Saskatoon Hometown Launches for Russell Quant Novels
First Launch – 2003
First Launch – They Came! This is my first ever book launch. It was held at McNally Robinson Bookstore in my hometown of Saskatoon. I really worried (and still do, to this day) that no one would show up. I was flabbergasted (still am, to this day)that they did. In droves. Love em!
My Editor Catherine Lake
Catherine flew in from Toronto to introduce me at the Amuse Bouche launch in Saskatoon. It made the whole event even more special – and nerve wracking.
Saskatoon Launch Signing Line
The signing line at Saskatoon launch. I called Dori,Dwayne and Brenda the rose brigade because they each brought me a single red rose as they came up to have their book signed.
Saskatoon Launch – 2004
Saskatoon Launch – They Came Back! Still thinking no one would show up – first time was probably a fluke – good old Saskatoon did it again for the Flight of Aquavit kick off launch at McNally Robinson.
EY Reunion for Book Launch
With my editor Catherine, partner Karen, and my ex-Ernst & Young boss, Shelley. Shelley threw and awesome pre-launch book party at the Saskatoon Club with my former accounting-days colleagues. How great is that?
Signing books at Saskatoon launch
I tend to write a fair bit when I’m signing books – more than just my name. People ask me if my hand gets tired. If it does – so what! This is one of my favourite things to do.
Saskatoon Launch-2005
Saskatoon Launch-They Came Again Saskatoon rocks! They came out again in full force for the launch of my third Russell Quant book, Tapas on the Ramblas.
Speaking at Saskatoon Launch
Those first few minutes when I address the hometown crowd are heady ones indeed. The jacket was a hit too.
Saskatoon Flamenco
Terri, a talented flamenco dancer, performed two numbers for us, getting everyone into the Spanish mood for Tapas on the Ramblas. Prairie Ink restaurant did an outstanding job serving tapas too. That’s events co-ordinator Deneen in the background. She’d just left her position, but generously came back specially for this event.
Herb Reading at Saskatoon Launch
To give people a break from listening only to my voice, I asked Herb to get up and read his favourite passage from any of the three (to that date) Russell Quant books. He was an unqualified hit.
Saskatoon Launch Audience
Nice shot of some of the crowd that turned up for the Saskatoon launch of Tapas, including my sister Hope, nephew Kell and James.
Saskatoon Signing
That’s my neice Kim in line for a signed book. The very first book I ever wrote (as a teen) was an illustrated fairy tale written for Kim when she was just a kid.
Sister Fran at Launch
My sister Fran hopped around the signing table for a hug and photo – she drives a couple hours to be at each one of my launches and oftentimes other appearances as well.
With Bev and Sandi
Bev and Sandi, at the Saskatoon launch signing table, are neighbours and good huggers too.
Saskatoon Launch – 2006
Saskatoon Rocks Launch Signing Line up For the fourth time, Saskatoon comes out in style and size for a Russell Quant launch.
Ian of Saskatoons McNally Robinson
Saskatoon McNally Robinson’s Ian Goodwillie introduced the launch of Stain of the Berry.
Special Guest Author Rob Harasymchuk
Author Rob Harasymchuk did me the great honour of being my special guest at the Saskatoon launch of Stain of the Berry. Before he read from his terrific ‘The Joining of Dingo Radish’, he surprised me by reading an excerpt from the first Russell Quant, Amuse Bouche.
Saskatoon Signing with Edna
Signing a book for librarian friend, Edna, who almost always has a pencil stuck in her hair and is famed for the food she serves at her annual Christmas party.
CBC Cameras at Saskatoon Launch
The hard-working Britainy Robinson of CBC interviewed me earlier that day, then taped the Saskatoon launch of Stain of the Berry that night for a CBC TV arts & entertainment piece. This is Dan and Debbie in the signing line up.
