Returning to Port Hope!

On By Sue WilliamsIn Book signing eventsLeave a comment

cover pictureOne of the very first events following the release of my memoir, Ready to Come About (Dundurn Press), was at the Port Hope Public Library.

It was a beautiful warm afternoon in mid-June. What a fabulous historic town and library! What great support from Lisa O’Leary, the library staff, and Furby House Books!

We had such a good time!

20190819_143053As an aside, at this event we met a really neat person who had spent years sailing the Caribbean, Diane Taylor. Just so happens Diane also wrote about her adventures. Her book is “The Perfect Galley Book: Yarns, Recipes & Tips from the Heart of the Ship”. We were thrilled to find a copy at the Naval Marine Archive in Picton. If you are lucky, you can find yourself a copy of this wonderful book, too.

And, guess what! We have been asked back to do a repeat performance in the fall 2019 speaking series, “The Next Chapter” held Wednesday mornings at the Mary J. Bensen branch of the Port Hope Public Library.

furby house booksThe library, once again in conjunction with Furby House Books, has invited me and my husband, David, to do a presentation of our year-long adventure on the high seas, what precipitated the voyage, and what we learned by it. There will be an audio/visual presentation, and I will be doing readings from my memoir. Afterwards there will be time for questions and answers. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Mark your calendars!  We will be there Wednesday October 23rd during Ontario Library Week, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Hope to see you!

 

 

 

 

 

A telephone voice mail message saved

On By Sue WilliamsIn MemoirLeave a comment

David’s Aunt Caroline introduced him to sailing when he was very young. That’s when his dream of crossing an ocean began.

Years after completing our two transatlantic crossings, David and I visited Aunt Caroline in Portland, Oregon.

During our visit, I mentioned to her that I was writing a memoir about our year on the high seas. She listened intently as I read through the prologue and chapter one, in which she was mentioned.

With tears in her eyes, she then said, “I want you to hear to something.” She retrieved her phone, accessed her voice mail, and to our amazement, replayed the voice mail message David had left her from an outdoor phone booth in the Azores after our first ocean passage of 23 days. She had saved this message on her phone for eight whole years! Listening to it, of course, I cried too!

Here it is, heartfelt and real, and part of the story of my memoir, Ready to Come About (Dundurn Press 2019)

Hope you enjoy it.

 

I Grew … We Grew Together

On By Sue WilliamsIn Memoir2 Comments

(I originally wrote this article as a blog post on the Nautical Mind Bookstore website.)

Christmas Eve my husband, David, had a grand mal seizure while doing last minute shopping in the mall. The event was so violent that he sustained two compression fractures of his thoracic spine, and cuts on his head took fourteen stitches to close. “Stress and sleep deprivation,” were what the neurologist determined to be the cause.

When he returned to work, with the scars still raw, he was fired. “Restructuring,” the CEO like to call it.

After David recovered I said, “Dear, you wanted to cross an ocean. This is your chance. You have the boat. You’re back in good health. And you’ve now got the time. You can look for a new job when you get back.” Then I suddenly added, “And I’ll go too,” surprising us both.

P1000796aBy Day Eight on our passage to Caiscais, Portugal: we had snagged a rogue fishing net that pulled the engine off its mounts; David had to dive into the choppy Atlantic for almost an hour to cut the net loose; we were taking on water through the stuffing box; we had entered a Nortada along the western coast of Europe causing our weather cloths to tear, our radar reflector and courtesy flag halyards to break free, and monstrous seas to develop; and Inia was losing a nautical mile, or a minute of latitude, in the strong south setting current every time we checked.

David, as skipper, felt responsible for the safety of his vessel, Inia, and the welfare of his crew, me.

“Stress and Sleep Deprivation.” Was another seizure in the making? I seriously feared so!

P1000657IThese were just some of the many challenges we faced in our 11,000 nautical mile, year-long circumnavigation of the North Atlantic. As they say, adversity introduces one to oneself. We also learned that the rougher the passage, the more joyful the landfall.

My memoir, Ready to Come About (Dundurn Press 2019), is the story of my improbable adventure on the high seas and my profound journey within, through which I grew to believe there is no gift more previous than the liberty to chart one’s own course, and that risk is a good thing … sometimes, at least.

IMG_7410

Almonte Presentation & Book Signing

On By Sue WilliamsIn Book signing eventsLeave a comment

An Ottawa valley town named after a Mexican general? True. Almonte, Ontario, a scenic, historic mill town … on the Mississippi River! Yes, I said that right. The Canadian Mississippi River! A town named after General Juan Almonte, a Mexican who never really was connected with Canada. How did that happen?

Well, it seems local Canadians admired the man, according to an excerpt from the Almonte Gazette, July 30, 1970 “as he was a man of uncommon frankness and had plenty of courage, he stood up for the rights of his country in stalwart fashion and gave Uncle Sam enough vigorous back-chat to make things interesting.” Alrighty … guess that’s a good enough reason to like the name Almonte!

