Cheryl is back in Edmonton, with tons of news!

Okay, here is a quick breakdown of my news items. I'll expand on them in the future as I get more information.

First, San Francisco was a blast. I learned so much at the Brendan Burchard Sponsorships seminar and I'm planning some HUGE events in the future--ones that will benefit Hope Mission, the Mustard Seed Church and the Bissell Centre (here in Edmonton) and hopefully another major Canadian nonprofit. Some of my plans include a North American book tour to promote a third edition of Whale Song and the upcoming movie, a benefit concert, and a benefit concert/telethon. I am hoping to see these events in action during the next 3-4 years.

I also have some stories to tell of my experiences in San Fran. I'll save them for later posts.

While in SF, I was able to meet a great friend, whom I now call the Query King. Jeff Rivera helped me refine my query and that got me signed with a New York agent. Jeff has grown his own expertise and business and now helps other authors with queries. If you email him, tell him Cheryl referred you and he'll treat you extra special. :) Jeff's new business GumboWriters.com is bringing together some of the big names in the book industry, people who were recently laid off due to current economics and cutbacks. Check out http://www.gumbowriters.com/!

While I was gone I was contacted by an Alberta magazine. They want to run a story on me. When I told them about the Whale Song movie deal that is in negotiation, we agreed to pursue the story for the magazine when I have more concrete news and can release names of parties concerned.

This morning I was contacted by City TV in Edmonton. They want to profile me in the new series "Outstanding Edmontonians". I am so honored! Filming for the segment will be on Tuesday in my home. My wonderful publicist Rachel Sentes from OutRight Communications will be participating in the interview. (I wonder if she'll tell the table story...gasp...oh no!!! lol)

By the way, if you're still interested in purchasing a copy of Whale Song, it is STILL AVAILABLE at online retailers. I have no idea when it will officially be out of print, but it could be any day now. The 2007 edition of Whale Song will make a great addition to anyone's book collection. It's now a collector's item! Order from http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.chapters.ca/. My apologies to independent bookstores whom I do support, but I know that they won't want to be ordering in stock of a book that is going OP. When the 3rd movie edition comes out, I'll gladly support all my friends who operate independent bookstores! :)

Well, I think that's enough for now. I promise to post a couple of heartwarming stories here very soon. For now, adieu, take care and dare to dream!

Cheryl Kaye Tardif

http://www.cherylktardif.com/

San Francisco, Brendon Burchard and Whale Song movie

Hey all, I'm still in San Francisco, and I have to say, I LOVE this city. I came here for a 3-day seminar with Brendon Burchard, a young man who teaches others how to put their ideas and goals into a plan--and boy, do I have ideas. I am so appreciative of everything Brendon shared with us. He's an inspiring speaker and teacher. And the people who attended--WOW! What a great bunch. Thank you, Brendon!

When I get home later this week, I'll tell you more about what I'll be doing to help 3 or 4 nonprofits raise funds and awareness. I should also have more news on 'Whale Song' - the movie. If you've been following my latest blog posts you'll know that a respected film producer is extremely interested in the inspiring message in my novel Whale Song. We both want the movie. And he is doing everything he can to see that this happens.

After talking with many people at this seminar, I KNOW that Whale Song isn't just my dream anymore; other people want to see this movie made. Why? Because this is the kind of movie that changes people's perspectives, their hearts and even their lives. Already, my novel has changed the lives of many of my fans/readers. And in ways I never imagined.

If you've read Whale Song and found its message has inspired you, please email me and share your story with me. I'd love to hear from you. I won't print your personal story/journey, unless you give me permission. However, I would be very grateful if you'd allow me to share your stories with this film producer--even if I can't mention your name.

Please email me privately at cherylktardif@shaw.ca or if you don't mind your story being public, please leave your story of how Whale Song affected you or your life in the comments section below.

To everyone who has read Whale Song:

Thank you. Thank you for allowing me to tell this story. Thank you for sharing Whale Song with your family and friends. And thank you for being...you.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Who should play Sarah in the Whale Song movie?

First, thank you all so much for your votes in the poll at the top of the page! I appreciate this. Today I'm thinking a lot about the possibility of seeing Whale Song on the big screen.

For those of you who've read Whale Song, did you ever think of a particular actress who'd be perfect for the role of Sarah Richardson?

