Sarah Butland » My News http://sarahbutland.com/blog For Writers, For Readers, For You Sat, 19 May 2012 01:59:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Merry Christmas to All! http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-to-all/ http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-to-all/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:02:14 +0000 Sarah Butland http://sarahbutland.com/blog/?p=1444 [...]]]>

Oh Holy Night Religious Christmas Card
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]]> http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-to-all/feed/ 0 Clover Leaf and BananaBoy! http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/11/09/clover-leaf-and-bananaboy/ http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/11/09/clover-leaf-and-bananaboy/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:55:27 +0000 Sarah Butland http://sarahbutland.com/blog/?p=1363 [...]]]>

Clover Leaf asked me, author of Sending You Sammy, to help them tell you about their Re-Invent Fast Food Campaign to encourage Canadians to choose healthy foods instead of what we’ve been choosing.

Come on over to the Adventures Of Sammy site to learn how many calories you need to cut to lose 7.5 lbs per year? Why they chose tuna as their main ingredient to improve health? What Clover Leaf fees their employees for breakfast? BananaBoy certainly had fun finding out and is now excited to hear when tuna is on the menu – he doesn’t mind which flavour it is.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

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]]> http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/11/09/clover-leaf-and-bananaboy/feed/ 0 The Unveiling! http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/10/22/the-unveiling/ http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/10/22/the-unveiling/#comments Sat, 22 Oct 2011 03:14:55 +0000 Sarah Butland http://sarahbutland.com/blog/?p=1341 [...]]]>

When one tries hard every day to make/ keep themselves in the public eye, wracking his/her brain for different ways to market their product it is such an amazing feeling when a surprise email comes in essentially praising you on your work and asking for help.

A few weeks ago that’s what happened to me and I was elated! Clover Leaf, a well known Canadian marketer of seafood – the leading branded marketer of canned seafood in Canada in fact, emailed me asking for help in promotion of their cause. It came into my Adventures Of Sammy email which I rarely ever use!

Clover Leaf asked me to help them promote their new “Re-Invent Fastfood” campaign in an effort to make and keep Canadians healthy by choosing to cook for themselves, with lower calorie foods while still enjoying a delicious taste. They worked with Chef Michael P Clive, who’s worked with Canada AM, to create 5 new recipes that compare with common meals we order at popular fastfood establishments. I’ve tried two out of three of their recipes thus far and was very impressed with ease of preparation, taste and cost!

In conversation with the Clover Leaf representative I get the impression they tracked me down because of the blurb about Sending You Sammy in Canadian Parents years ago, which also stemmed to an interview with CBC Radio. Each of our efforts are noticed even if it doesn’t happen immediately.

I hope you’ll visit my Adventures Of Sammy site for further details about Clover Leaf’s efforts and learn a lot about Chef Michael P Clive – from how he likes his mac and cheese to what catch phrase he tried to make work.

Let’s see if Chef Michael P Clive and Clover Leaf can give Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, who is making America a healthier place, a run for his money. Hopefully both campaigns are exactly what our countries needs. No matter where we live I feel our children’s health is our priority.

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Sarah Butland
author of Arm Farm, Brain Tales – Volume One and Sending You Sammy !

PS: As amazing as I think this is for me I can’t wait to see what comes next, even if it takes another few years!

]]> http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/10/22/the-unveiling/feed/ 0 Legs for Literacy and Me http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/10/20/1335/ http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/10/20/1335/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:34:33 +0000 Sarah Butland http://sarahbutland.com/blog/?p=1335 [...]]]>

I’m walking to support literacy (and being active) on October 23, 2011 in the Legs for Literacy fundraising event and in celebration of that I’m donating $1 from every ebook sale to that. That way you can buy a great book and support charity, a local author and your community.

For your ebook version of Arm Farm you’re only paying $4.99 and Sending You Sammy is only $4.97!

I have “branches” reaching out to people around the world to support this cause and know you’ll realize it’s importance too.

