While writing Theft By Chocolate, the last thing on my mind was what would happen if the work ever reached an audience. Doing readings, participating in panel presentations, attending book clubs, and speaking in public, in general, were not on my radar. I was just trying to finish a novel, page by page. What would come afterwards, would come - back to writing. Then, miracle of miracles, the book was published. And miracle of miracles, I have been doing regular readings in libraries and some really unique settings attracting people who seem interested in hearing what I have to say about my story and process - miracle of miracles! |
Although I have a typical writer’s temperament - I'm shy, I'm an observer, and having attention drawn to me makes me squirm - I do have some public speaking experience from a previous life. I'm not referring to all the Ukrainian concerts in which my parents forced me to participate as a kid. But many, many, many years ago when working in the Royal Ontario Museum’s Programs Department, my job required me to introduce speakers and instructors to crowds as large as 300 people. I was nervous each time I went on stage, even though I knew I would be off in a matter of minutes, and I was also aware that when you're introducing rock stars of the academic world or celebrity authors, like Kathy Reichs or Jean Auel, no one was paying attention to me. |
So no one has been more surprised than I have been at how much I have been enjoying promoting my book and meeting new people. My first gigs related to Theft By Chocolate were trial-by-fire events. There was Toronto’s Word on the Street, the city’s largest book and magazine festival, where I participated in a panel presentation organized by Humber College, and where I spoke to a packed tent. And the official launch of my book and first reading which took place at ChocoSol Traders, a unique chocolate-making cooperative in Toronto, was another miracle-of-miracles moment as a capacity crowd attended. Another large event included participating in a fundraiser for the Peterborough New Canadians Centre held at the Peterborough Public Library.
But even the intimate events have been really satisfying. I did a reading at Toronto’s Wellington Street Art Gallery where we squeezed in just over a dozen people. I was able to speak to everyone in attendance and some lasting relationships were formed. I also attended a book club meeting in Toronto’s Beach(es) neighborhood where all eyes were directed at me from very close proximity. And yum, what a spread we feasted on, thanks to Terry Comeau's homemade delights. A reading at a branch of the Hamilton Public Library (Locke Street) was also most cozy, and the casual atmosphere encouraged people to ask lots of questions. The participation of local chocolatier, Forrat's, made the afternoon all the more sweeter. And very recently, I did an up-close-and-personal reading followed by a screening of a heist film, The Thomas Crown Affair (the original), in a private and exquisitely plush private screening room in the TIFF Lightbox Tower, thanks to film festing compatriot and cinephile friend, Andra Takacs. |
At all these events, the participants had the opportunity to grill me and draw out confessions about my writing process, inspirations, and my very long roller coaster ride to publishing. My appreciation of these events comes not from talking about myself (which I still find incredibly embarrassing and results in palatable physical discomfort – I have been contemplating carrying a portable defibrillator), but from some of the thought-provoking questions people have raised. With my curious audiences, I have discussed everything from the vulnerability a writer feels when one pours heart and soul, private moments, and even one’s own character traits into a work, to matters of inspiration and challenges of commitment to a work, and to overcoming difficult obstacles (i.e. getting your work published... and then noticed).
These inquiries have made me ponder my journey, my successes and motivations, my weaknesses and strengths, what I want never to do again, and what I want to do better.
I have come away from these events with adrenaline highs stemming from the connections I have been making with people reading my book or contemplating reading it, but more importantly, from the realization that people are just as curious about my experiences and travails as they are about the book itself.
I have come away from these events with adrenaline highs stemming from the connections I have been making with people reading my book or contemplating reading it, but more importantly, from the realization that people are just as curious about my experiences and travails as they are about the book itself.
One reader recently asked me if it has all been worth it – all the time invested, rewrites, rejections, the work I still need to do to market and promote the work. Of course, my answer was “yes,” but not because I was published, but because I now enjoy the pleasure of meeting fascinating, endearing, sweet, funny, charming and, yes, sometimes odd, but memorable people (beware, you too may inspire a character in a future book).
For a list of upcoming appearances, please go to Events & Appearances.