From my old primary school, situated on top of the Niagara Escarpment in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada - a very nice profile of my work over the past few decades in both art-making and writing ...
As an 'old girl' (from many moons past went), I can attest to the solid educational framework that this private day school offers. As an attending youngster, I LOVED the teachers, (even though some were ferocious on the outside, hint-hint, Mrs.LeRoy!).
Overall, I appreciated the small class sizes, the wide-ranging curriculum that was devoted to creating well-rounded little girls and boys, the active sports days & theatrical productions, the life-long friendships made and the mushy peas at lunch hour in the school cafeteria! It was a wonderful place to just 'grow' ....
'Immersed in Art' - a very much appreciated four-page spread about me in the 2021 Spring Edition of the Hillfield Strathallan College Review.
There are varied ways and means to 'get-the-word-out' for #indie #authors. There are the traditional legacy media outlets that provide authenticity in one's local community. It can be a long process though that can take months, even years, to get good coverage. There are also local radio and news programs, augmented with Public Service Announcements (PSAs). These are fun to do, but fleeting in both the public imagination and as a 'record'. By far, the best reviews, interviews and community engagement comes from enterprising and focused bloggers who, not only know their audiences, but provide interesting and tasteful platforms for authors to just 'be themselves' ...
I recently hiredIndie Book Butler to do an interview with me. The have a very active presence on social media and are well plugged into the Twitter #writing and #reading communities. To my mind, two weeks of 'promo' from them, (includes daily promotion by them across social media platforms), is well worth the very reasonable $15 fee. It's effective, efficient and does reach the intended audience -YOU.
... Here's a sample of how the interview started ...
Indie Book Butler: Let’s start things off with an
introduction. Tell us a little about yourself for those not already
aware of you and your work.
ML Holton: 'Hello all. – By profession, I’m an
award-winning Canadian artist from southern Ontario, Canada. I live and
work beside the magnificent great lake of Ontario and have been very
active along its southern shore for over 40 years.
Few locals know that aside from my long-standing art practice is a
dedication to the written word that has also spanned 40+ years. I
studied English Lit and Philosophy at University of Toronto, with an
independent study year to pursue the ‘History of the English Language’
at the University of Edinburgh. After several years of other work, I
returned to university to understudy with 2-time Giller Prize winner,
M.G.Vassanji, in the Graduate Creative Writing Program at Humber
College. In other words, I’ve played with words – their sounds and
meaning – for as long as I can remember.
Today, aside from my visual art practice, I have completed two poetry
books as well as a spoken-word/garageband album – ‘CANADADA: TAKE TWO’.
I’ve been published in several anthologies (here and abroad), edited a
social-religious history about Toronto, compiled eight small-press
picture books that highlight my pinhole photography and paintings,
written and directed a short narrative film – ‘The Frozen Goose’,
written freelance art articles for local news outlets, and finally, I’ve
completed three full-length novels, to date. In sum, I like to have serious fun!'
READ the REST of this fun & engaging interviewon their site.
Wholeheartedly recommend their service. Timely, efficient and 'on point'.
Oh dear. Must share a few more thoughts about 'video-conferencing' from an artist's perspective ... I know that it is increasingly common-place for everyone and their mother to engage in 'voice chats' over Zoom, Facetime and Skype, etc. It's so commonplace now, it's consider kind of ODD not too.
And yet, for me, this super-controlled, literal 'in-your-face' video interaction is wholly unsatisfactory as 'human communication'. It's not just the invasion of private space - as has so readily occurred over the COVID Lockdown - it is the screen's innate inability to really engage with the person you're chatting with. There is, quite literally, two screens between you.
Sure, you can see and hear each other through the screens, but what about all the other manifold physical senses and tangential happenings that naturally erupt when actually with another person?
As example, over the past year, I have attempted at various times to 'chat' with my dear old mum in this way. Yes, it certainly does allow us a chance to catch-up and SEE each other. But we both soon discovered a mutually understanding of the incredible VOID we were experiencing through the screen. Both of us sorely miss the spontaneity of the ever-capricious 'just-being-with-each-other-in-Time-and-Space' experience. Nothing can replace the actual synergy of REAL LIFE -- and humanity would be sorely mistaken to believe that 'screen chats' suffice - or that, "it will do".
To be clear, it does not. It cannot. -- And it never will.
Jens Hansen, Voice Artist
For those who have no qualms about interacting through video chats with others, whether for private or public use, I do get it. It's easy, it's convenient. It gives you sense you are 'connecting'. You can 'zoom' in or out over vast distances. You can seemingly control the volume, lighting, backdrop and you can exit at Will, (unless you are a 'guest' on an interview!)
But, to be EXTRA clear, this is not what real-life surround-sound 'conversation' between living-and-breathing human beings is like, or about. So many of the delightful nuances of engagement are lost through this pervasive and invasive technology. So much is NOT seen, heard or felt through our screens. It's really just not Half as Good as the real thing! -- Really!
