Travel

Pilgrim in the (Toronto) Palace

Dundurn Press Publicity (or the “promo lounge” as it’s been dubbed) has been a busy place recently. We’ve had a few books come up for release and some trade show events, coupled with some long-term planning for events, lots of meetings for the upcoming release seasons, and nevermind the day-to-day stuff that ever so quickly piles up. I’m quickly learning how busy the publishing industry can  get, and apparently this isn’t even our true busy period.

The highlight of my week was getting to assist one of our authors as he came to our city for a speaking event. Glenn Dixon, author of Pilgrim In the Palace of Words, flew in from Calgary to participate in the Ben McNally Traveller’s Series event as part of Authors at Harbourfront Centre this past Wednesday night. My responsibility while Glenn was in town was to make sure he arrived at his arranged destinations while in the city and handle any last minute shifts in his schedule that may arise.

I’ve been looking forward to Glenn’s visit since I started at Dundurn about a month ago. Glenn’s was the first book I read after I accepted my new position and began to familiarize myself with our catalogue. I’m sure my views are a tad biased, but it’s a fabulous book that I really enjoyed reading (in fact, I enjoyed it so much that I’ve read it twice!). When I heard that I would be the “go-to” person for Glenn’s visit, I was excited to meet the man behind the incredible stories, and a little nervous to handle my first author visit, too.

With the week all over with, I must highlight two of the best parts:

First, the event itself was fabulous. Glenn was paired with two other travel writers, all of whom offered entertaining, humourous, insightful snapshots of their worldly experiences and their published works. They were each so different, but perfect complements to one another; each with a different focus but all a common idea – seeing the world and learning more about themselves.

Second (and this is the PR nerd in me coming out), I was able to escort Glenn on Thursday morning to CityTV where he appeared on Breakfast Television for a live interview about his book. Having never been to Breakfast Television as a guest, audience member, or publicist, it was both an invaluable learning experience as a newbie communications professional and an amazing opportunity for Glenn and his book. The interview went really well – and not just in my opinion! A few family and friends heard I would be escorting an author to the show and tuned in that morning, all to rave reviews.

It was both wonderful to spend last week learning more about one of our authors while also proving to myself that although I may be fresh meat in the publishing world, perhaps I’ll be able to handle the type of events that will come my way.

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