The Mace: ~ 67 ~

Letters

~
Author's Note: ~
The first printing was ready on October 4th - the very day that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were to arrive in Victoria. Because Buckingham Palace plays such a crucial role in the successful and happy ending to the story, we felt that, if we could make it happen, we wanted her to have the first books off the press.

Through some wonderful and gracious people that were involved in this great event, we were able to take the very first two copies of The Mace over to Government House to be given, on our behalf, to Her Majesty and Prince Philip. It is truly wonderful that so much of the fictional story that was written months before their arrival, Her Majesty was able to experience.
~ Rene Howard

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

October 30, 2002

Thank you for your thoughtful letter and for sending me a copy of your recently published book, The Mace.

I greatly appreciate your courtesy and generosity in presenting me with this gift. Also, thank you for your kind words of support. I would like to reiterate what an immense privilege it has been to represent my fellow Canadians, allthese years. Above all, I feel especially honoured by the trust they have shown me time and time again. Throughout my life I have endeavoured to live up to their expectations, and your portrayal suggests that, in certain instances, I have clearly succeeded.

Thank you, again, for your good wishes.

Sincerely,
Jean Chretien
Prime Minister of Canada

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

October 30, 2002

Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your novel entitled The Mace. I am pleased that you were able to offer assistance to BCBC and the Ministry of Management Services.

It was interesting to read about the Plan for the independence of ...
[spoiler edited]. This fast-paced story was told with intrigue, ingenuity, and a unique writing style. I appreciate receiving a copy and wish you all the best.

Again, thank you for the gift. It was good to hear from you again.

