wishing to share, we will peer review short homework writing challenges each week.
CVEC-6206
Mar 16 Wed, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
In the "Footsteps of a Roman Legion" chronicles two friends walking the route of a Roman road - the Via Egnatia. Encountering refugees, human smugglers and feral dogs, a sense of humour, personified GPS, and an imagined Roman legionnaire see them through. This journey explores Albania's poverty, North Macedonia's emergence as a nation, the Greek economic collapse, Istanbul in the wake of a failed coup, and the continuing refugee crisis.
Author will read excerpts, field questions and engage in discussion.
A book is a gift that can be opened again and again.
All three of my titles were represented at this event.
Thank you for coming out to
meet some
Comox Valley authors.
We will do this again in the spring.
Considering a new idea for your book club or social group?
Why not schedule a Zoom or in-person author reading?
Contact me with your wish list or questions.
Thank you to the many who attended! Your support is much appreciated.
Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - 14:30 to 16:00
Meet Author Kim Letson as she reads excerpts from Soul of a Nomad and In the Footsteps of the Roman Legion.
Following the reading, Kim will host a Q and A and book signing.
In accordance with public health regulations, proof of double vaccine is required to enter the venue and masks must be worn during event.
A grand time was had by all. Thank you Craig Freeman and Ron Morrison for organizing.
Saturday, November 20, 2021 - 10:00 to 16:00
Art & Authors
On Saturday, 20 November at the Big Yellow Merville hall, from 10:00 to 16:00 a combined art show and book publishing event to celebrate the work of several local geniuses.
Anchoring the show, internationally acclaimed water colourist Ron Morrison will be holding a large sale of works that he has completed over a thirty-year period. A member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, this prolific, local artist has exhibited countless times and has sold paintings around the world.
Harold Macy, seafaring author, will have copies of his recent novel, San Josef, a fictional tale of life and death centered around a pioneering northern Vancouver Island community that struggled to survive near San Josef bay. He will be reading various passages from the book at 10:30 or so with a Question & Answer session to follow later in the morning. He will also have copies of his previous book, The Four Storey Forest, which gives an account of sustainable logging practices on his Vancouver Island 360 hectare woodlot.
Don “Have You Ever Been to Sea, Billy” Hardy, has been living aboard his various boats since the 1970s and during that time he has amassed a plethora of anecdotes surrounding his seafaring experiences up and down the BC coast. In this book, Raven’s Apprentice, he has reeled in the most unusual stories to illustrate his rather unconventional lifestyle. Don will also be doing a reading from his book around 11:30 and later in the afternoon.
Kim Letson, a Comox Valley author, is releasing her latest travel book, In the Footsteps of a Roman Legion - Walking the Via Egnatia, this week. On a blistering September morning in 2016, intrepid friends in their sixties – Kim and Pat – set off on foot from Durrës, Albania, towards Istanbul, Turkey, tracing the route of a Roman road, the Via Egnatia. Needless to say, the trek became more challenging than expected. Kim will be reading from her book around 12:30pm.
The Merville hall is a large, well-lit and comfortable space. This show is the perfect place to purchase local art and literary works for your pleasure and gift giving. With Christmas just around the corner, the timing couldn’t be better.
The event will follow all of the current Covid protocols.
Thank you to all who attended and to the Yacht Club for hosting.
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 - 14:30 to 16:00
Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club
Meet Author Kim Letson as she reads excerpts from Soul of a Nomad and In the Footsteps of the Roman Legion.
Following the reading, Kim will host a Q and A and book signing.
Members will recognize club member Dave Letson in several of these engaging stories.
Proof of vaccine is required to enter the yacht club.