NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
RARE ENDEAVORS
Sudbury novelist pens trilogy
Sunday, May 17, 2015 12:53:54 EDT PM
Local engineer and fiction author Dale McKinnon of Sudbury will debut his novel Rare Endeavors on June 1 through Broken Publications of Washington State.
The novel can be obtained by contacting McKinnon at dale.mckinnon@engineer.com, by going to the website: www.author-mckinnon.com, or through amazon.com upon release.
McKinnon has worked in applied research for more than 25 years in a variety of places in the world. He has more than 30 peer-reviewed technical publications, but Rare Endeavors is his first fiction novel.
McKinnon and Broken Publications have entered into another agreement to publish the Civilization Trilogy over the next two years with the first book of the trilogy, Culturally Different, due out later this year.
McKinnon has taught at McGill and Laurentian Universities.
In Rare Endeavors, two research scientists, Rico Sanchez and Annette Hargraves, pursue their dreams: his, to discover whether his long-held belief is true; hers, to get him safely back. They both find themselves involved with a suspected terrorist group. She goes to Brazil with the government hot on her trail. He's somewhere out there, seemingly still in charge.
In pursuit of her goal, she unexpectedly discovers an advantage that gives her the upper hand in her struggle, which she uses only to be disappointed. Rico goes back. Or does he? The novel is about politics, romance, terrorism, and our very existence.
Jennifer-Crystal Johnson published author of a number of books including Strangers with Familiar Faces and editor of the SoulVomit anthology about domestic violence, says "Rare Endeavors is action-packed and meticulously thought out. It has it all - conflict, romance, resolve, action, philosophy, and intrigue. The novel's complex plot is intricately woven to provide the reader with days, if not weeks, of enjoyment and intrigue."
Local author unleashes a tale of terror, love and space
May 22, 2015 6:15 PM by: Ivan Radisic
Sudbury's Dale McKinnon, part-time engineer, part-time writer and former Laurentian University professor, explores the nature of time, existence and humanity's place in the universe through the eyes of Dr. Rico Sanchez, a thoughtful theologian, in his new novel “Rare Endeavors.”.
Sudbury author and former Laurentian University professor Dale McKinnon has just released his first novel, “Rare Endeavours.” Photo supplied.
The book hits stores in June.
Set in the year 2094, “Rare Endeavours” imagines a peaceful Earth, a unified utopia kept safe under the watchful eye of supreme leader, Chief Chin.
In reality, deep-space exploration efforts are not going well, and neither is the whole “peace” and “social justice” thing promised by the Unification at the end of Third World War.
Meanwhile, Jose Lopez leads a group of freedom fighters (or terrorists, depending on which side you're on), the MED, or Movement for Equal Distribution, in a shadow-war against Chief Chin.
“Rare Endeavors” might be McKinnon's first creative piece, but it is not his first published book.
In 1984, he published “Airflow Measurements made with Sulphur Hexafluoride.” Since then, he's published more than 30 educational guides and pieces of technical writing, related to his engineering profession.
Separate from “Rare Endeavours,” he plans to pursue further creative writing with his “Civilization Trilogy,” which is scheduled to launch in the winter with the first book in the series, “Culturally Different.”
While McKinnon did not give out any specific details, he hinted that he used his experiences living in Thailand for the novels and that they take place mostly in the Asian country.
“Rare Endeavors” and the “Civilization Trilogy” are published through Broken Publications of Washington State.
For more information regarding future releases, and to access a synopsis of Rare Endeavors, visit www.author-mckinnon.com.
CIVILIZATION TRILOGY
Sudbury author releases new book
Sunday, December 13, 2015 1:32:31 EST PM
Special to The Star
After launching his writing career with Rare Endeavors earlier this year, local engineer and author Dale McKinnon has continued along this path and has recently penned a trilogy called The Civilization Trilogy.
The first book of the trilogy, Culturally Different, was released this week through Broken Publications of Washington State.
The second book, Blind Eye of Justice, will be released in spring 2016 and the third book, Orange Shirts Again, will be released in about a year.
The novel, Culturally Different, can be obtained by going to http://author-mckinnon.com or through Amazon at http://amzn.com/B0192VHJMO.
McKinnon has worked in applied research for more than 25 years in a variety of places in the world. He has more than 30 peer-reviewed technical publications and Culturally Different will be his second fictional novel.
McKinnon has taught at both McGill and Laurentian universities.
In Culturally Different, Janice Chapman is a successful Canada businesswoman who has worked hard to get to where she is - COO of the company. She is unexpectedly and unduly fired from her job by the board of directors in an effort spearheaded by one of them.
