Snapshots #3

Encounters with Writers: 6

I think I may have enough photos for a final instalment—at least for now—of brief encounters with other writers. Here we go…

Fredrik Backman… again

When you’ve sold more than 12 million books worldwide, you get to appear twice in my little Snapshots galleries. You see, I interviewed Fredrik Backman on stage three years ago and had a great time (see Snapshots #1). Well, last night, Fredrik was back in town and I again interviewed him on stage to promote his latest novel, The Winners, which closes out his Bear Town trilogy. The event was sold out and some hardcore Backman fans drove from North Bay, Buffalo, and Halifax to see him. It was a great night.

Above: Interview Fredrik Backman on stage in Uxbridge, Ontario. Below: Here I am beside Fredrik Backman and Blue Heron Books owner Shelley Macbeth.

Jann Arden and Ami McKay

A grainy shot I’ll never forget. Just before the camera clicked, Jann swung her leg up in front of me and told me to hold her leg up. I do what I’m told.

Early in my writing life, I was invited to be one of the authors presenting to one of the Read for the Cure events in Toronto. The other writers on the bill were my great friend, Ami McKay, and the very, very funny Jann Arden, who had just released her memoir, Falling Backwards. I laughed a lot that evening listening to Jann Arden.

Ted Barris

My great pal and prolific writer, Ted Barris.

Ted Barris is a military historian and an amazing storyteller, both are critical to his success as a writer. He’s now written 20 books about military history including Dam Busters, The Great Escape, Victory at Vimy, Rush to Danger, and his latest, The Battle of the Atlantic, now out in bookstores. He’s an expert at examining key military events through the eyes of the men and women who were there. If that weren’t enough, Ted is a fantastic and compelling presenter. If you ever get the chance to see him talk about one of his books, make sure you go. He brings these stories to life like no other writer I know. We’ve been friends for years and have often presented together. In fact, in November, I’ll be interviewing him on stage in Uxbridge as part of the Book Drunkard Festival.

Mary Walsh

Post interview book signing with Mary Walsh with Blue Heron Books owner the wonderful Shelley Macbeth supervising.

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to be asked to interview the very funny Mary Walsh of This Hour has 22 Minutes fame when her debut novel, Crying for the Moon, was released. I’ve interviewed several authors at events like this one, but I was a little more nervous with Mary Walsh. She is a pistol in the nicest possible way. I need not have been concerned. We had a lovely and funny conversation that I really enjoyed. Fortunately, the audience seemed to as well.

Zarqa Nawaz

Hanging out with Zarqa Nawaz in Saskatoon for Word on the Street.

If you’ve ever seen the TV show Little Mosque on the Prairie, you don’t need me to tell you that Zarqa Nawaz is one funny writer. She created the show. We met not long after her first book, Laughing All the Way to the Mosque was released and was named a finalist for the 2015 Leacock Medal. If my memory isn’t faulty, I think I provided a blurb for her memoir.

The finalists for the 2015 Leacock Medal, including Zarqa’s hilarious memoir.

I certainly provided a blurb for Zarqa’s first novel, Jameela Green Ruins Everything, released earlier this year.

You can see Zarqa in her latest TV project, a CBC series appropriately called, Zarqa. Check it out on the Gem app.

Trevor Cole

Alongside Trevor Cole when we visited W.P. Kinsella in Yale, B.C.

I’ve known the fine writer, Trevor Cole for many years now. His novels are wonderful and have earned him a Leacock Medal for Practical Jean. His second novel, The Fearsome Particles was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award.

We were both up for the Leacock Medal in 2011, I with my second novel, The High Road. Trevor justly took the crown that year. We’ve been good friends ever since.

Congratulating Trevor Cole minutes after his novel Practical Jean won the 2011 Leacock Medal in Orillia, Ontario.

Rod Carley

L to R: My good friend, writer Rod Carley, oh, and also Leacock winner Rick Mercer, finalist Mark Critch, and yours truly at the Leacock home in Orillia.

Not content to be an award-winning director, playwright, actor and teacher, Rod Carley is also a North Bay writer whose second novel, Kinmount was long listed for the 2021 Leacock Medal. A great guy and a fine and funny writer, look for his new story collection, Grin Reaping on next year’s Leacock list. Rod and I have maintained a monthly Zoom call for quite some time now and we always enjoy our discussions. We’re also doing an event together later this month in Gananoque, Ontario. I was delighted to blurb his last novel and his new story collection.

So that about wraps up this third edition of Snapshots. Fun to look back at all the very cool writers I’ve had the pleasure and honour to encounter.

Hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already.