Quiet before the storm.

I have been a bit dormant, but still working in the background on promoting the book. I am really looking forward to next month's two events and will have more on them in the coming weeks.

For now, I have some new ideas including trying to do a book reading, which is something I have yet to do.

More to come....

Toronto Small Press Group Book Fair - June 13

I just received the poster for the Toronto Small Press Group's upcoming book fair on Saturday the 13th of June, at the Toronto Reference Library, which is located downtown.

It looks like there will be lots of authors in attendance! I have never attended such a big event and I am hoping to meet lots of new people and maybe even make some contacts and do some networking!

I hope to see you there!

St. Lawrence Market

One of the ideas that I have been toying with now that the nice weather is here, is to head down to the St. Lawrence Market on a busy Sunday to see if I can sign some books.

I have an inventory of books on hand and need to keep some available until June for the two signing that I already have scheduled. But, if there are still some left, I think it will be fun to see the reaction of people just shopping or strolling on a nice day, happening upon myself and my book!

I will try to shoot for July or August and see what happens??!!

Dunnville Library, Sunday Sept 20 at 2 pm.

I received confirmation from Joyce of the Dunnville Public Library, that I will be speaking about my adventures and experience in "Travels in a Blue Chair", on Sunday, September 20th at 2 pm.

I am really looking forward to speaking again in the area, and I really hope that we can get a great crowd out to the event.

Only 5 months to go!

Thanks to all for the wonderful invite!

Q107 Radio - John Derringer

Each morning I listen to a great classic rock radio station here in Toronto, called Q107. The morning host, John Derringer, recently interviewed a man who has travelled quite a bit, and also written a book.

A few months ago, I wrote an email to John, introducing myself to him and providing some background info on Travels in a Blue Chair. Unfortunately, I didn't hear back.

This weekend I wrote back again, and asked to be interviewed. I hope that John reads my email and gets in touch. I would be fun to relate my adventures and let the listeners find out more!

Out at the park...for cleanup day!

If anyone is out at Col. Sam Smith park and wants to pick up a signed copy of Travels in a Blue Chair, this Sunday, just show up and let me know!

I was helping out last year at this time and many people wanted some copies, but I had not brought any with me.

I won't make that mistake again! The park is at the foot of Kipling Avenue, south of Lakeshore Boulevard. Oh, and garbage bags are provided for all who want to help spruce up the park.

The weather is meant to be gorgeous, so help out Mother Earth!!

Dunnville Library

I have been contacted by Joyce, the co-ordinator of the Dunnville branch of the Haldimand-Norfolk library, about possibly speaking there in September.

Apparently, some library patrons from the community had heard me speaking last month at the Hagersville Abilities Centre, and really enjoyed listening about some of my adventures. YAY!

I really hope that I am able to appear in late summer, as Dunnville is one of my favourite towns in Ontario, and it would be great to meet some of the disabled community along the Grand River!

Spring Book Fair 2009

I was surfing the web this weekend, when I happened upon a book fair here in downtown Toronto, scheduled for the middle of June.

I decided to write in and see if I could book a half table? It seems there was space left, so I will be able to attend this event, which is hosted by the Toronto Small Press Group.

I am really looking forward to seeing all the book lovers out at the Toronto Reference Library on Yonge St. on June 13th. I'll meet you there!

Enabled Traveler

I have been contacted by Jonathan at the website Enabled Traveler. Jon wonders if I would answer a few questions for his new venture promoting travel for the disabled.

In the next week or so, I will be answering 5-10 questions. So, stay tuned and I will put up the link once the interview is complete!

Looking forward to it and always nice to meet up with another kindred spirit !

Haldimand Abilities Centre speech and signing

Last month I had the great pleasure to visit Hagersville, Ontario and speak at the new Haldimand Abilities Centre. The centre is a cooperative effort among three groups, the Canadian Institute for the Blind, the Brain Injury Association and the Alzheimer's Society.

The group invited me to sign some copies of "Travels in a Blue Chair" and to speak about some of my adventures and reactions to my travels. I arrived and was greeted by a wonderful group preparing the hall and most importantly, they found me a nice cup of coffee!

As people drifted in for lunch, I had many great conversations with all the attendees and I always asked whether they were travellers or not? If they weren't, I urged them to try out some travelling and if they were, I compared destinations!

After lunch it was time for my speech, scheduled for 1 hour. I always worry that I won't fill up the time or that I will be a huge bore. There was no clock on the wall and as a result, I lost all track of time. I ended up speaking for 1 3/4 hours! In the end, I had to conclude as some people had to meet their wheelchair transit vans home.

Everyone was so interested and I felt really bad that I had spoken for so long, but happily the audience assured me that they had enjoyed my talk. I was really unhappy that I had not left time for questions and answers.

Next time, I will.

Many thanks to all the great folks in Haldimand-Norfolk and to Janice, Katherine, Kit, Erica and everyone else at the Abilities Centre for making me feel so welcome!

I look forward to returning again in the near future.