Blog No. 282
Last weekend I had the pleasure of being invited to the first Windsor Small Press Book Fair. It was in a church hall over a coffee shop, and while the cold and rain keep the crowds down, there were enough folks there to make the day profitable. A great help was the low cost of the table. Not only did it mean that only a couple of books needed to be sold to break even (the key breaking point for any event) but it opened the fair to a bunch of new authors and publishers. Sometimes when events are not well attended, the day seems to go on forever. Having someone to talk to on those days is key. For this Book Fair, there were so many writers and publishers I knew (and some I hadn’t seen in a long time) that I was surrounded by people to catch up with, swap books, and talk shop. The customers were icing on the cake. All in all, it was a good start to the monster list of events going on. Continue reading “Local Books”
Still no word on The Thinking Machine. I am in talks with the printer and hope it will be a matter of days, but we’ll see how that turns out. I’m rather disappointed because Saturday is the 
Writing is a lonely task. Most of the time, it doesn’t bother me. I don’t tend to get lonely very often, and even just watching a movie, reading a book, or spending time online can usually cure me. Even when I’m sitting alone, writing, most of the time I’m peachy keen. I think the reason why I like to write out of the house (and why I’m more productive there too) is because I’m surrounded by people, even if it’s all superficial. It’s strange, though, because I tend to hate people. I prefer to be at Anchor, surrounded by friends and interesting people, but in a pinch, Tims can do the trick. While I’m writing (as when I’m reading a good book) I completely disappear into the world. I’m totally immersed. It’s often a good ride, but once in a while, the loneliness hits and I really don’t want to sink into that world. 
I’m calling this one an update, but really, it’s more like a rant. Perhaps a more ranty rant than usual, or maybe all my rants are like this and am just realizing it for the first time. I’m tired. I’m tired to my bones. I thought I’ve been tired before, but this exhaustion I’m feeling right now makes the past seem like a happy wonderland. (As looking back tends to be). I’ve loaded my plate up pretty heavily this year. Between the two books, Bookfest, ChiWindsor, Flags and High Fives, Boxing, events, and this blog, I’m finding it all a little difficult to keep progressing. If everything is going smoothly (and I can force myself to work when the thought of doing any more makes my eyes bulge) I’ve got it under control. The problem comes when I hit the slightest bump. 
Tomorrow morning, I’ll be on the road with Christian, heading for London, Ontario. We’ve been invited to be guests at Shock Stock, the three day horror convention. I’m getting really excited and not just because the three days away are also like a mini vacation (even though it’s a lot of work). There were some cool things last year and there are more cool things scheduled this year. Not only that, but I get to be part of the VIP stuff since I’m a guest. If it’s well attended, I should be able to sell a lot of books. (Seeing as that’s my primary reason for going). On average we do more than ten percent at most events. That is, selling a book to ten percent of the people who walk through the door. Some have been much more and even last year we did about that, but the attendance was way down. An event like this has the potential to be the biggest success yet. 
I just had another school visit at the start of this week. I’m not sure what number that one is, maybe five, maybe more. I do know that every visit has been drastically different from the last. Some times the kids are super excited and at least some are interested and engaged (the others are just happy to not have math to do). Other times it has been like reading to a painting. No interest, no questions, no excitement. The teachers are exactly the same. Some are just happy to have a distraction for the kids so they can desperately try to catch up on work, others are just as into it as the kids. I’m not making judgement calls either way. My very limited experience in teaching has taught me that every school, teacher, and class is different for a multitude of reasons and most people are doing their best. I’m just lucky enough to have the opportunity to go and spread the good word of books. I even get invited back sometimes. 
The other day I was listing off all the things I had to do in the next couple of months to my friend and my brain almost broke. I know I have no one to blame but myself, but I had to go on an overnight trip to get far back enough to see it all. And that’s not including editing Pilot (which I haven’t started) or my day job. I’m starting to get a little stressed out. Easter was a nice distraction, but come hell or high water, this week has to be one where I work until my fingers fall off. It may be a struggle though, because I’m working every day already. I’ll just see how much I can get done after dinner and before bed. It’ll be like having homework again. Thrilling. 
After two Sundays in a row going to conventions, it’s a strange feeling getting back into the old routine. Even more so after having been a guest a both events. I’m still a little fish, but being at events, selling my book, I get a taste of what it would be like to do this writing thing full time. It’s rather enticing. Then I have to go back to work and actually write stuff. Thankfully, both Syndicon and the Sarnia Pop Culture Show were successful (especially since the new books won’t be out until later this year). Not only did I move some books, but I made some new friends (writers, artists, and organizers). You can always count an event as successful when you’ve made some friends. Facebook has already confirmed it. 
Who’s excited for some updates? I know I am! Up first I want to talk about an event that I have nothing to do with. I know—why would anyone (including me) care? I’ll tell you why. Because it’s going to be awesome. 
Ben Van Dongen 