2017 Book Tour of the Gulf Islands

Writing Life: 8

The itinerary for my Gulf Islands seven talks in seven communities in seven days, book tour.

There used to be military recruitment commercials that would exhort the viewer to join the Canadian Forces and “see the world.” There is another option. You could be lucky enough to write a few novels and just say “yes” when you’re invited to tour your latest book around. My writing life has somehow taken me clear across the country—and beyond—in the last 15 years. I’m grateful and never take it for granted. Never.

Back in April of 2017, just three weeks after my fifth novel, One Brother Shy hit bookstores, I hit the road. Courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Island Link Library Federation, and McClelland & Stewart, I toured B.C.’s stunning Gulf Islands.

I figure I took this shot from the plane as we approached Victoria.

In seven days, alone in a rental car with a ferry schedule in hand, I presented and read from my then newly published One Brother Shy in seven different hotspots throughout Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Starting at the south end in Victoria, my tour took me all the way north to Alert Bay. Seven talks in seven different communities in seven days.

Signing books at the start of the tour in Victoria’s beautiful Munro Books.

I can’t remember how many ferries I drove onto and off of in the week long tour, but there were several. These ferries run like clockwork and keep the island communities connected.

Ferry shots I took from one end of the Strait of Georgia to the other.

Invariably I was greeted warmly by book lovers in all seven communities I visited. That tour really helped me hone my One Brother Shy talk. You see, I work up a different presentation tracing the roots of each novel, and also develop slides to bring the talks to life—and to give the audience somewhere else to look other than at me (that’s as much for the audience’s sake as for mine). On this Gulf Island tour, there was usually a local bookseller at each event and I would stay and sign copies after my talks and readings. I loved learning about each community I visited. Without exception, everyone was very welcoming.

At my Salt Spring Island talk, I was surprised to see the, by then retired, CEO of a major financial services company—and one of my big clients in my, then, day job. We had a drink and a catch-up after my talk.

I’m quite sure this is in the bookstore on Salt Spring Island.

Beautiful Salt Spring Island.

A highlight of the tour was my final stop in Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, traditional Kwakwaka'wakw territory and home of the 'Namgis First Nation. A big crowd came to the event. I caught a ferry the next morning from Port McNeill Harbour followed by a long drive back to Victoria.

Lining up to board my final ferry at Port McNeill Harbour with a bald eagle supervising the loading.

It was such a great trip that took me to parts of the province I’d never visited before. It also helped nurture a love for B.C. that keeps me looking westward. I hope I can head out there again soon as in-person festivals begin to come back.

The long drive back to Victoria when the tour finished.

Well that just about does it for this week. I’ll post again in seven days. Here’s hoping you’ll subscribe so you don’t miss future instalments. And please feel free to share this with others.

Many thanks.