When I wrote it back in 2003, I thought MacKenzie Rosman would be perfect for pre-teen/teen Sarah. I loved MacKenzie in 7th Heaven. More clearly, I saw the adult Sarah played by Canadian actress Kristin Kreuk from TV's Smallville fame. She was also in a movie called Partition.

Who do you think would be great for the pre-teen/teen role of Sarah, and who do you see as the twenty-six-ish Sarah?

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif

US film producer says he "was blown away by Whale Song"

The suspense really IS killing me, and I have to say it's been hard not shouting my news to the rooftops and beyond. But here it is...

A respected US film producer/director picked up a copy of Whale Song over the Christmas holidays, read it, then emailed be to say he was "blown away" by it. His words. He then read the screenplay and said he had to call me right away "while I still had this knot in my stomach."

We have just started the lengthy process of negotiating film rights, and I must warn you, dear fans, it is a very, very slow process normally, and this is NOT a done deal yet. But I feel it is very close. In fact, this is the closest I've ever been to seeing my dream of Whale Song on the big screen.

While I can't drop any names until a deal is done, I will tell you that this producer has worked for a major recognizable film company and is well-connected. If I mentioned the company every single one of you would know it.

So why say something now? Well, I debated on this, and finally came to the realization that I really need to acknowledge every little success I achieve. Acknowledge and celebrate that my dream is being visualized by someone else, someone who sees it as clearly as I do.

I'm mentioning this too because I BELIEVE in the law of attraction. This has been my life for the past 6 years. And I hope that all of you send out a happy thought and a wish for this to happen.

And I also mentioned it because I just couldn't keep it inside any longer. The suspense was killing me! :)

Don't forget to order your collector's copy of Whale Song now, before it goes out of print. Your best bet is to order it via Amazon or Chapters at this time.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Whale Song - the movie?

When I imagine Whale Song as a major motion picture, I smell hot buttered popcorn. Really. If I close my eyes and picture a scene from my novel being played out on a big screen, I can almost TASTE the popcorn.

I've even gone so far in my little fantasy to imagine the conversations that people have as they leave the theatre...

"Oh my God, that was so good."

"I know! I can't believe what happened at the end."

"That movie made me cry so hard." Sniff. "But I loved it!"

"That's one of the best movies I've ever seen."

"Have you read the book? It's even better!"

"I have to bring the kids to see it."

"That was the perfect family film."

"I'm getting a group of my girlfriends together and we're coming back to see it."

"Wow!"

"What a powerful message."

"I just loved the scene where Sarah is underwater and comes face to face with the killer whale."

"And didn't you just LOVE Nana?"

"That movie is going to walk away with a ton of awards!"

Yes, I can hear them all chattering away, as I sit in the back row and shamelessly eavesdrop.

I can't wait until that day comes. One day...

Would you go see Whale Song - the movie? Please vote on the poll at http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com/

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of Whale Song

Whale Song on street sign

Here's a street sign advertising Whale Song...

Doesn't it look like a poster advertising Whale Song - the movie? I wonder where it's playing and when? And did Kristin Kreuk get the lead role as the adult Sarah Richardson? Who's playing young Sarah?

Please note, this photo is fake too. I'm just having a bit of fun dreaming, and for anyone who knows me you'll know I love to dream BIG! It's my motto.

Photo courtesy of www.Photofunia.com.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif

YOU select the movie cast for Whale Song!

Here's something fun you can do, and who knows, it may give the film producers who are considering Whale Song for a possible movie a few ideas.

At the very least, it'll tell them that Whale Song (the movie) is something that readers want to see.

Come on! Have some fun. Who did you envision as young Sarah? Or what about adult Adam?

Cast real film actors in the roles in Whale Song.

Just go to: StoryCasting.com, where Whale Song is currently #2 Top Cast Works of All Time.

http://www.storycasting.com/work.aspx?id=058bc268-88d2-4788-86f0-f5cb4e03b42b

I look forward to seeing who YOU pick.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention

Cheryl has lunch with Canadian Idol Eva Avila

The lovely and talented Eva Avila, last season's Canadian Idol winner, is in Edmonton to kick off the Oil Kings hockey game. She will be singing the national anthem and some of her hit songs at tonight's game (Kootenay Ice vs. Edmonton Oil Kings), which starts at 7:30 pm.

Today I had the distinct pleasure of having lunch with Eva. We left her hotel (sorry, I'm NOT telling) and headed down Jasper Ave., battling a chilly wind, in search of sushi. Now there's something Eva has in common with my daughter Jessica. They are both sushi addicts. :) Well, we didn't find a sushi place and ended up instead at WOK BOX, where the food has a definite asian/indian flavour. YUM!

