October 31st, 2011
Deathmatch? On the Rose-coloured blog?
Yep, it’s true–I’ll be a part of the Literary Deathmatch this Sunday evening, along with co-combattents Dani Couture, Carolyn Black, and Grace O’Connell. If you’ve hung out with me at literary events before and witnessed my hugging patterns, you’re probably wondering when I stopped liking those people and, of course, I haven’t–they are all awesome humans and writers and I in no way wish to see them die.
But it’s going to be a fun night with cool people, and I heard rumours that at the last Toronto LDM, there was a cupcake-throwing contest, which sounds as hilarious as it does non-literary. Anyway, as usual, I got sucked in by my desire to do what the cool kids are doing.
If you aren’t familiar with LDM, here’s an amusing video–you see why see why I couldn’t say no? And here’s the link to Sunday’s event details if you’d like to come out and enjoy the silliness (or just try to eat a cupcake before they all get thrown).
October 25th, 2011
What’s going on
Reviews In case you missed it, there was a very nice review of *The Big Dream* in the National Post on Saturday–you can get the online version here. There’s a less nice but still interesting review of *TBD* in the November issue of Quill and Quire, on the stands now–I’ll post the link when it goes online.
Launches I completely failed to attend the Insomniac Press fall launch last night–or rather, I failed *at* attending, because I did actually go to the launch. I was there mainly in excitement over Jamie Popowich’s Metraville, though in general Insomniac books are pretty stellar and I was looking forward to all the readers. But I was sick, I was tired, and then it finally happened–a Toronto event got started so late that I could not last until it *began*. It was not Insomniac’s fault–everyone else was having a blast, and I wouldn’t have wanted to speed along the festivities. I just have a terrible cold, and am flirting with laryngitis, so in deference to my reading tonight wouldn’t talk to people unless I could get right on top of them and whisper in their ears, which wasn’t making me very popular. And finally, about an hour after the show was supposed to start the room started to spin and I needed to go home. I failed the reading, where my only role was to sit and listen. Lame!
But I did go home and sleep for 10 hours and when I woke up I could speak in a voice heard by people who don’t want to know me intimately, thus I could survive the day and give a tolerably good reading to the very dedicated Ryerson students who made it to class in the rain to hear me!
Laryngitis Why do I seem to lose my voice at least once every year, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you why–because when I was young and stupid I got very sick with strep throat and did not see a doctor. After close to a week of this, I was feverish, mute, and living in a very sad, strange and entirely silent world of my own. When I was finally taken to the doctor and given some antibiotics, it was too late, though I didn’t know it–I apparently have scars on my vocal cords.
I figured this out because, though my everyday speaking voice is normally (rather loud at times, actually), even the slightest cold or cough irritates my vocal cords to Marilyn-like huskiness; if it gets slightly worse or I try to talk a lot, I’m rendered mute for days. I met a woman in her 60s with the same condition who says it only gets worse as you age–for her, the huskiness was apparent in her voice all the time.
What is the moral of the story? Go to the doctor when you are sick!!!
October 20th, 2011
Readings: a user’s guide
I’ve been blogging too long–I think I might have already written this post, but I can’t find it. If you’ve already read this, please ignore.
It’s book season, and I’m at a lot of readings these days and doing some myself (including a lovely one last night at Trent University in Peterborough). At most readings and pretty much every launch, there’s a few people who aren’t particularly book buffs; they’re just friend, family, or coworkers of the reader. They’re there to be supportive, and to try something new–but they sometimes look a bit baffled, scared, or bored. Next time, direct reading newbies to this post, where all elementary reading questions shall be answered!
Will there be cover? Sometimes yes, mainly no. The best way to figure this out is to ask, or check the listing, poster, or Facebook invitation. A rule of thumb is that regular reading series are usually pay-what-you-can or free, launches are usually free (but not always), and library programs are often free too. You’ll usually pay at festivals, and anything held in a theatre. But for big name authors, there’s cover pretty much everywhere. Prices are unlikely to exceed $20.
I haven’t read any of the books being read from. Can I still go? Sure! Think of readings as both a stand-alone performance and a kind of sampler or taste test from the books–it’s enough to enjoy on it’s own, but if you really like it, you might want to buy the whole thing.
But I don’t want to buy the book! Help! Calm down, it’s fine–many people come to readings just to enjoy the readings. Simply stear clear of the sales table if you don’t want to buy a book. If you aren’t sure, you can go look at the books for sale and then *still* not buy one–really! Anyone who would give you a hard time is being so rude you don’t have to be polite in turn. But in general, yes, be polite. Once a woman came up after a reading and asked me where she might buy my book. I told her some stores, but also mentioned that I had some copied for sale with me, and motioned to take one out of my bag, and she backed away with her hands raised. Seriously? Yeah, seriously.
