Breakfast Meeting: November 14th, 2009
Leacock Award Winner to speak on new technologies for marketing books
Terry Fallis is the author of The Best Laid Plans, a satirical novel of Canadian politics. This debut novel was originally podcast chapter by chapter and then self-published in 2007 and won the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Then McClelland & Stewart published TBLP in September 2008. He also won a gold medal in the Independent Publisher Book Awards.
Terry Fallis earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from McMaster University (1983) where he became engulfed in university politics and somehow persuaded the undergraduates to elect him President of the Students Union.
After graduation, he turned his back on engineering and joined future Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s full time staff for the 1984 federal Liberal Leadership campaign.
He served on the political staff of the Liberal Minister of State for Youth, the Honourable Jean Lapierre, in the short-lived cabinet of Prime Minister John Turner. He stayed with Lapierre as his Legislative Assistant in opposition (1984-85) following the landslide victory of Brian Mulroney and the Progressive Conservative Party.
Terry returned to Toronto in 1985 as Legislative Assistant to the Honourable Robert Nixon, Treasurer (now called Finance Minister) in the newly-elected Liberal Ontario government led by Premier David Peterson.
For nearly eight years (1988-95) after leaving provincial politics, he was a government affairs and communications consultant with the international PR firm, Hill and Knowlton, including stints as Vice President running the Ontario government affairs group and finally President of Berger & Associates, a Hill and Knowlton subsidiary.
In 1995, he co-founded Thornley Fallis with Joe Thornley, a full service communications consulting agency with offices in Ottawa and Toronto. Terry is also co-host of the popular business podcast, Inside PR. For more than 20 years, Terry has counselled corporate and government clients on various fronts including crisis communications, media relations, issues management, marketing communications, public opinion polling, public affairs, stakeholder relations, etc. He has also written speeches for CEOs, cabinet ministers, and other community leaders.
Terry is a sought-after speaker, sits on a number of boards, and lives in Toronto with his wife and two sons.
Terry Fallis blogs at www.terryfallis.com and can be reached at fallis@thornleyfallis.com
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And after breakfast, our mini-workshop facilitator will be Ruth E. Walker, leading a workshop called: “A Recipe for Character Development: Cook Up a Character That Sticks to the Ribs.” Click HERE to read more.
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The WCDR monthly breakfast meetings are where experienced and aspiring writers gather, learn and connect. Join us throughout the year to hear authors and industry speakers, to enjoy a special event, and to broaden your networking circle. Everyone is welcome. Meetings run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the J.P. Fitzpatrick & Son restaurant in the Whitby Entertainment Centrum at 75 Consumers Rd. (west of Thickson Rd. S.). The cost, which includes an excellent and hearty breakfast, is $15 for members; $20 for guests. (Ask us how, by becoming a member, you can save!)
To attend, please click here to register on our REGISTRATION PAGE by phone message at 905-686-0211 or by e-mail at breakfast@wcdr.org no later than noon on Thursday, November 12th.
Posted in One Response to “Breakfast Meeting: November 14th, 2009”
[...] Over 120 writers came to breakfast at 8:30 on a Saturday morning. As I said in the opening of my talk, I was feeling quite chuffed at the turnout, but after tasting the amazing croissants served, I quickly recognized what had drawn such a a large early morning crowd. It was wonderful to be in the midst of such passionate and dedicated writers. I’m still learning to wear the “writer” label but I certainly felt a kinship with the members of the WCDR. What a rich and supportive community they’ve created. There is so much going on in this group, from poetry circles and writing workshops, to book club readings and a scholarship/grants program. I was blown away by what this group has achieved. [...]
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