Another year comes to an end.

It is hard to believe that another year of this bloggiary is coming to an end soon!

This year has been quite eventful with appearances, interviews and even some travels! My travel experiences this year were quite interesting in both a good and a bad way. More to come on the bad part later on.

I will say a special "Thank You" to each of you who have read this page and those of you who have supported "Travels in a Blue Chair" over these last 4 years!

Happy New Year!

GoodReads.com - author page

Serge, a buddy of mine who is a great reader, recently told me about the website GoodReads. He is an avid reader and urged me to participate as an author to try to spread the word about the book.

I have set up an "Author's Page", although it is quite sparse just now. I am trying to determine the best approach, and will be updating it regularly. The website urges me to run a contest to raise interest so I will be considering that.

Here is a look so far...

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6933375-travels-in-a-blue-chair

Gretzky is a great guy!

I recently attended an event for the local hospital last night, and the guest speaker was Wayne Gretzky! Wayne is only the greatest hockey player of all time and does quite a lot of charity work now that he is in his retirement.

As I was enjoying a glass of wine and some sushi, someone to my left stuck out his hand for me to shake. Since I am in a chair, I didn't see who it was at first, as his head is at a different level than mine, but I shook the hand without thinking. It turned out to be Wayne!!

I told him my "Gretzky story", about how I was in the old Buffalo Aud when he scored a natural hat trick in the third period to win the game 3-2, and in doing so, he broke Phil Esposito's NHL goal scoring record. He laughed when I told him I was annoyed with him, because he scored all the goals at the other end of the ice, since I was behind the Oilers net that night.

I gave him a signed copy of my book, Travels in a Blue Chair, and he was really interested. Later, when it was time for my picture to be taken with him, he even remembered my name, likely because it is also his dad's name. On the way out he again called my name and said he looked forward to reading it.

Wayne is well known for his mild mannered demeanor and being a nice guy. He really is too!

Toronto Public Library - speaking @ Pape and Danforth

I have been contacted by Alice at the Pape and Danforth branch of the Toronto Public Library about speaking about "Travels in a Blue Chair" in the spring!

One of the great things I enjoy is being able to reach out to readers and travellers alike, especially at libraries. One of my most memorable was in Haldimand-Norfolk, when I packed the house with enthusiastic readers!

I am really looking forward to getting out there and meeting the group at the Pape and Danforth branch in a short while. Thanks Alice!

The library and the written word

One of the great things about writing a book is the fact that many libraries, all over the world, will pick up your book and allow a wider audience access to my adventures!

Interestingly, I have been informed that I will be receiving an entitlement to royalties based on the number of times "Travels in a Blue Chair" was checked out.

I hope that some of the people who read the book will tell others about it and continue to spread the word!

Four years of Travels in a Blue Chair !!

It is hard to believe, but this month marks four years since publishing my book. I have had so many positive experiences over that time, and many struggles too! Somehow the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

I have received emails from people all over the world telling me that the book has helped get them out of their towns and explore the world. I have spoken to numerous groups both disabled and not, telling my stories and then receiving positive feedback. The book, "Travels in a Blue Chair" is now in libraries all over the world, and was even read aloud into a talking book!

I have appeared on a few morning talk shows and then received lots of feedback from them. It also took me four years to write the book, and 20 years of travel before that too!

Many thanks to each and everyone of my friends and family who have helped along the way, and to all my new friends, from all over the world, whom I continue to meet!

The next chapter has yet to be written!

Attending weddings.

I had the great honour of attending my niece Jessica's wedding last month and there is another one coming up next month. When I attend such events, I am invariably introduced to people as an author and it always seems to boost the interest of the book.

I will really have to think of a way to attend more public events and who knows? Maybe the word will really spread and we can more disabled people interested in travelling this great planet.

Spread the word!

Winners are announced for free copies on MaiTravelSite !!

Many thanks again to Federico over at MaiTravelsite.com who has really promoted "Travels in a Blue Chair" on his website these last few weeks.

Drum roll please....and the winners are.

1 softcover copy - Lindsay (from Toronto, ironically!)

4 eBooks - Amber, Abbey, Diana and Michel

Congratulations to all the winners! I really hope you enjoy your copy and I hope to hear from you in the near future!

Travel contest - win a copy of Travels in a Blue Chair

Federico, has initiated the contest to win a copy of "Travels in a Blue Chair". In my previous post, I included a link to his great travel site, and my interview.

Here is the link to the contest page....

http://www.maitravelsite.com/tips-and-more/travel-contest-win-copy-travels/

So, get on there and post your comments! Both about the book, my travels and Federico's MaiTravelSite website. Get in there and win!!

Interview is up on MaiTravelsite - contest next!

Many thanks to Federico for putting up the interview with him on his great backpacking/travel website!

http://www.maitravelsite.com/latest-posts/walter-balenovich-interview-world/

The interview and pictorial layout look great, and has already generated lots of feedback and traffic on the site.

Federico will now be announcing a contest this week, for a soft copy of "Travels in a Blue Chair" and 4 copies in an eBook format.

I can't wait to help him judge the contest!! Will the next winner be you??