City of Burlington makes a big deal of me. My career began when I moved her in the 80s.

When I tell people I’m heading in to Toronto to meet my agent and publicist, I feel like Lady Gaga. But writers are only celebrities in a quiet, have-you-read my-book, kind of way. What I mean by that is if you haven’t read anything I’ve written, of course I am not famous to you. (Also PS I’m not wealthy.)

A lovely part of my work though is having a team behind me. Sorry I didn’t take a selfie with the best agent I could imagine having, Amy Tompkins. (David Bennett retired–he was the best I could imagine before.)

We talked about my picture book effort and she made great edit suggestions among which is find a sexier title. Hero Dogs has now become Boomer and Diesel, Life Saver Dogs. Tell me if you think of anything sexier. We also talked about a future bidding war for a new project What the Dog Knows. Just kidding. Well maybe not really.

Then I dropped by on the beautiful Dundurn Press office. Oh my gosh, there are bookshelves everywhere and that kind of hushed atmosphere that makes you want to stop, drop, and read.

Elham Ali, my savy young publicist, and I discussed subway ads, Forest of Reading hopes (every writer in Canada hopes), great books and…she let me pick a couple of ARCs (advance reading copies.) Elham also gave me a Best Mistake Mystery poster which I immediately regifted to Burlington Public Library. My series is set in Burlington so I’m always trying to alert young readers here about it.

Also squeezed in around these meetings, I chatted with Claire Gillis to get an update on copyright struggles. Where possible I try to advocate for Access Copyright because I want the future writers, editors, publicists and other cultural arts workers of Canada to have jobs. Strong copyright is strong culture.

Toronto is a long commute, so I bring my laptop and write. Totally immersed myself in my new middle grade project, despite announcements at every station about the floor I was on being a “Quiet Zone.” On the way home I finished reading a captivating book recommended to me by fellow Burlington writer Jennifer Maruno. The book is I Am a Truck by Michelle Winters

A perfect day in the life of a writer.!

At the end of the meetings I make time for a little sight seeing before the commute home. My favourite fountain on Front Street.