Unsure of what to do next, Janice decides to go to Thailand to find herself and define what she truly wants in life. While there, she falls in love. As she gets to know Thai culture and her new boyfriend, she becomes involved in a social activist movement. This leads to complications for everyone involved, especially Janice and her new boyfriend.
Will Janice find what she is looking for? Will the activist movement serve its purpose in obtaining social and economic equality for Thailand's people? Or will things continue to become more
complicated?
Jennifer-Crystal Johnson, author of the upcoming novel, Fibers, says, "Culturally Different is action-packed and meticulously thought out. It has it all: conflict, romance, resolve, action, philosophy, and intrigue. The novel's plot is intricately woven to provide the reader with days (if not weeks) of entertainment."
Social justice plays a big role in Sudbury author's new trilogy
Dec 27, 2016 3:00 PM by: Heidi Ulrichsen
Dale McKinnon's Civilization Trilogy follows business woman's involvement with anti-establishment movement in Thailand
Sudbury writer Dale McKinnon has recently released a trilogy of novels about a young Canadian businesswoman who gets involved with an anti-establishment movement in Thailand called the Orange Shirts.
The three novels in what he's calling the Civilization Trilogy — “Culturally Different,” “Blind Eye of Justice” and “Orange Shirts Again” — follow the story of Janice Chapman and her efforts to promote social justice.
“It's action-packed and it kind of hits on social issues,” he said, adding that it's possible to read just one, with the book still making sense, or to read the trilogy as a whole.
McKinnon released the first book in the trilogy a year ago with an American publisher.
But he's since changed publishing arrangements, deciding to release the trilogy in its entirety, because he had all of the books finished.
Having made his living for years as a technical writer, McKinnon is proving to be quite prolific as an author of fiction.
In 2015, he released his first novel, “Rare Endeavours,” a dystopia set in the future about a group of freedom fighters taking on the planet's supreme leader after the Third World War.
McKinnon is currently writing a book called “The Donovan,” about Kathleen Street business owners who live on “Snob Hill” — he lives in the Donovan himself.
McKinnon's books are available online through Amazon or on his website.
Technical writer turned novelist releases second book
Jan 4, 2016 4:32 PM by: Heidi Ulrichsen
For years, Sudbury's Dale McKinnon has made his living as a technical writer, with more than 30 of these kinds of publications to his name. But he's recently made a stab at writing of a more creative nature, and now has two books published.
Local author Dale McKinnon poses with his first novel, Rare Endeavours. His second novel, Culturally Different — the first in a trilogy — was also recently released. Photo by Heidi Ulrichsen.
For years, Sudbury's Dale McKinnon has made his living as a technical writer, with more than 30 of these kinds of publications to his name.
But he's recently made a stab at writing of a more creative nature, and now has two books published.
“It's just something I've always wanted to do,” McKinnon said.
Last spring, he put out his first novel, "Rare Endeavours," through the Seattle, Washington, publisher Broken Publications.
Set in the year 2094, the book imagines an Earth where there are no longer countries — the planet was divided up into four quadrants after the Third World War. A group of freedom fighters gathers to take on the planet's supreme leader, Chief Chin.
McKinnon also recently released his second book, "Culturally Different," through Broken Publications.
The book, the first in a trilogy, features successful Canadian businesswoman Janice Chapman, who's unexpectedly fired, and decides to move to Thailand, where she falls in love.
She and her boyfriend become involved in a social activist movement, which leads to complications for everyone involved, especially Janice.
The other two books in the trilogy — "Blind Eye of Justice" and "Orange Shirts," set to be released next spring and a year from now, respectively — also deal with Janice's story.
McKinnon, who wrote his first novel for fun, said he's excited to have two published novels to his name. He said he had to approach more than 50 publishers before he was able to find one that was interested.
“Finding a publisher isn't easy,” he said. “You have to approach a lot of them. I think that's fair enough. They're in business. I'm sure they'd rather publish Stephen King than myself.”
McKinnon's novels are available in paperback for about $15 and in eBook format for about $5. They're available for purchase on McKinnon's website at www.author-mckinnon.com or on Amazon.
THE DONOVAN - A Perfect Crime?
Donovan inspires Sudbury novelist
By Special to The Star The Sudbury Star
Sunday, June 4, 2017 2:17:34 EDT AM
After successfully launching his writing career with Rare Endeavors in the spring of 2015, followed by The Civilization Trilogy in late 2015, local engineer and author Dale McKinnon has continued along this path and has recently penned another novel, The Donovan: A Perfect Crime?
