I had the most amazing, magical time at the Book Lover’s Ball last night, which is an event to support the Toronto Public Library (which just happens to be the the busiest urban library in the world). I was invited to to attend the ball as a “celebrity author” (don’t giggle!) and I had the most beautiful time. Last night reminded me how much I love being a writer, how much I love meeting other writers, and how great it is to talk to people who love books. Though I’ve lived in the Toronto area most of my life, it was my first time at the Fairmont Royal York. What a lovely, grand hotel.
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| All dressed up and ready to go! |
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| Lots of beautiful people all dressed up. |
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| The team at Simon & Schuster Canada (my publisher here) made sure I had a great time. This is Max Arambulo, publicity guru at S&S. |
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| And this is Felicia Quon, Director of Marketing at Simon & Schuster Canada. |
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| There was all kinds of entertainment (yes, I found the man on the screen very entertaining)… |
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| And a fashion show of sorts… |
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| And I got to spend some time with my lovely friend Laurie Grassi, the books editor at Chatelaine magazine. |
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| Hanging out with author Brad Smith (we didn’t realize we have the same agent in New York, Victoria Skurnick!), Max, Laurie, and Felicia. |
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| Having a great time with one of my beautiful table mates, Mary. |
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| And another gorgeous table mate, whose name has fallen out of my head now! Must have had too much wine, but she was lovely. |
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| And unwinding in the bar at the end of the night with the S&S team and their authors, including the very dashing Andrew Pyper, author of THE DEMONOLOGIST (out in March). |
All in all, it was a fabulous event, and I hope I get to go again! The dinner was absolutely delicious (steak!) and they even catered to my food allergies. We writers don’t get many opportunities to feel glamorous, and every girl needs a night out like this once in awhile. I was so flattered and happy to be part of something this worthwhile, and the Toronto Library raised a lot of money through everyone’s donations and the silent auction. Fun for a good cause!
Hope your year is off to a great start!
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You looked gorgeous! By the way, who was that guy up on the screen? Yum-O!
I don't know, but he sure got everyone's attention. 🙂
I'll second what Nancy said. You look gorgeous! And what great photos. Sounds like you had a blast! 🙂
You look great, Jennifer! Wow, looks like they treated you like royalty.
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Well, you were just a few minutes' walk away from me, Jen. You look fabulous!
Aw, you guys are awesome. Thank you! It was fun night.
Thanks Alex! They treated the authors really well. We all had a great time.
Great pictures! You look fantastic (I never look that good when there is wine, it's either a goofy expresion on my face, or a wine stain on my outfit. LOL), and I am so happy that you had a great time! It looks magical!
Looks like it was a wonderful evening Glad you had such a good time!
Great pictures! It looks like a wonderful time and you are beautiful as always! Supporting public libraries should be a priority for all of us.
I also would like to know who that mystery screen man was.ha
Love the dress, so pretty with the black lace! Not sure why that was what caught my eye but i guess I just like a pretty dress 🙂
You look amazing. It must have been an exciting event! 🙂
Wow … all this wining & dining … the life of a "Celebrity author" sure looks tough, but I guess someone's got to do it 🙂
Great photos, and good to hear from you again. Looks like 2013 is off to a flying start.
You look so pretty Jen! You were rockin that dress!!! It sounds like a great evening and what girl isn't mesmerized by the men on the screen? 😉
Glad you had such an amazing time!
Yay–a blog entry from you again! You looked great in that dress, Jen. 🙂 And also, I know what you mean about getting out and meeting other writers. It's very rejuvenating to talk shop with like-minded folks once in a while, ain't it?
So glad you rocked the ball and had such a wonderful time! Here's to the rest of your 2013 looking up and up!
Hi, Jennifer. It's been too long! I'm glad to hear that the night was wonderful all the way around. Congrats on everything. I hope the new year continues to treat you well, my friend. Cheers!
-Jimmy
WOW!! You look amazing, dear. 🙂 I loved to live vicariously through you! <333 Next time, we need to take a pic of the two of us together, huh? 🙂
This looked really fun and you are GORGEOUS in that dress! 🙂
First of all, you look absolutely stunning! And it looks like such a fun and amazing night! Glad you enjoyed yourself!
So awesome! You looked super glamorous and it seems like it was a super fun and fancy event! I wish we had fashion shows at book events around here.
Thanks, everyone! I am TERRIBLE with blogging these days, but I'll be by soon to visit you all. 🙂
Hi Jennifer,
I'm here thanks to Alex. Great to meet you. It looks like a wonderful event and you look lovely.
Cheers!
A little late, but yay! SO MUCH GLAMOUR!!! And you look lovely! Nice dress! <3
I just finished Creep and Freak. Loved them! Is Magnolia continuing from those?