Most days, Kim McCullough teaches junior high school language arts and drama in Calgary – at least she did until the school she teaches at cancelled drama this fall. (On the side, she’s finishing an MFA in Creative Writing at UBC, where I taught her playwriting in 2012).
But last Tuesday night, it was time to put aside the school curriculum and all the stuff that fills up a life, because she had a big night planned: it was the launch of her first novel, Clearwater (Coteau Books) at Shelf Life Books.
Clearwater is set in northern Manitoba, where it explores the lives of two young teens trying to make sense of the world around them.
With Wordfest coming to town next week, when six dozen authors fly in from around the world to talk books, I thought I’d check in with a Calgary author to see how it feels to throw a coming-out party for a novel.
Q. What does it feel like to have a book launch?
A. “While many people compare releasing a book to having a baby,” she writes, “I found that it felt more like planning for a wedding – finding the venue, organizing the invitations, choosing the food, shopping for the dress, then deciding on the readings.
“I think the most difficult part was choosing what sections of Clearwater to read. I had to balance reading an excerpt that introduced the characters and setting, with wanting to read something that had a little action and conflict to it. The novel is made up of two parts, really, and to read anything from the second half would reveal a major plot point. I was still going through my options an hour before the launch started.
“It turned out great though. Peter Oliva, the fabulous (Calgary) writer who introduced me, reminded me that everyone at Shelf Life was part of the home crowd, which really helped settle some last-minute nerves. I read, I signed, and also much like a wedding, ended the night by realizing that I had been so busy, I hadn’t really spoken to anyone.
“Shelf Life is a gorgeous venue. Many of my guests had never stepped foot in the store and mentioned that they couldn’t wait to return.
“Next up,” she writes, ”is a launch in Regina – my real home town. I can only hope the crowd there is as supportive and wonderful as the Calgary crew.
shunt@calgaryherald.com
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