Touch The Flame

Last year after the fires a group of local writers got together for one of their monthly sessions and it seemed that every one in room had a story on the fire, some funny, some tragic. The stories were all about people and the things they did or what happened to them during the amazing time.

They all decided a book was in order, and they would work on the idea at no cost. They would also try to raise some money for some of the charities involved. They were also very fortunate to get the support of the powerful Wood Lake Books in Lake Country to produce the book as a non-profit venture. The book titled “Touch The Flame” is now on sale at locations all over the district. I picked my copy up at JAKX , Neighborhood Grill.

I haven’t read it all yet, but they have done a super job of gathering this material and putting it altogether. Well known writer Glenna Turnbull was one of those people and I had the opportunity to speak with her.

“We were sad that all the picture books being published were great but we as writers thought the stories were being left behind. Everybody seemed to have a story and just for the sake of history we felt somebody had to do something. We asked for help from the public and the firemen that were involved and we received a lot of stories.”

I know there were four or five of you involved in heading up the project. How was it all funded?
“We all decided to work for free, and Wood Lake Books came on board. All the profits are being donated to charity. They are priced at $20 all taxes included.”

How many writers were involved?
“There was a total of 92 different writers involved and we took quotes out of all of stories we received so in the end there were a 112 contributors.”

How did you choose the cover art work?
“We went to the Kelowna Museum when they displayed all the works inspired by the fire and we choose a piece by Elizabeth Bologna.”

All of you should be very proud of this effort. It is well done and is something that should be read by everyone. The stories are real, personal and touching. I hope they will need a second printing…