Bruna Di Giuseppe has published her father’s WWII Diary titled “Diary of a Tufarola”.  She launched the book in her father’s home town of Tufo in Italy in October, 2018 and is planning a second launch in Toronto. The diary written by her father is a compelling and emotional story about his life growing up as an orphan and then being sent off to war in North Africa. After enduring life as a prisoner of war in England, he returns to Italy to start a family. In 1964, his family leaves the poverty of after-war Italy to start a new life in Toronto. He kept the diary hidden from his family until just before his death in 1993 when he asked his eldest daughter, Bruna to take care of it.

New WEN member,  Wayne Cusack is featured in two publications.

The first is an anthology called Strange Economics.  It is the first in what is planned to be a series of anthologies in the science fiction and fantasy genres, all of which will have a “strange” focus.  The publisher is based in Toronto. Submissions to Strange Economics were received from 125 authors located in North America, South America, Europe and Australia.  From those submissions, 23 short stories were chosen for inclusion.  The quality of writing is quite high. The anthology is now available on Am

azon.  The links to it are as follows:

paperback: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1999403908/

eBook: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07GZ89QH2/

The second is another anthology produced by the same Toronto-based publisher.  This one is called Sanctuary.  Its stories are in the science fiction , fantasy  and horror genres.  As you may guess from the title, the theme was sanctuary. This anthology involves a very difference approach.  Twenty-five writers gathered at the Imperial Pub (Yonge Street at Dundas) on the afternoon of August 26^th, 2018.  The idea was to write and edit from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and complete the anthology in a single day, with the intention of having it published within two days.  Advance writing was not permitted, though authors were allowed to develop story and character outlines in advance. It was assumed that the finished product would not be as highly polished as works completed with more time.  The organizers felt that the participating writers had the ability to produce pieces that would be well-worth reading.  I believe they were right, though as might be expected, there is some variation in the quality of the stories. The intention of the exercise was to see how well we could do in producing an anthology under those time constraints.  Twenty-one short stories are included, of which two are mine.  Given the time constraints, stories are necessarily short, ranging from about 1,000 words to about 3,000 words.

This anthology is also available on Amazon.  Here’s the link to it:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1999403924/

For each of these anthologies we are hoping to obtain favourable reviews on Amazon to assist in the sales effort.  Any such reviews left by members of WEN would be greatly appreciated.

Wayne Cusack

New WEN member Anubha Mehta is launching her debut novel titled Peacock in the Snow  September 28, 2018.

Peacock in the Snow transcends the boundaries of time and country to give a fresh perspective on patriarchy, migration and courage  Anubha Mehta is set to release her new publication – Peacock in the Snow – on SEPTEMBER 28 at Ben McNally Books ( 366 Bay Street, Toronto) at 6 pm.

Peacock in the Snow a genre-bending thriller about the power of love, sacrifice and the tireless capacity of people to hope, strive and succeed despite impossible circumstances. This is a story of shy and naïve Maya and how her perfect life with her new husband Veer is thrown into complete disarray when she accidentally stumbles on an ancient family secret. What begins as unwelcome behaviour by Veer’s family soon turns into something sinister. Trapped within the dark walls of her married mansion, the secret begins to haunt Maya and draw a wedge with Veer. To escape the malicious spirits lingering in the house, Maya and Veer migrate to a distant land and start rebuilding their life amongst adventure and hardship. Not knowing that the ghosts of their past have followed them, in a race against time, Maya is put to a final test. Armed with conviction and courage, she sets out to face the dark forces that lie await.
Will Maya ever be free of a dark past? Will she be able to survive so far away from home? Will her marriage stand the test of time, displacement, and hardship in a new country? “Peacock in the Snow is a story of belief, vengeance, and forgiveness,” says Anubha. “It is a story of optimism rooted in the imperfections of life. Maya’s hope makes her resilient and her courage leads to her redemption. The only way to overcome past wrongs is to face them, to conquer our fears and confront our inner demons”
“This book talks about those sides of issues and isms, that fall within the shadows and silences of the noise- those aspects that are not often talked about. In Patriarchy’s forceful dominance – often women get indoctrinated as its gatekeepers and vulnerable men surrender their personal lives, dreams or love in a show of allegiance to this system.
“Across the globe, these issues and isms don’t change, nor are they contained within geographic boundaries. They mutate with different cultures and colours and are manifest in a diversity of context, circumstance, and behaviours according to the tolerance and norms of the place,” adds Anubha.
“Set in both East and West, Peacock in the snow, is a journey across continents, cultures and generations. It bring to life the possibilities of myth and magic that exist on the fringes of reality.”
“I am truly humbled by all the love and support that I’ve received. I hope I am able to hold everyone’s attention in the future too with my story-telling.”

PEACOCK IN THE SNOW will be available in bookstores across North America on September 25, 2018 and is currently available for pre-order online at :  Inanna Publications; https://www.inanna.ca/index.php/catalog/peacock-snow/  Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/Peacock-Snow-Anubha-ehta/dp/1771335572/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1531576671&sr=8-2&keywords=peacock+in+the+snow  Watch the Book Trailer Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTlqy4UyNyI “This is a thrilling page-turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It combines several themes commonly found in Canadian literature woven together in an arresting story. The foreground story is the conflict faced by immigrants facing a new land and a different culture … This is a highly entertaining novel that also says much about contemporary Canadian society.” — David Siegel, professor of political science, Brock University, Canada “This book is like cinematic story-telling. As a filmmaker, I am drawn to the scenic imagery that is evoked in both India and North America…. The story had the capacity of a rare connectedness – of pulling the weight of small details, incidences and characters from the past, to the present to the future. .”

