My friend Erin suggested I make a playlist for my novel Sixties Girl so I've created one on YouTube and you can find it here. Thanks so much, Erin for the suggestion. Each song on the list is featured somewhere in the book.
Laura is one of the narrators in Sixties Girl.
Both I Feel the Earth Move by Carol King and Sweet Caroline by Neal Diamond are played at Laura's graduation prom.
Laura sings You Never Walk Alone at a school choir rehearsal.
I've also included the beautiful recitation of In Flanders Fields by Leonard Cohen since the poem plays a role in a story about the way World War II was still affecting families in Laura's neighbourhood in the 1960s.
If you buy my novel you can find the other songs on my playlist and maybe even a few that I forgot.
A writing instructor contacted me last week, wanting to use Sixties Girl in a class as an example of autofiction and wondered if I would agree with my novel being given that designation. Autofiction is a literary term for a kind of fictionalized autobiography. Since most of the stories in my novel are inspired by my personal experiences I said it was indeed autofiction.
Sixties Girl was recently featured on a Hamilton TV station's morning show.
I was happy to hear that the television reviewer Edy Graziani is also a librarian and adds all the books she reviews to one of the three school libraries where she works.
I will be doing a book chat for the Manitoba Writers Guild on October 11. You can sign up for it here.
My Mom Dorothy and her best friend Mildred at their Rosthern Junior College graduation in gowns they sewed themselves.
I was pleased when Rosthern Junior College contacted me again this year to donate copies of my novels to their fundraising auction. My family has a three-generation relationship with the school and my mother who inspired one of my characters in Sixties Girl was both a student and a teacher there.
My supportive brother-in-law Harvey showing me Sixties Girl is in a branch of the Victoria Library near his home
A blog reader of mine from British Columbia sent a message wondering where they could get a hold of my books. I was happy to discover both my novels are still available in Vancouver and Victoria libraries.
I'm in the company of some great books here. I have already read and enjoyed the Frances Barkley and Lillian Bland biographies.
Once again I need to give a huge round of thanks to my publisher Heritage House who so tirelessly continues to promote my novels. Here they feature Sixties Girl with their other 2023 releases.
A new author whose book will be published this coming year with Heritage House featured a copy of my novel in an Instagram photo. She emailed me for advice on creating an author's website and publicity. Check out Sixties Girl in the corner of her desk. I look forward to reading and reviewing her book.
With the grade six class at John Pritchard School last year
A teacher whose class I spoke to last year about Lost on the Prairie has invited me back to speak to her students this year. She is doing Lost on the Prairie as a read-aloud again. I'm excited for my return visit.
Candace Rea a principal in the Pembina Trails School Division paints rocks for books nominated for Manitoba Young Readers Choice awards. She hides the rocks for fellow readers to find. Candace hopes her rocks will inspire other people to read the books.
On July 16th she featured a rock she had designed for Lost on the Prairie on her social media. I loved it! Thanks so much, Candace.
Of course, I appreciate each and every review I get for my books but this one from a 13-year-old girl named April in Regina was really special.
My aunt has given me both of your books and I have thoroughly enjoyed them. I loved learning about all the interesting history as well as becoming connected to the characters. I loved that some of the characters were the same in both books. Thank you for writing Lost on the Prarie and Sixties Girl. I admire how well-written your stories are and how you are able to convey such vivid imagery and emotions. I have to admit that I did cry occasionally while reading. I love to read and learn and I have found that historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Both of your books are now some of my favourites. Please continue to write and thank you again for your lovely stories. You are inspiring and I hope that you know that.
You can read more reviews for Sixties Girl here.
On November 15 I will be one of the guests at a special author night at the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum. Maybe I will see you there!
With a book club in Steinbach
I'd love to visit your school classroom, library, seniors' association meeting, book club, church or writing group. I can tailor a presentation that fits your topic and agenda. Just send me an e-mail at maryloudriedger@gmail.com and we will arrange something.
Other posts........
Sixties Girl Goes to Paris
What's Autofiction?
The Best Way to Spend I Read Canadian Day
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