Whoever said awards ceremonies were dull never went to the Canadian Booksellers Association Libris Awards. Of course, it didn't hurt that I got to sit with the Sheilahs: Sheilagh Rogers of CBC hosted the evening in her inimitable style and Sheilah Kauffman of Another Story Bookshop was a presenter along with me and a number of others. Also at our table was incoming CBA president Mark Lefebvre, whose amusing manner kept us all at ease. And I'm happy to say that my very own editor, Marc Cote of Cormorant Books, went home with the award for Editor of the Year.
May 7
Nearly famous. Went to the Churchmouse & Firkin for a quaff with my friend Enrique yesterday. While I was downstairs in the loo, the server came by and asked where she might have recognized me from. E pointed to the cover of Xtra! on the table and asked, "Does he look like that guy?" She pondered my photo for a moment, then shook her head. "Sort of, but not really," she said, and went off to fill E's order.
Apr 28
F-U-N. That's a word I haven't used in a while. Today I even had some, modelling for Toronto arts scene photographer, David Hawe, for an upcoming issue of Xtra! Xtra!'s new managing editor, the charming Marcus McCann, was on hand to make sure we didn't get too carried away while I posed for the article on my symbiotic existence with sexy super-sleuth, Bradford Fairfax. For those who don't know, Brad is currently preparing for his upcoming adventure, Vanished In Vallarta, due out in June.
Apr 12
What's better than a short mediocre review in the New York Times? A great, full-page review in the Literary Review of Canada. I'll be sure to post the link to Steven Hayward's review of The Honey Locust, "Battles Foreign and Familial", when it comes on-line!
Apr 5
News flash! I'd heard that the normally genteel and diplomatic Canadian mystery writer, Anthony Bidulka, author of the Russell Quant mystery series, has been writing about me in his blog. The very idea brought me to my knees in despair! How could I have sunk so low that a nice guy like Anthony would gossip about me? So I checked out his site, and there it was in black and white, and a few other colours, for everyone to see. And so can you: http://anthonybidulka.com/blog/. But then again, if it's all true, does it qualify as gossip?
Mar 26
Open Book: Toronto (http://www.openbooktoronto.com/). Those of you who follow it will know it's a gold mine of writer information. I've just been invited to participate as an on-line Writer-In-Residence in December. It's a ways off, but that gives me lots of time to practice my blogging skills.
March 14, 2010
Mission accomplished. Just past noon today, I finished the first draft of my new thriller, Endgame. It's a re-write of a famous Agatha Christie plot, with an entirely new setting and cast of characters. Does this mean I'm now writing commercial fiction? We'll see. In any case, I can now come home feeling I've achieved my goal.
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