So please help me celebrate the Legs for Literacy by purchasing a book today!

$1 will be donated from every sale until October 23, 2011.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Butland

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]]> http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/10/20/1335/feed/ 0 Read by the Sea Has Me Thinking… http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/07/24/read-by-the-sea-has-me-thinking/ http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/07/24/read-by-the-sea-has-me-thinking/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:31:02 +0000 Sarah Butland http://sarahbutland.com/blog/?p=1251 [...]]]>

What a magnificent way to spend a beautiful summer day! Read by the Sea is an annual celebration of literacy in Canada and this year it brought home the likes of Johanna Skibsrub, recent Giller Prize winner for The Sentimentalists, who read after Alexander MacLeod, Shandi Mitchell and Richard B. Wright; three very impressive Canadian authors entertaining a completely attentive crowd.

I’ll use any excuse to return to Pictou County, Nova Scotia is a good one for me but to support such literary role models while being with my two special men is an amazing reason to go home!

Johanna Skidsrub Reading at Read By the Sea

I met Johanna before is Moncton during the Frye Festival so seeing her again was impressive but who I really was intrigued by was Alexander MacLeod who keeps getting shortlisted for awards for his first book, Light Lifting, a collection of short stories. I wasn’t let down as his reading left me delighted with his dark simplicity captivating readers young and old; just not my restless 20 month old who simply wanted to play with his daddy.

Following the readings we had supper with those who stayed and the meal was something to rave about. But what had me laughing was the bond that quickly held the hands together of Alexander MacLeod’s little girl and my own little boy. Off they quickly went to explore the park, play ring around the rosie and a young child’s version of hide-and-seek (my son supposed to be hiding instead decided to mimic the new friend as she hid her eyes towards a tree to count). Not very old herself she was puzzled by the idea of finding someone looking quite unlike her but seeming to be a perfect reflection.

This friendship gave me the opportunity I need to get what will be a long cherished autograph of Alexander MacLeod and memories of how human and touchable even idols are.

Alexander MacLeod Reading The Loop at Read by the Sea

July 21st, 2012 is already marked on my calendar as I’ll be baking in the sun again to either read from my published works or enjoying those of others. Read by the Sea – an amazing event I’m now so thankful to know about.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

]]> http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/07/24/read-by-the-sea-has-me-thinking/feed/ 0 Jack Canfield is Making Differences http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/06/07/jack-canfield-is-making-differences/ http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/06/07/jack-canfield-is-making-differences/#comments Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:23:19 +0000 Sarah Butland http://sarahbutland.com/blog/?p=1182 [...]]]>

May 26th was a momentous day in the lives of many Moncton locals as we were in the presence of Jack Canfield, best-selling author and motivational speaker. I’ve been to these things before and walked away inspired but it wasn’t until this day I walked away knowing some steps to take and the direction I’d be going.

Not only is Canfield responsible for what I’ve been doing since that day but Moncton’s own Martin Latulippe is as well. Martin was the one who pointed out the DK – Dream Killer and warned us all about their presence in our life and how we can ignore them, why they are there and that we all do have them. He knew we could put names to our own as my mind conjured up the image of a few people in my life who had control over me before – HAD control! Now, like Jack Canfield advised, I’m asking the questions knowing the answer can simply be “no” but if not asked is already a “no”. Once asked can easily be a “yes”!

And, for the most part, I’ve only been hearing Yes’s! And I love it!

This past Saturday I had two readings of Sending You Sammy at the YMCA in Moncton during their Healthy Kids Day event. I hesitated before my day with Jack Canfield because they’ve said no before by simply not getting back to me. I thought it doesn’t hurt to ask again as it’ll only put me in their mind once more and what does that hurt. This time they replied and with a Yes! The readings went pretty well and I was welcomed happily by everyone involved plus my name was on a board for everyone to see as they walked in! This is something magnificent to see by any emerging author.

