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Yk resident publishes first book Brian Nagel's book about growing up
in Southern Saskatchewan, now available
Candace Thomson
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, August 21, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
When Brian Nagel found his late step-grandfather's diary about life in Saskatchewan in the 1900s, he had never considered writing a book, much less entering that book in the running for a prestigious national award for literary humour.
The book, Let's Forefoot da Sonovabitch, is a collection of tales from Nagel's childhood in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as reoccurring family stories he heard during family gatherings. It was published by B.C.-based HBLS books.
Since many of the stories are humorous, two of Nagel's literary colleagues suggested he enter it in the running for the Leacock Award. Named for Canadian writer and humorist Stephen Leacock, the award celebrates Canadian humour writing.
"I've applied because I've had such encouragement from reviewers and my publisher," he said. "They told me to give it a shot."
All of it was inspired by the way Joe Spessie, his step-grandfather, structured his diary. After Nagel's father died in 2008, the family discovered a lock box among his belongings that held Spessie's diary, along with photographs, receipts and notes to accompany the stories it held.
"I thought, 'Gosh I've got to be able to do that.' I wanted to write something so my kids' kids can look back and see how things were in the '50s and '60s," said Nagel. "He showed me how things were in the 1900s."
Nagel, who moved to Yellowknife in 1987 to work for the GNWT, published his book in June and has sold more than 200 copies so far in Yellowknife. There is a large market in Saskatchewan as well, and Nagel said he's also sold copies in the United States.
In Yellowknife, they are available through the Book Cellar, or online through Paypal, and the online literary community authorsden.com
- where the book has topped the most popular book and most popular biography lists.
It's his first book, and he said the process was humbling.
"I thought I'd pound (the stories) out in a couple of weeks," he said. "I had a really good time doing this. It's just a lot of work when you get it written and it has to be structured - I spent two months on editing commas."
The strange title is taken from the first chapter in the book, which is a display of Saskatchewan nomenclature. Forefooting means wrangling a wild horse with a rope which was a frequent sight for Nagel when he was growing up.
Nagel, who is working on five stories for a new book on life in his early 20s, said he sometimes can't believe the book was published.
"I'm the most surprised person that this even happened," he said. "I never intended it, but I'm glad it did."
He added there are plenty of stories to be told from his time in the North, but he's keeping those under lock and key for a little while longer.
"There are some wonderful stories here, and I'll probably write about them, but at least not until after I retire."
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