Drowning in Paper

As I wade through mountains of same on my desk. The galley proofs of The Light-Bearer's Daughter (revised edition) are heading this way. Must clear the deck! But first I am off to a big fort in County Sligo for a weekend of fun and dancing till dawn. Check out this amazing place at www.gyreum.com.

Cybils Awards

Here's something every teacher, librarian, writer, reader, blogger, and blurker should know about: www.cybils.com. These are awards set up by the growing world of Kidslit websites and blogspots. I'm delighted to see that The Summer King got a nomination in the Sci Fi and Fantasy section and from none other than Sheila Ruth of www.wandsandworlds.com, one of the biggest and most amazing of the aforementioned sites. Sheila and her son, David, interviewed me when I visited Baltimore on my US tour in the summer. You can check out the interview in her blog's July 2006 archives. But do peruse the full site. It's 'fair teeming' with great stuff (as Tolkien would say).

The Meeting Place

Have completed three great gigs in Toronto.
First, a Toronto Children's Roundtable event which took place at the Canadian Children's Book Centre on Monday evening. Good crowd, very receptive, lots of questions. There was a Children's Literature class from the University of Toronto who were ready to chat. We came up with a hilarious term for people who like to lurk around blogs but not make comments -- blurkers. And did some true bloggers show up who were too shy to say hi?!
Then I did a bookstore visit to Coles in the Royal Bank Plaza. They had a table of books and a tray of cookies. Thanks to Lori and Greg for looking after me.
My final event took place last night, for the Celtic Society at St Mike's, U of T. Wonderful crowd again. Two readers came all the way from Brampton by bus! Author/illustrator Martin Springett played the suite of music he has composed inspired by The Chronicles of Faerie, accompanied by his two beautiful daughters, Miriam and Rebecca, on silver flutes. That was really something, and what an honour. Martin and I chatted about our work, books were sold and signed, and we ended with questions. Thanks to Professor Anne Dooley of the Celtic Studies Department and Deb Scorsone who organised everything and Erin who looked after the bookstore. Bhí sé go h-íontach!

Ah, Canada!

So far, so amazing. It took forever to arrive given that I was over-cautious on my booking of the airplane between New York and Toronto. I was an insane amount of time hanging around in La Guardia (but I flew in to JFK on Aer Lingus, my favourite airline, though the food is suddenly dreadful). Anyhoo, finally got to TO and stayed with a dear friend on Brunswick Avenue before heading off to Cobourg Library via VIA Rail for my first gig. Great chatting to over 100 kids in a beautiful spacious library (pic to follow). Met local authors Shane Peacock and Richard Scrimger. Then headed off to Montreal where I am now luxuriating in the belle hotel Delta near Magill University. Speaking there tonight to student teachers in the Faculty of Education and any members of the public who wish to attend. What a city. Wandered the streets last night with a dear friend and was dazzled by the fairy lights, the friendliness of folk, and the general atmosphere of joie de vivre. Je retournerai.

Une Librairie de Plus

Magnifique! On Saturday, November 18, there will be a flying visit to Babar en Ville (where the legendary Double Hook Book Shop used to be) from 10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. just before I head back to Toronto. The address is 1235A Greene Avenue and the telephone number is 514-931-5811. See you there ... if not over here ... or in that other spot.

Montreal Bookstore Visit

Tout va bien! We've got a Montreal bookstore visit.
Friday, November 17, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Librairie Paragraphe Bookstore
2220 McGill College Avenue
Telephone: 514-845-5811.
http://www.paragraphbooks.com.

Canada 2006

See schedule below for time changes on the McGill talks and contact information. Guests are definitely welcome. Alas, the bookstore visits may or may not happen. Apologies for the last-minute business but my publishers were supposed to arrange this months ago and didn't. (Sigh of annoyance.) I'm hoping for a Saturday flying visit to Babars and will announce that immediately if and when confirmed. No word from Paragraphe yet. If all else fails, ring both bookstores next week and ask if it is happening! What can I say. This trip is unfolding on a wing and a prayer ...

Charles de Lint

Hey all you fellow Charles de Lint fans, Green Man has done a special edition on our favourite Canadian. Have a look at: www.greenmanreview.com/oneoffs/charlesdelint.html. Needless to say, I've put my own two cents worth in along with many others!

Canada 2006

Here's the schedule to date. Will add details of contacts as they come in, but this is a start. Don't be shy. Come say hi!
Nov 12, Sun: arrive Toronto
Nov 14, Tues: talk at Cobourg Library, 1:00 pm. All welcome.
Nov 15, Wed: possible visit to Alonquin Tea Co, http://www.algonquintea.com/
Nov 16, Thurs: talk at McGill, Montreal, 5:30-7:15 pm, Room 627, Faculty of Education
Nov 17, Fri: talk at McGill, Montreal, 12:30-1:45 pm, Room 613, Faculty of Education
Note: McGill Faculty of Education is at 3700 McTavish Street.**Visitors welcome, but please confirm with Dr Ann Beer at 514-398-5135.**
Bookstore visit to be announced.
Nov 20, Mon: talk at Toronto Public Library Roundtable. All welcome. For information see www3.sympatico.ca/rsborek
Nov 23, Thurs: 12:30-1:30 pm, bookstore visit, Coles Royal Bank Plaza, Toronto. Contact: 416-865-0090.
Nov 23, Thurs: 7:30 pm There Be Faerie and Dragons: An evening of readings, chat, and music with OR Melling and Martin Springett, U of T Celtic Society, Senior Common Room, Brennan Hall, StMichael's College, University of Toronto. All welcome.