In the novel. John Travers, who owns a home renovation company, finds out his wife is having an affair. He snaps. The news devastates him. And so it begins, a book filled with death, murder, pain, and problems.
McKinnon worked in applied research for more than 25 years and has more than 30 peer-reviewed technical publications to his name. With the publication of The Donovan: A Perfect Crime?, McKinnon now has five novels to his name. McKinnon has taught at both McGill University and Laurentian University. All of McKinnon's books are available at www.author-mckinnon.com in both printed and electronic form.
1. Can you talk about the plot for your newest novel, The Donovan: A perfect crime? What can readers expect?
The Travers live in a prestigious part of town, nicknamed Snob Hill. John Travers has his offices for his home renovation business in the Donovan. He grew up there. He's amazed at how the area has changed. It has gone from one of the first suburbs of Sudbury and a desirable place to live to what it is now - less than desirable.
JT Renovations has always done very well for John since its inception 10 years ago. John finds out his wife is having an affair. This devastates him. He doesn't understand what he has done wrong. They have a wonderful family. He's not free of indiscretions either, but that doesn't matter to him, so he kills her. He doesn't kill her quickly. He slowly poisons her. Was it the perfect murder?
Confused while trying to get his life and business back on track while at the same time getting a new relationship started and growing, John joins the exercise facility his wife had used and where she had met Jean-Paul -- the man she had indulged in an affair with. He likes Jean-Paul at first, but it all it becomes too much for him so he kills him too, not as neatly though.
2. What was your inspiration for the book?
Currently, I live in the Donovan on Montague Avenue. The inspiration for the story came from watching the police swat team raid the house across the road through my front window. I don't know what exactly precipitated the raid, but it was something to watch. Arrests were made. Local news stations came by afterward and the incident made it to the local news. Although I wasn't interviewed, my neighbor was. It was this incident that inspired the book - The Donovan: A Perfect Crime?
3. How does Sudbury influence your writing?
The story takes place in Sudbury - in particular, John has his business in the Donovan. The Travers live on "Snob Hill" across from the old hospital (the General Hospital). They skate on Ramsey Lake. Sudbury and the small businesses and people I am familiar with here had a big influence on The Donovan: A Perfect Crime?
4. Talk about your protagonist. Is he based on anyone?
The protagonist is not based on anyone in particular. He is an amalgamation of many people I have met in my life and is somewhat specific to men that have opened their small businesses here in Sudbury. The protagonist is a family man with some shortcomings, needless to say.
5. Your protagonist is a double murderer. How do you reconcile basing a book around such a shady character?
The protagonist does not come across as a shady character in the book - except for the murders. Otherwise, he comes across as a normal, successful small business owner with his own family - a loving father and husband. He obviously has some psychological problems.
6. How did you come up with the ideas for the murders? Are they based on anything in particular?
The murders were thought up out of my head. I had to do some research on the first murder - poison. The second murder was done out of rage and he used a gun. This was easier for me. It was done out of uncontrolled rage. A gun was used and was easy to think up. Television shows are full of this type of murder. The murders are entirely fictitious and are not based on anything in particular.
7. Talk about your writing process. How are books born and how do they go from idea to story on paper?
I find that defining the story and what the story will be about is the most difficult part of the writing process. The story itself, although it can be based on a real-life experience, may have nothing to do with that experience. Once the story is defined and exactly how it is defined changes from author to author, the writing becomes almost mechanical for me. Some authors use a detailed outline to write a book. I don't. I know where the book starts and finishes. What's in between comes to me as I write.
8. What point are you trying to make with your writing?
The book has a sociological message as do my other books. The success of Donald Trump epitomizes the message. People are basically self-serving and society (particularly North American society) rewards people based on that. Our reward system is based on money. Therefore, if you do well in society, you have money. Being rewarded by society does not necessarily mean you are a good person. It does mean you are a rich person. There is an expression: Money makes the world go around. I find there is a lot of truth to that.
9. Define your ideal setting for writing. What do you need or like in order to get the creative juices flowing?
I write at home. I find my creative juices flow early in the morning. Once the evening rolls around, I've usually had enough and resort to the news and other television programs. They help me get ideas for other books.
10. What are you reading right now?
I am writing another book right now, so I have put reading on the back burner although I have read hundreds of books in my life. Some of my favourite authors are J. R. R. Tolkien, John Grisham, and Isaac Asimov - The Lord of The Rings, The Firm, and The Foundation Trilogy in particular. One day, I hope to be as popular as they are.