Will the author sign my book? The author would be delighted. Within reason, you can ask for what you want inscribed–to yourself or someone else, and a (brief) message. In a long lineup for a very popular author, you might not get the opportunity to make such requests, but at the very least, the author should ask how to spell your name.
One funny thing I’ve seen a couple times is someone declining to purchase a book and instead asking an author to sign the reading program, or a blank piece of paper. That strikes me as so odd as to be sort of interesting–if that’s something you want to do, shine on you crazy diamond.
Also, if you want the author *not* to sign you book, that’s your perogative. Sometimes at very big events, books are pre-signed, and you may have to flip through the stack or ask for one from the back, but it’s your money–the seller will oblige.
I showed up on time and nothing’s happening–just all these people milling around in a bar. Sigh. Sorry about this. Nothing literary starts on time. In Toronto it’s really bad–sometimes more than a 45-minute delay (usually it’s about half an hour after “doors open”); I’ve heard in other cities it’s less. Definitely plan on the event starting later than the invitation says; the upside is that the social time beforehand is pretty fun.
Who am I going to socialize with–I don’t know anyone here? Reading types are often friendly and, ironically, also often solitary types who go to events alone and welcome idle conversation at the bar. And since you’re all there for the same reason, you have a natural opening to chat–asking about the writers on the slate tonight. Or if you prefer, read a book or stare moodily into space–it all fits.
Everyone says literary readings are boring. I don’t want to be bored! Try going to readings where there’s more than one person on the bill–that way, if you don’t enjoy one piece the evening’s not a write-off. Try reading a little bit of someone’s work to see if you will like it, and then only go to readings where you think you at least might like the work. And keep in mind–some people just don’t like being read to. For them, page-narrative needs to stay on the page, and that’s that. If you think that’s you, stay home and read, unless you need to go to support a friend. But do try to keep an open mind once you’re in the room–there’s nothing worse than really looking forward to an event, then sitting next to someone who has nothing but complaints before it even starts.
I tried, but I’m bored and I want to leave / I only wanted to hear my friend and not these other schmoes / I need to get home before the babysitter purchases heroin with my Paypal account. Of course, you gotta do what you gotta do. But if you think this might happen, plan on it–sit at the back, buy your books at the beginning, and maybe leave at a break if you can. If you must walk out during the middle of someone’s poem, at least be quiet, and forgo saying goodbye to people. I can’t help it: if I’m reading and I see you walk out, it feels hurtful; if you make a big loud fuss about it, it feels spiteful.
I don’t like the reading, but I made this nice friend earlier–let’s whisper-chat!! Oh god. No, don’t do this. That said, everybody does this, and the more readings you go to, the more likely you are to know lots of people in the room and be dying to talk to them. Please please please, limit to, “It’s nice to see you” and “Your sleeve is in the candle flame,” and save the rest for intermission.
I loved that reading! Should I tell the author? / I have many questions about the book / I have many questions about my own personal writing. Yes, tell the author you liked the reading–that always goes well. You can be a little critical–“why did you choose that passage?” or some such–but if you disliked the whole affair you might want to leave that opinion unvoiced and just swear you’ll never go back. Feel free to ask a question about the book, maybe two, and of course you can ask a quick question about the world of writing in general, too. Please keep in mind that if the event is crowded, or even if it isn’t, this might not be the place to get an in-depth analysis of your future prospects as a vampire/true-crime writer. Try asking if the writer has a card, or a contact form on his/her website, so you can get in touch in the future. Be sure to remind him/her of where you met when you do.
Oh, no, the reading is over–now what? My personal suggestion is ice-cream.
October 10th, 2011
Tour and Thanksgiving
So the WOSS tour ended on Friday night with a lovely reading at Cafe Bettina in Montreal, hosted by Kathleen Winter and attended by many lovely folks, including a few that maybe weren’t aware that a reading was going to take place until it actually did.
I got the train home at sunrise yesterday (a rather rosy dawn over the “Farine Five Roses” sign) to celebrate several days of Thanksgiving with lots and lots of people, and lots of food. I have to get back to that in a moment, but since I am thankful for the opportunity to go on this tour, this post fits today, so below is a picture by our loyal fan/tour photographer Ray Boudreau, of the team at the Hamilton reading:
And here is a link to a little video that was shown on Windsor Today, taken on the first night of the tour. It really amazes me that the power of video-editing has made us all look so sane and calm. Thanks, Jeff!!
It was a wonderful experience, the WOSS tour. But now for some family, some kitten playing, and (yet more) pie.
October 5th, 2011
WOSS on!
