Sep 4, 2012
An interview with Terry Fallis, a Canadian writer who published his
own novel and made the Canadian literary world take notice.
After almost a year of banging on the closed doors of the literary
establishment, he decided to take matters into his own hands by
narrating and publishing an audio book version of his novel on the
Internet for free. He wanted to test an audience reaction to his
book to see if he was wasting his time, the response he received
confirmed he had a successful book on his hands.
So he took the plunge and self published his book and then went on
to win one of Canada's most prestigious awards for literature.
In our interview you will hear how he went from being a weekend
writer to a successful published Author, who has already been
commissioned to write his second novel.
About Terry Fallis.
Despite an engineering degree, for 25 years Terry Fallis enjoyed a
successful career first in politics, as an advisor to Liberal
federal and Ontario cabinet ministers, and then in public affairs
and public relations consulting. But through it all, there was
something missing. In 2005, he found it when he finally wrote the
novel that had been rattling around inside his head. He spent a
year peddling the manuscript to agents and publishers but was
greeted with a deafening silence. Undeterred, he podcast The Best
Laid Plans, his debut satirical novel of Canadian politics,
chapter-by-chapter, gathering rave reviews from legions of
listeners in Canada and around the world. Encouraged by the
response, he self-published the novel in September 2007.
Then, in April 2008 came the shock of his life. The Best Laid Plans
won the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, the first
self-published novel ever honoured with this venerable literary
award. Within a week, Fallis signed a publishing deal with
McClelland & Stewart. In the fall of 2008, the novel hit bookstore
shelves and Terry Fallis hit the speaking circuit entertaining
audiences with the same thoughtful wit and humour that won him the
Leacock Medal. The sequel to The Best Laid Plans, entitled The High
Road, is due out in 2010.
Terry Fallis web site at
www.terryfallis.com
Click here to to retun to front page
Music credits:
1st Track Music from Magnatune at http://magnatune.com.
Track: Extraordinaire
Album: Prospects
Artist: Chris Juergensen
Click here
to take you to track.
Music played in Terry Fallis audio extract is:
Winter Serenade by Jon Schmidt at http:///www.musicalley.com.
Track & Artist: Winter Serenade by Jon Schmidt
Click here to
take you to track.