... Anyway, enough about why I loathe this controlled form of engagement ... Now, the juicy stuff!!
On Monday, I and #Dutch-#Danish-#Canadian, Jens Hansen, the talented #narrator of the #audiobook version of TRILLIUM, were interviewed on a UK-based Youtube station, 'Boomers on Books'. It was a huge opportunity to 'spread-the-word' about our combined effort on the TRILLIUMaudiobook project, so, yes, I had to do it.
During the pre-live, prep period - when we were testing connections, lights, background and extraneous visuals - the loathing I hold for this kind of 'screen communication' began to manifest ... Every fiber in my being was resisting the necessity of the 'performance art' that had to ensue. (I am also very aware that I prefer being behind the camera, not in front of it.) Fundamentally, as I writer, I 'observe' while others 'perform'. Writers epitomize spectators. We are the All-Seeing Watchers. All this was swirling around in my mind as we got ready for the one-hour 'live' #interview ...
On the day of, I thought I was going to throw-up. I was overcome by a completely irrational fear that almost prevented me from joining 'in' to Vince's channel room. -- What would others thinks? What would I think? Who would be judging? How would I judge myself? -- This reached a crescendo just a few seconds before 'air-time' ...
How could I cope? -- How would I cope?
.... well, watch for yourself ....
... As one long interested in the impact of screen culture on humanity, yes, I crossed the Rubicon ...
And, of course, it was 'performance art'. -- Later remarks that I looked "so natural", "at ease", and "comfortable" (while very kind and supportive) attest to that. -- Believe me folks, the whole thing was, from start to finish, 'performance art'. Some have said, "it's no big deal. You did it!" -"It's excellent & necessary promotion." "You're just selling your book!" Yes, yes, and yes, BUT ... I still loathe every single second of having to do it. And that, my dear friends, is why you will see little more of this #writer 'live', on big or little screens.
Now, let me add this link for the real #performer, the real #actor, in our midst. It goes without saying that I chose wonderful Jens for all the #acting abilities he so easily manifests during the interview: charm, wit, timing and an all-round good sense of fun. As mentioned in the interview, it was during the taping of his STELLAR rendition of 'The Cremation of Sam McGee' that I first saw and heard the fantastic potential he had as a #storyteller. - Jens is a natural. Jens IS gifted. - And, you really should listen to the bravo 14.5 hour #performance he gives to TRILLIUM. It is outstanding!
Settle in for a thrilling, engaging and timely tale that spans 250 years of life on the Niagara peninsula. The #Ebook,#paperback and audiobook are now available in the States & Canada via Amazon, or iTunes. -- Plus, here are the United Kingdomlinks.
A fantastic profile of the #audiobook narrator, Jens Hansen - (chosen for my third novel,TRILLIUM) - came out today on the front (and full page!) of The Hamilton Spectator's GO section.
Written by veteran lifestyle & arts columnist, Jeff Mahoney, Jeff really 'gets' the "debonair" character that Jens brings to the pages of TRILLIUM ...
The article is a wonderful and in-depth coverage of a versatile actor whose first language is, surprisingly, not English.
As I explained to Jeff as background for the profile, I initially chose Jens because of his exotic life-and-lived experience from elsewhere on the globe. His cadences, tone and inflections add a rainbow of audio colour to the telling of the tale. So much so, Jeff gushes about his "great Niagara of Narration". -- Fine words indeed!
So, if in the mood to listen to a distinctive and beguiling voice for 14.5 hours, tune into Jens' "brilliant" rendition of TRILLIUM.You will be alternatively amused, delighted, intrigued - and seduced. -- Promise!
TRILLIUM, written by Margaret Lindsay Holton, available on iTUNES -- or Audible. If you prefer to #read TRILLIUM yourself, download the ebook -- and/or pick up the 350+ paperback -- viaAmazon.
Full, front page on the GO Section of The Hamilton Spectator! Woohoo!
Delighted to have this wonderful post all the way from sunny #FLORIDA! Marcia Meara let me share the wonderful #voice of Jens Hansen on her comprehensive book blog. Dive in for a good read about what makes Jens soooo good for the 14.5 hours TRILLIUM#audiobook project. Tune into Audible, or iTunesto have a wee listen to his stellar effort!
Woohoo! The AUDIOBOOK version of TRILLIUM is Finally HERE!!!
Spanning a period of 250 years, from 1750s to 2001, three ambitious young men arrive to the Niagara peninsula. They come from rural New York, dirt poor Sicily and a squalid 19th
century Dublin. As
time passes, their growing families mix and mingle in the burgeoning wine
region known as Niagara ...
Award-winning Canadian author and artist, MLHolton, has
created a “magnificent” historical fiction that focuses on three distinct families, held together by familial roots, as they become embroiled in national and world events ... Driven by love, lust and loot, dive into the psyche of an evolving nation ...
