Exciting! New! Upcoming! Forthcoming! Woot!

credit N. Forde
photo credit: Nancy Forde

So, this fall is shaping up to be very writerly and literary, with plenty of events and launches to look forward to, in addition to which I'm excited about a few other things too and I've decided to tell you about the whole kit and kaboodle.

Thursday, Sept. 5: Mark your calendars and come if you can. I'll be reading at the Starlight in Waterloo for the Eden Mills Writers Festival, and here's the lineup, musical and otherwise: Jim Guthrie, Bidiniband, and I Am Robot And Proud, with readings by Dave Bidini and me. Tickets $14, doors open at 8pm.

Thursday, Sept. 12: Think me good thoughts from 6-9pm! I'll be teaching my first official creative writing class.

Friday, Sept. 13: It's the launch of Have Milk, Will Travel: Adventures in Breastfeeding, at 323 Richmond St. E., Toronto. I've got an essay in this anthology, and will be presenting my comical/tragical breastfeeding stories along with Sarah Campbell, Rachel Epp Buller, and Kerry Clare of Pickle Me This. Tickets $20, 8-11pm, with book included, plus wine and munchies.

Satuday, Sept. 21: I'm tentatively booked to read at Word on the Street in Kitchener from my essay published in this summer's New Quarterly (and also in the brand-new anthology How to Expect What You're Not Expecting, which will be hot off the presses). 4-5pm at the Walper Hotel. Free.

Sometime in late September/early October: I've been invited to doula (offer labour support) for my brother and sister-in-law, who are expecting their first baby. I'm so excited. Anyone else giving birth and wanting support? Consider me. For real. I also take excellent birth photos.

Thursday, Oct. 3: It's the launch party for How to Expect What You're Not Expecting: Stories of Pregnancy, Parenting, and Loss. I'll be reading from my essay in the collection, but you can also get a sneak preview of it in this summer's edition of The New Quarterly. The launch is being held in conjunction with The New Quarterly, at their own launch of this year's Wild Writers Festival. Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo. Free! Doors open at 7:30pm.

Saturday, Oct. 5: Run for the Toad! This will be my third year racing the 25km trail run. I've nursed several soccer injuries this summer, first the ankle, now the head injury, which have cut into training time, so I think this time around I'll simply celebrate being there and doing my best to complete the course.

Saturday, Nov. 9: Wild Writers Festival! Do mark your calendars for this event, held right here in Waterloo, and now in its seccond year. Last year's festival was wonderful, and this year I've been asked to lead a panel of amazing fiction writers. Visit the website for more details (the festival runs from Nov. 8-10).

And that's all for now, folks.

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