Author Archive

Self-publishing involves self-promotion.

Posted on: July 12th, 2012 by Wayne Fraser 6 Comments

If you love a conspiracy theory in a mystery, if you can’t put down a spy story, if you’re curious about Hemingway and life in Havana …
If you like a love story and figure that two love stories in one novel are better than one, you might agree that one love story should be tragic and the other very happy …
If you want a choice between paperback and eBook PDF (the real eBook is pending) …
Hemingway’s Island is where you want to be.

When you’ve read this book, please write a review of it. At present the options for posting a review and a rating are lulu.com and amazon.ca. Also, please drop your thoughts into our blog.

Here’s how to write a review, courtesy of sister-friend, Sandra.

Go to lulu.com to write a review:

Steps:
1. google lulu.com or lulu.com/services/
2. Click on BUY
3. Click on SEARCH BOOKS
4. Type in Eleanor Johnston or Wayne Fraser (One or other- either worked)
5. Book comes up – Click on MORE DETAIL
6. Then RATINGS AND REVIEWS
7. Then click on WRITE A REVIEW and do so.
8. Somewhere in there, it was necessary to log in with my e-mail address and password.

Hope that this helps readers navigate the confusing website that is lulu.com.

Topics unacceptable

Posted on: June 26th, 2012 by Wayne Fraser 4 Comments

I have always rejected the rule that there are two topics–politics and religion–that should not be discussed at a formal dinner. What about in a novel? If an author claims to have written a novel of ideas, it should offer insightful comments on politics and/or religion that intrigue and enlighten the reader. Hemingway’s Island deals with politics, particularly that of the 1950s; it’s focused on the era of the Red Scare in the USA and Communism in Cuba.

We could have (should have?) been able to handle religion as well. Cuba is ostensibly Roman Catholic, with evangelicals of all stripes claiming the conversion of multitudes. The problem is that the most vibrant and potentially dangerous belief system is Santeria that African slaves brought with them, a combination of their traditions and Christianity, with the latter at times only a keep-the-white-man happy veneer. What was Hemingway’s experience of religion? Perhaps another novel is required.

Imagining Hemingway as Character in Fiction

Posted on: June 22nd, 2012 by Wayne Fraser 10 Comments

Delivering our joint presentation on the process of creating our novel, Hemingway’s Island, was wonderful and exhilerating. The audience received it very well. We sold three copies right there and generated interest in other delegates. I gave a “reader’s copy” to Allie Baker who writes a blog on Hemingway, the Hemingway Project, that is very popular. She may do an interview with us and a review, so that will spread interest. And one of the Oak Parkers asked for a dozen copies to sell at the Hemingway museum in Oak Park. Much thanks to conference organizer Charlotte Ponder for asking us to talk about our creative experience.

Subterfuge at the Finca Vigia

Posted on: June 21st, 2012 by Wayne Fraser 14 Comments

My presentation on the further implications of Brasch and Sigman’s bibliography of Hemingway’s Library went very well this morning and was well received. It was an exhilarating and rewarding experience to stand and deliver the personal stories behind the creation of this book and the ongoing challenges to scholars to examine the influence of Hemingway’s reading on the development of his craft.

Tour of Horton Bay

Posted on: June 20th, 2012 by Wayne Fraser 5 Comments

Yesterday, on the tour to Horton Bay, through an unexpected near encounter with poison ivy, Eleanor & I were invited inside Pinehurst, the Dillworth home where Hemingway often stayed, and which served the chicken dinner for Ernest & Hadley’s wedding reception. All our group got to see the shed at the back of the house where EH often slept; there was even an old cot-bed leaning against the wall. The inside of the house had many small rooms, lovely wood flooring. Since we had been here about 10 years ago, we did not miss out on the group’s tour of the nearby bay and enjoyed this privileged entry into the house. Tonight we tour again, and it ends with a social time at the house next door, Shangra-la, where the champagne wedding reception took place on the lawn. Very exciting to step back in time, Midnight in Paris notwithstanding.

Up in Michigan

Posted on: June 17th, 2012 by Wayne Fraser 7 Comments
We arrived in Petoskey this afternoon after a lovely drive up from Midland. Rain went away and sun came out. We found our way to the Terrace Inn of 1911, small room but clean and quaint. We registered for the Hemingway conference and are now relaxing and cleaning up for the opening reception at the Perry Hotel. It all looks lovely. The conference takes place in Bay View, a collection of buildings like a summer campus and our hotel is adjacent to this park. So, easy access to all the sessions. We are happy and excited.
    Our website has gone live: wayneandeleanor.com
    Our novel, Hemingway’s Island, is officially launched. Give it a look.
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