OLA SuperConference 2017 was so fun!

The author (left) and illustrator Shawna Daigle
Thanks to Diane Young for the photo

Well, it's all over for another year, but the Ontario Library Association SuperConference was so fun, once again!

As a Forest of Reading nominee, I was pretty busy. Thank you to OLA for nominating my book, Myles and the the Monster Outside for a Silver Birch Express Award. I'm so honoured.



My wonderful illustrator, Shawna Daigle, and I went to the Forest of Reading Breakfast, where I talked to (in no particular order): Teresa Toten, Lena Coakley, Jess Keating, Joel Sutherland, Robin Stevenson, Kevin Sands, Richard Scrimger, Karen Bass, and there must be more people I've forgotten (sorry). It was a kids' CanLit who's who, for sure.

Then Shawna and I did a signing at the Dundurn booth, where I signed copies of my newest book, Everton Miles is Stranger than Me, and Shawna signed our newest book in the Weird Stories Gone Wrong series, Carter and the Curious Maze. We met so many great librarians, and handed out 50 books in no time.

Here's a brief video of our signing.

Me reading from Myles on CANSCAIP stage
Thank you to Clifton Library for the pic

Then, I did a 5 minute talk at the CANSCAIP stage, talking about Myles and the Monster Outside. I was at the end, but looked up to see Ken Oppel, Richard Scrimger, Lena Coakley, and Joel Sutherland all sitting, smiling, listening to me read. It was really fun. (And holy cow, did I just say that Ken Oppel was listening to me read?!)

We met other authors and illustrators for lunch, we wandered the show, we talked about the next two books we're going to do together (YAY!), and then at the end of the day, I sat with friends Frieda Wishinsky, Natalie Hyde and Karen Bass, and we chatted about the industry, writing, the writer's life. A fascinating chat, with chamomile tea.

Thank you to all the librarians, readers, publishers and everyone at OLA for making this year such a great experience. It's all worth it. Until next year, then.

Talking Kidlit, Horror and more at the OLA SuperConference

Librarians, teachers, fellow authors (and you, if you happen to fall outside that group but are reading this!) ...

I'm doing three events at the OLA SuperConference in Toronto this year, on February 3. If you're there, please drop by and say hi, pick up a signed book, listen in.


Here's my schedule for the day:

1. OLA Forest of Reading Breakfast, 8:00-9:00. My book Myles and the Monster Outside is a Silver Birch Express nominee for 2017 (thank  you!). I'll be at the breakfast with series illustrator, Shawna Daigle (and she's way cooler than me!) Please come by and say hello!

2. Author Signing, 10:00-10:30. I'll be signing copies of my latest book, Everton Miles is Stranger than Me, at the Dundurn Booth from 10:30 to 11:00. Come by and grab a free autographed copy, but come early, I run out every year. You'll also catch authors Sylvia McNicoll and Melody Fitzpatrick signing along with me.

3. CANSCAIP/OLA Forest of Reading Book launch, @11:15. this year I was invited to join the CANSCAIP folks, talking about my Forest of Reading title, Myles and the Monster Outside. At @11:15, I'll be briefly discussing writing horror for kids, what inspired me to write these stories (my then-9-year-old son), series overview and more. There are nine other authors you won't want to miss on stage with me, including Kenneth Oppel, Lena Coakley, Helaine Becker and more. Come hear some great Canadian kids' authors talk about their craft. Here's the link for more info.

For fun, here's my book trailer for Myles and the Monster Outside, featuring Shawna's brilliant illustrations.

Hope to see you at the OLA!

PD