Saskatoon Launch with Family
I consider myself extremely fortunate to always have loads of family show up for my launches. Here are my niece Amy, aunt Jean, sister Fran and my mom Johannna
Saskatoon Launch 2007
One of the things I feel badly about on launch night in Saskatoon, is that people have to stand – some of them don’t get seats in the reading venue, then they stand in the signing line. But they blow me away, every time, by doing so with cheerfulness and smiles and good will. Lucky guy, am I.
EY Alumni Launch Pre Party
EY Alumni Launch Pre Party held at the Saskatoon Club and hosted by Shelley. This Herb with my former co-workers Janet, Laurie, Nikki and Karren.
Launch Pre Party-Shelley Murray Bev
The pre party for the launch of the book was – as has become a bit of a tradition – hosted by my former boss, Shelley Brown and her husband Murray. With them is a former co-worker and now city councillor, Bev Dubois.
More EY Alumni
More EY Alumni at Pre Launch Gathering – Trina, Ken, Gail, Gail’s husband Rob, and Shaye.
Pre Party
Rhonda arranges the EY Alumni Pre Party launches and always does a fantastic job. Janet and Laurie were among the group of people who were there when I first started working at EY – they both taught me a lot!
With editor Catherine Lake’s son, Nigel on Launch Night HerbNigelTony
With editor Catherine Lake’s son, Nigel on Launch Night – just outside the Saskatoon Club where the EY alumni pre party was held. Nigel was our official photographer (when he wasn’t in the photos himself).
Allison of McNally Robinson Bookstore
Allison Fairbairn, events coordintor for McNally Robinson Bookstore welcomes the crowd and introduces Catherine Lake.
Reading from Sundowner Ubuntu
This being my fifth time launching a book in my hometown, I really tried to take the time to savour the experience, really look out at the crowd, see people, have fun. It was a bittersweet evening in some ways in that for the first time in five years, I could not say: See you same time, same place, next year. But I gave everyone an update on my new writing project and promised the sixth Russell Quant was on the drawing board.
African Dancers
Our African Dancers – Nyasembe Watutu – which means, in Swahili, Mothers Three. The troupe was led by Kahmaria Pingue (in the middle) with Kristen and Kristy on either side. Not pictured, is drummer Marnie. They did a fantastic job of bringing even more African atmosphere to the Saskatchewan prairies, and had the crowd clapping.
Signing Line
Peggy, Diana, Bob, Ken in the signing line. Peggy, at the front, came to every one of my events in the city until she passed away in 2011.
Reading in line
Rob – already reading while waiting in the signing line. The one thing that worries me about these launches – how long people have to wait to get a book signed. We’ve tried entertaining them and feeding them. That kinda works. But really, they are the most patient people in the world to do this.
Signing Sundowner Ubuntu
Signing Sundowner Ubuntu in Saskatoon – it was another long line, but as I always say, I could’ve signed all night. What a gift.
Signing for fellow author, comic strip writer & adventurer Marie-Pierre
I think I signed MArie-Pierre’s book with something like that I thought her the most adventurous person I know. Not only has she written books and comic strips, but she’s been a bush pilot and has sailed wee boats (from my perspective) from Hawaii to San Francisco (among other destinations). That’s something.
Anthony Bidulka A Hug From Mom
Much was said that night about my dear mother having to not only buy the book, but wait in line to have it signed! Although a bit hard on her feet, I think she loved every minute of it, and I love that she loved it! This is our big hug when she made it to the front of the line.
African Princess or Mother-in-law Muriel?
Throughout the evening, we had face painters mingling through the crowd offering a touch of African tribal face makeup. The idea and designs, in part, were inspired by a restaurant I visited in Johannesburg that did the same thing with its customers during dinner. Muriel looked smashing!
Saskatoon Launch-Random Acts of Poetry by Taylor Leedahl
I had two local, up-and-coming, talented poets, Taylor Leedahl (pictured) and Wes Funk, performing random acts of poetry for the pre- and post- launch crowd. They both did an awesome job.
Mango tarts & Mai tais!
