Yejide
Kilanko
Kilanko
BLOG.YEJIDEKILANKO.COM
Twitter Link
One-Year Author Anniversary
Yesterday, April 10, was my one-year author anniversary. What a year it has been. On April 11, 2012, I had my first author event, a reading, at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. Here's a lovely picture from the event. Good friends are truly a blessing.
Listening to Heather Birrell and John Boyne read, I'd wondered how I was going to make it up the stairs. The lady who sat beside me, must have seen something on my face because she told me not to worry, that the last debut author she listened to at the Harbourfront Centre, became a Globe and Mail bestselling author.
I climbed the stairs without tripping and friends later told me, that the warbling sound I thought I was making, was all in my head. The amazing thing was that Daughters made it to the Globe and Mail bestseller's list within a month of the reading. This is my public thank you to that kind woman. I hope she gets to read this one day.
I've loved meeting readers, getting your emails, connecting with other writers, autographing books, attending festivals, interviews and book club visits. I've learnt so much about the business of writing, networking, marketing and most of all, I've grown through it all. As I look forward to what this new year would bring, I just wanted to say thanks to you too.
Happy International Women's Day
Celebrating women all over the world who wake up each morning with the bold determination to show up for life. I salute those who create the space for others to shine even as their light flickers. I do believe we were born in these times for a unique purpose. So wherever you're rooted, may you flourish in and out of season. And may our daughters walk easier paths.
It's February 13 already?
It feels like it was only a couple of weeks ago we were saying Happy New Year. These past weeks have been very busy with editing Land Spirits and I was happy to finally get to the point where I felt some satisfaction with the manuscript. I know there's still lots of work ahead but while I wait for more feedback, I'll continue to work on the outline for my middle-grade book and catch up on some fun reading since I have five new books vying for attention on my night stand.
In other news, Daughters was published in the US on January 29th, just over two weeks ago and I've been getting some good reader reviews which I'm grateful for. There're no author events planned yet but I'm hoping to do a US blog tour in the future. I'll keep you posted as to dates and blogs. I've had a couple of Skype book club visits and will be happy to discuss dates/times with those interested.
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and in the spirit of showing love, I thought it was important to salute all the people and organizations taking part in the One Million Rising campaign being marked around the world tomorrow. You can find more information about the movement at http://onebillionrising.org/
Wishing those who celebrate Valentine's Day a lovely time and catch you all soon.
Till next time
In other news, Daughters was published in the US on January 29th, just over two weeks ago and I've been getting some good reader reviews which I'm grateful for. There're no author events planned yet but I'm hoping to do a US blog tour in the future. I'll keep you posted as to dates and blogs. I've had a couple of Skype book club visits and will be happy to discuss dates/times with those interested.
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and in the spirit of showing love, I thought it was important to salute all the people and organizations taking part in the One Million Rising campaign being marked around the world tomorrow. You can find more information about the movement at http://onebillionrising.org/
Wishing those who celebrate Valentine's Day a lovely time and catch you all soon.
Till next time
Looking Ahead
Welcome to 2013! We made it, despite two end of the world predictions Last year was amazing and I'm grateful for everyone who helped in ways too numerous to list. Thanks for reading and sharing Daughters. Nothing makes a writer happier than knowing people read and enjoy their work. A big thanks also goes to those who gave me interviews, reviews and to readers who left reviews on Goodreads/Amazon. It all makes a difference.
Last year was amazing and I'm grateful for everyone who helped in ways too numerous to list. Thanks for reading and sharing Daughters. Nothing makes a writer happier than knowing people read and enjoy their work. A big thanks also goes to those who gave me interviews, reviews and to readers who left reviews on Goodreads/Amazon. It all makes a difference. This year is shaping up to be a great one as I look forward to the US (Pintail Books) publication of Daughters on January 29. The audio book (Blackstone Audio) will also be published on that date. This is the gorgeous cover below.
The German edition will still be published on March 8. And the second Canadian paperback edition will be published on April 23 as part of Penguin's beautiful orange spine series. There'll be a few changes made to the original cover but the beautiful image stays. This edition will also have an author interview and book club discussion questions at the back. Book club invites are always welcomed
On the writing front, my plans are to keep on working on my third adult novel and a middle-grade children's book. I'll also be working on edits for When Land Spirits Cross Big Waters, as the publication is slated for Spring 2014. All these tasks, combined with family and counselling, makes for a very busy year but I won't have it any other way.
I stopped making New Year resolutions a while back. I never kept them. However, this year, I made three big ones. To live in the present, to be kind to myself and patient with others. I still need to break these down into achievable tasks which means there'll be a lot of daily
negotiations in my future
negotiations in my future
Off I go to my writing lair (It's really my dinning table) I love hearing from you so if you have time, please send me an email. I'll reply. All the best!
Daughters in Germany: The book cover
Here's the book cover for the German edition by Graf Verlag coming out in March 2013. Love the design and the colours
Christmas Book Give-Away on Facebook.
