So I’ve just returned home from British Columbia, where I was touring as part of TD Canada Children’s Book Week. I had a great time out there, and managed to squeeze in a bit of a holiday hanging out with friends down in Vancouver and Victoria. Here is a picture of me kicking back at a curious watering hole in Victoria known as Big Bad John’s:
The place is a bit of an institution, I’m told, with its motif of stained old money and dangling bras (I am not making this up for once). The floor is completely strewn with peanut shells (which I helpfully contributed to) giving the joint the feel of a hillbilly’s secret nest. It got even better: with a secret nod to the barmaid from one of my companions, a rubber bat was somehow triggered to fall in front of my face. Luckily I don’t startle too easy, and managed to maintain the neutral expression held above.
But sadly, some if not all good things come to end. That said, I am happy to report some pretty exciting news that I received while crossing the channel to Vancouver Island on the ferry. We have a deal for my latest publishing project! It’s called CRYSTAL FALLS, which is being described as “a high-concept YA thriller surrounding a 16 year-old boy who survives going over a waterfall only to discover his town suddenly transformed and his reputation inexplicably sinister.” It’s a serious head-trip, but a bit more mature, so make sure to get parental permission before reading when it comes out…
It is scheduled for Fall 2012, I’m told, to be released by Doubleday Canada. For any and all fans outside of this country, I’m afraid I can’t tell you much just yet, but hold tight.
I can say this: I read the opening to hundreds and hundreds of kids and teens during book week, and their faces were quite literally melted in front of me. So I’m really excited. Things got quite ugly and uproarious actually when I refused to let them in on the secret… I did however enjoy entertaining their many theories however, only one of which came anywhere close. (That kid was pretty sharp actually, but I just scoffed in her face to throw everyone off.)
Anyway, it’s been a great couple of weeks. Thanks again to the Canadian Children’s Book Centre for sending me out to beautiful BC, and to Andrea and Carrie for all their work coordinating my visit. And a special thanks to everyone I met in Prince George; you were all so welcoming and delightful, and I hope to come back someday.
For now though, it’s back to work!
OHMYGOD, another book! SO EXCITED. Crystal Falls sounds wicked — and Doubleday Canada, wow. Big-name publisher. YAY!
Oh, and consider joining the Apocalypsies, a group of children’s authors whose books are coming out in 2012.
Thanks, Yahong! I think that group is for debut authors though. Cripes, there’s a lot of them! Sometimes I wonder if ‘YA author’ is this year’s ‘yoga teacher’, and the last decade’s ‘freelance web designer’. Every second person is one.
PJ! Do you remember us at Westwwod Elementary School in PG? We have great memories of your visit in May. You left such an impression that when I asked students what book we should send on a world journey, through something called Bookcrossings.com , the students picked your book! So we are about to buy a new copy of your book – Friendish Deeds – and take it on one of our student’s holidays to Hawaii in August and leave it there for someone ese to pick up! I will post you later to let you know how you can follow your book too.
We are dying to read more of your books soon so keep writing!
Thank you so much! I do remember my visit to Westwood — I had such a fun time with you guys. I actually just received something in the mail from Prince George just this morning, from Malaspina — what a wonderful coincidence!
I do know that website! What a cool idea. I know one of my books was brought from Germany, released in a foodcourt in Montreal (where I live!) and eventually ended up in Burlington, Vermont: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/7736966
But I’m even more excited to find out where your copy will end up, starting off in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. What lucky kids, taking a trip to Hawaii! I am very touched that my book is going along with them…
The final book in the series, SINISTER SCENES, is actually out in a couple of weeks. Please let me know what you all think. Thanks for stopping by; it’s so great to hear from you.
PJ