And when the previously chosen name of Waterford was rejected because it was already taken, Almonte was selected. The rest is history! Check it out here.

Almonte is a small community about 30 minutes from Ottawa. It is an historic, scenic mill town known for its arts scene, beautiful Inns and B&Bs, galleries, boutiques and antique shops.

Almonte_Ontario_Canada.jpeg

It is also home of Mill Street Books, owned by Mary and Terry Lumsden.

mill_stree_books_header_final_2019

Mill Street Books was selected as one of Canada’s top 10 most beloved bookstores and has received glowing reviews from its customers. It is very clear this independent bookstore, through the hard work and dedication of its owners and staff, has created something very special, adding to the charm of this community.

I am so very fortunate to have a book event in Almonte on July 25th. I, along with my husband, David, will be doing a presentation and book signing at the Mississippi Mills (Almonte) Library, 155 High Street, 7 – 8 p.m., for my memoir, Ready to Come About (Dundurn Press).

All of this is made possible by Mary Lumsden, Mill Street Books! Thanks Mary!

Notice for Mill Street Blog Post

For more details, see: Facebook events page

 

 

TYPE Books in the Junction

On By Sue WilliamsIn Book signing eventsLeave a comment

Launching my memoir, Ready to Come About (Dundurn Press), into the world has certainly been an exciting adventure.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this journey has been working with the intrepid owners of independent bookstores; The Bookshelf in Guelph, Furby House Books in Port Hope, the Nautical Mind Bookstore on the Toronto Waterfront, and the Novel Idea Bookstore in Kingston. Each of these independents have a unique history and character, and have notoriety far beyond the communities in which they reside. But, they also play a special role for those who live in the neighbourhoods around them, enhancing the mosaic that makes a community a community.

It is with great pleasure that, on July 9th, I will be spending time at TYPE Books in Toronto’s Junction, 2887 Dundas Street West, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

TYPE Books is the creation of Samara Walbohm and Joanne Saul, book lovers who in 2006 had the courage to launch a new independent bookstore on Queen Street in Toronto, just when big-box stores and Amazon were popping up, and independents were closing. Thank goodness for the determination of these women, and all the other independent bookstore owners, who have preserved through the changing economy, and continue as gems in the fabric of our local communities.

I will be doing readings from my memoir and, together with my husband, David, we will provide a short visual presentation with some of the backstories of the book. A Q&A and book signing will follow.

The theme of the night is “A Taste of Summer”. This is in response to the wonderful news that Ready to Come About has been included in the Globe and Mail’s recommended “summer reads” for 2019. Keeping with this theme, another local gem in the fabric of the Junction, Amira Eskenazi of Valis Foodcraft, will be serving up tasty picnic finger foods!

It should be a fun night. Hope to see you there! And thank you, TYPE Books, for this opportunity!

 

Sue at Type Books in Junction

The Stories Behind the Story

On By Sue WilliamsIn MemoirLeave a comment

Of course, there is always a story behind every story. Bit by bit, the details of what precipitated my memoir, Ready to Come About, are getting out.

Earlier this month, the historic waterfront bookstore, Nautical Mind, posted an article I wrote called “I Grew … We Grew Together“. This article discussed an event that, in part, led to my bizarre decision to sail the Atlantic Ocean with my husband, David. It also described just a little bit the many challenges we had on this improbable adventure on the high seas. Perhaps what I like most about this article is the title, because it sums up what I feel to my core, that this experience was life-altering in ways David and I could never have imagined possible. Thank you Nautical Mind Bookstore!

Just this last Tuesday, Dundurn Press published an article I wrote called “Writing is a Lot Like Appliqué“. The following is from the prologue to my book:

This was David’s dream, not mine. Far from it. I loved family and friends, our dog, our home, my job as an occupational therapist. Appliqué was my idea of a thrill. I didn’t have an adventure-seeking bone in my body.

I have had a life-long interest in fibre-arts. In this article, I talk about how, much to my surprise, I discovered that the process of writing is, in lots of ways, similar to that of creating an appliqué. Coincidentally, the cover of Ready to Come About is based on one of my appliqués! I am thrilled! Thank you, Dundurn Press!

SueWilliams_3056_8x10(1)

Then the Guelph Mercury Tribune published an opinion piece with the following headline:

Guelph author Sue Williams felt compelled to tell life story

Jeremy Luke Hill talks to ‘Ready to Come About’ author about her true life adventure and personal journey

In this piece Jeremy Luke Hill, Publisher of Gordon Hill Press, recaps an interview he had with me regarding the writing of my memoir. Here is the link to the interview. Thank you so much, Jeremy, for your interest in my book and for the support of the Vocamus Writer’s Community!

If you are interested in these “stories behind the story”, you can access each of the mentioned articles by simply clicking on the links provided in this post.

 

 

 

Still Flying High!

