For a number of years, I have wished someone would organize a book sale before Christmas. I pictured dozens of Alberta authors and illustrators gathering at some hall or multipurpose room, sitting at tables, while book lovers arrived en masse to purchase signed books.
This year, I stopped waiting for someone else to do it. When Tamara Van Biert, Stony Plain Public Library director, offered to host an event to celebrate the release of my book Day Trips From Edmonton, I suggested inviting other authors, as well as illustrators, to join us in what became the Buy a Book For Someone For Christmas Event.
Emails to members of the Writers Guild of Alberta, Young Alberta Book Society, Writers Union of Canada, and the Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) yielded a fantastic response. The Stony Plain Reporter ran a story on the event and more creators contacted me to take part. I continued to receive calls from interested authors two days before the sale and accepted nearly 30 participants from Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Parkland County, Beaumont, Wetaskiwin, Edmonton, and Calgary. Authors and illustrators represented almost every genre.
We set up our books, decorations, and bowls of candy by 5:00 pm, December 1 and waited to see if anyone would come. Does anyone besides authors, illustrators, and librarians think autographed books make great gifts? Yes! The response was heart-warming. The library filled with delighted book lovers, carrying arm loads of books as they stopped to meet new authors, admire illustrations, and plan their Christmas giving. Adults, teens, and children crowded around tables to ask questions, share ideas, and talk books.
The Edmonton chapter of a charity that promotes literacy endeavors in third world countries also took part, displaying colorful books with text in mutliple languages. Room To Read works to raise funds for education in developing countries. They publish books in the dialects of the regions they serve so that children may enjoy stories and improve their reading skills in their own languages.
The library staff took wonderful care of us. They helped set-up and take down tables, post signs, and even wheeled a cart of refreshements around to each table!
The event ended at 7:30 pm, with more than half of the participants and their partners regrouping at the Stony Plain Boston Pizza. Many expressed an interest in seeing the Buy a Book For Someone For Christmas Event become an annual event. Some wondered if it could be held in other surrounding communities or in Edmonton. It can as long as someone takes the initiative to organize! It was certainly worth it for the book lovers and book sellers who took part. We were so busy, we did not even have enough time to visit each other's tables for more than a few quick moments!
Participants included:
http://www.joangalat.com/
http://www.patriciabrine.com/
http://www.roomtoread.org/
http://www.kazmalia.com/
http://www.frontenachouse.com/
http://www.prairiedogpublishing.ca/
http://www.lisawojna.com/
http://www.donmeredith.ca/
http://www.gailsidoniesobat.com/
http://www.boldtmanstudios.com/
http://www.edgewebsite.com/
This year, I stopped waiting for someone else to do it. When Tamara Van Biert, Stony Plain Public Library director, offered to host an event to celebrate the release of my book Day Trips From Edmonton, I suggested inviting other authors, as well as illustrators, to join us in what became the Buy a Book For Someone For Christmas Event.
Emails to members of the Writers Guild of Alberta, Young Alberta Book Society, Writers Union of Canada, and the Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) yielded a fantastic response. The Stony Plain Reporter ran a story on the event and more creators contacted me to take part. I continued to receive calls from interested authors two days before the sale and accepted nearly 30 participants from Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Parkland County, Beaumont, Wetaskiwin, Edmonton, and Calgary. Authors and illustrators represented almost every genre.
We set up our books, decorations, and bowls of candy by 5:00 pm, December 1 and waited to see if anyone would come. Does anyone besides authors, illustrators, and librarians think autographed books make great gifts? Yes! The response was heart-warming. The library filled with delighted book lovers, carrying arm loads of books as they stopped to meet new authors, admire illustrations, and plan their Christmas giving. Adults, teens, and children crowded around tables to ask questions, share ideas, and talk books.
The Edmonton chapter of a charity that promotes literacy endeavors in third world countries also took part, displaying colorful books with text in mutliple languages. Room To Read works to raise funds for education in developing countries. They publish books in the dialects of the regions they serve so that children may enjoy stories and improve their reading skills in their own languages.
The library staff took wonderful care of us. They helped set-up and take down tables, post signs, and even wheeled a cart of refreshements around to each table!
The event ended at 7:30 pm, with more than half of the participants and their partners regrouping at the Stony Plain Boston Pizza. Many expressed an interest in seeing the Buy a Book For Someone For Christmas Event become an annual event. Some wondered if it could be held in other surrounding communities or in Edmonton. It can as long as someone takes the initiative to organize! It was certainly worth it for the book lovers and book sellers who took part. We were so busy, we did not even have enough time to visit each other's tables for more than a few quick moments!
Participants included:
- Joan Marie Galat
- Marty Chan
- Rita Feutl
- Lyle Weis
- Don Meredith
- Caterina Edwards
- Bob Stallworthy
- Karen SpaffordFitz
- Leanne Myggland Carter
- Gail Sidonie Sobat
- Molly Anne Warring
- Debby Waldman
- Roberta Laurie
- Lisa Wojna
- Roxanne Felix
- Patricia Brine
- Pat Nelson: Room to Read
- Linda Kaszap
- Ann Sutherland
- Helen Rose
- Tyler Enfield
- Mike Boldt
- Paul Napora
- Barbara Galler Smith
- Lynn Link
http://www.joangalat.com/
http://www.patriciabrine.com/
http://www.roomtoread.org/
http://www.kazmalia.com/
http://www.frontenachouse.com/
http://www.prairiedogpublishing.ca/
http://www.lisawojna.com/
http://www.donmeredith.ca/
http://www.gailsidoniesobat.com/
http://www.boldtmanstudios.com/
http://www.edgewebsite.com/
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