My Book Launch is Planned

 

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I've picked the date and venue for the official launch of my new novel, A Killer Whisky. Tuesday, March 25th, in the RGO Treehouse at cSPACE, Marda Loop. The Treehouse is a whimsical name for the 4th-floor meeting room in Calgary's creative arts incubator. I held my last book launch in the Treehouse and the views are beautiful, especially at sunset. Thanks to the spring forward to daylight savings time, we'll be there again for sunset and twilight for A Killer Whisky's launch. 

City view from the Treehouse at twilight

Signing a copy of my book for a friend at my last launch

I'm planning a launch program similar to the ones at my last few book launches, with a twist. I'll do a PowerPoint presentation showing photographs related to A Killer Whisky's time frame and setting locations, interspersed with readings from the novel. Some photos will be images of Calgary circa 1918; others will be photos I've recently taken of 100-plus-year-old buildings featured in the story.    

A character in my novel moves into an apartment in the Hicks Block, Tuxedo Park. In the 1970s, the building was renamed the Kelly Block. My friend, writer and literary historian Shaun Hunter (crossing the street in the photo) will introduce me at the launch. 

It's customary at book launches to serve wine and light refreshments. Since "whisky" is in my novel's title and plays a large role in the story, a twist to the beverage service will be whisky instead of wine. Attendees can try a "wee dram" of whisky or a signature whisky cocktail. One of my tasks for the next month will be to develop cocktails named for my novel's characters. It's a tough job, but I'm up for the challenge. 
   

 

Another task will be to continue to work on online promotion to promote the book launch. If you missed Shaun's interview with me, check out her blog post.   

On Feb 22, 10 am PT, everyone's invited to my online reading and conversation with two other authors from Sisters in Crime Canada West. It's a free event, but you need to register here.

The week before my Calgary book launch, I'll get to practice my PowerPoint presentation at the Pincher Creek Library in Southern Alberta. I've titled this talk "War, Pandemic, & Prohibition: how historic events inspired my novel." Unfortunately, the library doesn't allow liquor service, so this event will reflect the novel's Prohibition theme.  

Cheers! I hope to raise a glass with some of you at these events.