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*** SPECIAL FEATURE - August'13 ***
What's in a Name?
What’s your name little girl?
When I was a kid, I went to Camp Robogey every summer. I didn’t even make up the name of that camp, though I may have invented the spelling.
They taught us lots and lots of camp songs, which we’d holler at the top of our lungs out in the field and on the bus. One of them was called, “What’s your name?” The boy was “Lemme Kissya”. The girl gave a variety of answers, depending on her mood. Such as “Ida Wanna” or “Wanna More”.
To me, having a variety of monikers was not unusual. In our household, we all had nicknames. Admittedly, I was the one who gave out the names, so I guess it’s more honest to say that everyone was called something different depending on my mood.
Beanaball, Dursky, Wild Cherry, Facey…they all meant something at the time. One of my sisters still suffers under the name I called her over fifty years ago: Leedalo. (It’s a long story.)
For me, Catherine meant my parents were not very pleased with me. Which occurred fairly often, since I was the eldest and a spoiled brat. Catherine Lynne was even worse because my mom or dad was taking the time to say the first and second, usually in a rather loud voice.
I was therefore Cathy. To my friends, my family, and to my parents when I was behaving nicely. At school. In the yearbooks. In the newspaper, when I wrote for the Press Club, or got my picture taken with the high school field hockey team.
When I got married, the woman always took her husband’s name. So I did and now I had a different last name. Then I got married again. Repeat. Then I got married again. Kept both that time. (No comments, please, on my former serial marriages. That’s for another blog—maybe.)
Cathy This, Cathy That, Cathy That—Now, Cathy Now. Mr. Now called me Katy, so I added that to the list.
Still not Catherine.
Until my books came along. Catherine, after all, is my legal name. Catherine Astolfo to be specific (having dropped That in common usage). So that’s how my books got published: The Bridgeman, by Catherine Astolfo; Victim, by Catherine Astolfo, and so on (www.imajinbooks.com). The latest, Sweet Karoline, has cemented my name for all time. After all, it’s Book Baby Number 5, so that’s not likely to change now!
http://www.amazon.ca/Sweet-Karoline-ebook/dp/B00DUIDMKO
BUT, my different names habit continued and I unknowingly made it very difficult for people to find my books. My blog, I called Katy’s Words (www.katywords.blogspot.com). My website, I called www.catherineastolfo.com. My email uses both: cathy@catherineastolfo.com.
People who are my readers (and sometimes my friends) call me Catherine. It still makes me shiver. But it’s better than having them ask, “What’s your name, old girl?”
About the Author :: Catherine Astolfo
Catherine is a past President of Crime Writers of Canada and a Derrick Murdoch Award winner (2012). She was a Zonta Club 2012 Nominee for Women of Achievement.
Writing is Catherine’s passion. She can recall inventing fantasy stories for her classmates in Grade Three. Her short stories and poems have been published in a number of literary Canadian presses. In 2005, she won a Brampton Arts Award. Her short stories won the Bloody Words Short Story Award (second and first) in 2009 and 2010. She won the prestigious Arthur Ellis Best Short Crime Story Award in 2012.
Catherine’s novels, The Emily Taylor Mysteries and Sweet Karoline, are published by Imajin Books and are optioned for film by Sisbro & Co. Inc.
Her Books
"If I knew what I know now, would I have searched so hard for the truth?"
Anne Williams says she killed her best friend, Karoline. But did she? Or is there more to Karoline's mysterious death than meets the eye?
Anne embarks on a compelling journey to discover her past and exposes an unusual history, horrific crimes and appalling betrayals. Through unexpected turns and revelations, Anne learns about love, family and who she really is. Can she survive the truth?
The Emily Taylor Mystery Series
(Click on the Book Covers to visit their Goodreads Page)
Say Hello to Catherine
Buy Sweet Karoline
Giveaway
Ms.Catherine has kindly agreed to sponsor prizes for the 5 top winners!
Each winner will get a copy of their choice of any ebook from www.imajinbooks.com
Imajin Books have Adventure, Anthology, Chick Lit, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal/Supernatural, Romance, Religious Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense/Thriller, Western, Young Adult (YA) books. So matter your preferred genre, you are sure to find something to your liking.
Giveaway
Ms.Catherine has kindly agreed to sponsor prizes for the 5 top winners!
Each winner will get a copy of their choice of any ebook from www.imajinbooks.com
Imajin Books have Adventure, Anthology, Chick Lit, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal/Supernatural, Romance, Religious Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense/Thriller, Western, Young Adult (YA) books. So matter your preferred genre, you are sure to find something to your liking.
So what are you waiting for? Enter the Rafflecopter Now!
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