After readings in Windsor, London, and Hamilton, the WOSS crew is back in Toronto tonight, reading at Type Books on Queen at 6pm (yes, well before the Coachhouse event!) Should be a fun night–hope you can stop by!
Tomorrow night is the Ottawa reading and then Friday in Montreal–if you’re interested in those events, look right for details.
Here’s us pub-dining in Windsor with our Biblio-escort, Tara. Note candy necklaces for all!
October 1st, 2011
Women of the Short Story Tour Starts Tomorrow
As you may or may not be aware, the Women of the Short Story Tour kicks off tomorrow night, and right on cue, I’m starting to get very very anxious about it. Also anxious about getting laundry done so that I don’t have to wear a bathing suit to Thanksgiving dinner.
But mainly I’m excited to be getting to do so many readings and in the company of Laura Boudreau and Cathy Stonehouse. I’ve read both their books now, so this is not general excitement but very specifically to be in the company of such story-writing talent, and to hear what I know will be 6 nights of amazing readings.
Want to hear some of them, too? It would be lovely if you could join us, so here’s the deets below–or at the Facebook invitation at the link above. Hope to see you somewhere this week!
September 22nd, 2011
Wowsers
Well, the event on Tuesday was just about perfect! So many of the people I adore and admire were there, and I got to talk to many of them. We had great cookies (thanks, Jane) and cupcakes (thanks, Kerry) and so-so muffins (I have a weird oven, ok?) I did a lot of hugging. And then–yes there’s more–came the formal part of the evening, where Kerry Clare showed that cupcake-baking is the least of her gifts, and conducted a thoughtful and fun on-stage interview with me. She also managed to cross her legs whilst sitting on her high barstool, a stunt I simply could not manage.
Beyond baking and balancing, Kerry is brilliant because her questions are so intimate with the text, so much the opposite of the stock, ask-any-writer style of interview questions (“How much of your work is autobiographical? Do you write in the mornings or evenings? Who are your influences?”) And the questions at any given interview (she’s done lots) are tailored to the form, content, and style of the writer, so even when the questions were hard (no softballs at all), I was very interested in answering them for myself.
And then, after Rupert from Ben McNally Books, who did a superb job running the whole event, fixed the mike for me, I did a brief reading. Now that some people out there actually have the book I can say it was the beginning of the story “Research” and expect that someone might know what I mean! And yes, I did read far enough to say the “orgasm” to a room full of friends, strangers, my colleagues and my parents. It was a milestone of sorts.
And then more talking, a lot of book-signing, absolutely no more baked goods because they’d all been eaten, and lots and lots of fun! By the end of the night, it was down me and Mark and Dan, my publisher, and a few very lovely friends who helped me get every drop of celebration out of the evening possible. I never wanted to go home, because then the party would be over and it was so so so fun!
At my first launch, my edited John Metcalf warned me that it would never be so wonderful again, but I do think this evening was, in a certain light, just as good. It wasn’t as new, but the benefit of that was that I wasn’t as insane. I’ve had 3+ years of book events and stage fright and making bookish friends and I have, in words no one ever said but I’m sure a few were thinking, finally calmed the hell down. Oh, I was totally wired before the event, and pretty well afterwards, but I was able to have genuine conversations with people and enjoy them, and be somewhat aware of my surroundings.
So yes, a thrilling night. My only regrets are the people I didn’t get a chance to talk to in the flurry, and that the kitten had to spend 16 hours by himself that day and was hysterical when we got home. Oh, and the big one is that I cavelierly handed my purse to my dear friend Scott and instructed him to take the camera out and photograph the event, not realizing that the camera had fallen out and would spend the evening under the table. I’m really sorry for making you rummage through all my stuff for naught, Scott–thanks anyway! And I did eventually *find* the camera, so I’m not out $200.
However, I have no pictures, so if you were at the event and took a few, could you send’em my way? I’ll post them here with credit, of course, and it’s definitely worth 100 bonus points to me to have them. (Also, 30 points if you id who the title of this post is stolen from.)
Thanks to all who attended, who hugged and well-wished and book-bought, and ate cookies and stayed late. And to those who couldn’t but sent faraway wishes nonetheless. I’m a lucky, lucky writer!
September 8th, 2011
Vancouver to Halifax (but not in that order)–The Dream Tour
A couple nights ago, I dreamed I was Dave Barry. If you are not familiar with him, Dave Barry is a very sucessful American humourist who has written tonnes of books and newspaper columns, and used to do a lot of book tours and speaking engagements that took him all over the world. Then he would write subsequent books and newspaper columns about how he hated touring.
