By Lynn Leitch
The Burlington arts community, known for the robust contribution it makes to local culture, should also be known now for its resilience. When the pandemic hit, many in the arts community followed the lead of most office employees — they shifted online and quickly got to work.
Just how productive were those creating during this time? If a local writing group is any indication, the pandemic nudged Burlington artists into overdrive. From 2020 to 2022, three Burlington writers, all members of a single writing group, wrote and revised their children’s book manuscripts, then sent them to Canadian publishers.
Lana Button, Jennifer Maruno, and Lynn Leitch helped each other with their stories, quickly getting used to workshopping manuscripts over Zoom, but when it came time to send them out to potential publishers, they worked independently.
The result? A happy surprise. All three would have their books published in 2022. Even better, all three happened to have their books accepted by the same publisher — Pajama Press.
One by one, they were able to share their news with the writing group. Pre-pandemic, the group celebrated each new book deal together, with a glass of prosecco raised high. As it was, they gathered online and raised what they had on hand — wine, water or beer.
“We never miss a chance to celebrate,” Jennifer Maruno says. “It’s important to mark every win, even if it’s raising a glass of milk over Zoom.”
As the summer of 2022 unfolded, the three Burlington writers wondered if they might have the chance to celebrate the release of their books old style — in person.
They spoke to Ian Elliot at A Different Drummer Books, their go-to place for book launches — in person before the pandemic and online thereafter. The three asked if they might hold an indoor book launch in early December. Elliot agreed.
Elliot is one of Burlington’s greatest resources for writers and readers. During the height of the pandemic, he took orders by phone and email, then hand-delivered books to readers stuck at home. For writers, he hosted online book launches for most of 2020 and 2021. By the summer of 2022, he hosted launches in the courtyard, behind his store.
Lana Button says, “Burlington authors are so incredibly lucky to have Ian Elliot. He is always supportive and ready to host another party when approached about launching a new book. A Different Drummer is a place that local authors cherish as we gather to cheer each other on. And at any time, local book buyers can meet groups of authors excited to tell them about new books.”
On December 4, Button, Maruno, and Leitch will celebrate the release of their books with their entire writing group, Ian Elliot, and the public. It is sure to feel like a celebration, not only of their new books, but also the chance to be together again.
Details are as follows:
Storytime + Book Launch
A Different Drummer Books
513 Locust Street
Sunday, December 4
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
All three books are for the littlest readers, ages 2–6.
Lana Button is the author of the board book The Cow Says Boo! (illustrated by Alice Carter). Lana Button has written nine picture books and recently received the esteemed Crystal Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for her 2021 picture book, Tough Like Mum (Tundra Books), illustrated by Carmen Mok. She is vice president of the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP). You can find more about her work on her website, www.lanabutton.com.
Jennifer Maruno is the author of While You Sleep (illustrated by Miki Sato). Jennifer Maruno is the author of seven middle grade books and two picture books: Moose’s Roof and While You Sleep. Find her on social media under @JenniferMaruno.
Lynn Leitch is the author of Dinos Driving (illustrated by Scot Ritchie). Lynn Leitch is happy to join the party. Dinos Driving is her debut picture book. For more information on Lynn’s writing, go to her website, www.lmlwrites.ca.