ABOUT ANUBHA MEHTA: With a doctorate in Political Science and over two decades of Canadian public service experience, Anubha’s writing has been widely published in Canada and abroad. Anubha led a singular portfolio of The Diversity Officer at the Regional Government of Peel for more than half a decade ( 2005- 2012) and has been awarded and acclaimed for innovative program planning, education as well as working with diverse Canadian communities. Anubha has always balanced academics and public service with art and has been a classical dancer, theatre-actor, painter and poet. Born in India and travelled extensively across the globe, Anubha’s narrative is influenced by insatiable curiosity, imagination, and spontaneity, reflecting reality in East and West. Anubha’s Personal Stories and Articles are drawn from her ancestors, childhood, her daily life and capture the spirit of epochs lived through turbulent and peaceful time. Anubha’s immensely popular blog Tell – Tale invites tales of natives and immigrants, from past and present, from lonely corners and loud hubs to share their stories and their messages. Anubha published her first non-fictional book, The Politics of Nation Building and Art Patronage in 2012.

AMONG THE JACARANDA,
Buds of Matata in Kenya,
A Novel Based on Real Events,
Matata Books, Toronto, 2018,
ISBN-13: 978-1724274847 (USA);
SBN 978-0-9877963-7-0, Paperback (Canada).

This is the long anticipated sequel to two previous novels by Braz,
to complete the trilogy. It is like a longed-for and missing part of a trip-tic image to complete a painting on one’s literary wall. We are being treated to the author’s style of taking the reader on another fascinating journey consisting, in fact, of many travels through life in a personal, cultural, historical, and geographic sense.

Lando, who we have had a chance to get to know in considerable detail in the preceding two accounts, has determined to return to London to further his education, and to complete his studies as a future urban planner. He does so with the blessings of his parents, and with a granted scholarship to facilitate the completion of his plans, hopes, and ambitions, and the fulfillment of his dreams. We are being introduced to his new-found friends, and accompany them on their exciting vacation trips in Europe.

Braz’ narrative is fast-paced, and invites the reader to relish all that is being done, seen, heard, taste-tested, explored and discovered: countries, cultures, fine food and drink, good people, occasional crafty schemers, the exciting sights and sounds of history, diverse geography, fascinating flora and fauna. Lando meets and falls in love with Eleanor, a fellow student. They share personal interests, travels, adventures, learn to solve problems and face challenges together. They become a couple, bringing together diverse families of different cultural origins in two countries on two continents. Let me not give away all the delightful details and secrets in this brief review…

Lando and Eleanor move from the UK to Kenya, to establish themselves, and to adjust to the demands and conditions of life in a newly independent country, with a traumatic history, and a very complex multi-cultural setting which is not without conflicts and in part also with tragic consequences. Lando and Eleanor welcome Alice Emily into their family. Lando attempts to establish himself as an architect in his own right, and is hopeful for a successful future in a new and very competitive economy.

Braz weaves a fascinating literary fabric, which combines the colorful threads of race and ethnicity, language, religious differences, and cultural traditions. He builds bridges between Goa on the Indian subcontinent, the land of his ethnic, religious, and cultural ancestry, and Kenya as a British colony and subsequently as a struggling independent nation with incredible political challenges, and not infrequent turmoil. Braz also fashions various historical, geographic and personal links to England and Europe in a style of writing which is simply fascinating.

It is a book I found difficult to put down for even a momentary pause to fetch another cup of coffee… I recommend it highly, and it even foreshadows the possibility and prospect that this literary trilogy might in due course welcome a literary sibling to form a quartet. I can hardly wait! I am certain that it also promises to be great!”

Gerhard A. Fuerst,
August 14, 2018
Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA;
retired Adjunct Professor of Social Science,
Western Michigan University

Alan Joe recently launched his new book “Of Ox and Unicorn” at the Islington Golf and Country Club. There were up to 100 attendees, many of whom were WEN members. Alan stated that he sold many books and graciously donated 75% of the proceeds to The Hospital for Sick Children. This donation amounted to $1800.00. In the photo are his wife Juliana along with son and daughter-in-law.

Long-time WEN member, Dr. Glenn Reid was ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican-Catholic church on Sunday, January 28, 2018. President Maria Marchelletta and Maurus Cappa attended the ceremony. Glenn also served as President of WEN from 2009 to 2010.  Let us all congratulate Glenn on his accomplishment.

Canadian Imprints Volume III will be launched on December 9th, 2017 at the annual WEN Holiday Party at Canadiana Restaurant. Authors will be able to pick up their copies at the book launch and read a selection from the book. The book is dedicated to Canada 150 and WEN’s 16th Anniversary.  Click on images to view full size and to read Prof Leonard Rosmarin’s introduction on the back cover.

The Word on the Street Festival was held on September 24th at Harbourfront. For the second year in a row, the Writers and Editors Network organization participated with a booth in the Writers Block. The booth  was staffed by a dedicated  group of volunteers from the WEN membership. Special thanks to Marianne Funny for organizing the booth and to Prad Chaudhuri who arrived at the crack of dawn to ensure everything was in order.  Overall, the booth generated a great deal of interest for our WEN organization. Volunteers included Barb Nobel, Martina Wood, Bruna Di Giusppe Bertoni, Jane Fraser, Josie Visentini, Stephens Han, Mostafa Dini and Ben Antao.