I asked another organization who, for now, may remain nameless about an event I came up with. A huge stunt that will get my community talking, laughing, and thinking about health in a whole new way – three awesome things! They are all for it!! And so this coming Saturday I’ll be hosting a Live Superhero Showdown who’s motto is ” Come have a ball. Be a Monkey, and go Banana’s!!” I can’t wait! I’ve been emailing all the media in the area in trust that more than one publication will pick up on this amazing story.

This event will be followed by a book signing at our local, and only “new and big name” bookstore – Chapters! Although they’ve been difficult to deal with in the past they are being remarkable considering my immediate requests for scheduling.

I know I’m not the only one who is having success after hearing Canfield. I’ve been reading blogs, status updates, etc about the impact he has made and these are only from the people I personally know. Moncton is filled with great achievers and dream killers, it’s up to people like me to outnumber those who want everyone else to fail. And, guess what, I know my vision and I’m making it happen.

My objectives:

Sell 50 copies of Sending You Sammy’s by August 31st, 2011 at 6PM AST and 100 copies of Arm Farm by September 30th, 2011 at 5:00 PM AST.

I know I will achieve this as I’ll keep asking until I do.

Thanks Jack and Martin, I’ve been motivated!

And, of course, Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

]]> http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/06/07/jack-canfield-is-making-differences/feed/ 3 Erica Spindler’s Blood Vines for $2.99!!!! 4 Weeks Only!! http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/23/erica-spindlers-blood-vines-for-2-99/ http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/23/erica-spindlers-blood-vines-for-2-99/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 00:01:21 +0000 Sarah Butland http://sarahbutland.com/blog/?p=1136 [...]]]>

Erica Spindler is quickly becoming my idle and is already a favourite author but may soon be my most favourite. She’s certainly the most prestigious one who has taken an interest in me and I’m in awe at all she does for her fans. And boy, does she have some devoted fans but it’s no wonder with all the interest she takes in them.

In celebration of Erica Spindler‘s next release Watch Me Die, scheduled for June 21, 2011, the ebook version of Blood Vines has been marked down to $2.99!!

 

 

My most recent mission is to read all of Erica Spindler‘s books and if I had a Kindle I would be taking advantage of this awesome deal to read Blood Vines. If you have a Kindle and don’t purchase this at such steal I’ll hunt you down and steal your Kindle. nah… nothing like that… maybe… no…

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

]]> http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/23/erica-spindlers-blood-vines-for-2-99/feed/ 0 Finally I Am Me http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/16/finally-i-am-me/ http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/16/finally-i-am-me/#comments Mon, 16 May 2011 13:37:20 +0000 Sarah Butland http://sarahbutland.com/blog/?p=1147 [...]]]>

A typical biography is boring and makes for a dull read. I attended a workshop recently where we were asked to write our own short biography but to jazz it up, make it something people want to read and so I did.

I started writing it as I would want my obituary to read, in fact, and at only 28 years old currently the realization of what I was doing sobered me and had me end the piece more abruptly than what I’ve become accustomed to. So… without further delay… here is Sarah Butland.

Sarah never coloured inside the lines, even as a child she new crossing the line got her further than staying in the world created for her. Only the walls of the earth, the law of gravity, of attraction and the time to accomplish her objectives could stop her and sometimes not even then.

A baby to her first family, then a wife and finally a mother, Sarah offered a world of humour, sarcasm, positivity and reality like she meant and enjoyed every bit of it.

If Sarah’s like was written down it wouldn’t be contained in one book but a whole series. Each story she penned herself would only be the preface.

Sarah never really knew who she wanted to be as somehow she knew who she was and spent most of her time simply accepting that. She never forgot being told her parents expected a boy when she was born and spent the rest of her days trying to continue being unexpected. Sarah often failed, people predicting what, in general, she was up to but she had an amazing time trying.

A daughter, a sister, friend, wife, mother; Sarah never could hide the fact that she was a writer and herself.

