I think we pulled it off. The launch of my new book “The BlackBerry Diaries: Adventures in Modern Motherhood” happened on Friday night. Okay, not only did it happen, it was terrific. According to the special events manager at the brand new McNally Robinson bookstore, we were the second only event to run out of chairs. It really was standing room only. And, as one of my friends pointed out “It wasn’t even just your family that was there!”
The lovely Erica Ehm (founder, www.yummymummyclub.ca) acted as my MC/Interviewer and I think we gave the audience a good taste of what they’ll find in the book, good or bad.
And then the fun stuff – we gave away so many cool things – and we had some special guests give them away. Alyson Schafer, host of Rogers “The Parenting Show” and author of “Honey I Wrecked The Kids”; Sarah Morgenstern, founder www.savvymom.ca; Maureen Dennis, founder www.weewelcome.ca; Sharon Devillis, Yummy Co-ordinator (read her blog about our, um, unusual relationship); Evelyn Hannon, founder www.journeywoman.com (and Erica’s Mom!); and my own Mom, whom I think was a little pissed not to win the BlackBerry Curve.
As well, loads of Tweeple that I hadn’t met in person before, so that was so cool (trying to figure out who’s who by their tiny Twitter pictures). Follow me on Twitter to get in on the Momversations we have.
My four kids were there and were the first to point me out when Erica asked who in the audience was addicted to their BlackBerry. They were also the first to yell out “Never!” when she asked my parents when they discovered I was funny.
Anyway thanks to EVERYONE who came – was so fun and did not get to talk to everyone as long as I would have liked – will have to wait for the next book.
So after recovering from the high of Friday night, I took Saturday night off (except for some sporadic Twittering and sharing photos), to awake early Sunday morning – not only for Mothers Day, but to check out the review of the book in the Ottawa Citizen. Was worth getting up early.
The day had started with home made cards and poems from the little kids, and soap and manicure certificates with the older ones, and ended with a surprise call from CTV Newsnet to go in and lighten up a heavy news day. Although it’s an hour drive for me to their Scarborough studios, it did offer the chance to miss making dinner (there is a best-before time stamp on Mothers Day at my house), and to connect with Jacqueline Milczarek, who would be doing the interview. I’ve met Jacqueline personally a few times and was looking forward to working with her professionally.
I’ve done Canada AM a few times at the same building, so was surprised when they led me upstairs away from the main studios and into a small “Guest Studio”. There, armed with only a mic, an earpiece and a dark camera to look into, I did the interview with Jackie – who was awesome – but never saw her! I’m sure she was wearing something great as always, and it was fun to have her “in my ear”.
As an aside, the make up ladies there are always lovely and interesting – and the one yesterday was no exception as I sat in the chair and was advised by a seasoned pro that “with four kids, at least one of them is going to end up in the slammer. The odds are against you.” Made me laugh and think about which one I’d put money on today.
Today it’s off to do Alyson Schafer’s show, live at 2:00 across the Rogers Network in Ontario – we’ll be talking Modern Moms and giving away a book too. She and I are both in contention for world’s fastest talker – let me know who you think wins today.
So again, thanks to everyone at Key Porter (especially Kelly & Daniel), and all the prize donors for helping me launch the Diaries in style.
