You might be from Saskatchewan if... If you have an ending for that statement chances are you'll get a chuckle out of a new book boasting the same title that's now on store shelves.
This is the second volume released with hopes of a third for the future. Authors Carson Demmans and Jason Sylvestre say the book was a pleasure to put together.
Comprised of a collection of captioned cartoons readers are promised a laugh as Demmans and Sylvestre demonstrate what makes everyone love and laugh about life on the Saskatchewan prairies.
Both authors hail from the province. Demmans is a lawyer by day and a professional humour writer by night. He has been writing humor on a professional basis for 20 years, mainly gags for cartoons, comic strips and comic books. He currently lives in Regina with his wife, two daughters, two cats and two dogs.
Sylvestre is a self taught cartoonist who has been drawing comic books and cartoons since the age of 13. He both self publishes as well as works as a freelancer for several American publishers. His Auntie - Vicky Winnitowy - lives in Yorkton and he calls Regina home.
The first book, says Demmans was inspired by the landscape he drove through every day while commuting from Saskatoon to Prince Albert in 2008.
"I decided that there had to be a humor project that I could base on the weird wonderful place we call Saskatchewan. I wrote the first 58 pages in one night."
The second book was based on popular demand. "People kept coming up to Jason and I and asked when the second one was coming out."
Both writers say they had a ball putting the works together - especially the second project.
"The second book was a lot more fun the first book and I think it is actually better than the first one," sys Demmans.
"Some people react extremely emotionally to the contents of two books, from debating who was funnier, Nestor Pistor or Metro, to recounting true stories of being sprayed by skunks, to recounting their favorite plays by Lancaster and Reed. The books contain a lot of my personal memories and family history, so I can relate to the reactions of readers. I think everyone in Saskatchewan has a lot of common experiences."
The authors guarantee a good laugh. They say readers can expect to catch a glimpse of themselves or people they know on many of the pages.
"This isn't fantasy; it's real life and that's what makes it funny."
Demmans and Sylvestre are now working on two new books due out next year. The first is called Strange Saskatchewan Stories, a collection of strange but true cartoons similar to the classic Ripley's cartoons but all based in this province. The other is called The Saskatchewan Book of Riddles and it's a collection of riddles illustrated through cartoons all with a Saskatchewan theme.
They also hope for a third volume of You Might be from Saskatchewan.
"If there is enough demand for it we will definitely do a third..."
For anyone with ideas or thoughts, the authors would love to hear from you. They have a Facebook fan page, they can also follow Sylvestre on twitter @jasonofnyc.
"I would like to thank our fans, for their support. Because of them the first book has been the top selling trade paperback in the province for the last two years straight. I think that says a lot for how people feel about the book. We are looking forward to entertaining them a second time around with this book," concludes Sylvestre.
You Might be from Saskatchewan if... Volume Two is available at: Walmart, Chapters, Coles Indigo, Costco, Mcnally Robson and online at amazon.ca, as well as other sites.
