The Highs of a Day at the Vancouver Writers' Fest

The day I'm referring to is Wednesday, October 17, at the Vancouver International Writers' Festival. I had an event with Arthur Slade in the morning, which I mentioned in my previous post. Then, that evening, I went avec my hubcap to see Junot Diaz. I have loved his writing ever since reading "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao." Holy poop (I'm a YA author, I can't swear - unlike Diaz, who can, and does), what an incredible evening! See, just because someone writes incredibly well, doesn't mean he or she can do well in public. In fact, it's often exactly the reverse; hence why they chose the solitary life of a writer. 

But Diaz, my lord. First of all, he's smart and perceptive beyond belief. I wish I had one-third of his brain power. Second, he is so well-spoken and so, so funny. Third, he reads so well that you are transported. The audience was completely with him from beginning to end. I think it's quite honestly the best reading I've ever been to in my life.

Afterward I dashed up to get my book signed (bought the day before, in preparation). He immediately held out his hand so I could shake it (clearly he is no germaphobe, as the line-up was HUGE and I bet he shook every hand). Then I gushed. Then I told him "I'm an author at this festival, too!" and actually showed him the badge that hung around my neck. Yes, I get that goofy around my literary heroes. Do you know what he did? He said, "Congratulations!" and air-kissed me, French-style, once by each cheek. Here is my embarrassing photo to commemorate the moment: 

Someone could write some great thought-bubbles for us, particularly Diaz ...

Afterward, I left hubcap and joined four members of Canada's YA Mafia for drinks. I can't lie, I was absolutely tickled to be hanging out with Richard Scrimger, Art Slade, Shane Peacock and Kenneth Oppel. We had a great time (well, I did - I won't speak for them). 

Authors' Festivals

'Tis the season to be jolly ... at least, if you have a new book out. It is festival season! I didn't get invited to many festivals - actually, I got invited to TWO - but dang, I got invited to the best. Festivals for writers are like a trip to Switzerland for chocolate lovers. It is such a relief to get out of one's little cave, and away from the computer screen, and mingle with other people who spend far too much time a) alone and b) in their own heads. 

My festival season started at Winnipeg's Thin Air, in September. This is such a great event. The organizers - Charlene Diehl (boss lady), Tavia Palmer, Perry Grosshans - are phenomenal, interesting, funny human beings. Sadly I don't have ANY PHOTOS from my time there! Bad me. But I got to see the likes of David Bergen and Richard Ford (yes - THE Richard Ford) on-stage and buy their books, as well as do school stage events to packed houses of enthusiastic kids and their teachers.

I also got to pick up the MYRCA Award for "Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom" on the same trip. What a blast. I do have a couple of photos from that. 

 
And now on to the Vancouver International Writers' Festival, which is going on all this week ... Oh my stars, what fun. I did a panel with the beautiful and talented Susan Juby, and one today with the handsome and debonair Arthur Slade. Both terrific fun. This is me, Art and our wonderful moderator, Shannon Ozirny, she of the amazing blog "George's Favorite Tooth."


On the opening night, Susan and I were both invited to the Literati Gala Dinner, where they had a photo booth. It was a very, very serious event, as you can tell ...
 
I hope the people at our table weren't wishing for someone, shall we say, less juvenile ...

Speaking of Susan: She somehow managed to wrangle me, Arthur and Sheree Fitch into being in her next edition of "A Writer's Life."  If you have not seen these videos, for heaven's sake click on the link and watch! They're hilarious. I won't tell you anything about our involvement, but I will offer a sneak preview in photo-form ...

Also, it was while in our pajamas that we ran into, I kid you not, both Lawrence Hill (yes - "The Book of Negroes" Lawrence Hill) and Rawi Hage (yes, of "DeNiro's Game" and "Cockroach").

So, that's the festival so far. I am hoping to have the chance tonight to hang out with some of the above, as well as Richard Scrimger, Shane Peacock, and Kenneth Oppel. Fingers crossed, I'll keep you posted! 

Possibly the Coolest Thing Ever ...

Okay ... Not as cool as it would be to have George Clooney agree to produce, direct and make a cameo appearance in "Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom." That would be the coolest. 

But this is a close (close-ish? far-ish?) second. One of my book club gals (I have the best book club ever - ratio of time spent talking about books versus time spent gossiping about love, marriage, relationships, children and celebrities: 1:10), was playing a 2009 edition of Trivial Pursuit recently with a new beau, when they came upon this question: 

Can you see the purple pie question? Do you know what the answer is? I won't keep you in suspense if you don't:

Is that not unbelievable?? I'm a Trivial Pursuit answer!! And here's the thing: I had no idea. Not only did I have no idea that I was the answer to a Trivial Pursuit question, Linda Schuyler - the woman behind all things Degrassi - had no idea there was a Degrassi card in a TP game. My book club friend swears it wasn't some obscure Canadian edition of the game. And she took the card, which I now possess. But of course - I want the whole set now. I even tried to buy one off e-bay, the only 2009 edition I could find - and it was the wrong one. 

"Why don't you just ask her new beau for his copy?" you ask. "Just offer to get him a brand-new one!" Well, I did think of that - but before I could implement said plan, my dear friend and her new beau took a trip to Splitsville. So, long and short - if anyone knows where I can find said Trivial Pursuit edition, do let me know! I'm considering adding this to my resume: "Susin Nielsen: Author/Screenwriter/Producer/Trivial Pursuit Answer."

I've Always Wondered What it Feels Like ...

To be a Governor General's Literary Award nominee.

As of today, I now know. 

It feels FREAKING AWESOME!!!

I found out this morning - thanks to Derek Mah, who posted the news on Facebook. See, I'd missed the calls from my publisher and agent, because my husband was on an epic 2 hour conference call. So I was blissfully unaware.

Anyway, I'm thrilled beyond belief. The nod is for "The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen." And when you look at the list (link above), you'll see I'm in amazing company!!