Summer Hijinks
From an older version of my brain, to yours.
Musings
Thank you so much to everyone who sent in kind words and encouragement in response to last month’s Musings! It’s always a bit nerve-wracking to share vulnerability on a public forum and I was so relieved to receive nothing but love and support. I’m so grateful for you all.
Just to reassure everyone: I consulted with my specialist earlier this month and learned that I’d been using one of my medications the “wrong” way. It was honestly just the tiniest of tweaks, but things thankfully look to be back on track. «phew» Which is fantastic timing, as I explain way down below...
The Q&A Corner
Thanks for this great question, Karen U.!
“What’s the best book launch event you’ve ever attended, for yourself and/or someone else? What would be on your wish list for such an event?”
Is it arrogance to say it was my own..? And in fact, it was the launch party for DIE ON YOUR FEET, waaaaay back in June 2013. Some of you reading this might even recall it.
I rented out the Yellowhead Brewery in downtown Edmonton for the evening; decorated with custom flower arrangements & themed items from the novel; designed 1930s-era cocktails (with a little historical research); got a chef friend to help plan and execute elegant hors d’oeuvres; hired a fabulous jazz trio; and not only convinced one of my uncles to loan me his mah-jongg table, but I dragooned my mum into giving lessons throughout the night! I also raised a little bit of money for CKUA—my fave radio station in the universe; it’s donor-supported and an absolute cultural institution—by literally passing around a blue velvet top hat.
I mean, you only ever get one debut book launch, so may as well go all out, right?
If I remember accurately, I think we had around 60 guests? I got to dress up in a cheong-sahm (which I still have) and had my hair done at a salon and everything. From all accounts, everybody had a smashing good time—me most of all.
To be honest, I think that sort of spoiled me! I’d love for all my future book launches to have the same kind of party atmosphere, where people get to socialize, try some delectable food and drink, meet other fabulous book lovers, and celebrate books and writing with me.
Thanks for the excuse to take a fun trip down Memory Lane, Karen. For anyone interested, I posted some #TBT photos from the launch party on my Insta!
Lovelies, please keep the questions coming!
Ask Me Anything: publishing, writing, baking, cooking, movies, books, TV shows...it's all up for grabs. Even questions that get sparked by one of my answers. What strikes your curiosity? Let me know!
In Other News
I’ve been invited to present at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference in October! Registration just opened and the schedule is now confirmed so I can finally share this news with you: I’ll be presenting two craft workshops and also participating as a panelist for my first-ever appearance at SiWC.
IN THE DARK WE FORGET has been chosen for the 2024 One Book, One Community program at the Alice B. Donahue Library & Archives in Northern Alberta! You know how much I love public libraries, right? So you can imagine how thrilled and honoured I am to be involved in a program like this. More details are coming, but I can confirm that I’ll be Athabasca-bound this fall for a couple of in-person events.
Did you miss me on the Writers’ Guild of Alberta panel on May 29th, about rejection in publishing? No worries! Here’s a link to the recording.
Speaking of my Instagram account: since Meta has revealed that they will use all public posts to train their LLM, and there is no opt-out for anyone other than EU users, I’ve chosen to make my account private. Which is supposed to keep my posts out of their scraping bots, fingers crossed. If you’re already following, you won’t notice any changes. If you’ve been considering it, please jump off that fence and send me a request!
Oh, there’s just one more thing...
I’m relocating to Vancouver for the month of July! The teen has enrolled in a summer teen art program at arguably thee most prestigious art school in Canada. I have the honour of chaperoning them. We had a bit of a housing scare (sudden cancellation by Airbnb corporate 6 weeks out!), but we managed to find a decent-looking student housing apartment right by a Skytrain station and lots of amenities, so really, it might work out even better this way.
Am I busy prepping? You bet. Am I stressed? A little.
Am I excited? YES!!! I can’t wait to visit the ocean every. single. week. I can’t wait to eat my weight in dim sum and Chinese BBQ. I can’t wait to spend some lovely one-on-one time with my artistic teen darling. What blessings this life brings.
Thanks for supporting a working author! Please consider subscribing and/or sharing with other brains.