Greetings, friends.
I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the positive response to my book, the Globe excerpt and the interview I did on CBC’s The Current. I am so pleased that the people who are reading the book and have given me feedback seem to completely “get” what I am trying to convey. Thank you all for your kind messages. If there was negative, I sure didn’t hear of it, although I have big shoulders if anyone has an issue to raise.
While this story is obviously held together by the true crime framework, I hope readers will find there is much more to it than merely a post mortem of an investigation epically mismanaged and flawed.
In the midst of all this, I began courses for my MA in Professional Communications this week. Suffice to say, I am paddling hard to keep my head above water, answering emails, Tweets, texts, the phone, doing more interviews, writing, and getting a handle on my coming assignments and reading. I’m not complaining, but I am making sure I take some breaks as needed. My sleep has returned to a higher level of disturbance, but I’m hoping that will be temporary.
I’m also learning through immersion about the world of promoting a book in Canada. Long story, but there will not be a Globe and Mail review tomorrow. Apparently, there are “rules” around how much exposure books can get. Or something like that. I’m still patting myself on the back for not fawning all over Anna Maria Tremonti in adulation, even though I was so tempted. That woman’s brain is a national treasure and her team is just terrific. Many thanks to them again for the opportunity to speak.
There is now a National Post excerpt coming soon, a Vancouver Magazine excerpt, my first TV interview (since Vicky Gabareau a million years ago) with APTN’s incomparable Michael Hutchinson, airing Tuesday, Sept. 14 on Face2Face right after the news, a cover piece in the Sept. 13 Province newspaper, and several others we haven’t quite nailed down dates for.
Last thing: check out The Walrus magazine Sept. 14 for Stacey May Fowles’ interview with me, as well as an excerpt in both their print and online editions. I think she may also be reviewing the book? No one tells me anything! I so enjoyed speaking with her.
I’ve also written a piece for Quill and Quire coming in October dealing with the relationship between memoir and trauma.
Phew.
Have a great weekend and please remember to vote Oct. 19th
L
P.S. As happened after my Missing Women Commission of Inquiry testimony, I am receiving anguished requests for help with police investigations from victims and witnesses who felt they were not receiving adequate service from or being taken seriously by police. Please know I sympathsize and am where I am because of my own lack of faith in the system. I can try where I can to point people in the right direction, but I’m no longer a police officer and have little access to that world. Please call 9-11 in your community and demand that an officer take your report and follow up with you. I wish you luck and hope we can change this dynamic in time.