Northern Team Touches Down
Posted by Mary Novik
Last night, Theresa Kishkan, Kari-Lynn Winters, Nan Gregory, and I arrived on a flight from Prince Rupert after a fabulous road trip visiting communities along the Yellowhead Highway in Northern BC. Shortly after touchdown, Theresa was embraced by her husband, John, who whisked her off for some private time at their home on the Sechelt Peninsula. Kari-Lynn, Nan, and I stuffed our luggage into a van captained (once again) by our producer, Bryan Pike, and sped off to our homes to shower and dress for the soiree at the Metropolitan hotel. This was a grand event, with overflowing glasses of wine, canapes by Diva, a silent auction to support the BC Book Prizes, and lots of schmoozing with local literati. It was fun to talk to the other finalists, especially the other novelists short-listed for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, David Chariandy, Claire Mulligan, Shaena Lambert, and Heather Burt—all great friends and fine writers. Afterwards, I finally found time to catch up with the blogging, savouring the posts made by my fellow tourees, Kari-Lynn and Theresa at http://www.bcbookprizes.ca/tour/category/northern_leg/, which wonderfully capture the bi-polar ups and downs of our travels along the Yellowhead. I’ve uploaded a set of photos titled 2008 Northern Tour: Prince Rupert to Prince George—and back! Click on this link to see the photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcbookprizes/sets/72157604638679276/with/2428659814/
I hope you’ll enjoy these highlights of our interactions with landscapes and communities and will chip in with comments. We’d especially welcome reconnecting with people we met along the way—new friends that we hope to hang on to in the years ahead.
Mary | http://www.marynovik.com