You're probably wondering what the heck I did to deserve an hour of this busy young woman's time. I think I'm wondering too...lol. Eva and I have been corresponding via email after I contacted her through her MySpace page. But this was the first time we've met. And what a sweet girl!

We spent an hour chatting about the similarities between writing novels and writing songs, the challenges of promoting and marketing, and the advantages of online marketing. Then I gave her a limited edition Whale Song mug to thank her, and asked a customer to take a pic. Hey, I needed evidence to show Jessica. Apparently, my "cool-scale" went up a few notches, she told me. And any mom knows how important that is when you have a teen daughter.

Eva and I talked about Whale Song, my bestselling novel and a novel that has captured a lot of movie interest. Currently, numerous film companies, including many from Hollywood, are reading it. We've have been talking about the possibility of Eva playing the lead role. I would be thrilled if a film company asked her to audition. The more I spoke with Eva, the more of "Sarah Richardson" I saw in her. Not just her dark coloring, but her spark and spirit. She brought Whale Song with her on the trip to Edmonton, and I was thrilled to hear that.

There are two women I can see playing the lead role of 'Sarah Richardson'. Kristen Kreuk and Eva Avila. And isn't it wonderful that they're both Canadian?

Visit Eva Avila's site.

Order Eva's CD Somewhere Else.

Order Whale Song.

Canadian Idol Eva Avila is reading Whale Song in Edmonton

Today I got quite the surprise. I was barely listening to an announcement on the radio--91.7 The Bounce, to be exact, and I heard Eva Avila's name come up. It didn't twig completely until they started talking about the Oil Kings game. (I just don't DO sports! ) Then it hit me.

Eva Avila was coming to Edmonton!

Now let me backtrack just a bit. Eva and I have been emailing for 2 or 3 months now. In fact, she was very interested in Whale Song, so I sent her a copy. We've been talking about the possibilities of her playing the lead role of "Sarah". I am hoping that when my publisher makes a movie deal that the film producers/directors will at least consider Eva. She fits my image of Sarah, and I think that girl has a ton of talent. Beyond singing.

Let me backtrack some more. I've been an Idol fan for a few seasons but it was Eva who actually got me voting more than once a night. In fact on the final vote night I spent 2 hours calling in my vote on speed dial. My Japanese daughter was doing the same thing from our other line. :) Ok, yes, I'm an Idol addict. But really, I was just so inspired by Eva.

I finally figured out why tonight.

Eva is 19, only 2 years older than my own daughter. Eva has always had a dream. And she has known that eventually it would happen. She is passionate about her goals and dreams and is working so hard to achieve them. She reminds me of someone.

Me.

Of course, a far younger "me", but all the same, she has the intense dreams of becoming a huge star, just as I have wanted to be a New York Times bestselling author. My dream also started at a young age. But it took me far longer to realize even part of my dreams.

I admire Eva for her spirit, and the 'Mom' in me is proud of her. Even though she's not my daughter. :)

Ok...fast forward. So Eva is coming to town. And I just had to email her. She emailed me back and we're getting together for lunch tomorrow. Not only that, she brought Whale Song with her. "To read in my hotel room before bed", she said. :)

Now that makes me feel like a New York Times bestselling author. Thank you, Eva.

Order Whale Song on Amazon or your favorite online retailer or bookstore.

Day 13 of her virtual book tour: Cheryl talks about Whale Song and movie options

Today Cheryl Kaye Tardif has 2 stops on her 'Touring the World' virtual book tour.

She'll be visiting Campaign for the American Reader where she'll be giving you a brief synopsis or description, much like back cover text. This is great for deciding if Whale Song is right for you. And remember, it makes the perfect gift for any women in your life!

And Cheryl is also visiting My Book, The Movie where she'll be discussing the possibilities of a feature film, and her thoughts on who would play the lead roles, Sarah and Adam.

Note from Cheryl: I'll tell you one thing: I could have talked about this a bit longer. I should have told you that I could see Brad Pitt as Sarah's father, Jack Richardson. And Madeline Stowe as Daniella, Sarah's mother.

So come and check out Cheryl Kaye Tardif's tour stops today. You never know if there's a free book to be given away! :)

http://americareads.blogspot.com/
http://mybookthemovie.blogspot.com/