When I am awake, I don’t think I’ll ever be Dave Barry–as far as I’m concerned, all readings are thrilling. And I have a lot of thrills ahead on the upcoming Dream Tour–I’m a little in awe about hitting 7 provinces and doing close to 20 readings in the next few months. Of the cities I’m slated to visit, I’ve never set foot in 4 of them (I bet regular Rose-coloured readers can guess which). And I’m touring with cool people throughout, so I don’t think I’ll have many dull moments.
If you are in or near any of the following spots on the right days, please do come out and tell your friends and associates to join us. I will no doubt be talking up all of these events individually as they get closer, and of course some things might get added (or subtracted, I suppose) but for now, here’s the plan:
September 20, Toronto The Big Dream Book Launch at the Dora Keogh (141 Danforth), 7pm–featuring a stage interview with Kerry Clare, a short reading, books for sale, and a muffin tray–what more could you want??
October 2, Windsor Women of the Short Story Kickoff event in Windsor at the Phog Lounge, 7:30, in concert with Laura Boudreau and Cathy Stonehouse
October 3, London, with Cathy and Laura at the London Public Library, 3rd Floor, 7pm
October 4, Hamilton, with Laura and Cathy, at Bryan Prince Booksellers
October 5, Toronto, with Cathy and Laura, at Type Books on Queen Street, 6pm
October 6, Ottawa, with Laura and Cathy, at Collected Works
October 7, Montreal, with Cathy and Laura, at Cafe Matina
Then–a nap. Well, then Thanksgiving, then a nap, then some work. And then,
October 19, Peterborough, a solo reading at Trent University
November 6, Toronto (venue TBD), the Literary Deathmatch, Golden Girls edition, with Carolyn Black, Dani Couture, and Grace O’Connell, hosted by Julie Wilson
And then, oh my god, in an airplane. WITH WINGS!
November 22, Calgary, with Ray Roberson, at Pages on Kensington
November 23, Vancouver, with Ray and Cathy (remember her from October?), at Incite (scroll down), 7:30pm
November 24, Winnipeg, with Ray, at McNally Robinson Grant Park, 7pm
Then a whole bunch more work, the winter holidays, 2012, and then (you aren’t tired of this yet, are you?)
February 5, Hamilton, at Lit Live, Line up TBD, 7:30
February 6, Toronto, at The Rowers Pub Reading Series, Line up TBD, 7:30
Then work, and snow, and then OMG another airplane! Hopefully this one has wings too!
March 27, Halifax, with Amy Jones, at…details to come
March 28, Wolfville, with Amy, details to come
March 29, Fredericton, with Amy, details to come
~~
Ok, that’s a lot of readings, but stretched over 7 months it should actually be just about perfect–no Barry-esque kvetching from this corner. I also do the occasional school or book club visit, but I’m not including those here since they aren’t public. If you want to talk about that possibility in your school/book club, please drop me a line.
Also, if you are distant from all of the above readings and wish I were doing one closer to you, please let me know. Not just because it’s an ego boost for me, but because it’s helpful to know where I could schedule a reading and not be faced with a sea of empty chairs. Obviously, if you’re knowledgable about good venues to read in and that sort of thing, that’s helpful, but no problem if you just want to say, “Come read in Saskatoon (etc.)!”
Really hoping to see many of your lovely faces at some of these events!
August 25th, 2011
Tonight (aka, Thursday)
I’m going to be reading with Mark Sampson and Jeff Bursey at the fabulous Type Books on Queen West. Even should go from 6ish to 8ish, and be fabulous.
I am calling this my “last” reading from *Once*, though in truth I’ll probably read from it again anytime anyone asks me to or if the occasion seems to warrent. But my next *scheduled* reading is the laucn for the new book, so it makes sense to read from the old. I’ll be reading from the first story in the book, which is the story I read the first time I ever read from *Once* as a book, so it’s all full circle, and sentimentally nostalgia-y. Hope you can be there.
August 23rd, 2011
The End of the Cohabitational Reading Project
Mark has really covered the wrap of the Cohabitational Reading Project: the boredom, the improbability, the strangely tepid wind-down of over 600 pages. The second half–well, latter two-thirds, really–of this book reads like a sad sophmore follow-up to a brilliant first novel. Only in this case, the “first” novel is part of the same book. The beginning of Owen Meany really is wonderful and deserving of much praise. I had wondered why I remembered the early bits 10 years later with such vibrancy, but couldn’t recall anything from the later sections. It turned out I remembered the good stuff.
On the topic of the Project itself–good fun. I did sometimes feel bad when M was 50 pages ahead of me and urging me to catch up when I wanted to nap, but by and large it was really nice to be sharing the experience and talking it over every day. I think we’re both happy to be choosing our own reading matters for the next little while, but I’m sure while try a sequel CRP at some point.
Anyone who has thoughts or opinions on Owen Meany, John Irving, reading with your partner, etc., feel free to share!
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