Sincerely,
Gordon Campbell
Premier of British Columbia

~~~~~~~

Press Articles

.
NOTICE !!
STORY SPOILERS
IN PRESS ARTICLESBELOW
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

AUTHOR SWINGS THE MACE AT CANADA-U.S. RELATIONS November 18, 2002, Nanaimo News Bulletin By: Chris Bush, The News Bulletin

If times got tough enough, could Canada/US relations get a lot closer? Could provinces even start joining the Union to the south? Nanaimo author Rene Howard envisions scenarios where it could happen.

Picture this: Saskatchewan, birthplace of the CCF, bastion of Canadian socialism, pushed to the brink of economic disaster by years of drought and crop failures, casts its eye south of the border for help from its equally thirsty neighbouring states.

The Midwest has capital, no water. Saskatchewan has abundant quantities of water, but no finances to access it.

So begins the domino-effect fragmentation of Canadian confederation along north/south economic corridors that already exist. So does the drought in the prairie provinces and the U.S. Midwest.

The authors hold dual Canada/U.S. citizenship.

“We started to develop an idea. Could Vancouver Island stand on its own if there was a natural catastrophe? Could it weather the storm?”

But there doesn’t have to be a disaster here. Just follow the news.

“As we were writing the book, things were happening,” he says. “The drought in Saskatchewan, the terrible situation with the horses dying and the locusts and grasshoppers. The drought extended all the way down into the Midwestern United States.”

In this political mystery thriller, Vancouver Islanders must react quickly to events happening in mainland Canada and, if possible, save Canada - perhaps even steal it.

What evolved was three months of planning and nine months of “1,000 words a day or bust” hard writing to launch The Mace by October in time for the Christmas season.

“It takes place in the near future. We call it reality fiction because we wanted to make it real, but it’s set in the future so we could fictionalize and not take liberty with politicians, governments, people and businesses here.”

Commentary has already come from some fairly high level officials, including Premier Gordon Campbell who sent a letter containing references to passages in the book one would only know from reading it, indicating how much he enjoyed The Mace.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

PORT ALBERNI STARS IN POLITICAL FICTION BOOK November 1, 2002, The Alberni Valley Times By: Siobhan Burns, AV Times

The authors, from Nanaimo, launched their political fiction book called, The Mace, on Saturday, Oct 26 at Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo. The book, written under the pen name Rene Howard, was released on Oct 4. “It’s political fiction, there are two main story lines. One is the situation going on between Canada and the U.S. Each of the provinces on their own decided to leave Canada to become part of the U.S.,“ said Rene. The second story line is about a small group of people, some from Port Alberni, that try to save Canada.

The authors have lived in Nanaimo for one year. Before they moved to Nanaimo they lived in Victoria for a few years. “We’ve lived on both sides of the border so we come from experience. We’ve done a lot of work with the political system, both in the U.S. and Canada”.

We call the book “reality fiction”. “The people are fictional. The settings are real. The events have already begun,” reads the back cover of their book.

The couple said they have worked together on a lot of projects and that they enhanced each other’s skills when writing the book. “Two-thirds of what we wrote didn’t end up in the book”. One of the biggest challenges that we found is that you have to edit a lot. Editing can sometimes take longer than writing”.

The very first book off the press went to Queen Elizabeth and the second went to Prince Philip.

It’s also doing quite well in town.

“I’ve sold it surprisingly well. Their first delivery to me was sold out and we’re working on the second one,” said John Templeman, owner of Curious Coho in Port Alberni. “It’s the very first book either fiction or non-fiction which had put natives of the West coast, Port Alberni in particular, in a very positive light. The Saturday they brought it in to me, I read it right through. It’s very possible and probable. It was well rounded and an interesting read - which is unusual for a first novel,” said Templeman.

Monday, May 24th Ottawa

He walked outside and addressed his people.

"In the early days of the birth of this nation, people came here in peace, to escape tyranny and oppression, to enjoy, as our constitution states, Peace, Order, and Good Government. And now, this nation of Canada leaves this place, in Peace, and in Order and still wishing Good Government. Canada has represented, and has always been, the place of and for the people. Now, the people have spoken. The land, the great mountains and rivers, the shorelines, from sea to sea to sea have not left this world. The people that make up this land, and our cultural mosaic that has been preserved, protected, and nurtured for over a century, have not left. The government of the people has been dissolved, but the principles upon which it was founded, will remain still."

"Our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald once said of this land that no one person, or one government could change the land – only the people could do so. As the last Prime Minister, I too realise that it is the people that have changed Canada. And Canada now goes in Peace."

"Thank you for allowing me to represent you for these many years. Thank you for your confidence, your love, and your prayers. Now my fellow citizens, now I too will go in Peace."

****

Ladies and Gentleman, from Washington, DC, the President of the United States.

"Welcome to all the people of Canada, welcome to all our new States. On this historic occasion we have witnessed the removal of the longest and most peaceful border in the world. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, we have removed 5,000 miles of barrier and become a new country – a country that has more than doubled in size – a country that has brought into its heart and soul over 30 million new citizens."

"Let history be the witness to this peaceful transition, where two countries become one – let us bear witness to the most peaceful transition of this kind in the history of human endeavours."

"In addition to this historic union of two countries, you are about to hear of the birth of a new Nation, one that has the absolute support and protection of the United States. Thank you and God Bless America."

****

Ladies & Gentlemen, from London, Her Majesty and Royal Highness, Queen of England.

"Good day to you all. A great nation, and great ally to us for over two centuries has now joined with another great nation and ally, the United States of America. We wish for the people, the new citizens of the United States, a long and happy life."

"We have lost the geographic references and land mass of Canada, and, at the same moment – it is with great joy that We proclaim today the birth of a new Nation, a new member of the commonwealth of nations."

"On a beautiful island, across the Straits of Georgia, there is a new treasure, a new jewel in the crown that will retain forever the grandeur and history and culture of Old Canada."

"And now, we see the passing of the Mace, the symbol of our power and our authority, to this new Nation, one that reflects the same values, the same virtues and the same relationship."

"Thence, from this day forward, with all the power that is invested in this Crown, we proclaim, hold sacred, and extend our protectorate to the Isle of Canada."

The Mace

Authors

Letters

Press Articles

~ 67 ~