It Came From Cambridge shares short stories from city's new and ...

It Came From Cambridge is the title of a new book that features short stories by 13 different authors from that city. 

The stories span fiction to nonfiction and they vary in topic.

Ken Doran is one of the authors featured in the book and Paul Langan is an author, historian and president of Fuse — an organization dedicated to making the arts more accessible in Cambridge. 

As part of a CBC Kitchener-Waterloo summer series speaking to local authors, Doran and Langan spoke with The Morning Edition's host Craig Norris about their book, It Came From Cambridge.

Audio of the interview can be found at the bottom of this article.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Craig Norris: Paul tell us about It Came From Cambridge. What's in the book?

Paul Langan: I had done a number of publications over the years and I joined this Cambridge authors Facebook page and I realized what a large literary community we have.

I just researched and found that they had never done a compilation book of anything through the whole history of the city. So, I thought, wouldn't that be a good idea if we put out a compilation of short stories from new and established authors?

So, that was the reasoning behind it — kind of to promote the arts in Cambridge, the literary arts, because we had never done it. I had done about 30 publications myself, self-publishing on Amazon. The reason I tell you that is I took over the reins for FUSE to edit it and do it because I did it a lot previously. 

Craig Norris: Ken, you are one of the 13 authors who have a story in the book. What is your story is about?

Ken Doran: It's a historical fiction called The Glory of War. It's about a boy named Rory who grows up hearing his father talk about his battlefield heroics during the Boer War. So, he can't wait to become a soldier himself one day.

Then years later, he's sitting in a trench at Vimy Ridge and waiting to go over the top. And the glory of war that he had hoped for — he finds is anything but glorious. I'd say it's a tragic tale that I hope touches the hearts of readers.

Craig Norris: So what does it mean for you to be chosen to be part of this book?

Ken Doran: I was pleasantly shocked when I was selected. There's so many great writers in Cambridge and when I put my story in I wasn't sure what my chances were. So, I was pleasantly shocked and it was very unexpected. But I'm very happy and honoured to be included in this book because the stories are all very diverse and well written. 

Craig Norris: So where do you look for inspiration for your stories, Ken?

Ken Doran: Actually I'm retired now, so I tend to try to focus more of my time on writing and I tend to keep little notes here and there on the computer, on my phone. And whenever I get an idea, I just jot it down and then kind of go from there. I guess I probably find it just in everyday life. 

Craig Norris: What is the writing community like in Cambridge, Paul?

Paul Langan: It's diverse and growing. We had some established ones like Jill Summerhayes, for instance, she's been at it for over 40 years. And then we had a bunch of new people submit too.

So, I think we have about 90 people on the Cambridge authors Facebook group, which is just one group. But I mean, certainly some of the authors we chose for the book had no connection to that Facebook page. But I think the key was they just never had a vehicle that cut it out and Fuse, is a small charity that threw the idea out and said let's fund this and let's do it. 

I know people have a hate on for Amazon, but KDP [Kindle Direct Publishing ] Amazon really doesn't cost you anything to upload your book and you can have it for sale around the world the next day. So, it was just something I thought was an easy win. 

Craig Norris: What's been the feedback from the community since you released the book? 

Paul Langan: About two weeks ago we released it and I ordered 150 copies in advance for the book release and when we got rid of them all. So, that's what I call a good day in self-publishing. It went quite well. 

Craig Norris: Is [former Cambridge mayor and current regional councillor] Doug Craig one of the authors?

Paul Langan: Doug was interesting because about 35 years ago I was trying to save a train station here in Hespeler and I was sent a short story he did about the train station and then I totally forgot. And 35 years later he submits another story and I thought, 'Oh yeah, he's a writer' and it was excellent, too. 

Craig Norris: Ken, did you get any personal feedback from people who have read your story?

Ken Doran: I've had quite a bit from friends and family and so far the feedback has all been positive. They all seem to have liked it. Even my wife liked it and she's the only critic I have to really be worried about. The feedback has all been positive. 

Craig Norris: Are you constantly writing now?

Ken Doran: I retired three years ago. I was saying the last year I really got the bug and actually even being involved in this project, I'm really focused more on doing some poetry and short stories and this has kind of spurred me on. 

Craig Norris: So is that what you're working on right now?

Ken Doran: Yes. There are a few CBC contests — one is for poetry and then one is for short stories coming up in the fall and I'm preparing things to submit to those.

Craig Norris: Paul, this is volume one of It Came From Cambridge. When can we expect volume two?

Paul Langan: I just happened to talk to Pam Berry, this excellent person from the City of Cambridge, and they just met with me yesterday. And in April — Poetry Month next year — we're having volume two, Poems from the People Who Live There: It Came From Cambridge.

So, that's what we're aiming for. We actually have a date in April and so we broke even on this one. So Fuse is excited, I'm excited, so I'm sure it'll be a bit thicker because poems sometimes are a little easier for people to put together, so we're looking forward to it. 

It Came From Cambridge is a new book featuring short stories by Cambridge authors. Ken Doran is one of the authors featured in the book.Ken Langan is an author, historian and president of Fuse, an organization dedicated to making the arts more accessible in Cambridge. They talk about how the book came to be and why it's an important reflection of the talent of writers from the city.

Throughout the summer, CBC K-W will be speaking with local authors. If you're a local author who has a new book or event you'd like to speak to us about, let us know by emailing the newsroom at [email protected].