Saskatoon Hometown Launches for Russell Quant Novels

Amuse Bouche: A Russell Quant Mystery #1

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.

Flight of Aquavit: A Russell Quant Mystery #2

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.

Tapas on the Ramblas: A Russell Quant Mystery #3

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.

Saskatoon Signing 2

With Shelley (my hairdresser to the stars!), Jill, Carrie and Shawna.

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.

Anthony Bidulka Stain of the Berry: A Russell Quant Mystery #4

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

Sundowner Ubuntu: A Russell Quant Mystery #5

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.

Editor Catherine Lake

Editor Catherine Lake greets the crowd and introduces me.

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!

Aloha, Candy Hearts: A Russell Quant Mystery #6

EY Alumni Pre-Launch Party

EY Alumni Pre-Launch Party in Saskatoon with Laurie & Shaye

Pre-Launch Party in Saskatoon

EY Alumni Pre-Launch Party in Saskatoon – Debbie, Gail, Rhonda

Party in Saskatoon

EY Alumni Pre-Launch Party in Saskatoon-Sherri-Lynn and Janet

Shelley Brown

EY Alumni Pre-Launch Party host: Shelley Brown

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.

Attentive crowd

Saskatoon Launch – the attentive crowd part I (thank you!)

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!

Still attentive

Saskatoon launch – the attentive crowd Part II

Listening and smiling

Saskatoon launch – the attentive crowd Part III

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!

Signing Line

The Saskatoon Signing Line

Signing bridesmaids

Saskatoon Signing from Above with my ‘bridesmaids’ – my mom and auntie Jean

Aloha Signing Line

Saskatoon Signing Line

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

Date With a Sheesha: A Russell Quant Mystery #7

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

Waiting for it to start

Lynn & Garry Date With a Sheesha launch

Filling up

Margaret & Candy Date With a Sheesha Launch – April 15, 2010

Nicole Berard-McNally Robinson

Nicole Berard-McNally Robinson Saskatoon Events Coordinator Introducing me at the lecturn decorated with lovely Arabian fabric

First reading from Date With a Sheesha

McNally Robinson Saskatoon, April 15, 2010

Getting some love from the home town crowd

Date With a Sheesha launch

Performance by DanceEgypt Dance Co.

Date With a Sheesha Launch

Belly dancing

Performance by DanceEgypt Dance Co. Date With a Sheesha launch

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….

Arabian vibe

More belly dancing Getting that Arabian feeling going…

Seductive

Belly dancer or seductress? Date with a Sheesha launch

Atmosphere of an Arabian Night in Saskatoon

Date With a Sheesha book launch

Anthony Bidulka Lessons learned

Stay off thin ice & stay in school! Two lessons learned from the final two Date With a Sheesha readings

We’re a laughing family

Uncle Stan, Aunt Lois, my Mom, sister Hope and niece Amy

Finishing up

Herb, ever supportive spouse.

Date With a Sheesha

Onwards

Event coordinator Nicole Berard closing up the reading portion of the night – on to the signing

Gathering in the signing line

My awesome Saskatoon peeps

Signing for Craig

Date With a Sheesha Launch – Saskatoon

Signing with my sidekick for the night

With mother-in-law Muriel

Patience

Patiently waiting in the signing line in Saskatoon Thank you!

Signing line 2009

The sign up line in McNally Robinson Saskatoon Date With a Sheesha Launch

Norma & her girls

Date With a Sheesha Launch – Saskatoon

Myrna & Stan

Date With a Sheesha Launch – Saskatoon

Sheesha

Quant books with a Sheesha in the middle Three sheeshas were provided for the evening by Amy & Lily’s Kashmir Handicrafts

Baby on board

Sarah (due in 2 weeks!) & Pat Date With a Sheesha Launch – Saskatoon

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

With Shaye & David

EY Alumni Book Signing

With Bev

EY Alumni Book Signing event – Bev is now a city councillor

Dos Equis: A Russell Quant Mystery #8

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.