It Begins

Sunny, mild, but not warm yet, lovely late summer day - temps 24

Perfect morning - we're sipping cafe au lait and sitting in the sunshine in the cottage - and watching coverage of Irene....and like millions of others, keeping our fingers crossed.

Jack Layton's funeral is today. Lots of people lining up. It'll be televised live across Canada. But I won't see it - it's happening at the same time as A Trick of the Light pre-launch party at Brome Lake Books at 2pm. I'm so glad it's a state funeral (quite rare in Canada) and is being televised. He deserves that.

As I say, I'll be at Brome Lake Books, celebrating the launch of the book! And so looking forward to it. We ended the BURY YOUR DEAD tour with an event with Danny and Lucy at Brome Lake Books - and now we're starting the next tour there. They really are a remarkable couple, great friends, and brilliant bookstore owners. Danny and Lucy have arranged for a local artist to create a painting of the launch, at the launch! How brilliant is that!?

her name is Shannon Brown....and they'll be auctioning off her painting at the end of the event, to raise money for the Yamaska Literacy Council.

If you're in the Knowlton, quebec area, come on by - for drinks, food, a signed copy of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT, and bring your cheque book to bid on Shannon's painting and raise money for literacy. How wonderful Shannon is to do this! And Danny and Lucy for thinking of it.

Lise will also be there - as will Michael, of course. They'd love to meet you too.

Then - driving in to Montreal this afternoon - and hopping on a train first thing in the morning.

Rainfall warnings for Townships and Montreal- for tomorrow. Irene. Fortunately for me, I'll be skiddadling out of here just ahead of the storm. To Toronto - for a bunch of media interviews Monday - then another pre-launch party at the new Sleuth of Baker Street - 6pm Monday. Then flying to Boston Tuesday morning, for the official world launch at Gibson's Bookstore in concord, New Hampshire Tuesday night at 7!!!

I mention all this because while I plan to blog and facebook post throughout the tour, the fact is, it will be very hectic and i'm not sure when i can blog again....But I'll do it as often as possible, because I love keeping in touch with you. And you've been so supportive through the writing of the book - and all the dreams and hopes, and fears. It means a lot to me that you also get to celebrate and be part of the tour!

Speak to you as soon as I can!

If you're in Irene's path - please look after yourself!

the quiet before the storm

windy, rainy day - temps 24

Five days to the official World Launch of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT!!!

Pre-launch party this Saturday at Brome Lake Books in Knowlton. the book won't be on sale or on the shelves, but if you buy a ticket to the party (which starts at 2pm) then you get a copy of the book on Saturday. And I'll be very happy to sign it! then, in toronto on Monday at 6pm, I'll be at the new location for Sleuth of Baker Street for another pre-launch party.

But the official - books on the shelves - launch is in Concord, New Hampshire at Gibson's Bookstore. 7pm. I might have mentioned this before (and might again!)

We're watching Hurricane Irene, as are most people along the East Coast. If you're in the area, I hope you're safe. Unbelievable winds. I was slightly nervous that I'd have difficulty flying from Toronto to Boston on Tuesday because of Irene - but seems it will hit Sunday/Monday in that area. so while I'm somewhat relieved for the tour schedule, I continue concerned for those people and communities in the path.

Closer to home, we're in the last two days of rest before the tour - and enjoying every minute.

we're in the cottage now - and loving it!! Feels like a real vacation. so now the main house is ready for the renovations. Really more reparation....but it means kitchen disappears. and so do we. Lise, Donna and Deanna came on Tuesday and packed up. tony helped move furniture. Del and his guys were also there, removing three trees. Then Wayne showed up to cut the grass.

It would have been bedlam - except we all knew what we had to do and did it. It turned out to be hugely fun. Who'd have thought it? Honestly, thank God for Lise and Donna and Deanna.

Sent untold numbers of boxes to the church for their sale...to be honest, I'm not certain which church, but if there's one called Our Lady of Bad Taste, then that's where the stuff ended up. Amazing the things we found at the back of cupboards. And then to have Lise or Donna pull it out and hold it up. I insisted the worst of the stuff were gifts - but I think they knew better.

By four that afternoon Michael and Trudy and I were in the cottage next door. It was like sneaking away and finding a bit of peace and quiet. As I said, like a vacation. We sat on the balcony, had a ginger ale, and took a photo for you. This is our new view. Hard not to relax.

This cottage has another advantage...or at least did...there was no internet. I was shocked how serene it felt. We could still get emails on the blackberry, but couldn't access the internet. Now, just before going on tour isn't really the best time to lose internet, so Michael arranged for something called the Hub from Rogers. And magically, we're back on line. But it taught me that being without internet is not one bit stressful. Just the opposite.

However, having found the high road, I am now skidding back down and happily playing in the land of Wireless.

Had friends Margaret and David over here to the cottage for dinner last night. Felt like a house-warming. Tony lit the fire for us (I was afraid squirrels or birds might have made a nest in the chimney, but it was all clear) - had mushroom soup, confit de canard, wild rice, and banana cream pie. Yummy.

Hoping to have a couple of quiet days - then off on book tour. Hoping to see you. It's a very exciting, but enervating, period in my life. Just before the new book comes out. Life is filled with potential. Anything can happen with the book. I'm free to dream. Imagine all sorts of wild successes. Fabulous reviews. Wonderful events. To imagine your reaction.

But my fears can also slip out and grow.

Mostly though I'm just very excited A Trick of the Light is almost in your hands. I sure hope you like it. Between us? I think you might.