Mike Gagnon's Life...in Print

Home page of Mike Gagnon's showcase of work. Mike Gagnon is a professional writer and content provider for print and web based media and publications.

Temporary hiatus

This blog is going to be down temporarily on Hiatus.

It will be up again in a few months.

I am taking some time to advance and develop my personal life and professional skills.

posted by: lightning at 12:08 | link | comments |
notes, personal messages

UK Firm Wants Students to Invest In Real Estate

Reported by Mike Gagnon 

Going away to college or university is a time of change, growth and independence. For many it is their first time moving away from home. If UK mortgage firm Capital Fortune has its way, going to school will also be the first time you buy a house.

Their new “Buy-to-Rent Student Mortgage” is aimed specifically at earl 20-somethings moving away to a new town for the first time to attend school.

The premise is that rent in college towns is spiraling out of control and that there is a shortage of clean, affordable, quality housing for students. 

Under the student themed plan savvy college kids would invest in buying a clean spacious house to live in, but also to rent out portions or units to fellow students who are also moving out on their own for the first time. In this way the results are supposed to achieve the somewhat altruistic goals of providing clean affordable places to rent for students, while also generating an additional income for the student owner to help with bills and college expenses.

The new concept is interesting to say the least, and was only announced this week. It has yet to be rolled out nationally, so only time will tell if this is an idea that will actually work, or if the hype falls short of the lofty goals it promotes.

posted by: lightning at 23:11 | link | comments (1) |
articles, out now

Websitey goodness

I'm also working on a website for a sports and comics collectibles retailer. It's fun building the online ordering catalogs and selecting artwork etc to show off figures.

The URL isn't live yet, but I'm sure this will be a high-traffic site when it is and I'll announce when it is live.

If you're wondering no, this is not for graphic novel depot, but an entirely different collectibles retailer with over 30 years experience in the business.

posted by: lightning at 20:07 | link | comments |
coming soon, current projects

Woohoo Back Issue!

Well, not only is Back Issue one of the best comic mags out there, but I'm definitely a regular contributor now. I've got assignments confirmed for the next 5 issues, so be sure to keep an eye out for my work there.

I'll be covering classic Saturday morning cartoons, comic legends, the offbeat, and more.

You can find all that and more in Back Issue, published by TwoMorrows Publishing!

posted by: lightning at 20:03 | link | comments |
coming soon, out now, current projects, personal messages

Online Business Offers Big Advantage to Savy Students

If you’ve ever been a tight deadline, you’re a student with a term paper that’s due tomorrow, you’ve had little time to study, and you can’t find the right study material for the subject, you’ve probably wished that someone one would rush in to help you.

Well a new website is now offering that help.

posted by: lightning at 11:33 | link | comments |
articles

Thieves make off with $20, Postmaster Commends Local Teen

Mike Gagnon

The OPP are still investigating a break-in at the Ripley Canada Post branch, where thieves forced entry and were able to make off with the contents of a change drawer. Approximately $20 in total was taken.

“It concerns me greatly.” said Postmaster Karen Elliot, Wednesday morning. . “I’d like to hope that something can be found, evidence or something.”

The police report details that the break-in occurred sometime between February 16^th and 18^th at the post office located at 21 Jessie St. in Ripley.

“They came in the front door and probably used a crowbar to wedge open the door” said Elliot.

There was damage to the front door of the post office, specifically to the lock and door frame. There is no estimate on the cost of damages yet.

Elliot also thanked a local teen who discovered the damage. She says that the teen had come to the post office to see if it was open on “Family Day” and discovered the damage to the door. The 13 year old male immediately called the OPP himself to report the break-in.

“I’d like to publicly commend him. It was very, very good of him.” said Elliott.

The teen and his family were unable to be reached for comment. Privacy laws prevent identifying him without permission, so for now he will remain an anonymous local hero.

Aside from the front door there were no damages or reckless vandalism within the building, something that Elliott is thankful for.

“They never harmed anything in here, which we are very grateful for.” says Elliott. “…we didn’t have to come in to a mess. Everything was not touched.”

Elliott says that she has been in contact with her superiors at Canada Post and that although they have not offered a public statement, they have been a great help to the branch since the crime occurred.

“I would love to see that happen.” Elliott said when asked if she’d like to see the culprits apprehended. “There have been a lot (of break-ins) in this area. There’s been a lot of repeats, which is a concern.”

The OPP are asking that anyone who may have witnessed the crime or seen any strange persons loitering around the post office on the weekend of February 16^th to 18^th to call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-TIPS.

-30-

Sources:

South Bruce OPP Press Release (See attached)

Interview with Karen Elliot, Postmaster, Canada Post, Ripley Branch

posted by: lightning at 20:04 | link | comments |
articles

LOTS OF UPDATES COMING

Big changes and updates coming to all of my web pages and blogs soon, big revamps.

posted by: lightning at 20:01 | link | comments |
personal messages

Audio and Sound

Some big developments, I'll soon be branching out. I've been working on it for awhile. I'm exhausted right now. But, I'll be branching out into audio, voice work and voice acting.

You'll hear more soon.

posted by: lightning at 20:01 | link | comments |
personal messages

Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 23 February 2008


 This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact  mike@mikegagnon.ca.


 This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

 The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

 The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

 This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.


To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

posted by: lightning at 21:06 | link | comments |
personal messages, disclosure policy

The Shotgun takes aim at...ME!

Shotgun review recently posted a review of Back Issue #26.

A few of the contributors were singled out for their work.

Was I one of them?

You bet!

Check out the review: Click Here!

posted by: lightning at 16:03 | link | comments |
notes, out now, personal messages

I WANT YOUR NEWS!

I want your news tips!

Are you in the Grey/Bruce region of Ontario or surrounding area?

Been the victim of a crime?

Getting screwed over by local politicians?

Supporting a good cause?

Going through a tough time and need some help?

Think a local concern isn't getting enough attention?

Got a beef?

Well if so contact me, and if I think it's newsworthy it will end up in the local papers and media.

Particularly interested in news in the regions of Kincardine, Saugeen Shores, Meaford, and Brockton, but open to all news in Grey Bruce and area.

E-mail info about your news idea to me at mike@mikegagnon.ca

posted by: lightning at 09:48 | link | comments |
notes, out now, personal messages

Back Issue wins!

Just a heads up to let interested folks know that Back Issue magazine has won the Comic Geek Speak :Best Publication About Comics" award for 2007. This is the second year in a row that Back Issue has won.

Congrats to editor Michael Eury and all of my fellow Back Issue contributors.

posted by: lightning at 12:40 | link | comments |
out now, personal messages