I was curious how many books have been set in Hamilton, and googling wasn't turning up too much, so I wrote to the reference desk at the Hamilton Public Library. They responded (really quickly--awesome service) with this. Do you know of any others that aren't on this (sadly kind of short) list?
PS Interesting: the reference librarian who replied (Robert Oldham) is an author himself. He's having a book signing/reading at Titles (McMaster bookstore) on Tuesday 17 November from 11:30-:230 PM for Go For a Soldier, his fourth book in my alternative history of W.W. II series (with a Hamilton hero and a Montreal heroine).
OK, here's the little list:
There are unfortunately not a lot of books or stories set in Hamilton.
These could be helpful:
Novels either set in Hamilton or partly set in Hamilton:
Fic KIN James King. Blue Moon. novel about murderess Evelyn may be set in Hamilton
Available at Concession or Turner Park branches.
Fic OLD Robert OIdham. Saving the King (hope you don’t mind mentioning this alternative history of W.W. II with a Hamilton hero that I wrote, it has mention of Hamilton several times and may even have a chapter called ‘Hamilton’ can’t remember exactly.) the 2002 edition is out right now with two holds but the 2005 revised edition has five copies being processed for take home you could reserve it and get
Short stories set in Hamilton or partly set in Hamilton:
Fic IMA James Strecker editor. Image Fiction. 2nd flr. Central Library
819.3 WEA Gerard Dion editor. Weave and Spin. 4th flr. Central Library
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Nov 4, 2009 - 11 34
It's a shame the list is so short. I think I might settle on setting my novel here. I don't want the city to be so neglected.
Anyone interested in going to the reading and supporting a fellow Hamilton writer?
39,229 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 13 06
Yay! I hope you do (if it works for you). Mine is set here--that's why I asked. I like it when the city/setting is sort of a character itself. Seems like it's easier to do that with Hamilton than it might be with some other places.
I'm definitely planning to go to the reading unless I have to go into Toronto for work that day.
44,291 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 13 15
Ah! I recently came across a series of books not specifically set in Hamilton and area, but that make reference to us, at least.
"Kathleen O'Neal Gear" and her husband "Michael Gear" wrote "North America's Forgotten Past" series, stories of ancient tribes. Some of the stories are set in the Great Lakes area, though not called the Great Lakes back then...
There is even reference to a specific (fictional, I assume) professor at McMaster and some great description of the beauty of Niagara on the Lake.
Course, it's all there for the reading AFTER Nano - no cheating and reading this month instead of writing!
;-)
Dawn
and the fastdogz
39,229 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 13 37
Those sound interesting--thanks!
I don't think reading during the month is cheating. I could never go a month without reading fiction, first of all, and second, reading other people's fiction while you're doing this helps you see how those authors addressed problems of plot movement, etc.
I'm just reading an old P.D. James book right now--it's a different genre and nothing like what I'm writing, but it's already been such a help at solving some of my little dilemmas and at reminding me of the sort of things that I like to include. I think it's a pretty good strategy.
44,291 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 13 56
Nah, I don't really think of it as cheating. I do find, though, that if I read fiction during Nano I get caught up in how much easier it is for me to read then write...and, well, you know what happens next!
I try to read only non-fiction this month. But I find I'm already getting a little edgy, so...
It is quite an interesting series, though. A little more violent than I normally choose, but I suppose, that was life. The authors are both anthropologists, and from what I understand, it is historically correct, or as close to as one can assume from what remains of that era.
Of course, Nano has taught me I must do a better job torturing my characters...
Dawn
& the fastdogz
39,229 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 10 07
"Torturing my characters" kept popping back up in my mind. I just made mine get fired from her job! This wasn't part of the original (very loose) plan, but it's solved a couple of plotting problems I was having (as well as my personal problem with how extremely boring it was to write the office scenes), and made for more drama, which was kind of lacking.
Thanks so much for mentioning it, Dawn!
:)
L
44,291 / 50,000
Nov 6, 2009 - 11 38
Happy to be of service!
When in doubt, torture....which is an exceedingly strange thing for this pacifist to say...
Now, having just come through a series of shared torturous scenes, I'd better go writing some fluff to lead up to my next one!
;-)
Dawn
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Nov 13, 2009 - 05 41
In case anyone was planning to go to Robert Oldham's book signing, he emailed me to let me know he has kindly rescheduled it to Dec 1, when this madness will be over :)
New details from him:
I moved my Go For a Soldier book launch, readings and author signing at Titles the McMaster Uni. bookshop to Tuesday 1 Dec. 11:30-2:30 pm. It will NOT be on Tu. 17 November.
I also have author signings (but not readings) at Coles, Jackson Square (near Tim Horton’s inside the mall) in downtown Hamilton:
Sat. 12 Dec. 11-3
Sat. 19 Dec. either 12-1 or 1-2 (depends on my lunch hour since I am working that day)
Not sure of final price yet, it is my longest book yet and may be $29.95 plus the relevant tax charged in bookshops.
You certainly don’t have to buy a copy but if you do I would be honoured to sign and inscribe it.