A group of us—authors and a cartoonist— joined forces and rented a table for Word on the Street in Kitchener. What we do not know when we book ahead like that, is what the weather patterns will hold for us, but in spite of clouded skies, some heavy rain and wind, we stuck it out to the end of the event.

Becka Kinzie, cartoonist (left) and Vanessa Ricci-Thode, author of Dragon Whisperer (fantasy)

We talked with people who stopped at our table and invited them into conversation about what they like to read. It was surprising, or maybe not, that most who stopped by read fiction. Vanessa and I,  fellow authors and members of the Editors’ Association of Canada, also talked with people about editing.

Becka’s comic books, Cadaverific, meant for age 12+

and courtesy  of Vanessa, a photo of me at our table

Marianne Paul‘s fiction and poetry (Above and Below Waterline), packaged nicely against the elements. Veronica Ross, of Cambridge, had her books there too, but unfortunately, the wet weather seemed a bit too much for her and so she left early and took her books with her, so  I didn’t get a photo of her either.

We had a good variety of genres for the day. Thank  you, Vanessa, for organizing things so we could be there together. Great to meet Becka too.

My books, Once Upon a Sandbox,  a memoir, and Big Ideas for the Big Stage,  a book for speakers, also packaged to keep them dry.

I was editor and contributor to the Big Ideas collection.

We had people asking if ebooks were available. One  person  showed interest in the Big Ideas book and inquired about an ebook version, which is available.  And since Vanessa’s book is also available in ebook form, I’m sure she’ll see a few new sales as a result of  yesterday’s presence at Word on the Street.

Sometimes it would stop raining awhile, but we still needed the canopy.

This was Chapters across from us.  A modest display, but still present to the end of the day.

Front of City Hall–not too much action early in the day, but booths are set up  and ready, including Little Libraries of K-W, on far right, a booth by the Scouts.

I understand that you can purchase the kit, join a work session and build  your own, or once you’ve purchased the kit, you can give the Scouts a donation of $25 to build it for you and even install it. Would be a good idea to know where  your services come in to your home before digging that hole to set it up.

Speakers for the day, including Lloyd Robertson, presented inside the building in the rotunda.  Since I’m reading Robertson’s book, The Kind of Life it’s Been, it was good to hear at least part of his presentation, especially his memories of his mother and the challenges they had as a family.

The New Quarterly across from us and to the left

The magazine staff are hosting a Wild Writers Literary Festival November 8-10th. Many events are free, but you must register in advance so they know how many to prepare for.

Over to the left of  the City Hall building was a stage where Eric Traplin sang and played from time to time. A huge bubble machine spouted bubbles while he sang, and the wind blew them over and across the street at times to where we were.

Unbrellas and raincoats were essential yesterday, but we did see a few wearing shorts.

And to our immediate right was a booth for the Zoomer and Carp Magazines, with Diane talking to someone at her table