I realize that I don’t have much in the way of new posts here — which is bad, because I personally dislike visiting out-of-date blogs, which give me a creepy feeling. So, just a short note today to say that I am happy to be receiving a review here and there for Some Extremely Boring Drives. I post links to these reviews on my Reviews page, if you’re interested.
I left Ottawa tired but happy. Thanks to Dolly and her snappy red car, I landed in Toronto just in time for my afternoon reading at the Toronto Public Library, Parliament Street Branch. My visit was part of the branch’s regular Tea & Books series, where a librarian selects books to recommend to patrons. I sat in on that part of the hour, and decided they’re onto something — giving people a taste of what the library has to offer seems like such a good idea.
That night, I gathered Toronto friends and family, along with Michelle Winters and Becky Blake, for a joint reading at Type Books, on Queen West. The staff there were welcoming and super-helpful. I thank them. There were beers afterwards, and I stayed up too late. Our early morning departure for Peterborough was not easy.
Thursday night, I returned to Peterborough’s The Spill, where I read last year, for a co-reading with Devon Code, author of In A Mist. I loved the story he read, and was so proud to be there with my brother, Jean-Claude Pigeon, who played before and after our readings. His musicianship just keeps improving, and it felt so good to hear him do his thing.
Here are some photos of these last few events.
With dear friend and recent Emmy-award nominee (!!) Jane Sobol.
Discussing the merits of various new acquisitions by the Toronto Public Library (or something like that) with lovely librarian Suzanne Fernando.
Me, Jane, Dolly, Ximena, Lara.
Becky Blake (L), me, and Michelle Winter (R), after our reading.
Devon Code reading from a wonderful story, which I think is called the Beneficiary.
Mine and Devon Code’s books, for sale at The Spill.
What a relief for my ears to be filled with live music, especially by this one: Jean-Claude Pigeon.
Bonus of this trip: time with my niece, Luna, here impersonating her mother.
on the shuttle back to Pearson. Sad, longing look at the Ontario countryside.
Back in my university town, and happy to check out this new venue, Pressed Urban Bar, on Gladstone, where I was joined by the hilarious and talented Christian McPherson and the prolific rob mclennan. Here are a few shots from a fun evening that felt like it could have turned into many beers if I wasn’t headed out at the crack of dawn.
Chris Johnson came on as MC late in our planning, but he really made the night with his warm wit. Thanks for the word clouds, Chris.
Christian and friend, just before he hit the stage to read from Cube Squared, which I plan to laugh with all the way back to Vancouver on the plane.
My cousin Marc Venturi came in despite my cousin-in-law Liz’s tough week at home. Thanks, Marc.
I read! Tried out a new story: Makeover. I think it went well.
Long shot of me reading, courtesy of Colette Gignac.
The Blind River contingent, including old friend Niel Laporte.
rob mclennan read from new work.
I came in late and saw the city from above. Today, I got to walk it, visit, and read at such a good venue–the Argo is the kind of bookshop everyone needs.
Preparing my text at pikolo coffee.
Laurence Miall reads from his funny, smart novel Blind Spot.
I read Torera. I got a few laughs!
Dinner with family!!
Argo co-owner JP Karwacki does intros.
The crowd comes.
I got new pants. I brought apples. The people came out. The co-readers were lovely. People kindly purchased books. In short, the Vancouver launch for Some Extremely Boring Drives, was really great. I’ll repeat the photos I put up on the Facebook, because they’re my only ones.
Meredith Quartermain reads from her forthcoming, I Bartleby.
Alex Leslie reads from her brand-new book, The Things I Heard About You (which she holds in hand, and which includes cool line drawings).
I went last. I read “Locks,” the second story in my collection; it has to do with surviving illness and getting one’s groove back. Sort of.
I’ve posted the story “Makeover,” from Some Extremely Boring Drives, to the nifty site Issuu. You can see it on my samples page – have a look!
I was interviewed today by Paul Matwychuk, who is the general manager over at NeWest Press. Take a listen to their latest NeWest Audio podcast to find out more about my stories and even about my short-lived life as a boxer. Or you can go to NeWest Press Audio in iTunes to subscribe and hear interviews with plenty of writers. (I’m Episode 27!)
I long for summer, but this year I could skip right to September because I have a book coming out, which is maybe better than swimming at Bass Lake in Blind River. Maybe. Some Extremely Boring Drives is a collection of short-ish stories that aren’t linked but share a concern with travel and mobility. Soon, I’ll be putting up details of the launch and some readings. In the meantime, here’s the cool cover, by Justine Ma Design.
