Dirty Laundry

Booksellers For Breakfast and Why Life Is Good

This week saw the Vancouver Canucks finish off the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the playoffs in just four games.  If that wasn’t enough, my writing seems to have jumped into high gear as I race toward the finish line of the new book (hear the sound of my wonderfully patient editor sighing relief - wait until she hears what I’ve retitled it.)  And of course, there was that little thing in Publishers Weekly which I won’t mention again (A STARRED REVIEW - cough, cough) that really kicked the week off in fine fashion.

Right there, you have the makings for a pretty good seven-day-stretch. 

But what really made the week shine was a booksellers breakfast on Wednesday at Elixir in Yaletown set up by my awesome Canadian publicist, Nicola Makoway and hosted by the fabulous Carol Greenwood.  Nicola told me that Carol was a wonderful host and she wasn’t lying.  We had a table filled with enthusiastic, sweet and kind booksellers from around the lower mainland and Carol kept the atmosphere light and the conversation flowing.  I strategically ordered the French Toast because I wanted to be able to talk and still be able to eat without having to pay too close attention to my food, but honestly I was lusting after several of the eggs benedicts that showed up at the table.  All in all, it was a really nice time.  Carol asked some great questions and the booksellers couldn’t have been more warm and welcoming.

And just a reminder.  I will be signing copies of Swim the Fly at the Grand Opening of the White Rock Indigo on Sunday April 26th between 1-2:30.  If you’re in the area, stop by and say hello.

Posted by Don Calame on 4.25.09 at 09:23 am in Prattlings. (2) Comments

Starred Review, Steak, & The Stanley Cup Playoffs

First things first.  I was very excited to receive a STARRED REVIEW in Publishers Weekly on Monday!  Now, all those teens who asked for subscriptions to Publishers Weekly for their birthdays will see just how truly funny this book is.  I can see it now.  The issue arrives in the mail and they throw down the Xbox control to devour the latest publishing news, events and reviews.  Rifling through the pages.  Past the Galley Talk and the Deals pages and the Bestseller lists.  Until finally they come to the piece de resistance (excuse the lack of accents - I’m not sure how to do that on my blog) - the STARRED REVIEW of Swim the Fly.  The magazine will be hurled aside in a frantic scramble to get to the bookstore where someone like Helga (from Indigo) or the wonderful people at Kidsbooks will have placed the book face out for easy discovery.  Oh yeah (I’m nodding my head now in approval) that’s going to be sweet.

All kidding aside, I am completely stoked about the review.  Thank you Publishers Weekly and the anonymous reviewer who read my book.  Actually, thank you to all the reviewers (well, most of them anyway - you know who you are) who have been championing this book.  I’d like to be one of those people who says that they don’t bother reading reviews, that they really don’t matter, that I don’t Google my name and book title on a daily basis, but I’d be lying. 

And now, onto steak.  I used to be a vegetarian.  For quite some time, really.  There are many reasons to be a vegetarian.  Your own health.  The health of the planet.  The health of the animals.  And then, there’s the reason not to be.  (Vegetarians, you may want to stop reading now).  Charbroiled steak.  Today, I’m speaking specifically of the Gotham Steakhouse in Vancouver.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  My wife, stepson and I dined their last night and I must say, it was ridiculously delicious.  Not only the New York Strip.  But the Ahi Tuna, the garlic shrimp, the creamed spinach, and the cheesecake.  If you live in Vancouver, or are planning visit, I highly recommend a meal at the Gotham Steakhouse.

Finally, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full swing.  It’s the best time of year to be a hockey fan (and the worst time to be hockey fan’s significant other - unless, they too are hockey fans).  The Canucks have taken a commanding lead over the St. Louis Blues so I am very happy.  The Penguins are ahead in their series, so that makes me happy, too.  The Islanders have received the first pick in the entry draft and so, again, happy.  My wife is going away on a business trip for a few days, so, there not so happy.  But, that does allow uninterrupted hockey watching time (just don’t tell my editor - who’s expecting my new book in a couple of weeks.  If you happen to see her, tell her I’m writing during the commercials).

Posted by Don Calame on 4.21.09 at 11:21 am in Prattlings. (4) Comments

Unleashed!!!

And so, my book has officially been unleashed on the world.  Nyahahahaha!!!  Or at least, a good portion of North America.  Nyahahahahah!!!!  I received a lovely email from a bookseller today who said she was reading my book on the train and she laughed so hard she nearly puked.  Which is exactly what I was going for.  So beware book buying public.  You might want to read Swim the Fly wearing a bib.

Some stores I visited today had the book on the shelves.  Others didn’t have it at all (but they did have it called up and showing on the big screens of all their “look it up” kiosks by the end of the day - who would do such a thing?) 

While others had it in the back (presumably the booksellers wanted to hoard all the copies for themselves - because really, who doesn’t want to vomit with laughter?)

Here I am in Kidsbooks (Vancouver) holding a copy of my newly birthed novel.  They were nice enough to have it facing out in the shelves when I got there (and they didn’t even know I was coming).

And here are me and Helga (a lovely Indigo staff member) standing in the Indigo store in North Vancouver.  Helga was kind enough to bring my books out from the back (they hadn’t gotten a chance to put them out yet) and THEN she placed them carefully face out on the shelves.  Lastly, it’s me signing a book for my “bossy boots” wife (see dedication page).  All in all a very exciting and fun BOOK DAY!!!

 

Posted by Don Calame on 4.14.09 at 03:03 pm in Prattlings. (3) Comments

Prepare For Launch…

Yup, tomorrow’s the official launch date for Swim the Fly.  I’m all geared up to visit every bookstore within a three thousand mile radius to view my book sitting there on the shelves.  There will be pictures and proud, arms-akimbo stances and beaming grins.  It’s hard to believe that the day is almost here, having begun the writing just over two years ago.  I will fill you in on my day of merriment once said day is complete (or maybe a day or so afterwards if recuperation time is needed). 

Almost as exciting as all this is the fact that I was able to nab a couple of Canucks playoff tickets.  I had to sell a kidney and promise to pull a rickshaw for a month but the tickets have been procured and are sitting on my desk as we speak (even though, technically we aren’t really speaking, but you get the picture). 

Until tomorrow…

Posted by Don Calame on 4.13.09 at 01:59 pm in Prattlings. (2) Comments