I know some people are still on a sugar high from Halloween and American Thanksgiving is not yet here, but we only have seven weekends till Christmas! Last year, I was so pumped that on Christmas Day 2012, someone was going to shriek and do some cartwheels after unwrapping a copy of Daughters (A girl can only dream). To say thanks for all your support, from November 5 till 12 PM EST on November 26, I'm having a book give-away. 10 autographed copies of Daughters (courtesy of Penguin Canada) to those with Canadian/US addresses. ( Locations restricted because of shipping hassles. Sorry.) All you have to do, is like my Facebook Page (for new folks), share a clip of your favourite Christmas song or a pic of your favourite Christmas sweater and show off your inner comedian with a caption. Names will be assigned numbers and potential shriekers chosen randomly using http://www.random.org/. Let the fun begin!
Book Two Finds A Home.
Very happy to share that my second novel, When Land Spirits Cross Big Waters, will be published by Penguin Canada, Spring 2014. I'm very excited at another opportunity to work with my fabulous editor, Adrienne Kerr. I can't wait to share the book with you all.
With Land Spirits moving to the editing phase, it's time for me to meet new folks or perhaps, visit old ones. I've had several people ask if there'll be a sequel to Daughters and I've said that Morayo's story is done. As I think of Book Three, I'm not so sure. But the only way I'll know if this is the right thing to do, is to start on a new journey. I'll keep you posted.
On other news, Daughters is still making new friends. This weekend, I'm off to Book Fest Windsor. Also, this coming Monday, October 29th, Author Donna Bailey Nurse will review Daughters on The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers at 1.pm. An encore presentation, will air on Saturday, November 3rd at 4.pm. On November 1st, I'll be at The Book Keeper in Sarnia with Author Emily Schultz. Sarnia was my first home city in Canada so I'm excited to visit.
That's all for now Hope all is well with you and yours.
Hope all is well with you and yours. Till next time.
Daughters in the USA: I'm A Pintail Books Author
(Courtesy: Pintail Books)
I had announced a while back, that Daughters was going to be published in US by Pintail Books (Penguin USA) in spring 2013. The pub date is now January 29, 2013!
On that date, it would be 7 years and 363 days to the date my family and I, moved from Pennsylvania, USA to Ontario, Ontario in search of our Canadian dream.In an unexplainable way, it feels as if a part of me is making a return journey.
I'm not sure what the future holds in terms of author events in the US but as soon as I have more information, I'll share it. The book is now available for pre-order at a special price on www.amazon.com. Thanks for checking it out and do let me know if you have any questions. I love getting emails from you.
My fall is shaping up as a busy one as I have four book events within the next four weeks and we're about to start work on the German edition of Daughters. It will be interesting coming up with German translations for some of the Yoruba phrases
If I don't make it back here before Canadian thanksgiving which is on October 8th, I'll like to wish my fellow Canadians a safe and happy thanksgiving weekend.
Till next time.
Back to Fantasy Land
Hello again
Sharing my September anthem below. It's always fun to watch the video and remember all the Soul II Soul braids I had to get. Good times.
In our household, we've definitely settled back into the fall mode. Soccer is over, the kiddies are back to school and I'm back to writing.
One of my many dreams is to write a children's book and I'm now working on a middle grade book in Nigeria and Canada. It's definitely a challenge writing for that age group but my pre-teen is excited about helping Mom figure things out. I'm hopeful and determined to enjoy this new journey.
I recently updated my news and review pages so if you have some time, please stop by and read some interviews and reviews.
Talk to you later!
The Globe and Mail Bestsellers List, Book Two and The Giller Prize Readers' Choice Award
I remind myself daily not to take anything for granted, which is why, I must start this post by saying thank you for keeping Daughters on the Globe and Mail bestsellers list for nine consecutive weeks. Wow!
All that support definitely helped as I worked hard through the months of June and July to get my second novel ready to face the world.
I'm happy to share that I'm getting back on the book submission roller coaster with my second novel tentatively titled, When Land Spirits Cross Big Waters. I'm hoping for some good news soon.
I'm happy to share that I'm getting back on the book submission roller coaster with my second novel tentatively titled, When Land Spirits Cross Big Waters. I'm hoping for some good news soon.
After I sent off the manuscript to my agent, I decided to take a writing break to charge up my batteries and I've had lots of fun reading old favourites and getting acquainted with new authors. If you happen to be on Facebook, please check out my page and join in the fun. I'll love to hear all about your summer reading.
Another thing that has been brought my excitement level way up is the fact that it's Giller Prize season and I'm dreaming
This year, for the Giller Prize Readers' Choice Award, readers are to nominate their favourite book from the Giller Prize eligible list, by saying why they think their favourite novel deserves to be on the long list. There're also lots of great prizes to be won by participating. So this is really a win-win situation. if you really loved reading Daughters, I'll really appreciate your nomination. Here's the direct link http://www.cbc.ca/books/scotiabankgillerprize/readers-choice-2012.html Thanks in advance.
This year, for the Giller Prize Readers' Choice Award, readers are to nominate their favourite book from the Giller Prize eligible list, by saying why they think their favourite novel deserves to be on the long list. There're also lots of great prizes to be won by participating. So this is really a win-win situation. if you really loved reading Daughters, I'll really appreciate your nomination. Here's the direct link http://www.cbc.ca/books/scotiabankgillerprize/readers-choice-2012.html Thanks in advance.
I hope your summer is going great. Mine seems to running away from me. And the back to school ads on TV don't help. I have some vacation time booked so I'm looking forward to some down time before everything becomes go-go-go.
Well, enjoy the rest of the summer and catch you soon