Tomorrow, I’m heading across the pond to Vancouver where I’ll be joining a number of other authors at a BCTLA gala. Given the prolonged BC teachers’ strike, there was some doubt as to whether the BC Teachers and Librarians would hold their annual conference this year, but the event is going ahead and Thursday’s dinner is being held at Granville Island. It’s a lovely opportunity for me to put on my LBD, slip into some heels, and come out of my cave for a bit of socializing.  And if the opportunity presents itself, naturally I’ll be talking up The Art of Getting Stared At as well as Hot New Thing. 

Should I feel inclined, there are a number of other ‘bookish’ events happening in Vancouver at the same time. There’s the Vancouver Writers’ Festival   https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/  also being held at Granville Island October 21- October 26. Organizers have put together a great line up with something for everyone including a much anticipated appearance by Ann-Marie MacDonald which has people buzzing.

Out in Surrey, the acclaimed Surrey International Writers’ Conference will be underway y.  http://www.siwc.ca/   Given the high calibre of writers, editors and agents who present, I’ve wanted to attend this event for years. Maybe this time I’ll actually make it!

But – there’s also a new exhibit about China’s Forbidden City opening at the Vancouver Art Gallery.  http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/the_exhibitions/exhibit_forbiddencity.html   It’s calling out to me.

I suspect the next few days will be busy ones!