Super excited to have my third novel, TRILLIUM, in the running for Best Book Cover Design on the All Authors website.There's stiff competition, over 350 titles. My title really does stand out from the pack, primarily because of the yellow background and simple choice of typeface. The image, of a man holding a grape cluster, is a detail from a painting I did some years ago of a Niagara vineyard ...
Currently ranked at 89th place, please cast your vote to keep me in the Top 100 - for the NEXT WEEKLY ROUND!
The competition runs for the month of November.
You can, if you like, vote every week.
It would be grand to make it to the final 25!! And better yet, to WIN!! Can I count on you?
UPDATE: Hoorah, made it thru Week 2! TRILLIUM is now in the top 50!! Please cast your vote again (or once) via link above! Over 15,000 votes have been cast! The competition is FIERCE. :)
Thank you!
UPDATE: Monday, Nov.16th. Well, TRILLIUM did make it to the Top 50, but the front-runners are now running ahead by 100-400 votes!! I simply can't catch up. So, I am conceding. - THANKS to all who did get TRILLIUMinto the 'semi-final' run. It is appreciated!! I am so glad so many of you do like my cover. :)
Delighted to be included on Assaph Mehr's excellent blog, The Protagonist Speaks. It's a clever idea. Authors are given free rein to expand on the thoughts, feelings and perceptions of their main character, in the first person.
In this instance, I morphed into Anna Di Angelo, as an 80-year old woman looking back over the incidences in her life. Anna's story is key to the entire evolution of TRILLIUM, even though, in the story, she is not given much of a voice. Deemed 'slow' at birth, she was sheltered by her Italian-Canadian family. She was never taught to read or write as there seemed no need. But, as we learn in the following 'interview', Anna has always had a mind of her own ...
It is also a thrill to be included in my university's on-line 'Coffee House 2020', a 'coffee house' tradition that spans decades at the school.
Here, I supplied a 'test read' by the narrator of TRILLIUM,Jens Hansen. Unfortunately, the audiobook that we've worked on so hard over the spring and summer has been 'locked' in 'Quality Assurance' at the distributors since mid August. Apparently, the backlog at ACX,/Audible is unbelievable ... That's totally understandable given the global COVID circumstances, but terribly disappointing that there we still have no tangible audiobook to share with you.
Thus, at present, there is no opportunity for you to hear the continuation of Jen's brilliant 'start' of TRILLIUM*... Listen to his little audio teaser on FacebookorInstagram.
When an international wine#influencer on Instagram, with a following of over 10K, gives a super 5-star rating for your novel, expect a swift reaction from her attentive audience. Within one week, Renee Sferrazza's positive post about TRILLIUM has 600 likes with over 125 comments and commitments to purchase, voiced by #winelovers from all around the globe! - Now, that's social impact!!
Her rating is also a tremendous boost for the real life setting of the novel, the #winemaking region of the #Niagara peninsula, sandwiched, as it is , between the southern shore of #LakeOntario, #LakeErie and the grand meandering Niagara River, (yes, the location of famed #NiagaraFalls.)
THANK YOU RENEE!! - @wine.by.renee - and to all the other great gals affiliated with Instagram @sips.aroundtheglobe & @wineandbubblelover. I am most humbled, grateful and honoured that you found TRILLIUM "captivating"!
Equally, when a more traditional #bookreviewer at Booklytical criticizes, in detail, the failings of the novel from their perspective, and then goes on to give the work an8 out of 10 rating, that's really not too shabby either. Certainly, the criticism hurts, but the overall book rave as - "a stand-out gem"- does compensate. With that rating, I know that the story did work its magic ... eventually!
....
Book reviews really are the circulating life-blood of an author's efforts. It tells #writers what does and does not resonate. It tells us where work may be needed, and where too one excels at the craft. It has been mentioned, as example, a couple of times now, how my capacity to generate imagery is "like a painter." As a highly visual person who believes that the use of colour, form, and design intimately expresses our current humanity, this comment is always very welcome. I know my imagination has successfully grafted onto the reader's imagination.
I have also heard that some readers long to know more about one of the central characters, Anna Di Angelo.
Dear Anna IS an integral part of the evolving story. In fact, the story wouldn't have its name or have even come to fruition without her experimental childhood mucking about.
In response, I have just finished an interview with a very engaging website, The Protagonist Speaks,whereI've given more rein to Anna's thoughts and motivations. That's releasing October 24th.
It was a difficult task to exude her personality in written form because Anna, as an illiterate character in the novel, neither reads nor writes.
Yet, to my mind, she is the epitome of a free spirit. Her thoughts, I believe, ought to exhibit the same kind of tendency. She goes where the wind blows. She responds to what the wind is doing. She reacts, she responds, she interacts. She dips, she dives, she swirls. She is a child of the Earth. She also has this uncanny ability to observe Nature in a unfiltered and unbiased state. As a result, Anna has an incredible knack for growing things. There will be more from her at the end of October ...
