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Other than the cold snap, (which I’m playfully tweaking my homeland about) I’m having a terrific time. I realized this is my first real vacation this year. But let’s be honest, going to bookstores to meet fans and sign books is not work. This is fun.Every time I set foot in a bookstore no matter where I always feel a sense that I’m coming home.

Lest anyone think I’m only focusing on big chains, I visited two independent stores yesterday – Greenley’s in downtown Belleville where I met proprietor Tammy Grieve. The store is quite large and has an entire second level that’s not obvious when you look at it from the street. Very neat and organized. In the afternoon I went to Novel Ideas on the main strip in Kingston. For those who don’t know Kingston, it’s a university town which means when you see all the students walking down the street you suddenly remember you went to school a loooooooong time ago. They looked like kids. Did I look that young when I was 19? Anyway, Novel Ideas is another wonderful independent bookstore and well worth a visit.

I really enjoy visiting stores and saying hi and getting to know the people that work there. They’re readers, book lovers, and they’re the folks on the front line fighting for our society’s literacy rate. I often ask what they’re reading because odds are it’s going to be something interesting. That’s why (if you’ve ever wondered) why I go out of my way to get names and cards and mention them on my blogs. They aren’t likely to show up in acknowledgements, or get a shout out at an awards show, but they are indispensable and make bookstores the haven they are for fans of the written word.

In other news, I bought my parents a new GPS for the trip. This one has a bigger screen and more functions. Now I just need to find out how to search for routes to the nearest place with a senior’s coffee discount and my dad will be thrilled.

I’m in “holy cow I forgot how cold it gets” Canada thinking all those jokes about the Great White North have a grain of truth to them after all. Guess my blood has thinned over the years living in the deep south. So far, my trip has been fantastic! Met a great friend, Anna, who moved from Brooklyn to Mississauga and surprised me with early birthday presents, and got a chance to hang out and talk with Regai at the Chapters in Ajax. Regai keeps building sites safe (or at least can tell you why something went terribly, horribly wrong afterward 🙂

Before I forget, S&S Canada just posted a blog post interview I did with them:

http://simonandschustercanada.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/qa-with-chris-evans-author-of-the-iron-elves-trilogy/

Fun family dinner with my parents and aunt and uncle at Canadian institution Swiss Chalet (which admittedly sounds like it should be a Swiss institution). Been over a year since I ate at one of them. I apologize to anyone offended by the sounds I made while eating, but oh, baby, that chicken…

Huge thanks to Manager Eric and Pablo at the Chapters in Etobicoke where I signed all the Iron Elves books they had.

Thanks, too, to Christine at the World’s Biggest Bookstore in downtown Toronto for helping me as I signed their very impressive pile of Iron Elves books. If you’ve never checked out the store you really should. It is impressive! And the sci-fi and fantasy section is spectacular which is due in large part to the efforts of Jessica Strider. You can check out her blog at http://scififanletter.blogspot.com/

And another big thanks to Meike at the Indigo in the Eaton’s Centre. It’s just a couple of blocks from the World’s Biggest Bookstore.

Oh, and we were diverted while driving downtown by the Occupy Bay Street protest which I didn’t mind as I think it’s an important issue to redress the insane imbalance in wealth around the world. Not sure I’m all the way with Robin Hood on this, but the capitalist system is clearly tipped too far in one direction right now.

Ok, end of politics, back to books. There is just something about being in a bookstore that seems to bring out the best in people. I’ve been meeting the nicest, most helpful folks you would ever want to encounter. Had a long, fascinating talk with Lance at the WBB about military history. He’s a bit of a mirror image in that he’s American and moved up to Canada to work.

Lot’s more to come so stay tuned.

Chris and Regai inadvertently plugging Starbucks in the Chapters in Ajax

It’s easy as you get older to let your childhood sense of wonder get shuffled to the back of the closet as you focus on the seemingly endless array of adult responsibilities that come to dominate your time. Growing up is natural and necessary, but I’m finally understanding that it doesn’t mean one also has to grow old. I’m not even sure I’m prepared to say I’m a geek or a nerd for loving fantasy anymore. I didn’t think I was when I was fifteen, and you know what, I don’t really think I am now. I’m just someone who enjoys the adventure a good fantasy can offer.

Here’s your chance to not only get your books signed by me, but by my folks, too 🙂 OK, just kidding (but if you ask them, I’m sure they’ll oblige).  Starting the end of next week, the Evans caravan will be rumbling across North America and coming to a town near you…if you happen to live in one of the towns I’m going to. So where will I be? This is still a work in progress and will likely change somewhat, but it’s a fairly good snapshot at the moment. Hopefully I’ll be able to add a few cities. As things firm up I will confirm where I’ll be.  The signings won’t be long drawn out affairs, but more of me popping into a store for half an hour, signing all the books and chatting with folks.  For the very latest in where and when I’ll be somewhere you can check for regular updates on my twitter account @CEvansAuthor  I’ll be tweeting the whole trip. With my parents. In an RV for a week. Should. Be. Fun. Argh 🙂

October 27

Toronto  *  Ajax  *  Oshawa

October 28

Belleville  *  Kingston

October 29

Milton *  Guelph  *  Kitchener-Waterloo

October 30

London

I’m limiting my television watching to a few very select shows (The Walking Dead, Terra Nova – although I’m still on the fence on this one, a couple of comedies and a documentary here and there) and focusing on getting my drawing skills up a level or two. I’ve always loved to sketch, but never really focused on it for any length of time. I’ve only just started using the brush pens so I have a learning curve ahead of me, but it’s enjoyable.

Oh, speaking of the Walking Dead, the herd shuffling by was one of the scariest scenes I’ve seen in a long time, and it happened in broad daylight. That’s impressive story telling. I think it was the juxtaposition of such horror in the middle of the day that made it work so well. Had they filmed it at night I don’t think it would have had the same power. The premier did have some lulls, but I’m definitely invested in it.

Anyway, as my drawing/painting skills hopefully improve I’ll bite the bullet and post a few of my attempts. Tonight I took a stab at Rallie’s quill, although one more colorful than she uses.