Travels in a Blue Chair: Alaska to Zambia, Ushuaia to Uluru

A disabled adventurer backpacks the world - alone!! This book makes a great holiday gift or corporate prize! See my TV interviews... http://www.youtube.com/user/bluechairwalt








Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Reach Out !! - the online magazine article.

I was really happy to see that my article in the online magazine for the disabled called "Reach Out" has appeared!! Here is the link...

http://www.reachoutmag.com/subscribers/

Please scroll down,...
and click on the link for Sept.-Dec. 2008,
and then scroll over to page 11.

Many thanks to Jim at the magazine for all his efforts to keep awareness of disabled issues alive! And congrats to all the other friends I have made along the way in this project, who are striving to do the same.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Barack Obama and John McCain need my book too!

Ever since I signed a copy for the Michael Ignatieff, the bigwig in the Liberal Party, I have been thinking that signing a copy of "Travels in a Blue Chair", for both U.S. Presidential candidates would be a great idea too!

Hey if a guy in a wheelchair can adventure alone across the world, and have enough funny and heartwarming experiences for over 55 funny short stories, must have some benefit and insight into how the world sees other people and what people want out of life!

Everyone helped me along the way, maybe I can help a little too!??

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Ah to be in Fajara, Gambia in the Spring! Lonely Planet.

I just received an email from Adam in the UK, who is a tourism student with Cerebral Palsy, uses an electric chair, and is soon to be off to the Gambia in West Africa in March, to study and investigate things out there!!

Adam found out about myself and the book, from the article published a long time ago on the Lonely Planet website. He has lots of questions about my travels to Africa, and I hope I can offer him some useful info and guidance as he gears up for his big trip with his fellow students! He has already visited New Zealand on a Fellowship, so I am sure he knows the ropes already.

Way to go Adam! Keep travelling and showing what we can do!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

MacLean's Magazine !!

When I was outside on the weekend promoting my book, there was a photographer nearby taking photographs of the politicians in attendance. I asked if she was working for the candidate and she replied that she was employed by MacLean's Magazine!

I quickly gave her one of my cards and asked her to pass it along to one of the writers or editors. In addition, I followed up with an e-mail to the editor, informing them of the existence of my book "Travels in a Blue Chair" and the fact that I would love to be interviewed, if they were interested.

Hey, you never know who will read the info and maybe even get back to me? Here's hoping!!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Michael Ignatieff - does a future PM own my book?

I have just returned from the Shop the Shore event today along the Lakeshore, here in the west end. It was such a great day! Hats off to all the volunteers at the event. I barged in armed with my book and the hand painted sign the girls made for me (the one on this blog banner), and they quickly found a table for me. I was situated just beside the box for submitting ballots for the prize draw, so there was lots of traffic.

Many people who volunteered asked me to sign a copy and lots of passersby did as well. Two of the candidates in the Federal Election stopped by. Patrick Boyer of the Conservatives, our former MP, and Michael Ignatieff, the current Liberal incumbent, both asked me to sign copies for them and were quite impressed.

Mr Ignatieff is a high ranking member of the Liberals and ran for the leadership of the party the last time. He has quite a good chance of becoming leader the next time, and if he does - and then wins the election, a Prime Minister would own a signed copy of "Travels in a Blue Chair"!! Imagine that!?

Also, so many others were inquiring and took a card promising to contact me in the near future. Wow, such a positive morning and afternoon...got the weekend off to a great start!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Shop the Shore, New Toronto-Sat. Sept 20 10a-2p

My greatest booster Angela stopped me yesterday evening as I was out doing my usual 5K in the late afternoon sunshine. Angela asked whether I was participating in Saturday's Shop the Shore event, here along Lakeshore Blvd. W. in the west end of Toronto ( New Toronto in Etobicoke) between 1st and 14th Streets?

I had no idea that the event was happening, but I have an inventory of books on hand which need some signing, so I will be out on the street participating on Saturday!!

I am not sure exactly where I'll be located, but there are a number of vacant shops which I may be camped out in front of with my Tilley hat and pen in hand! Most likely I will be near Sixth St.

Please do come out and say "Hi" if you are in the vicinity this Saturday....and for a change, the weather is meant to be quite nice!!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Gate - Entertainment Magazine

I have written to the online entertainment site, thegate.ca in the hopes that they may be interested in doing a brief article about the book or possibly, an online interview?

The Gate - Entertainment Magazine, is a really great website about all things in movies, literature, etc and would be a great way to connect with some new readers!

Here's hoping!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Some loose ends...

I have confirmed that I am booked on CHCH TV for the program Niagara Express, on the Thanksgiving weekend, so that is really great news!! Thanks Rachael!

The Canadian Paraplegic Association's magazine has asked me to abbreviate one of my stories in the next few weeks, so that they can include it in an upcoming issue. That is really great news, as I aim to reach one of my key demographics, and encourage the disabled to get out and travel.

Finally, the online edition of Reach Out magazine, is almost ready, and will include a submission that I wrote.

Some milestones have been reached! Hopefully there will be more to follow.

P.S. I found a note stuffed into my door at home. A neighbour wanted me to sign two copies of my book, as he was doing his Christmas shopping early!! Wow, that was unexpected - and great!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Rick Steeves - European travel writer.

Over the weekend I sent an e-mail out to Rick Steeves, who is a really great travel writer and has a program that airs on PBS about travel and places to visit throughout Europe.

I explained about my book, Travels in a Blue Chair, and the fact that I was trying to reach out to the disabled and able-bodied alike, and to motivate everyone to get out of the house, if possible.

Of course, too early to hope for a reply, but I hope he does try to contact me...maybe he can point me in the right direction?

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Good news and some delayed good news !!

As a follow up to some previous items...the Canadian Paraplegic Association (go Paralympic athletes in Beijing!) is really keen to do possibly re-print some excerpts from my book, along with some new commentary. We are also working on a possible co-marketing venture, but not sure how as this book is self-published. I am really happy that Dave is so keen.

A bit of delayed good news out of Brock, as I did not make the fall issue of the disabled alumni newsletter and will likely be in the spring issue. Also good, is the fact that Margaret wants to include me in a blurb to her colleagues at other universities throughout the country!

Wow, the positive energy continues to flow!!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

On E! TV !! (formerly CHCH)

It looks like I have been booked onto the show Niagara Express for the Thanksgiving program, the weekend of Oct. 12th. The interview still hasn't been confirmed, but they do have it open and it seems to me a match.

The more exposure for "Travels in a Blue Chair", the more people that can be reached to send out the message of the book's existence. Yay!

More info about the appearance will appear here as it becomes available.