Sunday, June 12, 2005

Second Watch successfully launched

On Saturday May 28, exactly nine months after I accepted it for publication, first-time author Karen Autio launched her wonderful juvenile fiction book, Second Watch, at the Finnish Book Store in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where Karen grew up and where Second Watch is set in 1914. They sold over 70 copies and broke the store's record for books sold at a launch. We also launched Second Watch in Kelowna, where Karen lives, at the Kelowna Museum on Saturday, June 4. Again, Karen's book broke the record for the most books the museum has sold at a launch (83). Way to go Karen! I was able to drive to Kelowna for the launch and it was wonderful to finally meet Karen in person. As usual, she had everything meticulously organized at the launch: she had pulla bread from Thunder Bay, displays set up, a guest book for everyone to sign, musicians, and the silver spoon that lead Karen to writing the story. After the launch we had a delicious celebratory dinner at Karen's favourite restaurant with her husband and two children, and then Karen and I drove to see where the Kelowna fires were two summers ago. Then we went to Karen's house for ice cream and coffee; it was a wonderful day. The next morning Karen and I met for breakfast and the time flew by much too quickly; both of us are planning to visit again soon. Karen is exactly two days older than me!