BC Book Prizes On Tour
April 22, 2011
Sorry I haven’t been able to post along the way. I’m having trouble getting onto the blog. I visited many parts for the lower mainland as if for the first time because of the interesting people I met and the wonderful eating places we visited. Kristie was a great driver, host, planner, introducer (didn’t need notes after the first time), and booster for the book prizes.
We braved Vancouver Canucks territory during the playoffs and had some good turnouts. It was wonderful to meet Cowichan knitting enthusiasts carrying their old treasured sweaters and to hear their stories.
Thanks to Meredith and Grant for their readings—what could be better? I got to spend four evenings listening to the best story tellers in the province.
Posted by Sylvia Olsen | Filed under: Lower Mainland Leg 2011 |
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April 21, 2011
The Lower Mainland tour has now come to an end.
Our last two days were spent in Deep Cove, North Van, and White Rock. We had wonderful receptions in all of these communities, and our public events were very well-attended. The audiences certainly enjoyed both author presentations and chatting with Sylvia and Grant about their books.
Thanks everyone for coming out!
Sylvia and Grant had a great time visiting the schools in these communities as well. The kids at Dorothy Lynas Elementary were certainly excited when Sylvia handed out a piece of wool to everyone:
Meanwhile, the secondary students were captivated by Grant’s hilarious anecdotes:
You can read about Grant’s experience here.
This tour has been amazing. In addition to meeting a number of wonderful people, we also explored some new places that some of us had never been to. We definitely discovered some great places to eat, including Uli’s Restaurant in White Rock. Here’s Sylvia enjoying the Uli’s experience:
Alas, all good things must come to an end, and so our tour has. You can check out all our tour photos on our Flickr Photostream.
Posted by Kristie Poole | Filed under: Lower Mainland Leg 2011 |
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April 18, 2011
Two great days driving through picturesque Fraser Valley, seeing a little of Steveston and Fort Langley.
Always on top of the day’s plans, Kristie steered us expertly to our destinations. Sylvia and Kristie were awesome travel buddies. We discussed everything from religion to when to have babies.
Best of all I had a wonderful time talking to the students at New Westminster Secondary (the earliest reading I’d ever done at 8:45 am), Robert A McMath Secondary, and R.E. Mountain Secondary.
We visited two libraries as well – Richmond Brighouse Library, where I discovered that independent bookstores like Black Bond are alive and well outside Vancouver – and FVRL, Clearbrook Library which has a thriving poets’ group. Thank you to everyone at BC Book Prizes.
Posted by Meredith Quartermain | Filed under: Lower Mainland Leg 2011 |
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April 16, 2011
We are at the end of day three here in the Lower Mainland. Yesterday was an amazing day, and we met a lot of wonderful people. Visiting Lord Kelvin Elementary in New Westminster was certainly a highlight, as Sylvia mentioned.
Today Sylvia took part in Lit Fest New West alongside Morris Bates and Steven Galloway. All three gave fabulous presentations to a wonderful audience. Thank you to the Arts Council of New Westminster for inviting us to participate!
Sylvia and I have the next two days off from touring, but will be back on the road on Tuesday with Grant Lawrence. I’m looking forward to it!
Posted by Kristie Poole | Filed under: Lower Mainland Leg 2011 |
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April 16, 2011
I’ve had two great days on tour with Kristie and Meredith. Thank you BC Book Prizes, the sponsors and the hosts.
We were at a school in New Westminster that has no funds or opportunities to have author visits. The kids’ attention and participation and the staff’s appreciation was wonderful to experience. The Prizes tour gave those children an important gift.
The people in Abbotsford had to make a choice Friday evening—an exciting BC Book Prize reading or the Canucks’ game. Tough decision.
Kristie, Meredith and I were always in the right place at the right time thanks to Kristie’s remarkable planning skills and to the help of the trusty little Englishman who resides mysteriously in her GPS. It was like flying—I had to suspend my muddled effort to understand and give way to the magic of what, to me, is incomprehensible. Amazing!
Posted by Sylvia Olsen | Filed under: Lower Mainland Leg 2011 |
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April 14, 2011
Sylvia, Meredith, and I had a lovely first day with readings in New Westminster and Richmond. The rainy weather did not dampen our spirits, as we were warmly received in these two communities. We even had the opportunity to enjoy charming Steveston Village between presentations. Tomorrow we will continue our adventure by heading east to Langley and Abbotsford. I can’t wait!
Posted by Kristie Poole | Filed under: Lower Mainland Leg 2011 |
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April 13, 2011
Tomorrow marks the first day of the Lower Mainland Leg of the BC Book Prizes On Tour 2011. As the Tour Driver for this leg, I am really excited!
I have been reading about the adventures of the authors up North and can’t wait to get on the road with Meredith Quartermain and Sylvia Olsen tomorrow. We will be visiting the communities of New Westminster, Richmond, Langley, and Abbotsford over the next two days. On Saturday, Sylvia will be joined by Morris Bates and Steven Galloway at Lit Fest New West.
Next week Grant Lawrence will join Sylvia and me to wrap up the tour with readings in Deep Cove, North Vancouver, South Surrey, and White Rock. Come out and meet our authors at one of the five public events!
Posted by Kristie Poole | Filed under: Lower Mainland Leg 2011 |
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March 29, 2011
I can’t believe that I leave in just over a week for the 8th annual BC Book Prizes On Tour. I have had the pleasure of being the Tour Driver/Director every year and I thoroughly enjoy it. Getting to know new authors every year, exploring the province, and sharing reading, writing and literacy with communities and schools; nothing beats it.
This year we’re excited to return to Salmon Arm in the Sushwap. We visited schools there several years ago, but will be having an afternoon event at the public library on Saturday, April 16. I’m looking forward to meeting the people of Salmon Arm and exploring the town after the event. Let us know the best spot to have dinner!
I also have some favourite things to do each year, especially when the authors haven’t travelled within BC extensively. The event at the Museum of Northern BC in Prince Rupert is stunning. The museum staff make us feel so welcome and we present in this gorgeous room with tall totems and floor-to-ceiling windows. The view and the sunset from that room is breathtaking.
Another highlight is the drive between Smithers and Prince Rupert on the Yellowhead Highway. The Skeena River, Coast Mountains, and northwest Native culture are all incredible sights on this journey. It may seem like a long drive to be stuck in the car with relative strangers, but it is actually these long drives that strengthen our new friendships.
So, to close, I hope to see you all at the Soirée on April 5th, and I’ll be headed out on the Northern Leg bright and early on Thursday morning (April 7).
Posted by Bryan Pike | Filed under: Northern Leg 2011, Okanagan Leg 2011, Lower Mainland Leg 2011 |
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