Saturday, May 22, 2010

Another whirlwind week

I'm off to Toronto this coming week to attend two of the most significant crime writers events in Canada. It starts off with the annual Arthur Ellis awards dinner on Thursday night, May 27, where I shall be trying to enjoy myself without thinking too much on the culmination of the evening, the announcement for this year's winner for Best Novel! Tickets can still be bought online.

But I almost forgot, before I even get to the dinner, CBC Ottawa's All in a Day radio show will be interviewing me on my nomination for the award.

Then on Friday Bloody Words 2010, Canada's most prestigious crime writing conference, begins with a welcoming reception at 5:30, then I'm off to my panel at 8:00. Titled 'Where the Wild Things Are' we'll be discussing detecting far away from the mean streets of the urban sprawl.

At 10:00 pm is the big 10th anniversary celebration. That's right, Bloody Words is ten years old and I was there at the first one held in Toronto in 1999. Despite the sweltering heat of that first one, which was held at the un-air-conditioned Arts & Letters Club, I thoroughly enjoyed it and have attended every conference since.

Next morning if there is still room, I hope to participate in the inaugural Author Speed Dating. Mirrored on the Malice Domestic Author-Go-Round, it promises to be great fun and a chance for you to meet new authors and reacquaint yourself with ones you know and love.

And then I get to relax and enjoy the many exciting panels scheduled for the rest of the day.

I always have a terrific time at the conference, renewing my acquaintance with fans, meeting new ones and schmoozing with my fellow authors.

If you haven't already signed up, you can at the door. I hope to see you there.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Wilds of Ontario

On May 20th I am heading out to the wilds of Ontario to participate in a library event. Well.. it might not be exactly wild, but the Elgin branch of the Rideau Lakes Library is in the gorgeous cottage country of the Rideau Lakes. I'll be joined by Barbara Fradkin and Violette Malan. It starts at 7:00 pm and in addition to us reading and discussing our books, Sue Pike is bringing brownies and I love brownies.... and maybe you do too.