Saskatoon Launch-pre launch noshing and visiting Saskatoon Launch – pre launch noshing and visiting – the Prairie Ink Restaurant went all out with a three foot tall tropical fruit kebab tree, mango tarts, pina colada icecream, ahi tuna on pastry, and mai tais!
Nicole Berard
McNally Robinson Events Coordinator Nicole Berard under the Tiki Hut Events Coordinator Nicole Berard – McNally Robinson rented a Hawaiian Tiki Hut for the evening – looked great and really added to the ambiance
Auntie Pat
The Signing Line – planting one on Auntie Pat, next to my mom The Signing Line – last year I got some (humourous) grief over the fact that my own mother had to buy a book, then stand in line for over an hour to get it signed. This time I had her sit next to me and help me greet guests – she was a rock star!
Family signing
Saskatoon Signing for Family – Maddy, Kim, Syd & Hope Saskatoon Signing for Family – Maddy, Kim, Syd & Hope – the girls, Maddy & Syd, made me sign books – so what if they were children’s books I hadn’t actually written
The collection
Saskatoon Launch – with my collection, alongside sister Fran and mom Saskatoon Launch – with my collection – kind of a n Artie-Johnson-Laugh-In moment
Arabian appetizers
Trying out some of the Arabian themed appetizers at Date With a Sheesha Launch All food prepared by the chef and kitchen at Prairie Ink Restaurant
Cousins
John, Tim, Gloria & others getting set for the reading Date With a Sheesha hometown launch – Saskatoon
Nicole Berard-McNally Robinson
Nicole Berard-McNally Robinson Saskatoon Events Coordinator Introducing me at the lecturn decorated with lovely Arabian fabric
Not so typical
The terrific belly dancers got the crowd clapping and even had a few people get up and show their stuff! A typical Russell Quant launch….
Anthony Bidulka Lessons learned
Stay off thin ice & stay in school! Two lessons learned from the final two Date With a Sheesha readings
Onwards
Event coordinator Nicole Berard closing up the reading portion of the night – on to the signing
Sheesha
Quant books with a Sheesha in the middle Three sheeshas were provided for the evening by Amy & Lily’s Kashmir Handicrafts
Once upon a balcony
Bob, Lucy, Ken (whose balcony shows up in Stain of the Berry) Date With a Sheesha Launch – Saskatoon
Happiness is…
Happily signing books – a favourite activity for sure Date With a Sheesha Launch – Saskatoon
EY Alumni gang
Back-Murray, Bev, Herb, Noreen, Gail, Vic, Shaye, Me, David…Front-Rhonda, Janet, Laurie, Nikki, Trina, Shelley EY Alumni gang – Book Signing at The Saskatoon Club
Murray & Shelley
Shelley was my boss in my Ernst & Young days and has hosted a signing event for every new book
Nail biter
My first glimpse of Dos Equis! Always a special moment. It was a nail-biting moment with the shipment of books arriving only the morning of the Saskatoon book launch.
Arrivals
Arrivals at the Saskatoon book launch. So many wonderful faces. As guests arrived they were greeted by Spanish guitar music and their choice of a Dos Equis beer or a Dirty Banana frothy cocktail.
Rodolfo Pino Robles, our talented Spanish guitar player
Setting the mood for the Mexican-themed latest Russell Quant adventure which takes place, in part, in Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Mexican buffet
A buffet of Mexican delights at the Saskatoon launch Prepared by Clint, the always creative chef of Prairie Ink Restaurant
Getting started
Preparing to address the crowd With Event Coordinator Marcy to the right, and Videographer Stacy to the left
The gathering
The gathering of fantastic attendees at the Saskatoon launch of Dos Equis, the 8th Russell Quant mystery
Wing’mom
My Mom chatting up the people while I busily sign away. She loved every second of it. Someone nicknamed her my wing’mom.
Punchy
The end of the signing line in sight. I might ahve been a bit punchy by then. Who knows what I wrote in that book!