Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Kicking it with Random House Canada


I spent my birthday morning with Random House Canada. (That really is my cake, BTW!)

Around 9 a.m., a very upbeat and chatty (my favorite personality combo in a new friend) publicity person from Random House Canada knocked at my sister's front door. Taylor and I talked for the entire taxi ride to the World's Biggest Bookstore. Biggest in terms of volume of books moved, although it wasn't too shabby in the square footage department either. (This store used to be a bowling alley.)
Here's Taylor standing outside the World's Biggest Bookstore with an ARC of I So Don't Do Mysteries.

Once inside, Taylor introduced me to the manager and various booksellers and handed me a Sharpie and a box of ARCs. I wanted to call a time-out, freeze everyone in the moment and step back to take it all in and commit it to memory. So many firsts. First time to be introduced in a bookstore as an author. First time to sign a stack of books (albeit ARCs). First time to hand my first book out to real live book-loving strangers.

And to think the last time I stood in this bookstore was on a winter evening near the end of an uncomfortable date. I knew things weren't going to work out with this particular guy. I'm not sure if he sensed it by this point or not. There was a hole in the bottom of my boot and I'd stepped in a slushy puddle when crossing Yonge Street after our dinner at a Chinese restaurant. My foot was like a block of ice.

Life is so full of strange twists and turns.

I'm signing ARCs before entering Chapters Indigo at The Eaton's Centre.

Me and Marlene (sounds like a book, eh?)

At the Chapters Indigo bookstore in The Eaton's Centre, there is a very enthusiastic and animated and knowledgeable bookseller in the children's section. Her name is Marlene. Seriously, I'd buy a math text book from her. And pay full price. Just so you know, Marlene, I did take your advice and visit those other Chapters Indigo stores!

And then it was on to the Random House Canada downtown office which is located in a tall building near the St. Lawrence Market. I don't always feel comfortable in office buildings. Probably because I spend most of my time in my house or my backyard or at my children's school or on pool decks (watching children swim or play water polo, not sun tanning!). There's something very special about a office building filled with books and people who love books, though.


Here's Nicola Makoway, Publicity Manager. We talked kids and books and cab rides. She's the type of person you'd like to try a new restaurant with. Fun and witty and interesting and smart. Nicola had me sign many ARCs. Handwriting is so not my strong suit and I'm embarrassed to admit that a few of the signatures actually have three r's in Barrie.

Sorry it has taken so long to get this post up. Blogger was misbehaving.

17 comments:

  1. Wow! Barrie... this is great stuff. You must have been on cloud ten during this. Look at those ARCs... gee... just look at them.

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  2. I bet the ones with three Rs will be collectible some day. Um hm.

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  3. That's wonderful. Definitely a moment and more to remember. It does all come at you so fast.

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  4. Thanks for taking us along on your victory lap.

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  5. Now that's the way to celebrate a birthday. Many Happy Readers, Barrie!

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  6. Nicola's awesome.

    I'm looking forward to meeting you in about 20 minutes!

    Julie

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  7. What fun! And great pics! I want to go to the world's biggest bookstore. I want a bookstore I can get lost in.

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  8. That cake is gorgeous! Sounds like you had fun.

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  9. happy b'day, barrie, and grats on the fun times with rhc and ci!

    save any cake for a hungry wuff? :O lol

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  10. Congrats, Barrie, and a Belated Happy Birthday! It all sounds so wonderful and I love the "The last time I was here..." story.

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  11. oh barrie, i've been following along on your canada trip and what a wonderful time you must be having...but this post was thrilling...happy birthday to you, and congrats on your big 'firsts'!!

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  12. That is AWESOME! How proud and great you must feel...and you should!

    YIPPPEEE for you...and cool Canadian gals/new friends!

    Happy travels!

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  13. Happy Birthday! And how thrilling to experience those firsts! Congratulations!!

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  14. Happy Birthday! And... Wow. What an amazing day.

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  15. Belated Happy Birthday! You had a full day going hither and yon with signing ARC's. Had I known you would be at the World's Largest Bookstore I could have left work on Queen Street, caught the subway one stop up to Dundas Street and walked the little bit more. Maybe next time.

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  16. Wonderful retelling of what must have been a total high - and the old date part, and the 3 rrrs - Wow Barrie, Congrats and just enjoy - you sound like a amazing person! Your family must be so proud of you. :)

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Comments are always welcome!