Family time meant more to Sarah than any paycheque, expensive trip or solo adventure. No matter where she is now trust that she is where she needs to be.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

]]> http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/16/finally-i-am-me/feed/ 2 Family, Friends, Idols and New Idols – all in one night! http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/15/family-friends-idols-and-new-idols-all-in-one-night/ http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/15/family-friends-idols-and-new-idols-all-in-one-night/#comments Sun, 15 May 2011 23:20:43 +0000 Sarah Butland http://sarahbutland.com/blog/?p=1142 [...]]]>

Last night was one of firsts for me and I loved every minute of it. At the last minute I was encouraged to enter the WFNB – Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick Children’s Literature Contest which was targeted toward teenagers. Only a few weeks before the deadline I challenged myself to see what I could come up with and lo and behold – it’s the start of my next novel!

“Blood Day” has been receiving such rave reviews and I’ve been asked too many questions about where this 4000 word story is going to lead next not to explore the possibilities. Jennifer McGrath Kent, a local New Brunswick author who judge the WFNB Children’s Literature Competition had this to say about “Blood Day”:

This story grabbed me from the first line. Its elegant narrative, with its haunting imagery and echoes of gothic pathos, held me captive to the end. Blood Day’s supernatural thread takes an unusual tangent, making this an intriguing and enticingly original read. It is obvious that there is much more to this story still waiting in the wings…and I, for one, can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Wow! This from an author that I admire even though I have yet to meet? I finally felt vindicated as a writer as this competition was judged blindly (names we’re on the stories) and McGrath Kent doesn’t know me well at all. This was after the writing group I belong to, WIN, gave wonderful critiques and urged me to “finish it”.

Last night a WordSpring I was invited to read my winning entry with all the other award winner’s and I traveled with two very talented writer’s and my husband to the event. I was already in the presence of the up-and-coming but entered into a world of up-and-came and other up-and-comers.

Chad Pelley, a multi-award winning author from Newfoundland who graced the stage first to read from his novel Away From Everywhere. That was one act I was nervous to follow but then soon realized they all were! All the WFNB award winner’s brought their amazing talents to the stage and I finally have to think I belong there just as much as the others.
P1040716 P1040720
I made some lasting connections, even as the introvert standing nervously in the corner, and know I’m on my way. I know I’ll be entering next year and attending almost no matter the circumstances!

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

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]]> http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/15/family-friends-idols-and-new-idols-all-in-one-night/feed/ 1 It Started With a Book http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/05/it-started-with-a-book/ http://sarahbutland.com/blog/2011/05/05/it-started-with-a-book/#comments Thu, 05 May 2011 18:47:59 +0000 Sarah Butland http://sarahbutland.com/blog/?p=1116 [...]]]>

Reading, writing, and encouraging others to do both have always been passions of mine so I was thrilled yesterday when it all came together beautifully once again.

For Christmas I unwrapped a novel from an author I never heard of before – Erica Spindler. Apparently my parents have been reading her work for years and new I would love to as well. They were right! Bone Cold was the title, one of best-selling author Spindler’s older stories but wow… it completely amazed me that I never read any of her novels before. I knew then that I was hooked.

Immediately I jumped online to write a quick review of this book, as I do for almost every one I read, I then tweeted and shared my review on Facebook and there it began.  Soon after posting this I received a message and a follow from Erica Spindler herself! Although I blogged about this earlier there’s now more.

I’m officially part of Spindler’s new Street Team. What’s a “Street Team” you ask? For me it comes with the opportunity to read more of her amazing novels, tell you all about them and share prizes with other fans AND, maybe most importantly for me, to learn from an amazing novelist about what success, marketing, generating a buzz and being a full time – fiction – writer is all about. Not to mention being noticed by such an idol!

So that’s my news and I’ll share more with you about the journey I’ll be taking very soon so don’t forget to follow me by clicking the option on the left.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

PS: If you haven’t yet heard of Erica Spinder and LOVE a good mystery check out her site and books. She’s always having contests to win amazing prizes so be sure to sign up for her contests.

Erica Spindler’s Collection

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