Miami Book Fair

overcast, foggy, some rain, cool - temps 10

My Assistant Lise wrote to tell me it was snowing at home! Honestly? I love the snow. Don't love driving in it. Worse still, I hate knowing people I love are driving in it. Or worrying that they are.

But beyond that, I find snow very peaceful and beautiful. Except in April. Or May. Then it becomes something else entirely.

Am having great fun at the Harbourfront Literary Festival. Did the reading last night...those things are always nerve-wracking. Difficult to get up in front of several hundred people and appear composed and relaxed and happy to be there - as though this happened every night, in my living room. I went second. My preference is always to go first. Get it over with....still, second wasn't bad. And it's quite a bonding experience with the other writers. We support each other, slap each other's bum (figuratively speaking) when they finish. Congratulate each other. Like brothers in arms.


there is one huge difference which I'm sure you've appreciated....instead of lobbing grenades at us, the people we're facing are friendly and warm and kind. And only want the best for us.

So, the only enemy is ourselves. Our own fears and insecurities. But it's a mighty enemy, faced every day and night while on tour. The photo above is from last night's reading.

In the intermission this beautiful woman introduced herself. She's Ralph Cosham's wife! Ralph reads the American audio version of the books. And is, by all account, brilliant! Ralph had emailed and said his wife was visiting a friend in Toronto and might be there - so I was looking forward to meeting her. But afraid to get my hopes up that she'd actually show.

She is as lovely as you'd expect. Kind and smiling and warm. Such fun to meet her. And can hardly wait to meet him one day! I'm thinking maybe - since he lives in the Washington, DC, area - he could come to Malice Domestic in May and perhaps we could form a panel discussing audio books. Will have to talk to the organizers of Malice to see it that might fit. I know they get a lot of suggestions and it's very hard to accommodate everyone.

Today there was a noon panel, which I totally loved. Moderated by one of the finest Canadian crime writers, Andrew Pyper. the other members were all terrific writers, Anne Emery, John Lawton and Lisa Scottoline. And me. Very fun and funny and thoughtful. Andrew did an amazing job. Very hard to be a moderator.

then off to buy some new clothes. Between us, after more than a month on the road some of my clothes are ready to combust. Besides, I'm tired of them! Feels wonderful to have some new options.

Had some disappointing news about the Miami bookfair late in November. I was scheduled to go, but we'd told them I could only do an event on the Sunday, since Friday and Saturday I was booked for the Montreal Salon du Livres. But could hop a plane Saturday night and get there Sunday.

But, as often happens in the complex world of literary festivals and book fairs - our request was lost, so they booked me in for the Saturday of the Miami book fair. By the time the mistake was discovered it was too late.

So I've had to bow out of Miami. Upsetting too since I was looking forward to meeting a very supportive book club in the area. But I'm afraid that will have to wait until next year.

Life on tour. Actually, just life. So many unexpected events.

Off to Orangeville for a lunch event at a local bistro tomorrow, organized by Nancy Frater and the good people of Booklore. Maybe I'll see you there!

is that a gorilla I feel?

partly cloud, occasional snow/rain mix. temps - cold

What a weather mess. Huge amounts of snow in Ottawa. Lise wrote to say it was white, white, white in Sutton with more on the way. Very pretty. But these late fall snows are treacherous. Very wet, heavy. Hard to drive. Snows like this cause a lot of accidents...it grabs the tires and makes steering almost impossible. And since leaves are still on many trees the snow sits on them, weighs them down and often snaps trees in half, to takes limbs off. Like so much else in Canadian weather, it's beautiful and dangerous.

Had fun last night. Did the Harbourfront reading with Dennis Lehane, Mark Billingham, Leonie Swann and Adam Sol. The room was packed. Very atmospheric. Candles on the tables. Everyone read brilliantly. I always think I'm the dullard of the group. And I find readings the most difficult - very stressful. Apparently most authors do, so that's comforting. Always a relief to find I'm not alone.

There's an analogy a former boyfriend told me, decades ago. he described gorilla behavior and said when threatened the gorillas will advance toward the threat, glaring at it, howling and thumping. But every now and then they'll reach out and touch the gorilla next to them. Just to make sure they're not out there alone.

Before the event there was an authors dinner at an Indian restaurant. Traveled over with Ronald Wright and sat beside David Bergen. After the reading and signing we went off to a publishers party put on by McArthur and Company. Started at 10pm and went to 2am. There's at least one party, often two or three, every night before and after the events. It feels a bit like a battle (not that I've ever been in a battle) but as authors at this festival we all take turns 'going over the top'. The authors who have events that night are treated as 'special' or different - as slightly braver, slightly marked - heading into the line of fire. The other authors commisserate, and count their blessings their number wasn't called for that night. But there's a foxhole mentality in that eventally we all get called. A genuine comradery develops. Baptism of fire. We're all bloodied.

Last night was my turn, along with a number of others, of course. But we all came through it - having summoned the courage to get up, do our very best, and take what's coming.

Today's a fun day. Michael and I are off to the 1:30 matinee of THE SOUND OF MUSIC at the Princess of Wales theatre in Toronto. We're actually going to see Michaela Snoyer, the daughter of friends of ours. She auditioned and was chosen to play one of the Von Trapp family kids. We're so excited for her. Apparently she's just having the BEST time. So we're off to see her and applaud.

Then at 6pm I'll be signing at Sleuth of Baker Street in Toronto, along with Mark Billingham and John Brady. My brother Doug and nephew Brian are coming along with Michaela's parents Rob and Lynda and her older sister Megan who is reading STILL LIFE. Amazing me that a kid reads at such a high (and exalted) level. I think Megan must be something else. Looking forward to meeting her. And a number of other friends will be there too.

Then we're off for another literary dinner.

Tomorrow Ann Ledden, of McArthur, is picking Michael and me up at the hotel and driving us to Collingwood for two events - 3pm at the Thornbury Public Library for a talk and reading then 7pm at the Collingwood library for another talk and reading.

Talk to you tomorrow!