Raise A Reader…!

Part two of my tour last week involved a high-speed trip to Pentiction, where writer-whirlwind Yasmin John-Thorpe and her Raise-a-Reader crew had worked a few miracles. Authors Lee Edward Fodi and Kallie George had been there earlier in the week, signing hundreds of books and visiting elementary schools. I joined my buddy, author James McCann and we headed into the Okanagan for two crazy days.

This was with a very happy group of grade 6 kids at KVR Middle School. Note teeny author in vast ocean of student humanity!

In all, I signed about 600 books, I think, and with my colleagues, left behind more than 2000 books in Penticton schools. I LOVE doing events where everybody gets a book!

I think this is my favourite picture, because I might be in a sea of happy faces, but the boy in front couldn’t be bothered with a picture — he wanted to read, already!

Many thanks to Yasmin [and her helpers Norma and Alan, without whom I could not have survived!] and to McNichol, KVR, Summerland and Skaha Lake Middle Schools for the warm and cheery welcome.

James and I left feeling very happy to see all our books in the hands of so many eager readers. Our final stop in the Okanagan gave James the opportunity to pick up some of his favourite Okanagan jam, and hang out in a crowd of a different sort.

For me, the crazy fall season continues, with the Surrey International Writing Conference next week, in Surrey British Columbia. There are still spots available for eager writers, and trust me when I tell you — there is no better way to spend your weekend _anywhere_ if you are interested in learning the business and craft of writing.

More soon…!

~kc