Blog No. 336
Welcome to May. I’m not sure how we got here, or what I’ve been doing for the first four months of the year, but here we are. Somehow, things have happened. The Neon Heart is out and thanks to being able to meet up with Christian and Elly, I’ve gotten some of the first draft of the novel done too (thought I’m not sure what it’s going to be, yet). I’ve had a bunch of events, but the usual onslaught that starts in March and runs through June, didn’t happen. I did have a busy April, but March was light, and so far, the rest of my year is the usual one or two events a month. I’m not complaining, but events usually means book sales. Still, I am plenty busy and the more time I can spend writing, the better. I suppose, like most things, it’s a balancing act.
Where were we? I was supposed to have done a recap of the last ChiSeries, but the breakfast review was due, and I didn’t want to mess up my months again, so it didn’t happen. It was a really fun evening, as always. Christian took the lead as solo host so that I could read. I tantalized the audience with a preview of The Neon Heart, which wasn’t out at the time (but totally is now). I was lucky enough to be joined by Michael Drakich, a veteran of the ChiSeries, and MJ Gardner, reading at the event for the first time. Everyone did well, which made my job harder, but it’s better for the audience, so I can’t complain. Our musician was Brendan Scott Friel, who played at our first ever Windsor ChiSeries. If you know him, you know his music is great. If you don’t, his music is great. He flew though the door, set up in a flash, and we were off to the races. All in all, a fun time at the ever busy and supportive Phog Lounge. The next one is coming up at the end of June, and it’s going to be an unofficial horror/spooky reading. I’m solo hosting that one, so be ready for bad puns and unearned confidence!
With all the events I had in April, Shock Stock wasn’t one of them. That’s the first time in four year that I didn’t go. I’m not going to lie, I missed the craziness, the indulgence, and the mighty fatigue that lasts for the week afterwards. I hope to be back next year, especially since I should have three books in the Novella Series done by then, and it all started at last year’s Shock Stock. The series and the event will always be intertwined in my mind. Instead of going to London, I spent last weekend visiting events around Windsor. Saturday was the Biblioasis Independent Bookstore Day open house thing. It’s always nice to hang out at Biblioasis. Being surrounded by a bunch of local authors made it even better. I sold a couple of books (which was nice) but really, the day was about networking and talking shop with people in the same boat as me. I fully enjoyed it. The Sunday was the launch of Ed Gagnon‘s new crime book, Border City Chronicles. It’s part of his Norm Strom series and I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into it. He did a cool thing where he had a quiz about his books and the protagonist, Norm. I was the winner so I got to take home the big gift-basket. I’m totally going to steal that idea for some future event. Not the next one, though.
The next event for me is the launch is on Sunday. I’ll be at the Anchor Bakery & Espresso Bar in Walkerville. It’s short and low key, just a signing from 1 – 3pm. I’ll be there with some books, drinking too much coffee and chatting with whoever is there. Whomever? (Either way). Other than that, it’s just plugging away on the Invasion Novel and figuring out how to do all the things I want/have to get done for the summer. Getting the first draft done is my biggest priority (at the moment). Hopefully you can come to Anchor on Sunday and say hello. I’d love to be the reason the place is packed, but chances are they’ll be busy without me.
Ben Van Dongen 