On By Sue WilliamsIn MemoirLeave a comment

There are some positive life events that simply will never be forgotten. Your first romantic kiss. (David claims I kissed him first). Your wedding day. Birth of your children. The arrival of grandchildren.

For ocean sailors, that first landfall.

For writers, an acceptance following so many rejections.

For me, another such event was the night of the book launch of my memoir, Ready to Come About.

20190606_172644

This was held last Thursday night, June 6th, at the eBar of Guelph’s iconic bookstore, The Bookshelf. I was blown away by the size of the crowd that came out to wish me well, so many that I was unable to have time meet with everyone.

I am deeply grateful to all who attended the event and want to say “ A BIG THANK YOU”. It was you who made the night successful: family, old friends from years gone by, new friends, neighbours, Waupooian sailors (if there is such a word), my childhood best friend, my OT colleagues and classmates, my roommate from university, fellow writers, writing instructors and mentors, and people I met for the very first time.

Also, a special thanks to Randy Litchfield who did such a great introduction, to the eBar staff that worked hard to make the night a success, and to our son John and daughter-in-law Emilyn, with Nathan Smith, for the music … and the performance of Nathan’s song, “Set Sail”.

IMG_8102

Days later, I am still flying high.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart!

.

Writing is a Lot Like Appliqué

On By Sue WilliamsIn Writing communityLeave a comment

Okay. So… full disclosure: Yes, I was drawn to the field of occupational therapy because of my deep-seated beliefs in its noble goals of promoting uniqueness and meaning and diversity. But I also LOVE crafts. And I was told, mistakenly, that crafts were central to the profession.

Although they once had been, by the time I was studying OT, the profession was hell-bent on distancing itself from the basket-weaving image. But truth be told, I believed then, and still very much do, that there is huge therapeutic value in doing crafts. There, I said it!

2019-04-18-08.56.08.jpg

My life-long love affair with crafts, particularly appliqué, started when I was seven years old. My aunt, Kathy, gave me this small wall hanging that she had made with scraps of material and bits of embroidery floss. I loved that aunt and I cherished that little cloth picture. Something about its colours, its simplicity, was just so beautiful. And it had emotion. This little work of art has hung on a wall in my various homes ever since.

Inspired by my aunt’s creative genius, over the years I learned embroidery, crewel, and quilting techniques, and eventually began designing my own appliqués, striving for the same effect.

After my improbable year-long sailing of the North Atlantic, I made the appliqué of our sailboat, Inia, being tossed about in monstrous seas, mid-ocean, mid-storm, in the middle of the night, to convey what I had experienced; more importantly, how I had felt.

SueWilliams_3056_8x10.jpg

Then I decided to write a book about the adventure. And I discovered that, to my surprise, the writing process and the appliqué process are similar. There is the starting with a general idea, a theme, the drawing of bold strokes, the adding of focal points here and there, the taking away extraneous clutter, and the finishing touches— always thinking; what’s missing, what’s enough, what’s too much, until it feels ‘emotionally accurate’, until it feels ‘just right’.

9781459743908_cover3D

I am over the moon to say, my debut book, Ready to Come About, will be released next month. What’s more, Laura Boyle, artistic director at Dundurn Press, used my sailing appliqué to design the book’s cover. It’s an emotional match made in heaven. It’s perfect on every level. I couldn’t be happier.

Thank you, Laura!!

 

Port Hope Presentation and Book Signing

On By Sue WilliamsIn Book signing eventsLeave a comment

9781459743908_cover3D

“In the fall of 1996, we bought a single-masted, fin-keeled Tanzer 26 and christened it after David’s grandfather’s boat. The Killarney II marked the end of cottage rentals and the start of marina-to-marina sailing on Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte, which carried on through the boys’ teenage years.”

That is a quote from my memoir, Ready to Come About, being published by Dundurn Press.

Our Lake Ontario sailing was limited to brief jaunts during David’s two weeks off. It was anything but “extreme sailing” and, in no way prepared either of us for what lay ahead. A decade or so later we found ourselves alone in a 37 foot boat circumnavigating the North Atlantic Ocean.

Killarney II Picture_0002

A Lake Ontario stopover on the Killarney II was along the wall in the Port Hope Municipal Marina, where we experienced the quiet, the small town friendliness, the fishermen coming and going, the lovely beach, the unexpected arrival of Shad fly season and the infamous Port Hope storm surge! That night will be etched in our memories forever!

Port Hope Library

Now, almost 21 years later, my husband and I are returning to Port Hope, this time by car.

The Port Hope Public Library, in partnership with Furby House Books, has invited David and me to do a presentation of our year-long adventure on the high seas, what precipitated the voyage, and what we learned by it.

There will be an audio/visual presentation, readings from my memoir, Ready to Come About, and a Q&A. Books will be available for sale and signing.

If you are in the area, I hope you will be able to join us for this event.

furby house books

Friday June 14, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.

Port Hope Library
31 Queen St.
Port Hope, ON
L1A 2Y8